CC SR 20221115 05 - Ladera Linda Lower Tier Vegetation
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 11/15/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to determine the limits of removal of the existing fence
and vegetation on the ocean-facing side of the lower tier of Ladera Linda Community
Park.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize staff to proceed with the removal of the existing fence and vegetation on
the ocean-facing side of the lower tier as shown in Exhibits 3 and 4 of this staff
report, while keeping the vegetation and fence along Forrestal Drive of the lower
tier of Ladera Linda Community Park.
FISCAL IMPACT: The recommended council action has no fiscal impact , as the
proposed removal work is included in the scope of work of the construction contract for
the Ladera Linda Community Park project.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: James O'Neill, Project Manager
Lincoln Lo, PE, Public Works Deputy Director
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. October 19, 2021, staff report
B. March 1, 2022, staff report
BACKGROUND:
On October 19, 2021, the City Council approved the updated Ladera Linda Community
Park Landscape, Lighting, Safety and Security Plans, and received and filed the project
cost estimate. In response to neighbors’ concerns on how the existing foliage creates a
buffer between the park and neighborhood, the City Council, in its motion, also directed
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Staff to keep the existing foliage along the southeast portion of the property (which will be
referred to in this report as the “lower tier”), then during the framing of the community
building, conduct a view assessment to ensure that Catalina Island views from the
building would not be blocked. Staff was directed to return to the City Council with a
determination of the extent of recommended foliage trimming.
On March 1, 2022, the City Council approved the Ladera Linda Community Park Project
budget, approved the construction documents, and awarded a construction contract and
associated professional services agreements to proceed with construction of the project.
Subsequently, a Notice to Proceed with construction was issued on March 28, 2022, to
the construction contractor, AMG. Since that time, construction has been progressing
generally on schedule, with an anticipated completion date of August 2023. The following
key construction activities have been completed:
• Rough grading of site
• Undergrounding of main line utilities and drainage pipes
• Building foundation, framing, and roof deck
• Storage shed foundation and framing
• Trash and equipment enclosure walls
• Light pole foundations
• Basketball court pad
Others are in progress, including:
• Site perimeter fencing
• Stepped terrace
• Accessibility ramp between upper-tier and middle tier
• Drainage swales
The project remains within the approved budget of $18,770,084.
DISCUSSION:
At this time, the rough grading of the site and the framing of the building are substantially
complete. Views from the site are observed in a southerly direction and consist of views
of Catalina Island and the ocean. Staff conducted a view assessment from the location of
the community building, which is situated in the middle tier of the site. More specifically,
Staff observed views from the southwest side of the building and determined the view of
Catalina Island is not impaired by the existing vegetation on the lower tier. Views are not
impaired because the pad of the community building is approximately 6 feet higher in
elevation than the lower tier of the site. A person of average height would have a sightline
more than 5 feet higher than the top of the foliage on the lo wer tier. Exhibit 1 on the next
page shows the view from the south side of the building.
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Exhibit 1: View from South Side of Ladera Linda Community Park Building
As the view of the park is further assessed from the lower tier park area, it is apparent
that the user experience will be fundamentally different depending on whether the existing
vegetation and fence along the ocean-facing side of the lower tier remains.
The vegetation has mostly grown into and through parts of the existing fence along the
southern border of the ocean-facing side of the lower tier. Keeping the existing vegetation
would limit the view at the lower tier park area to the older rusting fencing, whereas
removing the existing vegetation and fence line would open the lower tier area to views
of the ocean and Catalina Island, as would be the case on the other tiers.
Exhibit 2 on the following page shows the view from the ocean-facing side of the lower
tier with the existing fence and vegetation.
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Exhibit 2: View from Ocean-Facing Side of Lower Tier
At the request of staff, all Councilmembers attended site visits with Staff (with no more
than two Councilmembers visiting the site at any one time). Councilmembers observed
the view from the building toward the ocean and Catalina Island, and also on the impacts
of removing the vegetation and fence on the ocean-facing side of the lower tier.
Staff also sought input from the Ladera Linda community on the impacts of removing the
vegetation and fence on the ocean-facing side of the lower tier. Staff sent an invitation to
neighbors via the Ladera Linda Homeowners Association for a site visit to view the
condition. Five residents visited the site with Staff, and all expressed their opinion that the
ocean-facing side lower-tier vegetation and fencing should remain. Additionally, Staff
sought input from the Seaview Homeowners Association via an email to the homeowners
association president, however, no Seaview residents responded to the invitation to visit
the site.
Staff recommends removing the vegetation and fence along the ocean -facing side of the
lower tier up to the point shown in Exhibits 3 and 4 on the next page and installing coastal
sage scrub, which grows to a height of 2-3 feet when mature, similar to that shown in
Exhibit 5.
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Exhibit 3: Recommended Vegetation and Fencing on Ocean-Facing Side of Lower Tier – Plan View
Exhibit 4: Recommended Vegetation and Fencing on Ocean-Facing Side of Lower Tier – Aerial View
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Exhibit 5: Sample Mature Coastal Sage Scrub Mix
Exhibit 6 provides a section view and a pictorial depiction of the sight lines from the lower
tier lawn in relation to proposed planting. As shown, the walking path will be set back from
the top of the slope, with a mix of coastal sage scrub planted in between. The proposed
planting will not only provide a physical separation between the walking path and the top
of slope, but the setback will also encourage a vista where the sightline is directed to the
ocean in the distance instead of immediately downslope. This recommendation is
consistent with the City’s goal to “preserve views and vistas for the public benefit and,
where appropriate, ...strive to enhance and restore these resources and the visual
character of the City, and provide and maintain access for the benefit and enjoyment of
the public…” as stated in the Visual Resources Element of the General Plan. The user
experience on the lower tier will be significantly enhanced with the removal of the
vegetation because it will result in open ocean views in comparison to a closed-in, old
rusting fence if the vegetation were to remain.
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Exhibit 6: Section View at Lower Tier
Staff recommends keeping the vegetation and fencing along the Forrestal Drive -facing
side of the lower tier to maintain privacy and a buffer between the neighborhood to the
east and the park ground, as shown in Exhibit 7.
Exhibit 7: Lower Tier Views Toward Forrestal Drive
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Councilmember Comments on Other Site Elements
In addition to providing input on the view assessment, Councilmembers have provided
input on the security and screening of the trash and equipment enclosure, and on the
planting selection for the project’s consideration. For the trash and equipment enclosure,
Councilmembers commented that the current cream-colored stucco design of the
enclosure is too prominent. As a response, Staff proposes planting creeping fig vines
around the enclosure to better blend into the surround ing slope. Also, Councilmembers
expressed concern about the possibility of trespassing into the enclosure from the top.
As a response, Staff is working on options to provide a context-sensitive barrier on the
top of the enclosure. Finally, based on Mayor Pro Tem Ferraro’s input, Staff will be
considering in the inclusion of cherry trees as well as birds of paradise plants in the
landscaping palette.
Neighborhood Construction Concerns
In recent weeks, neighboring residents contacted the City to express concerns about
construction activities that have been negatively impacting their neighborhood. These
activities included some construction crew members arriving to the project site prior to 7
a.m., vehicles idling on Forrestal Drive while waiting to access the project site, lack of
traffic control in instances where large trucks with equipment are attempting to access the
project site or unload on Forrestal Drive, and more frequent use of the lower gate than
expected. Additionally, concerns were expressed about dust control.
Staff, in conjunction with the contracted project management team, have repeatedly met
with and issued contract non-compliance notices to AMG to address these concerns.
These issues are arising because of the coordination and communication challenges
involving oversight of over 100 sub-contractors and suppliers. Regardless, AMG has
committed to taking steps to prevent the reoccurrence of these events and similar
situations as follows:
1) Adding a Senior Project Manager to increase coordination and communication
with sub-contractors and suppliers.
2) Posting a Site Access Coordinator near the intersection of Forrestal Drive and
Palos Verdes Drive South starting at 6:30 a.m. daily to prevent any crew
members and delivery trucks from driving up Forrestal Drive to the project site
before 7 a.m. From 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Site Access coordinator will be
stationed at the access gate to meet any large trucks on Forrestal Drive to
prohibit parking or staging on Forrestal Drive and to provide traffic control,
should it be needed to navigate the turns into the project site.
3) Advanced coordination with the City, including justification, prior to use of the
lower gate into the site.
4) Diligent application of all required dust control.
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5) Additional signs will be strategically located at Forrestal and the project site
reinforcing the contract requirements while minimizing the proliferation of
signs in the neighborhood.
6) Cameras will be added at both gates to monitor traffic pulling up at both the
lower and upper driveways.
Fulfillment of these commitments will be observed over the month of November and
should noncompliance with contract provisions continue, the City will direct AMG to
replace its field management staff with staff that can comply with the construction
contract. Additional measures will be considered on an escalating basis, should the need
arise.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends removal of the existing vegetation and fence on the ocean-facing side
of the lower tier while keeping the vegetation and fence along the Forrestal Drive -facing
side of the lower tier. Staff believes this will provid e for an enhanced user experience at
Ladera Linda Community Park while maintaining privacy and a buffer for neighbors on
Forrestal Drive.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action s are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to leave the existing vegetation and fence in its current condition.
2. Direct Staff to remove some portion of the existing vegetation and fence as defined
by the City Council.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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