Title
Transportation Department recommending the Board take the following actions related to the Cameron Park Drive/Green Valley Road Intersection Improvements Project:
(1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Mitigated Negative Declaration and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and,
(2) Approve the project as described in the CEQA document.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: None.
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These actions are based on the following findings:
A. The CEQA document on file with the Clerk of the Board and on DOT website <http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/DOT/ceqa.html> was prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines.
B. There is no substantial evidence that the project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C. The Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Cameron Park Drive/Green Valley Road Intersection Improvements Project reflects the lead agency's independent judgment and analysis.
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$0.00 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
There is no Fiscal Impact associated with this agenda item. There is no Net County Cost.
Background:
The project area has been identified by DOT in the 2008 Capital Improvement Program as requiring operational and safety modifications to accommodate traffic anticipated within the 2004 County General Plan.
Reason for Recommendation:
Project Description:
The proposed project involves the development of intersection improvements at the intersection of Cameron Park Drive/Green Valley Road in the community of Cameron Park. Improvements consist of the development of left-turn lanes and right-turn pockets within the project area. The project limits begin approximately 715 feet south of Cameron Park Drive's intersection with Green Valley Road and extend to approximately 200 feet north of Green Valley Road. The east-west project boundary would extend approximately 2,300 feet west on Green Valley Road and approximately 800 feet east on Green Valley Road (see Figures 1 and 2).
Other significant features include widening of Green Valley Road from Cambridge Road to Cameron Park Drive and the development of a right-turn pocket on eastbound Green Valley Road for motorists turning onto southbound Cameron Park Drive. The widening of Green Valley Road would provide one through lane each in the east and westbound directions and installation of a center median. Turn lanes along Green Valley Road would be provided at roadway intersections. Class II bicycle lanes will be striped in the north and southbound directions along Cameron Park Drive, and in the east and westbound direction along Green Valley Road. Space for a potential bus turnout on the north side of Green Valley Road approximately 300 feet west of the Cameron park Drive/Green Valley Intersection will also be provided. Handicapped accessible ramps would be installed at the Green Valley Road/Cameron Park Drive intersection. A retaining wall may be construction along Green Valley Road (Please refer to the Initial Study Document for a more detailed project description.)
Project construction is proposed to commence in 2013 or sooner, depending upon funding availability.
Mitigation Measures: Mitigation measures are added to the project to reduce potential impacts to a level of insignificance. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, which lists each mitigation measure as well as who is responsible for implementation, can be found in Attachment 1 of the Initial Study document.
Public Notification:
The review period for the Mitigated Negative Declaration began on December 10, 2008 and ended on January 8, 2009. The document was available at the DOT offices, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, California 95667, as well as on the DOT website <http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/DOT/ceqa.html>
Comments Received: Several comments were received with questions for clarification of the project boundaries and many comments were received in support of the project. A few of the comments wanted the County to address existing noise. However, the Environmental Noise Assessment concluded that project noise increases did not exceed the 1.5 dBA Ldn criteria as set forth in the General Plan Noise policies and are therefore not expected to be perceptible compared to existing. This is an operational and safety project, so no additional traffic will result - only improved traffic flow. As a result, no operation noise abatement mitigation is warranted.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
DOT will take the following action:
(1) File a Notice of Determination with the office of the County Recorder/Clerk.
(2) DOT staff will proceed with the project through preparation of the plans, specifications and estimates, and Right-of-Way acquisition process.
Contact:
Jim Ware, P. E.
Interim Director of Transportation
Concurrences: NA