CITY COUNCIL: Resolution Adopting Del Mar Master Plan & Mitigated Negative Declaration

Meeting Date: 2 June 2009
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng. & Bldg. Services Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution adopting the Del Mar Master Plan and a Mitigated
Negative Declaration.

Description: The Del Mar Master Plan encompasses the Del Mar parking lot, located at the foot of Ocean Avenue, the Del Mar Dunes, located between the parking lot and 8th Avenue and the North Dunes, which encompasses the area north of the parking lot to the City line. This plan is intended to address issues related to parking, circulation, public access and environmental resources of the parking area and dunes.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the resolution.

Important Considerations: Goal 4-2 of the General Plan encourages the City to develop a master plan for the Del Mar and North Dunes area. Several other goals and policies address the contents of the plan and encourage identifying and protecting sensitive habitat, restoring the degraded dunes areas and improving parking and circulation.

Decision Record: The Forest and Beach Commission recommended adoption of the plan on
September 2008 and the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the Plan on 20
May 2009.

Reviewed by:

__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: SEAN CONROY, PLNG & BLDG SERVICES MANAGER
DATE: 2 JUNE 2009
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE DEL
MAR MASTER PLAN AND A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION
BACKGROUND & PROJECT DESCRIPTION
General Plan goal G4-2 encourages the City to develop a master plan for the Del Mar
area. The Master Plan encompasses the Del Mar parking lot, located at the foot of Ocean
Avenue, the Del Mar Dunes, located between the parking lot and 8th Avenue, and the
North Dunes, which includes the area north of the parking lot to the City line. The goal
of the plan is to address issues related to parking, circulation, public access and the
environmental resources of the area.
A small committee was appointed as part of the development of the plan. The City also
hired Botanical Consulting Services to prepare a dune restoration plan and RBF
Consulting to do a traffic and parking analysis. The City held a public workshop on 29
July 2008 and has held several hearings with the Forest and Beach Commission and the
Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommended adoption of the plan on
20 May 2009.
EVALUATION
Parking Area: The Del Mar parking area consists of approximately 120 parking spaces.
This area is highly visited needs significant repairs and improvements. In order to
improve the visual appearance, traffic flow, parking and pedestrian access, the Master
Plan recommends the following improvements (see figure 1):
• The expansion of several planters to reduce paved surfaces and improve aesthetics.
• Three new spaces near the intersection of Ocean & Scenic.
• The relocation of the ADA parking spaces.
• A new turn-around at the bottom of Ocean Avenue.
• An improved crosswalk on Del Mar Avenue.
• Two new parallel parking spaces near the south end of the parking area.
• The removal of one parking space near the crosswalk that caused a bottleneck.
• The replacement of one parking space with four motorcycle parking spaces.
• Improved curb heights and new sidewalk materials on the north and south sides of
Ocean Avenue.
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The most significant improvement to the site is the proposed turn-around at the bottom of
Ocean Avenue. This will allow vehicles, including emergency vehicles, to avoid the Del
Mar Avenue portion of the parking area. This should substantially improve the
circulation flow of the parking area. The other improvements will enhance the aesthetics,
safety and parking in the area. These recommendations have been reviewed by the
Police, Fire, Public Works, and Building departments.
Dunes: The Del Mar and North Dunes are the last remaining undeveloped dunes in the
City. While they have been degraded by invasive species, some natural dune species still
exist. Species observed in the dunes habitat include mock heather, bush lupine, beach
sagewort, California blackberry, Tidestrom’s lupine and others.
Special status species found in the area include the Tidestrom’s lupine, which is listed by
the State of California and the Federal Government as endangered, the central dune
scrub, which the State of California considers a sensitive habitat, and the black legless
lizard, which the State of California considers a species of special concern.
The Master Plan recommends the following improvements to the dunes (see figures 2-5):
• Identification of three primary restoration areas.
• Elimination of aggressive, invasive species.
• Restoration of dune habitat, particularly for the Tidestrom’s lupine and black
legless lizards.
• Restoration areas to be protected by low impact cable fencing.
The Master Plan also includes the full dune restoration plan prepared by Botanical
Consulting Services as an appendix to the Plan.
Access: One of the goals identified in the General Plan is to improve pedestrian and
ADA access in the area. In the initial drafts of the Plan, several boardwalks were
proposed throughout the dunes. Through the public hearing process, particularly with the
Planning Commission, the direction was to eliminate most of the boardwalks and
maintain a more open, natural experience such as exists today. One small boardwalk is
still included that leads from the Del Mar parking area to a small viewing platform. This
would allow persons with disabilities to access the beach bluff and enjoy expansive views
that are not currently available from the parking area.
A sand trail also is proposed that would connect the Del Mar Parking area to the Eighth
Avenue beach bluff pathway. No fencing is proposed to define this trail to limit impacts
on neighboring properties. While the restoration areas of the North Dunes will now be
protected by fencing, much of the dunes will remain open for typical beach recreation
purposes.
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Signage & Del Mar Dunes: The current policies in the General Plan encourage the
development of a unified signage program for the Del Mar area and the rest of the beach.
Informational/education signage is also encouraged as part of dune restoration efforts.
The signage aspects of the plan are not yet developed and the plan calls for this at a future
date.
The plan also indicates that the restoration of the Del Mar Dunes will be evaluated after
the dune restoration efforts are completed in the North Dunes. Concerns were raised
during the public hearings that removal of the existing vegetation in the Del Mar Dunes
may threaten the stability of the dunes and have significant negative impacts on the beach
and the neighboring properties. For these reasons, restoration efforts in the Del Mar
Dunes has been deferred to a later date.
San Antonio Avenue: Parking along San Antonio Avenue between Ocean and Fourth
Avenues is permitted on the west side only. During the public workshop and past
hearings, some members of the public have expressed concern regarding the parking of
RVs along this area and their impacts on views of the dunes and the ocean. This issue
was not specifically addressed in the Master Plan.
Staff notes that parking is an important issue with the Coastal Commission. Staff would
not support eliminating parking along San Antonio Avenue, but would support
prohibiting RVs in this area as they are in other parts of the City. Prohibiting RVs in this
location, however, will only cause them to be moved into other parts of the residential
district, causing similar problems in those locations. The Planning Commission
discussed this issue, but did not make a recommendation to Council. The Council should
provide direction on this issue.
CEQA: An Initial Study and Negative Declaration originally was prepared for the
project. The California Department of Fish and Game, however, submitted comments
suggesting that some mitigation measures be included to ensure protection of sensitive
species during the restoration phase of the project. Staff recirculated the Initial Study
with a Mitigated Negative Declaration that included several mitigation measures to
satisfy the concerns of the Fish and Game Department. Attached is a Mitigation and
Monitoring Plan detailing these mitigations.
LCP: The project will amend the Local Coastal Program and the Master Plan will
become Appendix “J” of the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan. This project requires
certification by the California Coastal Commission before implementation.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached resolution.
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CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2009-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
ADOPTING THE DEL MAR MASTER PLAN, A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION AND A MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN
WHEREAS, The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a unique ocean-side community that
prides itself in its beach and community character; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted a General Plan that provides clear goals, policies and
objectives regarding maintaining and improving the City’s beach and beach front properties; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Goal G4-2 encourages the City to develop a Master Plan for
the Del Mar and North Dunes area; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan seeks to improve parking, circulation, pedestrian access,
dune habitat and aesthetics in the Del Mar and North Dunes areas; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan is an amendment to the Local Coastal Program and will
become Appendix “J” of the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration and determined that as
mitigated the project will not have a significant impact on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA does hereby:
1. Adopt the Del Mar Master Plan as Appendix “J” of the General Plan/Coastal
Land Use Plan.
2. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for
the project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-
THE-SEA this 2nd day of June 2009 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST: SIGNED,
______________________ _______________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR
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LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant
Del Mar Master Plan — Summary
Table S-1
Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Monitoring and Reporting
Impacts and Level of Significance
before Mitigation Mitigation Measures Monitoring Responsibility
IV. Biology
BR a) Have a substantial adverse
effect, either directly or through
habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or
special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations,
or by the California Department of
Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
Level of impact after Mitigation:
Less-than-significant
BR b) Have a substantial adverse
effect on any riparian habitat or other
sensitive natural community identified
in local or regional plans, policies,
regulations or by the California
Department of Fish and Game or US
Fish and Wildlife Service?
Level of impact after Mitigation:
Less-than-significant
BR d) Interfere substantially with the
movement of any native resident or
migratory fish or wildlife species or
with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife
nursery sites?
BR 1. Temporary fencing, signage and flagging will be installed by a qualified
botanist or the City Forester around sensitive species prior to the commencement of
construction or restoration activities. All work crews shall be instructed to avoid
sensitive areas. Ongoing monitoring of the L. tidestromii var. tidestromii population
will be performed to ensure the protection of the species.
BR 2: Overspray of herbicide during treatment of evasive species will be avoided
by only spraying on calm mornings with winds less than 5 m.p.h. No herbicide will
be used within 30 ft. of the L. tidestromii var. tidestromii locations. Any exotics in
these areas will be removed by carefully hand-pulling and deposed off-site.
BR 3: The planned locations for boardwalks/trails shall avoid all L. tidestromii var.
tidestromii locations. The boardwalk/trails shall be flagged by a botanist or the City
Forester prior to construction and construction shall be overseen by a botanist or the
City Forester.
BR 4: The miss-storage of materials or equipment shall be avoided by fencing and
signing each location prior to construction of any trails system.
BR 5: Creating competition when planting between L. tidestromii var. tidestromii
and other native species shall be avoided. A botanist or the City Forester shall
oversee the planting efforts and mimic the open spacing pattern of the existing L.
tidestromii var. tidestromii population and the present associated native species.
BR 6: No wind fences shall be installed. This will avoid inadvertent sand
depositions on sensitive species.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and/or
contract Botanist, and Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City
Forester/Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and/or
contract Botanist, and Contractor
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and/or
contract Botanist, and Contractor.
64
LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant
Del Mar Master Plan — Summary
Table S-1
Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Monitoring and Reporting
Impacts and Level of Significance
before Mitigation Mitigation Measures Monitoring Responsibility
Level of impact after Mitigation:
Less-than-significant
BR 7: All seed collection will be overseen by a botanist or the City Forester to
avoid impacts to the reproduction of the native population in subsequent years and to
ensure that the seed is ripe. Collection shall be spaced evenly over the population at
the North Dunes with the exception of plants growing proximate to L. chamissonis,
with only one or two seeds collected from any given pod. Direct seeding will not be
used as a restoration method for L. tidestromii var. tidestromii. An MOU with CA
DFG will be entered into and followed by the City prior to any collection.
BR 8: Care shall be taken each time sand is disturbed to avoid impacts to individual
BLL.
BR 9: The exotic control method shall all for the spraying of exotics and letting
them die in place. This will limit impacts to BLL during the removal of the exotics
as ground disturbances shall be limited to hand pulling.
BR 10: Removal of all leaf material under small non-native trees shall be completed
48 hours prior to removal to minimize any possibility of impacts to the BLL.
BR 11: If any BLL is observed during non-native plant removal or other
construction activities, work shall immediately stop for 24 hours to allow the BLL to
move away from the area. This will be reported to the CA DFG.
BR 12: All boardwalks and sand trails shall be placed on existing bare sand. After
minor hand-grading, the boardwalk will be placed above ground with only
occasional 2x1x18” stakes entering the sand.
BR 13: All digging in the dunes shall be done by hand with caution to avoid
sensitive plants and BLL.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
65
LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant
Del Mar Master Plan — Summary
Table S-1
Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Monitoring and Reporting
Impacts and Level of Significance
before Mitigation Mitigation Measures Monitoring Responsibility
V. Cultural Resources
b) Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of an
archaeological resource pursuant to
'15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a
unique paleontological resource or site
or unique geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains,
including those interred outside of
formal cemeteries?
CR 1: All new construction involving excavation shall immediately cease if
materials of archaeological significance are discovered on the site and shall not be
permitted to recommence until a mitigation and monitoring plan is prepared by a
professional archaeologist and approved by the Planning Commission.
CR 2: If potentially unique paleontological (fossils) resources are discovered during
construction activities work shall be immediately halted within 50 feet of the
discovery. A professional paleontologist shall be retained to determine the
significance of the discovery.
CR 3: If human remains are discovered during construction activities all work shall
be immediately halted within 50 feet of the discovery and the City shall be notified
along with the County Coroner. If the remains are determined to be Native
American, the Native American Heritage Commission shall be notified by the
County Coroner and the procedures outlined in CEQA Section 15064.5(d) and (e)
shall be followed.
Responsible Parties: City Forester,
Contractor and Planning Commission.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.
Responsible Parties: City Forester and
Contractor.