HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2000, 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION FOR HIGUERA STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, SPECIFICATION NO. 9367. council m°`march 7,2000
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Director of Public Works °`) '
Prepared By: Barbara Lynch Civil Engineer'�C�
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 tum 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 environmentalprocess,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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02/14/00 16:15 FAX. 805 549 3077 CALTRANS,PLANING 0 002
Sent by: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADUINIr TION 918 498.5008; 02/14. 13:25; 9754; Page 2/2
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION/PROGRAMMATIC CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
DETERMINATION FORM
cell aacR _ QRLN 5016(009
fist-Go.-Ftm.(or Looal Agency) K.PJ(P.M.) EA.(State project) PeDJ•No.(Looal project)
(Fed.Prog.Ptehx
P(ttj.No.,Agr.No.)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (Sri*deseriae project,purpose,location,limits. right-of-way requirements.and activities
Ina prgoosed propot tvW replace the efeei gibers 8rtd bridge daclrirtQ.acrd sireng►t>artrhe ei lsHng tunnel rubble trays an fire
Nguema Strear Bdstga over San Luis Oftpo Creek M Ute City of San Luis Obispo.
- —-- — 1
CEOA COMPLIANCE
LOCAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS:Record of CEOA compliance Is attaohe. ( 1
STATE PROJECTS:
Categorical Eretnptiat(See 14 CCR 15300 et seq.)
• If fill pmjetx(acs wf:hln exajnpt class 3.:.5,6 or 11.It guess not impact an ermtortmental resource of haZardous or
auical concern where designated,precisely mapped amt oflick ty adopted pursuant to law.
• There vdl cot be a significant cumulative effect by this project and successive"acts df the same type in the same
piece.over time.
• There is not a teasonable pts Taal the projaa will nave a slgnifiearn effect on the ertvimnment due to utuaual
CtimCuanstatigeS.
• This project does not tlamage;a roenlo resource wtihln an atflolally deslgnaalCt.state scenic higTnway.
• Trus pm)ect Is rot located ori a tslta Included on any Iiet complied pursuant to Giovt.Code§655625(°Cormse Usn.
• This pm1acd tines riot cause a auttstantial adverse tthango In the significance of a hlseorice)resources
CALTRANS CEQA DETERMINA ON (ior State Pmjeas a*)
I Ex&T4:t by Statsts(PRC 210801
Based on an exwnkoticn of this proposal,supporting Wd=mahon,and the above statements,the project is:
() Cateyorfea(ly Exempt.Class_ or(]General Rule atemption(lulls project does riot tai!WMb an wterept class.bort it
can tte seen with certainty that there is'no possibility that the activity may have a significant enact on the environment(CCR
150610*=
Lure:Envirorcnental ONbe Chef Date 9-W"'W"ung.ProjectUnnagar pate
NEPA COMPLIANCE (23 CFR 771.117
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
• .This project Oft not have a'iiltgmfHcant impact on the emttoi u t 0185 defined try the NEPA:• .
• Ttds prgeet does not involve*O bst0ntial controvemy on environmental giour4e.
• Tars preject does fol Invohre llgr0cant In-pacts an properties prolectsd by Section 4(f)of the DOT Act or Section 1 OS of
due National Histo tic PresemaW Act.
• In moonallairtm d or nialntana(1os areas for Federal ar quality standards:this project cornea him a taurenz y Contorting
pan and Transportation Imprbvament Program.
•
This prcjed is consistent with N Federal.State.8 local laws.requirements or epminkWatNe datmtinatWo rafting to
the atrrarrnertraf aspects of vi16 action.
PAOGAAIaIATIC CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
I l Based on the evaluation d tits projaat and supporting documentation In the project Blas,all the condition of the September 7,
19M Programmatic Categorical Exdtutott.have been met.
CALTRAW NEPA DETERMINATION
Q4 On a n Erol d tits ProPO$W. s information,ar tl to above statemerIm.ft Is determined Mat the project Is a:
[I Programmatic Categortoai E7tdtlslon
Signatwe ertffiI Data k.,
:P 3 M p NDLAEngineer Data
loraB Stare 8 Local P ale CEI'/OLAE•lar Loes/AsaLPCEs
FFIWA DETfiRIYUNATION (if:rppoibfe)
Based onto evaltration d thisprojea aril tris stammers above.it js determined Otat a project masts the criteria of and is
property clastimed as a Categofal Exclusion
,gndtura: or
WWA Trarl5poft*16 Erg Date
pC Additional Information attached or referenced.as appropriate(a.a.Mflitlation comm far NEPA aatly:AirCtalky maks and
documentation of exemption from refonal 060on. or use of P(ooded:8106 aommitlllems;NO of Pmgrmnrtletic§4(11):data d CAE
111a90MV10lta
e permit§'7 spetles a /ieyYte5ul f6bands Finding:F100*11tfn Finding;additittrw studies;design c"idillons:focal Agency.NOE-)
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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 Atta t 3
Pa 1Vf 4
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 m�.j�t 3
Pa 2/of 4
• 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 (SACT) 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 be 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
(1 1 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 m t 3
Pag*lxf 4
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Recommended Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measures also address California Administrative Code
15064.5 (b)(3):
1 . Pursuant to Section 110(b) 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.
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Higuera Bridge Attaget 3
Par'4:6f 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 066
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
roposedrehabilitation of the Higuefa Street Bridge, in accordance with the California Environmental
QualityAct*4 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 d"o
not result,"in additional environmental issues.
-BEIT''RESOLVED the City Council of San Luis Obispo hereby approves a mitigated
negative declaration_
Upon motion of_ seconded by
anon the;following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:`.
the•foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this- day of ;2000:
MayorAll'en:Settle
ATTEST: APPROVED as to form:
Lee Price,City+'Clerk J ff ore - Attorney
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