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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 - LOSSAN EIR Scoping (1320 Roundhouse) PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: Public scoping meeting to discuss the scope of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) being prepared by LOSSAN (Lead Agency) for the Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) project PROJECT LOCATION: 1320 Roundhouse St BY: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner Phone: 805/781-7166 email: bleveille@slocity.org FILE NUMBER: NA FROM: Tyler Corey, Principal Planner RECOMMENDATION: Receive public testimony and provide input to staff, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency and environmental consultants on any additional scope items or environmental issues that need to be evaluated in the Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) project. SITE DATA Applicant NA – LOSSAN is a state agency and the City does not have jurisdiction over this project Representative James Campbell, Manager of Programs, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Existing Zoning/General Plan Service-Commercial with Special Considerations and Historic Overlay (C-S-S-H)/Services and Manufacturing Site Area Approximately 8.3 acres Environmental Status Issues are being identified to guide EIR preparation. LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is the Lead Agency and is preparing the EIR 1.0 SUMMARY The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is proposing to relocate the existing layover facility adjacent to the San Luis Obispo station at 1011 Railroad Avenue to an expanded facility to the south at the mostly vacant Union Pacific (UP) property at the Roundhouse site. Meeting Date: March 10, 2021 Item Number: 2 Time: 45 Minutes Item 2 Packet Page 5 EIR Scoping – LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Planning Commission Report – March 10, 2021 Page 2 The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority that oversees the coastal rail line between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. It is governed by a 11-member Board of Directors composed of elected officials representing rail owners, operators, and planning agencies along the rail corridor. The LOSSAN Agency is staffed by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)1. The Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) project is intended to increase overnight storage capacity to support the service goals and objectives for the Pacific Surfliner in the State Rail Plan and LOSSAN’s fiscal year Business Plan. The LOSSAN rail corridor is 351 miles in length and serves commuter trains, Amtrak intercity trains, and freight trains. The LOSSAN corridor is identified as the second most heavily traveled intercity passenger rail corridor in the nation. San Luis Obispo is at the northern terminus of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. Currently, one Pacific Surfliner train overnights each day in San Luis Obispo for an early morning departure the following day. The proposed project will provide for maintenance of equipment at the northern terminus of the corridor and will allow for additional passenger trains to hold overnight and allow a second morning departure from San Luis Obispo. Additional storage and maintenance capacity will also allow for future further expansion of service. An Initial Study has not been prepared as the EIR will examine all potential issue areas including, Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Noise and Vibration, Public Services, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, and Wildfire. The purpose of this meeting is for LOSSAN to receive public input regarding potentially significant impacts of the project, alternatives, and potential mitigation measures that should be addressed in more detail in the EIR. 2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION 2.1 Site Information/Setting The project site is located on approximately 8.3 acres of mostly vacant land area between the area west of the Union Pacific (UP) Main Tracks and areas east of the Roundhouse St. terminus (Roundhouse site). The southern extent of the project area is east of Francis Avenue and terminates in the area north of McMillan Avenue west of the UP tracks. The project site is bordered predominantly by multi-family development to the west where properties are developed on Emily Street, Victoria Avenue, Humbert Avenue, and Lawrence Drive. East of the site across the UP mainline tracks and the Railroad Safety Trail is single-family residential development in the vicinity of Bushnell and Bishop Streets and the west end of San Carlos Drive. The San Luis Obispo Rail Museum is at the far north of the project site and the far southern end of the site is bordered by Commercial uses in the Manufacturing zone. 1 LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency website: https://www.octa.net/LOSSAN-Rail-Corridor-Agency/Overview/ Item 2 Packet Page 6 EIR Scoping – LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Planning Commission Report – March 10, 2021 Page 3 2.2 Project Description The CCLF project consists of the construction of a new rail yard, storage and servicing tracks, operations and maintenance buildings, landscape improvements, pedestrian improvements, and safety and security features (see Attachments 1 & 2, Concept plan and NOP). Perimeter fencing would be installed around the facility for site security and public safety. LOSSAN has indicated funding is currently not available to construct the entire facility at once. Instead, a phased construction approach is intended, constructing an initial portion of the facility which includes the most immediately needed elements, and adding the remaining components as the need arises and additional funding becomes available. 2.3 Project components Rail Yard and Tracks. The proposed project would construct a new rail yard with up to five new tracks. • Train Wash Track • Service & Inspection (S&I) Track • Storage Track (3) Trains would enter the site from the mainline switch at the north end of the site, passing through the Train Wash. Trains would travel south, passing the train wash building onto the tail track and then reverse direction into either the S&I Track or to one of the other storage tracks. Upon reaching the S&I position or a storage track, the trains would park for the night, connecting to ground power to allow for the electric functions of the train to continue and connecting to a yard air compressor to keep the brake system charged. These connections allow for continuity of these functions without the locomotive engine running, minimizing engine idling within the facility. From the S&I or storage positions, daily servicing and light maintenance can occur. Trains stored on the S&I track would also undergo additional safety, operational and reliability inspections. Trains would exit the facility north toward the San Luis Obispo station at intervals based on the approved and published service schedules. Buildings. The proposed CCLF would consist of a series of single-story structures housing a variety of functions including office space, storage space, workshops, train wash, train S&I and wheel truing. Operations/Fleet Maintenance Building. The Operations Building would be an approximately 3,000 square feet (sf) one-story building, which would house administrative offices and restrooms for operations and maintenance staff. Fleet Maintenance Shops Building. The Fleet Maintenance Shops Building would be a one-story building and approximately 2,900 sf and would house a welding/fabrication shop, brake and coupler shop, and toolbox storage. Parts Storeroom Building. The Parts Storeroom Building would be a one-story building, approximately 1,500 sf, located adjacent to the Fleet Maintenance Shops Building and Maintenance of Way Building. Item 2 Packet Page 7 EIR Scoping – LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Planning Commission Report – March 10, 2021 Page 4 This building would store components and parts that are required on a frequent basis to support maintenance activities, and would include a dedicated secure area for shipping, receiving and storage. Maintenance of Way (MOW) Building. The MOW Building would be a one-story building, approximately 2,200 sf, located adjacent to the Parts Storeroom Building. MOW is responsible for inspection and maintenance of track, roadbed, and buildings for the facility. MOW is also responsible for inspection and maintenance of non-revenue vehicles assigned to the CCLF. Wash Building. The Wash Building would be a 10,000 sf one-story building, located at the center of the project site, along the Train Wash Track. An automatic, drive-through train wash would be enclosed in the Wash Building. As described above, trains entering the maintenance facility would pass through the Train Wash Building for cleaning prior to being placed on one of the storage tracks or the S&I track. The train wash is anticipated to operate 7 days per week. Each train arriving at the facility at the end of its service day will enter through the wash, requiring it to run for about 5 -10 minutes for each train. The timing of the train wash operation will depend on the approved and published service schedule, and would likely be during the evening hours. Wheel Truing Building. The Wheel Truing Building would be a one-story building, approximately 1,900 sf in size and located at the north end of the project site adjacent to the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum parking lot. The Wheel Truing Building would house an underfloor pit -mounted wheel truing machine. Use of this facility is anticipated to be infrequent and not part of the daily operation. S&I Shelter. One of the tracks would function as a storage track with an S&I position. The S&I track would be covered by a 24’ high shelter. To provide access to the underside of a train for inspection and maintenance, a lower-level work area or gauge pit would be installed. Cleaning Shelters. Two cleaning shelters would be provided south of the Wash Building and storage tracks. Parking. The proposed project would provide a total of 54 on-site parking spaces for employees and visitors. Most of the parking spaces would be located on the west end of the central yard in between the Roundhouse Site and Operations building. The other parking spaces would be located adjacent to the MOW Shops building. Access. Primary employee and visitor access to the site would be from Roundhouse Avenue. Additional emergency access to the site would be available from the train museum parking lot (north end of site), from the parking lot off Alphonso Street (center of site), and from Francis Avenue (south end of site). 3.0 PLANNING COMMISSION’S PURVIEW The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is the Lead Agency and the City does not have discretionary authority over this project. The Planning Commission has been selected by LOSSAN as the most appropriate venue to receive comments from the public and public agencies regarding the proposed project, and to receive any feedback regarding issues of concern that should be evaluated in more detail Item 2 Packet Page 8 EIR Scoping – LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Planning Commission Report – March 10, 2021 Page 5 in the EIR. The hearing is not a forum to discuss the merits of the proposed project itself, and the project will not return for any discretionary City review since LOSSAN is a state agency and not subject to local Zoning regulations. 4.0 NEXT STEPS Comments on the NOP to guide EIR preparation must be provided by March 26, 2021. City staff will be following up to confirm Commission comments and public comments pertinent to the EIR are considered in the EIR evaluation. Once the Draft EIR is available f or public review, City staff will be coordinating a thorough review and will provide comments on behalf of the City regarding the adequacy of the EIR analysis. Final project approval will be considered by the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency. 5.0 ATTACHMENTS 1. Concept Plan 2. Notice of Preparation Item 2 Packet Page 9 Attachment 1 Item 2Packet Page 10 1 PUBLIC NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING As the Lead Agency pursuant Section 21067 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency (Agency) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Report and hold a public scoping meeting for the following project: Project Title: Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Scoping Meeting: A virtual public scoping meeting will be held for this project on Wednesday March 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. A presentation will be made at the scoping meeting that will include a description of the project and the purpose of the scoping meeting. The virtual meeting will consist of a live presentation followed by an opportunity for public input on the scope of the EIR or project. Remote Viewing: The public scoping meeting is an agendized item on the City of San Luis Obispo’s Planning Commission meeting. Members of the public wishing to the watch the meeting can find information on the City’s website at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date, and published here: https://www.slocity.org/government/advisory-bodies/agendas-and-minutes/planning-commission Pro ject Address/Location: The project site is located on approximately 8.3 acres of relatively undeveloped land in the City of San Luis Obispo, which is situated along the Central Coast region of the state, about 190 miles north of Los Angeles (Figure 1). The proposed project is located south of the existing San Luis Obispo Amtrak Station (1011 Railroad Avenue). It extends from the existing Amtrak Station south to Francis Street, between the Union Pacific Main Tracks and existing commercial and residential development to the west. The southern limits of the project site is located just west of McMillan Avenue. Project Description: The proposed project includes the construction of a new rail yard, storage and servicing tracks, operations and maintenance buildings, landscape improvements, pedestrian improvements, and safety and security features. Perimeter fencing would be installed around the facility for site security and public safety. Since funding is not available to construct the entire facility at once, construction phasing for the project is anticipated. This includes constructing the initial most critical portions of the facility, and the remaining components as need arises and funding becomes available. The sections below will provide some details that are known at this stage in the project; the information is subject to change as design work proceeds. Rail Yard and Tracks. The proposed project would construct a new rail yard with up to five new tracks. Train Wash Track Service & Inspection (S&I) Track Stor age Track (3) Attachment 2Item 2 Packet Page 11 2 Trains would enter the site from the mainline switch at the north end of the site, passing through the Train Wash. Trains would travel south, passing the train wash building onto the tail track and then reverse direction into either the S&I Track or to one of the other storage tracks. Upon reaching the S&I position or a storage track, the trains would park for the night, connecting to ground power to allow for the electric functions of the train to continue and connecting to a yard air compressor to keep the brake system charged. These connections allow for continuity of these functions without the locomotive engine running, minimizing engine idling within the facility. From the S&I or storage positions, daily servicing and light maintenance can occur. Trains stored on the S&I track would also undergo additional safety, operational and reliability inspections. Trains would exit the facility north toward the San Luis Obispo station at intervals based on the approved and published service schedules. Buildings. The proposed CCLF would consist of a series of single-story structures housing a variety of functions including office space, storage space, workshops, train wash, train S&I and wheel truing. Operations/Fleet Maintenance Building. The Operations Building would be an approximately 3,000 square feet (sf) one-story building, which would house administrative offices and restrooms for operations and maintenance staff. Fleet Maintenance Shops Building. The Fleet Maintenance Shops Building would be a one-story building and approximately 2,900 sf and would house a welding/fabrication shop, brake and coupler shop, and toolbox storage. Parts Storeroom Building. The Parts Storeroom Building would be a one-story building, approximately 1,500 sf, located adjacent to the Fleet Maintenance Shops Building and Maintenance of Way Building. This building would store components and parts that are required on a frequent basis to support maintenance activities, and would include a dedicated secure area for shipping, receiving and storage. Maintenance of Way (MOW) Building. The MOW Building would be a one-story building, approximately 2,200 sf, located adjacent to the Parts Storeroom Building. MOW is responsible for inspection and maintenance of track, roadbed, and buildings for the facility. MOW is also responsible for inspection and maintenance of non-revenue vehicles assigned to the CCLF. Wash Building. The Wash Building would be a 10,000 sf one-story building, located at the center of the project site, along the Train Wash Track. An automatic, drive-through train wash would be enclosed in the Wash Building. As described above, trains entering the maintenance facility would pass through the Train Wash Building for cleaning prior to being placed on one of the storage tracks or the S&I track. The train wash is anticipated to operate 7 days per week. Each train arriving at the facility at the end of its service day will enter through the wash, requiring it to run for about 5-10 minutes for each train. The timing of the train wash operation will depend on the approved and published service schedule, and would likely be during the evening hours. Wheel Truing Building. The Wheel Truing Building would be a one-story building, approximately 1,900 sf in size and located at the north end of the project site adjacent to the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum parking lot. The Wheel Truing Building would house an underfloor pit-mounted Attachment 2Item 2 Packet Page 12 3 wheel truing machine. Use of this facility is anticipated to be infrequent and not part of the daily operation. S&I Shelter. One of the tracks would function as a storage track with an S&I position. The S&I track would be covered by a 24’ high shelter. To provide access to the underside of a train for inspection and maintenance, a lower level work area or gauge pit would be installed. Cleaning Shelters. Two cleaning shelters would be provided south of the Wash Building and storage tracks. Parking. The proposed project would provide a total of 54 on-site parking spaces for employees and visitors. Most of the parking spaces would be located on the west end of the central yard in between the Roundhouse Site and Operations building. The other parking spaces would be located adjacent to the MOW Shops building. Access. Primary employee and visitor access to the site would be from Roundhouse Avenue. Additional emergency access to the site would be available from the train museum parking lot (north end of site), from the parking lot off Alphonso Street (center of site), and from Francis Avenue (south end of site). Potential Environmental Impacts to be Considered: Aesthetics Air Quality Biological Reso urces Cultural Reso urces Energy Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hyd rology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning Noise and Vibration Public Services Transportation Tribal Cultural Reso urces Utilit ies/Service Systems Wildf ire We would like to get your input on the potential environmental effects of the project and how it can be improved to reduce/avoid significant environmental impacts. Your input will help us decide what issues to analyze in the environmental review of this project. An initial study was not prepared for the project. Due to the time limits mandated by CEQA, your response must be submitted by March 26, 2021. Your comments may be submitted via mail and email at the address below: James Campbell, Manager of Programs LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency 600 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 capitalprojects@lossan.org (e-mail with subject line “Central Coast Layover Facility” or “CCLF”) Jame s Campbell Date Manager of Programs Attachment 2Item 2 Packet Page 13 4 Fig ure 1. Project Location Sou rce: HDR Attachment 2Item 2 Packet Page 14 Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) EIR Scoping Meeting Lead Agency: LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency James Campbell, Manager of Programs LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Presentation Overview Background Purpose of tonight’s meeting Overview of site and surroundings, and conceptual plan Next Steps (City role & EIR comments) Transportation improvements and policy context LOSSAN presentation (more detail and description of operations) Comments –public and commission provide input for EIR preparation Background and Purpose of Project SLO at northern terminus of Pacific Surfliner One train holds overnight for AM departure Current facility at Rail Station inadequate for expansion Project provides maintenance facilities and storage capacity for second AM departure Increased future service potential & ability to support State Rail Plan expansion into future Meeting Purpose and Scope of Review Initial Study was not prepared All issue areas will be studied in the EIR Provide comments on issue areas for further study in the EIR City does not have discretionary authority over project LOSSAN is the lead agency Comment period on NOP closes on March 26, 2021 Aesthetics Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning Noise and Vibration Public Services Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources Utilities/Service Systems Wildfire Issue Areas to be considered: Project Site and Surroundings View to the north just past the Roundhouse St. terminus View to the south from northern end of site View across site to the northeast towards Bushnell and Bishop Streets View to the southeast from Roundhouse St toward San Carlos View to the west toward roundhouse View to north along west edge of site View to the north from Francis St Up to five new tracks -Storage (3), S&I, Wash Single Story Structures -Ops building (3,000 sf) -Maint. Shops bldg (2,900 sf) -Parts storeroom (1,500 sf) -MOW building (2,200 sf) -Wash bldg (10,000 sf) -Wheel truing (1,900 sf) Click to add text 54 on-site parking spaces Primary access from Roundhouse Click to add text Site Plan Department comments provided to date Transportation –Design and dimensions of bicycle paths, accommodate future overcrossing points at Roundhouse and Francis, bike pathway lighting, and traffic control measures Community Development –Neighborhood compatibility (light, noise, vibration, emissions, odors), Fencing compatibility Historic Preservation –evaluate and protect roundhouse remnants, provide interpretive exhibits & public information, design buildings and improvements consistent with RDP, evaluate cultural resource impacts and consult with tribal leaders Active Transportation Plan Proposed Projects Francis AveNProposed Shared Use Path Transportation Benefits First segment of the Railroad Safety Trail (westside) Amtrak Station –Downtown connection (walk of 6 short blocks) SLO Transit Route 5 at Amtrak Station (direct connection to downtown & Cal Poly) The Pacific Surfliner (SLO –San Diego) is the 2nd busiest intercity rail passenger corridor in the US, helping to alleviate congestion on US 101 Next steps Comment period closes for NOP on March 26, 2021 Staff will follow up with LOSSAN on Commission and Public Comments City staff will thoroughly evaluate the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) Comments on the DEIR will be provided on behalf of the City Final project approval will be considered by the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency NOP Comments Submit comments via mail and email at the address below: James Campbell, Manager of Programs LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency 600 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 capitalprojects@lossan.org (email with the subject line “Central Coast Layover Facility” or “CCLF”) for the LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility Environmental Impact Report LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency March 10, 2021 Public Scoping Meeting and City of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission Presentation INTRODUCTIONS PURPOSE OF THE SCOPING MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS PROJECT OVERVIEW PUBLIC COMMENTS Agenda 1.LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency –CEQA Lead Agency •James Campbell, Manager of Programs / Project Manager •Dan Phu, Environmental Program Manager (OCTA) 2.Consultants to LOSSAN •Scott Gaastra (HDR) –Design Project Manager •Tim Gnibus (HDR) –EIR Project Manager 1. Introductions 1.Provide the public and the governmental agencies with information about the proposed project. 2.Provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the project and give comments that will help to advise the designs and environmental technical studies 2. Purpose of the Scoping Meeting California Environmental Quality Act -Process Flow Chart 3. Environmental Review Process Decision to prepare an EIR Distribute Notice of Preparation (30-day public review) Public Scoping Meeting We are Here Prepare Draft EIR Spring 2021 Draft EIR Released for Public Review (45-day public review period) Summer 2021 Prepare Response to Comments and Final EIR Fall 2021 Project Approval by LOSSAN Board Fall 2021 File Notice of Determination Fall 2021 Project site is located at the northern end of the Pacific Surfliner service. The Pacific Surfliner operates along the 351-mile Los Angeles –San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. Regional Context 4. Project Overview Project site is located within the City of San Luis Obispo (SLO) City Limits and located south from the existing SLO Amtrak Station south to Francis Street Between the existing Union Pacific Main Tracks and existing commercial and residential development to the west Generally within existing railroad property PROJECT LOCATION Project site is located in the southwest portion of the County 8 miles southwest of the City of El Centro Privately owned, undeveloped agricultural land PROJECT SITE PLAN •Rail Yard and Tracks •Buildings o Operations/Fleet Maintenance o Fleet Maintenance Shops o Parts Storeroom o Maintenance of Way o Wash o Wheel Truing o Cleaning Shelters •Parking •Site Security •Phasing PROPOSED PROJECT Typical Layover Yard Coach Servicing Typical Automatic Drive-Through Train Wash •Roundhouse Protected Zone o Preserve railroad historical heritage and Roundhouse elements PROPOSED PROJECT (cont’d) Roundhouse Foundation Wall (Present) Roundhouse (1931) Roundhouse Foundation (Present) Public and Railroad Access Landscape Plan East Landscape Buffer West Landscape Buffer and Class I Bike Trail PROPOSED PROJECT (cont’d) The following environmental topics to be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Report include, but are not limited to: LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility Environmental Impact Report Aesthetics Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural/Historic Resources Energy Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards and Hazardous Materials Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use and Planning Noise and Vibration Public Services Transportation/Traffic Tribal Cultural Resources Wildfire Utilities/Service Systems How to Comment: 1.E-mail: capitalprojects@lossan.org E-mail with the subject line “Central Coast Layover Facility” or “CCLF” 2.Written comments can be mailed to: James Campbell, Manager of Programs LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency 600 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 Public Comment Period: February 24, 2021 through March 26, 2021 5. Public Comments Thank You