The Avalon council on May 20 unanimously authorized the city manager to execute encroachment permits for Tremont properties near the five corners improvement project.
Councilmember Yesenia De La Rosa was absent.
The five corners project is meant to improve the intersections of Tremont Street, Avalon Canyon Road, Country Club Drive, and Sumner Avenue to make the area safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and others.
Background
“The Five Corner Site Improvement Project is a ‘complete streets’ design improvement to the intersections of Tremont Street, Avalon Canyon Road, Country Club Drive, and Sumner Avenue,” wrote Senior Management Analyst Devin Hart in her staff report.
“The project’s goal is to provide safer transportation access along Tremont Street and through the ‘Five-Corners’ intersection for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Improvements include: new sidewalks, safer crossings, comfortable and accessible public transit stops, traffic calming, landscape beautification, and wayfinding,” Hart wrote.
“The project also addresses existing private encroachments along Tremont Street. Throughout the planning and implementation of this project, City Staff have worked with eight property owners with existing encroachments within the public right of way adjacent to Tremont Street. All property owners have been cooperative with the City in removing encroachments along the right of way to facilitate the Five Corners Site Improvement Project,” Hart wrote.
There are six properties involved, on Clemente Avenue, Clarissa Avenue, Descanso, and Catalina Avenue,” Hart wrote.
Staff asked the council to delegate the authority to the city manager so the encroachments can be negotiated and the project finished, according to CIP Director Bob Greenlaw.
He said staff was streamlining the process so staff wouldn’t have to bring all six encroachment permits in front of the City Council.
“With the exception of the property at 358 Descanso Avenue, the nature of the proposed encroachment(s) for the property owners adjacent to Tremont Street is limited to installation of various types of fences and landscaping within an approximate 2-foot area of the public right-of-way,” Hart wrote.
“The encroachment permit for the property at 358 Descanso Avenue will be brought before the City Council at a separate meeting,” Hart wrote.
“City Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate, set forth conditions, and execute encroachment permits for the property owners immediately adjacent to Tremont Street including 357 Clemente Avenue, 358 Clarissa Avenue, 357 Clarissa Avenue, 359 Catalina Avenue, and 357 Descanso Avenue, in conformance with Avalon Municipal Code Section 4-9.106,” Hart wrote.
The Municipal Code limits encroachment permits to five years, according to Hart’s report.
“Additionally, the City Manager will set forth conditions of the encroachment permits including establishing an appropriate level of insurance required as well as maintenance standards and any potential bond requirement,” Hart wrote.
