19E - SANTA ANA GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT

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Approve Santa Ana Grade Separation Project Report Equivalent and Receive and File Environmental Clearance December 2, 2014 Page 2 of 3 City staff, in conjunction with OCTA, secured $1,500,000 for the preparation of a Project Report Equivalent (PRE) and Environmental Document (ED) and conceptual engineering for the project. The PRE has now been completed. The PRE analyzed a single build alternative for an underpass. The proposed alignment minimizes impacts to the Logan Neighborhood while minimizing the right of acquisition and relocation of businesses. The underpass lowers Santa Ana Boulevard under the existing railroad tracks and minimizes the visual impacts. The underpass also provides two new pedestrian bridges on the east and west sides of the railroad bridge which enhances connectivity from SARTC (Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center) to the Logan neighborhood and industrial properties east of the railroad tracks and north of Santa Ana Boulevard. Additional landscaping would be provided in the retaining /slope areas on both sides of Santa Ana Boulevard. The roadway typical section accommodates a Class I Bike Lane, pedestrian plaza, and Fixed Guideway extension (Exhibit 1). Though not required as part of the ED, several community meetings were held to determine the public's concerns related to this priority project. The following meetings were held: • A Logan Neighborhood meeting (October 5, 2009), • A Stakeholder Working Group Meeting for the Fixed Guideway Project (June 3, 2010), and • A Public Information Meeting (December 18, 2013). The input received was instrumental in providing project features that minimized the impact to the community, including the pedestrian bridges, landscaping and final alignment. City Council action to approve the PRE will position this project for funding. Staff recommends its approval and will continue to work with OCTA to fund this priority infrastructure project. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5: Community Health, Livability, Engagement and Sustainability (Objectives 4 and 6) by adding transportation connectivity for all, and Goal #6: Community Facilities & Infrastructure (Objective 1) by providing enhanced rail, transit, bicycling, walking and roadway infrastructure. This project also provides for the City's streetcar project that will service the City's historic downtown, courthouses, businesses, the Artist's Village and several colleges. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the proposed project is exempt from future review. A Statutory Exemption has been filed for the project. In addition, a Certification of Categorical Exemption and a Statutory Worksheet have been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. 19E -2