City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 6, 2024
From: Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Assistant to the City Administrator Subject
Opposition to Metro Link Union Station (Link US) Project Recommendation
Oppose the Metro Link US Project based on concerns about its potential negative effects on the City and surrounding communities that include, but are not limited to, public safety, air quality, traffic, transportation, economic/financial, and socioeconomic impacts.
Background
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), as the owner of the Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS), is proposing the Link Union Station (Link US) Project to address capacity constraints at LAUS and to prepare LAUS for future high-speed rail service. The Link US Project proposes the integration of new run-through tracks on an elevated rail yard to improve operational flexibility and expand capacity at LAUS. While the focus of the Project is Union Station, the Project will have significant impacts within the City of Vernon due to proposed infrastructure changes designed to optimize BNSF Railway operations and expand rail car storage at the BNSF Malabar Rail Storage Yard, located in Vernon. Malabar Yard railroad modifications in the City of Vernon are intended to offset the loss of storage track capacity at the BNSF West Bank Yard that will be acquired by Metro in support of high-speed rail. The 49th Street Closure in Vernon is proposed to accommodate approximately 3,350 track feet of storage capacity at the BNSF Malabar Yard, and the 46th Street Connector would provide a dedicated connection for freight trains to travel between BNSF’s Malabar Yard and BNSF’s Los Angeles Junction.
At the May 9, 2024 Vernon Business and Industry Commission (BIC) meeting, Metro staff provided a presentation to the BIC on the Metro Link US Project and upcoming opportunity for public review and comment anticipated with the pending release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/SEIR). During the meeting, the BIC, and the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and business/property owners in attendance expressed concerns with the logistical impacts that the proposed road closure would have on business operations, traffic congestion, and public safety response times. Following the BIC meeting, City staff also met with Metro to discuss the Project and reiterated Vernon’s concerns.
On June 21, 2024, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and Metro released the Draft EIS/SEIR to the public and provided for a comment period beginning on June 21 and ending on August 9, 2024. CHSRA is the lead agency for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental laws for the Project. Metro is the joint lead agency under NEPA, a project sponsor and lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Draft EIS/SEIR was prepared by CHSRA (as the NEPA lead agency) and Metro (as the CEQA lead agency) to analyze the potential environmental effects of the Project and to identify mitigation measures that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate for potential adverse effects.
The Draft EIS/SEIR includes analyses for the following environmental resource areas: Land Use & Planning, Transportation, Visual Quality & Aesthetics, Air Quality & Global Climate Change, Noise & Vibration, Biological & Wetland Resources, Floodplains, Hydrology, & Water Quality, Geology, Soils, & Seismicity, Hazardous Waste & Materials, Public Utilities & Energy, Cultural & Paleontological Resources, Economic & Fiscal Impacts, Safety & Security, Socioeconomics & Communities Affected, and Environmental Justice.
Since the release of the Draft EIS/SEIR, City staff have carefully reviewed the documents (over 2,000 pages) to analyze and evaluate the environmental impact study and to identify potential impacts to the City of Vernon. In short, staff have ascertained that there is a lack of qualified, accurate data used in many of the Metro Link US Project analyses that conclude that the Project bears little to no foreseen environmental effects on the City and surrounding Southeast Los Angeles Area (SELA) communities. For example, traffic volume during the COVID-19 pandemic is not reflective of normal traffic conditions. The analyses do not consider the City’s mixed-use zoning and residents in close proximity to the Malabar Yard. Additionally, emissions in Vernon were considered mitigated based on emissions reductions anticipated in other areas (not Vernon or SELA).
Based on the information contained within the Draft EIS/SEIR staff has determined the Project would result in the following adverse impacts:
Air Quality and Increased Emissions
The proposed modifications to BNSF’s Malabar Rail Yard to increase storage capacity will lead to an increase in freight railcar traffic within the City of Vernon. This increase in railcars will also cause vehicles to idle longer while waiting for trains to pass. Consequently, this will result in higher emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and other harmful air pollutants.
Public Safety Response Times and Emergency Vehicle Access The increase in freight traffic will directly impact the response times of emergency vehicles in the City of Vernon. The Vernon Police Department, which prides itself on a swift three-minute response time, is situated on the west side of the rail crossings. If a freight train is passing through, officers must drive south into Huntington Park to circumvent the train, delaying their arrival at critical incidents. Such delays can also impede fire and medical emergency services, and in urgent situations, even a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The proposed project does not adequately address how these potential delays will be mitigated to ensure the safety and well-being of Vernon's residents and workforce.
Traffic Impact with Street Modifications
The proposed closure of 49th Street and the 46th Street Connector, will cause significant traffic impacts. These two streets are heavily used by surrounding businesses and the closure/modifications will result in issues with traffic patterns, on-street and private parking, and access to loading docks, leading to congestion and delays for commuters and local businesses.
The closure of 49th Street alone will create additional blockages on: Pacific Avenue (two locations), East bound traffic on 46th Street, Seville Avenue, Soto Street, 44th Street, Boyle Street, Alcoa Avenue, and South Downey Road. These traffic delays are expected to have a cascading effect on the overall transportation network in Vernon, negatively impacting the daily operations and productivity of local businesses and the quality of life for residents.
Operational and Physical Impacts to Businesses
The proposed expansion and modifications at the Malabar Yard will also have detrimental operational and physical impacts on at least 21 businesses in the vicinity. Metro proposes several design options that include full demolition of several business buildings. The potential use of business properties for the expansion could result in the displacement of established businesses, loss of jobs, and economic instability in the area. Additionally, operational disruptions caused by increased freight traffic and construction activities can hinder the day-to-day activities of local businesses, leading to financial losses and forcing several businesses to shut down.
Staff recommends that Council take a position opposing the Metro Link US Project based on the negative impacts to the City of Vernon, its businesses and residents, and surrounding communities. Staff is preparing written comments to be submitted to Metro by their August 9, 2024 public comment deadline.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
None.