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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Adoption of a Resolution Determining the Main Street Closure Project (Closure of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit each Tuesday for Farmers Market and Every Weekend) is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and (2) Discussion and Direction regarding the Status of the Project.
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Meeting Date: May 23, 2022
Contact Person: Andrew Maximous/Public Works Department
Phone Number: 310-253-5628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notice: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/18/2022)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (05/18/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a Resolution determining the Main Street Closure Project (closure of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit every Tuesday for Farmer’s Market and every weekend) (“Project’) is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Attachment 1); and (2) discuss and provide direction, as deemed appropriate, regarding the current status of the Project.
BACKGROUND
On March 28, 2022, the City Council directed Public Works staff to reopen Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit (“Main Street”), with the exception of continued closure on Tuesdays for Farmers Market. Main Street had been previously closed to vehicular traffic seven days a week during the pandemic. The City Council provided additional direction to allow for the intermittent closure of Main Street on the weekends, in addition to Tuesdays, once permanent retractable bollards were installed, and the Project was evaluated under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The intermittent closure of Main Street will consist of permanent retractable bollards that would prohibit vehicle traffic on Tuesday afternoons and weekends. In the near term before the permanent bollards are installed, a temporary closure will be set up using parked City trucks or buses to prohibit vehicle access on Main Street on closure days.
During the City Council meeting of May 9, 2022, City Council asked for a status of the Project and was informed that the retractable bollards would not be received and installed until possibly January 2023. At that time, the City Council requested the matter be agendized to discuss possible options for the Project during this interim period.
DISCUSSION
CEQA Resolution
The City’s environmental consultant, Terry A. Hays Associates reviewed the scope of the Project and issued a Letter of Applicability determining the Project qualifies for Class 1 and Class 4 categorical exemptions from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations of Land) (see Exhibit A to Attachment 1).
Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines states that a Class 1 project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. One of the types of “existing facilities” listed as an example includes “Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes, transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes)” (Section 15301[c]). The Project consists of a minor alteration to an existing street. The proposed intermittent closure would result in no expansion or change in use as Main Street is already used for the purposes of pedestrian crossings, outdoor dining, public gathering, and the Main Street Farmers Market.
Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines states that a Class 4 project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. One example project listed for this class includes “Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment, including carnivals, sales of Christmas trees, etc.” (Section 15304[e]). The proposed project constitutes a minor alteration of land as the bollards are common traffic control devices that result in a negligible effect on the environment. The proposed improvement would be installed entirely within the street right-of-way, and no trees or other vegetation would be removed. The purpose of the proposed closure is to allow for the intermittent use of the Main Street right-of-way for pedestrian use, outdoor dining, public gathering, and weekly farmers market uses.
As set forth in the Letter of Applicability (see Exhibit A to Attachment 1), the intermittent closure of Main Street meets all applicable requirements for the asserted categorical exemptions under CEQA.
If the City Council adopts the proposed Resolution, the Public Works Department will file a Notice of Exemption with the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office.
Main Street Closure During Interim Period
If approved, Main Street will be closed every weekend from Friday at 7pm until the following Monday morning before 7am beginning on May 27, 2022. Until the permanent retractable bollards are designed and installed, the Public Works in coordination with the Transportation Department will arrange for City trucks or buses to be placed at both ends of Main Street to prevent any vehicles from entering the closure.
Main Street will continue to be closed on Tuesday afternoons for the Farmers Market using traffic control measures that are currently in place.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Resolution. The closures will be implemented by Public Works and Transportation staff on a weekly basis.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2022-05-23_ATT 1_Proposed CEQA Exemption Resolution
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution determining the Main Street Project (closure of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit every Tuesday for Farmer’s Market and every weekend) (“Project”) is categorically exempt under CEQA; and
2. Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to file a Notice of Exemption with the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office; and
3. Discuss and provide direction regarding the status of the Project.