HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - East Coast Highway Beautification — Shore Cliffs LandscapingQ �EwPpRT
CITY OF
s NEWPORT BEACH
`q44:09 City Council Staff Report
December 10, 2024
Agenda Item No. 8
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311,
dawebb@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Jim Houlihan, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer - 949-
644-3319, jhoulihan@newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: East Coast Highway Beautification — Shore Cliffs Landscaping
ABSTRACT:
East Coast Highway (Highway) from Seaward Road to Pelican Point Drive is currently a
patchwork of different landscape palettes and there is a desire in the community to
complete a comprehensive landscape renovation to beautify one of the primary entry
points to the city. Staff has coordinated with the various homeowners associations
(HOAs) and residents adjacent to the Highway over the past few years and recognizes
that as each neighborhood has unique conditions and requirements, there will need to be
various funding, construction and maintenance methods employed to complete the entire
landscape effort. The section of Highway adjacent to the Shore Cliffs neighborhood
includes four private properties. Staff requests City Council authorization to expend public
funds on the betterment of public and private properties (a portion of their back sides that
front and face the Highway) to improve public roadside appearance.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Section 15301 (h) (rehabilitation of existing landscape) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because this project
has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment; and
b) Authorize the expense for landscape and irrigation improvements of up to $125,000
within the public right-of-way and on the private properties located at 301, 321, 341
and 345 Evening Canyon Road.
DISCUSSION:
Landscaping along the Highway from Seaward Road to Pelican Point Drive has
historically been determined by individual property owners and HOAs. There is now a
desire by residents in Cameo Shores/Highlands, Shore Cliffs and the Corona del Mar
Villas, as well as the Corona del Mar Residents Association (CdMRA), to enhance and
beautify this stretch of the Highway as it is one of the primary entry points to the city and
Corona del Mar Village.
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East Coast Highway Beautification — Shore Cliffs Landscaping
December 10, 2024
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The section of Highway along the frontage of the Shore Cliffs neighborhood impacts four
individual property owners. Staff has worked with the property owners and the Shore Cliffs
HOA to negotiate a way forward for the landscape and maintenance of the Highway
frontage. The four adjacent properties, 301, 321, 341 and 345 Evening Canyon Drive,
have a unique situation as they have frontage on Evening Canyon Drive as well as
landscape and maintenance responsibilities along the Highway, which is along the back
side of the properties. A Right of Entry Agreement to allow City contractors to clear the
existing landscaping and install new irrigation and landscaping along the Highway
frontage, both in the public right-of-way and on private property, will be necessary. The
City will also provide the water for on -going irrigation from an existing City meter. The
Shore Cliffs HOA will enter into a separate agreement with the four property owners to
maintain the new irrigation and landscaping improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adopted budget includes sufficient funding for the work proposed. The budget
specifically provides funding for various landscape maintenance and enhancements
throughout the city. Staff has planned for the enhancements to the Shore Cliffs frontage
on the Highway this year. The budget for the irrigation and landscape project is estimated
at $125,000 and will be expensed to the Public Landscape Enhancements account in the
Public Works Department, 0108031-911008. The work will be completed by one of the
Public Works Department's on -call contractors. The estimated water for irrigation will cost
the City approximately $1,500 a year.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this project exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (h) (rehabilitation of
existing landscape) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14,
Chapter 3, because this project has no potential to have a significant effect on the
environment.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A — Location Map
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ATTACHMENT A
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