HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/2000, 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION FOR HIGUERA STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, SPECIFICATION NO. 9367 coUnc�1. �"6%rch 7, 2000
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CITY OF SAN LUIS O B 1 S P 0
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Barbara Lynch Civil Engineer 'PO
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SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION FOR HIGUERA STREET
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT,SPECIFICATIONNO. 9367.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Higuera Street
Bridge Replacement,SpecificationNo. 9367.
DISCUSSION
Higuera bridge was constructed, first walls then deck, around the turn of the century and is
scheduled for rehabilitation. The City has obtained Federal funding assistance to replace the
bridge. During the last year, specialized studies were completed and.an environmental document
prepared by the City's consultant. The Community Development Director reviewed the
environmental document and is recommending approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. The
document was made available for public review and comment on February 5,2000(ER 93-67). No
comments have been received to date.
The environmental document prepared was based on a design by which the existing rock bridge
walls are retained and reinforced and the deck is completely removed and replaced. The
environmental document also covers the installation of bulbouts along portions of Higuera Street,
the repaving of Higuera and Osos Streets,the replacement of the existing sewerline in that block
and the reconfigurationof the parking lot at the comer of Higuera and Osos to improve circulation.
As part of the environmental process,the State Historic Preservation Officer(SHPO)was contacted
for comment. The original finding of the City's historian was that the bridge walls were
contributing historical structures but the deck was not. SHPO did not agree with the finding and
felt that the removal and replacement of the deck would result in an adverse historical impact. As a
result the City has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with SHPO as to how the bridge is to
be documented to mitigate the loss of the deck and top course of rocks. The City is responsible to
photograph the existing structure in place as it exists now and provide a photo record to various
agencies.
Under normal circumstances the City would complete CEQA (California Environmental Quality
Act) compliance at the time City Council approved plans and specifications for advertising. On
projects such as this needing Federal and State agency permits for work in creek areas,an approved
environmental document is generally required before permits will be issued. For this reason, we
are requesting Council to take special action at this time to approve the mitigated negative
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Council Agenda Report—Higuera Bridge Approval of Environmental Document
Page 2
declaration of environmental impact for this project. This will allow staff to prepare a complete
bidding package covering all permit and environmental requirements.
The City will be obtaining a Fish and Game Agreement and an Army Corps of Engineers Permit
before proceeding with the construction. Requirements from these three agencies include
conditions of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,National Marine Fisheries and California Regional
Water Quality Control Board. The project will still come to the Council for the approval of plans
and specifications and the authorizationto advertise the construction project.
Staff expects design of the project to be completed late this spring for Council approval.
Construction would begin in early summer of 2000.
Significant Findings:
One of the areas of most significant findings,as with most creek related projects,is the impact on
the creek environment. Several mitigation measures will be taken to prevent damage to the habitat
and habitants. This area is heavily regulated by the State and Federal Government. There will
undoubtedly be additional requirements beyond those identified in the environmental document
placed in the project as a result of the permitting process. There is little actual work taking place in
the creek. Placement of new foundations in the creek, such as those for Santa Rosa Bridge,
typically cause the most disruption to the stream. In this case, we will not be doing that. We will
be reusing and reinforcing the existing walls. This will reduce the risk of introducing sedimentation
tremendously. We will be placing some concrete at the base of the wall where it is undermined.
The remaining work requiring a permit is the placement of scaffolding and putting the creek into a
pipe through the project to protect it should any of the existing deck be dropped during removal.
The second area bringing potentially significant impacts is noise. When the Council reviewed the
various options available for addressing the repair of the bridge in July'98,completing some of the
work during the night time was also authorized.Night work is necessary to maintain public access
to the Thai Classic Restaurant and emergency exits for businesses in the Woodstocks / Theater
building. Doing construction work while these businesses are closed, prevents the project from
blocking the entrance or exit. This is of primary importance because the City must provide
access to a business or risk exposure for business losses. Originally it was intended to do night
work at the Osos Street crossing as well; however, because of the significance of the noise issue,
that option has been dropped and the work will be done during the day. Through traffic will be
detoured to adjacent streets. The environmental document is also recommending avoiding the
lunch and dinner hours for work immediately adjacent to Mo's BBQ and Woodstocks. Night
work has the largest impact on the residents of the Anderson Hotel along the Court Street side.
The Contractor will be required to submit a noise mitigation plan for approval by the Community
Development Department and the Public Works Department prior to construction to ensure a
plan is in place to reduce noise to a tolerable level at the hotel. The Community Development
Department has allowed extended work hours Monday through Friday to give the contractor
adequate time to complete the work.
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Council Agenda Report—Higuera Bridge Approval of Environmental Document
Page 3
The last area of some significance is in Cultural Resources, because of the age of the bridge. The
agreement with SHPO to document the existing structure will provide a lasting record of the bridge
in recognition of the loss. The ability to complete the project without removal of the walls is a
positive step towards minimizing the impacts on historical resources.
CONCURRANCES:
The Federal Highway Administration reviewed the environmental assessment and executed a
"Categorical Exclusion"for the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Location Map
2. Federal Highway Categorical Exclusion
3. Summary of Mitigation
4. Resolution
The Mitigated Negative Declaration is available in the Council Office for review:
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lent by: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMIN7I..,AT.ION 916 498.5008; 02/14 13:25; 9754; Page 2/2
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION/PROGRAMMATIC CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
DETERMINATION FORM
Q5-SLO�CR 6RW Sp16f0091
Dist.Co.•Rfe.(or Local AgervA K.PJ(P.M.) EA.(State project) Proj.No.(Local project)
(Fed.Prog.Prefix
Proj.No..Agr.No.)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (erlety describe project,purpose,toealic h,limns,right-of-way requirements,and activities
The proposed project evil/replace the sleet girders and brldpe decking.and strengthen the exlsdng twhne/rtrbbte wags on the-]
Higuera Strest'Bfto over San Luis Obispo Creek in the City of San Luis Obispo.
CEQA COMPLIANCE --
LOCAL ASSISTANCE PROJECis:Regord of CERA compliance Is attached. ( 1
STATE PROJECTS,
Categorical Exemption(twee t A-CCR 15300 et seq.)
• If 11115 project fans within exatmpt plass 3.4.5,5 or t 1,t Coes not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or
critical concern where designated,precisely mapped and oRktany adopted pur5uartt to law.
• There will not be a significant oumulatve effect by this project and successive projects of the same type in the sante
place.over time.
• There is not a reasonable posalblity Utas the project will have a significant affect on the environment due to unusual
Ciroxarh5tarroea,
• This project does not damage__soenlc resource wflhln an officlally designated.state scenic highway.
• This Protect is not located orVA eta Included on arty list complI90 pursuant to Govt Code 165562.S("Cortese List•),
• This project does not cause a substantial adverse change In the significance of a historical resource.
CALTRANS CEQA DETERMINATION (for&at@Pro%ectsonly)
() Exempt by St state(PRC 210801 .:
Based on an examination of this propaapl,.supporting information,and the above statente his,the project Is:
() Categmlw0y Exempt.Class_ or(]General Rule exemption(This Project does not fall within an exempt class,hvt it
can be seem with cerisatty that there is'no possibility that the activity may have a signifirBM effect on the anvironmerd ICCR
15061(b)CIJ)
ature:Environmental Office Chief Date Signature:Project Manager Date
NEPA COMPLIANCE (29 CFR 771.117)
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
• .This ptojecl Was not have a sltpdncant im pact on the environment as defined by the NEPA.
• This project does riot tnvolva'k)slantlal controversy on environmental grounds.
• This project does not Uhvolve akinificant in-pacts on properties protected by Section 4(f)of the DOT Act or Section 108 of
the National hHsbtic Preservation Act
• In nanatahtment or rwllttenanea areas for Federal sit quality Standards:this PMJect MMOS frau a currently conforming
pan snd Tmnsporteton ImPfternent Program
• This project Is consistent with as Federal,State,8 local laws;mqufremertts OfadrnlntstraWa determinations relating to
me atharonmentai aspects oftfde action.
PROGRAMMATIC CATEGORICAL E=LUSION
(j Based on the evaluation of this project and supporting documentation In the project files,all the conditions of the September 7,
low Programmatic Categorical Excluslom.have been met.
CALT ANS NEPA DET MI ION -
Med on an examination of this Proposal,supporting information,ant the above statements,t Is determined that the project Is a;
9uk •orbal Extil ( ]Programmatic Categorical Exciuslon
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signature:Env runental lot Date gnature:Pr ectMa r/DLAEngineer Date
fcralfSYareBLocalCEt P :/arasStaraCEe/OLAE'forloca�AsstPCEs
FNWA DETERININATION (if aApboable)
Based on the evaluation of this Project aril rte statements above,It is determined that he prolamo meets the criteria of and is
property classified as a rAe egioricat Exclusion.
gnature:F A Tran3portatioll Eng r Date
Additional Information attached or retererlced,as appropriate(e.p.Mltpatlon Camra for NEPA only;Air quality etuabe and
dooanantatiOn Of tltlemptoth from regional Conformity or use of CO Protocol:§106 cwmmilnjems;§4(0 Of Programmatic§4(f):data of COE
nationwide permit;§7 species survey results elands Finding;Floodplain Fk-Ang:additional studios;design conditi0m;Local Agency NOF—)
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A-44, Ff/s.ilJ .
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WATER
Recommended Mitigation: The NES for the bridge replacement project identified
mitigation measures for potential impacts to the creek. Measures that are
appropriate for this project are detailed below and are summarized in Section 19,
Mitigation Measures and Monitoring.
1 . Limit construction activities that require stream diversion to the dry and low-flow
season.
2. Limit construction equipment and bridge support systems in the under-city tunnel
to areas outside of the creek flow, as much as possible.
3. A stream diversion plan must be implemented to divert the flows around the
construction sites and prevent construction materials from entering the creek (see
Exhibit A, Section 4).
4. A vacuum pump and sandbags will be available at all times during the under-
tunnel drilling.
5. Best Available Control Technology will be required for spill prevention.
6. An environmental monitor will be present each day during work in the under-city
tunnel to monitor biological and cultural resources. If monitor notes any impacts
to water resources, construction must cease until issue is resolved.
7. Only water free of construction spoils and "fines" may be used to cool the drill
bits.
TRANSPORTATION / CIRCULATION
Recommended Mitigation:
1 . Traffic control must be provided during the duration of the project, per the City's
procedures for traffic control for construction. A Traffic Control Plan will be
required for the project and must be filed with the City's Public Works
Department.
2. Signs must be placed in the City parking lot on Higuera Street directing parking to
the City parking structures on Marsh and Palm Streets and the construction area
must be fenced.
3. The two open lanes on Higuera Street must remain accessible to traffic between
the hours of 7 am and 6 pm on Friday through Wednesday and from 7 am and 10
pm on Thursday to facilitate normal traffic flows. The street will be closed as
necessary between 6 pm and 7 am.
4. All construction will cease between 4 pm and. 10 pm on Thursdays for Farmer's
Market.
5. Emergency vehicle approach direction will be provided at all times. The
contractor will contact emergency dispatch daily to alert them of the road
closures.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Recommended Mitigation: The NES for the bridge replacement project identified
mitigation measures for potential impacts to the creek habitat, southern steelhead
and bat populations. Measures that are appropriate for this project are detailed
below and summarized in Section 19, Mitigation Measures and Monitoring.
Higuera Bridge Attac t 3
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1 . Limit construction activities for the project to the dry and low-flow season and to
the non-nursing season for bats.
2. Prior to construction, qualified wildlife biologists and bat specialists will identify
appropriate temporary habitats for the bats in the riparian area upstream and
downstream of the under-city tunnel. A total of five bat boxes will be installed at
these locations to provide temporary/permanent habitat away from the tunnel.
3. Unless otherwise directed by the Caltrans bat specialist, a heavy canvas curtain
will be hung vertically in the under-city tunnel between the bat colonies and the
project area to prevent bats from entering the construction area. The curtain will
be left in place for the duration of.the project.
4. Limit construction equipment in the under-city tunnel to areas outside of the
creek flow, as much as possible.
5. A partial or complete stream diversion plan must be implemented to divert the
flows around the construction sites and isolate the sites from the creek. A
minimum 36" culvert would be most appropriate to protect the creek, but poly
sheeting may be used for creek diversion. The final diversion plan will be
submitted for City and NMFS approval prior to construction.
6. A vacuum pump and sandbags will be available at all times during the under-
tunnel drilling.
7. Best Available Control Technology will be required for spill prevention during
drilling, coring and grouting.
8. If the environmental monitor identifies any steelhead in the creek during the
implementation of the diversion plan, the project must be halted until the
steelhead leave or are removed by a steelhead specialist from the limits of
construction. If the monitor notes any impacts to water resources, construction
must cease until the issue is resolved. The monitor will ensure that all
practicable measures are taken to avoid any incidental takes of special-status
species.
9. A post-bridge replacement bat survey will be conducted to document the
recolonization of bats in the under-city tunnel.
10.To mitigate disturbance to slopes adjacent to the tunnel opening caused by
construction worker foot and equipment access, the slopes will be revegetated
and improved with native species after construction completion.
NOISE
Recommended Mitigation:
1 . Prior to the start of construction, the contractor(s) responsible for drilling, coring,
grouting, or any other construction work to be done on the project shall submit to
the City Public Works Director and the Community Development Director a plan
to ensure that noise levels of construction activities do not exceed:
• 70 dBA between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at any point along the
residential portion of the Anderson Hotel's northeastern wall; and
Higuera Bridge Atta mPj�t 3
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• 85 dBA between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at any point along the
residential portion of the Anderson Hotel's northeastern wall and at affected
properties.
The plan shall include a schedule of the proposed hours of operation; the numbers,
locations, and types of equipment to be used during these hours; and the measures
to be taken to reduce noise and vibration to acceptable levels. The plan shall also
describe any situation where it may not be feasible to reduce noise to desired levels
despite implementation of noise reduction measures.
2. A request for nighttime work activities (between 7 pm and 7 am) pursuant to
Section 9.12.050 B6 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code must be obtained
for any "after hour" construction activity. Night work (between 10 pm and 7
am) will take place for up to three weeks in front of the Thai Classic Restaurant
and four to six weeks in front of the emergency exits on Higuera Street. Late
evening work (between 7 pm and 10 pm) would take place throughout the
construction period. Saturday work would be restricted to 7 am-7pm and no
work would take place on Sundays. Additional work hours would require prior
written approval from the City.
3. Measures to reduce noise and vibration at the source that should be considered
in the preparation of the plan should include:
a. Use of best available control technology (BACT) on construction equipment to
reduce noise at the source to the maximum extent feasible.
b. If drilling is to include methods generating significant vibration (e.g., air
hammer), drills may be placed on mats to minimize the propagation of
vibration.
c. Baffling may 6e placed around or over equipment to reduce noise emissions.
d. Placing mats over the exposed windows on the northeasterly side of the
Anderson Hotel.
4. Measures to reduce noise within 50 feet of Mo's and Woodstocks may include:
a. Placing baffling over the windows at the restaurants to minimize nuisance
noise by permission of restaurant owners.
b. Avoiding drilling within 50 feet of the restaurants during key business hours
(11 am-2 pm and 5 pm-8 pm) as mush as practicable.
c. Baffling may be placed around or over equipment to reduce noise emissions.
5. To ensure the effective implementation of these measures, notice shall be given
by the Public Works Department to potentially affected businesses and residents
of the Anderson Hotel, at least 7 days in advance, of the dates and hours of
scheduled construction operations. A noise specialist shall measure noise levels
to ensure mitigation is effective. If noise mitigation is found to be ineffective, the -
noise specialist shall recommend measures (such as moving compressors, etc.) to
bring levels into compliance.
Higuera Bridge Atta t 3
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CULTURAL RESOURCES
Recommended Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measures also address California Administrative Code
15064.5 (b)(3):
1 . Pursuant to Section 1 10N of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the
FHWA shall ensure that all documentation is completed and accepted by the
National Park Service in accordance with the standards of the Historic American
Engineering Record (HAER), prior to initiation of the rehabilitation of the Higuera
Street Bridge.
2. Pursuant to Section 110(b) of the NHPA, the FHWA shall ensure that the
recordation requirements listed in the approved MOA are carried out in
consultation with the City of San Luis Obispo prior to initiation of the
rehabilitation of the Higuera Street Bridge.
3. During construction for the bridge rehabilitation project, the following stipulations
shall apply:
a. An environmental monitor, qualified to address cultural resource issues,
shall be present to monitor and document construction activities. The
environmental monitor shall have the authority to stop work if needed to
protect cultural resources.
b. If any unusual anomalies (material other than stone or rubble) are found
during the construction, all work shall cease until a qualified archaeologist
can make an assessment of the anomaly. If any significant materials are
found during the bridge rehabilitation construction, all activity in the APE
shall cease until a cultural resources plan is prepared.
c. If any cultural resource (other than the bridge deck) appears to be
adversely effected during the construction, all work shall cease until the
issue is resolved.
d. Drilling and coring shall be conducted as carefully as possible to avoid
fracturing of the stones in the wall. The environmental monitor shall
monitor during the drilling and if significant fracturing of the stone occurs,
all drilling shall cease until the issue is resolved.
e. During the application of shotcrete to the base of the tunnel walls, tarps
must be used to protect the stone walls from the concrete spray. Any
shotcrete shall be cleaned from the stone walls at the completion of the
project.
f. After the project is completed, the work site, including under the Higuera
Street Bridge, shall be cleaned up to near original conditions. The grouting
holes will be filled with grout and smoothed. Any exuded grout shall be
cleaned up and smoothed.
g:\current projects\bridges\9367 higuera\design docs\envlronmentaNnd mit summery.doc
Higuera Bridge Attat 3
Par v& 4
RESOLUTIONNO. (2000 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
APPROVING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOR
THE HIGUERA BRIDGE REPHABILITATION(ER 93-67)
WHEREAS, On February 5, 2000 the City published and made available for public review
a mitigated negative declaration based on an initial study of environmental impact for the proposed
rehabilitation of the Higuera Street Bridge, in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act and the City's Environmental Impact Procedures and.Guidelines;and
WHEREAS,the Council has reviewed and considered the initial study, and has found that
there will be no significant environmental impacts. Potential impacts will be reduced to a level of
insignificance due to features incorporated into the project design and construction. These
mitigation measures and monitoring responsibilities are identified in the initial study,on file in the
Community Development Department;and
WHEREAS,changes to the design details of the bridge proposed since the initial review do
not result in additional environmental issues.
BE IT RESOLVED the City Council of San Luis Obispo hereby approves a mitigated
negative declaration.
Upon motion of ,seconded by ,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of ,2000.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST: APPROVED as to form:
Lee Price,City Clerk J ff Jor en , ' y Attorney
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