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Home My WebLink AboutItem 3d: Agreement with Bonterra Consulting and Austin-Foust Associates for Services Related to Westfield Santa Anita Phase 2 Expansion Project and Increases Based on Scope of Work or aRc o �,�►�oxN jR � d !Wpm 17 0 n u s rsoi % b a ' 4 a, y of STAFF Development Services Department DATE: December 7, 2010 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director lk Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer,• v; SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH BONTERRA CONSULTING FOR $43,110 AND AUSTIN FOUST ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR $18,800 FOR PEER REVIEW SERVICES RELATED TO THE WESTFIELD SANTA ANITA PHASE 2 EXPANSION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE INCREASES TO THE AGREEMENTS BASED ON CHANGES TO THE SCOPE OF WORK Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY Westfield Santa Anita has submitted a portion of an application for a large development project on their property at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue. The project submitted includes an amendment to City Council Resolution No. 6199 which governs the development standards at the Mall. Wesffield's application states that a subsequent architectural design review application will propose a project that would renovate and reuse approximately 165,000 square feet of the former Robinson's -May building, allow a new anchor store of approximately 160,000 square feet, permit approximately 70,000 square feet of additional retail floor area, develop a new multi -level parking structure with up to 1,013 new parking spaces, and complete additional modifications to various Resolutions and requirements that govern development at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall. Due to the complexity of this project, and the need for an associated Environmental Impact Report, traffic study, and additional technical reports, the City is proposing agreements with two firms to assist the City with the technical review of the required documents. The Development Services Department is requesting authorization to execute agreements with BonTerra Consulting and Austin Foust Associates, Inc. to complete this work. BACKGROUND Westfield Santa Anita (previously known as Santa Anita Fashion Park and Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita) opened to the public in 1974. Westfield purchased the mall in September 1998. The site consists of 79.11 acres and is developed with a regional shopping center and related parking. In June 1999, Westfield Corporation, Inc. submitted applications for a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and Text Amendment to allow for an expansion of up to 600,000 sq. ft. of Gross Leasable Area as well as revisions to the existing performance standards and design guidelines. These applications were accompanied by an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Since that time, there have been two major projects submitted, approved, and built by Westfield (Phase 1A and Phase 1B). Phase 1A was approved in 2002 and opened to the public in 2004. It included a multi- screen theater, restaurants and retail tenants including a bookstore, sporting goods store and entertainment uses as well as associated parking structures and additional enclosed "common" and "food court" areas. Phase 1B was approved in 2007 and it included an expansion of the specialty retail sector of the mall by adding an additional 100,800 sq. ft. of Gross Leasable Area to the southwest portion of the existing mall facility. This area, known as "The Promenade" is an outdoor, open air shopping area built over two levels of parking. On November 9, 2010, Westfield submitted an amendment to City Council Resolution No. 6199 which would "clarify /modify certain permitted uses, signage and other regulations" that govern the Mall. In addition, this application references a "subsequent architectural design review application" that proposes to renovate and reuse approximately 165,000 square feet of the former Robinson's -May building, allow a new anchor store of approximately 160,000 square feet, permit approximately 70,000 square feet of additional retail floor area, develop a new multi -level parking structure with up to 1,013 new parking spaces, and complete additional modifications to various Resolutions and requirements that govern development at the Mall. Westfield has said they expect this application to be submitted in approximately 60 days. Even though the City has not yet received the rest of the applications and proposals referenced by Westfield, it is important that the peer review team is established early in the process. DISCUSSION The original Environmental Impact Report for this project was completed in 2000 and a significant Addendum to the EIR was approved along with Phase 1B in 2007. Since the data in the original EIR are at least 10 years old, and the Phase 2 project appears to be substantial in size, the City believes that a new Environmental Impact Report, complete with a new traffic study and additional technical information, is required. The preferred method of completing and reviewing this work is for Westfield to use their own consultant team to prepare the documents and for the City to retain its own team to Westfield Phase 2 Peer Review December 7, 2010 — Page 2 review and critique the documents. In addition to City staff and Best, Best and Krieger for legal review, the City would like to retain the services of an environmental consultant for review of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a traffic consultant. This has been discussed with Westfield and they have agreed that a peer review process is appropriate for this project and Westfield will pay all costs of this peer review. For environmental consulting services, the City is requesting an agreement with BonTerra Consulting. BonTerra is a respected firm in the environmental field and is known for thorough, detailed environmental impact reports and technical studies. Most importantly, BonTerra recently worked for the City in the completion of the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the General Plan Update project. The General Plan is a 25 -year look at growth and development within the City so BonTerra has a wealth of data and information on the City to draw from. They are uniquely positioned to complete a peer review of any major project in the City of Arcadia given this vast understanding of the City in general and their own recently - completed technical studies for the General Plan. Bonterra's proposed scope is comprehensive and their recent work with the City will be of great help in the review of Westfield's Phase 2. For these reasons, there were no other bids requested for this component of the peer review. The cost estimate for the work is $43,110 and all costs will be borne by Westfield. For the traffic consulting services, the City sent a request for proposals to four qualified consultants. Two consultants responded with proposals. The two firms are Austin -Foust Associates Inc. Santa Ana KOA Corporation Monterey Park Austin -Foust Associates Inc. (AFA) has been selected for these services based on their firm's and assigned individual's qualifications and their approach to the peer review. AFA has been in business for over twenty years and has prepared and reviewed traffic studies for several regional malls. They propose a comprehensive review of the Westfield mall expansion including review of previous studies and actions. The cost estimate for their work is $18,800 and will also be borne by Westfield. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact of this action as all costs will be borne by Westfield Corporation. Westfield will be required to deposit sufficient funds with the City before the work will start. Westfield Phase 2 Peer Review December 7, 2010 — Page 3 RECOMMENDATION The Development Services Department recommends the City Council: 1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreements with BonTerra Consulting for $43,110 and Austin Foust Associates, Inc. for $18,800 for Peer Review Services related to the Westfield Santa Anita Phase 2 Expansion Project, and, 2. Authorize the City Manager to approve increases to the agreements based on changes to the scope of work. APPROVED: , Donald Penman, City Manager Westfield Phase 2 Peer Review December 7, 2010 — Page 4