111522-H-29 corresp.pdf — Long Beach City Council, November 15, 2022

H-29 Correspondence – Christina Cancino
From: Christina Cancino <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:51 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Riverpark Coalition <[email protected]> Subject: NO to 712 Baker St. Project

-EXTERNAL-

I am a resident of Upper West Long Beach and I am against the proposal of building the gated community for 712 Bakers St. Our community is in dire need of green space and building flourishing park is what we require. We live in the death corridor because of the oil refineries and surrounding freeways.

My community of western Long Beach needs access to green space just like the eastern side of Long Beach. We want to have a chance for park equity and clean air. There is a push to build housing, but there are many vacant buildings especially in downtown Long Beach that can be converted into residential use. This space of land is one of the last remaining open spaces that is our only chance for giving my community park space. Please listen to the residents that live in West Long Beach. Please honor and safeguard the protected 1977 Horse Overlay District. Also honor the 2007 Long Beach Riverlink Plan that was passed unanimously by the LB City Council in 2015. The continued loss of our much-needed open space must be halted. We are so poor in green space in this side of Long Beach.

Please help my community build the River park, not a gated community.

Sincerely,
Christina Cancino

H-29 Correspondence – Ann Cantrell

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 11:45 AM
To: Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]>; Mayor <[email protected]>; CityClerk <[email protected]>; Dawn McIntosh <[email protected]>
Subject: item 29, 11/15/22 council agenda

-EXTERNAL-

Dear Decision Makers:

Re: Item 29,
Recommendation to adopt resolution certifying the River Park Residential Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR-07-20, SCH#2021020492); Declare ordinance approving a Zone Change (ZCHG20-002) from Commercial Storage (CS), Commercial Storage with Horse Overlay
(CS (H)), and Single-Family Residential, Standard Lot (R-1-N) to Residential, Planned Unit Development (RP-15) and Residential, Planned Unit Development with Horse Overlay (RP-15 (H)), read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading; Declare ordinance approving a Development Agreement (DA20-001) between the City of Long Beach and The River Park Project Owner, LLC, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading; Approve Site Plan Review (SPR20-007) for construction of a new residential Planned Unit Development of 226 dwelling units consisting of 74 two-story detached single-family homes on small condominium lots, 99 two-story row townhouses, and 53 three-story carriage townhouses, located on 15.53 acres of a 20.4-acre development site, with a park to be developed on the remaining 4.81 acres of the property; Approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82712 (VTTM20-002) to create one master ground lot and 226 airspace lots, on a 20.4-acre development site; and Adopt a General Plan Conformity Certification (GPC21-003) for the vacation of 1) Baker Street between Golden Avenue and the western edge of the project site, and 2) portions of unused right-of-way on Wardlow Road adjacent to the project site. (District 7)
You are being asked to approve six actions which will allow the building of a 226 unit, gated housing development, all without the presence of the District 7 Councilmember. I urge you to postpone this hearing until Councilman Uranga is able to attend and represent his constituents.

Another reason for postponement would be to wait until Mayor Garcia has left office, as his letter of support to the Planning Commissioners (see attached) was deemed as a need for his recusal by City Attorney Macintosh.

If you are unwilling to grant this courtesy, please vote no on this proposed project.

The Environmental Impact Report is inadequate in many areas, including biological, noise, air quality, traffic and soils which remain hazardous after over 20 years of bioremediation. The LA Regional Water Board Remediation Action Plan (RAP) states the groundwater is so contaminated, it must never be pumped.

CA Fish and Wildlife requested more Burrowing Owl, bat and migratory bird surveys be done. The City replied “their experts” said it was unnecessary. CDFW letter also states: “Tree trimming and removal are also likely to impact bird species found to be nesting or foraging among street trees. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of native biodiversity loss.” Their advice was ignored.

Cal Trans wrote; “Residential construction next to freeways is an incompatible land use and local jurisdictions need to require soundwalls tall enough to reduce traffic noise. To ensure compliance with established noise standards and guidelines, and to protect future occupants from potential adverse effects associated with traffic noise levels exceeding these standards, soundwalls need to be implemented in the

zoning, architectural design, and construction of units. Otherwise, future traffic noise controversy can be expected.” This advice was also ignored.

The FEIR agrees that 'this housing development project is being proposed at a location with highly polluted air which can cause cancer.' How is this mitigated? Installing filters in every unit and providing a cancer risk disclosure letter instructing the buyer they must keep their doors and windows closed at all times is a totally inadequate mitigation.

A vote for this project is a vote for changed zoning, increased density (15 units per acre), no open space within the project, and a park open to the public, which must be maintained by the homeowners. The RAP also requires the HOA to maintain the all infrastructure within the development.

Although the developer has agreed to build what was “affordable” housing (in the Planning Commission report) and now “low cost” housing, there is no information on how those on a low income can afford the HOA requirements. In return for these 12 units, you will be granting a variance for 3 stories, a first in this neighborhood.

Please read the letter from Riverpark Coalition attorneys, Carstens, et al, for more reasons to deny this project.

I urge you to consider the health and well-being of future residents. This development is the Crackerbox fiasco on methane, hydrocarbon and diesel. Just say no.

Respectfully,
Ann Cantrell, Board member, Riverpark Coalition, 501c3

August 30, 2022
Chair Joni Ricks-Oddie
Planning Commission, City of Long Beach 411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802
Dear Chair Ricks-Oddie and Planning Commissioners:

This week you will be considering an item on the Riverpark Residential Project. I am writing in strong support of this project. Its approval will support the housing and environmental goals in our city and have a positive impact on our community.

The Riverpark Residential Project will play an important role in the city’s plan to create more housing and to address the issue of housing insecurity. Not only will the project create 226 new housing units, but it will also provide 12 units of affordable housing. This will move our city closer to accomplishing not only our own housing goals, but the goal set out by the State – upholding our city’s record as a national leader and model.

In addition to providing housing, the project will improve and stimulate the surrounding community. It will do so by eliminating a contaminated site and replacing it with 5 acres of new park, dog park improvements, and upgrades to the city-owned park it will be located adjacent to. The recreational opportunities that this development will provide will be enormously beneﬁcial to the surrounding Wrigley Heights community and our entire city.

Thank you for your consideration and your hard work on behalf of our City. Sincerely,
Mayor Robert Garcia City of Long Beach
562.570.6801 | [email protected] | @LongBeachMayor 411 West Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California 90802

1 November 15, 2022

City Council
City of Long Beach
℅ City Clerk
411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach CA 90802

RE: Opposition to River Park Residential Project Clearinghouse No. 2021020492, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 29

Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,

Los Angeles Waterkeeper is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and protect the health of all coastal and inland water resources in Los Angeles County and ensure a sustainable water supply for the Los Angeles region. We have long been an ardent supporter of preserving and restoring the Los Angeles River, in a manner that maximizes both ecological health and community health and resilience. LA Waterkeeper has worked hard to oppose bad development projects within the LA River floodplain, including the Pacific Place project just upstream from 712 Baker Street.

LA Waterkeeper urges the City Council to honor the previous planning decisions to use the site as much-needed greenspace along the LA River. The park-poor community of Western Long Beach deserves more access to parks, and this river-adjacent property is ideally suited for that goal. In addition, this site presents the opportunity to develop a multi-benefit park that captures stormwater, which will come with significant flood protection benefits. Emerging research shows that Long Beach communities face the highest flooding risks from extreme weather events forecasted to become more frequent as the climate crisis worsens. See https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-10- 31/study-says-l-a-flood-risk-is-far-greater-than-anticipated. It is vital to “do no harm” and stop building new development projects within the LA River floodplain, so that we can preserve what little open space remains for the dual tenets of community benefits and flood management.

LA Waterkeeper supports the Riverpark Coalition and urges the City Council, at minimum, to continue this item in order to allow for the additional environmental review necessary to ascertain the potential impacts from this project. More importantly, the City Council must stick to its word and keep this site as open greenspace for the community of Western Long Beach as it has long intended.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Harris
Staff Attorney
Los Angeles Waterkeeper
Item H-29 Correspondence – Long Beach Chamber of Commerce

November 14, 2022

Mayor Dr. Robert Garcia
Members of City Council
City of Long Beach
411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802

Subject: Item 29 (22-1349) on the 11/15/2022 City Council Agenda Regarding the River Park Residential Project – SUPPORT

Dear Honorable Mayor Garcia and Honorable City Councilmembers:

On behalf of our approximately 750 members from across the greater Long Beach area, we want to offer our support for the River Park Residential Project which would include 226 residential units and a 5-acre public park.

The project would clean up a contaminated property and provide a new purpose for a space that has been vacant for many years. By providing new housing units, the project would bring the city closer towards meeting Long Beach’s RHNA housing goals. With the approval of the project there would be a new source of jobs and economic benefits for the local community, including $4 million in Development Impact Fees. Overall, this new development would stimulate the local economy by attracting new residents to Long Beach and providing tax revenue.

By supporting this project, you can provide the local community with new housing opportunities and more funding for city services. We strongly encourage you to support the River Park Residential Project and thank you for taking our views into account.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Harris
President & CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

RiverPark_22-11-15 Kleinhenz.docx Item H-29 Correspondence - Vanek 1 The Need
I have worked as an economist in Southern California for over 35 years. My specialty is urban and regional economics and I have devoted much of my career to housing problems in California. I own a home in Long Beach and have lived here for over 30 years. My business is here in Long Beach, and I also teach at Cal State Long Beach.

California has a housing shortage. We do not build enough housing.

Long Beach and other communities have new housing goals that are known as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Between 2021 and 2029, Long Beach is supposed to build 26,500 units.

In 2021, a total of 908 were authorized.

Year to date through 2022, 380 units have been permitted. The 2-year total is about 1,300 units.

State Department of Finance numbers for Long Beach indicate that the city’s housing stock has increased by 1,900 units between 2020 and 2022.

The city needs this project to meet its housing obligations.

The River Park development
As you have heard, the River Park development will result in the construction of 226 single family homes in Long Beach, most of which are market rate homes and Income Level Units
Relative to Median
HH Income
Very Low Income 7,141 less than 50%
Low Income 4,047 50 to 80%
Moderate Income 4,158 80 to 120%
Above Moderate Income 11,156 more than 120%
Total 26,502
Source: SCAG
Year Population Housing Units
2020 464,176 179,530
2021 459,757 180,062 532
2022 460,682 181,426 1,364
RiverPark_22-11-15 Kleinhenz.docx Item H-29 Correspondence - Vanek 2 12 for very low income households. These homes are pieces in the housing puzzle for the city and will contribute to the vitality of Long Beach in the coming years.

The economic impact is substantial…
Construction phase
Over $150 million will be spent in the construction phase in total, of which $94 million will contribute directly to the local economy. By virtual of the ripple effect on the economy, the initial amount of $94 million will generate $173 million in economic activity. It will also generate more than 1,000 jobs paying an average of $75,000 annually. For every million dollars of initial construction spending, more than 11 additional jobs will be created
Occupancy phase
We also modeled the occupancy phase of the project and estimated the recurring annual economic impact of spending by River Park residents. In brief, when accounting for the multiplier effect, spending by residents will generate $53 million in economic activity, 288 jobs, and $17.6 million in earnings. For every million dollars of initial household spending, more nearly 10 additional jobs will be created paying an average of $61,000 annually
Finally, there is the tax impact:
 $24.4 million in tax revenues will be generated in conjunction with the construction phase
Impact Type Jobs
Earnings, $
million
Output, $
million
Direct 639 51,412,816 95,338,511
Indirect and induced 399 26,604,381 77,669,331
Total 1,038 78,017,197 173,007,842
Job, Earnings, and Output Impacts of River Park
Construction Phase
Jobs
Earnings, $
million
Output, $
million
Direct 170 9,472,739 29,353,864
Indirect and induced 118 8,108,131 23,230,806 Total 288 17,580,870 52,584,670
Residential Phase (Annual)
RiverPark_22-11-15 Kleinhenz.docx Item H-29 Correspondence - Vanek 3  $8.5 million in tax revenues will be generated on a recurring annual basis, assuming based on full residential occupancy of community Separate analyses were conducted to estimate property tax and sales tax revenues  Based on assumed market value of the homes at the time they are sold, property tax is estimated at approximately $1.6 million annually.  Moreover, sales and use tax revenue that is directly associated with expenditures by River Park resident households amounts to approximately $900,000 annually, with approximately $400,000 going to local jurisdictions.

H-29 Correspondence – Laurie C Angel

From: Laurie C. Angel [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 4:44 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>
Subject: 22-1351 regarding a development agreement with The River Park Project Owner LLC

-EXTERNAL-

Please include this letter in the record for this item.

Regarding the ordinance approving a Development Agreement (DA20-001) between the City of Long Beach and The River Park Project Owner, LLC, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading; Approve Site Plan Review (SPR20-007) for construction of a new residential Planned Unit Development of 226 dwelling units consisting of 74 two-story detached single-family homes on small condominium lots, 99 two-story row townhouses, and 53 three-story carriage townhouses, located on 15.53 acres of a 20.4-acre development site, with a park to be developed on the remaining 4.81 acres of the property; Approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82712 (VTTM20-002) to create one master ground lot and 226 airspace lots, on a 20.4-acre development site; and Adopt a General Plan Conformity Certification (GPC21-003) for the vacation of 1) Baker Street between Golden Avenue and the western edge of the project site, and 2) portions of unused right-of- way.

This proposed project is another a major disappointment for those of us that are expecting at some point the city council will understand the importance of retaining and improving open space for the health and well being of the community.

You have explicitly stated in numerous publications snd public statements that you understand that the west and north side are lacking open space; that environmental justice is a priority; that the future of our planet is dependent on the quality of choices that are made weekly regarding land use. Your Climate Action Plan demands that you make the right choices to preserve our environment. This project is completely contrary to the direction we need to go as a city.

Please, for our future, please deny this use and the developer agreement and choose healthy choices and open spaces for our community. You have got to do this sooner, rather than later.

Begin the process. Stop the constant, incessant building in primary and critical open space. Make better choices for us, the environment, and our future. Please walk the talk you continue to dish. Be the change our lives demand. Our future is in your hands.

Concerned and frequently disappointed with your short sighted choices,

Laurie C. Angel
Jane Addams Neighborhhood, 8th cd

H-29 Correspondence – Lynette Ferenczy

From: Lynette Ferenczy [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 9:33 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting Nov 15 item no 29 - Proposed project at 712 Baker Street Case 2003-24 EIR 07-20

-EXTERNAL-

November 15, 2022

Subject: Proposed 226 unit project at 712 Baker Street Case 2003-24 EIR 07-20, Item #29

City Council,

I am writing in opposition to this proposed 226 unit project including requesting non- certification of the EIR as currently designed. This site is and will continue to be inappropriate for residential development for multiple reasons. As situated at the 710/405 interchange the air quality cannot be anything other than unhealthy even by the low standards that exist on the West side of Long Beach. The location has a long history of usage as an open storage area for liquid toxic waste, after all it isn't called the oil operators property for nothing. The majority of the site has been zoned for Commercial Storage (CS) for years reflecting its unsuitability for residential uses. A project of this scale will serve to further degrade air quality due to a significant increase in traffic flow, and as designed the ingress/egress from Wardlow is problematic. The new left turn lane for east bound traffic will hold a limited number of vehicles thereby creating a hazard at times of high traffic flow. My afternoon commute used to be along this route and at peak traffic flow the proximity and frequency of A (Blue) line trains caused traffic to at times back up over the bridge. Not only will the added traffic associated with this development exacerbate this congestion, but cars waiting to turn left will be invisible to drivers coming over the bridge. This project also disregards the newly adopted CAAP plan. This area is already an extreme heat island and the addition of this many dwellings with this much pavement will only worsen the problem, it will also contribute to increased uncaptured run-off on the rare occasions when it does rain. The project is also gravely lacking in open space and what it does include is isolated at the far edge of the site well away from many of the residences. Finally, its orientation away from and lack of access to the LA River demonstrates a complete disregard for the Riverlink Plan. Not only will we lose our last chance at any significant increase in park/green space in this part of town, the gated community as designed will be cut off from the surrounding neighborhood.

Despite these and numerous other issues surrounding this project, I fully expect approval and therefore would like to suggest some modifications/conditions which would ensure increased compliance with CAAP as well as addressing other concerns.

1. All homes to not just be solar ready but to be built with solar panels

2. All appliance hookups and heating to be electric

3. All garages to include electric vehicle (EV) charging compatibility

4. Recycled/grey water to be used for irrigation

5. Increase the number of trees and prohibit use of artificial turf

6. Create more open space/common areas within the gated portion of the project

7. Require access to the LA River bike and walking path to promote recreational use and increase potential for alternative modes of transportation

8. Reduce density, perhaps by interspacing open areas along the western property line which currently calls for an approximately 1,000 foot long continuous row of houses

I am hoping that the Council will consider my objections and suggestions for improvement. Every person who spoke at the Planning Commission spoke against the project and yet it was still approved without a single change. As usual, the residents who live in the immediate area of the project are ignored. Even as the City Council approves new policies such as the CAAP plan to address climate change, the City then turns around and completely disregards these new policies and approves projects in direct opposition to the goals of the plan. This development also concentrates growth and density on the west side and central areas of Long Beach further impacting our poor air quality. Environmental injustice is alive and well in Long Beach.

Sincerely,

Lynette Ferenczy
30 year Long Beach resident and 20 year Wrigley home owner

H-29 Correspondence – Mike Laquatra

From: Mike Laquatra [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 8:34 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]> Cc: Mike Laquatra <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 29 proposed project at 712 Baker Street Case 2003-24 EIR 07-20

-EXTERNAL-

City Council members,

I am writing in opposition to this proposed 226 unit project at 712 Baker Street including requesting non - certification of the EIR as currently designed. This site is and will continue to be inappropriate for residential development for multiple reasons. As situated at the 710/405 interchange the air quality cannot be anything other than unhealthy even by the low standards that exist on the West side of Long Beach. The location has a long history of usage as an open storage area for liquid toxic waste, after all it isn't called the oil operators property for nothing. The majority of the site has been zoned for Commercial Storage (CS) for years reflecting its unsuitability for residential uses. A project of this scale will serve to further degrade air quality due to a significant increase in traffic flow, and as designed the ingress/egress from Wardlow is problematic. The new left turn lane for east bound traffic will hold a limited number of vehicles thereby creating a hazard at times of high traffic flow. My afternoon commute used to be along this route and at peak traffic flow the proximity and frequency of A (Blue) line trai ns caused traffic to at times back up over the bridge. Not only will the added traffic associated with this development exacerbate this congestion, but cars waiting to turn left will be invisible to drivers coming over the bridge.

This project also disregards the newly adopted CAAP plan. This area is already an extreme heat island and the addition of this many dwellings with this much pavement will only worsen the problem, it will also contribute to increased uncaptured run-off on the rare occasions when it does rain. The project is also gravely lacking in open space and what it does include is isolated at the far edge of the site well away from many of the residences. Finally, its orientation away from and lack of access to the LA River demonstrates a complete disregard for the Riverlink Plan. Not only will we lose our last chance at any significant increase in park/green space in this part of town, the gated community as designed will be cut off from the surrounding neighborhood.

1. All homes to not just be solar ready but to be built with solar panels

2. All appliance hookups and heating to be electric

3. All garages to include electric vehicle (EV) charging compatibility

4. Recycled/grey water to be used for irrigation

5. Increase the number of trees and prohibit use of artificial turf

6. Create more open space/common areas within the gated portion of the project

7. Require access to the LA River bike and walking path to promote recreational use and increase potential for alternative modes of transportation

8. Reduce density, perhaps by interspacing open areas along the western property line which currently calls for an approximately 1000 foot long continuous row of houses

I am hoping that the Council will consider my objections and suggestions for improv ement.

Sincerely,

Mike Laquatra

30 year Long Beach resident and 20 year Wrigley home owner

H-29 Correspondence – Renee Lawler

From: Renee Lawler [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 2:09 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Mayor <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]>; Dawn McIntosh <[email protected]> Subject: Item 29, 11/15/22 Council Agenda

-EXTERNAL-

Dear Mayor, Councilpersons and decision makers:

In perpetuity is a very long time. That is how long the County recognizes the horse overlay in Long Beach. They took action to solidify the presence of the horse community on August 3, 2022 by recording perpetual easements for another horse overlay zone in Wrigley, south of the proposed project site. In addition, the County (Board of Supervisors-BOS) and Flood Control District (LACFCD) completed construction of public equestrian rest area facilities in that same zone.

What is an overlay? The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) from 1977 states: “An overlay zone is a mapped zone that imposes a set of requirements IN ADDITION to those of the underlying zoning district.

In an area where an overlay zone is established, property is placed SIMULTANEOUSLY in two zones, and the land may be developed ONLY under the conditions and requirements of BOTH zones.” This project does not meet that basic development standard for the horse overlay zones.

The horse overlay zones established by your predecessors were created with the intent to preserve the horse culture and rancho lifestyle in the immediate area. It was a promise that pre-dated Master plans and Riverlinks and a decision with environmental, cultural, open space and mixed-use considerations in mind.

The horse culture introduced by the Spanish, has been continuous for centuries on these river-adjacent former rancho lands.

What does this have to do with the 712 Baker Street project? The proposed development will foreclose on the equestrian land uses by creating lots too small to support horses – smaller than the 8000 square foot residential lot minimum the Horse overlay requires or 1000 square foot minimum for commercial boarding for health and safety reasons.

Staff also acknowledged the presence of the horse overlay in the Land Use Element (LUE) portions of the General Plan and stated that the horse overlay would remain in Wrigley Heights.

The project does not provide a mitigation plan for the permanent elimination an entire horse-keeping overlay zone.

Ignoring the Horse overlay protections for the equestrian lifestyle is similar to the sovereign nations’ and their methodical removal from the land. Eliminating another trail adjacent site, one of the few that is sufficient in size to support the historically recognized horse culture is socially unjust. To do so in the name of affordable housing does not make it right.

Just as the County recognized, through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the need to preserve equestrian rights of use in perpetuity – you too should make a similar decision for this site. – uphold the Horse overlay zoning and associated easements.

Your responsibility today is vote no on this project.

Respectfully,
Renee Lawler

Wrigley Equestrian (Historic Equestrian Trail Assn of So Cal) Riverpark Coalition

1 TO: LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL, CITY CLERK Nov 15, 2022 FROM: CORLISS LEE 3072 Knoxville Ave. Long Beach Ca 90808 Ref: Comments on 712 Baker Street Agenda item 29 Nov 15 2022 22-1349, 22-1350, 22-1351
______________________________________________________________________ Please consider the following issues associated with this agenda item and deny the certification of the EIR as well as the zoning changes and Development Agreement (DA20-001).

LAND USE
The 712 Baker St. location is adjacent to Pacific Place and both were identified in multiple city, county and state plans as park/open space on the LA River.

This area is not essential for condos. It is essential to restoring health and balance in west Long Beach, doing our part to reverse climate change and joining with the other cities along the LA River to provide a continuous access to the L.A. River with greenspace.

Baker St is part of the overall inspirational vision for a park described in the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan (LLARP) as "the gem of the Lower LA River." There are only two acreages available that could provide significant area for a park along the LA River in Long Beach: Baker Street and Pacific Place. Once these two acreages are gone, the vision of the lower LA River as a recreation and respite space for the community is forever lost.

VISIONS & PLANS
• LA River Masterplan “Wrigley Heights River Park” is listed as a planned major project. • The Lower LA River Revitalization Plan Wrigley Heights River Park is identified as a “Signature Project” with potential features: wetlands, recharge basins, culvert, soccer fields, community center, community garden, native planting, multi-modal paths.
• Long Beach 2007 Riverlinks Plan proposed that as much of the area as possible become an open space destination containing a restored wetland, riparian woodland, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and a neighborhood park with a playground, picnic areas, and other amenities.” The Riverlinks Plan was established to create a continuous greenway along the east bank of the Los Angeles River. It recorded that the westside of Long Beach is underserved with respect to greenspace and had 1 acre of greenspace per 1000 people (while the goal is 8 acres).

Are all these plans to be ignored with developer dollars and residential taxes the overriding value?

POLLUTION & EQUITY
Many of our communities in the vicinity of the LA River suffer disproportionate impacts from pollution related to the goods movement corridor from the ports to the railyards known as “the diesel death zone.” The CAL 2 Enviroscreen scores for this area validate that asthma and cancer are outcomes, shortening life expectancy up to 10 years. The area is largely populated with people of color. Meaningful action demands a focus on equity and must include carving out parkland/open space to reverse the negative affects.

SOLUTIONS
Trees are the best known antidote to carbon emissions. NOVA reports “Urban trees on average reduce air temperatures on summer days by 2-4˚F, although in some circumstances the cooling effect can be even larger.” “Trees are a carbon capture machine.” A report from Princeton states “One tree can mature and consume 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year to allow a human to breathe for two years.” Along the LA River, we need the assist from mother nature to mitigate the harm done by commerce, carbon emissions and climate change.

Please consider supporting the vision of parkland/open space in this location.

TRAFFIC
I include below substantive comments by Lynette Ferenczy on the draft EIR for 712 Baker Street. Note that Lynette Ferenczy is a retired Long Beach City Planner. This information deserves serious consideration as a person or persons could be injured or lose their life.

“The proposed traffic light on Wardlow, the primary entrance to the development, will create a traffic hazard as the queuing depth for about 10 cars is inadequate for hundreds of cars per day. Wardlow Road has already been reduced from three to two lanes to accommodate a rarely used bike lane and adding hundreds of cars daily will negatively impact the intersection at Wardlow and Magnolia. As east bound traffic comes over the bridge for the 710 and LA river, visibility is very limited by the slope of the overpass creating a blind spot where the left turn lane will be located. The two traffic lanes will have to be relocated to the south creating a bend in the traffic lanes to accommodate the left turn lane.”

------------------------------------------------------------------- I include below excerpts from an email written by Richard Gutmann to Mayor Garcia in 2020 on the topic of TRAFFIC ISSUES at this location, that point out a development at this location was denied because of substantive EIR issues in the past.

From: Richard Gutmann <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Jun 27, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Subject: Dangerous Intersection Proposed
To: <[email protected]>
“Dear Mayor Robert Garcia,
I’m writing to make sure you are aware that Long Beach will be exposing local taxpayers to the real, and very likely, possibility of huge civil damages if the City allows a road to be built out to Wardlow Road from the Oil Operators’ property in Wrigley Heights.

I say this because back in 1993, a report prepared for a proposed residential development in Wrigley Heights said: “The City Traffic Engineer has previously indicated that because of the elevation and geometrics, it is not possible to construct a new north/south street through to Wardlow.” (See attachment.) 3 The intersection would be on a high-speed curve, on a heavily-traveled approach to a bridge over the LA River and the LB Freeway.

Can you imagine the field day a plaintiff's lawyer would have when someone gets killed or seriously injured at this intersection? "You went ahead and allowed this developer to build it when 27 years ago, with far less traffic, it was impossible? Why?
Civil Damages are of three kinds.

Compensatory damages are compensation for expenses such as medical bills, legal costs, loss of income, and costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged property.

General damages include payment for non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering.

Punitive damages are payment for losses caused by the gross negligence of a defendant. And they can be much higher if the defendant engaged in willful or negligent misconduct (which I believe building such a road would clearly constitute).”

The arguments about Land Use and Traffic are substantive. Please deny the approval of the EIR for the project at 712 Baker Street as well as the requested changes to zoning and a Development Agreement (DA20-001).

Respectfully,

Corliss Lee
Eastside Voice
Board Member CARP
Board Member Riverpark Coalition
(714) 401 7063

November 14, 2022

Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:

I am writing to express my support for Riverpark Coalition with their efforts to expand open space along the Los Angeles River. As a former Long Beach Councilmember, current Member of the San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and as the Assemblymember representing Long Beach, I have long been involved in securing open space in Long Beach and support strengthening local efforts to protect our environment.

Continuing to invest in protecting open spaces and preserving natural habitats along the Los Angeles River is an important effort that will improve air quality for residents in the community, provide greater access to recreation areas, and will better the quality of life for our neighbors living near the river.

While the City has provided open green space along the Los Angeles River that includes Drake-Chavez Greenbelt, Wrigley Greenbelt, DeForest Wetland, and the Dominguez Gap Wetlands, this area has significantly less open space than other areas of the city. Moving forward, I encourage the exploration of all options to increase green space and park equity in west Long Beach.

I continue to support the efforts to create more open space for our residents living near the Los Angeles River.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

PATRICK O’DONNELL
Assemblymember, 70th District

STATE CAPITOL
P.O. BOX 942849
SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0054
(916) 319-2070
(916) 319-2170 FAX

PATRICK O’DONNELL

ASSEMBLYMEMBER, SEVENTIETH DISTRICT

DISTRICT OFFICE
5000 East Spring Street
SUITE 550
LONG BEACH, CA 90815
(562) 429-0470
(562) 429-7871 FAX

Hermosa Beach Office
Phone: (310) 798-2400

San Diego Office
Phone: (858) 999-0070
Phone: (619) 940-4522

Chatten-Brown, Carstens & Minteer LLP
2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 318
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
www.cbcearthlaw.com

Sunjana Supekar
Email Address:
[email protected]
Direct Dial:
310-798-2400 Ext. 7

November 14, 2022

VIA E-MAIL

City Council
City of Long Beach
c/o City Clerk
411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach CA 90802
[email protected]

Re: Objection to River Park Residential Project, 712 Baker Street, State Clearinghouse No. 2021020492, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 29

Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,

On behalf of the Riverpark Coalition, we submit these comments opposing the River Park Residential Project (the Project) as proposed and the certification of the environmental impact report (EIR) prepared for the Project. Riverpark Coalition is a collection of community groups and individuals including residents of western Long Beach. This community-based coalition works to promote public-serving open space in nature-deprived areas of western Long Beach. Riverpark Coalition recently scored a victory in challenging the City’s approval of a project just north of the Project site, at 3701 Pacific Place, without doing proper environmental review.

As a preliminary matter, we strongly urge that this item be continued until the Seventh District Councilmember, Councilmember Uranga, returns from medical leave.

Further, we oppose the Project because it shatters the potential for connective recreation space, river restoration and flood management, and continuous equestrian uses along the LA River in western Long Beach as laid out in numerous land use plans and the General Plan, and the Project EIR fails to adequately disclose these impacts.

The Project EIR also fails to disclose the Project’s hazardous, water quality, air quality, noise, biological resources, and transportation and traffic safety impacts, as set forth in our September 1, 2022 letter to the Planning Commission (Attachment 1). We urge you to carefully review this letter and consider the issues described in it.

For all these reasons, we urge you to honor the site’s long-planned use as vibrant greenspace along the LA River, and reject this Project.

City of Long Beach City Council
November 14, 2022

Page 2 ends

I. The Hearing on this Project Must be Continued Until the Seventh District Councilmember Returns to City Council.

This Project is located in the Seventh District of the City of Long Beach. The Seventh District is represented by Councilmember Uranga, who is currently on medical leave. Out of fairness and respect to the Councilmember, as well as his constituents, this item must be pulled and continued until the Councilmember is able to return to the office.

It is improper to hear this item during a time when the Councilmember is not available to meet with the constituents most affected by this Project and hear their concerns.

II. The Hearing on this Project Must be Continued Until the Remedial Action Plan is Reviewed by LARWQCB, and the EIR Must be Revised and Recirculated.

As we stated in our letter to the Planning Commission (Attachment 1, pp. 15-17), the EIR’s analysis and mitigation of hazardous impacts and water quality impacts improperly relies on a deferred Remedial Action Plan (“RAP”) that is still in draft form and has not been approved by the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board (“LARWQCB”).

Not only has the RAP not yet been approved, it is not even fully defined. The EIR states that the RAP itself defers the preparation of a Groundwater Monitoring Plan which will specify the design and implementation of groundwater monitoring, and will include a “contingency” for in-situ groundwater remediation if LARWQCB later determines it is necessary. (FEIR App. C Section 1, IV.H-7.) Additionally, the EIR recognizes that an Operations, Maintenance, and Implementation Plan “is expected to be a component” of the LARWQCB’s approval. (Ibid.) These mitigation measures are far too speculative and lack any specific performance criteria or commitment, and thus violate CEQA.

We strongly urge the City Council to continue this item until after the RAP is in final form and has been reviewed by LARWQCB, and the EIR has been revised and recirculated to provide an accurate picture of the Project’s impacts and mitigation.

III. Riverpark Coalition’s Recent Successful Litigation at Pacific Place Demonstrates the Need for Adequate Environmental Review.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of requiring environmental review with regards to the Pacific Place Project, located just north of the Project site. Excerpts of the Court’s opinion are attached as Attachment 2, and we City of Long Beach City Council
November 14, 2022

Page 3 ends

describe below how these excerpts demonstrate the need for legally adequate environmental review at this site.

The Court found that the environmental review at issue in Pacific Place failed to analyze that project’s impacts on the longstanding land use plans designating the site as park space, implemented by the General Plan. (Attachment 2, pp. 446-449.) The same issue applies here. As set forth in our Planning Commission letter (Attachment 1, pp. 9-15), the site at issue in this Project also has been long designated as park space by numerous land use plans, including the RiverLink Plan, Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine Strategic Plan, West Long Beach Livability Implementation Plan, West Long Beach I-710 Community Livability Plan, Los Angeles River Master Plan, and Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan. The General Plan requires implementation of these plans, as shown by the following implementation strategies:
• LU
-M-53: Continue to implement the Long Beach I-710 Community Livability Plan aimed
at incorporating and prioritizing livability improvements in the I-710 freeway corridor neighborhoods.
• LU-M-54: Continue to implement the West Long Beach Livability Implementation Plan to improve the quality of life in West Long Beach and to bring to fru
ition the community’s vision of a healthy, vibrant and livable neighborhood though land use planning and capital improvement projects. • LU-M-84: Increase parks and open space areas to meet the City standard of eight acres of park
land for every 1,000 Long Beach residents, particularly in neighborho
ods where there is a deficiency in park space.
• LU-M-85: Continue to implement and update the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine
Strategic Plan and the Open Space and Recreation Element. • LU-M-86: Update and implement the Long Beach Riverlink Plan to create a continuous
greenway of pedestrian and bike paths and linkages along the east bank of the Los
Angeles River, as well as to connect to existing and future parks, open space and beaches along western portions of the City.
• LU-M-95: Reuse vacant properties as community amenities such as gardens, parks or temporar
y green spaces to reduce blight and safety issues, increase residents’ access to nee
ded parks and open spaces, and spur additional investment in neighborho
ods.

City of Long Beach City Council
November 14, 2022

Page 4 ends

The Court also found potential impacts to biological resources onsite, particularly in regards to special status vegetation like the southern tarplant. (Attachment 2, pp. 450- 453.) In light of this ruling, and the proximity of the Project to Pacific Place and the EIR’s failure to analyze southern tarplants, we believe the EIR must be revised to require preconstruction surveys and measures to protect in place any tarplant individuals found.

Finally, th
e Court also found potential traffic safety impacts due to the project’s proximity to freeways. (Attachment 2, pp. 455-456.) The same issue applies here, and yet the Project imposes unsafe mitigation—an unsafe traffic signal. (Attachment 1, pp. 22-23.) The Project must be revised and recirculated with adequate t raffic safety
mitigat
ion.

IV. CONCLUSION
F
or the foregoing reasons and the reasons we set forth in our September 1, 2022 Planning Commission Letter, the Project EIR fails to adequately analyze the Project and thus we urge you not to certify it and not to approve the Project. Moreover, this site provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a truly transformational greenspace that will greatly improve the lives of community members in western Long Beach by reducing impacts to the LA River and floodplain, creating much-needed park space, and respecting and maintaining equestrian uses. While we agree that housing—particularly affordable housing—must be a priority in the City, the present project will create a gated community with only 5% affordable units, located on a highly contaminated site. The current and future residents of western Long Beach deserve better, and thus we respectfully request that the City Council deny this project. Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

S
incerely,
S
unjana Supekar
Attachment
s:
(1) September
1, 2022 Letter from Riverpark Coalition to City of Long Beach Planning
Commission re 712 Baker Street.
(2) Excerpts from October 19, 2022 Order Granting Writ of Mandate, Riverpark Coalition
et al. v. City of Long Beach, LA Superior Court Case No. 21STCP0
1537.

P.O. Box 16192, Long Beach, CA [email protected] November 14, 2022
Re: 712 Baker Street Project
Dear City Council Members,
TheWrigleyAssociationsupports development in our community that is well designed,architecturally compatible, and of a similar density and layout as the existing homes in ourneighborhood. The current proposal of 226 new residential units at 712 Baker Street is notconsistent with these goals. The Wrigley Association Board members did meet with thedeveloper'sconsultant viaZoomin2020andprovidedcommentstotheconsultantonchangesthat wehopedtoseeimplemented. Unfortunately, noneof thecommentshaveresultedinanychanges to the plans and, in fact, the density of thedevelopment increasedfrom216unitsin2019 to 226 units in 2020. Our concerns are listed below:

1. Density - The development proposal has a density nearly double that in Wrigley with aproposeddensityof 14.55unitsanacrecomparedtoanexistingdensityof 8-10unitsanacre.The existing lot sizes in Wrigley vary fromR-1-S (2,400 sq. ft.) to R-1-N(6,000 sq. ft.). Theproposal hasavarietyof housingtypesbut thefreestandinghomesareonlotsof2,035squarefeet (37x55). The smallest lotsinWrigleyHeightsareR-1-S(2,400sq. ft.). At aminimumthenew development lot size should be no less than 2,400 sq. ft . The proposed density iscompletely inconsistent with the existing development pattern of the neighborhood.

2. Height- - Theheight shouldbecompatiblewiththesurroundingneighborhoodofoneandtwostoryhomes. Theplansproposethreestorieswitharidgeheight of 40feet alongtheWardlowRoadfrontage, themost visiblelocationonthesite. It wouldbebesttoreducethesebuildingsto two stories and/or relocatethetallest buildingstowardsthebackof thelot tobelessvisiblefrom the street.

3. Vehicle Access/Traffic Signal - The proposed traffic signal on WardlowRoad will create ahazardoussituationduetotheleft turnlaneonWardlowwithaleftturnpockettoaccommodateapproximatelytencarsfor adevelopment that will createhundredsofvehicletripsperday.Theleft turnpocket isalsonot visibleduetotheoverpassofthe710creatingahazardoussituationas you come over the overpass eastbound.

Our Mission: The Wrigley Association is a 501 C4 non-proﬁtorganization, (CA State ID # 1673284) whose mission is to promote the commoninterest, instill pride, establish and encourage the highest standards in Wrigley. To foster an active understanding of citizenship and civicresponsibility. To oppose and discourage discrimination and to create a sense of belonging. To promote higher business standards and encourageuniformity and cooperation among merchants, property owners and residents. To eliminate crime, promote community pride, and developwholesome, enjoyable, cultural, social, and physical activities.

4. LA River Access/Riverlink Plan - Access to the LA River should be acknowledged andembracedfor residentsandthepublic. Theplansdonot showanyaccesstotheriverbikeandwalkingpath. Also,homesshouldnotbackuptotheriver.Thereisanexistingsetofstairsnearthe west end of Baker Street providing access to the bike path which will be blocked if theterminus of Baker street isgatedoff. Weaskthat theyaddresstheRiverlinkPlanandprovidemoreopenspaceand/or moneytoimprovetheapproximately50-110footwideareawestofthedevelopment between the river and west edge of the project.

5. GatedCommunity-TheAssociationdoesnotsupportagatedcommunity.Therearenoothergated communities in Wrigley and gated developments are isolated from the rest of theneighborhood.

6. Affordable units location - The affordableunitsareclusteredat thesouthendof theprojectand not distributed throughout the development.

7. Architecture - Thearchitecturedoesnot relatetoLongBeach, andthefauxMediterraneandesign is not desirable.

8. Perimeter wall- Theproposedsixfootblockwall whichisnotshownontheplanswill createafortress-likeappearance. Weaskthat theyremovetheblockwall fromthefrontelevationorataminimumrequireanopenwrought ironortransparentfencematerial sothatthedevelopmentisnot walled off from the rest of the community.

9. Common openspace- Thereisalmost nocommonopenspacewithinthedevelopment. Asmall pool andcommunityroomareproposedwithonly.353acres(15,356sqft)ofactiveopenspaceout of over 20acresoflandwithinthegatedarea.Residentsfromthesouthernportionofthe development will have to walk 1/4 mile to reach open space. Please require more openspace within thegatedportionof thedevelopment. Asthesehomesareuptofour bedrooms,many families will likely live here and there is no usable green open space within thedevelopment for children.

10. Guest parking - Guest parking should be increased as multi-generational families arecommon in our neighborhood.

11. Climate Action andAdaptationPlan(CAAP) basedontherecent approval of theCAAPbyCity Council, this site is located in an excessive heat island, has contaminated soil duetooildrilling waste product storage, is extremely noisy with two adjacent freeways, and is at theinterchange of two major freeways carrying heavy diesel truck traffic. This project willexacerbate the heat island, create more greenhouse gasses, use more water when there isalready a shortage, and will create more runoff. Please help us ensure buildingscomplywithCAAP standards such as solar panels, electricappliances, useof recycledwater for irrigation,EV charging stations in garages, no artificial turf, more trees and grass, etc.

The Association would like to see some type of compromise with the developer to addresssome of our concerns as this project will further degrade air quality, addcloseto500vehicletripsadaycreatingadditional trafficintheneighborhood,andeliminateonemoreopportunityforopenspace, as3701PacificPlacewasalsoremovedwiththeapproval ofaselfstoragefacility.This project contributes to the environmental injustice that continues on the west side, and ifapproved as proposed, will be in violation of many of the goals of the newly approved CAAP.

Sincerely,
Wrigley Association
Our Mission: The Wrigley Association is a 501 C4 non-proﬁtorganization, (CA State ID # 1673284) whose mission is to promote the commoninterest, instill pride, establish and encourage the highest standards in Wrigley. To foster an active understanding of citizenship and civicresponsibility. To oppose and discourage discrimination and to create a sense of belonging. To promote higher business standards and encourageuniformity and cooperation among merchants, property owners and residents. To eliminate crime, promote community pride, and developwholesome, enjoyable, cultural, social, and physical activities.

Long Beach City CouncilNovember 15, 2022

Long Beach City Council
November 15, 2022