PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The approved project preliminary design for PCH calls for right-of-way improvements necessary to return to two-way operations. Along with the traffic signalization, striping, and signing modifications, the improvements will also include new bus stops and initial traffic-related modifications to the gateways at Blue Lantern and Copper Lantern. The traffic signal improvements will include two new signals, one at Ruby Lantern and one at a new intersection between Blue Lantern and Ruby Lantern, and modifications to other traffic signals for two-way travel. Several landscaped medians will also be included. Generally, the curb and gutter will remain in its current location and some public on-street parking will be relocated. A two-lane left turn lane will be required on southbound Golden Lantern at PCH. View the PCH Design Plan.

The approved design for Del Prado also includes the return of two-way operations along with more extensive roadway, on-street parking, streetscape, and gateway improvements. The program of physical improvements called for in the approved design not only to meet the functional requirements of two-way operations but also help establish a more viable retail district and encourage infill of vacant and underutilized lands to create a vital mixed use center for the city. The design is also intended to enhance the pedestrian experience (by widening sidewalks while retaining on street parking between Blue Lantern and Golden Lantern), reflect the unique coastal environment and create stronger linkages to the natural features of the landscape along the bluff and other destinations such as the marina. View the Del Prado Design Plan.

The Public Works Staff, in concert with the Roma Design Group and Psomas Engineering, have developed the design plans for construction of these improvements.

Focus group meetings were held better appraise affected Town Center businesses, property owners and residents of the scope of work and potential construction implementation impacts. This resulted in numerous revisions to the preliminary design.

A Construction Implementation Advisory Group, representative of businesses, residents and property owners/developers met in September 2008 and January 2009 to review the project. This group acted as a sounding board for the design team to help make smart decisions on issues such as working hours, public access, temporary parking, signage, etc.

The Town Center Parking Study, exploring what the public and private parking capacity is now and in the future, was presented to City Council on March 31, 2009. The current design concept adds on-street parking to the Town Center. An "in-lieu" parking fee is available for new development for off site parking demands on a project-by-project basis. Click on the highlighted text for the parking study document in full. Generally, the study found that, while there is abundant underutilized public and private parking now and as projected three years from now, anywhere from 146-617 public parking spaces will be needed 10-15 years from now with build out.

The Design Team also presented the preliminary design cost proposal to the City Council on March 31, 2009. The cost estimate provided for the project was $19.1 Million. The Project was later split into phases.

On July 17, 2012, in recognition of the damage that the existing Tipu trees were causing to Town Center sidewalks, coupled with a new disease attacking the Tipu trees, and given property owner's positive feedback regarding some newly planted Date Palms, the City Council directed a concept change to revise the landscaping for the proposed Project on Del Prado to replace the Tipus with Date Palms.

The City Council also directed Staff to construct the Copper Lantern Gateway South on September 18, 2012. This initial increment of the original Project scope was completed in April 2013.

On February 19, 2013 the City Council directed Staff to:

1. Complete the Project Design.
2. Conduct a Value Engineering Review.
3. Provide Bid Packages.
4. Minimize adverse construction impact.
5. Develop detailed costs estimates.
6. Develop funding options.
7. Evaluate private development impact/benefits.
8. Facilitate SCWD action through the Water/Sewer Committee.
9. Process necessary design agreement amendments.

On May 21, 2013 the City Council approved funding in the amount of $9.2 Million for the Pacific Coast Highway portion of the project. This work includes Del Prado between Blue Lantern and Ruby Lantern. This is the first of two phases, which is now under construction, February 2014-October 2014.  Construction map and construction update links are provided above, as well as outreach information.

The City Council re-branded the Town Center as the "Lantern District" on December 3, 2013.

Results of the Value Engineering Review, which adjusted the scope of work on Del Prado, reduced the overall construction cost estimate from $19.1 Million to $16.9 Million.

On June 4, 2013 the City Council accepted a four-phase approach and tentative schedule for construction of the Project. The schedule proposed South Coast Water District (SCWD) construct their underground water/sewer work on PCH and on Del Prado, between Blue Lantern and Ruby Lantern, beginning September 2013 ahead of the City's project work to begin February of 2014.    SCWD completed their first phase utility work in March of 2014 and began their second (final) phase in September 2014.  

City Staff completed the design for the City Phase 1 PCH portion of the PCH/Del Prado Streetscape Improvement Project (Project) which addressed the remaining tasks identified by the City Council on February 19, 2013. The Project was advertised for construction bids, and bids were received on October 30, 2013. The City Council awarded the Construction Contract for the Project on December 3, 2013. Three public outreach meetings were held in December and January to discuss construction and business/resident concerns.  Construction will be complete in November 2014.  SCWD began their second phase underground water/sewer work on Del Prado in September 2014.

The City Council also approved a Development Impact Fee on April 15, 2014.  This mitigation will require new development to help reimburse the City for a portion of the construction costs of these public improvements.  Details are included in the Ordinance (PDF) and Resolution (PDF) documents at the links above.

The City Council approved the funding for the City's Del Prado second phase in the amount of $7.7 Million on June 17, 2014, and awarded the project in September 2014.  Construction will begin in early 2015, following SCWD water/sewer work completion.  Del Prado construction work, between Ruby Lantern and Golden Lantern, should be completed in September 2015.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)/COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT

The City of Dana Point completed the preparation of Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and a Coastal Development Permit for the PCH/Del Prado Street Improvements. The Final EIR was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), as amended (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.), and the State CEQA Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq).

Potentially significant environmental effects evaluated in the EIR included:

• Land Use and Planning
• Traffic and Circulation
• Air Quality
• Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Noise

The City accepted comments from public agencies, service providers, and members of the general public on this document through January 17, 2011. Copies of all public comments received and responses to each comment have been incorporated into the Final EIR. The Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was held on March 21, 2011. After receiving public comment, supplemental documents were prepared to address those comments.

A Supplemental Environmental Analysis dated October 2011 and Notice of Revisions is provided which slightly modified the Final Draft EIR below. The City Council approved the EIR/CDP on January 17, 2012. More information is available from the Agenda Report (PDF) from the January 17, 2012 City Council Meeting.

• Notice of Revisions (PDF)
• Supplemental Environmental Analysis, October 2011 (PDF)

Hard copies of the Final Draft EIR and supporting documents are available for public review and inspection at City Hall, or by clicking the highlighted PDF links below.

• Cover Page & Table of Contents (PDF)
• Chapter 1 - Executive Summary (PDF)
• Chapter 2 - Introduction & Background (PDF)
• Chapter 3 - Project Description (PDF)
• Chapter 4 - Environmental Analysis (PDF)
• Chapter 4.1 - Land Use and Planning (PDF)
• Chapter 4.2 - Traffic and Circulation (PDF)
• Chapter 4.3 - Air Quality (PDF)
• Chapter 4.4 - Climate Change (PDF)
• Chapter 4.5 - Noise (PDF)
• Chapter 5 - Impacts Found Not To Be Significant (PDF)
• Chapter 6 - Irretrievable and Irreversible Commitment of Resources (PDF)
• Chapter 7 - Unavoidable Adverse Impacts (PDF)
• Chapter 8 - Growth Inducing Impacts (PDF)
• Chapter 9 - Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Project (PDF)
• Chapter 10 - Alternatives (PDF)
• Chapter 11 - List of Preparers and Persons Consulted (PDF)
• Chapter 12 - References (PDF)
• Chapter 13 - Glossary of Acronyms (PDF)
• Appendix A - Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (PDF)
• Appendix B - NOP Comment Letters (PDF)
• Appendix C - Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) - (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix A (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix B (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix C (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix D-1 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix D-2 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix D-3 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix E-1 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix E-2 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix F (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix G-1 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix G-2 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix H-1 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix H-2 (PDF)
• - TIA Appendix I (PDF)
• Appendix D - Air Quality/Climate Change Analysis (PDF)
• Appendix E - Noise Analysis (PDF)
• Appendix F - MMRP (PDF)
• Appendix G - RTC (PDF)

The City Council approved an Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (PDF) on June 18, 2013 reflecting minor project changes resulting from the Value Engineering Review. An Amendment to the Project Coastal Development Permit was approved on the same Council Agenda Report. These reports are available online by viewing the City Council Agenda Report for that date. The Council meeting PowerPoint Presentation is available by clicking here.