HomeMy WebLinkAbout7. PLN-13-00213 - Firestone Bridge
STAFF REPORT
PLANNING DIVISION
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
DATE: OCTOBER 16, 2013
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DAVID BLUMENTHAL, SENIOR PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-13-00213 (GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY) – A REQUEST TO FIND
THAT THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION
EASEMENTS FOR THE FIRESTONE BLVD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
LOCATION: VARIOUS
ZONING: VARIOUS
REPORT SUMMARY
The City of Downey, in cooperation with the City of Norwalk, is preparing to embark on a project
to replace the ageing Firestone Blvd Bridge over the San Gabriel River. In order to complete the
improvements, the City needs to purchase portions of several lots and obtain several temporary
construction easements. However, prior to making the purchase, State law requires the Planning
Commission find said purchases consistent with the General Plan. Based on the analysis
contained in this report, staff is recommending the Planning Commission adopt the following titled
resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND
TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR THE FIRESTONE BLVD
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BY THE CITY OF DOWNEY IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
BACKGROUND
The Firestone Blvd Bridge that crosses the San Gabriel River was originally constructed in 1934 as
part of the State Highway system. It was later widened to its current width in 1949 to
accommodate increased capacity. However, due to the age and current condition of the bridge, it
has been deemed structurally obsolete and listed as a priority replacement project. In February
2013, the City of Downey entered into a cooperation agreement with the City of Norwalk to replace
the bridge with a new wider bridge that can accommodate current and future traffic loads. In order
to complete the construction, the City needs to acquire portions of several properties along the
north and south side of Firestone Blvd.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65402(a), the City of Downey may not acquire or dispose of
property, unless the Planning Commission finds that such acquisition or disposition is consistent
with the General Plan.
DISCUSSION
This portion of the City’s eastern boundary extends to the centerline of the San Gabriel River,
thus the western half of the bridge is within the City of Downey’s jurisdiction. The new bridge
will be wider, with the ability to accommodate three vehicle lanes and pedestrian sidewalks in
both directions of travel. It is anticipated that construction will begin in spring of 2014 and last
for approximately two years. The proposed acquisitions, which are along the north and south
sides of Firestone Blvd are needed to provide for a proper transition from the existing Firestone
Blvd right-of-way to the new wider bridge. Additionally, there are several easements required
for construction access. A summary of the easements follows (refer to the attached Property
Acquisitions Map for detailed areas):
Owner AIN Size Type
Champion Automotive 6287-025-026 & 6287-025-027 700 s.f. Roadway
Champion Automotive 6287-025-026 & 6287-025-027 1,742 s.f. Construction
LA County Flood Control 6287-027-903 & 6287-027-909 6,992 s.f. Roadway
LA County Flood Control 6287-027-903 & 6287-027-909 12,049 s.f. Construction
LA County Flood Control 8021-005-913 2,160 s.f. Roadway
LA County Flood Control 8021-005-913 4,746 s.f. Construction
Stockton West Lane 6284-033-024 & 6284-003-025 1,884 s.f. Slope
Stockton West Lane 6284-033-024 & 6284-003-025 5,807 s.f. Construction
General Plan Policy 2.1.1 reads: “Maintain a street system that provides safe and efficient
movement of people and goods.” This policy is implemented, in part, by Program 2.1.1.5, which
states:
2.1.1.5 – Widen street rights-of-way as necessary and consistent with providing an
adequate level of service.
Replacement of the deteriorating bridge will improve the level of service along Firestone Blvd by
increasing capacity, thus easing traffic flow. It is staff’s opinion that it is necessary to purchase the
subject sites in order to complete the project and to achieve the goals of improving traffic. It is
staff’s further opinion that the proposed acquisitions will not impact on-site parking, on-site
circulation, or the existing uses of the sites. For these reasons, staff believes that the Planning
Commission can find that the purchase of aforementioned properties is consistent with the General
Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State of California Code of Regulations, staff has found
that this request is not subject to CEQA since finding that a purchase of a property is consistent
with the General Plan does not have the potential to create an environmental impact. Impacts
from the project will be analyzed with the approval of the Firestone Blvd Bridge Replacement
project.
General Plan Consistency Finding (PLN-13-00213)
October 16, 2013 - Page 2
Exhibits
Location
Aerial Photograph
General Plan Consistency Finding (PLN-13-00213)
October 16, 2013 - Page 3
500’ Radius
Zoning
General Plan Consistency Finding (PLN-13-00213)
October 16, 2013 - Page 4
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY
AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR THE FIRESTONE
BLVD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BY THE CITY OF DOWNEY IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Downey General Plan (Vision 2025) was adopted on January 25,
2005; and,
WHEREAS, the State of California Government Code Section 65402, requires the City of
Downey shall not acquire, use, or dispose of any real property until the use of the property has
been found in conformance with the City’s General Plan; and,
WHEREAS, it is a policy of the General Plan (2.1.1) to “Maintain a street system that
provides safe and efficient movement of people and goods;” and,
WHEREAS, the City of Downey is embarking on a project to replace the Firestone Blvd
Bridge over the San Gabriel River, which will replace the deteriorating bridge and improve traffic
flow; and,
WHEREAS, the existing right-of-way has an insufficient width to accommodate the
proposed improvements, so the City of Downey wishes to obtain the following easements:
Owner AIN Size Type
Champion Automotive 6287-025-026 & 6287-025-027 700 s.f. Roadway
Champion Automotive 6287-025-026 & 6287-025-027 1,742 s.f. Construction
LA County Flood Control 6287-027-903 & 6287-027-909 6,992 s.f. Roadway
LA County Flood Control 6287-027-903 & 6287-027-909 12,049 s.f. Construction
LA County Flood Control 8021-005-913 2,160 s.f. Roadway
LA County Flood Control 8021-005-913 4,746 s.f. Construction
Stockton West Lane 6284-033-024 & 6284-003-025 1,884 s.f. Slope
Stockton West Lane 6284-033-024 & 6284-003-025 5,807 s.f. Construction
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission does hereby find and determine the proposed
purchase of real property for the Firestone Blvd Bridge Replacement Project is in conformance
to the City’s adopted General Plan. The proposed improvements will allow for the enhanced
traffic flow and improved level of service at the intersection. These improvements will assist in
maintaining the street system that provides safe and efficient movement of people and goods.
Resolution No. ___________
Downey Planning Commission
General Plan Consistency Finding (PLN-13-00213)
October 16, 2013 - Page 2
SECTION 2. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of October, 2013.
Louis Morales, Chairman
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 16th day of October,
2013, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission