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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2025
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF CREDITS WITH LAND VERITAS
CORP FOR THE ORANGEWOOD AVENUE BRIDGE WIDENING
PROJECT OVER THE SANTA ANA RIVER
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 21
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the Agreement for Sale of Credits between Land Veritas Corp (Bank Sponsor) and the City of Anaheim (Project ProponeFEnt) for the purchase of 0.46 acres of 1600 Ephemeral Riparian Enhancement credits in the amount of $177,000 from the Soquel Canyon Mitigation Bank to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements for the Orangewood Avenue Bridge Widening Project over the Santa Ana River (Agreement); and authorize and direct the Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute the Agreement for Sale of Credits and, authorize a payment of $177,000 to Land Veritas Corp.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to the City of Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle Implementation Plan (PTIP) mitigation requirement, the Department of Public Works proposes to implement the Orangewood Avenue Bridge Widening over the Santa Ana River (Project) to add one westbound through lane, one westbound dedicated right-turn lane, and a raised sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. The completed Project will provide a seven-lane divided highway configuration with three eastbound lanes, including one through lane, one dual through/right-turn lane, and one dedicated right-turn lane, and four westbound lanes, including three through lanes and one dedicated right-turn lane. This configuration will improve traffic flow, increase capacity, and address regional demands within the Platinum Triangle and surrounding areas.
On January 9, 2018, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement between the City of Anaheim and the City of Orange outlining the respective roles and responsibilities for the Orangewood Avenue Bridge Widening over the Santa Ana River Project, located in the City of Orange.
Project improvements will include retrofitting and rehabilitating the existing bridge section and deck, restriping it to five through lanes and two right-turn lanes, installation of concrete barriers and pedestrian railings, reconstruction of paved bike trail undercrossing Agreement for Sale of Credits for the Orangewood Avenue Bridge Widening Project over the Santa Ana River October 28, 2025
ramps and driveway approaches, drainage improvements, retaining walls, and the construction of a new water main for the City of Orange within the widened portion of the bridge.
The work within the river for the bridge widening will include installing temporary access and cofferdams to isolate the construction area, removing portions of existing substructure, and constructing new foundations and piers. Additionally, the work involves placing scour protection and restoring the riverbed and banks. All of the in-river work must comply with environmental permits such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) permit and is generally limited to the dry season. The bridge widening will result in permanent impacts to approximately
0.46 acre of CDFW jurisdictional streambed within the Santa Ana River. These impacts are associated with pier widening, pier lengthening, and installation of slope protection along the riverbanks. Although no special-status species or sensitive habitats occur within the impact area, CDFW requires a compensatory mitigation at a 1:1 minimum ratio.
To address these impacts, the City has coordinated with the CDFW and has been authorized under the proposed Agreement to purchase mitigation bank credits. The Agreement for Sale of Credits with Land Veritas Corp provides for the purchase of 0.46 acres of 1600 Ephemeral Riparian Enhancement credits from the Soquel Canyon Mitigation Bank, located in San Bernardino and Orange Counties, for the total amount of $177,000.
Upon approval of this Agreement, the Bank Sponsor will issue the Bill of Sale and update the mitigation ledger to reflect the City’s purchase. Land Veritas Corp, as the Bank Sponsor, will retain full responsibility for long-term monitoring, reporting, and maintenance of the credits in accordance with the Bank Enabling Instrument. The City will have no ongoing obligations beyond the purchase of the credit. Following the purchase of mitigation credits, the CDFW will issue the Streambed Alteration Agreement (Permit 1602), thereby completing the permitting requirements of CDFW for in-river work.
This Project supports Anaheim’s Strategic Plan Goal F – Promote Economic Development and Tourism (Strategy 2: Address the future of Angel Stadium and the surrounding property) and Goal C – Invest in Infrastructure and Amenities (Strategy 4: Improve, enhance, beautify, and maintain major street corridors).
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Adequate funding is available in the Public Works Department’s FY 2025/26 budget from the Platinum Triangle Community Facility District Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Rudy Emami
Director of Public Works
Attachment:
1. Agreement