HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA2022-0233_20221014_Emergency Permit Request for Park Newport Slope Protection - Placement for 2022-2023 Rainy Season_10-12-2022 11-16-49 AMFrom: Shawna Schaffner <sschaffner@caaplanning.com>
Sent: October 12, 2022 11:17 AM
To: Campbell, Jim
Cc: Westmoreland, Liz; Pua Whitford
Subject: Emergency Permit Request for Park Newport Slope Protection - Placement
for 2022-2023 Rainy Season
Attachments: GIS Bluff Map.pdf; Geotchnical Memo for Temporary Tarping 2022-2023
Rainy Season.pdf
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Liz and Jim –
CAA Planning submits this emergency CDP request on behalf of Park Newport Apartments. As you are
aware, there is an existing escalating threat to public safety due to the recent failures of a bluff face
below the housing development known as Park Newport. The first rains of the season began yesterday
evening. While rainfall was not in the forecast, rain fell last night and this morning. Rainfall results in the
potential for continued rockfall onto Backbay Drive, which could be a threat to public safety. The rockfall
potential, taken with winter rain events, is considered an imminent risk to public safety because Back
Bay Drive is a popular roadway in Newport Beach providing public access to runners, cyclists, and nature
enthusiasts, as well as for vehicular traffic.
The tarp locations are anticipated to be placed in the areas denoted within the blue boxes on the
attached pdf. These locations are steep, heavily denuded of vegetation, and present the most imminent
risk of rockfall. All existing vegetation will be avoided and protected in place. The purpose of this
emergency effort is intended to be limited to the minimum required to minimize impacts to the Back
Bay Drive public right-of‐way. This emergency CDP request to allow emergency actions for the purpose
of protecting public safety is submitted consistent with the City’s Certified LCP Implementation Plan
Section 21.52.025. The project geotechnical engineer has prepared a letter report for the City’s review,
which is attached.
We request authorization for the tarp placement to minimize the current imminent risk to public safety.
The tarps will be clear with jute or burlap secured on top to mitigate visual impacts, and will be attached
to the earth with similarly colored sandbags (anticipated to be a tan color). Due to the time‐sensitivity of
the need for emergency actions, a formal application is not included.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you need additional information in support of this
emergency application.
Thank you,
Shawna Schaffner
October 11, 2022
Project No. 121.1
Log No. 1063
Gerson Bakar and Associates
c/o Park Newport Apartments
One Park Newport Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
Attention: Ken Dressel
Subject: TEMPORARY TARP PLACEMENT
Coastal Bluff – Park Newport Apartments
One Park Newport Drive
Newport Beach, California
References: Attached
Dear Mr. Dressel:
In accordance with the request of Ms. Shawna Schaffner of CAA Planning, Rock Solid
Geotechnical, Inc. has prepared this letter regarding temporary tarp placement on selected
portions of the coastal bluff at the subject site.
We understand Park Newport Apartments intends to place slope erosion protection tarps
for the 2022-2023 rainy season.
The subject natural slope is a coastal bluff that descends to Back Bay Drive along the
eastern edge of Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach, California. The slope descends at
slope ratios of 0.5:1 to 1.5:1 (horizontal to vertical) to locally vertical with a maximum
height of approximately 90-feet. This coastal bluff was left in a natural condition at the
time of grading/construction of Park Newport Apartments in 1969. The slope exposes 10
to 15-feet of Quaternary terrace deposits over Miocene Monterey Formation bedrock.
Numerous older landslides that exist on this slope were identified by LeRoy Crandall and
Associates, and since construction in 1969, the slope has been subjected to on-going
erosion, surficial instability, rockfalls, and landslides.
Due to the height, steep slope ratio, existing landslides, and poor quality bedrock exposed
on the coastal bluff, factors of safety for gross and surficial slope stability are less than 1.5.
The coastal bluff slope is considered grossly and surficially unstable from an engineering
geologic and geotechnical engineering perspective.
OCKSOLIDGEOTECHNICAL
949.558.9776
jamie@rocksolidgeotechnical.com
www.rocksolidgeotechnical.com
333 Third Street, Suite 2
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
TEMPORARY TARP PLACEMENT
Project No. 121.1
Log No. 1063
October 11, 2022
Page 2
There is an increased risk of impacts to Back Bay Drive and the public, if the slope
protection is not installed prior to significant rainfall. From a geotechnical perspective,
plastic erosion control tarps should be installed as soon as possible to reduce the risk to the
public and Back Bay Drive.
This opportunity to be of service is appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact
our office.
Sincerely,
ROCK SOLID GEOTECHNICAL, INC.
Jamie K. Fink
President
Professional Geologist 7626
Certified Engineering Geologist 2636
Expires 10.31.23
Sean P. Prenovost
Senior Associate Engineer
Professional Engineer 94193
Expires 12.31.2022
Distribution: 1-via e-mail Ken Dressel (Kdressel@gb-a.com)
1-via e-mail Shawna Schaffner (sschaffner@caaplanning.com)
1-via e-mail Ryan Dean (rdean@gb-a.com)
1-via e-mail Andy Dodge (adodge@gb-a.com)
333 Third Street, Suite 2Laguna Beach, CA 92651
REFERENCES
Project No. 121.1
Log No. 1063
1. “Findings and Conditions of Approval for Coastal Development Permit No CD2021-001
(PA2021-099) 1 Park Newport”, by City of Newport Beach Public Works Department,
dated May 17, 2021.
2. “Project Review Request, Community Development Department, Planning Division,
Park Newport Slope Stabilization, 1 Park Newport”, notes by Tonee Thai, dated May
18, 2021.
3. “Notice of Incomplete Filing, Application No. Coastal Development Permit 2021-
001(PA2021-099), Park Newport” by City of Newport Beach Community Development
Department, Planning Division, dated May 20,2021.
4. “Project Review Request, Community Development Department, Planning Division, Park
Newport”, notes by Sergio Gutierrez, dated May 24, 2021.
5. “Response to Coastal Development Permit Comment, One Park Newport Drive, Newport
Beach, California, CDP-2021-001 (PA2021-099)”, by Hetherington Engineering, Inc.,
dated June 8, 2021.
6. “Temporary Tarp Placement, Coastal Bluff – Park Newport Apartments, One Park
Newport Drive, Newport Beach, California,” by Hetherington Engineering, Inc., dated
October 22, 2021
7. “Bluff Stabilization Options, Coastal Bluff – Park Newport Apartments, One Park
Newport Drive, Newport Beach, California,” by Rock Solid Geotechnical, Inc., dated
August 19, 2022.
333 Third Street, Suite 2Laguna Beach, CA 92651