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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/11/09 Item 7 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~(~ CITY OF ~ (HULA VISTA November 9, 2010 Item 7 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTll'lG A REPORT ON A FEASlBILlTY STUDY TO CLOSE A SEGMENT OF PROCTOR V ALLEY ROAD TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES FROM SAN MIGUEL RANCH ROAD TO EAST OF SR125 UBMITTED BY: ASSIST ANT CITY MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES---\~ ~,r REVIEWED BY: CITY MANAGER& 7 J 4/5THS VOTE: YES 0 NO ~ SUMMARY On April 13, 2010 an informational item was presented to City Council describing the County of San Diego's initiation of a feasibility study to close a segment of Proctor Valley Road from San Miguel Ranch Road to east of SR125 (See Exhibit A) to motorized traffic. The feasibility study has been completed and was presented to the County Board of Supervisors on September 29, 2010 (Exhibit B). ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed request seeking authorization for submitting an application for a State grant is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because primarily, there is no assurance that the grant fund request will be approved and secondly, the proposed project has not yet been clearly defined nor approved. The intended use of the State funds if approved, would lead to a series of options and actions that would be subject to further environmental review not only by the City of Chula Vista but, by the County of San Diego. The City of Chula Vista as "Responsible Agency" would participate in conjunction, with the County of San Diego as "Lead Agency" when the discretionary process for the proposed street vacation project is initiated as well as the deliberation process leading to the adoption of the appropriate environmental determination. Therefore, pmsuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the proposed action is not subject to CEQA. RECOl\-IMENDA nON That the City Council adopt the resolution and direct staff to continue to work with the County on the formal street closure process. 7-1 9/9/10 Item-L Page 2 of 2 DISCUSSION The attached study (Exhibit "B") describes the issues associated with closing this segment of Proctor V alley Road. Some of the major issues are access and maintenance. Access for public safety will be provided by automatic "click to enter" gates so that first responders can use the closed road if they need secondary access to the San Miguel Ranch subdivision or other parts of the County. Any property that can only be accessed through the closed roadway such as SDG&E and the County Water Authority will be provided gate access. The maintenance of Proctor Valley Road can no longer be funded with gas tax funds after the closure, however, the standard for maintenance of the road will also be lower since it will no longer have through traffic. Indeed, segments of the roadway are not paved today. The City of Chula Vista does have a sewer main within the roadway and sewer enterprise funds could be used to ensure that the road is accessible to sewer trucks similar to other sewer easements the City maintains outside of the traditional right of way. Staff supports the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association's request to close the road as there is a superior four-lane paved road for the motoring public: San Miguel Ranch Road and Mount Miguel Road. Additionally, the City has had a large problem with the dumping of trash in the area as well as speeding vehicles. If the road were to be kept open there would be capital cost to traffic calm the segment as well as a maintenance cost associated with cleaning up the dumped trash. Turning these liabilities into a trail amenity adjacent to the Bonita Meadows Preserve provides the justification for closing the road. Future Action The formal road closure will require future public hearings by both Council and the County of San Diego as the roadway lies within both jurisdictions. It is anticipated that the City of Chula Vista's public hearing would be conditioned on both the receipt of the grant and the County's closure. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within SOO feet of the boundaries of the property, which is the subject of this action. FISCAL IMPACT Current FY Impact The Sweetwater VaHey Civic Association, a SOI(c)3 non-profit, would be responsible for all costs associated with the closure which they would fund upon receiving the grant from the State of California. Ongoing Fiscal Impact The maintenance of the roadway will be a lower standard, however, gas tax funds can no longer be used for the maintenance once the road is closed. It is anticipated that the ongoing fiscal impacts will be neutral since the nominal maintenance of the trail will be off-set by not having to remove the large piles of rubbish that are currently dumped along the road. The existing road will effectively become a sewer access road which is an eligible cost under the City's sewer fund. Exhibit "A" - Information Item of April 13, 2010 Exhibit "B" - The County of San Diego's feasibility study for the permanent closure of Proctor VaHey Road to motorized vehicles. Exhibit "C" - Sweetwater Valley Civic Association Grant Application Prepared by. Tom Adler. Development Services Department 7-2 Exhibit "A" ~v~ ~ ~ OlY OF CHULA VISTA COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM DATE: April 13, 2010 TO: The Honorable Mayer and City Council Jim Sandoval, City Manager..,,- Gary Halb&tteputy City Manager/Development Services Director VIA: FROM: SUBJECT: Permanent Closure of Proctor Valley Road The purpose of this memo is to inform you that on April 14, 2010 the County Board of Supervisors will consider initiating a feasibility study for the permanent closure of Proctor Valley between San Miguel Ranch Road and SR-125, approximately 2,400 feet. There are portions ofthis road within the City of Chula Vista's jurisdiction so any closure would ultimately require action by both jurisdictions. Background: In coordination with staff from the City of Chula Vista, County staff has tentatively identified the above-mentioned segment as a candidate for permanent closure to tluough- traffic. Proctor Valley Road travels in and out of the jurisdictions of County of San Diego and the City Of Chula Vista and is a partially paved two-lane road handling approximately 350 vehicle trips per day. It is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan for the County and is on the Bicycle Network. The recent completion of San Miguel Ranch Road and Mt. Miguel Road in the City of Chula Vista provides a superior route for most motorists and the conversion of Proctor Valley road to a multi-use trail facility would provide residents a recreational facility adjacent to the Bonita Meadows habitat area. Closure of the road would also minimize the amount of illegal dumping in the area. On January 27, 2010 the Board of the County of San Diego directed the Chief Administrative Officer to explore options for permanently closing Proctor Valley Road and return to the Board .with a report in 60 days. 7-3 Feasibility Studv Scope of Work: The feasibility study will evaluate the impacts of pelmanent closure to through traffic, both County's and City's staff will continue to work together to address at least the following issues: I. Confirm Legal Access. 2. Identify Traffic Impacts. 3. Determine Public Agency Interests. 4. Identify Maintenance Needs and Responsibility On completion of the study, results and findings will be brought forward to both the Board and the City Council for further direction. If the Board determines permanent closure of Proctor Valley Road should proceed, the Board may then direct the Chief Administrative Officer to initiate the road vacation process concurrently with the City of Chula Vista. Possible Implementation: The County is estimating that the road vacation processing would take roughly five months to complete and cost the County of San Diego approximately $25,000. There's no fiscal impact to the City Of Chula Vista. Construction of the closure and improvements would follow the vacation; cost and duration will be dependent on the scope. Additionatly, the Sweetwater Civic Association has submitted a grant application to the state that would provide additional enhancements to provide more aesthetically pleasing gates with emergency vehicle automatic entry features. The County would be the lead agency for this effort with assistance fi'om the City where required. Attachments: Proposed limits of the Proctor Vaney Road Closure. A - Vicinity Map B - Location Map By: Rima Thomas, Development Services Department 7-4 <l: I- Z LU :2 :r: o ~ (I) s... :J en o - U "C C'd o 0::: >. (I) - - <U > s... o ... o o l- e.. I a. C'd ~ ~ .- c: .- o :> ..7-5 AlTACHMENT B Location Map - Proctor Valley Road Closure J..J I 'i" I --, Notes: _ Proposed Proctor Valley Road Closure Exhibit "8" FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PERMANENT CLOSURE OF PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES BACKGROUND The Department of Public Works (DPW) in coordination with the City of Chula Vista has assessed the feasibility of permanently closing a portion of Proctor Valley Road to motorized vehicles. This feasibility study is being prepared to assess four main issues that were identified for further study at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors April 14, 2010 (3) hearing. These issues are as follows: 1) confirmation of legal access 2) public agency interests, 3) potential traffic impacts, and 4) maintenance needs and responsibility. Public agencies and stakeholders potentially affected by the proposed closure were identified. Input from the identified agencies and stakeholders regarding the proposed closure was also solicited and their responses are summarized herein. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The portion of Proctor Valley Road being considered for closure extends from San Miguel Ranch Road to a point 2,400 feet north of Rolling Ridge Road. This section of Proctor Valley Road traverses both the City of Chula Vista and the unincorporated community of Sunnyside within the Sweetwater Community Planning Area of the County of San Diego. Vicinity and location maps showing the location and the roads surrounding it are provided in Attachments A and B. The proposed closure to motorized vehicles would be established by the installation of physical barriers to motorized vehicles at three locations: the south leg of the intersection of Proctor Valley Road and San Miguel Ranch Road, the east leg of the intersection of Proctor Valley Road and Corte Bahama, and on Proctor Valley Road near the State Route 125 overpass. A cul-de-sac will be required at the southernmost gate. LEGAL ACCESS The Department of General Services staff has reviewed the proposed road closure and the location of the proposed gates. One parcel has direct and sole access to the section of Proctor Valley Road proposed for closure within the unincorporated County of San Diego. This parcel is owned by SDG&E and a substation is located on the parcel. Per County Code section 72.76, prior to erecting a barrier prohibiting through traffic at least a one foot strip must be vacated to abutting property owners. Prior to vacating this portion of Proctor Valley Road, a private easement dedicated by the underlying fee / property owners would need to be enacted to ensure access rights to this parcel are maintained. 7-7 Proctor Valley Road is not included as a Circulation Element Road on County of San Diego General Plan Circulation Element. It is designated on the County's Bicycle Network, and is on the County of San Diego Community Trails Master Plan. Reservations for Bicycle use and trial use would need to be included in any future road vacation of Proctor Valley Road. Two other parcels front the portion of Proctor Valley Road proposed for closure. These parcels include the Bonita Meadows Preserve, which is owned by the State of California, and a parcel owned by developers within San Miguel Ranch LLC which has been offered to the City of Chula Vista for acceptance as dedicated open space. These parcels also have access to other portions of Proctor Valley Road within the City of Chula Vista. Although legal access to these parcels would not be restricted by a proposed vacation of the County portion of Proctor Valley Road, coordination with the property owners for an enactment of additional access rights to these parcels may be beneficial to maintain existing or future facilities and/or resources on the parcels. The portion of Proctor Valley Road proposed for closure that is located within the City of Chula Vista is fronted by the Bonita Meadows Preserve and parcels owned by the large developments in the area, Trimark San Miguel Ranch LLC and Proctor Valley West Partners, LLC which have been offered to the City of Chula Vista for acceptance as dedicated open space. The City of Chula Vista does not have an ordinance that requires the vacation of a road prior to or concurrently with the closure of the road. Access rights to these parcels would not be affected by the proposed closure of the portion of Proctor Valley Road located within the city of Chula Vista. PUBLIC AGENCY INTERESTS Public agencies with interests in the area were solicited for comments regarding potential impacts to their business operations. Agencies representing law enforcement, public utilities, fire districts, water districts, school districts, state and local municipalities, and community planning groups were also notified. Responses received from public agencies are provided in Attachment D. The San Diego County Water Authority operates large diameter water pipelines along the road. The Otay Water District has a potable water pipeline with appurtenances on the road. Reservations will need to be made for these facilities as well as for utility vehicles that will maintain these facilities. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has a dual interest as both an area electrical utility provider and as a private f)arcel owner with a substation on the road. Initially concerned about critical access to their electrical substation, SDG&E understands access rights will be continued. As noted previously, private easement rights to the SDG&E substation parcel would need to be enacted prior to the proposed closure. 7-8 The South Bay Expressway maintains SR 125 facilities in the area and requires maintenance access to these facilities. The Bonita Sunnyside Fire Protection District supports the proposed road closure provided considerations are made for emergency vehicles. Reservations for emergency access should be included a part of any future road vacation. The proposed gates should be designed to the satisfaction of the fire district as to allow emergency vehicles access through the gates. The Bonita Meadows Preserve is located alongside the section of Proctor Valley Road proposed for closure. The Bureau of Land Management as well as Cox Communications indicated they are not affected by a proposed closure. The Sweetwater Community Planning Group supports the closure and creation of a multi-use trail as a recreational and environmental asset. County of San Diego road maintenance staff responds to periodic illegal dumping on this portion of Proctor Valley Road. The proposed road closure would help reduce the potential for illegal dumping along Proctor Valley Road. TRAFFIC IMPACTS Proctor Valley Road is currently a partially paved two-lane road carrying 330 vehicle trips per day. The proposed road closure will redirect traffic from Proctor Valley Road to alternate routes in the area. Potential impacts from redirection of traffic were assessed. There are two alternative parallel routes: San Miguel Ranch Road to the northeast and Corral Canyon Road to the southwest. San Miguel Ranch Road and Mountain Miguel Road have recently been developed in the City of Chula Vista as four-lane facilities. Their proximity to most users on Proctor Valley Road provides the most convenient alternative. Corral Canyon Road, in conjunction with East H Street and Central Avenue, provides a secondary alternative. For the purposes of this study, ninety percent of the daily traffic on Proctor Valley Road was redirected onto San Miguel Ranch Road. The remaining ten percent was distributed onto the Corral Canyon Road alternative. Existing traffic volumes and Level of Service (LOS), as well as near-term anticipated traffic volumes and LOS, are provided as a table in Attachment C. As shown in the table, all roads in the vicinity of the proposed closure will continue to operate at LOS D or better, with the exception of Central Avenue which operates at LOS E. The proposed closure will only add 33 additional ADT to Central Avenue which is substantially less than the 200 ADT threshold for determining significant traffic impacts. 7-9 Projected 2030 volumes and LOS with and without the proposed closure are provided as a second table in Attachment F. As shown in the table, all roads in the vicinity of the proposed closure are forecasted to operate at LOS D or better, with the exception of Central Avenue which is forecasted to operate at LOS E. The proposed closure will only add 100 additional ADT to Central Avenue at build-out which is substantially less than the 200 ADT threshold for determining significant traffic impacts. A field review and an office review were made to estimate travel time comparisons for motorists who would face the greatest increase in overall travel time due to a closure. The largest estimated increase in travel time would be experienced by property owners in the the immediate vicinity of the proposed closure. These motorists are expected to experience an estimated two-minute increase in overall travel time to destinations on the opposite side of the closure. Although this can be seen as an inconvenience to a few residents, this increase is not considered excessive. MAINTENANCE Presently, the portion of Proctor Valley Road located in the unincorporated area is an unpaved two-lane road. Although designated on the General Plan for 'a future bike facility, it is currently not built to accommodate that use. With a proposed closure to motorized vehicles and the road not built to carry bicycles, road fund revenues could not be expended for maintenance of the closed portion. Community groups have indicated interest in developing the vacated portion of the road into a public multi-use trail. The unpaved portion is presently not built to community trails construction guidelines. The County of San Diego Parks Department cannot accept the portion of the road proposed for closure into the trail system for maintenance. A proposed permanent closure to motorized vehicles through a road vacation process on Proctor Valley Road, without associated bicycle or trail facility improvements, will require maintenance by the underlying fee title property owners. These property owners would privately maintain the vacated portion of Proctor Valley Road to ensure access to their properties. They would not be required to maintain the road for multi- use trail patrons. County road and/or park funds could be used in the future following bicycle and/or trail facility improvements meeting County standards. The City of Chula Vista will continue to maintain the portion of Proctor Valley Road being considered for vacation that lies in their jurisdiction. 7-10 PUBLIC NOTIFICATION A project notification letter sent to legal parcel owners within a 300 foot radius of the proposed road closure. A total of 26 parcel owners in the unincorporated area of the County of San Diego were notified. Only one objection to the proposed road closure was received. This property owner's parcel lies south of the southern most proposed gate. This property owner expressed concerns that he would no longer have direct access northerly to Bonita from his property and would have to travel farther using City of Chula Vista Streets for get to destination north of his property. The notification package and set of responses is presented in Attachment D. The City of Chula Vista provided separate public notification to additional parcels in neighboring subdivisions within the City of Chula Vista. The City of Chula Vista did not receive any objections to the proposed road closure. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The results of the study indicate future closure to motorized vehicles of Proctor Valley Road from San Miguel Ranch Road to a point 2,400 feet north of Rolling Ridge is feasible. . Provided that private easement rights are enacted prior to the proposed road closure, legal access to all parcels in the area can be maintained. . Public utilities affected by the proposed closure are supportive of the proposed closure provided reservations are included to ensure continued access to their facilities. . The proposed closure would not result in significant traffic impacts. . Future maintenance of the portion of Proctor Valley Road in the unincorporated area proposed for closure can be provided by the County if and when the area is improved to County standards for bicycle facility and/or multi-use trails. In the interim, utility companies and private property owners would have reservations of easement rights so that they can maintain the portion of Proctor Valley Road closed to through vehicular traffic for their utility access purposes. . Future maintenance of the portion of Proctor Valley Road in the City of Chula Vista would continue to be performed by the City of Chula Vista. Per County Ordinance, a road vacation would be require to close the Proctor Valley Road to through vehicular traffic. Reservations for bicycle use, trail use and emergency access must be included as part of the road vacation. Reservations for existing public utilities in the corridor would also be needed. These agencies with utilities in the corridor include the Otay Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, Southbay Exrpessway/Caltrans and SDG&E. 7-11 Q[ountp of ~an l\ieyo DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS JOHN L. SNYDER DIRECTOR 5555 OVERLAND AVE, SUITE 2188 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92123.1295 (858) 694-2212 FAX: (858) 268-0461 Web Site: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/ June 25, 2010 Dear Property Owner / Agency: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY VACATION ON PROCTOR VAllEY ROAD The County of San Diego, in coordination with the City of Chula Vista, is conducting a feasibility study to vacate (reiinquish the public interest of) a portion of the public right of way on Proctor Valley Road between San Miguel Ranch Road and the east side of the Interstate 125 overpass (see Exhibit A). Both the County oj San Diego and the City of Chula Vista have public road easements on this section. It is the intention of the County and the City to gate and close their respective sections of roadway to vehicles and to establish a multi-use pathway for use by bicycles, pedestrians, and equestrians. Through traffic would be routed to superior adjacent routes in the area. The purpose of this feasibility study is to confirm legal property access, identify traffic impacts, determine property owner and public agency interests, and to identlfy maintenance responsibilities in advance of a formal road vacation process. This notice and the enclosed attachment are forwarded to you for review. Please provide any comment for this project by written correspondence no later than July 16, 2010 to: Attn: Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division (MS 0-334) 5469 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 201 San Diego, CA 92123 E-mail: kenton.lones@sdcountv.ca.qov If you have any questions or concerns, please call Kenton Jones, Civil Engineer with the County of San Diego, at (858) 874-4009 or Tom Adler, land Development Division Manager with the City of Chula Vista, at (619) 409-5483. Sincerely, ~tonJ County rans lvil Engineer ortation Division, Attachment: Exhibit A cc: Tom Adler, land Development Division Manager, City of Chula Vista, 707 F Street, Chula Vista, CA91910 Kids . The Environment 12'f2and Livable Communities /" EXHIBIT A FEASIBILITY STUDY for a ROAD VACATION Communitv/Sub-Reqional Plan Area: Bonita/Sunnyside Owner: County of San Diego and City of Chula Vista Proiect Location: Proctor Valley Road, between San Miguel Ranch Road and the east Interstate 125 overpass Thomas Brothers Map Coordinates: 1311 C1-D2 Request: Vacate (relinquish public interest of) vehicular travel on Proctor Valley Road and maintain access for bicycles, pedestrian, and equestrians as a multi-use trail. VICINITY MAP " - _.~, ~.- ,<,,..,,,, ;-1 r~-- ~o ~ Il ,~~ /.---~ "j>D -a "1,s~~J.fI.'f?>u. \ 'V'<: \ ---~~ '~;; 0)0 ~ " <: ,> " I" ~ o ~tJ1UE.L..8D :< .f]: iT' ~~ '> <: ~ ~ ~ m " o VICINITY MAP BONITA, CA SUNNYSIDE NOT TO SCALE ~, tli 'I ------ AL- ~r- ~ 3, '"' r&'" '" ~ :::>: ~ . 'c.rs.S~''J S O,.k' \ : J~1tco<\, Jf 1-..1 '\ (~,'; ~,'>- " u\ '\;/'1; "'I ,"" \CHLAT E!IttB.ro.GQ S 7ROL((NQR1'DRRJ" L----:~ ,"'~ "-""I!! ~ ~~ ~ -~E ....--1 0' "TO' ~4s~-?/I' ~~OC~'l'~AYTR ~~ ~ i '-",> " -':"':"'0 NIU r-., _ ~ " C /(~'O~,~~~n::c:,~::?:.;.~~~~~.."~3' ",-, 7-13 -.I I ~ (]1 Proctor Valley Road Closure Roadway Segment Existing Conditions With & Without Proposed Closure I I i TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LEVELS OF SERVICE ROADWAY SEGMENT Proctor Valley Proctor Valley Existing Road Open Road Closed Significant Condition ADT LOS ADT LOS Impact Central Avenue Bonita Rd to Corral Canyon Rd 2-Lane Town 14,711 E 14,744 E NO Collector Central Ave to Country Vistas Ln 2-Lane Town 11,178 D 11,211 0 NO Collector Corral Canyon Road 2-Lane Town Country Vistas Ln to East H St Collector 6,974* C 7,007 C NO Corral Canyon Rd to SR-125 4-Lane 22,706' B 22,739 8 NO Coliector East H .Street 4-Lane SR-125 to Mount Miguel Rd Collector No Data N/A (+33) N/A NO San Miguel Rd to San Miguel Ranch Rd 2-Lane Light 6,652 C 6,619 C NO Collector Proctor Valley Road San Miguel Ranch Rd to Rolling Ridge Rd 2-Lane Light 327 .A NfA N/A NO Collector Rolling Ridge Rd to Mt. Miguel Rd 2-Lane Light 3,055* B 3,382 B NO Collector San Miguel Road Bonita Rd to ProctorValley Rd 2-Lane Light 7,353 D 7,320 0 NO Coliector Proctor Valley Rd to SR-125 4-Lane 7,647* A .7,941 A NO Collector San Miguel Ranch Road SR-125 to Proctor Valley Rd (West) 4-Lane 12,282' A 12,576 A NO Mountain Miguel Road Coilector Proctor Valley Rd (West) to E. H 51 4-Lane No Data N/A (+33) N/A NO Collector Notes: ADT = Average Daily Traffic LOS = Level of Service -/< City of Chula Vista Data --,--,-,~-------,---,-----'---------""'--'----- .-.------.,..-;------.--..---------------.-------... . - . . . Proctor Valley Road Closure Roadway Segment 2030 Conditions With & Without Proposed Closure -..j I ..... '" ,I I I TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LEVELS OF SERVICE ROADWAY SEGMENT Proctor Valley Proctor Valley 2030 Road Open Road Closed Significant Condition ADT LOS ADT LOS Imnact .. 2-Lane Town Central Avenue Bonita Rd to Corral Canyon Rd Collector 15,000 E 15.100 E NO Central Ave to Country Vistas Ln 2-Lane Town 6,200 C 6,300 C NO Collector Corral Canyon Road 2-Lane Town Country Vistas Ln to East H St Collector 8,700* D 8.800 D NO Corral Canyon Rd to SR-125 4-Lane 13,000* A 13,100 A NO Collector East H Street 4-Lane SR-125 to Mount Miguel Rd Collector 30,000* D 30,100 D NO San Miguel Rd to San Miguel Ranch Rd 2-Lane Light 2,500 A 2,400 A NO Collector Proctor Valley Road San Miguel Ranch Rd to Rolling Ridge Rd 2-Lane Light 1,000* A N/A N/A NO Collector Rolling Ridge Rd to Mt. Miguel Rd 2-Lane Light 4,600* C 5,600 C NO Collector San Miguei Road Bonita Rd to ProctorValiey Rd 2-Lane Light 6,300 C 6,200 C NO Collector Proctor Valley Rd to SR-125 4-Lane 8,000* A 8,900 A NO Collector San Miguel Ranch Road SR-125 to Proctor Valley Rd (West) 4-Lane 13,000* A 13,900 B NO Mountain Miguel Road Collector Proctor Valley Rd (West) to E. H St 4-Lane 15,000* B 15,100 B NO Collector Notes: ADT = Average Daily Traffic LOS = Level of Service * City of Chula Vista Data ~~~ --.-- ,~~;}.~ """~-~-- CllY OF CHULA VISTA OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER November 6, 2009 Van K. Collinsworth 9222 Lake Canyon Road Santee, CA 92071 Dear Mr. Collinsworth: The Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Project This is to confirm that the officc ofthe City Manager supports the grant application for the construction of gates to close that segment of Proctor Valley Road fi'om San Miguel Ranch Road to the SR 125 right of way. . The road is now redundant given the construction of San Miguel Ranch Road. o The area has had siguificant problems with illegal dumping in the past. . The roadway is not built to City standards and the closure will allow the road to be improved as an emergency / utility and sewer access road, freeing up capital from the San Miguel Ranch Community Facilities District to be used elsewhere, or to buy down bonds. . The roadway would have needed significant traffic calming improvements to lower the speeds to a safe level. . The corridor would be better served without automotive traffic given the proposed trail uses in the area and the preserve lands to the southwest. Should you be successful in receiving the grant we would hold a public hearing to consider the closure to which all the utility companies with facilities in the area and any other interested parties would be invited for their input. We appreciate that you have included gate technology in your grant application to allow unimpeded emergency access so that first responders can use the closed road for emergency access. Sinc :;;~ Ji Sandoval ty Manager cc; Gary Halbert, Deputy City Manager/Director of Development Services Richard Hopkins, Director of Public Works Justin Gibson, Deputy Fire Chief 276 FOURTH AVENUE' CHULA VISTA~~~"1~:;2:10' (619) 691-5031 . FAX (619) 409.5834 ~Vy ~":--: - - - '.......--....:;:= - - - CllY OF CHUlA VISTA Fire Department July 27,2010 SM0201 County of San Diego Department of Public Works Attn: Kenton Jones, Civil Engineer 55555 Overland Ave, Suite 2188 San Diego, CA 92123-1295 Re: Feasibility Study for Public Richt of Way Vacation on Proctor Valley Road We have received your letter of June 25, 2010 and request that any proposed gate(s) across either Proctor Valley Road and or Corte Bahama be equipped with emergency control devices. Said technology affords first responders entry or exit capabilities without having to unlock gates, remove bollards or the like. Additionally, the emergency control devices require both an Opticom System (including back-up power provisions) and Knox Key Override Switch. Please contact me if you haye any questions. Respectfully, t~A,~ Justin Gipson Deputy Fire Chief I Fire Marshal 447 F Avenue. MS F-200 ChulaVista, CA 91910 Phone (619) 691-5055 Fax (619J691-5057 ~1fe. PRIDE AT W 0 R K 7-18 www.chulavistaca.gov o POSI_Can,um""RecydedPolp"r SWE~TW A TER Community Planning Group November 4, 2009 RE: Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Project To Whom it May Concern, The Sweetwater Community Planning Group expresses our strong support for the Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Project. The monument installation and conversion of Proctor Valley Road into multiple use trail along Bonita Meadows Preserve will transform an abused landscape into a recreational and environmental asset for the entire community. The project will reduce management costs associated with road grading and illegal dumping, while protecting the State's investment in natural resources at Bonita Meadows Preserve. The project creates opportunities for environmental education for two nearby elementary schools. It is a complete win for the community that thoughtfully transitions established neighborhoods with new development. Sincerely, . / ~ , ,<~,. \. /~ \ c \).J2L--/ ,'-" . . ~.. (. y /: '-......(;. & jCJ. \, 11" A \ f/) J (' ,;, v' I v......., l-X-{../ t ~............ L/./'V . Harriet Taylor J '-=-~~)!.l.D_\j Sheri Todus Co Chair SCPG P.O. Box 460, Bonita, California 91908-0460 7-19 ~B.onita - Sllnnyside---. ( Fire Protection District I I , I ....\ FIRE CHIEF . 5cdt \\:,,!l.;.;:r BOARD OF DIRECTORS F-;Ohi~!i "Sco;-t" S::Gtt T('Xi'; ?oc':;.im\':lon J':,,~npf; S'ton",cilY:$!, DiSTRICT SECRETARY Flit,-" CYrT1~H1 RESOLUTION 05-IO RESOLUTION OF THE BONITA-SUNNYSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SUPPORTING THE CLOSURE OF "PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD" TO THROUGH TRAFFIC WHEREAS, the DISTRICTS mission is to preserve, and protect public safeiy "VHEREAS, the DISTRICT, aware of the communities concern with the increascd thru traffic on Proctor Valley Road and San Miguel Road WHEREAS, the thru tramc not only affects the residents of Proctor Valley Road and San Miguel Road but also the safety of the Sunnyside School's Students "VHEREAS, the DISTRICT acknowledges and supports the closure of Proctor Valley Road to thru trame with considerations made for emergency and utiLity vehicles ADO['TED bv the Bonita-Sullnvsidd'ire Protection District at a regular mceting thereof heldU;is (i'h day of Septc;nber, 2005 by the j()l1owing roll call vote to wit AYES: NOES: o 3 ABSTAIN: 0 ABSENT: 0 APPROVED <UliI,c,,;T/ ~J>(2;;Yo:---t:C '~'~ . obert Scott, President /.'~,. ) ATTEST:\'-, '_~ tr. a,-y.J _. . ita eyman, om.' Manager District Seal .' 1900 Bon:1<1 Mr.;' 2.~1n;i'\. .,', , ;'.'mt~ )7~~ , ,,1,.~:' ,ej ~-+- ;Ir., ~- ).~_-I' !l..~~ .II ! -, -- ~.:.:z;i~. " ':L, /;;\ ,.' _ ';\' ..., ~. :f'.q~: _.,. <li"'v ---, . ~~ : -....., ~.,.,. ,,~,): h "., n:~~"',-'/ ~.::> 7-20 Fire Prevention is Everyone's Business Fh~")n8: :619j 479-2346 ACTION: ON MOTION of Supervisor Jacob, Seconded by Supervisor Cox, the Bomd denied the appeal and directed the Chief Administrative Officer to initiate a rezone that would preclude the subdivision of existing lots in the conmlUnity known as Explorer Ridge Estates, TM 3672, Final Map 9458 and return to the Board for consideration. The Board incorporated in the motion the reasons that have been stated by individuals in opposi tion as well as the Planning Group and the Planning Commission. The Board finds that the site is not physically suitable for the proposed density of development. The project was recorded in November 1979 as a 50 unit subdivision, with an appropriate circulation network and lot configuration that responded to the physical constraints ofthe area while providing adequate building pads for a single fmnily home and other related residential uses. The proposed project would increase the density of the area, adversely impacting the community character, particularly in the area immediately surrounding the subject property. Project site is one with rolling topography and relatively semi-rural layout of the existing homes. The additional unit requested by the project would have an adverse visual impact on the surrounding neighbors. Such an increase in density is not appropriate for this area, and the site is not physically suitable to add an additional unit. The visual impact to the surrounding lots and additional crowding, render the site unsuitable for this proposal. YES: Cox, Jacob, Roberts, Horn ABSENT: Slater-Price 3. SUBJECT: FEASIBILITY FOR POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD IN BONlTNSUNNYSIDE (DISTRICT: 1) OVERVIEW: On January 27, 2010 (3), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Officer to explore options for permanently closing Proctor Valley Road and return to the Board with a report in 60 days. In coordination with staff from the City of Chula Vista, County staff has tentatively identified a segment of Proctor Valley Road between San Miguel Ranch Road and 2,400 feet north of Rolling Ridge Road as a candidate for permanent closure to through traffic. Proctor Valley Road travels in and out of the jurisdictions of the County of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista and is a partially paved two-lane road handling approximately 350 vehicle trips per day. It is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan and is on the Bicycle Network. Recent completion of San Miguel Ranch Road and Mt. Miguel Road in the City of Chula Vista provide a superior route for most motorists. FISCAL IMP ACT: This item would have no fiscal impact, as the approximately $5,000 in staff time forthe 04/14/10 5 7-21 feasibility study is already budgeted in the current year Road Fund Operational Plan. Future cost of closing the road depends on what method is determined best, as described in the Background of this letter. BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: N/A RECOMMENDATION: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 1. find that the proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15262 ofthe State CEQA Guidelines. 2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct a feasibility study in coordination with the City ofChula Vista for permanent closure of Proctor Valley Road, between San Miguel Ranch Road and 2,400 feet north of Rolling Ridge Road and provide a status report in 150 days. ACTION: ON MOTION of Supervisor Jacob, seconded by Supervisor Cox, the Board took action as recommended, on Consent. A YES; Cox, Jacob, Slater-Price, Roberts, Horn 4. SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO SUMMARlL Y VACATE A PUBLIC EASEMENT OVER A PORTION OF MUSSEY GRADE ROAD IN THE RAlVIONA AREA (VACATION NO. 2009-01l2-A) (DISTRICT: 2) OVERVIEW: The Department of General Services, Real Estate Services Division is processing a request to vacate a road easement over the southern-most portion ofMussey Grade Road. The area proposed for vacation is located north of the San Vicente Reservoir and south of Kimball Valley Road. (Thomas Guide page 1192, B-6). Today's request is to adopt a resolution to summarily vacate approximately a one-half mile long portion of Mussey Grade Road pursuant to Streets & Highways Code Section 8333 (a). The segment of road proposed to be vacated was closed to the public by Resolution of the Board of Supervisors per Document No. 77-279288, recorded July 13, 1977 and has not been used by the public since that time. 04/14/10 6 7-22 .-'--".-,);- ,,\,/ ~ ~~):- ~ . ~'" South Bay hpressway Put the fun back in driving! 1129 La Media Road, San Diego, CA 92154 p. 519.710.4000 . f. 619.710,4097 SBX LTR-IO-1394 southbayexpressway com July 6, 2010 Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division (MS 0-334) 5469 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 20 I San Diego, CA 92123 Re: Feasibility Study for Public Right of Way Vacation on Proctor Valley Road Dear Kenton: South Bay Expressway ("SBX") has no objection to the County of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista closing the portion of Proctor Valley Road, between San Miguel Ranch Road and the east side of State Route 125 overpass, to vehicle traffic. Please be aware tbat SBX (and the State of California, CaItrans) must retain all existing easements and if necessary shall be granted additional maintenance easements in order to access the SR125 Rigbt of Way from Procter Valley Right of Way. SBX must have clear and unrestricted access to the Proctor Valley Bridges, abutments, drainage systems and access roads that relate to SR125. Please see the attached maps for further details. Please contact Troci Lundin at (916) 798-8629 if you need further information. Yours truly, SOUTH BAY EXPRESSWAY, L.P. B~rt=es, Inc. its generalP~rtner Anthony G. Evans ChiefFlnancialOfficer Attachments: ROW Maps and Layout of Proctor Valley co: SBX - G. Hulsizer 7-23 S0811.. _~f fit"S'"th,," California ',' " G" Comp,"\,' Kathy Babcock Land Management Rep. r~ ~ Sempra Energy'utilities CPI1D 8335 Century Park Court San Diego, CA 92123-1559 Tel: 858 654-1271 Fax: 858 654-1263 KBabcock@semprautilites.com July 2, 2010 C7-01-10PG~:31 RC'VD Mr, Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division - MS 0-334 5469 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 201 San Diego, California 92123 RE: V ACA TION OF PROCTOR V ALLEY ROAD Dear Mr. Jones: Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed vacation of Proctor Valley Road, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) owns a substation and has access roads to its overhead electric transmission corridors within the proposed vacation pDrtiDn of Proctor Valley Road that require 24/7 vehicle access, Additionally SDG&E has overhead and underground electric lines in Proctor Valley Road that also require round the clock access and we must have access from both ends of Proctor Valley Road. SDG&E has significant safety concerns with sharing the vacated road with bicycles, pedestrians and equestrians. While the concept may be feasible, SDG&E asks that vehicle traffic be kept separate from the trail by means of fencing, a separate elevated trail, or different paving surfaces'to delineate the paved road from the trail, signage and gates to assure the safety of everyone using the vacated road and trail should it be constructed. Electric gated access is appropriate and SDG&E would require its own key override be placed in the control panel. SDG&E would also require an easement reservation in the Closing Resolution for its facilities that are impacted if they are not already covered by an easement. 1'd like to discuss this project further with you at your convenience. Thank you. Kathy abco Land Management Representative (858) 654-1271 ?i-i-!-,~L Cc: Tom Adler, City of Chula Vista 7-24 MEMBER AGENCIES Ce,bbcd MuniclpalWarerDi,lrio CityafDelMar C.ty "f~,""ndid" City ofN<"t.onol Cily C,tyofOceofl~ide Cityol?owoy City or Son Diego follbrook PublicU'ilityDi.lrict HelixWalerD"triO Loke~ideWale,Di.!ricl Oliv~nhain '"elWaterDi'trid Aoy Weier Diwicl Padr~ Dam MunicipelWalerDi'lncl Comp Pendl"lon MotlneCorp,Be,e Rainbow MunidpdWolerDiwicl Remona MUl1bpaJWal,,-rDl,trid Rlncan del Diobb Mvn;<:lpolWalerOlOtrld San Di"-9uitoWele, Di,tri<:! Sonia Felrrigolion Di,trid South Boylrrigo!lonDi,jri<:1 Volle<:llo,WolerDillnct Volley Center Mun'c1pol 't.o/er Qi,ltiCI Y.:;iehrigolionDi,tricl Yuime MuniclPol Water DiMrid OTHER REPRESENTATIVE County of Son Di"-go : l- i 4.-; San Diego County Water Authority 4677 Overland Avenue. San Diego, California 92123-1233 (858) 522-6600 FAX (8581 522-6568 www.sdcwa.org July 14, 2010 Mr. Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division (MS 0-334) 5469 Keamy Villa Road, Suite 201 San Diego, CA 92123 SUBJECT: Feasibility Study for Public Right of Way Vacation on Proctor Valley Road Dear Mr. Jones: . I am providing comments to the proposed vacation of Proctor Valley Road in response to your letter dated June 25, 2010. The Water Authority owns and operates two large diameter pipelines that run parallel with Proctor Valley Road in the area proposed to be closed to vehicles. These pipelines are known as the Second San Diego Aqueduct. I have provided as-built information encloscd with the letter showing the location of the pipelines. The Water Authority will require an easement reservation for its pipeline locatcd within the road to allow for continued access for maintenance, inspection, repair and replacement. The reservation area should be the same width as the existing road right of way and extend through the point where the pipelines cross and exit the existing Proctor Valley Road south of San Miguel Ranch Road. Please contact me at (858) 522-6915 if you have any questions regarding the easement reservation or Water Authority facilities in the proposed vacation area. Sincerely, --r;;Qo~ Tad Brierton Right of Way Supervisor TB/tr Enclosures: Grant of Easements Pipeline 3 and 4E2 Plan and Profiles A public agency providing a safe and reliable water supply to the San Diego region \\SeaI\d.ata\ROW\DeptOnly\ST AFF\Brierton\ProctorValleyRd Ltr.doc 7-25 ?~!N1ED ON RECYClED PAPH ~ ! - i 5-1 ~: P ( 'I : : 3 s: r '.'~; CDedi.notcct to ConHnlU'llt~ Sel11.JlCe 2554 SWEETWATER SPRINGS BOULEVARD. SPRING VALLEY. CALIFORNIA 91978.2004 TELEPHONE: 670.2222, AREA CODE 619 www.otaywatergov July 9,2010 Project No.: P1287-016000 Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division (MS 0-334) 5469 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 201 San Diego, CA 92123 Subject: Feasibility Study for Public Right-of-Way Vacation on Proctor Valley Road Dear Mr. Jones: The Otay Water District (District) maintains a potable water pipeline, including pipeline appurtenances and facilities, within the entire length (approximately 6,000 linear feet) of Proctor Valley Road that is being studied to be vacated. The pipeline appurtenances include a fire hydrant, a water meter and several air vacuum release valves, blow-off valves and gate valves. The water facilities include a pressure reducing station located approximately 2,000 feet west of the SR-125 crossing. All water appurtenances and facilities are currently within the public right- of-way on Proctor Valley Road. The District will require, in the event the vacation does occur, a minimum twenty foot (20') wide water and access easement(s) for operation, maintenance, and inspection purposes as well as rights for ingress and egress. Vehicle access will be required for monthly meter readings of the water meter located just west of the SR-125 crossing (APN 595-010-06). Vehicle access will also be required for periodic maintenance and inspection of the pressure reducing station and various pipeline appurtenances. .. Minor work will be necessary as a result of the public right-of-way vacation. Utility marker posts will need to be installed for location and identification purposes of many of the facilities and appurtenances. Also, all valve cover casings will need to be raised for identification purposes. If you have any questions, please contact Bernardo Separa at bsepara@otaywater.gov or (619) 670-2269. Sincerely, OTAY WATER DISTRICT ~ /'f71-jO/Le.Mfr Ron Rippe~;r~U~ I Y Engineering Manager . RR:rnlc cc: Bernardo Separa P:\WORKING\CIP P12871FY ZQ11\CorrespondenceIOutICoSD.Feasibilily Sl1Jdy lor Public Right of Way VacaUon on ProclorValley Road 7-9-1G.doc 7-26 Jones. Kenton R. From: ~ent: 0: Cc: Subject: John_Kalish@blm.gov Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:54 PM Jones, Kenton R. Greg_Hill@blm.gov RE. Public r/w: Proctor Valley Road No lands under BLM jurisdiction are affected. Thank you ror the notice. John R. Kalish, Field Manager Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs/South Coast Field Offi'~e 1201 Bird Center Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 833-7100 (FAX: 7199) "Jones, Kenton R. " <Kenton.Jones@sdc ounty.ca.gov> To <John_Kalish@blm.gov> cc 07/13/2010 02:37 PM <Greg Hill@blm.gov> Subject RE: Public r/w: Proctor Valley Road John, Received your note and I appreciate the effort. Thank you, Kenton R. Jones, PE, MSCE DPW Unit Manager Safety & Loss Mitigation Traffic Engineering (0-334) {858} 874-4009 -----Original Message----- From: John Kalish@blm.gov [m~ilto:John Kallsh@blm.gov] Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:34 PM To: Jones, Kenton R. Cc: Greg Hill@blm.gov Subject:-Public r/w: Proctor yalley Road We received your June 25, 2010 letter today (sent originally to our El'Centro Office). We l dete~mine if any ELM interests are involved and will respond, hopefully by July 16th. Than ks. _ . . _ 1 7-27 Jul 16 10 10:02a armand,s 6194214308 p.1 Armando & Ana Lorena Gonzalez Mailing address (9926 Proctor Valley Rd.) (Chula Vista, Ca. 91914) (619) 421 -4666 eel. 508-5764 E.mail: 2rmn758@aoLcorn Fisical address (9926 Proctor Valley Rd.) (Bonita, Ca. 91902) July 16, 2010. County of San Diego Department of Public Works Attn: Kenton Jones County Department of Public Works Transportation Division (MS 0-334) 5469 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 201 San Diego, Ca. 92123 (858) 874-4009 Fax: (858) 268-0461 3'r"t'-"lo;:0' Dear Mr. Jones; This letter is in response to your request of providing any comments to the project location on Proctor Valley Rd. in Bonita, between San Miguel Ranch Rd. and the East Interstate 12S overpass. We disagree 100% on PROPOSED ROAD VACATION. We lived in Bonita since 1996, we have used the public road "PROCTOR VALLEY RD." in and out to Bonita all this years, why should one have to go to Chula Vista to get to Bonita. The proposed road vacation is incomplete and unbalance for us, for years we have been left out by the City of Chula Vista because we are in the County bringing us problems and inconvenience on there own unsafe projects, when Trimark Pacific the City ignore our complaints on the heavy truck traffic on the dirt road while our family was suffering the heavy amounts of dust, we had to move out for a short time because our son and I developed a blooding nose, copies of letter from my son doctor was send to the City and they continue to ignore, leaving us in a real unsafe environment, also the Bonita post office stop delivering our mail because of the unsafe road. 7-28 i ,. f~ Jul 16 10 10:02a armand,s 6194214308 p.2 On the same Trimark project when a sub drain was hidden under ground causing a water saturation, my septic fail and the City refuse to let us hook up to the sewer in front of our property because it belonged to the City and we were in the County. Now because the City does not want to maintain there part of Proctor Valley Rd. they want to block us out of Bonita where we live. We are not trying to go against our people having the convenience of a maintain access for bicycles, pedestrian and equestrians as a multi-use trail, they have been using it for years but on an unsafe conditions, it's a great idea to do that but with out affecting us again. QUESTIONS;Who would maintain the road point to point to the County border line? When would they pave the road? Who would paid for that? In what position would we be left? As you know, we are the only house there, please inform us of any meeting or changes on this propose, we are in the best disposition to try to work with the County and the City of Chula Vista but we do not want to get hurt. /;;fj; aA L_. ~. (=dO & Ana Lorena Gonzalez . c.c. Tom Adler, Land Development Division Manager, City of Chula Vista, 707 F. St., Chula Vista, Ca. 91910 7-29 Jones, Kenton R. From: <;ent: Melito Barrera [bereanbible7@yahoo.com] Monday, July 12, 2010 2:28 PM ,0: Jones, Kenton R. Cc: Gary Center Home; Gary Center Subject: RE: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY VACATION ON PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD Attachments: Assessor's Map - Lot C.pdf Dear Mr. Jones - I am speaking on behalf of the Berean Bible Baptist Church. We are the owners of two parcels of land located along the Proctor Valley Road (APN 595-020-5000 and APN 595-020-5100 - see attached, lots highlighted in green). Per the reference feasibility study, we would like to inform you that we are in favor of the proposed public right of way vacation. However, based on the line drawing you provided in the letter, we would like to clarify that the East portion of the road to be vacated does not reach the boundary line of our Lot 50 If you have any questions, you may either contact me at (619) 261-7210 or Me. Gary Center at (951) 522- 4103. Thank you so much for your help. God bless! Respectfully - Pastor Melito Barrera 7/12/20]0 7-30 Jones, Kenton R. From: Marcos Espinoza [marcosespinoz@hotmail.com] <;ent: Monday, July 12, 2010 8:42 AM .0: Jones, Kenton R. Subject: Feasability study for public right of way on proctor valley road Dear Kenton Jones, I am writing this e-mail on behalf of my parents Miguel and Martha Espinoza. My parents live on the corner of Proctor Valley and Rolling Ridge road and they support the closure to automobiles down Proctor Valley. They both know first hand that this road is better suited as a pedestrian/recreational path. Reason they believe this is that they have witnessed individuals use this area to dump trash and furniture. Aiso they feel that automobiles are driven through the road recklessly very often and were concerned about the children's safety that walk to Liberty Elementary daily. This would no doubt help with maintaining a safer neighborhood but allow both neighborhood and city school to educate as well as contribute to the preservation of a small ecological world that thrives down Proctor Valley road. Thank You Sincerely Marcos Espinoza @ 7/1212010 7-31 Exhibit "e" 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion EEM Project By Sweetwater Valley Civic Association Van K. Collinsworth, Authorized Representative Table of Contents/Exhibit List Paqes Application Form & Assurances 2-4 Summary 5 Narrative 6-10 Exhibit 1: Authorizing Resolution & Proof of 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Status Exhibit 2: Letter from the Lead Agency (Caltrans) Exhibit 3: Notice of Determination for RTF Exhibit 4: EIRIEIS Summary SR-125 South Exhibit 5: Mitigation Monitoring Program SR-125 South Exhibit 6: Local Consistency Letters & SD County BOS Approved Feasibility Study Exhibit 7: Cost Estimate & Expenditure Plan Exhibit 8: Timeline Exhibit 9: Project Proposal Map/Gate Location Photos Exhibit 10: Contiguous Preserves Exhibit 11: Sedimentation & Illegal Dumping Photos 2006-2009 Exhibit 12: Entry Monument Gate Concepts Exhibit 13: Letters of Support 7-32 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency APPLICATION FORM Enter EEMP Project Information under Section A A.1 EEMP PROJECT NAME Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion EEM Project A.2 EEMP GRANT APPLICANT Agency Name _ Sweetwater Vallev Civic Association Street Address (& PO Box) P.O. Box 232 Bonita Road & Acacia Avenue City Bonita State_CA ZIP 91908 A.3 TYPE of AGENCY _Local Agency _State Agency _Federal Agency ..L Non-profit A.4 EEMP PROJECT CATEGORY (check only one) _ Highway Landscaping and Urban Forestry Resource Lands ..L Roadside Recreation A.S EEMP PROJECT GRANT REQUEST EEMP Project Grant Request $ 315.000 Estimated Total EEMP Project Cost $ 348810 (Include all sources of funds. Do not include cost of the Related Transportation Facility.) A.6 EEMP PROJECT LOCATION Nearest Cross Street Proctor Vallev Road and San Miauel Ranch Road County San Dieao Nearest City Chula Vista Latitude and Longitude 3240'18.39 N. 11659'49.31 W Senate District No. 36th & 40th Assembly District N 78th Project Location: (Refer to 1-5. North/South Split on page 2 - check only one) North --1L- South A.7 APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE AUTHORIZED IN RESOLUTION Van K. Collinsworth Name Project Manager Title 619-258-7929 Phone Van27@cox.net EmaiJ address Person with day-to-day responsibility for grant project (if different than authorized representative) N/A A.S ANTICIPATED EEMP PROJECT START DATE: April 2011 February 15. 2012 COMPLETION DATE: A.9 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EEMP PROJECT Address scope, purpose, location & connection to the RTF (60 words max) Construction of three entry gate monuments to the Bonita Meadows Preserve designed to convert Proctor Valley Road into multiple use trail. Improvements will eliminate illegal dumping and SR-125 related vehicle traffiC that excludes recreation at the preserve. Frequency of road grading partially responsible for erosion and filling of preserve culverts/creeks greatly diminishes. Native plantings enhance endangered species habitat and watershed. 2 7-33 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Enter Related Transportation Facility Information under Section B 8.1 RELATED TRANSPORTATION FACILITY (RTF) District 11 San Diego San Diego SR 125 South Transportation District City County Route Number / Name Chula Vista locaflon State Route 125 South at the boundary of the unincorporated community of Bonita/Sunnyside and City of Chula Vista. Description of Related Transportation Facility Caltrans Name of Transportation Agency September 2003 Date Construction Began or Scheduled State Route 125 South Between Oiay Mesa And Spring Valley In San Diego County Name of Approved/Certified Capital Outlay Program for Related Transportation Facility 8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE FOR RTF PROJECT (check type and status) Type: Exempt_ Negative Declaration_ Categorical Exemption_ EJR .lL Status: Complete.....! In Progress_ Not Started_ What were the primary environmental Impacts of the RTF? Impacts remaining substantial after mitigation are: "social, proximity impacts, community cohesion impacts, community character impacts, open space impacts, park and recreation impacts, growth impacts, visual impacts, biological resources impacts, noise impacts, construction impacts, and cumulative impacts." (FEIR/EIS Summary, page 8-6). Describe the required environmental mitigation? Approximately 139 Mitigation Measures intended to address all impact categories of this regional transportation project (Biology etc.). See attached Exhibit 5: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. 8.3 Name of Lead Agency for RTF: Caltrans 8.4 Attach the Letter from the Lead Agency Responsible for the construction of the RTF. (APPENDIX C) SEE EXHIBIT 2 ATTACHED. 8.5 Attach a copy of the NOE, NOD, Neg Dee, Mitigated Neg Dee, or EIR summary, as applicable, to provide evidence of the required mitigation. SEE EXHIBIT 4 ATTACHED. C. CERTIFICATION I certify that the information contained in this project Appiication form, including required attachments, is accurate and that I have read and understand the Assurances which are a part of this Application. Signed Date (Grant Applicant's Authorized Representative, as shown on the Resolution) 3 7-34 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Application Form - page 3 D. ASSURANCES Applicant possesses legal authority to apply for the grant and to finance, acquire, and construct the proposed project; and by formal action (i.e., a resolution) the Applicant's governing body authorized the filing of the Application, including all understandings and assurances contained therein, and authorized the person identified as the official representative of the Applicant to act in connection with the Application and to provide such additional information as may be required. Applicant will manage and maintain into the future any property acquired, developed, rehabilitated, or restored with grant funds provided through this program. For property acquisition or conservation easement, Applicant will accept, sign, notarize, and record an Agreement Declaring Restrictive Covenant (ADRC) developed by the California Department of Transportation. With the granting agency's prior approval, the Applicant or its successors in interest may transfer the management and maintenance responsibilities in the property. If the property is not managed and maintained for the purposes stated in the Agreement, the state shall be reimbursed an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant award or, for real property, the pro rata fair market value of the property, including improvements, at the time of sale, whichever is higher. Applicant will give the state's authorized representative access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the grant. Applicant will cause work on the project to be commenced within a reasonable time after receipt of notification from the State that funds have been approved and that the project will be carried to completion with reasonable diligence. If Applicant cannot submit its first invoice for reimbursement to Caltrans by one year from the date of the execution of the Applicant-State agreement, Applicant will submit a statement of project progress appropriate to the project that provides real assurances that the project will be completed prior to April 30, 2013, including but not limited to: project advertisement or firm advertisement schedule, entry into escrow for acquisitions, date project plans will be completed, anticipated date of receipt of other needed funds from specified entity, etc. Applicant will comply where applicable with provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Relocation Assistance Act and any other state, and/or local laws, rules and/or regulations. Sweetwater Valley Civic Association Applicant Name: Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Project Name: Signed Date (Grant Applicant's Authorized Representative) 4 7-35 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Summary of EEMP Project and Relation to RTF The Bonita Meadows Entry Monument Gates/Proctor Valley Road Multiple Use Trail Conversion Project transforms a degraded environmental setting by installing aesthetic entrance monument gates that will both introduce and announce the Bonita Meadows Preserve; invite community recreation on a 1.24 mile converted segment of the Preserve's boundary road; and eliminate access for illegal dumping and high speed traffic that functionally excludes other non-motorized travel modes. Emergency access to Proctor Valley Road is maintained by including Opticom strobes and Knox box redundant systems on all three gates. Eroded roadside channels and shoulders responsible for heavy sediment loads that degrade adjacent wetlands will be restored with native vegetation. The new preserve setting will create opportunity for environmental education for two neighboring elementary schools and increase recreation/wildlife linkage to Sweetwater Regional Campground and San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Relation to RTF - Bonita Meadows Preserve is in the immediate vicinity RTF State Route 125 South divides Bonita/Sunnyside, proximate Chula Vista residential areas and the southeast portion of Bonita Meadows Preserve. SR -125 impacts are directly felt by neighborhoods within two adjacent jurisdictions. The RTF is a barrier to linkage between Bonita Meadows and the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (Exhibit 9: Project Proposal Map, Exhibit 10: Contiguous Preserves). RTF impacts identified as remaining substantial are: "social, proximity impacts, community cohesion impacts, community character impacts, open space impacts, park and recreation impacts, growth impacts, visual impacts, biological resources impacts, noise impacts, construction impacts, and cumulative impacts." Our proposed project addresses all impact areas by creating a sense of place at Bonita Meadows Preserve that will not otherwise exist. Additional Miti\!ation Provided bv the ProlJosed EEMP Proiect SR-125 construction traffic and exacerbating precipitation repeatedly chewed substantial ruts into Proctor Valley Road (PVR) that follows the boundary of Bonita Meadows Preserve. BMPs overwhelmed at adjacent SR-125 grading added to sediment deposits on the road. Traffic safety required frequent grading that exacerbated erosion/sediment transports into adjacent road culverts and creeks of Bonita Meadows Preserve (Exhibit II: Sedimentation Photos & films at http://www.voutube.com/user/friendsofbonita). Sensitive vegetation was negatively impacted and the risk of flooding to downstream neighborhoods increased. Adverse visual impacts of vegetation dust layered by construction traffic, construction BMPs and earth grading created a degraded atmosphere conducive to illegal dumping along Proctor Valley Road and within Bonita Meadows Preserve (Exhibit II: Dumping Photos). The need for and adverse impacts of road grading can be eliminated by focusing vehicle traffic on recently constructed San Miguel Ranch Road and SR-125, which effectively replaced the function of unpaved Proctor Valley Road. The FEIR/EIS anticipated the closure of unpaved Proctor Valley Road but did not include it as a project mitigation measure (FEIR/EIS p. 1-22, Figure 2-10).1 Damaged native vegetation will be enhanced to control erosion, provide enhanced habitat connection and aesthetic views. Waste will be removed and aesthetic entrance monument gates will introduce and announce the Bonita Meadows Preserve. Required native landscaping of RTF berms will gradually improve aesthetics and stabilize RTF slopes adjacent to the EEMP project site. Conversion of PVR to multiple use trail has been actively sought by multiple community organizations (support letters attached). 5 7-36 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Project Proposal Narrative A. Increased Miti!!ation and Enhancement The SR-125 (RTF) consists of a "highway from Route 905 (Otay Mesa Road) on Otay lvIesa to State Route 54 in Bonita/Spring Valley, a distance of approximately 18 kilometers (11.2 miles). This project would be a controlled access facility. Ultimate(v, from Olympic Parkway to SR-54, the project wuuld consist ufup to eight mixedflow lanes and a median wide enough to accommodate two possible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOI] lanes or transit facilities (ifnecessary in thefilture). From Otay NIesa Road to O(vmpic Parkway, the project would consist of six mixed flow lalles alld a wide median to accommodate two possible HOV lanes or transit facilities (ifllecessary ill the fillure). " (FEIRlEIS Abstract). Adverse Impacts identified as remaining substantial are: "social, proximity impacts, community cohesion impacts, community character impacts, open space impacts, park alld recreation impacts, growth impacts, visual impacts, biological resources impacts, noise impacts, construction impacts, and cumulative impacts. " (FEIRlEIS Summary, page S-6). Mitigation Measures required by law consist of 139 total measures; 26 Measures applicable to Sweetwater Regional Park, 5 applicable to Little League Baseball, l5 applicable to trails, 4 applicable to Relocation, I Measure for Proximity impacts, 8 Measures applicable to Community Character, 4 to mitigate Public Health & Safety, 1 for Land Use and Local Plans, 4 applicable to Growth Inducement, 16 to mitigate Visual Impacts, 7 for Geologic Hazards, 6 for Water Quality, 6 for Paleontology, 7 measures for Construction Noise and 29 Mitigation Measures for Biological impacts. (Exhibit 5: Mitigation Monitoring Program). The RTF crosses over our EEMP proposal and transects Bonita Meadows (BM). (Exhibit 9: Project Proposal Map). The RTF severed and eliminated open space. Our EEMP proposal enhances remaining open space by improving access for non-motorized users and by eliminating motorized traffic that is a source for illegal dumping and a source for air polluted with heavy layers of dust that lands upon people and sensitive vegetation. Our project eliminates traffic that increases erosion, requires frequent road grading and degrades water quality in Bonita Meadows wetlands. The RTF degraded visual resources by destroying scenic open space, changing rcgionallandmarks (including Proctor Valley) and grading cut slopes up to 65 feet high (FEIRlEIS p. 4-169). "The project corridor can be seen byapproximate(v 700 residences." The RTF is a "distinct focal point in many areas" (FEIRlEIS p. S-II.) Mitigation required includes temporary and permanent irrigation of planted landscape installed at the RTF and along impacted trails where feasible. Additional tree plantings are required in Bonita/Sunnyside. RTF drainage and maintenance features are integrated into manufactured slopes. Our EEMP mitigates visual resource impacts by creating aesthetic entrance monuments for Bonita Meadows Preserve (Exhibit 12: Entry Monument Gate Concepts, at photo points G 1, G2 & G3 on Exhibit 9; subject to refinement) and by eliminating the degraded atmosphere conducive to illegal dumping (Exhibit 11). Community Character Imnacts: The RTF caused a "direct loss of substantial areas of park land and designated open space. "The altered setting creates permanent changes in land use that are 6 7-37 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency "incompatible and inconsistent with the established semi-rural equestrian atmosphere of Bonita/Sunnyside...no direct measures are available." (FEIRJEIS p. 7-7) Landscaping measures in coordination with the Bonita/Sunnyside community were utilized to mitigate RTF impacts. Slopes are required to be revegetated with native drought resistant plants or roadway landscaping. Cut slope contour grading or earth sculpting was required for grading of rolling hillside landforms (FEIRJEIS p. 6-5) Landscaped berms were required in place of noise walls where feasible (FEIRJEIS p. 6-6). Our EEMP mitigates and enhances community character bv removing waste. restoring native vegetation and providing an exclusive (from vehicles) equestrian trail centralized within Bonita/Sunnyside community - a community that prides itself upon its equestrian heritage. The EEMP project enhances recreational trail over and above the required trail mitigation measures. The RTF intersects Proctor Valley Road (PVR). An overpass ofPVR was constructed as a design feature ofSR-125 (RTF). The RTF has no specific trail mitigation measures applicable to Proctor Valley Road. Other required trail mitigation includes reconnection of a severed riding and hiking trail and four trails realigned. Mitigation includes trail realignment along San Miguel Road with separation from traffic as it crosses over the highway and trail under the Sweetwater River bridges, among 13 other measures listed in Exhibit 5: MMRP pages 6-4, 6-5. Our EEMP project will increase the safety and usability of Proctor Valley Road by excluding motorized traffic. PVR will provide an enhanced connection/route between Bonita/Sunnyside neighborhoods to the Bonita Meadows Preserve, Sweetwater Regional Park and the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (SDNWR). The new trail will directly mitigate remaining adverse impacts identified as "social, proximity impacts, community cohesion impacts, community character impacts, open space impacts, park and recreation impacts, growth impacts. visual impacts, biological resources impacts, noise impacts, construction impacts. " (FEIRJEIS Summary, page S-6). Noise levels increased substantially in the Sweetwater ballpark, Sweetwater Regional Park/Campground and residential areas (860 homes experienced a doubling of noise level, FEIRJEIS, Table S-1). Base levels were approximately low 40's to the mid 50's dBA levels. Many of these areas remain above 60 dBA after mitigation. (Table 4-14: A Noise Impact and Abatement Summary, FEIRJEIS p. 4-141-4-149). Bonita Meadows is adjacent to RTF impacted neighborhoods and parks. Our EEMP project eliminates traffic noise in Bonita Meadows Preserve originating from vehicles that would otherwise travel on PVR. Hence, a quieter more restful setting is created at Bonita Meadows Preserve directly mitigating RTF noise damage to parks and residential areas. Biologv & Water Ouality: HEightfederally listed endangered or threatened species will be directly, indirectly, or cumulatively impacted by the proposed (RTF) project; these include the: coastal California gnatcatcher. least Bell's vireo, San Diego fairy shrimp. quino checkers pot butterfly, San Diego button-celery. Otay Mesa mint. spreading naverretia. and Otay tarplant. " (FEIRJEIS p. 4- 175) Twenty-nine measures mitigate biological impacts, but not to a level of insignificance. Our project will eliminate road kill of wildlife from vehicles on PVR by excluding vehicle traffic and thus mitigate road kill by the adjacent RTF. Road closure will also enhance water quality at Bonita Meadows Preserve by greatly reducing the need to grade Proctor Valley Road. Although water quality impacts are considered mitigated to a level of insignificant by utilization of BMPs and landscaping of the RTF, serious erosion and sedimentation at the RTF has originated from overwhelmed BMPs. Wetlands and other sensitive 7 7-38 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency vegetation at Bonita Meadows Preserve has been impacted by sediment transport. Without a vehicle closure ofPVR, traffic from RTF induced grOW1h will continue to erode unpaved Proctor Valley Road. Without our proj ect, keeping the unpaved PVR open and safe for vehicles will require continued grading that directly transports sediment further into the road culverts and wetlands of Bonita Meadows Preserve. The vehicle closure achieved by our EEMP substantially diminishes or eliminates the need for further road grading. RTF induced traffic also leaves dust layers upon sensitive preserve vegetation. With vehicles excluded, damaged native vegetation along the new trail/preserve boundary will be restored to control erosion and enhance wildlife habitat. The enhanced environment produced by our project will improve water quality and benefit sensitive and endangered biological resources in the Bonita Meadows Preserve. Our EEM project provides additional direct mitigation for biological and water quality impacts. The EEMP compliments and reinforces the region, State and Federal government's investment in the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) preserve system that includes Bonita Meadows Preserve. The EEMP project enhances the State's investment in the 200-acre Bonita Meadows Preserve, which was purchased to mitigate biological impacts of the 1-15 widening. Bonita Meadows is a statewide priority as the State has invested in a habitat restoration project there and continues to manage the preserve for biological resources. Bonita Meadows Preserve is narrowly linked to and is in close proximity with the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Our EEM oroiect bolsters the connectivity and local viability of these native ecosvstems sensitive and endangered species (Exhibit 10). B. Statewide Project Goals The EEMP enhances the biological sustainability and recreational potential of the State owned 200- acre Bonita Meadows Preserve, a $4.8 million investment in December 200 I. "The preserve includes 31 acres of hahitat occupied by the federally threatened Otay tarplant (Deinandra conjugens). areas supporting the federally threatened San Diego thornmint (Acan/homintha ilicifolia), a small population of coastal cactus wren, six pairs and one individual coastal California gnatcatcher. California Rufous-crowned sparrow, San Diego horned lizard, orange throated whiptail. variegated dudleya, and a variety of other MSCP-cQvered species. ..2 The Bonita Meadows is part of the MSCP, an ESA Section 10 Habitat Conservation Plan and Slate NCCP effort. In addition to reducing or eliminating opoorlunitv for illegal dumping. sedimentation. noise and road kill, closure ofPVR to vehicles bolsters the link to adiacent contiguous preserve lands (Exhibit 10). Contiguous preserve lands include land preserved within the San Miguel Ranch subdivision, San Miguel Conservation Bank, Rancho San Diego Conservation Bank and Sweetwater Reservoir as part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (SDNWR). Conversion of PVR to trail invites recreation otherwise discoura~ed bv potential conflicts with high-speed vehicles and their airborne dust trails while simultaneouslv protecting wetland ecosvstems. Bonita Meadows location, primarily west of the RTF and PVR potentially shields it from a Santa Ana wind driven fire and could allow the Preserve to escape a catastrophic Santa Ana wind driven fIre approaching from the SDNWR. Thus, Bonita Meadows could act as a biological reservoir and source of colonization for adjacent burns suppressed at the RTF. Road closure also decreases the probability of frequent fIres capable of type conversion. The EEMP bolsters the sustainability and stewardship of the Bonita Meadows preserve who's health could be critical for endangered species in the event of an adjacent catastrophic tire scenario. 8 7-39 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency Co Local Cash Contributions/ Other Sources of Funds The SWVCA will secure $15,000 pledged for financing, contingency or native shrubs. Volunteers from the SWVCA and Friends of Bonita Meadows are also anticipated to contribute hours to resource interpretation, publicity, clean ups and completion of the project. D. Proiect Readiness CEQA was completed on 12/30/1999 and SR-125 is open. Immediate mitigation measures are complete, but longer-term measures are ongoing: maintenance/monitoring of mitigation areas; plant establishment phases of highway landscaping, and the construction phase of county trail improvements. EEMP Project designs are included as Exhibit 12: Monument Gates and are subject to refinement. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved staff's feasibility study for road closure and directed the CAO to identify funds for implementation of the closure on September 29,2010. (See Exhibit 6). Since only 330 trips/day are displaced, CEQA review is expected to be brief and complete .by January 2011. The project is consistent with State NCCP and biological resource management of the Bonita Meadows Preserve. Unpaved Proctor Valley Road is a non-circulation element road in both the County of SD and City of Chula Vista; closure to vehicles is consistent with local plans (Exhibit 6: Letters of Consistency). PVR remains a part of the Bicycle Plan, so conversion to multiple-use trail is not only consistent with local plans, but strengthens the Bicycle Element of local transportation planning. The applicant has experience with local road closure and resource management, but has not received an EEMP grant before. However, the project is straight-forward and the applicant expects to work closely with cooperating jurisdictions; County of San Diego, City of Chula Vista and Caltrans. $15,000 in matching funds are readily available. The project can be completed well before 2013 and has an expected completion date of February 15,2012. (Exhibit 8: Timeline). Roadside Recreation Project (RR) While this EEMP is classified under "Roadside Recreation," resource protection and enhancement is a primary and driving factor for the project. Since the BM Preserve was purchased for biological mitigation, recreational use has not been a priority and there is not a recognized trail system within or adjacent to the preserve. Presently the preserve is deficient in recreational and interpretive opportunities. The EEMP will serve two immediate jurisdictions and its close proximity to the RTF (.7 miles from the SR-125 San Miguel Ranch Road off ramp) facilitates attracted regional visitors. Visitors are projected to range from 200 to 1000 per day with the EEMP. Establishment of the EEMP enhances recreational linkage with the SDNWR, with Sweetwater Regional Park & Campground Gust .85 miles from the proposed northern BM entry monument gate) and enhances the community hiking and equestrian trail system. The EEMP establishes an opportunity for interpretive environmental education that is almost completely absent. The recently completed habitat restoration project installed and replaced barbed- wire fence around the perimeter of the preserve that controls public access to sensitive habitat. Cactus (some damaged by road grading) previously served as natural barriers to access. There are no safe places to park along the Preserve even though PVR is currently vehicle traveled. The least intrusive way to provide reoreation at the preserve is to focus passive non-motorized uses along the existing boundary road/trail- Proctor Valley Road. Two elementary schools are within walking distance of the preserve. The Liberty Elementary School in Chula Vista is .28 miles from the proposed BM southeast entry monument gate. There already exists .18 miles of traffic separated 9 7-40 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency trail between the Liberty Elementary School and the unpaved portion of PVR, but a safely separated route docs not exist to, or through the Preserve on PVR. Closure can create a safe non-motorized school routc between the Preserve and neighborhoods within San Miguel Ranch subdivision. A safe route for school children to the Preserve creates an environmental education opportunity that will not otherwise exist because there is not currently a way to safcly transport and off-load children at the Preserve. Nor is there a place to safely congregate along PVR. The Sunnyside Elementary School isjust 1.4 miles from BM's proposed northern entry monument gate. The EEMP will enhance adjacent dedicated open space (State, City. County) and Federal National Wildlife Refuge. The two-lane road closure is wide enough to easily accommodate hiking, bicycling and equestrian uses. The City ofChula Vista has potential to install benches for wildlife observation at scenic overlooks in adjacent open space on the eastern boundary ofPVR. Need The EEMP will provide new opportunity for equestrians, hiking, bicycling, wildlife observation, study and interpretation of sensitive and endangered species and other resources. The project is needed to address a highly degraded atmosphere along PVR created by urban growth that is poorly interfaced with rural resources. The EEMP becomes the transition that links new and existing communities, establishes a sense of place at BM Preserve, protects a public resource investment from illegal dumping and sedimentation. The EEMP will eliminate high-speed traffic and its safety concern that excludes othcr public uses. The monument gates will announce and introduce the preserve as a public asset - something that is almost entirely lacking. All RTF adverse impacts identified will obtain additional mitigation. The EEM Project is immediately adjacent to the RTF. The RTF transects the preserve and the highway ramps are just. 7 miles from the proposed northern entrance monument. Without the project, additional injuries and fatal accidents are expected on P\'R. Frequent road grading would continue to transport sediment originating at the RTF and graded roadway into preserve wetlands, thereby increasing community flood risk and damaging biological resources. Illegal dumping and expensive clean-ups required will continue. Public recreation will be absent or minimal due to safety concernS and the degraded atmosphere. Two nearby elementary schools could not safely congregate students for environmental education. A non-motorized school route between San Miguel Ranch subdivision and Liberty Elementary School would not be established. A community focal point that transitions new growth with an established rural community would not be established. Campers at Sweetwater Regional Park would not be attracted to the BM preserve. The public's investment in BM would be underutilized and its biological resources would be at greatcr risk. There would not be additional mitigation for at least eleven RTF adverse impacts identified. Sustainabilitv & Cost Effectiveness The monumcnt gates would be constructed with heavy high quality materials resistant to weather and vandalism (rock and iron). Gate construction would occur on graded sites. Local materials would be emphasized. Thc City is proposed to maintain the functionality of the north and eastern gatcs and the County the functionality of the southern gate after dedication. PVR would continue to be maintaincd for emergency and non-motorized travel by the two local jurisdictions. An endowment exists for management of biological resources on the BM Preserve. 10 7-41 2010/11 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program California Natural Resources Agency The project is extremely cost effective because it eliminates or greatly diminishes the need for long- term road maintenance, culvert cleaning and removal of substantial waste illegally dumped. Replacing thru traffic with people allows the public opportunity to self-police the site. There is not an onsite manager. The EEMP creates a healthy recreational opportunity that does not require burning of fossil fuels to reach the site. PVR is predominately flat. Active roadway is approximately 20 feet wide. The paved portion of the proposed closure is approximately .47 miles of 20-feet wide ADA accessible trail. Also review Exhibit 7: Cost Estimate for required expenditures. Other Benefits and Communitv Participation The Sweetwater Community Planning Group, Sweetwater Valley Civic Association, Bonita- Sunnyside Fire Protection District, San Miguel Ranch Master Association, Bonita Highlands Home Owners Association, Bonita Valley Horseman, Bonita Bikers, Crossroads II, San Diego Mountain Biking Association, Friends of Bonita Meadows, Preserve Wild Santee and the Sweetwater Women's Club all support the PVR trail conversion. Volunteers have pledged to make themselves available for trailside clean-up maintenance. Wildlife habitat for a variety of MSCP species (including the coastal California gnatcatcher) will be enhanced with plantings that include California Sage (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat, (Eriogonum fasciculatum), Lemonade berry (Rhus inegrifolia), and Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) on eroded or excessively graded sites. These plants will also provide offset for vehicle emiSSIOns. 1 "The County has indicated the desire to close Proctor Valley Road to vehicular traffic at the crossing with Route 125 South. Existing Proctor Valley Road will be cul-de-saced at the north and south ends. Access to non-vehicular traffic (hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians) and emergency vehicles will be provided to maintain continuity in the local trail system and provide emergency access. All existing vehicular access to properties would be maintained from the cul-de-sacs on both sides of the crossing. Other local streets are planned in conjunction with proposed developments that will provide a connection between EastLake and Bonita/Sunnyside. Travelers would be able to use Corral Canyon Road andfuture Mount AIiguel Road after Proctor Valley Road is closed to vehicular traffic. Closure of Proctor Valley Road is not a component of the Route 125 South project." (FEIRlEIS p. 1-22, Figure 2-10). 2 John DiGregoria, Emile Luciani, Susan Wynn. "Integrating Transportation Conservation with Regional Conservation Planning, DC Davis, 2005, p. 105. 11 7-42 RESOLUTION NO. 2010- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTING A REPORT ON A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO CLOSE A SEGMENT OF PROCTOR V ALLEY ROAD TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES FROM SAN MIGUEL RANCH ROAD TO EAST OF SRl25 WHEREAS. the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association has applied for a grant from the State of California to fund the construction of gates along Proctor Valley Road at San Miguel Ranch Road, Corte Bahama and east ofSR125 to close Proctor Valley Road to motorized traffic; and, WHEREAS, a feasibility study of the road closure has been completed and accepted by the County of San Diego to review the issues associated with the road closure, including but not limited to access for tirst responders and affected property owners, the availability of a superior route and the long term maintenance issucs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby accept the report on a feasibility study to close a scgment of Proctor Valley Road to motorized vehicles from San Miguel Ranch Road to east of SR125, and directs staff to continue to work with the County of San Diego on the formal street closure process. Presented by Gary Halbert, AICP, PE Assistant City Manager I Development Services Director 7-43