REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 1, 2022
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for the Baldwin Lane Sidewalk Project in the Big Bear Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Baldwin Lane Sidewalk Project in the Big Bear area is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15304(a) Class 4 (minor alterations to land) and Section 15302(c) Class 2 (replacement or reconstruction).
2. Approve the Baldwin Lane Sidewalk Project in the Big Bear area as defined in the Notice of Exemption and direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to file and post the Notice of Exemption.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Baldwin Lane Sidewalk Project in the Big Bear area (Project) will be funded with Gas Tax revenue and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The requested actions are administrative in nature with minimal financial impact to the Department of Public Works (Department). Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2021-22 Road Operations budget (6650002000 20H15029).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project is located on the north side of Baldwin Lane, from 400’ west of Maple Lane to Creekside Lane, in the Big Bear area and involves constructing new sidewalk and curb and gutter, and constructing new or replacing existing curb ramps at various locations in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Minimal work for the Project will be done outside the existing right-of-way and will require permission from property owners; however, no acquisitions will be required. Three trees located along the shoulder at Sugarloaf Park are proposed for removal during Project activities.
Annually, the County receives an allocation of CDBG funds for expenditure on projects that benefit and improve low- and moderate-income areas. The Project to construct the subject sidewalk and curb ramps to the most current ADA design standards was identified as a priority project eligible to receive CDBG funds.
The Department’s Environmental staff has reviewed this Project and determined that a categorical exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15304(a) Class 4 and Section 15302(c) Class 2 is appropriate. The Class 4 exemption allows for grading on land with a slope of less than 10%. The Class 2 exemption allows for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structures will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. When the Board of Supervisors (Board) considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended. Additionally, to ensure that no significant impacts to sensitive species occurs, the Department will conduct surveys prior to construction in early June 2022 and will take necessary precautions should rare and/or special status plants be found. If sensitive species are found, protection and/or relocation procedures could delay construction of the Project.
Pursuant to delegated authority from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on June 25, 2021, the County’s Department of Community Development and Housing reviewed the Project for compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and determined the Project is Categorically Excluded pursuant to Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 58.34(a)(12).
The Project aligns with the County and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring development of a well-planned, balanced and sustainable County by providing for the safety of County residents by improving access for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
PROCUREMENT
The Department anticipates bringing the Project’s plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise for competitive bids to the Board for consideration in Spring 2022.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 7, 2022; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on February 7, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 14, 2022.