CC SR 20220621 N - Border Issues
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/21/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to review the first biannual 2022 Border Issues report.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file the first biannual report on the status of Border Issues for 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A) April 2022 letter on Risk Management Plan Rule (page A-1)
B) May 2022 Daily Breeze article on West Harbor amphitheater (page B-1)
C) Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) for the West Harbor Modification
Project
D) Public correspondence regarding the IS/NOP for the West Harbor Modification
Project (page D-1)
E) City of Rancho Palos Verdes comment letter on the IS/NOP for the West Harbor
Modification Project (page E-1)
F) February 1, 2022, staff report and PowerPoint presentation on Caltrans Western
Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian Improvement Project (page F-1)
G) March 2021 Daily Breeze article on Caltrans Western Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian
Improvement Project (page G-1)
H) June 2, 2022, PowerPoint presentation on Palos Verdes Drive West Corridor
Project (page H-1)
I) Initial Study for the George F Canyon Nature Center Renovation Project
J) February 2021 Daily Breeze article on George F Canyon Nature Center
Renovation Project (page J-1)
K) Proposed Starbucks drive-thru presentation (page K-1)
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____________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND:
This is the first biannual report to the City Council on various “Border Issues” potentia lly
affecting residents of Rancho Palos Verdes for 2022. This biannual report includes:
• An update on the proposed 248-unit Butcher Solana apartment project at
Hawthorne Boulevard and Via Valmonte in Torrance
• An update on the proposed leasing of the Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro
for commercial fueling operations
• An update on the Ponte Vista development on a former Navy housing site on
Western Avenue in San Pedro
• An update on issues and events related to the Rancho LPG butane storage facility
in San Pedro
• An update on the San Pedro Waterfront Project (West Harbor)
• An update on a proposed 11-unit mixed-use residential development at 24601
Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance
• An update on the Rancho Del Mar Affordable Housing Overlay Zone in Rolling Hills
• A report on the Caltrans Western Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian Improvement Project
• A report on the Palos Verdes Drive West Corridor Project in Palos Verdes Estates
• A report on the George F Canyon Nature Center Renovation Project in Rolling Hills
Estates
• A report on the proposed Starbucks drive-thru at 28110 South Western Avenue in
San Pedro
• A report on a proposed 18-unit mixed use development on Hawthorne Boulevard
near Rolling Hills Road in Torrance
The full current status report and archived reports are available on the City’s website at:
http://www.rpvca.gov/781/Border-Issues-Status-Report
Please note that pursuant to City Council Policy No. 34, the next Border Issues Status
Report is expected to appear on a City Council agenda in December 2022.
DISCUSSION:
Current Border Issues
Butcher Solana Residential Development Project (Torrance)
There has been no change in the status of the proposed Butcher Solana apartment
project at the southwest corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Via Valmonte, which would
consist of 248 one- and two-bedroom apartments in three five-story buildings with 484
parking spaces in a six-story structure.
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According to the City of Torrance, in mid-September 2019, the project developer notified
planning staff it was putting the project on hold while it reviewed more than 690 comment
letters on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which was released in
June 2019. Planning staff for the City or Torrance has indicated that as of June 2022, the
project remains on hold.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports. Additional
information about the project is available on the City of Torrance’s website at
https://www.torranceca.gov/our-city/community-development/planning/butcher-solana.
Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro (Los Angeles (San Pedro))
Negotiations remain ongoing for two leases for Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro
(DFSP), the sprawling, inactive U.S. Navy fuel tank farm on North Gaffey Street (which
borders the City on a stretch of Western Avenue), and an 8-acre Marine Terminal about
five miles southeast in the Port of Long Beach.
After DFSP was deactivated in late 2015, the Navy decided to pursue leasing the site to
a commercial operator to enable the Navy to use the site for fueling operations for its
growing Pacific Fleet without having to cover the costs of rehabilitation and maintenance.
However, the lease was subsequently split into two separate leases and without the
requirement for Navy ships to receive fuel at Pier 12. No additional information about the
leases is available due to Department of Defense solicitation regulations. Once they are
signed, the Navy will be able to provide additional information.
As of the writing of this report, a final environmental assessment (EA) was scheduled to
be released in the coming days for the Marine Terminal portion of DFSP, and the Navy
was still determining whether a supplemental EA is needed for the Main Terminal on
Gaffey Street. A draft EA analyzing both sites was released in 2019, and the City provided
comments, raising concerns about the unknowns of potential commercial uses and the
construction of new facilities at the San Pedro site, public safety hazards, increased
traffic, and biological and visual impacts.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Ponte Vista (formerly Highpark) Project (Los Angeles (San Pedro))
Home building continues at Ponte Vista, the 676-unit project on 61.4 acres of former Navy
along Western Avenue in San Pedro across from Green Hills Memorial Park, which will
consist of single-family homes, townhomes, and flats.
According to master developer Harridge Development Group, most areas of Ponte Vista
are in various phases of construction or the building permit process, with several small
groups of homes completed. No plans have been submitted for Subarea 4A in the
northeast corner of the site, the only remaining subarea to be developed.
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Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Rancho LPG Butane Storage Facility, Los Angeles (San Pedro)
There has been no change in the status of Rancho LPG, the facility on North Gaffey Street
in San Pedro, where 25 million gallons of butane are stored in two aboveground tanks
and another five horizontal storage tanks each hold 60,000 gallons of propane. Rancho
LPG has long been the subject of concerns from residents of San Pedro, the Eastview
area of Rancho Palos Verdes, and others about safety and the potential for a catastrophic
explosion. Plains All American Pipeline, which owns the facility, has defended its safety
record and procedures.
In April 2022, Rep. Nanette Barragán of San Pedro co-authored a letter signed by 31
senators and Congress members urging U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Administrator Michael S. Regan to strengthen the Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule,
also known as the Chemical Disaster Rule, which would impact operations at facilities
such as Rancho LPG, calling for “the strongest possible protections for those who work
in RMP chemical facilities, environmental justice communities, first responders, and our
most socially vulnerable constituents” (Attachment A). In May, during a House Committee
on Energy and Commerce hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 EPA budget, Rep. Barragán
further emphasized the need to strengthen the RMP, mentioning community concerns
about the risk of accidents at Rancho LPG, as well as refineries in Carson and
Wilmington. It is Staff’s understanding that Rep. Barragán may also look again to the
federal budget process later this year for potential funding to address risk management
and safety for such facilities and refineries.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
San Pedro Waterfront Project (West Harbor) (Port of Los Angeles)
On April 14, 2022, the Port of Los Angeles released an Initial Study/Notice of Preparation
(IS/NOP) for the West Harbor Modification Project, including additional renderings of the
proposed 6,200-seat outdoor amphitheater (see below).
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Images: Studio One Eleven
The proposed West Harbor Modification Project involves the development of the
approximately 108,000-square-foot amphitheater as well as an entertainment venue on
approximately 2.5 acres in the southern portion of the future West Harbor development
on the site of the former Ports O’ Call Village. The amphitheater, designed by Tucker
Sadler Architects, would be located near the Southern Pacific Slip, providing up to 6,200
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seats and hosting approximately 100 paid events per year, generally from April through
November. The venue also could host smaller, local community, nonprofit , and sponsored
events year-round. It would cover an over 50,000-square-foot area consisting of a sloped
and terraced artificial lawn, with an approximately 35,000-square-foot stage, backstage,
and box office area; an approximately 22,000-square-foot space accommodating
concessions and restrooms located south of the lawn; and circulation space located east
and west of the lawn area.
According to the IS/NOP, all seats would be temporary, as they would be set up for show
nights and taken down shortly after the show. Approximately 35-foot-high video screens
would flank both sides of the stage. It is Staff’s understanding that the stage speakers
would face south toward the ocean and away from residential neighborhoods to minimize
noise impacts. In addition to concerts, 25 offshore barge fireworks displays per year are
proposed. The project would also replace a previously proposed 100-foot diameter Ferris
wheel with an approximately 150-foot-tall by 50-foot-wide tower attraction.
On May 3, Staff attended a virtual scoping meeting hosted by the Port of Los Angeles for
the IS/NOP, where residents of surrounding communities expressed a mix of support and
opposition to the project, with opponents raising various noise, traffic and environmental
concerns.
Since the release of the IS/NOP, Staff received correspondence from two residents
regarding concerns about noise and environmental impacts from concerts and fireworks
displays (Attachment D). On June 13, 2022, Staff submitted a comment letter on behalf
of the City echoing these concerns and calling for a thorough analysis of noise impacts
under various atmospheric conditions, a detailed explanation of the technology proposed
to minimize impacts to surrounding communities, and the inclusion of smaller alternatives
(Attachment E).
It is Staff’s understanding that the supplemental EIR is expected to take one year to
complete and that construction on the remainder of the West Harbor project, which will
include restaurants, retail, office space, and open space areas, should begin this summer,
with a late 2023 or early 2024 projected opening. The amphitheater is on a separate
timeline.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Mixed-Use Residential Development at 24601 Hawthorne Boulevard (Torrance)
There has been no change in the status of the proposed mixed-use development on the
northwest corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Via Valmonte in the City of Torrance
(across from the Butcher-Solana project). Located at 24601 Hawthorne Boulevard, the
proposed project consists of an 11-unit, two-story multiple-family residential building over
a semi-subterranean parking garage, and a three-story office building.
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On October 6, 2021, the Torrance Planning Commission was scheduled to review a draft
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and consider approving a Conditional Use Permit
for the project. However, the project developer, Ashai Design Consulting Corporation,
agreed to continue the Planning Commission hearing indefinitely to conduct public
outreach regarding traffic, density, and neighborhood compatibility concerns from nearby
residents, including those in the Valmonte neighborhood.
It is Staff’s understanding that Ashai Design has taken public feedback received at
outreach meetings into consideration, but that no new Planning Commission hearing date
has been set at this time.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Rancho Del Mar Affordable Housing Overlay Zone (Rolling Hills)
There has been no change in the status of the Rancho Del Mar Affordable Housing
Overlay Zone in the City of Rolling Hills, a mixed-use, multi-family overlay zone on a 31-
acre site owned by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) at 38
Crest Road West, which is included in Rolling Hills’ draft 6th Cycle Housing Element. The
overlay zone allows the addition of up to 16 multi-family units by-right, including low- and
very low-income units, in an area west of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority
(PVPTA) facility. According to planning staff at the City of Rolling Hills, no developers
have expressed interest in developing the site.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
New Border Issues
Western Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian Improvement Project (Caltrans)
In 2020, Staff was informed that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
planned to install bicycle lanes along Western Avenue from 25th Street in San Pedro to
Carson Street in Torrance as part of an improvement project to enhance connectivity and
safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. The project also includes the installation of curb
ramps compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This portion of
Western Avenue is owned, operated, and maintained by Caltrans as part of the state
highway system. The City has no jurisdiction over Western Avenue, but can share
feedback and public concerns with Caltrans.
Caltrans presented its plans to the Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) in March 2021, hosted
a virtual community-wide presentation in September 2021, and presented to the City
Council in February 2022 at which time project-related concerns were conveyed to
Caltrans including the need, impacts to traffic flow, impacts caused by reducing lane
widths to name a few. A staff report and PowerPoint going over the project phases,
including cross-sections and types of bike lanes, is included in this report as Attachment
F.
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In response to concerns expressed by the City Council, Traffic Safety Committee, and
staff, Caltrans modified the bike lane component of the project between Summerland
Street/Summerland Avenue and Crestwood Street (where there is a restaurant that relies
on street parking because of a relatively small parking lot) to preserve on -street parking
by widening the southbound roadway lanes into the median to make space for the bike
lane without the removal of parking.
One question that has been raised about the project is when it was approved and by
whom. According to Caltrans, projects such as the Western Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian
Improvement Project are approved by Caltrans and the California Transportation
Committee (CTC). Caltrans identifies a need, creates a budget for the need, and the CTC
then approves the requested budget.
According to Caltrans, the ADA portion of the Western Avenue Bicycle Pedestrian
Improvement Project was first proposed in June 2014, and the budget was first approved
by the CTC in March 2016. In March 2018, the ADA portion was deemed Categorical
Excluded/Categorical Exempt (CE/CE), meaning the project had an environmental review
process but did not need an environmental document. Projects without environmental
documents do not have public comment periods. The bicycle lanes were requested to be
added to the project in April 2020, and the budget was approved by the CTC in October
2020. The entire scope of the project (ADA curb ramps and bicycle lanes) was revalidated
as CE/CE in June 2020 and again in April 2022.
According to Caltrans, Phase One of the project, which consists of the installation of
seven ADA-compliant curb ramps, is mostly complete, though some minor corrective
work remains.
Phase 2, which will include the installation of nine more ADA-compliant curb ramps within
the City, a northbound right-turn lane at Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive, and re-
purposing existing parking lanes into bike lanes, is now scheduled to begin in January
2023. Phase Two is expected to be completed for the entire 8-mile length of the project
by April 2024. Caltrans does not plan to include signal timing changes in Phase 2. The
Caltrans team will maintain the existing lane widths throughout the City, except at
Delasonde Drive/Westmont Drive and Western Avenue. At that location, the width of the
right lane will be reduced from 12 feet to 11 feet to accommodate the City’s right -turn
lane. Caltrans also noted that the right lane will be reduced from approximately 16 feet to
12 feet within the City, which may cause a perceived reduction of lane width.
Caltrans has been invited to return to the City Council to present to the community their
proposed revisions to the project since the February 2022 City Council meeting. At this
time, Caltrans is tentatively scheduled to be at the September 6, 2022 City Council
meeting.
In the meantime, Staff has requested that Caltrans provide the City advance notice of
when its contractor intends to begin construction on Phase II to give residents notice and
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avoid miscommunication like that which occurred when roadwork related to the Ponte
Vista project was performed on Western Avenue in 2020.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Palos Verdes Drive West Corridor Project (Palos Verdes Estates)
In 2019, the City of Palos Verdes Estates began exploring ways to alleviate traffic
congestion along the Palos Verdes Drive West (PVDW) corridor, including its
intersections with Via Corta and Palos Verdes Drive North. To expedite improvements at
PVDW/Via Corta, the City Council separated this intersection from the rest of the corridor
as Phase 1, with the goal of applying for construction funding in 2022 .
A feasibility study was then conducted for Phase 1, which considered several options and
identified two alternatives which would improve safety and reduce traffic congestion: a
signalized intersection and a two-lane roundabout. Both options were presented to a joint
Traffic Safety Committee and City Council meeting in February 2022 and at several public
meetings in March. At another joint Traffic Safety Committee and City Council meeting
on March 16, the roundabout was selected as the preferred option for both the
environmental review and an application for Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) construction funding.
On June 2, 2022, the City Council was given an update on the status of the design of the
roundabout, with options for mitigating the removal of parking spaces to accommodate
the conversion of the intersection into a roundabout (Attachment H). Additional public
outreach is set to be conducted this summer so that a preferred plan for parking mitigation
can be selected. A draft environmental document would then be prepared this fall for
release in November. Construction is expected to begin as early as late spring 2023 and
take less than a year to complete.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
George F Canyon Nature Center Renovation Project (Rolling Hills Estates)
On June 7, 2022, the City of Rolling Hills Estates issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt a
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the George F Canyon Nature Center
Renovation Project (Attachment I), which calls for the demolition of the aging George F
Canyon Nature Center on the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos
Verdes Drive East and the construction of a new nature center/community center.
Built in the 1950s, the city-owned George F Canyon Nature Center, which is jointly
operated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, provides educational and
recreational programs with exhibits focusing on local flora and fauna in the adjacent 51-
acre George F Canyon Preserve and Stein/Hale Nature Trail. Rolling Hills Estates has
spent several years exploring building a modernized nature center that would also serve
as a meeting place for local organizations. The existing center consists of a single-story,
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700-square-foot building, a 750-square-foot wood deck/gathering area, an outdoor
amphitheater, and a parking area with approximately 22 spaces.
The new facility would include a single-level, 1,750-square-foot nature center/community
room building with a viewing deck, a 1,000-square-foot outdoor classroom area with a
photovoltaic (PV) shade canopy, storage enclosures, a boardwalk with a canyon
overlook, privacy screen, community-preferred fencing, gate, and associated parking and
drop-off spaces, increasing the overall size of the facility to 3,290 square feet. The outdoor
amphitheater would remain and be accessed by a new boardwalk ramp from a central
court between the nature center and the covered outdoor classroom area. The overall
project has been downsized from a 5,500-square-foot version that was considered in
2019 (Attachment J).
The parking lot would remain on the north side of the project site and would be accessed
from Palos Verdes Drive East and Hitching Post Drive, with pedestrian access along
Palos Verdes Drive North. The project also includes roadway improvements along an
approximately 1,800-foot-long by 12-foot-wide segment of Palos Verdes Drive East from
Palos Verdes Drive North to Harbor Sight Drive to accommodate approximately 26
additional parking spaces, a bicycle lane with a safety buffer, red curbs, and “no stopping
any time” signs. New and replacement guardrails would also be installed. The roadway
improvements would require realignment of the existing roadway edgeline within the
existing road right-of-way, but would not require road closures.
Construction on the new nature center would start in summer 2023 and last for 12 to 18
months.
The public review and comment period on the Initial Study closes on June 27, and a public
hearing to consider the project and proposed MND will be presented to the Planning
Commission on July 11, 2022. Staff plans to attend the meeting.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Starbucks Drive-Thru at 28110 South Western Avenue (Los Angeles (San Pedro))
In December 2021, the Kaidence Group, a Phoenix-based commercial real estate
developer, submitted an application to the City of Los Angeles Planning Department for
a Starbucks drive-thru in the Garden Village Shopping Center in San Pedro on Western
Avenue just north of Westmont Drive.
The proposed 2,178-square-foot drive-thru coffee shop at 28110 South Western Avenue
would be constructed at a site currently occupied by a vacant bank building and would
include indoor and outdoor seating accommodating approximately 53 seats (29 indoor
and 24 outdoor), and nine standard parking spaces, with two short-term and two long-
term bicycle spaces. The drive-thru lane could accommodate 10 cars (15 total without
blocking the common driveway), and hours of operation would be 4 a.m. to midnight daily.
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On February 14, 2022, Staff attended a virtual meeting of the Northwest San Pedro
Neighborhood Council, which included a presentation of project plans (Attachment K). It
is Staff’s understanding that if the drive-thru is approved and constructed, the Starbucks
currently operating in the southeast corner of the shopping center would close.
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
Mixed-Use Residential Development on Hawthorne Boulevard Near Rolling Hills
Road (Torrance)
Recently, silhouettes went up on a set of seven vacant parcels along the east side of
Hawthorne Boulevard just north of Rolling Hills Road in Torrance outlining the visual
impacts of a proposed mixed-use residential and office space development.
According to the City of Torrance planning staff, the developer has proposed a n 18-unit
apartment mixed-use development with 5,745 square feet of o ffice space, merging the
seven parcels into one, and waiving the rear yard setback requirement on properties
located within the city’s Hillside Overlay Area.
It is Staff’s understanding that the project application is incomplete at this time and no
date for a public hearing has been set. Additionally, the project will not require an
environmental review because it meets the parameters of California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15332, meaning it is considered an “infill”
development project. This exemption is intended to promote infill development, which is
defined by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research as “building within unused
and underutilized lands within existing development patterns, typically but not exclusively
in urban areas.”
Staff will continue to monitor this issue in future Border Issues Status Reports.
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April 14, 2022
The Honorable Michael S. Regan
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Administrator Regan:
We write to express our appreciation and support for your agency’s work to protect Americans
from chemical disasters. As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works to finalize long
overdue updates to the Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule, we urge you to deliver the strongest
possible protections for those who work in RMP chemical facilities, environmental justice
communities, first responders, and our most socially vulnerable constituents.
The upcoming revisions to the RMP rule also provide a critical opportunity to protect vulnerable
communities from the “double disasters” that result when chemical disasters coincide with
climate-related disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. A new report from the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) in February highlighted this problem, finding that
roughly a third of RMP facilities are at increased risk from climate impacts and that EPA’s
existing RMP rule does not adequately protect against these climate risks1.
As you know, the RMP rule under Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,
the Accidental Release Prevention provision, was established to prevent a Bhopal-level
catastrophe from happening in the United States, after near misses and serious chemical disasters
had already occurred here. Nearly 30 years after the rule’s inception, its goal of preventing
disasters like fires, leaks, and explosions at U.S. chemical facilities is still essential, as the threat
of chemical disasters is still real for many communities, workers and first responders.
Over 175 million people in the United States live near the roughly 12,000 high-risk chemical
facilities that are regulated under EPA’s RMP Rule. Thousands of Americans work in these
facilities and are at great risk when a chemical disaster occurs. Many more work or attend school
within areas at risk of an RMP worst-case scenario. The fenceline communities located closest to
these facilities and facing tremendous threat are disproportionately communities of color and
low-income communities, who are already faced with other social and environmental stressors
that increase their vulnerability and make recovery difficult.
The existing rule has not adequately addressed these challenges. Recent chemical disasters have
highlighted shortcomings in federal regulations that fail to sufficiently protect workers and
communities living near hazardous chemical facilities. In the last ten years for which data is
available, there have been 149 harmful chemical disasters per year, on average, including large-
1 United States Government Accountability Office. (2022, February). Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA Should
Ensure Regulated Facilities Consider Risks from Climate Change. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104494. A-1
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scale chemical releases, fires, and explosions.2 This does not account for near-misses, and some
of these events could have been much worse had it not been for highly trained union workers
acting to prevent a more disastrous outcome. As severe weather events become more frequent, it
is clear we must better protect communities in the Gulf and coastal communities across the
country facing the threat of an Arkema-like disaster or worse. Workers are especially at risk. Of
all reported chemical incidents from 1999-2008, injuries were highest among workers—and the
economic consequences for a workforce can be devastating in the aftermath of catastrophic
incidents.
As representatives of millions of Americans living with the threat of chemical disasters, we urge
the EPA to prioritize prevention in updates to the RMP. To do so, EPA should require hazard
reduction and best practice prevention measures, such as transitioning to inherently safer
chemicals and processes, implementing root cause analyses following incidents, and requiring
third-party audits to verify facility compliance. The RMP updates should cover whole facilities,
and EPA should consider expanding the program to cover additional facilities. The rule should
support the development of cascading chemical release consequence models for adjacent
facilities, and for chemical release modeling compounded with other hazards including climate
change. The rule should also recognize climate change as a threat multiplier and require both
assessment of the risks of these “double disasters” and preparation to prevent these cascadin g
incidents, as emphasized in the GAO’s February 2022 report.
In addition to focusing on prevention, we also urge EPA to account for, and protect communities
from, the cumulative health impacts of multiple polluting facilities and underlying vulnerabilities
in the RMP update. Common sense emergency response measures, such as back-up power, leak
detection, and real-time air monitoring, along with broad and accessible information access –
such as multilingual outreach before an incident occurs – should be included. Workers should
also be recognized and protected as key partners in prevention, through measures like stop-work
authority and anonymous safety reporting including workers in the development of decision-
making for safety protocols.
These critical updates to the RMP rule to prevent future chemical disasters will mitigate hazards
to vulnerable populations and environmental justice communities, enable workers to perform
their jobs safely, allow first responders to respond safely and more effectively to incidents, and
empower communities to focus on protecting themselves during extreme weather events without
the additional burden of toxic exposure.
Thank you for your work on this and other environmental justice issues. We look forward to
working with you to ensure that the communities we represent, and those across the country, are
protected from the danger of chemical disasters through a strong RMP rule.
2 Comments on Federal Register Notice Number 2021-11280, “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk
Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Notice of Virtual Public Listening Sessions,” Docket Number
EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0312. Submitted by Ray Curry, President, International Union, UAW via Regulations.gov.
https://downloads.regulations.gov/EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0312-0058/attachment_1.pdf.
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Sincerely,
Cory A. Booker
United States Senator
Nanette Diaz Barragán
Member of Congress
Thomas R. Carper
United States Senator
Raúl M. Grijalva
Member of Congress
Chair, Committee on Natural
Resources
Jared Huffman
Member of Congress
Alan S. Lowenthal
Member of Congress
Rashida Tlaib
Member of Congress
A. Donald McEachin
Member of Congress
Earl Blumenauer
Member of Congress
Doris Matsui
Member of Congress
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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
Tammy Duckworth
United States Senator
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Member of Congress
Karen Bass
Member of Congress
Bobby L. Rush
Member of Congress
Debbie Dingell
Member of Congress
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Member of Congress
Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator
Adam Smith
Member of Congress
Ro Khanna
Member of Congress
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Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Member of Congress
Alex Padilla
United States Senator
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Edward J. Markey
United States Senator
Bernard Sanders
United States Senator
Mary Gay Scanlon
Member of Congress
Carolyn B. Maloney
Member of Congress
Mark Pocan
Member of Congress
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By By DONNA LITTLEJOHNDONNA LITTLEJOHN | | dlittlejohn@scng.comdlittlejohn@scng.com | Daily Breeze | Daily Breeze
PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: April 21, 2022 at 5:40 a.m.April 21, 2022 at 5:40 a.m. | UPDATED: | UPDATED: April 21, 2022 at 10:18 p.m.April 21, 2022 at 10:18 p.m.
An aerial rendering of the amphitheater planned for the southern end of the new West Harbor waterfront development in San Pedro. (Studio OneAn aerial rendering of the amphitheater planned for the southern end of the new West Harbor waterfront development in San Pedro. (Studio One
Eleven)Eleven)
With an environmental review launched last week and a virtual public meeting set for May 3, the public is getting a closer look at one ofWith an environmental review launched last week and a virtual public meeting set for May 3, the public is getting a closer look at one of
the main attractions of San Pedro’s future waterfront development: an outdoor amphitheater on 2.5 acres where everything from majorthe main attractions of San Pedro’s future waterfront development: an outdoor amphitheater on 2.5 acres where everything from major
concerts and movies to high school graduations and community gatherings can be accommodated.concerts and movies to high school graduations and community gatherings can be accommodated.
The so-called West Harbor Modification Project also serves as a reminder of the project’s lengthy evolution since the original state-The so-called West Harbor Modification Project also serves as a reminder of the project’s lengthy evolution since the original state-
mandated environmental analysis was adopted in 2009.mandated environmental analysis was adopted in 2009.
The outdoor amphitheater would occupy some 108,000 square feet at the southernmost area of the West Harbor development, includingThe outdoor amphitheater would occupy some 108,000 square feet at the southernmost area of the West Harbor development, including
a more than 50,000-square-foot area comprising a sloped and terraced artificial lawn to be used as an entertainment space. It woulda more than 50,000-square-foot area comprising a sloped and terraced artificial lawn to be used as an entertainment space. It would
feature a 35,000-square-foot stage, backstage and box office areas, and a 22,000-square-foot space for concessions and restrooms.feature a 35,000-square-foot stage, backstage and box office areas, and a 22,000-square-foot space for concessions and restrooms.
The amphitheater, being designed by Tucker Sadler Architects, is slated to be built at the southern end of the West Harbor footprint —The amphitheater, being designed by Tucker Sadler Architects, is slated to be built at the southern end of the West Harbor footprint —
just east of the Southern Pacific Slip where commercial fishing boats tie up — and will feature up to 6,200 seats and approximately 100just east of the Southern Pacific Slip where commercial fishing boats tie up — and will feature up to 6,200 seats and approximately 100
paid events each year from April through November.paid events each year from April through November.
It will be designed to accommodate smaller community and nonprofit type events year-round.It will be designed to accommodate smaller community and nonprofit type events year-round.
It is being developed in conjunction with the Nederlander organization, one of the largest operators of live theaters and music venues inIt is being developed in conjunction with the Nederlander organization, one of the largest operators of live theaters and music venues in
the United States.the United States.
NEWSNEWS
SUBSCRIBER ONLYSUBSCRIBER ONLY
West Harbor waterfront in San Pedro rolls outWest Harbor waterfront in San Pedro rolls out
amphitheater detailsamphitheater details
• • NewsNews
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The 6,200 seats would be temporary, being set up for show nights and taken down after the program, allowing more flexibility for theThe 6,200 seats would be temporary, being set up for show nights and taken down after the program, allowing more flexibility for the
space. Approximately 35-foot-high video screens would flank both sides of the stage. The sloped lawn would be directly in front of thespace. Approximately 35-foot-high video screens would flank both sides of the stage. The sloped lawn would be directly in front of the
stage.stage.
A space would also be available for food trucks and small food and beverage service structures.A space would also be available for food trucks and small food and beverage service structures.
Included also is a tower attraction — developers are currently talking with a company specializing in a feature known as the Aerobar, aIncluded also is a tower attraction — developers are currently talking with a company specializing in a feature known as the Aerobar, a
tethered balloon surrounded by a metal structure and a basket that can carry up to 16 passengers for a 360-degree view from the top.tethered balloon surrounded by a metal structure and a basket that can carry up to 16 passengers for a 360-degree view from the top.
Originally, the waterfront plans focused on a Discovery Sea Amusement Area and a Ferris Wheel, both of which have now been nixed andOriginally, the waterfront plans focused on a Discovery Sea Amusement Area and a Ferris Wheel, both of which have now been nixed and
replaced by the amphitheater and tower attraction — which is why environmental review is called a “modification” project.replaced by the amphitheater and tower attraction — which is why environmental review is called a “modification” project.
The West Harbor project, meanwhile, also announced on Tuesday, April 19, that an additional $35 million in outside equity — bringingThe West Harbor project, meanwhile, also announced on Tuesday, April 19, that an additional $35 million in outside equity — bringing
the total equity for the dining and entertainment development to $65 million — has been provided by the total equity for the dining and entertainment development to $65 million — has been provided by Osprey InvestorsOsprey Investors , a private equity, a private equity
firm that previously invested in the project in 2019.firm that previously invested in the project in 2019.
“This shows the level of confidence we’re getting from our equity partners,” said Valerie James, vice president of business development“This shows the level of confidence we’re getting from our equity partners,” said Valerie James, vice president of business development
for Jerico Development, one of the developers for West Harbor. “Our leasing has really taken off over the last year and that’s helped tofor Jerico Development, one of the developers for West Harbor. “Our leasing has really taken off over the last year and that’s helped to
instill confidence.”instill confidence.”
West Harbor will include restaurants, a market hall, artisan craft beers, live entertainment, and events and other land- and water-basedWest Harbor will include restaurants, a market hall, artisan craft beers, live entertainment, and events and other land- and water-based
entertainment attractions that will be announced in more detail at the groundbreaking, expected this summer.entertainment attractions that will be announced in more detail at the groundbreaking, expected this summer.
Leases have already been signed by iconic Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro, immersive light and art museum Hopscotch, watersideLeases have already been signed by iconic Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro, immersive light and art museum Hopscotch, waterside
attractions and vessel operations partner Harbor Breeze Cruises, and Mike Hess Brewing.attractions and vessel operations partner Harbor Breeze Cruises, and Mike Hess Brewing.
Others include Poppy + Rose, Sugar Factory, Jay Bird’s Chicken, King & Queen Cantina, Pitfire Pizza, the Win-Dow and Olala Crepes.Others include Poppy + Rose, Sugar Factory, Jay Bird’s Chicken, King & Queen Cantina, Pitfire Pizza, the Win-Dow and Olala Crepes.
The focus will be on creating a harbor-side entertainment district with a wide variety of retail, dining and public attractions. It replacesThe focus will be on creating a harbor-side entertainment district with a wide variety of retail, dining and public attractions. It replaces
the former Ports O’ Call Village, which opened in the early 1960s.the former Ports O’ Call Village, which opened in the early 1960s.
Wayne Ratkovich, founder of lead developer The Ratkovich Company, said the development is one of the most special projects he’s beenWayne Ratkovich, founder of lead developer The Ratkovich Company, said the development is one of the most special projects he’s been
involved with, and will serve as a template for future waterfront destination dining and entertainment venues in Southern California.involved with, and will serve as a template for future waterfront destination dining and entertainment venues in Southern California.
“This new equity investment is a major vote of confidence in our vision for West Harbor,” Ratkovich said.“This new equity investment is a major vote of confidence in our vision for West Harbor,” Ratkovich said.
Developers anticipate a second-quarter West Harbor groundbreaking this summer as the long-awaited project — delayed most recentlyDevelopers anticipate a second-quarter West Harbor groundbreaking this summer as the long-awaited project — delayed most recently
by the pandemic — finally enters its building phase. by the pandemic — finally enters its building phase. A promenadeA promenade , already partly opened to the public, was largely completed during the, already partly opened to the public, was largely completed during the
pandemic closures by port crews.pandemic closures by port crews.
“Once we break ground,” James said, “we’d have about a year to build and then turn that over to the tenants to start their improvements,“Once we break ground,” James said, “we’d have about a year to build and then turn that over to the tenants to start their improvements,
which would take about eight months,”which would take about eight months,”
The opening, she said, looks to be either late 2023 or early 2024.The opening, she said, looks to be either late 2023 or early 2024.
The amphitheater, James added, is on a separate track so may open a bit later than the main buildings.The amphitheater, James added, is on a separate track so may open a bit later than the main buildings.
The environmental study is expected to take about a year, Port of Los Angeles officials said.The environmental study is expected to take about a year, Port of Los Angeles officials said.
Noise and traffic impacts are expected to be among the issues studied in the review, called an Noise and traffic impacts are expected to be among the issues studied in the review, called an Environmental Impact ReportEnvironmental Impact Report ..
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AuthorAuthor Donna LittlejohnDonna Littlejohn | Reporter| Reporter
Tags: Tags: Port of Los AngelesPort of Los Angeles ,,Top Stories BreezeTop Stories Breeze ,,Top Stories LADNTop Stories LADN ,,Top Stories LBPTTop Stories LBPT ,,waterfrontwaterfront
B-2
Border Issue: West Harbor Project (San Pedro Waterfront)
Eva Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com>
Tue 5/10/2022 4:16 PM
To:Megan Barnes <mbarnes@rpvca.gov>
Cc:Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Ms. Barnes,
RPV residents on the east side of the PV Peninsula may be unaware of the changes under
consideration for the San Pedro Waterfront. An NOP was released last month; scoping meeting
was 5/3; comments due 6/15. The biggest change, and the change most likely to impact RPV
residents it seems to me is the increased size of the amphitheater from 500 seats to 6,200 with
100 concerts per year and fireworks included in many. The noise carries up the hill.
https://www.portoflosangeles.org/references/2022-news-
releases/news_041422_nop_west_harbor
Eva Cicoria
D-1
West Harbor Modification Project
Elizabeth Sala <etsala@live.com>
Mon 5/16/2022 3:05 PM
To:CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc:Elizabeth Sala <etsala@live.com>
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to ask you to please submit objections to the pyrotechnics currently proposed in
the West Harbor Modification Project Notice of Preparation in San Pedro on the LA Waterfront.
The issue of additional fireworks in the local community raises issues dealing noise, air
pollution, water pollution and general health the quality of life issues.
My main concern at this time deals with the provision of fireworks up to 25 times a year on
weekends from April through November – essentially every weekend for half of the year.
I live on the east side of the hill, and have come to dread the 4th of July, as well as the weeks
preceding and after it, due to the incessant use of fireworks heard throughout the day and
night from where I live. It is a problem that currently Law Enforcement has not been able to
deal with. The idea that this project would allow fireworks for more than half of the year opens
the door to continued abuse of fireworks for even longer periods of time. This would, in my
opinion, exacerbate the problem.
To hear fireworks weekly would considerably affect the quality of life for all who live in this
area. Most of us appreciate quiet, especially at night when trying to sleep. Loud sounds are
particularly troublesome for infants, Veterans, the elderly, and pets. Actually, I don’t know
anyone who appreciates loud sounds going off randomly throughout the day or night – so I
think this pertains to all humans.
Environmentally, fireworks are detrimental for the following reasons:
1. They contain heavy metals and perchlorate which leave metal particles, dangerous toxins,
harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days;
2. These same elements would enter the water – with the potential to harm marine life and
water quality.
An alternative to the use of fireworks could be a Laser light show. This is a reasonable
alternative to the use of fireworks.
In conclusion, I ask this Council to submit written comments to the Port of LA,
ceqacomments@portla.org objecting to the use of pyrotechnics. The public comment period
lasts until June 15, 2022.
D-2
Thank you,
Elizabeth Sala
D-3
June 13, 2022
Via Email
ceqacomments@portla.org
Christopher Cannon
Director of Environmental Management
Los Angeles Harbor Department
425 South Palos Verdes Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
SUBJECT: Comments on the Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) for the
West Harbor Modification Project
Dear Mr. Cannon,
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has reviewed the IS/NOP for the West Harbor Modification
Project and offers the following comments for your consideration. We appreciate the one-
month extension of the public review and comment period.
The proposed modification represents a significant departure from the far smaller, 500-seat
amphitheater that was originally contemplated in the San Pedro Waterfront Project. Rancho
Palos Verdes is a semi-rural, residential community, with a significant senior population.
Since plans for the 6,200-seat amphitheater were announced, residents of the Eastview
neighborhood, which borders San Pedro, have shared repeated concerns with the City about
potential noise impacts from performances and fireworks displays at this proposed venue.
The City expects that the supplemental EIR include a detailed noise analysis, prepared by a
sound engineer, using measurable testing of noise impacts under various atmospheric
conditions from the amplified sound system, fireworks displays, and crowds, including the
diameter that these impacts would be experienced. It is imperative that the sound study
establish current ambient noise levels when projecting potential noise impacts during the
various events that would occur in the amphitheater. It is the City’s understanding that
speakers surrounding the stage will face south toward the ocean, and that technology will be
utilized to further direct sound away from residential neighborhoods. The analysis should
thoroughly explain how this proposed technology works and how it will minimize impacts
under various atmospheric conditions. The supplemental EIR should also study alternatives
that are smaller in size and reach, and clearly cite mitigation measures and how they will be
enforced.
In addition to amplified sound, close attention should be given to impacts created by the
proposed 25 offshore fireworks displays per year. In recent years, the City has been
E-1
Los Angeles Harbor Department
June 13, 2022
Page 2
inundated with complaints about illegal fireworks disturbing neighborhoods in periods leading
up to major holidays such as the Fourth of July. Many of these complaints have come from
our residents on the east side of the City, including the Eastview neighborhood. It should also
be reiterated that sound waves travel different depending on, among other things,
atmospheric conditions. These fireworks and explosives trigger flashbacks in veterans with
post-traumatic stress disorder, cause pets to run away from home in terror, and cause
anxiety, especially in seniors. Fireworks displays should be kept at a minimum for not only
these reasons, but also because of the resulting air and water pollution in a region already
heavily impacted by the twin ports.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the IS/NOP, and we hope the final analysis will
thoroughly address our concerns.
Sincerely,
Ara Mihranian
City Manager
cc: Joe Buscaino, L.A. City Councilmember, 15th District
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
E-2
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 02/01/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a presentation from the California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on its proposed Western Avenue Bicycle and
Pedestrian Improvement Project.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file the presentation from Caltrans on its proposed Western Avenue
Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project to install bicycle lanes and pedestrian
access improvements on Western Avenue; and,
(2) If warranted, request that Caltrans work with City Staff to make any adjustments
to the project based on City Council and public feedback.
FISCAL IMPACT: None. Caltrans will fund the project.
ORIGINATED BY: Sean Lopez, Assistant Engineer
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Caltrans RPV Western Ave Traffic Presentation (page A-1)
BACKGROUND:
On November 2, 2021, the City Council was scheduled to hear a presentation from the
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on the proposed Western Avenue
Bicycle Pedestrian Improvement Project, which had been rescheduled from October 19,
2021, due to time constraints. The presentation was rescheduled again to tonight’s City
Council meeting because Caltrans requested additional time to make adjustments to the
plans.
DISCUSSION:
Caltrans proposes installing bicycle lanes and pedestrian improvements on Western
Avenue between 25th Street in San Pedro to Carson Street in Torrance as part of the
Western Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project. This portion of Western
Avenue is owned, operated, and maintained by Caltrans as part of the state highway
system.
1F-1
Within the City limits, Phase One of the project (currently in construction) consists of the
installation of seven curb ramps compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
standards. Phase Two, which is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in August
2022, will include nine more ADA-compliant curb ramps within the City and a northbound
right-turn lane at Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive.
Phase Two proposes to repurpose existing parking lanes in the City into a bikeway as
shown in Figure 1, with some exceptions.
Figure 1: Proposed Bicycle Lanes on Western Avenue
Figure 2: Existing and Proposed Cross Sections of Western Avenue North of Palos Verdes
Drive North (outside and north of the City border)
2F-2
Figure 2 above shows Western Avenue north of Palos Verdes Drive North (north of the
City border), where part of an existing vehicular lane is proposed to be used for a Class
II bikeway. A Class II bikeway is defined as a bikeway with pavement markings and
signage to delineate a portion of a roadway for bicycle travel.
Figures 3-7 depict photos and cross-sections of the existing configuration of traffic and
bike lanes on Western Avenue within the boundaries of RPV.
Figure 3: Existing Class III Bikeway in the Northbound Direction on Western Avenue
Between Palos Verdes Drive North and Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive
Figure 3 above shows Western Avenue from Palos Verdes Drive North to Westmont
Drive/Delasonde Drive in the northbound direction, where Caltrans has already installed
a Class III bikeway. A Class III bikeway, or bike route, designates a preferred route for
3F-3
bicyclists on streets shared with motor traffic not served by dedicated bikeways to provide
continuity to the bikeway network.
Figure 4: Existing Class II Bikeway in the Southbound Direction on Western Avenue
Between Palos Verdes Drive North and Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive
Figure 4 above shows Western Avenue from Palos Verdes Drive North to Westmont
Drive/Delasonde Drive in the southbound direction, where Caltrans has already installed
a Class II bikeway.
4F-4
Figure 5: Typical Existing and Proposed Cross Sections of Western Avenue Between
Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive and Crestwood Street
Figure 5 above shows Western Avenue from Westmont Drive/Delason de Drive to
Crestwood Street, where Caltrans proposes to repurpose existing parking lanes into
Class II bikeways and reducing the width of the median.
5F-5
Figure 6: Typical Existing and Proposed Cross Sections of Western Avenue from
Crestwood Street to Summerland Street/Summerland Avenue
Figure 6 above shows Western Avenue from Crestwood Street to Summerland
Street/Summerland Avenue, where Caltrans proposes to add a Class II bikeway in the
southbound direction and repurpose the existing parking lane in the northbound direction
into a Class II bikeway and reducing the width of the median.
6F-6
Figure 7: Typical Existing and Proposed Cross Sections of Western Avenue South of
Summerland Street/Summerland Avenue
Figure 7 above shows Western Avenue south of Summerland Street/Summerland
Avenue where Caltrans proposes to repurpose existing parking lanes into Class II
bikeways and reducing the width of the median.
Staff Coordination with Caltrans
Staff has expressed concern to Caltrans about the loss of street parking at certain
locations on Western Avenue and requested presentations to the Traffic Safety
Committee (TSC), the general public, and the City Council.
Caltrans presented to TSC on March 8, 2021, with Committee members asking questions
and expressing concern over the loss of street parking that serves businesses. TSC also
asked if traffic signals would be modified to prioritize bicycles over vehicles and expressed
concern that doing so could increase congestion.
In response to Staff and TSC concerns, Caltrans modified the bike lane component of the
project between Summerland Street/Summerland Avenue and Crestwood Street (where
7F-7
there is a restaurant that relies on street parking because of a relatively small parking lot).
Caltrans will preserve on-street parking in this area by widening the southbound roadway
lanes into the median to make space for the bike lane without the removal of parking.
Caltrans indicated to Staff that it is still evaluating options for signal timing with respect to
bicycle prioritization and has not yet reached a conclusion.
Caltrans presented its plan for the proposed project to the public in a virtual format on
September 30, 2021. Attendees generally supported the project.
Caltrans met with City Staff to review the updated plan and cross-sections that will be
presented at tonight’s City Council meeting.
It should be noted that the City has no jurisdiction over Western Avenue. The City can
share feedback and public concerns at forums such as tonight’s City Council meeting for
Caltrans to consider. Additionally, the attached Caltrans’ presentation (Attachment A)
notes that Western Avenue was chosen in part for this bikeway project because of the
Western Avenue Vision Plan. The Vision Plan, which was prepared by the Cities of
Rancho Palos Verdes and Los Angeles in 2013, was eventually shelved and did not come
to fruition.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This project will incorporate a right-turn lane at Westmont Drive/Delasonde Drive. The
City Council approved a cooperative agreement with Caltrans for this right-turn lane on
September 21, 2021 (link to Staff Report).
ALTERNATIVE:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternative action is available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Take other action, as deemed appropriate by the City Council.
8F-8
A-1
F-9
INTRODUCTION AND
THOUGHT PROCESS
BEHIND THE PROJECT
CONSTITUENT
FEEDBACK
VIDEO PROJECT LAYOUT AND
SPECIFICS
COMPATIBILITY WITH
CITY PLANS AND
SUMMARY
A-2
F-10
▪Western Ave north of 25th St to the 405 is California State Highway 213
▪Operations, maintenance, and construction of new projects fall under the purview
of Caltrans.
▪Included in our operational authority is the ability to add bicycle lanes to our State
Highways.
A-3
F-11
▪Caltrans has a proposed project that begins at 25th St and ends at Carson St.
▪Within those limits, we are proposing:
▪To upgrade curb ramps to American with Disabilities Act or ADA standards
▪Add flashing beacons
▪Construct new sidewalks
▪Add bicycle lanes.
▪Those scope items will be explained in greater detail later in the presentation.
▪The focus of this presentation will be on the bicycle lanes.
A-4
F-12
Palos Verdes
Dr N
PM 4.31
Carson St
PM 8.0
Class III limits:
Palos Verdes Dr N to Carson St
A-5
F-13
25th St
Palos Verdes
Dr N
Class II limits:
25th St Palos Verdes Dr N*
(*except where Class III currently exist)
A-6
F-14
Palos Verdes
Dr N
Summerland
Ave
Mileage within Rancho Palos Verdes
Southbound Lanes (SB)2.2 mi
Northbound Lanes (NB)0.5 mi
Total Project (NB+SB)16.0 mi
A-7
F-15
▪Existing ADA Project
▪The Western Avenue Corridor Study which was prepared for the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes
▪Complete Street Reservation created by Caltrans
▪Compatibility with existing and planned community bicycle facilities.
A-8
F-16
Build curb Ramps to meet American’s with Disabilities Act specification.
Phase 1 currently being constructed, Phase 2 is being discussed in this presentation.A-9
F-17
▪Existing ADA Project
▪The Western Avenue Corridor Study which was prepared for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes
▪Complete Street Reservation created by Caltrans
▪Compatibility with existing and planned community bicycle facilities.
A-10
F-18
This is a project for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the City of Los
Angeles, with funding provided by the Southern California Association
of Governments (SCAG)
Study initiated in 2012 to improve Western Avenue for residents, businesses, and visitors alike
A-11
F-19
A-12
F-20
Bike Lanes
In 2015, the findings were released, and included bike lanes
throughout the length of Western from 25th to Palos Verdes Dr N. A-13
F-21
▪Existing ADA Project
▪The Western Avenue Corridor Study which was prepared for the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes
▪Complete Street Reservation created by Caltrans
▪Compatibility with existing and planned community bicycle facilities.
A-14
F-22
A-15
F-23
▪Existing ADA Project
▪The Western Avenue Corridor Study which was prepared for the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes
▪Complete Street Reservation created by Caltrans
▪Compatibility with existing and planned community bicycle facilities.
A-16
F-24
Western Ave Bike Lanes are preferred
by the City and County of Los
Angeles. Without the Rancho Palos
Verdes section, there is a gap in their
plans.
One of the purposes of this project is
to create a continuous Bicycle facility
from the surrounding residential
areas, along the existing east-west
routes, and into the commercial
centers along Western, and
recreational centers along the coast.
A-17
F-25
Photo credit: City of Beverly Hills
Caltrans management chose the ADA
project and added $1.5 MM to the budget
to include some of the complete street
elements that were listed in the study.
These elements are being added at no cost
to the City. A-18
F-26
A-19
F-27
▪Caltrans Operations and Planning staff received correspondence
▪Area resident who rides a bicycle on Western through Rancho Palos Verdes to commute to work
▪Constituent inquired as to whether Western Avenue would receive a bicycle lane along entire corridor
▪Felt unsafe due to fast-moving vehicles tailing or driving closely to bicyclists, due to lack of a bicycle lane
▪Noted that drivers attempt to overtake slower-moving vehicles in other travel lanes by passing on the right
▪Mentioned that without adequate facilities, bicyclists would ride on the sidewalk
▪Gaps in sidewalk exist, therefore sidewalk riding is not possible in all locations
▪Safety concerns as drivers do not always notice approaching sidewalk bicyclists
A-20
F-28
25th St
Carson St
Palos Verdes
Drive N Existing
Class III
Lane (NB)
Constituent
feedback led
Caltrans to
stripe a Class
III bike facility
between
Avenida
Aprenda, and
the entrance to
the Green Hills
Cemetery.
A-21
F-29
25th St
Carson St
Palos Verdes
Drive N
Existing
Class II
Lane (SB)
As part of
that project
Caltrans also
installed a
bicycle lane
on the
opposite
side, south of
the
Cemetery.
A-22
F-30
Med came across a resident waiting on his driveway for his buddy to come along
and join him along Western. Casually dressed, they appeared to be meeting up for
an errand at a local destination. He mentioned that most riders can be found along
Palos Verdes Drive.
Next Med rode up to 4 riders on a group ride. They chose to ride Western because
it is a less hilly route and was better suited for the riders’ based on experience and
fitness level. In our experience, most casual riders would prefer to do the same.
They were from a bicycle group call Major Motion from SW Los Angeles.
Lastly, Med remained socially distant and spoke with a resident who was having a
garage sale. She said that she would welcome having a bike lane along Western
because she likes to bike to Cabrillo Beach on her E-bike.
A-23
F-31
▪Western Avenue is the only continuous N/S street in the
South Bay between the cities of Torrance, Lomita, Rancho
Palos Verdes, Los Angeles and the ocean
▪Less elevation/ grade changes and terrain challenges
▪Less port-related truck traffic than streets to the east
▪Improve safety, access and circulation for bicyclists and
pedestrians
▪Continuous bicycle facility allows those to ride within and
between communities
▪Supported by the South Bay Bicycle Coalition
▪Continuous pedestrian facility allows for safe travel without
being forced to walk on the street
A-24
F-32
https://youtu.be/rfVcMRmVAtY
A-25
F-33
A-26
F-34
9 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES
53 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS –PHASE 2
1200’ NEW PAVED SIDEWALK
3 PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS
W/ HIGH INTENSITY CROSSWALK BEACON
PROJECT CURRENTLY IN CONSTRUCTION:
106 CURB RAMPS –PHASE 1
7 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES
A-27
F-35
The class II bike lane will
connect 6 intersecting east-
west bike lanes from 25th street
to Palos Verdes Drive North.
Bikers can use Western to
reach destinations along the
coast from Vicente, White Point
Park, Point Fermin Park,
Cabrillo Beach, and the San
Pedro Marina and markets.
A-28
F-36
This proposed cross
section is similar to
what is shown in the
RPV study.
The number of lanes
and the width of the
lanes remain
unchanged.
The Bike lanes and the
buffer are added within
the width of the
reclaimed parking
spaces.
A-29
F-37
A-30
F-38
UTILIZE RECLAIMED CURBSIDE PARKING
ADEQUATE ON-SITE PARKING
EXISTING LANE WIDTH AND CONFIGURATION IS MAINTAINED.
TERRACES
SHOPPING
CENTER
A-31
F-39
ADDED RIGHT-TURN ONLY LANE AT CAPITOL
RECLAIMED PARKING APPROACHING CAPITOL.
DELINEATED 4’ BIKE LANE BETWEEN THE TRAVELED LANE
REDUCED MEDIAN TO ACCOMMODATE LANE SHIFT
ENHANCED CAPACITY AND SAFETY
This is the existing street view just south of Capitol.
In order to place a Right-turn-only lane and a 4’ bike
lane. Parking was Reclaimed and the median was
reduced.
A-32
F-40
no retail destinations,
already has a Class II
bike lane and Class III
bike lane.
A-33
F-41
SOUTHERN SEGMENT
SUMERLANDPARK PLAZA
TERRACES
Notice the large parking lots available at
Park Plaza and the Terraces shopping
center.
There are 60 SB street parking spaces
and 80 NB street parking spaces
available but generally underutilized by
the adjacent business customers.
A-34
F-42
This is a closer view of the PARK PLAZA shopping center.
A-35
F-43
There are a only a few cars parked on the Street side even though
there are plenty of parking spaces available inside the parking lot.
Because of the high profile, high visibility of the street location, the
majority cars parked in this area are to advertise a business or are
for sale. This is an example within the red circle.
The City of LA asked us to reclaim parking in their portions to
eliminate these blights.
A-36
F-44
Street view on a Saturday Morning.
These spaces are not preferred by customers. Convenient
parking is located in large parking lots, near the
businesses.
A bike lane could be instrumental in removing unwanted
advertisement parking, and would enhance the street
side aesthetics.
A-37
F-45
MIDDLE SEGMENT
ALBERTSON’S
SMART &
FINAL
This is the Middle Segment with businesses on one side
and residential back yards on the other side.
A-38
F-46
The southbound Curbside parking is virtually unused.
There are existing no stopping hours in effect.
The Rancho Palos Verdes Corridor Study recommends
reclaiming parking spaces for a class II bike lane in this
segment.
A-39
F-47
Similar to the South Segment, northbound parking is
being used by advertisements and cars for sale. The
worst is right in front of Albertson’s A-40
F-48
The North Segment is already using
most of the unused parking spaces as a
Class II and Class III bike lane.
However, there are still portions of the
North Segment which can be converted
to a Class II Bike lane.
A-41
F-49
▪Western is a community artery
▪Community Goals from RPV study
▪Improvement of storefronts
▪Enhancing the quality of the public realm
▪Expanding mobility options
▪Developing a well-functioning and
harmonious perception of the corridor.
▪No funding by the City for Bike Lanes
(there may be funding for a right turn
lane).
A-42
F-50
▪Rancho Palos Verdes commissioned a study on how to improve the Western Avenue corridor.
▪Caltrans, as part of our complete street initiative, took that study and is proposing to implement a piece of it, bike lanes.
▪Caltrans has shown that new bike lanes will not reduce the car and truck capacity of the street.
▪When cyclists use the bike lanes instead of their cars to commute or shop, there could even be reduction in car and truck demand.
▪Caltrans has explored the consequences of adding bicycle lanes, primarily that some parking spaces will be reclaimed.
▪Caltrans has shared some of the other beneficial features for pedestrians and vehicles that we are adding on the project
A-43
F-51
Tentative Construction Schedule
Start Construction August 2022
End Construction April 2023 A-44
F-52
2/4/2022
1
1
2/1/2022 2
PROJECT LAYOUT
AND SPECIFICS
THOUGHT
PROCESS BEHIND
THE PROJECT
CONSTITUENT
FEEDBACK
VIDEO QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SESSION
1
2
F-53
2/4/2022
2
3
2/1/2022
9 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS IN RANCHO
PALOS VERDES
53 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS – PHASE 2
1200’ NEW PAVED SIDEWALK
3 PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS
W/ HIGH INTENSITY CROSSWALK BEACON
PROJECT CURRENTLY IN CONSTRUCTION:
106 CURB RAMPS – PHASE 1
7 CURB RAMP LOCATIONS IN RANCHO
PALOS VERDES
NB RIGHT-TURN ONLY LANE AT
WESTMONT/DELASONDE
MEDIAN FENCE AT 242ND PL
2/1/2022 4
Mileage within Rancho Palos Verdes
Southbound Lanes (SB) 2.2 mi
Northbound Lanes (NB) 0.5 mi
Total Project (NB+SB) 16.0 mi
GBR4
3
4
F-54
2/4/2022
3
5
2/1/2022
Bike Lanes
2/1/2022 6
UTILIZE RECLAIMED CURBSIDE PARKING
ADEQUATE ON-SITE PARKING
EXISTING LANE WIDTH AND CONFIGURATION IS MAINTAINED.
TERRACES SHOP
5
6
F-55
2/4/2022
4
3/8/2021 7
82/1/2022
7
8
F-56
2/4/2022
5
2/1/2022 9
PRESERVE PARKING (7')
STRIPE BIKE LANE (5')
RESTRIPE LANES FROM
12' TO 11'
REDUCE MEDIAN (2')
SB WESTERN FROM CRESTWOOD TO SUMMERLAND
Build curb Ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act specification 10
2/1/2022
9
10
F-57
2/4/2022
6
Only continuous N/S street between four South Bay
cities
Less elevation/grade and terrain challenges
Minimal port-related truck traffic
Connects multiple E/W streets with existing bike
lanes
Improve safety, access and circulation for
bicyclists and pedestrians between their homes
and destinations
Pedestrian sidewalk allows for safe off-street travel
2/1/2022 11
Existing ADA Project
Establishes connectivity with
existing and planned community
bicycle facilities
Complete Streets Reservation
created by Caltrans
2/1/2022 12
Photo credit: City of Beverly Hills
11
12
F-58
2/4/2022
7
Caltrans Operations and Planning staff received correspondence
Area resident who commutes thru RPV to work using a bicycle
Constituent inquired as to whether Western Avenue would receive a
bicycle lane along entire corridor
Felt unsafe due to fast-moving vehicles tailing or driving closely to
bicyclists, due to lack of a bicycle lane
Noted that drivers attempt to overtake slower-moving vehicles in
travel lanes by passing on the right
Mentioned that without adequate facilities, bicyclists would ride on
the sidewalk
Gaps in sidewalk exist, therefore sidewalk riding is not possible in
all locations
Safety concerns as drivers do not always notice approaching
sidewalk bicyclists
2/1/2022 13
Western Ave. N/B at Ave. Aprienda/ Greengate Ave.
Western Ave. S/B at Green Hills Dr.
14
GBR2DD1
13
14
F-59
2/4/2022
8
March 8, 2021 meeting with the
Traffic Safety Committee (TSC)
Three lanes? A bus lane?
Will bicycles get priority
signalization?
Commercial parking at
Summerland to Crestwood
2/1/2022 15
October 6, 2021 Residents of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
including members of the cycling community.
Endorsement by the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus
Endorsement by an individual resident of Rancho Palos
Verdes
Issues with ‘Door zone’
2/1/2022 16
15
16
F-60
2/4/2022
9
2/1/2022 17
Video link: State Route 213—Western Avenue Improvement Project -YouTube
18
2/1/2022
Tentative Construction Schedule
Start Construction February 2023
End Construction February 2024
17
18
F-61
2/4/2022
10
9/30/2021 19
19
F-62
By By MICHAEL HIXONMICHAEL HIXON | | mhixon@scng.commhixon@scng.com | The Beach Reporter | The Beach Reporter
PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: March 9, 2021 at 8:04 a.m.March 9, 2021 at 8:04 a.m. | UPDATED: | UPDATED: May 24, 2021 at 3:29 p.m.May 24, 2021 at 3:29 p.m.
Brittany MurrayBrittany Murray
This file photo from December 2020 shows the wide shoulder on Western Avenue where Caltrans is planning to add bike lanes, sidewalks andThis file photo from December 2020 shows the wide shoulder on Western Avenue where Caltrans is planning to add bike lanes, sidewalks and
enhanced crosswalks. Caltrans predicts minimal impact to traffic during construction. (Photo by Brittany Murray)enhanced crosswalks. Caltrans predicts minimal impact to traffic during construction. (Photo by Brittany Murray)
A Caltrans project that will create bike paths and make sidewalks more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act on WesternA Caltrans project that will create bike paths and make sidewalks more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act on Western
Avenue will begin in August 2022 and, officials said recently, will help connect bike lanes on the street through Rancho Palos Verdes,Avenue will begin in August 2022 and, officials said recently, will help connect bike lanes on the street through Rancho Palos Verdes,
Torrance, Lomita, San Pedro and other parts of Los Angeles County.Torrance, Lomita, San Pedro and other parts of Los Angeles County.
Officials with the state’s transportation agency discussed the project, which is slated to finish in April 2023, during a virtual meeting of theOfficials with the state’s transportation agency discussed the project, which is slated to finish in April 2023, during a virtual meeting of the
RPV Traffic Safety Committee and in interviews this week.RPV Traffic Safety Committee and in interviews this week.
The Western Avenue project, which is still in the design stage, is part of Phase 1 of the Complete Streets Initiative, which will add bikeThe Western Avenue project, which is still in the design stage, is part of Phase 1 of the Complete Streets Initiative, which will add bike
lanes, sidewalks and enhanced crossings throughout the region to “improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety to the route,”lanes, sidewalks and enhanced crossings throughout the region to “improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety to the route,”
according to a Caltrans staff report.according to a Caltrans staff report.
Traffic congestion on Western Avenue has long been a concern for officials and residents in RPV and San Pedro — and there are fearsTraffic congestion on Western Avenue has long been a concern for officials and residents in RPV and San Pedro — and there are fears
among some that it could worsen. That’s because of a nearly 62-acre development project on the street, in San Pedro, that will feature 66among some that it could worsen. That’s because of a nearly 62-acre development project on the street, in San Pedro, that will feature 66
houses. The project, in development for around 15 years, got underway last fall.houses. The project, in development for around 15 years, got underway last fall.
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA NEWSPALOS VERDES PENINSULA NEWS
Bike lane project on Western Avenue discussed at virtualBike lane project on Western Avenue discussed at virtual
meetingmeeting
G-1
Join the ConversationJoin the Conversation
We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. WeWe invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We
reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous,reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous,
defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose anydefamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any
information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user whoinformation necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who
abuses these conditions.abuses these conditions.
The project will not worsen traffic on the already-busy Western Avenue, Caltrans officials said, because the outer lane is wide enough toThe project will not worsen traffic on the already-busy Western Avenue, Caltrans officials said, because the outer lane is wide enough to
support a bike lane and buffer for the project. The four lanes of traffic there will not change during construction. Parking spots alongsupport a bike lane and buffer for the project. The four lanes of traffic there will not change during construction. Parking spots along
Western will be “reclaimed” and be replaced by the bike lanes, Caltrans said.Western will be “reclaimed” and be replaced by the bike lanes, Caltrans said.
“I think this is relatively straightforward project,” Caltrans senior project manager Bartt Gunter said in a recent phone interview. “We’re“I think this is relatively straightforward project,” Caltrans senior project manager Bartt Gunter said in a recent phone interview. “We’re
going to maintain four lanes the entire time.”going to maintain four lanes the entire time.”
Caltrans senior planner Cuong Trinh said in an interview that Los Angeles has a lot of disconnected bike lanes, including on WesternCaltrans senior planner Cuong Trinh said in an interview that Los Angeles has a lot of disconnected bike lanes, including on Western
Avenue. Western stretches about 30 miles from the Griffith Park area to San Pedro in the South Bay — and currently has few bike lanes.Avenue. Western stretches about 30 miles from the Griffith Park area to San Pedro in the South Bay — and currently has few bike lanes.
Once the project is done, Trinh said, bicyclists will be able ride more easily along Western — a need, he added, that has become evenOnce the project is done, Trinh said, bicyclists will be able ride more easily along Western — a need, he added, that has become even
clearing amid the coronavirus pandemic.clearing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“COVID-19 has really taught a lot of people or encouraged them,” Trinh said, “to be more active, get on their bicycle.”“COVID-19 has really taught a lot of people or encouraged them,” Trinh said, “to be more active, get on their bicycle.”
A major part of the project will also include making driveways and sidewalks comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, theA major part of the project will also include making driveways and sidewalks comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, the
Caltrans staff report said. This includes reconstructing new curb ramps or adding new ones, which might involve relocating street lightsCaltrans staff report said. This includes reconstructing new curb ramps or adding new ones, which might involve relocating street lights
or traffic signals.or traffic signals.
At Monday’s meeting, two residents called in to support the project, including RPV resident Anna Littleford. She said she is a parent ofAt Monday’s meeting, two residents called in to support the project, including RPV resident Anna Littleford. She said she is a parent of
two 7-year-olds and they are a “big active biking family.” She also said she is pleased by the curb upgrades and some of the beatificationtwo 7-year-olds and they are a “big active biking family.” She also said she is pleased by the curb upgrades and some of the beatification
aspects of the project.aspects of the project.
“I think this would give us a lot of peace and reassurance,” Littleford said. “Western can be a very dangerous street.”“I think this would give us a lot of peace and reassurance,” Littleford said. “Western can be a very dangerous street.”
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AuthorAuthor Michael HixonMichael Hixon | Entertainment/business editor/Hermosa Beach| Entertainment/business editor/Hermosa Beach
reporterreporter
Michael Hixon, a community journalist since 1996, is a reporter at The Beach Reporter who covers Hermosa Beach and well asMichael Hixon, a community journalist since 1996, is a reporter at The Beach Reporter who covers Hermosa Beach and well as
business, feature and entertainment news. He also has written extensively about Hollywood movies and film festivals and met orbusiness, feature and entertainment news. He also has written extensively about Hollywood movies and film festivals and met or
interviewed more directors and celebrities than he can count.interviewed more directors and celebrities than he can count.
mhixon@scng.commhixon@scng.com
Follow Michael Hixon Follow Michael Hixon @MichaelJHixon@MichaelJHixon
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6 Strange Things Millionaires Do With Their Money,6 Strange Things Millionaires Do With Their Money,
But Most of Us Have Never TriedBut Most of Us Have Never Tried
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G-2
City Council Meeting
June 2, 2022
Palos Verdes Drive West Phase 1
Corridor Improvements Project
H-1
Agenda
•Geometrics
•Parking Mitigation
•Landscape/Hardscape
•Tree Removal Exhibit
•Questions
H-2
Geometric Refinements
•Added RRFB on eastern leg
•Removed bus pullout
•Changed sidewalk layout at Malaga Cove Plaza
•Revised alignment of western leg to reduce tree impacts
•Increased landscaping buffer around roundabout
H-3
Parking Mitigation
H-4
Parking Summary
•Total Removals Required for the Project = 37 spaces
•Identified Potential Parking Mitigation = 62 (39 outside the scope of the original project)
H-5
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 1 Malaga Cove Plaza
H-6
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 2 Inner Barrel Parking Lot
H-7
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 3 Via Del Puente
H-8
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 4 Via Corta North
H-9
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 5 Inner Barrel Area #1
H-10
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 6 Inner Barrel Area #2
H-11
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 7 Olmsted Place
H-12
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 8 Tejon Place Civic Center Park
H-13
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 9 Tejon Place City Hall Parking Lot
H-14
Parking Mitigation Options –Location 10 Tejon Place Eastern End
H-15
Landscaping & Hardscaping
H-16
Roundabout Examples
Rancho Mission Viejo, CA Lake Forest, CA
Montecito, CA La Quinta, CA
PM [2]19
H-17
Preliminary Landscape Concept Plan
•Total Trees Proposed for the Project ~ 23 trees (Final tree count subject to change based on visibility
requirements)
•22 parkway trees, 1 specimen tree
H-18
Potential Tree Palette
Italian Stone Pine Canary Island
Date Palm
Southern Magnolia California Pepper Moreton Bay Fig
Coastal Live Oak California Sycamore
H-19
Utilities – Center IslandPM [2]20
H-20
Potential Shrub and Groundcover Palette
Deer Grass Lantana Blue Chalk Sticks
Jerusalem Sage Blue FescueSage
Coral Aloe
Rosemary
Mexican Lobelia
Smokey Coast Rosemary
H-21
Potential Median and Roundabout Paving
Brick
Concrete Pavers Colored Textured Concrete Option 2Cobble
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Colored Textured Concrete Option 1Flagtsone (Not suitable for truck apron)
H-22
Lighting Options
#1
#2
#4
#3 #4 #5
H-23
Tree Removals
H-24
Tree Removal Summary
•Total Tree Removals Required for the Project = 15 trees
•9 California Pepper, 3 Ficus, 3 Benjamin Fig
H-25
Questions?
H-26
By MICHAEL HIXON | mhixon@scng.com | The Beach Reporter
PUBLISHED: February 3, 2021 at 5:42 a.m. | UPDATED: May 24, 2021 at 3:32 p.m.
Rendering of new George F Canyon Nature Center in Rolling Hills Estates. (Photo
courtesy of Roesling, Nakamura, Terada Architects/Spurlock Landscape Architects)
After significantly downsizing the project, Rolling Hills Estates is giving the
community one more opportunity to review plans for the $1.7 million George
F Canyon Nature Center.
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA NEWS
Rolling Hills Estates rolls out a
smaller George F Canyon
Nature Center design, Feb. 9
J-1
The Nature Center, at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes
Drive North, is considered a gateway to the city and to the 51 acre George F
Canyon Preserve and the Stein/Hale Nature Trail.
The final design of the center, pared back significantly from $2.7 million, will
be unveiled at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
The project includes a meeting room that will double as a Nature Center
classroom and a meeting space for local organizations.
“This is kind of our last look at our final conceptual design concept,” said
assistant city manager Alexa Davis. “We wanted to bring it once more to the
community and receive input with some of our city bodies.” Davis added that
more alterations may occur before final approval from the City Council.
Over the years, the Nature Center has been the hub for education events and
activities such as monthly nature hikes, bird walks and night hikes, Davis said.
The current building, dedicated in 1996, would be demolished to make way
for the new one, said Davis.
The center is a city facility operated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy. PVPLC is a land trust focused on acquiring and restoring open
space with an emphasis on education.
Adrienne Mohan, the PVPLC’s executive director, views the center as an
important and integral community resource. By partnering with the city of
Rolling Hills Estates, said Mohan, PVPLC will be able “to introduce the
uniqueness of the Peninsula with the community at large and students who
come on buses from all over for field trips in the canyon.”
The Nature Center project has been in the works for more than two years and
initially had a significantly larger footprint. In June 2019, according to a city
staff report, the city’s architects proposed a 5,500 square-foot-project with a
price tag of $2.7 million. The initial plans called for two buildings, one of them
with two stories as well as an outdoor classroom and view deck.
City Council formed a subcommittee to look at less expensive alternatives,
according to the staff report. After revisions with city staff and the architects,
the final draft with the $1.7 million design was reviewed.
The new design was pared down to 3,355 square feet and is one-story.
J-2
“The revised concept maintains the same architectural design and
landscape/parking features as presented in the initial version,” reads a Oct.
19, 2020, staff report. “The revised design also shares the same goals as the
previous version: a welcoming gateway to the City, considerate of the
surrounding neighborhoods, and emphasis on the canyon, trails and native
habitat.”
According to Davis, the George F Canyon Preserve area, which is 36-acres of
open space, was donated to the city by Robert A. Stein, Ronald Stein, Sandra
Stein Haveson and Arthur Hale Sr., in memory of David N. Stein, Francis H.
Stein and Marie D. Hale, in December 1982.
The city also purchased an adjacent parcel of land from the former
Metropolitan Water District located parallel to Palos Verdes Drive East. The
land ultimately became the Nature Center, parking lot, and the main
trailhead, according to Davis.
The George F Canyon Preserve was dedicated in May 1993 as a natural park
land and natural reserve. The one mile Stein/Hale Nature Trail, for walkers
and equestrians, was named after donors.
Davis said Rolling Hills Estates does not intend to use money from the city’s
general fund to pay for the project. Currently they have a $355,900 secured
grant.
“We will continue to look for other grant opportunities, and then there’s some
restricted fund opportunities that we would explore, as well as possible
fundraising opportunities,” Davis said.
Newsroom Guidelines
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Report an Error
Author Michael Hixon |
Entertainment/business editor/Hermosa
Beach reporter
Michael Hixon, a community journalist since 1996, is a reporter at The
Beach Reporter who covers Hermosa Beach and well as business, feature
and entertainment news. He also has written extensively about Hollywood
movies and film festivals and met or interviewed more directors and
J-3
NEQ S Western Ave & Westmont Dr
San Pedro, CA
Proposed Starbucks Development
K-1
Aerial
K-2
NEQ S Western Ave & Westmont Dr – San Pedro, CA
Location Details:
•Vacant bank building within the Garden Village
shopping center.
•NE of Western Ave. (approx. 22,850 CPD) &
Westmont Dr. (approx. 6,793 CPD)
•0.5 miles north of Green Hills Memorial Park.
•Part of Garden Village Shopping Center –
Albertson’s, Rite-Aid, Coco’s, Starbucks,
Banfield Pet Hospital, Phoenix Salon Suites
•The other corners of this intersection are
occupied by Chase Bank (SEC) and residential
across Western Ave(SWC and NEC)
K-3
Site Plan Design
•+/- 2,178 square-foot drive thru coffee
shop
•Enhanced building orientation to Western
& Westmont with decorative panels and
landscape
•Bike racks and lockers provided
•Pedestrian-friendly with +/- 520 SF
outdoor patio seating area
•Drive-thru lane will accommodate 10
within the lane & 15 total vehicles without
blocking common driveway
•Solar panels integrated into the design of
the canopies which extend over the patio
K-4
Elevations
K-5
ONSITE SOLAR
K-6
Solar Store
RENDERING CONCEPT
K-7
Overall Shopping Center Site Plan
K-8
Community – Creating Pathways to Opportunity
From the neighborhoods where our stores are located to
those where our coffee is grown, we are committed to
creating and investing in opportunities for people around the
world.
•Opportunity for Youth: The location will create +/- 20
full and part-time jobs with competitive pay, benefits and
flexible hours
•Diversity & Inclusion: health care coverage and equity
in the form of stock. We are as diverse as the
communities we serve through local hiring efforts.
•Starbucks College Achievement Plan: offers eligible
part and full time partners the opportunity to earn a
bachelor’s degree with full tuition coverage.
•Environmental Stewardship: Identified as a solar pilot
store – this location incorporates solar panels into the
building design which puts us one step closer to our goal
of building carbon neutral stores.
K-9
THANK YOU
K-10