BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
February 16, 2023
• Written comments received after release of the agenda L.1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL OF
COMMENTS ON METRO C LINE EXTENSION DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT
Niki Negrete-Mitchell D3
For the past couple of years, I’ve been doing deep dives into Metro’s culture and practices and learning stuff. I’ve spoken a lot about what I learn at City Council, each time with new things to share.
Tonight here with the Planning Commission, this is the next step in my deep dive into the superficiality of DEIR’s, I have a lot to talk to you about. Please take this to heart and in light of all of the recent derailments, please take this very seriously.
Back in July 2020, Shell Oil company was out on the ROW for routine gas pipeline maintenance and the result from the necessary digging was a sinkhole that the crossed property lines and damaged the infrastructure at the Ruxton Place townhome complex. Attempts to fill the sinkhole at that time were unsuccessful. It went beyond 30’ deep of loose dirt, silt, clay and sand. I have that official geology report contracted by Shell Pipeline Co. and can forward it to any of you as needed. 2 &1/2 years later, sinkhole STILL UNFIXED, in late December 2022, work was being done IN THE ROW side but not the townhomes. Townhome residents thought it was to reinforce the sinkhole, but all they really did was put dirt in the sinkhole on the ROW side and packed gravel to reinforce erosion on the other side behind the homes on Condon. But no work inside the townhome complex. Then the result after a few days of rain was yet more sinking and more erosion, as pictured on rightofsay.com/ redondorow.
This is clear evidence that the studies being done for our developments have been grossly INSUFFICIENT to warn of environmental hazards which we need to make appropriate approvals and recommendations. The 2018 draft EIR for the Galleria states similar findings to the Ruxton report, except not performed as deep. I have not seen the DEIR for those townhome or condominium developments, where walls are cracking from rail vibration. These housing development damages should never have happened had thorough studies been done.
The Geology/Soils chapter in the Draft EIR provides reference to the County of Los Angeles General Plan Chapter 12 Safety Element on geology, soils and seismicity mandated by California Government section 65300 for all cities and counties within California.
The purpose is to reduce the potential risk of death, injuries, and economic damage resulting from both natural and MAN MADE hazards. It requires addressing “the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks..” which include but are not limited to:
• effects of siesmically-induced surface rupture
• ground shaking
• ground failure
• slope instability
• SUBSIDENCE
• seismic hazards
Please note that “seismic” activity is not exclusive to earthquakes, it’s just ground vibration.
If mere routine pipeline maintenance can cause this sinkhole, imagine the disaster such a colossal construction project as MOVING pipelines, relocating the freight tracks CLOSER to the property lines and on top of that adding two more sets of tracks for Metro that could and likely would cause.
I propose that the Planning Commission strongly recommend the ROW is taken off of the table in any way shape or form. This most definitely should not be an option. Thank you.