DATE: October 13, 2016
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION SELECTING AND AUTHORIZING A THREE-PARTY AGREEMENT WITH HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC. FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE NEW RESTAURANT AT FERRY LANDING PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $273,000 FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MONTHS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On January 12, 2016, the Board received a preliminary project review presentation on the proposed New Restaurant at Ferry Landing (Project). The Project involves development of a one-story building with the option to operate one or two restaurants at the Ferry Landing Associates, LLC (FLA) leasehold (Attachment A), which is located at 1201 First Street in the City of Coronado. Following the presentation, the Board directed District staff to further study the Project and to commence the necessary environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It is anticipated that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) would be the appropriate CEQA document for this Project.
Using Development Services’ list of qualified consulting firms to provide as-needed environmental review consulting services for tenant-sponsored projects, which was approved by the Board on August 12, 2014 (Resolution No. 2014-157), staff has selected HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. (HELIX) to prepare an SEIR under CEQA for this Project. Staff recommends the Board select and authorize a three-party agreement with HELIX to conduct environmental review consulting services for the Project in an amount not to exceed $273,000 for a period of 15 months (Attachment B).
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution selecting and authorizing a three-party agreement with HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. for environmental review consulting services for the New Restaurant at Ferry Landing Project in an amount not to exceed $273,000 for a period of 15 months.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
The Board’s authorization of a three-party agreement with HELIX will have no direct fiscal impact to the District’s FY 16/17 approved budget. Under the three-party agreement, FLA will be solely responsible for the full cost of HELIX’s services and HELIX will perform the required services under the direction of the District. This would not require any expenditure of District funds.
Compass Strategic Goals:
The Board’s authorization of a three-party agreement with HELIX will facilitate commencement of the environmental review process for the Project. This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A vibrant waterfront destination where residents and visitors converge.
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
• A financially sustainable Port that drives job creation and regional economic vitality.
DISCUSSION:
On January 12, 2016, the Board received a preliminary project review presentation on the Project, which involves construction and operation of a second restaurant at the FLA leasehold, located at 1201 First Street in the City of Coronado. Following the presentation, the Board directed staff to further study the Project and conduct the necessary environmental review under CEQA.
Since then, the District’s Development Services team and FLA have been working together to refine the project description. FLA submitted updated renderings of the Project (Attachment C) and the District’s Development Services team met with FLA’s design team to provide comments regarding the Project design based in part on Board comments from the preliminary project review presentation and District staff feedback. FLA addressed these comments, and a more detailed project description was developed as further described below.
The Project involves construction of approximately 7,200 square feet (sf) of indoor space and approximately 4,854 sf of outdoor space for restaurant use, with a total of approximately 300 restaurant seats. The height of the restaurant is anticipated to be approximately 24 feet above ground level. The Project proposes enhanced public access through activation of the existing 15-foot-wide shoreline public walkway along the perimeter of the Project site. The Project will provide pedestrian and bicyclist amenities including new seating and bike racks, as well as incorporate lighting and landscaping improvements to the public walkway. The Project will also provide energy efficient systems and lighting, additional recycling facilities, and water-efficient plumbing and irrigation systems. Project construction will take approximately nine months to complete.
Consistent with the requirements of BPC Policy No. 110, the District’s Development Services team retains consultants for the preparation of environmental review documents and technical studies for tenant-sponsored Current Planning projects. To enable the procurement of consultants in a timely manner, staff maintains a list of qualified consulting firms to provide as-needed environmental review consulting services; this list was approved by the Board on August 12, 2014 (Resolution No. 2014-157). From this list, staff has selected HELIX to prepare the appropriate CEQA document for the Project, which is anticipated to be an SEIR. The Scope of Work tasks under the agreement include preparation of: an Initial Study to confirm the CEQA document that will be required; Notice of Preparation; technical studies; and a draft and final SEIR. The draft three-party agreement is provided as Attachment B to this agenda sheet.
Staff recommends the Board select and authorize a three-party agreement with HELIX for environmental review consulting services for the Project in an amount not to exceed $273,000 for a period of 15 months.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed the agreement with HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. and approves it as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
The proposed Board action does not constitute a “project” under the definition set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it will not have a potential to result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore, is not subject to CEQA. The Board’s authorization of this agreement will only facilitate the commencement of the environmental review process for the Project. No further action under CEQA is required.
In addition, the proposed Board action allows for the District to implement its obligations under the Port Act and/or other laws. The Port Act was enacted by the California Legislature and is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine. Consequently, the proposed Board action is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine.
Finally, the proposed Board action does not allow for “development,” as defined in Section 30106 of the California Coastal Act, or “new development,” pursuant to Section 1.a. of the District’s CDP Regulations. Therefore, issuance of a CDP or exclusion is not required for the proposed Board action.
Equal Opportunity Program:
Due to limited known subparticipation opportunities, no SBE goal was established for the selection of the list of qualified firms to provide as-needed environmental review consulting services. HELIX has identified SBE’s as part of their team for this three-party agreement.
PREPARED BY:
Dana Martinez
Associate Planner, Real Estate Development
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Site Plan
Attachment B: Three-Party Agreement
Attachment C: Renderings