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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1974COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Special P1 ace: Time: z Qnn cell m Date: Planning Commission Meeting City Council Chambers 7:00 P.M. July 11, 1974 MINUTES Present X X X X X X Absent X EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS R. V. Hogan, Community Development Director David R. Baade, Assistant City Attorney Benjamin B. Nolan, City Engineer STAFF MEMBERS Tim Cowell, Advance Planning Administrator Shirley L. Harbeck, Secretary i Public hearing to consider the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge crossing Newport Bay. Community Development Director Hogan advised that copies of the Bay Crossing Committee's report, the Chamber of Commerce Report, and a staff report • have been distributed to the Commission. Robert Shelton, 2908 Ocean Boulevard, Corona del Mar, Chairman of the Pacific Coast Highway Bay Crossing Committee appeared before the Planning Commission and introduced those persons present who had participated on the Committee and in an advisory capacity as follows: Roger Turner, Committee Member Willard Wade, Committee Member Wally Knudsen, State Department of Transportadion Lt. Lee During, U. S. Coast Guard i Joe Devlin, Public Works Director Ken Perry; Secretary of the Committee Mr. Shelton reviewed the basic recommendations of the committee as follows: 1. That.the tunnel crossing be dropped from furth r. consideration. 2. That the present four lane bridge be replaced with a new bridge having three through lanes • in each direction. 3. That a. separated crossing at the intersection of Dover Drive and Pacific Coast Highway.not- be constructed. Page 1. ' COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH m m m Z i • � Z A P P nnu ve�� m .lnly 11 107A MINUTES 4. That improvements at grade, as described in Section III C. be constructed at the inter- section of Dover Drive and Pacific Coast High- way as part of the bridge project. 15. That bridge design features listed in Sections j II C and III C of this report be given special lconsideration in the preparation of the final Plans for both the bridge and the intersection of Dover Drive and Pacific Coast Highway. IAs to the question of height, there was much idiscussion by the Committee on the alternatives, !however, i no recommendation was made. (City Engineer Nolan reviewed a photograph of the existing bridge and explained the colored delinea- tions on same which indicate the various height clearances under consideration. Wally Knudsen, State Department of Transportation, appeared before the Commission and answered questio s • relative to the span and grading required for the various bridge heights. In answer to questions of the Commission, he also advised that any recon- struction of the existing bridge would be "money down the drain "; that when the State holds their public hearings, the recommendation of the City of Newport Beach on the design of the bridge would be an important factor; that permits would have to be obtained from the Coastal Commission and the Coast Guard; and that the earliest date for construction would be January, 1976. Planning Commission also discussed with Mr. Knudsen the matter of funding the project and bicycle trails on the bridge and the proposed routes for same which would be include in the design. Improvement of traffic through the area by the construction of a new bridge was questioned and City Engineer Nolan advised that the capacity of an arterial highway with at -grade intersection is controlled by the intersection itself. He reviewed the various design configurations which could improve traffic through the intersection -and provided information on traffic counts recently made indicating the present volume of traffic. • Planning Commission discussed the Coast Highway corridor from MacArthur Blvd. to.Riverside Drive Page Z. COMMISSIONERS CITY. OF NEWPORT BEACH v m, S 2 g P , - C) n v rn, 0,6 • � m p m ROLL CALL ^ lulu 11_ 1974 MINUTES and whether or not a significant improvement would be made through the construction of a new bridge. It was pointed out that the total project consisting of a new bridge as well as reconstruction of the intersection of Dover Drive and Coast Highway are ;the factors which will increase the capacity and I defficiency through this area. Planning Commission discussed with the staff the !matter of additional right -of -way, the effect of a new bridge on the Upper; Bay Wildlife Preserve, and the widening of the channel on the I easterly side. lAt this time staff presented slides of various in the Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and ibridges local areas for review by the Commission. Public hearing was opened in connection with this matter. A. P. Benson of Dover Shores appeared before the . Planning Commission and stated he felt that regardless of the height, the design and construc- tion of a new bridge would be an improvement over the existing bridge. ! Ellis Glazier, 2552 Vista Drive, Bayshores,.appeared before the Planning Commission and presented a petition with 142 signatures, representing approx- imately 50% of the Bayshores residents, indicating opposition to the relocation of the entrance to Bayshores or any intersection design which would increase traffic through the narrow street system of Bayshores. Larry Miller, Newport - Harbor Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the Commission with the recommenda- tion that the bridge be a height of at least 32 feet. This recommendation was based on the trend towards smaller boats and especially trailerable sail boats which require public launching facilities as well as space for trailer parking while sailing. Since most of the public launching facilities are north of Coast Highway for this type of activity ! and there is no guarantee that facilities will be made available on the south side of the bridge, the higher bridge was recommended. This would • allow sail boats to be launched, space for parking and the sailing public would be able to erect the masts before launching rather than while under way. I 1 Page 3. COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH - • MINUTES { Z P P p ROLL CALL m Julv 11, 1974 -- Inoex Bill Wittman, Director with the Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the Commission with the recommenda- tion that the intersection at Dover Drive and Coast Highway be a grade separation, and that the entrant ,to Bayshores be relocated westward and signalized 'in conjunction withihe Bay Club entrance. I 1 Funding of a grade separation at the intersection lof Dover Drive and Coast Highway was discussed and !Public Works Director Devlin advised that the out- 'look for funding a grade separation structure at that intersection was grim. I Frank Robinson, 1007 Nottingham Road, Westcliff, appeared before the Commission and agreed with the )Chamber as to the boating needs, however, in order !to solve future traffic problems, recommended that !the bridge height be 17.5 feet and designed in such a way that a double deck could be added at a later date. It was his feeling that a lower bridge would cost less and could allow for right -of -way acquisition on the south side of Coast Highway • for boat launching. Jeff Farwell, Anchorage Apartments, Bayshores, appeared before the Commission in favor.of maintain- ing the existing entrance to Bayshores, in favor of the diamond configuration at the intersection of Dover Drive and Coast Highway, and in favor of the lower bridge. Planning Commission recessed at 9:15 P.M. and reconvened at 9:25 P.M. Ken Clissett, resident of Eastbluff, appeared before the Planning Commission and commented on the size of boats which cannot be used because of the low bridge. He recommended the construction of a 40 foot bridge with parking and storage under- neath the bridge, widening of the channel, and felt a 40 foot bridge would be more compatible with the diamond configuration intersection needed ! at the entrance to Bayshores. • Bob Shelton appeared before the Planning Commissio and commented on a previous question raised as to whether or not the Committee had considered alternatives to the intersection, including a Page 4. COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH h m m Z eoPcn« m Julv 11. 1974 MINUTES IRMA grade separation. He advised that several plans were examined, however the Committee was reminded that if a grade separation was to be considered, the project would differ from that which the State had considered and probably would not be fundable. !Also, the Committee was advised that a grade separa- tion at Dover may help the situation at that inter- !section but would create an impossible situation at i iBayside Drive because of the short distance between I the two intersections. I iDouglas Barmantier, Eaton Place, appeared before the Commission in favor of a 17 foot bridge. ! -om Semandle, resident of Newport Beach and Vice President of the Newport Harbor Chamber of Commerce lappeared before the Planning Commission and recom- mended a frontage road and signalization at the Balboa Bay Club entrance. Edwin Amies, Morning Star Lane, Dover Shores, appeared before the Commission and commented on • the pollution in the bay, the need for a bridge high enough to accommodate sail boats, and the need for a new bridge with a pleasing design rather than the present unsightly bridge. E. P. Benson, Dover Shores, appeared before the Commission and commented on the matter of funding the project. Jesse Curtis, Evening Star Lane, appeared before the Commission in favor of a bridge high enough to accommodate the boating public and supported a 32 foot high bridge. Fred Carlin, Eastbluff, commented on the responsi- bility of the City to recommend a bridge which would be in the best interest of Newport Beach and felt that the Back Bay area should not be landlocked. J. R. Blakemore, Corona del Mar, appeared before the Commission in favor of an interchange at Dover Drive and a bridge high enough to accommodate the interchange. • John Amies, resident of Bayshores, appeared before the Commission to comment on the height and length of the proposed bridge and felt that a 17.5 foot bridge was adequate to accommodate trailered boats. Page 5. COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH n m • � Z A A A ROLL CALL Julv 11. 1974 MINUTES mvcn Ken Clissett again appeared before the Planning Commission and commented on development in the Upper Bay.' 1Betty Storch, 2508 Marino Drive, Bayshores, appeared before the Commission in favor of a 17 foot bridge which she felt was adequate. Lt. Lee During of the U.'S. Coast Guard appeared before the Planning Commission to answer questions ,and commented on the procedures used in granting a permit by the Coast Guard. Mr. Knudsen of Cal Trans answered questions by the Commission relative to the funding of the bridge should the City recommend a grade separation at Dover Drive, as well as the problems of such a design. Planning Commission also discussed the signalization at Dover with an at -grade intersection. There being no others desiring to appear and be heard, the public hearing was closed. Mon X Motion was made that the Planning Commission recommend the following: 1. That the present four lane bridge be replaced with a new bridge 17.3 feet above mean high water with three through lanes in each direction plus two lanes.8 feet wide for pedestrian and bicycle use. 2. That improvements at grade, as described in Section III.C. of the Bridge Committee's report, be constructed at the intersection of Dover Drive and Pacific Coast Highway as part of the bridge project with the exception that the signalization, combined entrance for Bayshores and the Balboa Bay Club in the vicinity of Marino Drive be eliminated; that consideration should be given to improving the signalization at the current Bayshores entrance; and that the other design features recommended in the Bay Crossing Committee's report, Sections II.C. and III.C., should be included in the State design of the bridge. Moon X A substitute motion was made that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council the following: 1. That the height of the bridge be 32 feet with Page 6. COMMISSIONERS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH � S <£ mP m Z n P - ROLL CALL 11� July 11 1974 MINUTES INDEX s the design features as recommended by the Bay Crossing Committee's report in Section II.C. 2. That in order to relieve congestion at the intersection of Dover Drive and Coast Highway and to preserve the entrance and exit to Bay - shores, the design of the bridge and intersec- tion be planned to incorporate the most efficie t development with particular reference to a diamond configuration grade separation. i 3. That the City proceed immediately and give priority to site studies with respect to the design of the bridge, the interchange, and the adjacent property. (Planning Commission discussed the motions and reasons for same and the suggestion was made that the height of the bridge and recommendations for design be separate issues. Therefore, Commissioner Agee and Commissioner Seely both withdrew their • motions. Motion X Motion was made that the Planning Commission Ayes X X recommend to the City Council that the height of Noes X X X X the bridge be 32 feet incorporating the design Absent X features recommended by the Bay Crossing Committee in Section II.C. Motion failed. Commissioner Parker introduced a new thought as to the architectural design of the bridge and propose a design contest to ensure an esthetically pleasing bridge. Motion X Motion was made that the bridge height be 17.3 fee Ayes X X X above mean high water. Planning Commission discussed Noes X X X the motion including the need for a compromise Absent X because of the problems encountered with respect to launching facilities. Motion was then voted on and failed. Motion X Motion was then made recommending that the height Ayes X X X of the bridge be 25 feet. Following further Noes X X X discussion on the bridge height, motion was voted Absent X on and failed. Mq,�ion X Motion was made that the height of the bridge be within a range of from 17 feet to 20 feet. Motion X Substitute motion was made that the.height of the Ayes I X X bridge be within a range between 17 "feet and 25 Noes X X X X feet. Motion failed. Absent X Page 7. COMMISSIONERS n m m m a i z CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Mokyll MINUTES Ayes X X X X The previous motion recommending a bridge height Noes X X of from 17 feet to 20 feet was voted on and.carried Absent X Motion X Motion was made that the Dover Drive intersection Ayes X X X X X XIshould be at grade, with improvements as recommende Absent ! i X in the Bay Crossing Committee's report, except that the Bayshores entrance should not be relocated and that consideration should be given to improving the signalization at the current Bayshores entrance. Planning Commission discussed bicycle trails and (design features for bicycles,following which the j motion was amended that in addition; bicycle access should be a major consideration in the bridge and intersection design. Motion X j !Additional motion was made that the other design Ayes X XIX X X X features recommended in the Bay Crossing Committee' Absent X report, Sections H.C. and III.C. should be include in the State's design of the bridge. Planning Commission requested Mr. Knudsen to • ! comment on the matter of a design contest to which ! he advised that the State was also concerned with the esthetic design of the bridge and the City would be presented with several architectural designs for their review and recommendation. Planning Commission discussed the feasibility.of a design contest or a design review committee, Motion X following which a motion was made that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that an architectural review committee be established to review the designs submitted by State bridge architects. Following discussion, motion was withdrawn. Motion X There being no further business, motion was made Ayes X X X X X X to adjourn. Time: 12:00 Midnight. Absent X R. OGA x- Officio Secretary anning mmission City of Newport Beach Page 8.