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Home My WebLink About0427.095I ' J I I, , TO: nOM: DATE: SUBJECT: REQUEST o City of Palo Alto City Manager's Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PublicWorb September 21, 1995 CMR:427:9S Encroachment Permit for San Francisquito Creek Bank Restoration Project This is an infOODationa! repon on an encroachment permit 10 be issued 10 Watershed Science 10 perform bank restoration on City-<lwned land in San francisquito C«ek near Abna Street POIJCY lMPYCAIlOlSS The proposed bank restoration project is consisteDl with prior Council direction regarding appropriate erosion controlleChniques for Sao Francisquito Creek (CMR: 166:95). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the past several years, bank erOOon has occwred at the sharp bend in Sao fraocisquito Creek downstream oCthe railroad bridge near Alma Street (see site map, Attachment I). Due 10 the .. OOve forces of the creek on the outer edge of the bend, the rear portion of three properties CHI East Creek Place in Menlo Park has been wasbed away. further property losses are likely unless the bank is stabilized and protected. The property owners initially retained ao engineer who proposed the construction of a concrete retaining wall. This proposal was not pursued doe 10 its substantial cost and significant environmental impacts. During the past year, the property owners have participated in the ODgoing Coordinated Resource Management and Planning {CRMP) process, in an attempt 10 identify an effec1lve and enviromnentally-compah1>le solution 10 this .rOOon problem. Wrtb the input of CRMP participants, an a1temalive plan was devised based upon biotechnical restoration techniques. The plan utilizes natural materials inclucfmg bouiders, logs and tree plan6ngs \0 stabilize the creek bank. This plan will cost much less than the concrete wall and have Iong-tenn environmental benefits. In lale 1994. the City issued a letter of support fo< • State of Califamja Urban Streams Restoration Grant appUc.tion, submit!ed by the City of Menlo Park and the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (representing CRMP), 10 fund Pa&e 1.13 , . " ; this proje<:t (Attachment 2). The State did no! award I grant for this project, but the three property owners have agreed to fund the w('(k OD their 0"'11. Although most of the bank res!orstioo wcd< will take place on the Menlo Park side of the creek, Waiersbed Science has applied 10 the CIIy for an encroachment permit 10 allow work within El Palo Alto Park on the Pal" Alto side. The ",.or!< in Palo Aha consists of removing a gravel deposit along the inner edge of the bend, placing boulden 10 protect the toe of the slope and planting trees 10 srabilize the bank and create shade. All wor!< will be performed from the creek bed, and 00 "mers or equipment will be allowed 10 enter the poctWn of the park al the lop of the bank. The project is located approximately 200 fee! downstream from El Palo Alto and ",ill DO( affect the bealth Of stability of the historic tree. The encroachment penn.~ will require the contractor 10 nolify residents along Palo Alto Avenue of the p<oject, control dust during construction a.od conform 10 the City's Noise O"rtn8.DCe. In additien, the applicant is awaiting f"mal approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, State Fish and Game, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Regional Water Quality Control Beard, and the City of Meulo Park for the p<oposed bank restoration. Although a p<>rtion of the proposed bank restoratien is within a dedicated park, the City Attorney's Office has issued an opinion that a Park Imp<ovement Ordinance is no( required, since the wor!< will no( constitute a substantial a1teraticn of the physical cbaracteristks of the creek. Stl!ffbelieves!hat the City's interests can be adequately proI<C1ed through the conditicns placed on the encroachment pennit Unless otherwise directed by Council, sIaff intends 10 issue the encroacbment permillO Watershed Science on September 21,1995. nSCAL IMPACT The applicant will pay the City an encroacbment permit fee to cover the cost of City administraticn and inspection. EN\JRONM ENTAL ASSEMMD(I The City of Menlo Park is the lead agency for the San Francisquito Creek Bank Restoration Projecl for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Menlo Park staff regard this project as I miner land altera!ioo and have detennined ilto be categorically exempt in accordance with Sec60n 153<)4 of the CEQA guidelines. ATIACHM1KTS I-Site Map 2 -Letler of Suppo<1 PREPARED BY: George Bagdon, Assistant Director of Public Worlts ..... lol3 • DEPARTMENTHEADREVlEW, £1. ~~ GLENN S. ROBERTS 0ire<:1Or of Public Wods CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~!'\~ Assistant City Manager cc, Rube" Nino, City of Menlo Pat!< Kay Whitlock, Santa Clara Valley Water Dislrict Debbie Myte!s, Peninsula Conservation Center foundation Robert Hemmes. Friends of San Francisquilo Creek Steve Zembsch, Watershed Science Bill Van<livere, Clearwater Hydrology Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Divine Ms. Sue Cbung Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Jolmson Paee J oU • I • • ATTACHMENT 2 n . Mr. Earle Cummings Urban Streams Reli!oration Program Division of Local Assistance . Department 0{ Water Resources State 0{ California P.O. Box 942835 Sacramento. CA 94236-0001 Dear Mr. Cummings: pty~rp.:1l0 Alto OffreoflheCityMm.7g", December 30. 19<;4 I am writing 10 endorse the grant application to yoor agency from the City 0( Menlo Park and the Peninsula Olnservation Cenler Foundation foe funds t~ support a. stream bank stabilization project on San Francisquito Creele. As one of tile ageucies with an active interest in San Francisquita Creek, the City of Palo Aho bas been participating in tbe Coordinated Resource Managemenl and Planning {CRMP) process for the creek. In November 1994. the CRMP Steering Committee voted ~ seek funding for a project to prevent fiJ.rt.l)er erosion at a site <>pp<>Site and slightly east of the El Palo Alto tree histoocal landmarlL To stabilize the creek bank. the proposed project will utJlize an innovative terracing method that is sensitive to the natura! environment. Volunteers \!Iill be recruited and trained 10 plan! native veger"tion along the reconfigured bar.k'to further stabilize it against erosion.. The property .owners conrur with tlJe deslga concept: and bave agreed to proceed witll the project. which should prevent further loss 0{ their land and ,,';at of neigbbors downstream. In .d<lition. the are. has high public visibility and will provide an e"eITent demonstration opportu"ity for future stream banIc stabilization projects. The proposed San Francisquilo Creek stream bank Slablli2.atiou project is consistent with the City 0{ PaiD Alto'. desire !O preserve the natural .alues 0( San Francisquito Creek. On behalf of the Ci..>y. I endorse the project and ask that you approve the Urban Streams Restoratiro Program application for funding. ~l~tJ: . City Manager j JT:1Flko ce: Debbie My1els. Penln.mla Conservation Center Foundatioo PD,bIrr-51 PaIo • .I!Jlo, CA943W lli.3Z9 2-%3 415.3ZS 36...:n.fu J