The purpose of the transportation corridor wetland overlay district is to provide for specific standards of development for the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension, and for the portions located within the City of Carpinteria, the South Coast High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes and Santa Claus Lane Bike Path projects. The intent is to ensure a more precise level of planning than ordinarily possible under the local implementation plan. Therefore, this overlay establishes specific standards related to fill or other impacts to wetland or reduction of wetland buffers, mitigation measures, drainage and stormwater management, and coastal access and recreation enhancements.

(Ord. No. 703, § 2, 10-26-2015)

The provisions of this district shall apply only to the project area encompassed by the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension, South Coast High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes, and Santa Claus Lane Bike Path projects, as depicted in Figure 2* and shown on the city's official zoning maps.

(Ord. No. 703, § 2, 10-26-2015)

 *Editor's note—Figure 2 was not included in the codification of this section and can be found on file in the office of the city clerk.

All applicable LCP policies and provisions shall apply to development that is part of the transportation corridor wetland overlay (TCWO), unless specifically modified by the standards detailed in this section. Two general classes of wetlands have been identified within the TCWO: Natural wetlands and created wetlands. Natural wetlands include components of Carpinteria Marsh, wetlands associated with native creeks and wetlands that are fragmented but are of high value. Created wetlands are relatively low functioning wetlands related to freeway and/or railroad infrastructure that have formed in drainage ditches, basins, water quality best management practices (BMPs) features and/or topographic depressions, and were originally constructed out of dry land. The area abutting a wetland is the wetland buffer and provides a transition between development and the wetland resource. For the purpose of these development standards, wetland buffer only includes undeveloped areas between the wetland and the first line of development; thus, the road median is not a wetland buffer. Each wetland class has been assigned specific mitigation criteria to best facilitate the balance and protection of coastal resources in the TCWO.

All development for the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension, and all development for the portions of the South Coast High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes and Santa Claus Lane Bike Path projects located within the City of Carpinteria, shall comply with the following:

1.

For the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension, the following project components may result in permanent and temporary direct wetland impacts (e.g., fill) and indirect wetland impacts (e.g., development in wetland buffer):

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Carpinteria Creek bridge foundation components;

•

Slope retaining elements for the southbound US 101, northbound US 101, northbound Casitas Pass offramp and the Via Real extension;

•

Fill and retaining structures for the Via Real extension travel lanes, sidewalks and bike path;

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Drainage improvements;

•

Soundwalls;

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Fill and retaining structures for the Carpinteria Creek bike trail; and

•

Structural foundation elements, travel lane, sidewalk and bikeway, shoulder, fill and retaining structures for the northern end of the Linden Avenue overcrossing.

2.

For the South Coast HOV Lanes, the following project components may result in permanent and temporary direct wetland impacts (e.g., fill) and indirect wetland impacts (e.g., development in wetland buffer):

•

Drainage improvements and soundwall along the northern shoulder of northbound 101 immediately east (south) of Santa Ynez Avenue;

•

Drainage improvements, soundwall, roadway, shoulder and fill in the immediate vicinity of Santa Monica Road onramp/offramp;

•

Drainage improvements and soundwall along the northern shoulder of northbound 101 in the vicinity of Taranto Circle; and

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Drainage improvements and soundwall along the southern shoulder of southbound 101 immediately west (north) of Plum Street to just east of the western terminus of Carpinteria Avenue.

3.

For the Santa Claus Lane Bike Path, the following project components may result in permanent and temporary direct wetland impacts (e.g., fill) and indirect wetland impacts (e.g., development in wetland buffer) between the existing US 101 southern shoulder and the UPRR railroad alignment which borders the north side of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh:

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Fill;

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Retaining structures;

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Bike path; and

•

Drainage improvements.

4.

Fill or other impacts to wetland or reduction of wetland buffers resulting from new development detailed in subsections 1 through 3 above, may be approved only in conformance with the following:

a.

New development shall be sited and designed to avoid fill or other impacts to wetland. If there is no feasible alternative that can eliminate all impacts, then the alternative that would result in the fewest or least significant impacts shall be selected. Impacts to wetland that cannot be avoided through the implementation of siting and design alternatives shall be fully mitigated, with priority given to onsite mitigation. Offsite mitigation measures shall only be approved when it is not feasible to fully mitigate impacts onsite. Mitigation shall not substitute for implementation of the project alternative that would avoid impacts to wetland.

b.

New development shall be sited and designed to provide a minimum one hundred-foot setback/buffer strip in a natural condition along the upland limits of wetlands. If there is no feasible alternative that can provide a buffer of one hundred feet, then the alternative that would provide the widest buffer shall be selected. Mitigation shall not substitute for implementation of the project alternative that would provide the required wetland buffer.

c.

Mitigation shall be provided for direct impacts to wetlands (e.g., fill) and indirect impacts to wetlands (e.g., new development in wetland buffers). Mitigation measures shall include, at a minimum, creation or substantial restoration of habitats equal or similar to the impacted habitat type. Adverse direct impacts shall be mitigated at a ratio of 4:1 for natural wetland areas, including salt marsh and wetlands associated with creeks. Adverse direct impacts to riparian habitats shall be mitigated at a ratio of 3:1. Adverse direct impacts to created wetlands (low functioning wetlands associated with freeway infrastructure) shall be mitigated at a ratio of 3:1. Indirect impacts to wetlands, such as development in wetland buffer areas, shall be mitigated by enhancing (e.g., invasive species removal, native screening vegetation, planting appropriate native species, water quality improvement, sound reduction) all portions of the remaining (undeveloped) wetland buffer area within one hundred feet of the impacted wetland. Temporary direct and indirect impacts to wetlands and riparian habitat shall be mitigated at a ratio of 1:1.

d.

Wetland enhancement, restoration or creation plans shall be prepared by a qualified biologist for all areas where mitigation is required by subsections (4)(a), (b) and (c), above. Plans shall include details of appropriate wetland enhancement, restoration or creation acreage and location including the following:

(1)

Introduction. Including a purpose statement, existing site resource description and inventory, proposed wetland mitigation site plan and map comparing existing and future site conditions.

(2)

Mitigation Goals. A clear statement of the wetland mitigation goals including the desired wetland habitat type(s), major vegetation components, water quality improvements and hydrologic regime, and wildlife support functions.

(3)

Planting Plan. Description of the desired relative abundance of particular wetland plant species in desired habitat type(s). Based on these goals, identify the species to be planted (plant "palette"), provide a rationale for and describe the size and number of container plants and/or the rate and method of seed application, and a site plan with planting location and planting guidelines for prescribed species. Seeds and propagules shall come from local native stock.

(4)

Grading Plan. If wetland enhancement, restoration or creation requires topographic alterations, a formal grading plan shall be included.

(5)

Best Management Practices (BMPs). Erosion control, irrigation and weed eradication plans as necessary.

(6)

Success Criteria. Selection and rationale of quantifiable success criteria. There must be an empirical basis for the selection of each success criterion (e.g., peer-reviewed literature, reference site data).

(7)

Monitoring. Monitoring program that includes a detailed description of quantitative sampling design (e.g., sample sizes and sampling techniques such as quadrats, transects, photo plots), statistical procedures proposed for judging if success criteria are achieved, provisions for a five-year monitoring period, annual reporting and contingency measures should the mitigation efforts fail to achieve quantitative success criteria.

(8)

Final Report. A final monitoring report prepared by a qualified biologist that evaluates whether the required wetland enhancement, restoration or creation has achieved the goals and success criteria set forth in the approved mitigation plan.

5.

For each project listed in subsections 1 through 3 above, all of the following post-construction coastal water quality standards shall be met:

a.

Early site design planning shall emphasize run-off management and shall prioritize the minimization of run-off by reducing lane and shoulder pavement widths, using permeable pavements and incorporating sub-grade stormwater retention, and shall use structural and operational source control BMPs to control pollutant sources, keep pollutants segregated from stormwater and minimize tainted run-off to the extent feasible. Minimization of impermeable surfaces shall be emphasized in freeway design where it is infeasible to infiltrate or treat freeway run-off that flows directly to high quality wetlands.

b.

Low impact development strategies shall be preferentially used to treat run-off. Low impact development strategies use small scale control measures to infiltrate, evapo-transpire, filter, detain and retain run-off. These practices shall be maximized where they will pre-treat run-off that flows to wetlands. Earthen- (soil) based and/or bioengineered Caltrans-approved National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) BMPs shall be allowed to be located and maintained within wetland buffers where there is no feasible alternative location available to locate the BMPs and where they support wetland protection.

c.

To maximize the treatment and infiltration of run-off from the greatest area of freeway surfaces, post-development BMPs shall include, in addition to Caltrans-certified NPDES BMPs, alternative water quality BMPs. Alternative BMPs shall include, but not be limited to, grading to create or modify topographic depressions to maximize the capture, detention or retention of run-off, amending onsite soils to increase infiltration and detain run-off, adding or replacing vegetation in areas that receive freeway run-off with native plants, and constructing bioswales and biostrips that either do not require mowing or only require infrequent mowing or woody vegetation removal. These alternative BMPs shall be considered for use in areas that receive freeway run-off and wherever Caltrans-certified NPDES BMPs cannot be feasibly installed, including placement within wetland buffers where they support wetland protection.

d.

Created wetlands as defined in this chapter shall be enhanced wherever feasible by increasing the depth and areal extent of the wetland, removing invasive exotic vegetation and planting with native wetland plants. Maintenance of these enhanced created wetlands shall be limited to trimming vegetation that impacts the normal operation of the freeway, clearing drain inlets and trash removal, using non-mechanical methodologies (e.g., manual labor and no heavy equipment).

e.

Stormwater run-off shall be in filtrated, retained or detained onsite, in accordance with the site hydrology and geotechnical considerations. Infiltration BMPs shall be designed, at a minimum, to handle run-off from all storms up to and including the 85th percentile, twenty-four-hour storm event onsite, to avoid negative effects of hydromodification. If it is not practical to retain the 85th percentile, twenty-four-hour storm event onsite, the limitations preventing this practice shall be stated and an equal volume of run-off shall be infiltrated elsewhere within the project limits with preference given to sites within the same watershed.

f.

Where treatment control BMPs (or suites of BMPs) are used, they shall be designed to infiltrate and/or treat the amount of run-off produced by all storms up to and including the 85th percentile, twenty-four-hour storm event for volume-based BMPs, and/or no less than 0.26 inches/hour for flow-based BMPs.

g.

Minimum infiltration or treatment volumes for treatment control BMPs shall be calculated based on the impervious surface area added by the project, in addition to the existing untreated freeway surface. Where it is infeasible to treat the volume of run-off from the existing freeway surface in addition to the new freeway surface, low impact development strategies shall be used to the maximum extent feasible to infiltrate, evapo-transpire, filter, detain and retain run-off from the existing freeway surface.

h.

Where site conditions make it infeasible to infiltrate or treat the stipulated minimum volume of run-off onsite, infiltration or treatment offsite within existing right-of-way can be substituted where it can be demonstrated that offsite infiltration or treatment will result in an equal or greater benefit to coastal water quality.

i.

Treatment BMPs shall prioritize the use of soil-based biofilter techniques, such as bioswales, and shall infiltrate, retain, or detain the maximum possible volume of stormwater run-off in accordance with the site hydrology and geotechnical considerations. Biofilters shall not use invasive plant materials, plants shall be collected locally and/or propagated in a certified nursery with oversight by a qualified plant ecologist. A biofilter/bioswale design plan, including the native wetland plant palette and the source of plant material, shall be submitted to the city for review and approval.

j.

A post-construction run-off management plan shall be submitted to the city and shall include maps, figures, supporting design calculations, and a narrative explaining the methods and approach proposed to protect or enhance coastal water quality. Maps shall be cross-referenced to grading, drainage and landscaping project plans. The run-off management plan shall include supporting information including but not limited to the infiltration and retention properties of the native or engineered BMP substrate, depth to groundwater, and the hydraulic design and pollutant treatment/removal capability of the proposed BMPs adequate to ensure that water quality will be protected to the maximum extent feasible. The post-construction run-off plan shall be certified by a qualified professional with appropriate credentials, education and training.

k.

Where site or project conditions constrain any of the minimum requirements or practices in subsections (5)(a) through (5)(j) above, the qualified professional shall document the nature and extent of the limitations and justify the alternative measures proposed to protect or enhance water quality.

6.

To the extent allowed by the "Repair, Maintenance and Utility Hook-up Exclusions from Permit Requirements" (document adopted by the Coastal Commission on September 5, 1978 and incorporated herein by reference), repair and maintenance of the projects listed in subsections 1 through 3 above are excluded from permit requirements. However, such exclusions shall not apply where such repair and maintenance would occur within riparian and wetland habitat or will cause direct impacts to wetland or other resources.

7.

In order to achieve a regionally important improvement to alternative transportation modes for the purpose of increasing access to coastal resources for all members of the public, two bike path/trail segments shall be constructed, including:

a.

Coast Route Bike Path (Santa Claus Lane to Carpinteria Avenue). A Class 1 bike path from the eastern terminus of Santa Claus Lane to the western terminus of Carpinteria Avenue. Construction of this path will close a gap in the coastal bike trail through Santa Barbara County. The Coast Route Bike Path shall be completed and open to the public no later than the completion of the adjacent phase of construction for the South Coast HOV Lanes.

b.

Rincon Coastal Trail (SR 150/Carpinteria Avenue to Rincon County Park). A Class I bike path/trail from the eastern terminus of Carpinteria Avenue (at State Route 150) to Rincon County Park. Construction of this path will close a gap between Carpinteria Avenue and the new Class I bike path along US 101 which has a northern terminus at Bates Road. The Rincon Coastal Trail shall be completed and open to the public no later than the completion of the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension construction.

8.

To enhance educational and recreational opportunities, and to increase awareness of sensitive resources within the coastal environment, the following permanent displays are required:

a.

In conjunction with the Linden Avenue and Casitas Pass Road Interchanges and Via Real Extension, an educational or interpretive display shall be installed within Carpinteria Creek Park and/or at the entrance to the proposed Carpinteria Creek/US 101 bike path undercrossing which explains the importance of Carpinteria Creek, its riparian habitat and associated wetland resources.

b.

In conjunction with the Santa Claus Lane Bike Path, an educational or interpretive display shall be installed which explains the importance of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh.

c.

In conjunction with the Rincon Coastal Trail, an educational or interpretive display shall be installed which describes the nearby harbor seal rookery.

(Ord. No. 703, § 2, 10-26-2015)