Corridor Connectionsmedia.metro.net/projects_studies/I710/images/i710... · Community Participation...
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Corridor Connections I-710 corridor project EIR/EIS news WINTER 2013 Community Participation in Brief The I-710 Corridor Project includes an extensive community participation process made up of several tiers of advisory committees and groups. The committees and groups have worked tirelessly to provide invaluable feedback on the project. For more information, please visit metro. net/710 or contact Danielle Valentino, Community Relations Manager, at 213.922.7448 or [email protected] or Ernesto Chaves, Deputy Project Manager (Engineering) at 213.922.7343 or chavese@ metro.net. You can also leave a message on the project hotline at (213) 922-4710. Local Advisory Committees (LACs) LAC members represent perspectives of local resident and business owners of each community along the corridor. These com- mittees have met throughout the project to discuss: • Community profiles • Early Action Projects Subject Working Groups (SWGs) Comprised of LAC representatives and appointees with specific expertise, these open participation groups explored transportation, community, design, and environmental issues in greater detail. Environmental SWG The ESWG convened more than a dozen times over two years to discuss: • Air Quality and Zero Emission Analysis Methodology • Health, air quality, and watershed issues Transportation & Transit SWG The TSWG met consistently for over two years to hear presentations on: • Traffic Analysis Methodology • Traffic Operational Analyses key findings Community Design & Local Economy SWG The CSWG met frequently for more than two years to review and discuss: • Visual Impact Assessment The I-710 Corridor Project has completed another important milestone: public release of the Draft EIR/EIS. The Draft EIR/EIS 60-day review period was extended by 30 days to September 28, 2012 to allow the public more time to provide comment. The team collected approximately 3,000 comments from stakeholder groups and individuals, including city staff and community leaders and is in the process of preparing responses to these comments. Community engagement has been and will continue to be a hallmark of the I-710 Corridor Project. The team would like to thank all who took the time to provide comment and those who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of their constituents and communities. Next Steps in the Project The Draft EIR/EIS lays out five different project alternatives, including a “No-Build” option. In order to move from the Draft EIR/EIS to the Final EIR/EIS, the project team must consider all public comments received during the review period and develop a recommendation for either, a preferred alternative, or additional analysis/review. Over the next few months, the project team will work closely with the advisory committees to develop recommendations for moving the project forward and continue the community engagement process into the next phase of the project. The Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) will continue to provide feedback on outreach activities and report back to community members and constituents. Each corridor city has its own process to provide feedback on the project, some preferring more engagement from the project team than others. Draft EIR/EIS Review Period Concludes (continued on back) (continued on back) Dave Levinsohn (URS) reviews project information with community members at the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS Public Hearings.
Transcript of Corridor Connectionsmedia.metro.net/projects_studies/I710/images/i710... · Community Participation...
metro.netCorridor ConnectionsI-710 corridor project EIR/EIS news WINTER 2013
Community Participation in Brief The I-710 Corridor Project includes an extensive community participation process made up of several tiers of advisory committees and groups. The committees and groups have worked tirelessly to provide invaluable feedback on the project. For more information, please visit metro.net/710 or contact Danielle Valentino, Community Relations Manager, at 213.922.7448 or [email protected] or Ernesto Chaves, Deputy Project Manager (Engineering) at 213.922.7343 or [email protected]. You can also leave a message on the project hotline at (213) 922-4710.
Local Advisory Committees (LACs)LAC members represent perspectives of local resident and business owners of each community along the corridor. These com-mittees have met throughout the project to discuss:
• Community profiles• Early Action Projects
Subject Working Groups (SWGs)Comprised of LAC representatives and appointees with specific expertise, these open participation groups explored transportation, community, design, and environmental issues in greater detail.
Environmental SWGThe ESWG convened more than a dozen times over two years to discuss:
• Air Quality and Zero Emission Analysis Methodology • Health, air quality, and watershed issues
Transportation & Transit SWGThe TSWG met consistently for over two years to hear presentations on:
• Traffic Analysis Methodology • Traffic Operational Analyses key findings
Community Design & Local Economy SWGThe CSWG met frequently for more than two years to review and discuss:
• Visual Impact Assessment
The I-710 Corridor Project has completed another important milestone: public release of the Draft EIR/EIS. The Draft EIR/EIS 60-day review period was extended by 30 days to September 28, 2012 to allow the public more time to provide comment. The team collected approximately 3,000 comments from stakeholder groups and individuals, including city staff and community leaders and is in the process of preparing responses to these comments.
Community engagement has been and will continue to be a hallmark of the I-710 Corridor Project. The team would like to thank all who took the time to provide comment and those who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of their constituents and communities.
Next Steps in the Project
The Draft EIR/EIS lays out five different project alternatives, including a “No-Build” option. In order to move from the Draft EIR/EIS to the Final EIR/EIS, the project team must consider all public comments received during the review period and develop a recommendation for either, a preferred alternative, or additional analysis/review.
Over the next few months, the project team will work closely with the advisory committees to develop recommendations for moving the project forward and continue the community engagement process into the next phase of the project. The Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) will continue to provide feedback on outreach activities and report back to community members and constituents. Each corridor city has its own process to provide feedback on the project, some preferring more engagement from the project team than others.
Draft EIR/EIS Review Period Concludes
(continued on back) (continued on back)
Dave Levinsohn (URS) reviews project information with community members at the I-710 Draft
EIR/EIS Public Hearings.
• Cultural Resource Studies • Elements for the Urban Design and Aesthetics Toolbox Report
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)The TAC consists of staff members from each of the corridor communities, the county, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, MTA, Caltrans and SCAG, plus staff from the California Highway Patrol, Federal Highway Administration, Southern California Edison, LADWP and South Coast Air Quality Management District. The TAC meets monthly to receive project updates, make recommendations, and provide feedback to the project team.
Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC)The CAC is made up of the Chairs of each LAC and the TAC, as well as other appointees representing corridor-wide interests. The CAC’s monthly meetings feature reviews of topics discussed at LAC, SWG, and TAC meetings. Subjects covered include:
• Technical Studies Methodology • Draft EIR/EIS Key Findings • LAC comments on geometrics • Public outreach approach
Community Participation in Brief (cont.)
WINTER 2013
Corridor ConnectionsI-710 corridor project EIR/EIS news (continued)
The Community Design and Local Economy Subject Working Group (CSWG) & the I-710 Corridor Master Plan Process
At the time of printing, the following meetings have been confirmed. Please check www.metro.net/710 for future meetings. All committee meetings are open to the public.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)January 16, 2012, 1:30 pm Gateway Cities COG Offices, Paramount CA
Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC)January 24, 2013, 6:00 pmTeamsters Local 848 Meeting Hall3888 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach CA
Project Commitee (PC)January 31, 2013, 6:30 pmGateway Cities COG Office, Paramount CA
Upcoming Meetings
• Visual Impacts• Community Impacts
A 2+ year collaborative effort between members of the CSWG and a team of urban designers produced a collection of design concepts called the I-710 Corridor Urban Design and Aesthetics Toolbox. These concepts are meant to identify ways that a proposed I-710 build project could contribute to community beautification, enhance local identities, strengthen connec-tivity, and use renewable energy whenever possible. The CSWG also indi-cated broad community desire for more greening along the Los Angeles River, freeway interchanges, and buffering sound walls. The urban design team was also encouraged to consider xeriscaping (use of drought-tolerant and native plants) to save water and enhance the visual experience. It is upon these and other concepts from the toolbox that a Corridor Master Plan has been launched by Caltrans in partnership with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. The I-710 Corridor Master Plan will include participation and leadership from each Gateway City and the community.
Examples of concepts discussed by the Community Design and Local Economy Subject Working Group.
For more information, please visit metro.net/710 or contact Danielle Valentino, Community Relations Manager, at 213.922.7448 or [email protected] or Ernesto Chaves, Deputy Project Manager (Engineering), at 213.922.7343 or [email protected]. You can also leave a message on the project hotline at (213) 922- 4710.
