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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1984/11/01 Item 3 • COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA STATEMENT Item 3 Meeting Date 11/1/84 11822 ITEM TITLE: Resolution /541 Authorizing the submission of plans to the State Coastal Commission for the construction of a roadway to Gunpowder Point SUBMITTED BY: Community Development Directo /5ths Vote: Yes No x ) REVIEWED BY: City Manager/Executive Director The Bayfront Land Use Plan has been approved and certified by the State Coastal Commission. It is now appropriate to consider the first phase of work for the Bayfront project. Recently a goal was set to open an interpretive center on Gunpowder Point in time for the City's 75th anniversary. In order to reach this goal , it will be necessary to begin plans for public access to the Point. At the September 20 meeting of the Redevelopment Agency, a contract was approved with Rick Engineering to prepare concept plans suitable for Coastal Commission review of an access route to Gunpowder Point. The plans are now ready to be reviewed by the City Council/Agency and forwarded to the State Coastal Commission. RECOMMENDATION: Accept reports and request that the State Coastal Commission consider a permit relative to the construction of a road to Gunpowder Point in the manner stated on the plans as submitted. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable. DISCUSSION: The plans prepared by Rick Engineering and reviewed by the City Engineer conform to the concepts promulgated in the certified Land Use Plan. The causeway to Gunpowder Point will not be built on any marshlands. A most sensitive environmental protection plan for the adjacent Vener Pond and "E" Street Marsh is proposed in order to gain access to the point. The present right-of-way on the southern levy will be used to construct the road. The access road from the levy eastward to Bay Boulevard is planned to be constructed in phases. The causeway, however, will be built in one phase as proposed in the attached plans and will not be widened at any future point in time. A temporary parking lot will be constructed in the farmlands to the right side of the road several hundred feet before the causeway begins. Thus, prior to the development of a hotel , only limited parking will be available on the point. The majority of public visits will require parking off the point. For the most part, visitors will be encouraged to walk via the causeway to the interpretive center. With the development of a hotel on the Point, a jitney system is proposed to provide for such transportation. • Page 2, Item 3 Meeting Date 1i/i/ 4 The plans presented herewith are fairly detailed but are not ready for actual bidding. It is at this stage that our consultant, Mr. Norbert Dall , recommends that we take the plans to the Coastal Commission for a permit. Most likely the permit will be approved with conditions such as the Director's certification that the concept plans presented and approved by the Commission are adhered to in the construction plans and documents as bid. It is our understanding that this is the usual process to follow on such matters. The construction of the roadway is being coordinated with the landowner, and the joint venture partner Chula Vista Investment Company. It is expected that the permit will be approved at either the December or January meeting of the Coastal Commission. With such approval , plans will then be drawn for bidding purposes and the work could be put to bid by April or May. According to our land use plan and the implementation plan that is now being submitted to the Commission, no construction work such as that to the Point can take place between October and April of every year. Therefore, it is desirable that the road be built next summer. While an interpretive center could be built with the existing road, the present access would be inappropriate for the number of visitors and activity that is expected to take place. In addition, the roadway is expected to provide an environmental enhancement inasmuch as improved drainage will result from the construction of the causeway. With the State's certification of the Implementation Plan, the City will be able to approve the permits for construction in the Bayfront. However, even with such powers and because of present litigation facing the Bayfront, it is the safest route to obtain State Commission approval for such an environmentally sensitive area as the subject roadway. At present time, City staff is also exploring the need for obtaining a Section 404 consistency ruling from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of the roadway. Such a permit will require the Corps to consult with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As we have reported to you previously, discussions with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Corps have been ongoing for some time now and are expected to reach a point soon whereby decisions will be made by the Service relative to the position of this agency regarding the entire Balyfront Project. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost for the causeway will be included as part of a Development Agreement between the Redevelopment Agency and the developer. The engineer's estimate for the project as proposed will be provided at the meeting. PGD:fp WPC 1261H COUNCIL/AGENCY: 1. Resolution adopted. 2. MSI'C (McC/Scott) have staff report back to the Agency/Council regarding the possible chemical waste clean up on Gunpowder Point and how it is relevant to this issue. 3. MSUC (Cox/McC) ask staff to report back on what funding require- ments would be, who would have responsibilities (what is property owner willing to fund for clean up?) , whether there is a chance of seeking any funds from the Coastal Conservancy or any other funding source (i .e. Prop. 19) that would be available to begin work.