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MOORPARK CITY COUNCILBBY: - - - - --
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Deborah S. Traffenstedt, ATOM /City Clerk i S7T-
DATE: October 8, 2001 (CC Meeting of 10/17/01)
SUBJECT: Consider Resolution Expressing the Council's Opposition to
Modifications Proposed to Grimes Rock, Inc. (Major
Modification to CUP 4874) and Best Rock Products
Corporation (Modification No. 3 to CUP 4171) Mining
Projects in the County of Ventura
BACKGROUND
At the City Council's meeting on October 3, 2001, staff was directed
to bring back a resolution for adoption on October 17, 2001, that
expressed the Council's opposition to the above referenced County
projects. A draft resolution is attached. Also attached is a copy
of the staff comment letter that is referenced in the attached
resolution and dated October 4, 2001.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve Resolution No. 2001-
Attachments:
1. Draft Resolution
2. Director of Community Development Letter dated October 4, 2001
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING TO THE
VENTURA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THE CITY
OF MOORPARK'S OPPOSITION TO MODIFICATIONS
PROPOSED TO GRIMES ROCK, INC. (MAJOR
MODIFICATION TO CUP 4874), AND BEST ROCK
PRODUCTS CORPORATION (MODIFICATION NO. 3 TO
CUP 4171) MINING PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY OF
VENTURA
WHEREAS, the City Council continues to vehemently object to
the volume of truck traffic that is routed through the streets of
the City of Moorpark, and in particular to the mining related
truck traffic that traverses through the downtown and central area
of the City; and
WHEREAS, applications have been filed with the County of
Ventura by Grimes Rock, Inc., for a Major Modification to
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 4874 and Best Rock Products
Corporation for Modification No. 3 to CUP -4171 that will result in
a significant, cumulative increase in truck traffic on Walnut
Canyon Road, Moorpark Avenue, and Los Angeles Avenue in the City
of Moorpark; and
WHEREAS, at the City Council's direction, the City's Director
of Community Development submitted a letter dated October 4, 2001,
in opposition and protest to the granting of any further Permit
Adjustments or Major or Minor Modifications to Conditional Use
Permits for aggregate or mining operation expansion and increases
in truck traffic that adversely impact the City of Moorpark; and
WHEREAS, the proposed haul route along Walnut Canyon Road and
Moorpark Avenue impacts numerous sensitive receptors, including
Walnut Canyon School, the Moorpark Boys and Girls Club, the
Moorpark Civic Center (including the public library, a park, the
Senior Center and Moorpark City Hall), and three designated school
crossings (painted yellow crosswalks); and
WHEREAS, the school, childcare, and civic uses generate and
attract frequent pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic and
adding any more truck trips raises significant safety concerns and
creates further congestion, noise, fumes and impediments to
traffic flow; and
WHEREAS, the use of the Walnut Canyon Road /Moorpark Avenue as
a haul route by heavy trucks deters downtown revitalization,
discourages investment and redevelopment with negative fiscal
consequences to the downtown area of Moorpark; and
l.00(0 di- G.
Resolution No. 2001 -
Page 2
WHEREAS, the volume of traffic, and especially the volume of
mining related truck traffic has an adverse effect upon the
quality of life in the City of Moorpark; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Moorpark is seeking
solutions to these problems.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council requests that an Environmental
Impact Report be required for the referenced projects and full
analysis of impacts, including cumulative, and a thorough analysis
of alternatives and mitigation measures as stated in the City's
Director of Community Development letter dated October 4, 2001.
SECTION 2. The City Council requests that the County
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors give full
consideration to the City's request that Grimes Canyon Road be
reinstated as the major roadway comprising the Southern haul route
and that mitigation fees should be assessed to the mine operators
to provide additional signal and lane improvements at Grimes
Canyon Road and Los Angeles Avenue and other locations as
necessary to mitigate impacts.
SECTION 3. The City Council requests that the Ventura County
Planning Commission and County Board of Supervisors conduct any
public meetings or hearings related to these applications within
the cities affected.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk is directed to forward a copy of
this Resolution to the Planning Director, Planning Commission and
Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura.
SECTION S. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed
in the book of original resolutions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of October, 2001.
Patrick Hunter, Mayor
ATTEST:
Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk
MOORPARK
799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 517 -6200
October 4, 2001
Mr. Chris Stevens, Planning Director
Ventura County Resource Management Agency
800 South Victoria Avenue L #1740
Ventura, CA, 93009
RE: Major Modification to Conditional Use Permit 4874 (Grimes
Rock, Inc.); and, Modification No. 3 to Conditional Use
Permit 4171 (Best Rock Products Corporation)
Dear Mr. Stevens:
The City of Moorpark has in the past and continues to vehemently
object to the volume of truck traffic that is routed through the
streets of the City, and in particular those related to the
aggregate haulers. We are submitting this letter of opposition
and protest to the granting of any further Permit Adjustments or
Major or Minor Modifications to Conditional Use Permits for
aggregate or mining operation expansion and increases in truck
traffic.
Given the past oral and written comments provided by the City on
this issue or other applications involving truck traffic through
the City of Moorpark, the requested modifications require
adequate public notice to be given to allow concerned
communities, special districts, and residents to respond and
comment. Any public meetings or hearings related to these
applications must be conducted within the cities affected.
The City of Moorpark has completed its analysis of the subject
Conditional Use Permit Modification proposals and the related
traffic study prepared by Associated Traffic Engineers. These
items were presented and discussed before the City Council on
September 19, 2001, and October 3, 2001. At Council's direction
this letter provides comments relative to the consideration of
the changes to the cited permits and addresses traffic, safety
and environmental issues of gravest concern to the City of
Moorpark.
M:\ JLibiez\ M\ AgencyRevs \GrimesRockMajModBest RockModLtrFina110.4.01.doc
PATRICK HUNTER CUNT HARPER ROSEANN MIKOS KEITH F MILLHOUSE JOHN E. VVOZNIAK
Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Coundlmember Coundimember Councilmember
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 2
The cumulative impacts of the Surface Mining Permit
modifications along the Highway 23 corridor supports a
conclusion that an EIR is the appropriate environmental document
to assess the extent of the cumulative impacts that multiple
mining operations create. While CEQA allows assessments for
individual projects, CEQA also mandates that the Lead Agency
(Ventura County) consider the cumulative impacts that may be
more significant than the impacts of the individual projects
when reaching a decision.
The changes contemplated by the referenced applications and the
operations evaluated in the traffic study have serious impacts
upon the Walnut Canyon Road /Moorpark Avenue corridor. Any added
trips involving heavily loaded trucks creates significant
impacts to these streets and their commerce and residents living
along them. The assigned haul route passes by two elementary
schools, the Moorpark Civic Center, which includes the public
library, a park, the senior center and Moorpark City Hall and
Council Chambers, subjecting these uses and the public
unnecessarily to potentially high health and safety risks. These
are risks that the City of Moorpark will not and should not be
required to accept risks based upon action proposed to be taken
by the County. These risks and impacts to the citizens and
businesses of Moorpark can and must be minimized or avoided. It
is the responsibility of the County to identify the risks and
establish measures for compliance by the haulers at the haulers
expense.
Walnut Canyon Road is winding and narrow with a significant
downhill grade from Broadway to High Street. The intersection
of Casey Road and Walnut Canyon Road is signalized. The signal
was required for public safety in support of Walnut Canyon
Elementary School. There are frequent vehicle trips to the
school site and a significant amount of bicycle and pedestrian
(children) traffic at that intersection. Compounding the
traffic flow through this critical intersection by adding any
more truck trips induces impacts that require further analysis
under CEQA, and from a traffic engineering perspective.
Simply stated, the conditions that exist today are different
than when the aggregate operator CUPs were first approved, and
will be significantly different after application of the
proposed truck trips under the current applications. Trucks
frequently apply exhaust brakes when coming down Walnut Canyon
Road creating noise and vibration that affects the school, the
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 3
.residences on either side of Walnut Canyon Road /Moorpark Avenue,
and the other adjacent public and business uses. Below Charles
Street the trucks traverse through the historic central business
district and then along the major commercial access corridor
creating congestion, noise, fumes and impediments to traffic
flow. Further, trucks have been observed without proper covers
installed during transit creating potential for fugitive dust
impacts and NPDES violations.
The City of Moorpark in 1998 adopted a Specific Plan for the
redevelopment of the Downtown area that includes the Moorpark
Avenue and High Street corridors. Since plan adoption the City
has invested $3,000,000.00 in acquisition and improvement of
properties in an effort to attract private capital and
revitalize this historic core. In general the use of the Walnut
Canyon Road /Moorpark Avenue route by heavy trucks deters
downtown revitalization, discourages investment and
redevelopment with negative fiscal consequences to the
community. Routing these trucks through rural, sparsely
developed areas rather than urbanized developed areas and
neighborhoods containing schools, public use buildings and
residences creates fewer impacts on fewer people. The routing
of trucks along Grimes Canyon Road must be considered, and an
analysis completed for public review comparing this alternative
to continued use of Walnut Canyon Road.
The operations and environmental consequences of mineral
extraction uses within the City of Moorpark Area of Interest
upon the City due to traffic and related transport issues
remains a matter of long standing concern as expressed by the
City Council and staff on several occasions. In the interest of
resolving these issues, the following comments are provided to
County staff in preparation of your responses to the
applications and the environmental issues. In the interest of
brevity, issues are identified and comments offered to enable
you and your staff to focus environmental assessments and
conditioning for the projects.
• Passenger Car Equivalencies (PCEs):
The traffic study identifies the use of PCEs as a measure of
traffic impact upon the haul routes to which truck trips have
been assigned. A truck headed to Fillmore in the morning is
credited as three (3) PCEs. The same commercial truck bound
for Moorpark at any time of the same day would be valued at
two (2) PCEs. The use of different PCE values has not been
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 4
explained since the truck has not changed its value in length,
bulk or weight as defined by the study's assumptions. This
skews the data and proposes a false conclusion that traffic
impacts to Moorpark are less than actually exist on the
corridor.
The manner in which the PCE values are derived is not clear in
the study. What is the basis for the determination of the
equivalency? The measurable factors used to reach the
conclusion of the equivalency should be included in the
traffic analysis and any authoritative reference in support of
the conclusion incorporated.
• Missing or omitted data:
The traffic report does not include quantitative data on the
impacts of San Cristabol and TMC mining among others on the
haul routes. The traffic report while intended to focus on
the three referenced producers and their pending applications
is inadequate due to this omission and fails to assess the
cumulative truck trips. While not a part of the applications
under review, the relationship of all aggregate /mineral
producers and haulers utilizing the defined corridor should be
clearly identified and discussed in the truck traffic impact
analysis. Table data, trip distributions, generation rates
such as trucks per minute or trucks per hour through given
intersections should be incorporated and analyzed.
Data within the Executive Summary and the report body do not
agree as to the total trips per day requested by the three
quarries referenced and ignores two other operations that can
contribute significant heavy truck traffic. The presented
analysis shows the three quarries requesting permission to
exceed the daily trip totals by as many as 140 trips per day.
That discussion is absent from the executive summary with no
explanation given. These added volumes would result in
corresponding increases in peak hour trips, therefore their
omission results in an incomplete and inaccurate analysis and
conclusion.
Actual trip counts will be higher in morning hourly periods
than afternoon hourly periods due to the nature of the mineral
extraction service needs and should be reflected in the report
and quantified. No actual counts appear to have been done to
verify this condition and should be done before final analysis
is complete.
CUP -48.74 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 5
• Haul Routes:
The County of Ventura defines proposed haul routes for the
delivery of mining operation materials. Two routes have been
designated. These are the Northern and Southern haul routes.
The Northern route leaves the designated production facilities
and proceeds north on Grimes Canyon Road (SR -23) to Highway
126 in the City of Fillmore. The Southern route departs the
facilities and follows Grimes Canyon Road south to Broadway,
east on Broadway to Walnut Canyon Road, south on Walnut Canyon
Road to its transition as Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark Avenue to
SR -118, and for some haulers the trip proceeds on SR -118 to
Spring Road, Spring Road to East (old) Los Angeles Avenue to
the existing Ready Mix concrete plant.
The County also allows for "local delivery" routes, but has
not provided a clear definition for these routes other than to
state that they utilize local streets and the two described
basic haul routes to deliver products to community areas.
Under a previous application for Permit Adjustment granted by
the County Planning Director, and objected to by the City of
Moorpark, Grimes Rock Inc. use of Grimes Canyon Road and SR
118, was determined to require creation of a left turn lane
and traffic control measures. The County concluded that this
routing exacerbated traffic conditions at that intersection
and along the SR 118 corridor and would create unsafe
conditions. This haul route segment was abandoned and trips
reassigned to Walnut Canyon Road over the objections of the
City. As a result 64 trips previously assigned to Grimes
Canyon Road south of Broadway were rerouted to Walnut Canyon
Road and 16 additional trips were reassigned from the Northern
haul route to the Southern haul route. This created 80 one way
trips per day not previously existing on the corridor.
The County Public Works Department did not submit comments
related to improvement requirements for Grimes Canyon Road and
the SR 118 during the EIR process or first two modifications
for the development of the Moorpark Country Club Estates
project (Tract 4928). After the EIR had been certified and
the project approved no additional impacts were created by the
subsequent Minor Modifications. However, adjustments to
circulation design and layouts were directed by the County in
requiring the developer to obtain an encroachment permit for
improvements on Grimes Canyon Road. This demand by the County
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 6
occurred even though previous responses to the EIR and
applications by the County were mute on that issue and a nexus
could not be clearly demonstrated. Toll Brothers under
separate agreement with the County has consented to provide
engineering services and funding in the amount of $250,000.00
to make the public improvements to the roadway which will
result in removing the previously identified County safety
concerns in order to gain approval of an encroachment permit,
generally a ministerial act.
Grimes Canyon Road should be reinstated as the major roadway
comprising the Southern haul route and impact fees /improvement
fees should be assessed to the mine operators to provide any
additional signal and lane improvements on Grimes Canyon Road
and Highway 118 beyond that being provided by the Toll
Brothers Development, consistent with their impacts. Walnut
Canyon Road should be removed from Southern haul route
description.
• Impacts:
The shifting of the truck trips from Grimes Canyon Road to
Walnut Canyon Road has increased impacts within the City.
Physical conditions along the route are different today than
when the first permits were approved. As noted earlier, the
route passes two elementary schools, the civic center, the
downtown commercial district, the senior center, major
commercial centers and single and multiple family housing
projects. Walnut Canyon Road is similar to Grimes Canyon Road
as it is curving, narrow, impacted by intersections and cross
traffic. Safety impacts are greater on Walnut Canyon Road due
to a mix of school traffic, buses, pedestrian, and commercial
uses which share the roadway with the trucks. While the
mining use peak period needs may differ from many other users,
a more detailed discussion of the overlap of the truck trips
into commuter peak periods, school traffic peak periods and
shopping peak periods must be evaluated to gain a true
perspective as to the total impact created.
The assignment of trips along the southern route indicates
that an increase of almost 60% above current levels can be
expected on a routine basis. This does not include the
opportunity for maximum load days, which could add as many as
140 additional trips in any one day. The traffic analysis
must clearly identify and evaluate that difference.
i 9 -)Oo z .
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 7
The following table shows a relationship of current truck
traffic along the Southern Haul Route and projected increases
to the three aggregate producers identified in the ATE Traffic
Report.
Company
Current Total
Proposed Total
Increase
% Increase
Grimes
Rock
300
300
0
0%
Best Rock
402
656
( *463)
254
( *61)
63.0%
( *15.1$)
Wayne J.
74
460
386
521.0%
TMC
810+
980+
170+
21.0%
San
Cristabol
unknown
unknown
unknown
unknown
Total
1586
2396
( *2203)
810
(447 *)
51.0%
( *28.1 %)
Note: ATE Traffic Engineers estimates each truck trip is equivalent of 2 passenger
cars for the Moorpark Corridor
* Indicates portion estimated to be assigned to Southern route after permit
modification.
+ TMC current volunteer reduction to 810; maximum permitted 980 as approved.
Currently aggregate and mining truck operations occur Monday
through Friday. The permit requests seek to add Saturday to
the permissible haul periods. The City strongly objects to
any truck trips on Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays when many
sports, civic events, commercial shopping trips, recreational
pursuits, and charitable activities occur. These are the only
times residents of Moorpark have respite from the truck
impacts along the Walnut Canyon Road corridor.
The increased truck activity will result in additional
pavement damage and warping (rutting) of the asphalt surfaces
and distortion to rail crossings. The mining uses should
contribute to road maintenance and facilities repairs related
to the level generated by these uses. The mining operators
must contribute mitigation fees on an ongoing basis for State
Route 23 and State Route 118 as well as local roadways (Spring
Road and Los Angeles Avenue (old) east of Spring Road)
affected by the assigned route.
The increased trip generation will create additional impacts
to noise and air quality, neither of which have been
addressed. Mining operators must provide appropriate
mitigation fees to address air quality impacts. The mining
operators must provide funding or physical construction of
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 8
sound mitigation measures for affected uses adjacent to the
haul route. This is particularly critical where existing
residential uses exist along the Walnut Canyon /Moorpark Avenue
corridor.
• Relationship to Other Traffic Analysis:
Several traffic assessment studies have been prepared by
professional traffic engineering firms for various Moorpark
residential projects which contribute trips along the Walnut
Canyon Road corridor (SR -23), Moorpark Avenue (SR -23), Spring
Road, and Los Angeles Avenue (SR 118). ATE conclusions as to
impacts at key intersections over a build out period through
2010 to 2020 in the aggregate operator traffic analysis report
are not consistent with those previous reports to which the
author of the traffic report has been referred copies
previously. Any discrepancies must be identified, analyzed
and resolved.
Intersection analysis for non - congestion management locations
needs to be completed. Moorpark Avenue /High Street and
Poindexter Avenue /First Street intersections are impacted by
the amount of truck traffic yet the submitted report does not
analyze the impacts at these locations. Also, intersection
analysis in the report reflects use of the ICU method although
for intersections such as those referenced here the operations
method should be used.
The traffic report analysis should include submittal of a
formal request to the City's traffic model consultant. A run
of the City traffic model should be performed to determine
consistency of the County proposals with the City model.
• Mitigation Measures /Conditions Inclusions
The City recognizes that the County has the jurisdictional
right to approve the requested modifications to the permits,
however they also have the obligation to include all data,
gather public comment and minimize impacts to heavily
developed areas. In the interest of affecting the greatest
reduction in impacts the Moorpark City Council has emphasized
their view that the following mitigation measures and
conditions be applied to the permit modifications when and if
they are considered.
1. Applicants shall contribute a proportional share of the
costs for school crossing guards at intersections
:_"! oc-si. 1
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 9
affected by the truck trips resulting from use of the any
assigned haul route.
2. Mineral /aggregate operators shall contribute on -going
maintenance fees for local, arterial or higher category
roadways affected by the mineral transport activities.
3. Mineral /aggregate operators shall participate in sound
mitigation measures to reduce impacts to single family
and multiple family residences affected by transit along
the haul route.
4. Transport vehicles shall not use engine exhaust
retardation systems within the City limits.
5. Mineral /aggregate operators shall contribute a mitigation
fee for air quality impacts within the southern haul
route area that shall be utilized for traffic and air
quality improvements along the transit corridor.
6. Mineral /aggregate operators shall contribute fees to
support CHP truck safety inspection costs and to offset
increased patrol costs.
7. Mineral /aggregate operators shall participate in signal
improvements at all intersections impacted by the truck
traffic generated and shall participate in the
construction of lane improvements within and upon Grimes
Canyon Road, and Highway 118 necessary to return truck
trips to Grimes Canyon Road and reduce use of Walnut
Canyon Road in the short term and eliminate use of Walnut
Canyon Road as a haul route as the final goal.
8. Mineral /aggregate operators shall provide for street
sweeping upon state and local streets affected by the
haul route determination.
9. Saturday, Sunday and Holiday hauling shall be prohibited.
Please advise me in writing of the schedule that the
applications and environmental documentation will follow. Should
you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter, please
feel free to contact me at (805) 517 -6258 or John Libiez,
Planning Manager, at (805) 517 -6236.
CUP -4874 (GRIMES ROCK, INC.) MAJOR MODIFICATION
CUP -4171 (BEST ROCK PRODUCTS CORPORATION MINOR MODIFICATION 3
October 4, 2001
PAGE 10
Sincerely Yours,
Wayfie /Lo us
Director of Community Development
WL /JL
C: Honorable City Council
Steve Kueny, City Manager
Superintendent, Moorpark Unified School District
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Ventura County Planning Commission
City of Fillmore
Grimes Rock CUP 4874 file
Best Rock CUP 4171 file
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