1030 West Cliff Drive Emergency Storm Damage Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024100647
Public Agency
City of Santa Cruz
Document Title
1030 West Cliff Drive Emergency Storm Damage Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/16/2024
Document Description
Starting December 28, 2022, through January 2023, high wave events damaged several sections of coastline along West Cliff Drive, including along the public right-of-way across from 1030 West Cliff Drive. This period was subsequently declared a California state disaster (DR-4683-CA) across Santa Cruz County by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Located on West Cliff Drive between David Way and Woodrow Avenue, the site is directly east of an existing concrete retaining wall and had been protected by a rock slope protection (RCP) buttress like other adjacent sites. This site was planned to be repaired with a pier supported concrete retaining wall at the top of the bluff, founded into the purisima bedrock shelf below. As plans for this site were developed, the extent of the adjacent sea cave was surveyed. The sea cave extends under the site and below the adjacent pathway and roadway. The roof of the cave was found to be very thin, raising concerns of the overall stability of the site and associated pathway and roadway above the cave.
Due to intense rainfall, large wave swells and high tides, significant damage occurred at this site. The site has continued to suffer damage and erosion from the winter 2023/2024 storm season. The large swell and high tides damaged the buttress and exposed the terrace deposit soils to direct wave attack. The damage extended landward sufficiently to damage the existing multipurpose trail and road. Protection barriers were placed to isolate the damage and protect the public. The cave condition is currently jeopardizing the entire project site and could result in major damage to the adjacent infrastructure and safety hazards if not addressed.
To stabilize the cave under the recreational path across from 1030 West Cliff Drive, the proposed project involves installing an approximately 56-feet long secant pile wall with approximately 30 piles in front of the mouth of the cave and parallel to the adjacent path on West Cliff Drive. Once the secant pile wall is installed, the sand in the cave behind the wall will be grouted for stability and any remaining space in the cave will be backfilled with slurry cement. Infilling the sea cave will reduce the
risk of further erosion and destabilization of the bluff and path above. To protect the recreational path and roadway, a new retaining wall will be constructed parallel to the path and roadway and landward of the new secant pile wall.
The project includes best management practices (BMPs) to prevent erosion, sedimentation, and the discharge of pollutants during construction, protecting marine resources. For example, silt fences and catch basin protections will be used for the duration of construction, and straw bales, pumps, curtain enclosures, and other containment/soaking devices will be used in case of spillage. Additionally, construction will take weather into account by scheduling excavation and concrete pours outside of
forecasted rain events, high surf, high tide, and storms, and covering soil stockpiles and safely positioning equipment and materials at the end of each shift. The suite of BMPs will ensure that no debris, soil, silts, sand, rubbish, cement or concrete or washing thereof, oil or petroleum products or other earthen material from any construction or associated activity will be allowed onto the beach below or adjacent marine environment. Therefore, the proposed project conforms to the applicable marine resources policies of the Coastal Act.
Contact Information
Name
Miguel Lizarraga
Agency Name
City of Santa Cruz
Job Title
Associate Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Cruz
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
1030 West Cliff Drive
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA provides "statutory exemptions" that are applicable to certain projects and activities, as granted by the Legislature. CEQA Statute Section 21080(b)(3) and (4) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 (a) and (b) allows exemption from CEQA for emergency projects under certain conditions.
1030 West Cliff Drive failed during the January 2023 storms that were declared a disaster (DR-4683- £81 across Santa Cruz County. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(a), this project provides for the reconstruction of 1030 West Clif Drive, which was damaged as a result of a disaster in a disaster-stricken area in which a state of emergency had been proclaimed by the Governor. Thus, the project results in replacement of public facilities that were damaged beyond repair as a result of the declared state of emergency. Additionally, given that West Cliff Drive has been closed due to safety concerns associated with the failure of 1030 West Cliff Drive, this important coastal public road is in danger of further erosion and storm damage.
Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(b), this project provides for emergency repairs to publicly owned facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety or welfare. Since January 2023, the project site, which includes West Cliff Drive, has been closed to all vehicle traffic for public safety. This has necessitated a longer detour through the surrounding neighborhoods, including for emergency vehicles. Action is needed to reopen this stretch of West Cliff Drive to all modes of transportation, including emergency vehicles, to provide for facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety or welfare of the community.
Therefore, the City is able to document that the project qualifies for the Statutory Exemption found at CEQA Statute Section 21080(b)(3) and (4) and CEQA Guidelines 15269(a) and (b), which allows emergency projects under certain conditions.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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