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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Determining the Main Street Weekend Reopening Project (Reopening of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit Every Weekend) is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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Meeting Date: April 24, 2023
Contact Person/Dept.: 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]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/19/2023)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (04/18/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution determining the Main Street Weekend Reopening Project (reopening of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit every weekend) (“Project’) is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Attachment 1);
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 Farmer’s Market. Main Street had been previously closed to vehicular traffic seven days a week during the pandemic. The City Council provided additional direction for the intermittent closure of Main Street on the weekends, in addition to Tuesdays.
On May 23, 2022, the City Council adopted a resolution determining the closure of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City limit every Tuesday for Farmer’s Market and every weekend is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
On March 13, 2023, the City Council directed Public Works staff to reopen Main Street to vehicle traffic on weekends while maintaining the Tuesday afternoon/evening closure for the Main Street Farmer’s Market.
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 “[e]xisting 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 Farmer’s 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 “[m]inor 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 project is to enable the continued use of Main Street for vehicle traffic while still maintaining closure of the street on Tuesdays for the weekly farmers market, an intermittent use of Main Street with negligible effect on the environment.
As set forth in the Letter of Applicability (see Exhibit A to Attachment 1), the reopening 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.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed CEQA Exemption Resolution
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution determining the Main Street Weekend Reopening Project (reopening of Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit 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.