CC RESOLUTION 4809 RESOLUTION NO. 4809
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
TO REMOVE A CONCRETE TRAFFIC BARRIER ON WALNUT
AVENUE AT WASHINGTON STREET.
The City Council of the City of El Segundo does resolve as follows:
SECTION 1: The City Council finds and declares that:
A. At the May 2, 2012 Traffic Committee meeting, the Committee examined a
number of parking and traffic issues associated with the residential areas
adjacent to commercial properties, including the need for an existing
concrete traffic barrier on Walnut Avenue at Washington Street;
B_ In June 2012, the El Segundo Police Special Operations Division
conducted a survey of residents in the area surrounding the traffic barrier
to determine whether removal of the barrier due to the changed
circumstances since its installation;
C. At the August 7, 2012, 2012 City Council meeting, the Police Chief
presented the results of a residential survey regarding removal of the
barricade showing that most of the residents surveyed favored removal of
the barrier;
D, The effects of removing the barrier were reviewed by the City's Planning
and Building Safety Department for consistency with the circulation
element of the General Plan and conformity with the El Segundo Municipal
Code ("ESMC");
E. The City reviewed the project's environmental impacts under the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq.,
"CEQA"), the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of
Regulations §§15000, et seq., the "CEQA Guidelines"), and the City's
Environmental Guidelines (City Council Resolution No. 3805, adopted
March 16, 1993);
F. On February 19, 2013, the City Council held a public hearing to receive
public testimony and other evidence regarding the concrete barrier
including, without limitation, information provided to the Council by the
Police Department; and
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G. This Resolution, and its findings, are made based upon the evidence
presented to the Council at its February 19, 2013 hearing.
SECTION 2: Factual Findings and Conclusions. The City Council finds that the
following facts exist:
A. The barrier was originally installed to relieve cut-through traffic flowing
mainly from the commercial uses adjacent to the Washington and Walnut
residential area;
B. The number of commuters utilizing those commercial uses has decreased
since the time the barrier was installed, obviating the need for the concrete
barrier;
C. Today, the concrete barrier unnecessarily increases the flow of traffic to
other streets and inconveniences residents on Walnut and Acacia Avenue
who are attempting to travel from Sepulveda Boulevard.
SECTION 3: Environmental Assessment. Because of the facts identified in Section 2 of
this Resolution, removing the barrier is categorically exempt as a Class 1 or Class 5
project because, at best, it would constitute a minor alteration of existing public
structures involving no expansion of use; or a minor alteration in land use limitations
(see Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, §§ 15301, 15305).
SECTION 4: General Plan. The proposed removal conforms to the City's General Plan
as follows:
A. The removal of the concrete barrier is consistent with numerous goals,
policies, and objectives of the General Plan. Specifically, it is consistent
with the Circulation Element as discussed below.
B. The removal of the concrete barrier is consistent with several General
Plan Circulation Element Goals, Objectives and Policies. Specifically,
Goal C1 — Provision for Safe, Convenient, and Cost Effective Circulation
System states: "Provide a safe, convenient, and cost-effective circulation
system to serve the present and future circulation needs of the El
Segundo community." The removal of the concrete barrier updates the
circulation system in order to better serve the current needs of the El
Segundo community.
C. The removal of the concrete barrier is consistent with General Plan
Circulation Element Objective C1-1, which states "Provide a roadway
system that accommodates the City's existing and projected land use and
circulation needs." The removal of the concrete barrier serves the City's
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existing circulation and land use needs and removes outdated and
unnecessary traffic infrastructure.
D. The removal of the concrete barrier is consistent with General Plan
Circulation Element Policy C1-1.8, which states: "Provide all residential,
commercial, and industrial areas with efficient and safe access to the
major regional transportation facilities." Removing the concrete barrier will
allow residents near Washington and Walnut Streets to conveniently
access the 105 freeway and Sepulveda Boulevard in a safe and efficient
manner.
SECTION 5: Zoning Consistency. The removal is consistent with the general purpose
of the ESMC's zoning regulations, which is to promote the public health, safety, and
general welfare and to provide the economic and social advantages resulting from an
orderly planned use of land resources. The removal of the concrete barrier will promote
the orderly development of a safe and convenient circulation network in the City.
SECTION 6: Authorization. The Public Works Director, or designee, is authorized to
remove the concrete barrier at Washington and Walnut Street.
SECTION 7: Reliance on Record. Each and every one of the findings and
determinations in this Resolution is based on the competent and substantial evidence,
both oral and written, contained in the entire record relating to the concrete barrier
removal. The findings and determinations constitute the independent findings and
determinations of the City Council in all respects and are fully and completely supported
by substantial evidence in the record as a whole.
SECTION 8: Limitations. The City Council's analysis and evaluation of the removal are
based on the best information currently available. It is inevitable that in evaluating any
project that absolute and perfect knowledge of all possible aspects of the project will not
exist. One of the major limitations on analysis of the project is the City Council's lack of
knowledge of future events. In all instances, best efforts have been made to form
accurate assumptions. Somewhat related to this are the limitations on the city's ability
to solve what are in effect regional, state, and national problems and issues. The City
must work within the political framework within which it exists and with the limitations
inherent in that framework.
SECTION 9: This Resolution will remain effective until superseded by a subsequent
resolution.
SECTION 10: The Council secretary is directed to mail a copy of this Resolution to any
person requesting a copy.
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SECTION 11: This Resolution may be appealed within ten (10) calendar days after its
adoption. All appeals must be in writing and filed with the City Clerk within this time
period. Failure to file a timely written appeal will constitute a waiver of any right of
appeal.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of February, 2013.
Carl Jac J•_• , Mayor
City of El Segundo City Council
ATTEST:
Trac Weav r City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mark D. Hensley, City Attorney
By: h A_
Karl H. Berger, Assistant City Attorney
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