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Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, deny the appeal of Kerrie Aley and uphold the Planning Commission decision to: 1) certify Final Environmental Impact Report (No. 30-07); 2) approve Site Plan Review; 3) approve Local Coastal Development Permit, and likewise uphold the Planning Commission recommendation to approve an amendment to the General Plan and a zoning ordinance amendment at 5119 East Colorado Street for the purpose of constructing the Colorado Lagoon Restoration project and Marina Vista Park improvements;
Adopt resolution re-certifying Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
No. 30-07;
DISCUSSION
The proposed project site comprises 48.61 acres and consists of Colorado Lagoon, Marina Vista Park and a small triangle-shaped area north of Marine Stadium (Exhibit A). The purpose of this project is to restore the site's ecosystem, provide an improved habitat area, provide enhanced recreation facilities, improve water and sediment quality by removing contaminated sediment, improve water circulation, and manage storm water and dry weather runoff.
The proposed project improvements would be implemented in two phases. Phase 1- Lagoon: improvements include upgrades to the storm drains, dredging, cleaning of culverts, new landscaping and public recreational improvements.
Phase II - Marina Vista Park: improvements include construction of an open water channel between Colorado Lagoon and Marina Vista Park and two roadway bridges spanning the open channel at Colorado Street and Eliot Street, new restrooms and public recreational improvements (Exhibit B).
A General Plan Text Amendment is required to revise the information related to the Colorado Lagoon in the Resources Management Plan (RMP) of the Local Coastal Plan. The revision is consistent with the goals of the original RMP to improve water quality in the lagoon and preserve the habitat and wildlife. As Colorado Lagoon's water and sediment quality deteriorated over time and as more scientific studies document conditions and develop solutions, the actions to implement the goals are somewhat different. The proposed amendment retains the original goals and updates the actions necessary to achieve those goals.
The amendment to the Zoning Ordinance is to revise the definition of "Passive Park" in Section 21.15.2007. The existing definition is narrow in scope and does not include existing amenities in the lagoon such as restrooms and play equipment. The proposed change will allow play equipment, tables, fire pits, barbeques, public restrooms, landscaped and natural open spaces, habitat reserves, beaches, lakes, streams, lagoons, bays, and Marine Stadium as part of the "passive park" definition.
In summary, the proposed project will improve the water and sediment quality of the lagoon, which will enhance recreational opportunities and potentially lead to a more diverse plant and animal community.
On September 4, 2008, the Planning Commission approved requests for a Site Plan Review and Local Coastal Development Permit, certified Final Environmental Impact Report 30-07, and recommended that the City Council approve an amendment to the Local Coastal Plan of the General Plan and Zoning Code amendment to revise the definition of passive park to allow construction of the Colorado Lagoon and Marina Vista Park projects.
One appeal was filed on September 15, 2008. Issues raised in the appeal include the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Report regarding impacts from construction noise, traffic, truck trips, loss of parking, hazardous soil and air quality (Exhibit C).
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais on September 26,2008 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 26, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The Long Beach Municipal Code requires a hearing within 60 days following positive Planning Commission action.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine will finance the expansion of Colorado Lagoon and Marina Vista Park improvements with a Rivers & Mountains Conservancy Grant, State Water Resources Control Board - Clean Beaches Initiative Grant, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Habitat Restoration Grant, California Coastal Conservancy, Port of Long Beach, and Friends of Colorado Lagoon - Habitat Restoration. The project will be phased in relation to the funding on hand. The storm water quality improvements and part of the habitat restoration are currently fully funded with the money on hand to proceed with construction. No construction of additional elements of work will be commenced until full funding is obtained. There is no impact to the General Fund.
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH RECERTIFYING THAT THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE COLORADO LAGOON RESTORATION PROJECT (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2007111034) HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND STATE AND LOCAL GUIDELINES AND MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS RELATIVE THERETO; ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (MMRP); AND A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG BECK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |