Administrative
Report
N.3., File # 23-5734 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S
ISSUANCE OF A FIRST EXTENSION TO THE EMERGENCY COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
ISSUED FOR THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ACCESS TO THE UPPER WALKWAY ALONG
THE COASTAL BLUFF BETWEEN GEORGE FREETH WAY AND KNOB HILL AVENUE IN
REDONDO BEACH TO ALLOW LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO PERFORM CRITICAL REPAIRS TO
THE WALKWAY AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY
RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF THE EMERGENCY
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Community Development Department received an application from the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) for an Emergency Coastal Development Permit to temporarily close access to the upper walkway along the coastal bluff due to public safety concerns associated with damaged asphalt pavement. The County’s work to repair the asphalt walkway began on February 21, 2023 and was expected to take approximately three months to complete.
The Community Development Director issued the original emergency permit on February 14, 2023 for a period of 60 days, subject to Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) Section 10-5.2228. The code allows the Director to approve extensions to the permit if a subsequent application is filed. The DBH filed an application to extend the permit prior to the April 15, 2023 original expiration date, and the extension was approved by the Community Development Director on April 14, 2023. The repairs are now expected to be complete in June.
The Municipal Code requires that the Community Development Director provide a written and verbal report on the action to the City Council at the next City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County DBH submitted an application to the Planning Division of the City’s Community Development Department for an Emergency Coastal Development Permit to temporarily close access to the area in the vicinity of the upper walkway along the coastal bluff between George Freeth Way and Knob Hill in Redondo Beach to address public safety concerns associated with damaged asphalt pavement.
The County completed a geotechnical assessment of the upper walkway that found significant
N.3., File # 23-5734 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
The County completed a geotechnical assessment of the upper walkway that found significant cracking and pavement distress and recommended that the walkway be repaired including guardrail replacement and striping. Per the geotechnical assessment, the primary cause of the observed walkway asphalt pavement distress appears to be uncontrolled surface runoff which has caused erosion and loss of subgrade support at the seaward edge of the walkway pavement. The upper walkway extends roughly 2,600 feet from George Freeth Way, on the north, to a stair-way connection at Knob Hill Avenue on the south. The walkway borders single and multi-family dwellings to the east, and a slope that descends to the lower beach walkway to the west. The elevation of the upper walkway ranges from approximately +55 to +30 feet. The descending slope to the west ranges in height from approximately 10 to 35 feet and has a gradient of approximately 1.5(H):1(V).
The walkway repair project, which started February 21, 2023, consists of removing and replacing approximately 400 linear feet of damaged asphalt pavement. Work includes saw cutting the inside edge of the damaged asphalt pavement along the existing retaining wall for the pavement replacement; excavating and removing 3 feet of unsuitable soil material for preparation of the subgrade to receive the new asphalt pavement surface; and removing/replacing the existing catch basin and damaged underground 10-inch storm drainpipe that runs underneath and crosses the asphalt pavement walkway at two locations. The new walkway pavement and storm drainpipe shall be installed over clean imported subgrade sand, gravel material and geotextile fabric. The project also includes removing and reconstructing approximately 400 linear feet of damaged 24-inch-deep reinforced concrete retaining curb at the outer edge of the walkway. Additionally, the work includes grading the bottom of the concrete retaining curb to obtain a one-to-one slope along the hillside and providing and installing rip rap and grout at the graded area to stabilize the hillside. The contractor will also modify and cap irrigation piping adjacent to the area of work as necessary.
The walkway replacement project will temporarily reduce access along the upper walkway between Topaz Street and Knob Hill. However, there are alternate access ramps to the south of the project site leading to the lower walkway and the beach. Construction is expected to last until June 15, 2023.
Subject to RBMC Section 10-5.2228 Emergency Coastal Development Permit, the Community Development Director may grant an emergency permit if an emergency exists the requires action more quickly than permitted by the procedures for a Coastal Development Permit. Although this action will temporarily affect waterfront access at this location, it is needed to protect public safety.
The emergency permit may be granted for up to 60 days.
The Community Development Director issued the emergency permit on February 14, 2023 for the proposed work for a period of 60 days as allowed by code. There is additional time needed to complete the repairs to the upper walkway. The code allows the Director to approve extensions to the permit if a subsequent application is filed. The DBH filed an application to extend the permit and the extension was approved by the Community Development Director on April 14, 2023.
A public notice of the emergency permit issuance has been posted at the location.
This agenda item serves as the verbal and written report of the Community Development Director’s issuance of the emergency permit.
N.3., File # 23-5734 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
COORDINATION
The issuance of the Emergency Coastal Development Permit falls under the authority of the Community Development Director, per RBMC Section 10-5.2228(a).
FISCAL IMPACT
The processing of Coastal Development Permit applications is part of the Community Development Department’s annual budget and work plan.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· First Extension to Emergency Coastal Development Permit, April 14, 2023 · Application for Extension of Emergency Coastal Development Permit · Application for Extension Project Plans
· Original Emergency Coastal Development Permit, February 14, 2023 · CEQA Exemption Declaration, February 14, 2023
· RBMC Section 10-5.2228