Title
PLN220090 - CALTRANS/GARRAPATA BRIDGE RAILS
Public hearing to consider California Department of Transportation's ("Caltrans") appeal of the Garrapata Creek bridge rail replacement project on Highway 1, Big Sur.
Project Location: Garrapata Creek Bridge near post mile 63.0 on HWY 1, Big Sur Land Use Plan.
Proposed California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") action: Continuance of the hearing is an administrative activity that is not subject to CEQA.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors continue the hearing on this matter to February 6, 2024 while staff coordinates with CalTrans staff on next steps.
SUMMARY/DISSCUSSION:
On December 6, 2023, the Board of Supervisors heard an appeal of the Planning Commissions denial of a permit for the replacement of bridge rails on Garrapata Bridge in Big Sur. At the hearing, the Board adopted a motion of intent to deny the appeal and the application and requested that staff return with findings for denial of the permit. Since that time, CalTrans has been coordinating with County staff and Coastal Commission staff on the next steps and the possibility of submitting additional details and analysis.
Staff recommends that the Board continue the hearing on this matter to February 6, 2024 to allow all parties the additional time to review the options and next steps.
CEQA
Caltrans, as the Lead Agency for the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) consisting of a Tier 1 program level review for the Big Sur Bridge Rail Replacement Program and a Tier 2 project level review of the Garrapata Bridge Rail Replacement Project. While not being federally funded, in the environmental analysis Caltrans found the project qualified for a Categorical Exclusion from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The County is a responsible agency under CEQA, and as a responsible agency is required to consider the EIR prepared by the l...
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