CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
August 20, 2024 {{section.number}}e
CORONADO GATEWAY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPONENT FINALIZATION RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on the Coronado Gateway Project components and authorize staff to finalize plans and coordinate with Caltrans for permit approval.
BACKGROUND:
The City has been engaged in efforts to improve the area surrounding the bridge toll plaza for several years. In 2018, a Preliminary Environmental Analysis Report (PEER) and a Historic Resource Compliance Report (HRCR) were completed, along with a project plan set that was submitted to Caltrans for review. The submitted plans included the following components:
• Removal of the toll booth islands;
• Removal of the adjacent trees;
• Shifting the travel lanes to the center;
• Removal of the northernmost lane (to be landscaped);
• Reconfiguration of the parking lot; and
• Updating the storage yard area.
After review, Caltrans advised that the project as submitted would require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and an executed Cooperative Agreement. Their recommendation was to submit a project that would not have an adverse effect on the State Highway. To assist the City in future plan development, Caltrans provided a summary of components (Attachment 1) that would not have an “adverse effect on cultural resources” and identified proposed components that were deemed to have an adverse effect.
ANALYSIS:
Taking into consideration Caltrans’ recommendation, a new concept plan (Attachment 2) has been developed which includes only components that will not have an “adverse effect” on the existing toll plaza improvements.
This new Coronado Gateway Plan would have the following key components, as illustrated in Attachment 2:
1. Install a new “Welcome to Coronado” sign on the existing Caltrans notification sign at the beginning of the Toll Plaza landscaping;
2. Install a new “Coronado Island” sign on top of the wing structure, designed to be removable and appropriately sized for the resource;
3. Paint the wing structure to match the existing color scheme;
4. Protect the existing toll booth island in place and fill the area where the toll booth was removed with concrete dividers;
5. Implement alternative traffic control measures, such as traffic delineators or decorative paving;
6. Install up-lighting on the existing and proposed vegetation/trees;
7. Replace existing light standards with 1969-era “cobra head” light standards;
8. Develop a landscape plan consistent with the historic theme, including pruning existing trees, removing dead trees, replacing them with gold medallion trees, and creating a landscaping management plan; and
9. Remove the existing plastic vines and shrubs from the screening fence, and plant similar species near the Caltrans storage parking lot to screen vehicles and equipment.
Update and modernize the storage area gates.
Staff seeks City Council feedback and direction on which of the components above to incorporate and potentially any of the ”adverse effect” components the City previously submitted for review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The project has adequate appropriations through the Toll Fund. No additional funds are required as part of this request.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council may elect to decline the proposed concept plan and provide further direction to staff.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
There is no determination at this time. Caltrans will review and approve the final determination once the components to be incorporated into the project have been selected and designed.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Caltrans Summary
2. Concept Plan
Submitted By: Public Services and Engineering Department / Mike McCall