TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Joseph DeFrancesco, Interim Public Works Director
Adam Finestone, Community Development Director
Gilbert Gamboa, City Engineer
Eduardo Pech, Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Adopting an Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Approved for the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project (No Budget Impact) (Interim Public Works Director DeFrancesco).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0043
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-0043, amending the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program approved for the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
The proposed 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project underwent environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Initial Study (IS) identified potentially significant impacts related to air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, noise, public services, transportation/traffic, and tribal cultural resources. Mitigation measures were incorporated into a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) to reduce all identified impacts to less-than-significant levels.
A Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was circulated for a 31-day public review period from February 16, 2024, through March 18, 2024. Public notice was provided through mailed notices to surrounding property owners and occupants, publication in The Beach Reporter, social media postings, on-site postings, and filings with the County Clerk, State Clearinghouse, and responsible agencies.
The City received seven comment letters during the review period from State agencies, community members, and the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation. Following the close of the public review period, a Final IS/MND was prepared, including responses to comments received and minor revisions to the environmental analysis. No new impacts or increases in the severity of previously identified impacts were identified.
On May 19, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-0043 approving the Final IS /MND and associated Mitigation Monitoring, Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Project, finding that all identified environmental impacts could be mitigated to less-than-significant levels, and that the environmental document reflected the City’s independent judgment and analysis.
Following approval of the Final MND and MMRP, and subsequent approval of the project plans and specifications, the City awarded a construction contract for the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project on December 16, 2025. An initial Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued on March 20, 2026, authorizing the contractor to begin pre-construction activities, including permitting, submittals, procurement, coordination with utility agencies, and other mobilization efforts necessary to prepare for construction.
In preparation for the anticipated construction start, a preliminary nesting bird survey was conducted by the City’s qualified biologist, Terracon, in advance of the formal pre-construction survey, which was required a maximum of 7 days before the start of construction under Mitigation Measure BIO-2. During this survey, an active American crow nest was identified on the Los Angeles County Lifeguard property located at 2600 The Strand, immediately adjacent to the project area. Pursuant to the currently adopted BIO-2 mitigation measure, active passerine nests require a 300-foot no-disturbance buffer. Application of this buffer would encompass a substantial portion of the project site, including the 26th Street Parking Lot and portions of Bruce’s Beach Park, effectively preventing construction activities from commencing until the nest became inactive, fledglings permanently left the nest, or the nest otherwise failed.
DISCUSSION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Following identification of the nest, the project biologist coordinated with City staff and the project team to evaluate the anticipated construction sequence and potential effects on nesting activity. Construction is currently planned to begin within the lower Bruce’s Beach Park area, which is located more than 200 feet from the nest site, with work not anticipated to progress into the upper portion of the 26th Street Parking Lot for a few weeks following the start of construction. Based on the anticipated nesting and fledging timeline for urban American crow species, the proposed phased construction activities would not be expected to result in nest abandonment, take, or other impacts prohibited under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Based on this evaluation, the project biologist and project team determined that a modification to Mitigation Measure BIO-2, allowing construction activities to proceed under the supervision and discretion of a qualified biologist, would continue to satisfy the intent of the adopted mitigation measure while maintaining compliance with CEQA and applicable federal wildlife protection regulations.
As a result, an Addendum to the previously adopted Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) has been prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164. Under CEQA, an addendum to a previously adopted environmental document may be prepared when only minor technical changes or additions are necessary, and none of the conditions requiring preparation of a subsequent or supplemental environmental document are present. Specifically, an addendum is appropriate where the proposed changes would not result in any new significant environmental impacts, would not substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts, and none of the conditions described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 requiring preparation of a subsequent or supplemental environmental document are present.
The Addendum prepared for the Project modifies only Mitigation Measure BIO-2 to allow a qualified biologist to authorize construction activities during the nesting season, including modified avoidance buffers or work restrictions, when the biologist determines that the activities would not result in take, nest abandonment, or disturbance as defined under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The revised mitigation measure maintains the requirement for pre-construction nesting bird surveys and ongoing biological oversight, while allowing flexibility for site-specific conditions, species behavior, and construction sequencing.
The Addendum concludes that the proposed revision to BIO-2 would not result in any new significant impacts, would not substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts, and would not reduce the effectiveness of the adopted mitigation measures or environmental protections established under CEQA or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Accordingly, staff recommends adoption of the Addendum to the IS/MND and revised Mitigation Measure BIO-2.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Previous Meetings and Outreach
In September 2020, community meetings were held during the development of the project's feasibility study.
On July 26, 2023, Public Works staff presented the project concept to the Los Angeles County Beach Commission. A similar presentation was given to the Manhattan Beach Parking and Public Improvement Commission (PPIC) on October 26, 2023. Both public meetings were properly notified in compliance with state law. Additionally, postcards were mailed to residents near the project to inform them about the PPIC meeting, and the meeting was listed on the events calendar on the city’s website.
During the project design phase, an on-site event was held on October 10, 2023, to discuss the project with interested community members. Additionally, a community meeting took place at the Manhattan Heights Community Center on February 15, 2024. Both events were announced during City Council meetings, on social media platforms, on the City’s website, and through direct mailings to nearby residents.
The City conducted public outreach in advance of the May 7, 2024, public hearing for consideration of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the project. Notice of the hearing was published in the Beach Reporter, mailed to all residents and property owners within a 100-foot radius of the project site, and posted at City Hall and on the City’s website. The City also maintained a dedicated project webpage to provide ongoing project information and public updates.
On February 6, 2025, a community outreach meeting was held at the Manhattan Heights Community Center. Postcards were mailed to residents living near the project to inform them about the meeting. Additionally, the meeting was listed on the events calendar on the City’s website and shared on social media platforms.
On March 18, 2025, a comprehensive update was presented to the City Council, and a public hearing was held to gather input from residents and stakeholders. The City Council reviewed and approved the construction plans and specifications for the project.
On October 7, 2025, a project update was presented to the City Council, and a public hearing was held to gather input from the public. The City Council received and filed the project update.
On October 21, 2025, the Project’s Traffic Control Plan was presented to the Parking and Public Improvement Commission. The PPIC provided six recommended actions to staff, including bringing the parking issue back in two or three months.
Recent Meetings and Outreach
On December 16, 2025, the Manhattan Beach City Council considered and approved the award of the construction contract for the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project during a publicly noticed City Council meeting. In advance of the meeting, informational postcards were mailed to all residents and property owners within an expanded 1,000-foot radius of the project area to provide notice of the agenda item and upcoming project activities.
On February 18, 2026, the City held a public groundbreaking ceremony at Bruce’s Beach Park to commemorate the start of the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project. The event included remarks from City representatives, recognition of project partners and stakeholders, and outreach distributed in advance through postcard mailers sent to all residents and property owners within an expanded 1,000-foot radius of the project area.
The City conducted an internal coordination meeting on March 12, 2026, with representatives from Fire, Police, Traffic Engineering, Parking Enforcement, and Community Development to review upcoming construction activities associated with the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project. Discussion topics included emergency access, traffic control, parking impacts, public safety coordination, inspection considerations, and interdepartmental communication during construction. This meeting was an internal operational coordination meeting and was not publicly advertised.
The City hosted a community meeting on March 19, 2026, in anticipation of construction activities associated with the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project. The meeting provided residents with information regarding construction sequencing, anticipated traffic and parking impacts, access coordination, and opportunities for questions and feedback. Advance notice was provided through postcard mailers distributed to all residents and property owners within an expanded 1,000-foot radius of the project area.
On April 15, 2026, City staff conducted a small resident coordination meeting at the project site with representatives from the neighborhood. The meeting focused on upcoming construction activities, site coordination, and continued communication regarding project progress and community considerations. This meeting was intended as a focused coordination session and was not publicly advertised.
As part of Earth Day activities, City staff hosted a walking tour on April 25, 2026, of the project site for volunteers participating in dune restoration efforts with Heal the Bay and The Bay Foundation. Staff provided project informational displays and discussed the purpose of the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project, anticipated environmental benefits, and ongoing construction activities.
Residents and property owners within a 100-foot radius of the 26th Street parking lot and the lower portion of Bruce’s Beach, where the initial phase of drywell drilling is scheduled to occur, were mailed letters offering the opportunity to opt in to pre-construction condition surveys and settlement monitoring. Pre-construction surveys were conducted between May 4 and May 7, 2026, and settlement monitoring devices are scheduled to be installed beginning May 11, 2026. Throughout that week, City staff and project representatives coordinated directly with residents through phone calls and email communications to schedule inspection appointments, discuss access needs, and answer project-related questions.
Future Meetings and Outreach
Staff plans to return to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission (PPIC) in August 2026 to provide a construction status update and discuss traffic control, parking impacts, circulation, and community concerns observed during the initial phase of construction.
The City plans to host an additional community meeting in summer 2026 to provide construction updates, discuss observed neighborhood impacts, and answer questions related to traffic control, access, parking, and construction sequencing.
In Spring 2027, before the start of construction activities at the intersection of 28th Street and Manhattan Avenue, Staff plans to hold another community meeting focused specifically on the next phase of construction, anticipated traffic impacts, access coordination, and project scheduling.
To support ongoing communication during construction, staff have established a dedicated project hotline at (310) 802-5014, which connects directly to project management staff and rolls over to engineering staff when necessary. Staff has also created a dedicated project email address at 28thStreetProject@manhattanbeach.gov <mailto:28thStreetProject@manhattanbeach.gov> for public questions and coordination.
All construction notices and project updates will be posted on the City’s project webpage and distributed through the project email notification list, which currently includes more than 250 subscribers. Updates and notifications will also be shared through the City’s social media platforms.
During the summer construction seasons, staff plans to host an informal weekend pop-up outreach event near the project area. Staff will provide project information; answer questions, and maintain an accessible in-person presence for residents, beachgoers, and visitors outside of normal weekday construction hours.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 26-0043
2. Location Map