HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 17-79RESOLUTION NO. '17-79'
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD APPROVING NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHESTER AVENUE
AND SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD SEPARATION OF
GRADE PROJECT, AND APPROVING SAID PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Development Services Department of the City
of Bakersfield prepared a Negative Declaration for the Chester
Avenue and Southern Pacific Railroad Separation of Grade Project,
in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 4332 (2)(c), 23 U.S.C. 128(a) and the
California Environmental Quality Act and Paragraph VI and VII of
City of Bakersfield Resolution No. 24-77; and
WHEREAS, said Negative Declaration was based on an
Environmental Study, dated November 16, 1978, prepared by the
Development Services Department; and
WHEREAS, before and after completion of the Negative
Declaration, City representatives consulted with all responsible
agencies and various public agencies having jurisdiction by law
and agencies and persons having special expertise; and
WHEREAS, notice of the preparation of said Negative
Declaration wa's given by posting, mailing and publication as
required by law, and submitted to the State Clearinghouse and to
the Kern COG for review; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing on said Negative Declaration
was duly held and conducted by the Bakersfield Planning Commission
at a regular meeting thereof on February 7, 1979; and
WHEREAS, all comments which have been received during
the consultation and review period on said Negative Declaration
and the responses thereto, together with the proposed Negative
Declaration and Environmental Study documenting reasonS_to support
the finding that the project will not have a significant effect
on the environment, has been forwarded to the City Council and
this Council has evaluated and considered the contents thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Bakersfield
hereby resolves, finds and determines as follows:
1. That the above recitals are true and correct.
2. That the City Council has read, evaluated and con-
sidered the Negative Declaration together with all supporting
documents.
3. That the project designated as the Construction of
the Chester Avenue and Southern Pacific Railroad Separation of
Grade Project will not have a significant detrimental effect on
the environment.
4. That the Negative Declaration on the said project is
hereby approved and adopted.
5. That the proiect is approved.
6. That the Development Services Department shall file
with the Kern County Clerk a Notice of Determination as required
by the State EIR Guidelines and Paragraph VIII of City of Bakersfield
Resolution No. 24-77.
7. That certified copies of this resolution shall be
transmitted to such agencies as may be designated by the Develop-
ment Services Department or the Public Works Department of the City
of Bakersfield.
o0o
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed
and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 7th day of February, 1979, by the
following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN BARTON, CHRISTENSEN, MEDDERS, RATTY,
NoEs: COUNC,LMEN: .......
ASSENT: cou~cF,'7~:
ABSTAINING COUNCILMEN: ~ ~
SCEALES, STRONG
IT~ERK~and E Officio '~lerk of
~ou~C'il of t~f Bakersfield
~' ..j-'~ ~ ~- ' f Bakersfield
A P~OVEF~ as ~t~ form:
~ity of Bakersfield
the
PROJECT SUMkAARY
CHESTER AVENUE UNDERPASS ,.
Nov. 16,' 1978
DESCRIPTION - CHESTER AVENUE AND SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD
GRAD E S EPARA'TION
The proposed pr, oject involves the construct[on of a four-lane underpass structure,
with approximately 1,000 linear feet of depressed approach in order to pass under
the main line tracks of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company at Chester
Avenue in the City of BakersField. Sidewalks wilt be constructed along the
right-of-way.
The existing grade crossing has been listed by the CaliFor'n[a Public Utilities
Commission as one of the seven most urgently needed grade separations in the
State of California. In addit[on, the proposed project has been endorsed by the
Greater BakersField Separation of Grade District (which has sponsored prelim-
inary engineering studies) and the Kern County Board of Supervisors.
The proposed underpass will carry Chester Avenue under the railroad right-of-
way double track main line by means of a reinforced concrete structure. The
tOtal length of the structure along the railroad will be 185 feet, measured
back-to-back of abutments. Four-12-Foot vehicular lanes will carry the traffic
thr'ough the proposed underpass. Right-of-way requirements will cons[st of
acquisition of'the Fronting portions of commerc[al lots on the east side of
Chester Avenue from Garces Circle to 34th Street.
DETERMINATION
An environmental study has been prepared by the C.[by of BakersField, and it has
been found that the proposed action will not have a significant effect upon the
environment. Therefore, a Negative Declaration will be 'issued.
The project will not:
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S~ubstalaI
:
contfiibute to growth in
by inducing
=residential or commercial expansion or alter the o;¢eral~
appearance of the surrounding commercial and industrial
area, even though the propos_ed underpass itself and its
approach 'roadway may become a prominent landmark in
the existing urban landscape;
b. Change the character or volume of vehicular travel, as [t
will not significantly change origins, destinations, travel
J
t[rfies or travel routes for existing traffic;
Be inconsistent with adopted plans or goals;
d. Expose the public to additional hazards;
e. Adversely affect reliability of fi~e, police, or other
emergency services;
f. Adversely affect water quality or quantity in the area; or
g. Consume large quantities o~ energy.
No historical area will be affected by the project.
3. No park or recreational areas will be adversely affected by the
project ."'
. FiSh and wildlife habitats will not be affected by the project.
6. No school facilities will be adversely affected.
There are no known unique geologic occurrences on commercially
exploitable resources that would be made unavailable by construction
or the project. .- '.
Existing underground water, sanitary sewer and gas utilities within
the paved area of Chester Avenue wlll be relocated outside the toes
fill oP tops of cuts. Existing overhead electric&t power and
telephone also be shifted to paraO. edges of slopes.
The~e utility changes will have no advePse environmental effbcts.
ThePe will be no significant community impacts involving Pesidential
and neighborhood stability.
There will be no significant long range change in alp quality oP
noise levels as a Pesult of the project, as no significant permanent
change in traffic patterns is anticipated. In fact, this pPoject will
--
ser've to mitigate in some small degree pPesent concerns of the
AlP Quality Maintenance Plan fop KePn County,
On a short range basis, it is anticipated that ther-e may be some
diver-sion of north-south traffic from Union Avenue to ChesteP
Avenue, but the community~s plans fOP Union Avenue call for a
sepaPation at these same Southern Pacific tPacks to be constructed
within the next five years. Consequently, on a long Pange basis
the r'elative volumes of north-soL Jib traffic caPtied by ChesteP Avenue
'and Union Avenue are not expected to be materially changed.
ThePe will be no long term oP cumulative deterimental effects as
a r-eSult of this action. Although Five business establishments
wlil be displaced~ the natuPe of these businesses makes it probable
that they will Pelocate elsewhere in the Bakersfield metr-opolitan
tir-ea and maintain their- pr-esent levels of employment.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
Job No. 2897
BACKGROUND
1. Applicant: City of Bakersfield.
2. Name of Project: Chester Avenue Underpass at the Southern Pacific track.
Location of Project:
34th Street, in the City of Bakersfield, under
of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company.
.Project follows existing street right-of-way, plus developed parcels
of right-of-way to be acquired by the City.
On Chester Avenue between Garces Circle and
the main line tracks
Alignment'of the
4. Purpose of the Project: To eliminate delays andshazards resulting
from an existing railroad grade crossing at Chester Avenue with
two main line tracks and one auxiliary track of the SouthernPacific
Transportation Company. ..
Chester Avenue is a major north/south arterial' through the urbanized area
of Bakersfield. The northerly and southerly sections of the City are divided
bl the east-west line of the Southern Pacific. Chester Avenue i~ the back-
bone of the traffic circulation system for the northwesterly quarter of the
City, and is the primary access route to the Civic Center, several churches
and schools, the County Museum, and Oildale. Over the past three decades,
Chester Avenue has been developed to four-lane and six-lane standards,~and
major structures h'ave been buil't to carry it under or over principal natural
or artificial barriers. These structures include a new bridge across the
Kern ~iver~completed in 1978, a structure across the Route 58 Freew~y, and
an underpass beneath the main line tracks of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railway in downtown Bakersfield. The grade separation across the Southern
Pacific proposed by this project will remove the last major barrier to public
travel on this long-established thoroughfare.
The General Plan prepared by the City of Bakersfield and the County o~ Kern'
Planning Departments calls for a grade separation on Chester Avenue at the
Southern Pacific tracks.
The proposed project has been endorsed by the Greater Bakersfield Separation
of Grade District, which has sponsored preliminary engineering studies, and
by the Kern County Board of Supervisors.
II~ DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The City of Bakersfield, applicant, proposes to construct a crossing at
separated grade on Chester Avenue to replace the existing grade crossing of
Chester Avenue and the separate right-of-way and tracks of the Southern
Pacific Transportation Company (from Fresno to Bakersfield) at approximate
mile post 31.1.2. '-
The n~xt crossing to the west of the proposed crossing is the, underpass at
Airport Drive, a distance of about 1 mile. The next grade crossing to the
east of the proposed crossing is 30th Street, PUC No. B-311.5, a distance
of 0.3 mile.
The proposed under'pass will carry Chester Avenue under the Southern Pacific's
double track main line by means of a reinforced concrete structure.
The total length ~f structure along the railroad will be 185 feet, measured
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b~ack-to-back 'of abutments.
crete.
Abutments and bents .will be of reinforced con-
One auxiliary track in the crossing will be retired by the railroad.
The project consists of approximately 1,000 linean feet of excavated cuts,
retaining walls, grading, paving, roadway lighting, drainage and pumping
facilities, traffic signal reconstruction, and landscaping. ..
Four 12-foot vehicular lanes and two sidewalk-bike paths will be carried
through the proposed underpass.
Plan, elevation, typical section, location and vicinity maps are shown on
the attached exhibits.
Right-of-way requirements will consist of acquisition of the front!ng por-
tions of commercial lots on the east side of Chester Avenue from Garces Circle
'to 34th Street, including parcels occupied by James Petroleum, an automo-
bile painting shop, a welding sho~, a used automobile sales lot, and a
retail' liquor store.
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Ill,
EN O ENTAL SETTING, IMPACT M
TIGATION
A. LAND USE AND EMPLOYMENT
Significant Alteration of the Existing Character of the Area -- None.
At Chester Avenue, four retail and service business establishments and
one bulk petroleum distribution plant will be displaced and will requfre
relocation. Existing land uses and types of properties requiring
relocation are described in Reference l, pages 20 and 21..
Since the existing businesses (automobile paint shop, liquor store, bulk
petroleum distribution plant, etc.) are expected to relocate within the
Bakersfield metropolitan area, the total number of employees supported
by these establishments should not be affected.
SOILS CONDITIONS
From visual observation of the adjacent drainage sump, existing
soils are noted. to be relatively compact-'and very sandy.
.j
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'Fxcav~tlon from the cut wi 1 be placed in a disposal sit~, the'
location of which is unknown at the present time.
3. Imported Borrow -- Not applicable.
· C. GROUND WATER
Water Quality. The proposed underpass will not affect existi.ng. ground
or potable water supplies, either duri.ng construction or during use.
Cut slopes will be protected during construction and planted with
ground cover as soon as practicable to minimize erosion.
'Storm'Drains. Storm drains to collect runoff from paved areas of the
project will be constructed. The'drainage design will not signifi-
Cantly change the quantity of runoff, the upstream tributary areas,
or the downstream channels into which the runoff is discharged. Run-
off from the Chester Avenue Underpass may be discharged into a nearby
drainage sump. Water retained in the sump percolates into and helps
recharge the underground water table. Overflow from the sump will
be carried by a new storm drain southerly to Garces Circle, and
thence westerly along 30th Street to F Street, where it will Connect
to existing storm drains of adequate capacity.
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E~fect on Water Supplies, Subsurface Wate. r Resources, Potentia,l for
PollutiOn. There will be no effect of surface, subsurface or ,,
domestic Water supplies. Existing domestic water mains wi 11 be
relocated around the toes of fill embankments.
NATURAL HAZARDS
I. Flooding
The Chester AvenueUnderpass is located in an area subject to
occasional flooding following heavy rains, as there are no storm'
drains in this area. However, the depressed approaches
to the underpass will have no effect, either beneficial or deterimental,
on these flooding problems. A triangular-shaped drainage sump
adjacent to Chester Avenue, on the north side of the Southern
Pacific, is used as the detention basin for local storm drainage. Berms
around the periphery of the depressed basin will prevent inflow into the Underpas
Seismic
Seismic hazards, recent seismic events and location of major
earthquake faults are described in Reference 2, pages 20'through
25. It is clear that the proposed grade separation structure ~ltl
be located in a seismic active area and seismic forces will need to
be considered in the"structural design, Also accepted special
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details, such as restrainers to hold portions of the structure to-
gether during ground shaking, will be included in the structural
plans. However, the Chester Avenue grade separation site is not
located within a special earthquake hazard studies zone. The lateral
loads to be used to resist earthquake force will consider such fact-
ors as the period of structure, nature of the underlyi.ng soils,
de~th of rock, distance to the nearest active faults and the maximum
credible rock acceleration.
NATURAL ECOLOGY
(Fauna & Flora)
Effect on the Pattern of Behavior-of Wild Life Species and Breedi.ng
or Nesting Grounds. The project site is located wholly within an
urbanized area and will in no way affect any wildlife refuge or any
significant plant communities. There are no known wild llfe species
within the construction site. No unique physical features, open
space., or endangered plant species or animal life will be adversely
affected
Slopes of the proposed excavated approaches to the underpass will
be planted with a suitable ground cover, such as ice plant, supple-
mended by a moderat~ quantity of shrub's and treeS. Irhigatlon
will be provided. The existing site is bare of Vegetation.
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F. .TRAFF. IC AND CIRCULATION
Vehicular Traffic
Present traffic volumes on Chester Avenue crossing the railroad
tracks total 25,500 vehicles per day, based on counts made by the
City traffic engineer. Projections of future traffic, made by _
Caltrans District 06, indicate a moderate increase in traffic to'
26,600 vehicles per day in 1990. The total volume of traffic using
Chester Avenue is regarded as relatively insensitive to the presence
or absence of the overpass. Instead, the volume of traffic depends
on the traffic growth expected to result from urban area expansion
and other factors. Therefore, the project itself is not expected
to generate any new traffic.
During the approximate two-year construction per. iod, existing traffic
will be diverted about 3 or more blocks to the next adjacent grade crossings
to the east -- primarily "Q'~ Street and 30th Street. Some traffic is
also expected to be diverted to Union Avenue.
.'Public Transit
Chester Avenue is a major route utilized by the Golden Empire
Transit (GET) bus system. Elimination of potential delays on this
route will improve the dependability of public bu's service.
Traffic Accidents
Elimination of a dangerous railroad grade crossing and the substitution
.O~ a ma~or vehicular separation will eliminate train-vehi!cle and
pedestrian accidents, and the fatalities, personal injuries and
property damage which result from these accidents. Records maintained
by the California Public Util~ities Commission show that 4 persons have
been injured and that, in addition, 3 property damage-only accidents
have occurred since 1969- The grade crossing has been protected by
automatic gates for this entire period. For children who walk,_
ride bicycles, or are transported to school by buses, the proposed
-underpass structure will completely eliminate the present hazard to
human life from railroad trains in the crossing.
Traffic Delays
It is estimated that the existing grade crossing i~ blocked by
trains in the crossing or by the gates in the lowered position for
a total of 124 minutes per day. Approximately 8 percent or the
'total vehicular traffic on Chester Avenue, or around 2,000 vehicles
per day, is delayed by railFoad train movements.
Transportation Quality
It may be concluded that this project will improve the traffic
circulation network in the northerly section of the City.
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NO I SE -
Noise Generated by Railroad Operations
One of the loudest noise sources in the community, other than from
jet aircraft, is the blowing of railroad locomotive warning horns.
These air horns, sounded as trains approach the existigg gr9de
crossings, have sound characteristics far louder than any other
railroad noise source-in the range of lO0 to 115 dBA at 100 feet
from the source, depending on the location of the horn in the
locomotive, the number of horn trumpets, and other factors.
(xSee footnote next page)
.
The elimination of the Southern Pacific grade crossing at Chester
Avenue will obviate the need for blowing of horns by locomotives at
the approach to this grade crossing. However. horns will still be
heard because of the. need to sound warninqs for other remaining
arade crossings in Bakersfield. Nevertheless, since. trains no
longer will blow their air warni.ng horns-at this grade crossina.
there should be a significant decrease in noise generated bv
lOComotives.
Noise from Motor V~hl¢l~
At Chester Avenue the new roadway will be in cut. A nearby
motel will be benefited to a minor degree by the decrease in vehicular
noise on Chester Avenue resulting from the change in elevation.
This area iS already impacted by vehicular noise from the nearby
elevated State Route 204 Expressway (Golden State Avenue') and by
ra i 1 road no i se.
3. Noise Impacts During Construction (Short Term)
Construction activity on the underpass structure', once initiated,
will continue for approximately.two years. Duri.ng this time
properties surroundi.ng the construction site will experience con-
struction-generated noise levels during the daytime only.
H. AIR QUALITY
Since this project maintains vehicular traffic in an established traffic
corrid6r, and for the reasons described in the previous discussion of
"Traffic" (Para. F.4), there should be no Significant increase in vehicular
traffic and no significant change in the quantity of air pollutants. A
minor decrease in the quantity of pollutants emitted by motor vehicles,
about 30'.kg. or 0~027 tons per day, is expected because long lines of
automobiles will not be queued at the grade crossi.ng waiti.ng for trains
to pass. Sometimes these automobiles must wait for ten minutes or more
for each railroad train to clear the crossing.
(xPrev. page)
Ref: Electromotive Division, General Motors Corp.
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I.. AESTHETICS
Aesthetic qualities will either remain essentially the same or will be
improved by design considerations and landscaping. The typical roadway
section on the underpass' may continue the landscaping treatment of the
Garces Circle area. The new divided and landscaped roadway wil-1 re~lace
the present unattractive and unlandscaped asphalt roadway crossing the
railroad. The cut slopes will be landscaped with ground cover,
such as ice plant, shrubs and trees, supported by an irrigation system.
ARCHEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC SITES
Based on the studies summarized in Reference 2, there are no known
archeological, historical, or paleontological sites within the proposed
construction area.
RAILROAD OPERATIONS
The proposed project ls the first step which eventually will enable the Southern
Pacific's second main line track in north Bakersfield to be used for ~
passing movements, or to hold eastbound trains waiting to enter the SP
Bakersfleld yard.' The eventual closure of several grade crossings will
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enable t~e second main line to be used. for holding trains, t~us significantly
improving the efficiency Of railroad operations on the Fresno-Bakersfield
main line and lessening railroad congestion.
Detailed descriptions of existing Southern Pacific operations in Bakersfield
and the potential beneficial effects to be obtained by closing grade
crossings are presented in Reference 1, pages 5 through 8. " '
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS
Social and Economic Opportunities for the Area Residents -- During
construction, the proposed Project should generate approximately
550 man-months of employment for workers in the local construction
and construction materials industries.
Effect on Work, School, Recreational and Religious Opportunities --
This project will improve pedestrian access to local schools,
parks, and churches.
Public Emergency Services -- By eliminating the delays or obstruction
caused by moving or standing trains, fire, police, and ambulance
equipment will be'able to respond more quickly to emergency calls
in the northerly section of the community without danger of being
delayed by trains.
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P~dest~ian Safety -- An.appreciable numbe~ of school children ~alk
to ~chool across the railroad tracks. Following completion of the
project, these school children would use the sidewalks on the
underpass, without danger of being hit by a train.
Public Services -- The project in itself does not impose any
additional demands on public services.
The proposed Project will help mitigate the adverse effects created
by a major railroad barrier, which now divides the urbanized area
of Bakersfield, contributes to co. ng~stion, and creates safety
hazards.
IV BASIS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION
A Negative Declaration would be Barranted by the fact that the proposed
Project will not result in a significant environmental impact. !n fact,
the Project should have an overall beneficial impact on the community by
improving the efficiency of the City's traffic arteri'al system, public
services and railroad operations. There are no alternatives to the
Project that offer equivalent benefits with so little environmental
impact.
.Conclusion
The proposed Chester Avenue Underpass railroad grade separation will not
,17-
have a significant adverse affect upon'the natural resources or socio-
economic structure of the community. In fact, the overall environmental
impact of the proposed project must be considered beneficial, with the
positive socio-economic impacts outweighi.~g the necessary acquisition of
small portions of developed commercial parcels and the commitment of
.natural resources and energy to the construction of the underpass
structure and approach roadways.
Respectfully submitted,
DE LEUW, CATHEI~ & COMPANY
Robert M. Barton, P.E., Chief Civil Engineer
Attachment
ReferenCes
Preliminary Engineering Studies on Proposed Railroad and Vehicular
Grade Separations, Chester Avenue at SPTCo .............
Prepared for the Greater Bakersfield Separation Grade District,
Baker~fi"~ld, California by De 'Leuw, Cather & Company and BP&W
'~Engineers, July 1978.
Fo u Envi ronmen
c sed tal Impact Study for the proposed Truxtun'
Avenue Extension, City of Bakersfleld, California." Prepared
by the City of Bakersfield Advance Pianning Department, Development
Servi ces~ November 1977.
Decision No. 88956, California Public Utilities Commission,
O'rder Instituting Investigation No. 6, June i3, 1978.
7/~6/78
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PUBLIC UTILITIES-COMMISSION SHEET
"EXHIBIT B;".'SHEET'i
VICINITY MAP
GREATER ]BAKER SF I ELD
SEPARAT I ON OF
GRADE D I STR I CT
DE LEUW, CATHER & COMPANY
BFLAUNi PASILLAS & WAGNER
30TH ST'.
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