mission hills-panorama city-north hills community plan area · 2016-08-08 · city of los angeles...
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CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning�MajorProjects/EIRAnalysisSection
CityHall�200N.SpringStreet,Room750�LosAngeles,CA90012
August2016
INITIALSTUDY
MissionHills-PanoramaCity-NorthHillsCommunityPlanArea
TheICONatPanorama
CaseNumber:ENV-2016-1061-EIR
ProjectLocation:14651-14697W.RoscoeBlvd,8300-8406N.CedrosAve,8313-8413N.TobiasAve,LosAngeles,CA91402
CouncilDistrict:6–NuryMartinez
ProjectDescription:TheProjectproposesthedemolitionofthreeexistingvacantcommercialbuildingstotaling172,500square feetof floorareaand the removal of associated surfaceparkingareas inorder to constructanapproximately584,000 gross square-foot mixed-use development on an approximately 8.9-acre site. The Project involves theconstructionofsevenbuildingscontainingapproximately200,000squarefeetofcommercial floorareaand423multi-familyresidentialunits.Inaddition,parkingforapproximately1,690vehiclesand858bicycleswouldbeprovidedon-site.Commercial uses would be located within five separate one- and two-story buildings on the eastern and southernportionsofthesiteandwouldbeservedbyasix-levelparkingstructurewithinthecenteroftheproperty.Twoseparateseven-story residential buildings (five storiesof residential over two levelsofabove-groundparking)wouldbe locatedalongthewesternandnorthernportionsofthesite.
APPLICANT:TheICONatPanorama,LLC
PREPAREDBY:EcoTierraConsulting,Inc.
ONBEHALFOF:TheCityofLosAngeles
DepartmentofCityPlanningMajorProjects/EIRAnalysisSection
TheICONatPanorama TableofContentsPagei
TABLEOFCONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................I-1
II. PROJECTDESCRIPTION....................................................................................................II-1
III. INITIALSTUDYCHECKLISTFORM....................................................................................III-1
IV. ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTANALYSIS............................................................................IV-1
1. Aesthetics......................................................................................................IV-1
2. AgricultureandForestResources..................................................................IV-9
3. AirQuality....................................................................................................IV-10
4. BiologicalResources....................................................................................IV-12
5. CulturalResources.......................................................................................IV-15
6. GeologyandSoils.........................................................................................IV-17
7. GreenhouseGasEmissions..........................................................................IV-20
8. HazardsandHazardousMaterials...............................................................IV-21
9. HydrologyandWaterQuality......................................................................IV-24
10. LandUseandPlanning.................................................................................IV-28
11. MineralResources.......................................................................................IV-29
12. Noise............................................................................................................IV-30
13. PopulationandHousing...............................................................................IV-32
14. PublicServices.............................................................................................IV-33
15. Recreation...................................................................................................IV-36
16. Transportation/Traffic.................................................................................IV-37
17. UtilitiesandServiceSystems.......................................................................IV-39
18. MandatoryFindingsofSignificance.............................................................IV-41
V. PREPARERSOFTHEINITIALSTUDYANDPERSONSCONSULTED....................................V-1
VI. ACRONYMSANDABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................VI-1
TheICONatPanorama TableofContentsPageii
LISTOFFIGURES
FigureII-1,RegionalVicnityandProjectLocationMap...............................................................II-2
FigureII-2,ProjectConceptPlan.................................................................................................II-5
FigureII-3,ProjectConceptRendering........................................................................................II-6
FigureIV-1,ProjectSiteandTransitPriorityArea.....................................................................IV-8
TheICONatPanorama TableofContentsPageiii
LISTOFTABLES
TableII-1,ProjectDevelopmentSummary..................................................................................II-3
TableII-2,VehicleandBicycleParking........................................................................................II-4
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TheICONatPanorama TableofContentsPageiv
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TheICONatPanorama I.IntroductionPageI-1
I.INTRODUCTION
The subject of this Initial Study is the proposed ICON at Panorama (the “Project”), an approximately584,000-square-foot1mixed-use project containing residences and commercial space,with associatedparkingonanapproximately8.9-acresiteinPanoramaCity.TheProjectwouldinvolvethedemolitionofthe existing structures and development of a mixed-use project containing approximately 423residences, approximately 200,000 square feet of commercial space, and associatedparking facilities.The Projectwould include commercial land uses in five separate one- and two-story buildings; alongwith two separate seven-story residential buildings (five stories of residential over two levels ofabovegroundparking),andasix-levelparkingstructureforthecommerciallanduses.
TheProject is locatedwithin theMissionHills-PanoramaCity-NorthHills CommunityPlanAreaof theCityofLosAngeles.TheCityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanningistheLeadAgencyundertheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA).
1. PROJECTINFORMATION
ProjectTitle: TheICONatPanorama
ProjectApplicant: TheIconatPanorama,LLC 9300WilshireBoulevard,Suite465 BeverlyHills,CA90212
ProjectLocation: 14651-14697W.RoscoeBoulevard,8300-8406N.CedrosAvenue,8313-8413N.TobiasAvenue,PanoramaCity,CA91402
LeadAgency: CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning 200N.SpringStreet,Room750 LosAngeles,CA90012
2. ORGANIZATIONOFTHEINITIALSTUDY
ThisInitialStudyisorganizedintosixsectionsasfollows:
Introduction: This section provides introductory information such as the Project title, the ProjectApplicant,andthedesignatedLeadAgencyfortheproposedProject.
ProjectDescription: ThissectionprovidesadetaileddescriptionoftheproposedProjectincludingtheenvironmental setting, Project characteristics, related Project information, Project objectives, andenvironmentalclearancerequirements.
Initial Study Checklist: This section contains the completed Initial Study Checklist showing thesignificancelevelundereachenvironmentalimpactcategory.
EnvironmentalImpactAnalysis:ThissectioncontainsanassessmentanddiscussionofimpactsforeachenvironmentalissueidentifiedintheInitialStudyChecklist.Wheretheevaluationidentifiespotentially
1 Includes approximately 384,000 gross square feet of residential land uses and 200,000 square feet ofcommerciallanduses.
CityofLosAngeles August2016
TheICONatPanorama I.IntroductionPageI-2
significant effects, mitigation measures are provided to reduce such impacts to less-than-significantlevels.
Preparersof the InitialStudyandPersonsConsulted: This sectionprovidesa listof consultant teammembersandgovernmentalagenciesthatparticipatedinthepreparationoftheInitialStudy.
Acronyms&Abbreviations:ThissectionincludesalistofacronymsandabbreviationsusedintheInitialStudy.
TheICONatPanorama II.ProjectDescriptionPageII-1
II.PROJECTDESCRIPTION
1. PROJECTAPPLICANT
The Applicant for the Project is The Icon at Panorama, LLC, at 9300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 465,BeverlyHills,California,90212(the“Applicant”).
2. PROJECTLOCATION
A. ProjectSite
TheProject is locatedat14651-14697W.RoscoeBoulevard,8300-8406N.CedrosAvenue,and8313-8413N.TobiasAvenue, in thePanoramaCity communityof theCityof LosAngeles (the“City”). TherelativelyflatProjectSiteisapproximately8.9acres,andisboundedbyRoscoeBoulevardtothesouth,TobiasAvenuetotheeast,CedrosAvenuetothewest,andexistingmulti-familyresidencestothenorth(the “Project Site”) (see Figure II-1 [Regional Vicinity and Project LocationMap]). The Project Site isassociatedwith assessor parcel numbers 2653-018-018 to 2653-018-021, 2653-018-028 to 2653-018-030,2653-018-039,and2653-018-040.
RegionalaccesstotheProjectSite isprovidedviaRoscoeBoulevard,VanNuysBoulevard,StateRoute170(SR-170),andtheSanDiegoFreeway(I-405).ThenearestfreewayaccessistheSanDiegoFreewayviaRoscoeBoulevard,approximately1.1mileswest fromtheProjectSite. Localaccess totheProjectSite is provided via Roscoe Boulevard, Tobias Avenue, and Cedros Avenue. The Los Angeles CountyMetropolitanTransportationAuthority(“Metro”)provideslocalbusserviceintheProjectSiteareaalongRoscoe Boulevard. The Project Site is located approximately 880 feet west from the intersection ofRoscoe Boulevard and Van Nuys Boulevard, which is a “major transit stop” as defined in PublicResourcesCodeSection21064.3andasidentifiedbytheCity.1
3. EXISTINGLANDUSES
A. LandUsePlans/Zoning
TheProjectSitehasaGeneralPlan landusedesignationofRegionalCommercial intheMissionHills–PanoramaCity–NorthHillsCommunityPlan(the“CommunityPlan”).TheProjectSiteiszoned[Q]C2-1-CDO(Commercial,HeightDistrict1)and[Q]P-1-CDO(Parking,HeightDistrict1),assetforthintheLosAngelesPlanningandZoningCode.TheCDOportionofthezoningdesignationindicatesthattheProjectSiteiswithinthePanoramaCityCommunityDesignOverlayDistrict.TheProjectSiteisalsowithinthePacoima/PanoramaCity(CD7)EarthquakeDisasterAssistanceProjectarea,aStateEnterpriseZone,andaTransitPriorityAreaduetoitsproximitytoa“majortransitstop”locatedattheintersectionofRoscoeBoulevardandVanNuysBoulevard.2
1 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information & Map Access System, website:http://zimas.lacity.org,accessed:April8,2016.
2 Ibid.
Source: GoogleEarth, April 2016.
Figure II-1Regional Vicinity and Project Location Map
Project Site
near California — United States
1 of 1
0 5 10 miles
PROJECT SITE
PROJECT SITE
Panorama Mall
CityofLosAngeles August2016
TheICONatPanorama II.ProjectDescriptionPageII-3
B. ExistingLandUses
TheProjectSiteiscurrentlydevelopedwiththreestructuresthatoccupyapproximately172,500squarefeetoffloorarea,andasurfaceparkinglot.Alloftheexistingstructuresarecurrentlyunoccupiedandachain-linkfencesurroundstheProjectSite.AMontgomeryWardstore,anautomobilerepairshop,andarestaurantformerlyoccupiedthebuildings.
C. SurroundingLandUses
ThePanoramaCityareaisgenerallycharacterizedbylow-tomedium-densityresidentiallanduseswithhigh-densityresidential landusesandcommercial landusesconcentratednearthetransitcorridorsofSepulveda Boulevard, Roscoe Boulevard, Van Nuys Boulevard, and Lassen Street. Multi-familyresidences bound the Project Site to the north. An existing public alley runs from Chase StreetsouthwardthroughtheProjectSite.
TheProjectSiteisboundedtotheeastbyTobiasAvenue,beyondwhichisasurfaceparkinglotandthePanoramaMallshoppingcenter.Asingle-storyrestaurantbuildingislocatedatthesouthernendofthesurfaceparkinglot,atthenortheastcornerofRoscoeBoulevardandTobiasAvenue.One-totwo-storyretailandofficebuildingsare locatedto theeastonthesouthsideofRoscoeBoulevard. Single-storyretailcenterbuildingsandtwo-storymulti-familyresidentialbuildingsare locatedonthesouthsideofRoscoeBoulevard,acrossfromtheProjectSite.Multi-familyresidencesarealsolocatedtothewestofCedrosAvenueaswellastothenorthoftheProjectSite,andrangefromonetofourstoriesinheight.
RoscoeBoulevardisclassifiedasBoulevardII,CedrosAvenueasCollector,andTobiasAvenueasLocalStreet–StandardintheCity’sMobilityPlan2035.
4. PROJECTCHARACTERISTICS
TheProjectwouldinvolvethedemolitionoftheexistingstructuresandthedevelopmentofamixed-useproject with 423 multi-family residences totaling approximately 384,000 gross square feet(approximately 315,000 net square feet) of residential area, approximately 200,000 square feet ofcommercialspace,andassociatedparkingfacilities.TheProjectwouldincludecommerciallandusesinfive separate one- and two-story buildings; alongwith two separate seven-story residential buildings(fivestoriesofresidentialovertwolevelsofabovegroundparking),andasix-levelparkingstructureforthecommerciallanduses.AconceptualplotplanisillustratedinFigureII-2(ProjectConceptPlan)andaconceptual rendering of the Project is shown in Figure II-3 (Project Concept Rendering). Table II-1(ProjectDevelopmentSummary)summarizestheproposedlanduses.
TableII-1ProjectDevelopmentSummaryLandUse Amount
Multi-FamilyResidential Studios 50du 1-Bedroom 176du 2-Bedroom 173du 3-Bedroom 24du
TotalResidentialUnits 423duCommercial 200,000sfdu=dwellingunits;sf=squarefeetSource:HBArchitects,2016.
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TheICONatPanorama II.ProjectDescriptionPageII-4
5. ACCESSANDPARKING
ParkingforProjectresidentswouldbeprovidedinthetwolevelsofparkingwithintheproposedseven-storyresidentialbuilding.ResidentswouldaccesstheProjectviatwodrivewaysonCedrosAvenue,nearthe northern boundary of the Project Site and on Tobias Avenue near the northern boundary of theProjectSite.Parkingforcommercialemployeesandvisitorswouldbeprovidedintheproposedsix-levelparkingstructure inthecentralportionoftheProjectSite. TheProjectwouldalsoprovideforon-sitelong- and short-term bicycle parking. The on-site bicycle parkingwould be provided at-grade in theresidential and commercial parking structures. Access to the commercial parking structurewould beprovidedviaadrivewayonRoscoeBoulevard,nearCedrosAvenue,andadrivewayonTobiasAvenue,near thenorthernboundaryof theProject Site. As shown in Table II-2 (Vehicle andBicycleParking),1,690vehicleparkingspaces(660spacesforresidentialuseand1,030spacesforcommercialuse)and858bicycleparkingspaces(658spacesforresidentialusesand200spacesforcommercialuse)3wouldbeprovided.
TableII-2VehicleandBicycleParking
LandUse
VehicleParkingRequired
VehicleParkingProvided
BicycleParkingRequiredc
BicycleParkingProvidedc
Residential 660a 660 657.3d 658Commercial 400b 1,030 200 200Total 1,060 1,690 857.3 858a Reducedby48spacesfrom708spacesafterapplying10%maximumparkingreductionfor
provisionofon-sitebicycleparkingperLAMC.b CommercialparkingmaybereducedintheEnterpriseZonesperCitystandards(2spacesper
1,000squarefeet).c Includesbothshort-termandlong-termbicycleparking.d Increasedby192spacesfrom465.3afteraccountingforthe48-spacevehicleparking
reductionataratioof4bicycleparkingspacesto1vehicleparkingspace(48vehicleparkingspacesx4bicycleparkingspaces=192additionalbicycleparkingspaces).
Source:HBArchitects,2016.
3 Includesbothshort-termandlong-termbicycleparking.
Figure II-2Project Concept Plan
Source: Hochhauser Blatter, May 2016.
ROS COE BOULEVA RD
CEDROS AVENUE
ALLEY
TOBIAS AVENUE
6 0'
30'
6 0'
30'30'
2 0'
10'10'
100'
50' 50'
100'
50' 50'
190 .12 ' ( 190 . 117 ')
N00°00'00"E 1180.14' (1180.16')
N00°00'01"W 1180.17' (1180.165')
N00°00'07"W 1180.16' (1180.16')
S89° 35'5 9"W
385 .12' (38 5.1 02')
150 .11 ' (1 50.0 0')
N00°00'01"W
150.09 ' (1 50.0 0')N 89° 36' 08"E
750.11' (750.00')S00°00'07"E
345.14 ' (3 45.0 0')N 89° 36' 08"E
345 .12 ' (3 45.0 0')S 89° 35'5 9"W
770.11' (770.00')N00°00'07"W
770.10' (770.00')S00°00'00"E
Basis of Bearings
UPUP
UP
25'-0" PASEO 160'-0" COMMERCIAL BUILDING 28'-0" DRIVE 81'-0" RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
190'
- 0"
5'-0" DEDICATION158'-0" COMMERCIAL BUILDING 25'-0" PASEO 271'-0" COMMERCIAL BUILDING
159'-0" COMMERCIAL BUILDING
DRIVE
20'-0" 326'-0" COMMERCIAL GARAGE 135'-0" RESIDENTIAL GARAGE 28'-0" DRIVE AISLE 81'-0" RESIDENTIAL
CEDROS AVENUE
TOBIAS AVENUE
ROSC
OE B
LVD
20' -
0"
176'
- 0"
2-WAY RESONLY TRAFFIC
1-WAY TRUCKDELIVERY ROUTE &2-WAY RES/COMMPARKING ACCESS
1-WAY TRUCK ROUTE &2-WAY RES/COMM ACCESS
NEW 5 STORY RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTOVER 2-STORY RESIDENTIAL GARAGE
NEW 2-STORY COMMERCIAL
PASEO
2-WAY RES.ACCESS (1STFLOOR RES.PARKINGACCESS ONLY)
TWO- WAY FIRE LANE(LIMITED ACCESS)
ONE-WAY TRUCK ROUTE
RAMP UP
2-WAY COMM.PARKING ENTRY
ONE-WAY TRUCK ROUTE(ENTER ONLY)
RESIDENTIALENTRY LOBBY
LOBBY
RAMP
RES.ENTRY
RES.ENTRY
COMM.ENTRY
COMM.ENTRY
PASEO
LOBBY
STR
STR
STAIR TRASHTRASH
ELECTRICAL
3'-0"
DED
ICAT
ION
12'-2
5/8
"81
'-0"
RES
IDEN
TIAL
GARA
GE28
'-0" D
RIVE
176'-
0"
COM
MER
CIAL
GAR
AGE
20'-0
" DRI
VE75
'-0" C
OMM
ERCI
AL B
UILD
ING
40'-0
" M
AX.
75'-0
" CO
MM
ERCI
AL B
UILD
ING
5'-0"
STAIR
ELEV
BIKES
MARKETINGOFFICE
ELEC.
BIKES BIKES
TRASH
EXISTINGNEIGHBORING
2-STORYAPARTMENT
COMPLEX(N.I.C.)
528 RESIDENTIAL PARKING SPACES | 329 APARTMENTS
3'-0"
DED
ICAT
ION
12'-2
5/8
"81
'-0"
RESI
DENT
IAL
28'-0
" DR
IVE
276'-
0" C
OMM
ERCI
AL B
UILD
ING
33'-0
"77
'-0"
COM
MER
CIAL
BUI
LDIN
G5'-
0"
17'-1 1/8"
515'-
2 5/
8"
770'-1 1/8"
8'-6"
3'-6"
PAR
KWAY
18'-0
"18
'-0"
OPENSPACEL/SAREA
PARKWAY PER L/S
SIDEWALK PER CIVIL
L/S
UTILITIES
3'-0"
DED
ICAT
ION
12'-2
5/8
"17
6'-0"
RE
SIDE
NTIA
L GA
RAGE
DRIV
E
20'-0
"19
0'-0"
COM
MER
CIAL
BUI
LDIN
G5'-
0"
L/S, TYP.RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
RAISED L/SPLANTER, TYP.
L/S,TYP.
L/S, TYP.L/S, TYP.
PARKWAY PER L/S
L/S, TYP.L/S, TYP.L/S, TYP.
EXISTINGNEIGHBORING
CARPORT(N.I.C.)
515'-
2 5/
8"
3'-0"
DED
ICAT
ION
12'-2
5/8
"49
0'-0"
RES
IDEN
TIAL
BUILD
ING
10'-0
"
2 STORIES | 42 FEET
7 STORIES | 83 FEET
NEW 5 STORY COMMERCIAL GARAGE1030 COMMERCIAL SPACES
5 STORIES | 56 FEET
NEW 5 STORY RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTOVER 2-STORY RESIDENTIAL GARAGE131 RESIDENTIAL PARKING SPACES | 95 APARTMENTS
7 STORIES | 83 FEET
EXISTING TREETO BE REMOVED
EXISTING GARAGETO BE REMOVED
EXISTING DEPARTMENTSTORE TO BE REMOVED
EXISTING TREETO BE REMOVED
EXISTING TREETO BE REMOVED
EXISTING TREETO BE REMOVED
EXISTING TREESTO BE REMOVED
NEW 1-STORY COMMERCIAL1 STORY | 20 FEET
NEW 1-STORY COMMERCIAL1 STORY | 20 FEET
NEW 1-STORY COMMERCIAL1 STORY | 20 FEET
EXISTING RESTAURANTTO BE REMOVED
NEW 2-STORY COMMERCIAL2 STORIES | 42 FEET
81' -
0"
28' -
0"
EXISTING5-STORY
APARTMENT(N.I.C.)
122 E. ARRELLAGASANTA BARBARA
805 962 2746CALIFORNIA 93101
BlatterHochhauser
ARCHITECTURE
AND PLANNING
SHEET
PROJECT NO:
THIS DRAWING IS COPYRIGHTEDMATERIAL UNDER THE SOLE OWNERSHIPOF HOCHHAUSER BLATTER ARCHITECTURE& PLANNING. ANY USE WITHOUTEXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OFHOCHHAUSER BLATTER IS PROHIBITED.
SHEET CONTENTS
ISSUANCE OR REVISIONDATE:
1465
5-14
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W. R
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PLOT PLAN
9797
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OPM
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1/32" = 1'-0" 11ST FLOOR PLOT PLAN
PROJECT ADDRESS: 14665-14697 WEST ROSCOE BOULEVARD,PANORAMA CITY, CALIFORNIA 91402
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:APNS: 265-301-8018 TO 8021, 8028ZONES: [Q] C2-1-CDO & [Q] P-1-CDOPLANNING AREA: MISSION HILLS - PANORAMA
CITY-NORTH HILLSCOUNCIL DISTRICT: CD 6GENERAL PLAN: REGIONAL COMMERCIAL (E)EXISTING USE: 3 VACANT COMMERCIAL
STRUCTURE & SURFACE PARKING
LOT DESCRIPTION:AREA: 8.77 ACRES
384,000 GROSS SF(374,000 NET PERL.A. ZONING CODE)
BUILDING AREAS:RESIDENTIAL 361,000 SFCOMMERCIAL 200,000 SF
BUILDING HEIGHT(S) RESIDENTIAL 83 FEET MAXIMUMCOMMERCIAL 55 FEET MAXIMUMPARKING 60 FEET MAXIMUM
F.A.R. 1.5
Figure II-3Project Concept Rendering
122 E. ARRELLAGASANTA BARBARA
805 962 2746CALIFORNIA 93101
BlatterHochhauser
ARCHITECTURE
AND PLANNING
SHEET
PROJECT NO:
THIS DRAWING IS COPYRIGHTEDMATERIAL UNDER THE SOLE OWNERSHIPOF HOCHHAUSER BLATTER ARCHITECTURE& PLANNING. ANY USE WITHOUTEXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OFHOCHHAUSER BLATTER IS PROHIBITED.
SHEET CONTENTS
ISSUANCE OR REVISIONDATE:
1465
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W. R
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PERSPECTIVE BIRD'S EYEVIEWS
9797
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& C
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BIRD'S EYE VIEW - ROSCOE BLVD./TOBIAS AVE.
ROSCOE BLVD.
TOBIA
S AV
E..
CEDROS AVE.
ROSCOE BLVD.
BIRD'S EYE VIEW -CEDROS AVE. / ROSCOE BLVD.Source: Hochhauser Blatter, May 2016.
CityofLosAngeles August2016
TheICONatPanorama II.ProjectDescriptionPageII-7
6. CONSTRUCTION
TheProjectwouldbeconstructedoverapproximately24months.Constructionactivitieswouldincludethe demolition of the existing structures and parking lot, excavation, and building construction.Demolition activities are anticipated to start in the in the fourth quarter of 2017, and constructioncompletionandoccupancyisanticipatedtointhefourthquarterof2019.
7. DISCRETIONARYACTIONSANDAPPROVALS
The City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning is the lead agency for the Project. In order topermit development of the Project, the City may require approval of one or more of the followingdiscretionaryactions:
(1) VestingZoneChangefromthe[Q]C2-1-CDOand[Q]P-1-CDOzonestothe[T][Q]C2-1-CDOzoneovertheentiresite;
(2) SitePlanReview;
(3) Vesting Tentative TractMap to vacate the existing alley and provide lots consistentwith theproposeddevelopment;
(4) Master Conditional Use permit for on-site and off-site alcoholic beverage sales and for liveentertainment;
(5) Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Corner to permit restaurants to extend hours ofoperationpast11:00pm;
(6) SignageSupplementalUseDistrict;
(7) CommunityDesignOverlayDistrictplanapproval;
(8) Director’sDecisiontofora10percentreductioninthetotalrequiredusableopenspace;
(9) Demolition,grading,excavation,andbuildingpermits;and
(10) Otherpermits,ministerialordiscretionary,maybenecessaryinordertoexecuteandimplementtheProject.Suchapprovalsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:landscapingapprovals,exteriorapprovals,permitsfordrivewaycurbcuts,stormwaterdischargepermits,and installationandhookupapprovalsforpublicutilitiesandrelatedpermits.
Federal, state,and regionalagencies thatmayhave jurisdictionover someaspect theproject include,butarenotlimitedto:
• RegionalWaterQualityBoard;and
• SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict.
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TheICONatPanorama II.ProjectDescriptionPageII-8
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TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-2
CITYOFLOSANGELESOFFICEOFTHECITYCLERKROOM395,CITYHALL
LOSANGELES,CALIFORNIA90012CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTALQUALITYACT
INITIALSTUDYandCHECKLIST(CEQAGuidelinesSection15063)LEADCITYAGENCY:CityofLosAngeles
COUNCILDISTRICT:CD6–NuryMartinez
DATE:August9,2016
RESPONSIBLEAGENCIES:DepartmentofCityPlanningENVIRONMENTALCASE:ENV-2016-1061-EIR
RELATEDCASES:TBD
PREVIOUSACTIONSCASENO.None
qDOEShavesignificantchangesfrompreviousactions.q DOESNOThavesignificantchangesfrompreviousactions.
PROJECTDESCRIPTION:VestingZoneChangefromthe[Q]C2-1-CDOand[Q]P-1-CDOzonestothe[T][Q]C2-1-CDOzoneovertheentiresite;SitePlanReview;VestingTentativeTractMaptovacatetheexistingalleyandmergetheexistingparcelsintroaone-lotcommercialcondominium;MasterConditionalUsepermitforon-site and off-site alcoholic beverage sales and for live entertainment; Conditional Use Permit forCommercial Corner to permit restaurants to extend hours of operation past 11:00 pm; SignageSupplementalUseDistrict;CommunityDesignOverlayDistrictplanapproval;Director’sDecisiontofora10percent reduction in the total required usable open space; Demolition, grading, excavation, and buildingpermits; and other permits, ministerial or discretionary, may be necessary in order to execute andimplementtheProject.Suchapprovalsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:landscapingapprovals,exteriorapprovals, permits for driveway curb cuts, storm water discharge permits, and installation and hookupapprovalsforpublicutilitiesandrelatedpermits.ENV PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project proposes the demolition of three existing vacant commercialbuildingstotaling172,500squarefeetoffloorareaandtheremovalofassociatedsurfaceparkingareasinordertoconstructa584,000grosssquare-footmixed-usedevelopmentonanapproximately8.9-acresite.TheProject involves the constructionof sevenbuildings containingapproximately200,000 square feetofcommercial floorareaand423multi-family residentialunits. Inaddition,parking forapproximately1,690vehicles and 858 bicycles would be provided on-site. Commercial uses would be located within fiveseparateone-andtwo-storybuildingsontheeasternandsouthernportionsofthesiteandwouldbeservedby a six-level parking structure within the center of the property. Two separate seven-story residentialbuildings (five storiesof residentialover two levelsof above-groundparking)wouldbe locatedalong thewesternandnorthernportionsofthesite.ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING: The Project Site is currently developed with three structures that occupyapproximately172,500squarefeetoffloorarea,andasurfaceparkinglot.Alloftheexistingstructuresarecurrently unoccupied and a chain-link fence surrounds the Project Site. AMontgomeryWard store, anautomobilerepairshop,andarestaurantformerlyoccupiedthebuildings.PROJECTLOCATION:14651-14697W.RoscoeBlvd,8300-8406N.CedrosAve,8313-8413N.TobiasAveCOMMUNITY PLAN AREA:Mission Hills-Panorama City-NorthHillsSTATUS:
q Preliminaryq Proposedx Adoptedin1999
x DoesConformtoPlanq DoesNOTConformtoPlan
AREAPLANNINGCOMMISSION:NorthValley
CERTFIEDNEIGHBORHOODCOUNCIL:PanoramaCity
EXISTINGZONING:[Q]C2-1-CDO&[Q]P-1-CDO
MAXDENSITYZONING:1.5:1FAR;1DUPER400SQ.FT.
LARiverAdjacent:No
GENERALPLANLANDUSE:RegionalCommercial
MAX.DENSITYPLAN:6:1FAR;1DUPER400SQ.FT.
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-4
5. Earlieranalysismustbeusedwhere,pursuanttothetiering,programEIR,orotherCEQAprocess,aneffecthasbeenadequatelyanalyzedinanearlierEIR,ornegativedeclaration.Section15063(c)(3)(D).Inthiscase,abriefdiscussionshouldidentifythefollowing:
a. EarlierAnalysisUsed.Identifyandstatewheretheyareavailableforreview.
b. ImpactsAdequatelyAddressed.Identifywhicheffectsfromtheabovechecklistwerewithinthescopeof and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and statewhethersucheffectswereaddressedbymitigationmeasuresbasedontheearlieranalysis.
c. Mitigation Measures. For effects that are “Less Than Significant With Mitigation MeasuresIncorporated,”describe themitigationmeasureswhichwere incorporatedor refined from theearlierdocumentandtheextenttowhichtheyaddresssite-specificconditionsfortheproject.
6. Leadagenciesareencouragedto incorporate intothechecklistreferencesto informationsourcesforpotentialimpacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside documentshould,whereappropriate,includeareferencetothepageorpageswherethestatementissubstantiated
7. Supporting Information Sources: A sources list should be attached, and other sources used or individualscontactedshouldbecitedinthediscussion.
8. Thisisonlyasuggestedform,andleadagenciesarefreetousedifferentformats;however,leadagenciesshouldnormally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project’s environmental effects inwhicheverformatisselected.
9. Theexplanationofeachissueshouldidentify:
a. Thesignificancecriteriaorthreshold,ifany,usedtoevaluateeachquestion;and
b. Themitigationmeasureidentified,ifany,toreducetheimpacttolessthansignificant.
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-5
EnvironmentalFactorsPotentiallyAffected:Theenvironmentalfactorscheckedbelowwouldbepotentiallyaffectedbythisproject,involvingatleastoneimpactthatisa“PotentiallySignificantImpact”asindicatedbythechecklistonthefollowingpages.
qAESTHETICSqAGRICULTUREAND
FORESTRESOURCESx AIRQUALITYq BIOLOGICALRESOURCESx CULTURALRESOURCESx GEOLOGYANDSOILS
x GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONSx HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUS
MATERIALSx HYDROLOGYANDWATER
QUALITY x LANDUSEANDPLANNING qMINERALRESOURCESx NOISE
x POPULATIONANDHOUSING x PUBLICSERVICESx RECREATIONx TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFICx UTILITIESx MANDATORYFINDINGSOF
SIGNIFICANCE
INITIALSTUDYCHECKLIST(TobecompletedbytheLeadCityAgency)
BackgroundAPPLICANTNAME:TheIconatPanorama,LLC
PHONENUMBER:(310)903-3141
APPLICANTADDRESS:9300WilshireBoulevard,Suite465BeverlyHills,California90212AGENCYREQUIRINGCHECKLIST:DepartmentofCityPlanning
DATESUBMITTED:July15,2016
PROPOSALNAME(IfApplicable):TheICONatPanorama
12444ChandlerBoulevard III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-6
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
PLEASENOTETHATEACHANDEVERYRESPONSEINTHECITYOFLOSANGELESINITIALSTUDYANDCHECKLISTISSUMMARIZEDFROMANDBASEDUPONTHEENVIRONMENTALANALYSISCONTAINEDINSECTIONIVOFTHISINITIALSTUDY,EXPLANATIONOFCHECKLISTDETERMINATIONS.PLEASEREFERTOTHEAPPLICABLERESPONSEINSECTIONIVFORADETAILEDDISCUSSIONOFCHECKLISTDETERMINATIONS.
I. AESTHETICS
a. HAVEASUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECTONASCENICVISTA? q q x qb. SUBSTANTIALLYDAMAGESCENICRESOURCES,INCLUDING,BUT
NOTLIMITEDTO,TREES,ROCKOUTCROPPINGS,ANDHISTORICBUILDINGS,OROTHERLOCALLYRECOGNIZEDDESIRABLEAESTHETICNATURALFEATUREWITHINACITY-DESIGNATEDSCENICHIGHWAY?
q q q x
c. SUBSTANTIALLYDEGRADETHEEXISTINGVISUALCHARACTERORQUALITYOFTHESITEANDITSSURROUNDINGS?
q q x q
d. CREATEANEWSOURCEOFSUBSTANTIALLIGHTORGLAREWHICHWOULDADVERSELYAFFECTDAYORNIGHTTIMEVIEWSINTHEAREA?
q q x q
II. AGRICULTUREANDFORESTRESOURCES
a. CONVERTPRIMEFARMLAND,UNIQUEFARMLAND,ORFARMLANDOFSTATEWIDEIMPORTANCE,ASSHOWNONTHEMAPSPREPAREDPURSUANTTOTHEFARMLANDMAPPINGANDMONITORINGPROGRAMOFTHECALIFORNIARESOURCESAGENCY,TONON-AGRICULTURALUSE?
q q q x
b. CONFLICTWITHEXISTINGZONINGFORAGRICULTURALUSE,ORAWILLIAMSONACTCONTRACT?
q q q x
c. CONFLICTWITHEXISTINGZONINGFOR,ORCAUSEREZONINGOF,FORESTLAND(ASDEFINEDINPUBLICRESOURCESCODESECTION1220(G)),TIMBERLAND(ASDEFINEDBYPUBLICRESOURCESCODESECTION4526),ORTIMBERLANDZONEDTIMBERLANDPRODUCTION(ASDEFINEDBYGOVERNMENTCODESECTION51104(G))?
q q q x
d. RESULTINTHELOSSOFFORESTLANDORCONVERSIONOFFORESTLANDTONON-FORESTUSE?
q q q x
e. INVOLVEOTHERCHANGESINTHEEXISTINGENVIRONMENTWHICH,DUETOTHEIRLOCATIONORNATURE,COULDRESULTINCONVERSIONOFFARMLAND,TONON-AGRICULTURALUSEORCONVERSIONOFFORESTLANDTONON-FORESTUSE?
q q q x
III. AIRQUALITY
a. CONFLICTWITHOROBSTRUCTIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHESCAQMDORCONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPLAN?
x q q q
b. VIOLATEANYAIRQUALITYSTANDARDORCONTRIBUTESUBSTANTIALLYTOANEXISTINGORPROJECTEDAIRQUALITYVIOLATION?
x q q q
c. RESULTINACUMULATIVELYCONSIDERABLENETINCREASEOFANYCRITERIAPOLLUTANTFORWHICHTHEAIRBASINISNON-ATTAINMENT(OZONE,CARBONMONOXIDE,&PM10)UNDERANAPPLICABLEFEDERALORSTATEAMBIENTAIRQUALITYSTANDARD?
x q q q
d. EXPOSESENSITIVERECEPTORSTOSUBSTANTIALPOLLUTANTCONCENTRATIONS?
x q q q
e. CREATEOBJECTIONABLEODORSAFFECTINGASUBSTANTIALNUMBEROFPEOPLE?
q q x q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-7
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
IV. BIOLOGICALRESOURCES
a. HAVEASUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECT,EITHERDIRECTLYORTHROUGHHABITATMODIFICATION,ONANYSPECIESIDENTIFIEDASACANDIDATE,SENSITIVE,ORSPECIALSTATUSSPECIESINLOCALORREGIONALPLANS,POLICIES,ORREGULATIONSBYTHECALIFORNIADEPARTMENTOFFISHANDWILDLIFEORU.S.FISHANDWILDLIFESERVICE?
q q q x
b. HAVEASUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECTONANYRIPARIANHABITATOROTHERSENSITIVENATURALCOMMUNITYIDENTIFIEDINTHECITYORREGIONALPLANS,POLICIES,REGULATIONSBYTHECALIFORNIADEPARTMENTOFFISHANDWILDLIFEORU.S.FISHANDWILDLIFESERVICE?
q q q x
c. HAVEASUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECTONFEDERALLYPROTECTEDWETLANDSASDEFINEDBYSECTION404OFTHECLEANWATERACT(INCLUDING,BUTNOTLIMITEDTO,MARSHVERNALPOOL,COASTAL,ETC.)THROUGHDIRECTREMOVAL,FILLING,HYDROLOGICALINTERRUPTION,OROTHERMEANS?
q q q x
d. INTERFERESUBSTANTIALLYWITHTHEMOVEMENTOFANYNATIVERESIDENTORMIGRATORYFISHORWILDLIFESPECIESORWITHESTABLISHEDNATIVERESIDENTORMIGRATORYWILDLIFECORRIDORS,ORIMPEDETHEUSEOFNATIVEWILDLIFENURSERYSITES?
q q x q
e. CONFLICTWITHANYLOCALPOLICIESORORDINANCESPROTECTINGBIOLOGICALRESOURCES,SUCHASTREEPRESERVATIONPOLICYORORDINANCE(E.G.,OAKTREESORCALIFORNIAWALNUTWOODLANDS)?
q q x q
f. CONFLICTWITHTHEPROVISIONSOFANADOPTEDHABITATCONSERVATIONPLAN,NATURALCOMMUNITYCONSERVATIONPLAN,OROTHERAPPROVEDLOCAL,REGIONAL,ORSTATEHABITATCONSERVATIONPLAN?
q q q x
V. CULTURALRESOURCES
a. CAUSEASUBSTANTIALADVERSECHANGEINSIGNIFICANCEOFAHISTORICALRESOURCEASDEFINEDINSTATECEQASECTION15064.5?
x q q q
b. CAUSEASUBSTANTIALADVERSECHANGEINSIGNIFICANCEOFANARCHAEOLOGICALRESOURCEPURSUANTTOSTATECEQASECTION15064.5?
q q x q
c. DIRECTLYORINDIRECTLYDESTROYAUNIQUEPALEONTOLOGICALRESOURCEORSITEORUNIQUEGEOLOGICFEATURE?
q q x q
d. DISTURBANYHUMANREMAINS,INCLUDINGTHOSEINTERREDOUTSIDEOFFORMALCEMETERIES?
q q x q
VI. GEOLOGYANDSOILS
a. EXPOSUREOFPEOPLEORSTRUCTURESTOPOTENTIALSUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECTS,INCLUDINGTHERISKOFLOSS,INJURYORDEATHINVOLVING:
i. RUPTUREOFAKNOWNEARTHQUAKEFAULT,ASDELINEATEDONTHEMOSTRECENTALQUIST-PRIOLOEARTHQUAKEFAULTZONINGMAPISSUEDBYTHESTATEGEOLOGISTFORTHEAREAORBASEDONOTHERSUBSTANTIALEVIDENCEOFAKNOWNFAULT?REFERTODIVISIONOFMINESANDGEOLOGYSPECIALPUBLICATION42.
q q x q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-8
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
ii. STRONGSEISMICGROUNDSHAKING? x q q qiii. SEISMIC-RELATEDGROUNDFAILURE,INCLUDINGLIQUEFACTION? x q q qiv. LANDSLIDES? q q q xb. RESULTINSUBSTANTIALSOILEROSIONORTHELOSSOFTOPSOIL? x q q qc. BELOCATEDONAGEOLOGICUNITORSOILTHATISUNSTABLE,OR
THATWOULDBECOMEUNSTABLEASARESULTOFTHEPROJECT,ANDPOTENTIALRESULTINON-OROFF-SITELANDSLIDE,LATERALSPREADING,SUBSIDENCE,LIQUEFACTION,ORCOLLAPSE?
x q q q
d. BELOCATEDONEXPANSIVESOIL,ASDEFINEDINTABLE18-1-BOFTHEUNIFORMBUILDINGCODE(1994),CREATINGSUBSTANTIALRISKSTOLIFEORPROPERTY?
x q q q
e. HAVESOILSINCAPABLEOFADEQUATELYSUPPORTINGTHEUSEOFSEPTICTANKSORALTERNATIVEWASTEWATERDISPOSALSYSTEMSWHERESEWERSARENOTAVAILABLEFORTHEDISPOSALOFWASTEWATER?
q q q x
VII. GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS
a. GENERATEGREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS,EITHERDIRECTLYORINDIRECTLY,THATMAYHAVEASIGNIFICANTIMPACTONTHEENVIRONMENT?
x q q q
b. CONFLICTWITHANAPPLICABLEPLAN,POLICYORREGULATIONADOPTEDFORTHEPURPOSEOFREDUCINGTHEEMISSIONSOFGREENHOUSEGASES?
x q q q
VIII. HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS
a. CREATEASIGNIFICANTHAZARDTOTHEPUBLICORTHEENVIRONMENTTHROUGHTHEROUTINETRANSPORT,USE,ORDISPOSALOFHAZARDOUSMATERIALS
q q x q
b. CREATEASIGNIFICANTHAZARDTOTHEPUBLICORTHEENVIRONMENTTHROUGHREASONABLYFORESEEABLEUPSETANDACCIDENTCONDITIONSINVOLVINGTHERELEASEOFHAZARDOUSMATERIALSINTOTHEENVIRONMENT?
x q q q
c. EMITHAZARDOUSEMISSIONSORHANDLEHAZARDOUSORACUTELYHAZARDOUSMATERIALS,SUBSTANCES,ORWASTEWITHINONE-QUARTERMILEOFANEXISTINGORPROPOSEDSCHOOL?
x q q q
d. BELOCATEDONASITEWHICHISINCLUDEDONALISTOFHAZARDOUSMATERIALSSITESCOMPILEDPURSUANTTOGOVERNMENTCODESECTION65962.5AND,ASARESULT,WOULDITCREATEASIGNIFICANTHAZARDTOTHEPUBLICORTHEENVIRONMENT?
x q q q
e. FORAPROJECTLOCATEDWITHINANAIRPORTLANDUSEPLANOR,WHERESUCHAPLANHASNOTBEENADOPTED,WITHINTWOMILESOFAPUBLICAIRPORTORPUBLICUSEAIRPORT,WOULDTHEPROJECTRESULTINASAFETYHAZARDFORPEOPLERESIDINGORWORKINGINTHEPROJECTAREA?
q q q x
f. FORAPROJECTWITHINTHEVICINITYOFAPRIVATEAIRSTRIP,WOULDTHEPROJECTRESULTINASAFETYHAZARDFORTHEPEOPLERESIDINGORWORKINGINTHEAREA?
q q q x
g. IMPAIRIMPLEMENTATIONOFORPHYSICALLYINTERFEREWITHANADOPTEDEMERGENCYRESPONSEPLANOREMERGENCYEVACUATIONPLAN?
x q q q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-9
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
h. EXPOSEPEOPLEORSTRUCTURESTOASIGNIFICANTRISKOFLOSS,INJURYORDEATHINVOLVINGWILDLANDFIRES,INCLUDINGWHEREWILDLANDSAREADJACENTTOURBANIZEDAREASORWHERERESIDENCESAREINTERMIXEDWITHWILDLANDS?
q q q x
IX. HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY
a. VIOLATEANYWATERQUALITYSTANDARDSORWASTEDISCHARGEREQUIREMENTS?
x q q q
b. SUBSTANTIALLYDEPLETEGROUNDWATERSUPPLIESORINTERFEREWITHGROUNDWATERRECHARGESUCHTHATTHEREWOULDBEANETDEFICITINAQUIFERVOLUMEORALOWERINGOFTHELOCALGROUNDWATERTABLELEVEL(E.G.,THEPRODUCTIONRATEOFPRE-EXISTINGNEARBYWELLSWOULDDROPTOALEVELWHICHWOULDNOTSUPPORTEXISTINGLANDUSESORPLANNEDLANDUSESFORWHICHPERMITSHAVEBEENGRANTED)?
x q q q
c. SUBSTANTIALLYALTERTHEEXISTINGDRAINAGEPATTERNOFTHESITEORAREA,INCLUDINGTHROUGHTHEALTERATIONOFTHECOURSEOFASTREAMORRIVER,INAMANNERWHICHWOULDRESULTINSUBSTANTIALEROSIONORSILTATIONON-OROFF-SITE?
x q q q
d. SUBSTANTIALLYALTERTHEEXISTINGDRAINAGEPATTERNOFTHESITEORAREA,INCLUDINGTHROUGHTHEALTERATIONOFTHECOURSEOFASTREAMORRIVER,ORSUBSTANTIALLYINCREASETHERATEORAMOUNTOFSURFACERUNOFFINANMANNERWHICHWOULDRESULTINFLOODINGON-OROFFSITE?
x q q q
e. CREATEORCONTRIBUTERUNOFFWATERWHICHWOULDEXCEEDTHECAPACITYOFEXISTINGORPLANNEDSTORMWATERDRAINAGESYSTEMSORPROVIDESUBSTANTIALADDITIONALSOURCESOFPOLLUTEDRUNOFF?
x q q q
f. OTHERWISESUBSTANTIALLYDEGRADEWATERQUALITY? x q q qg. PLACEHOUSINGWITHINA100-YEARFLOODPLAINASMAPPEDON
FEDERALFLOODHAZARDBOUNDARYORFLOODINSURANCERATEMAPOROTHERFLOODHAZARDDELINEATIONMAP?
q q q x
h. PLACEWITHINA100-YEARFLOODPLAINSTRUCTURESWHICHWOULDIMPEDEORREDIRECTFLOODFLOWS?
q q q x
i. EXPOSEPEOPLEORSTRUCTURESTOASIGNIFICANTRISKOFLOSS,INQUIRYORDEATHINVOLVINGFLOODING,INCLUDINGFLOODINGASARESULTOFTHEFAILUREOFALEVEEORDAM?
x q q q
j. INUNDATIONBYSEICHE,TSUNAMI,ORMUDFLOW? q q q xX. LANDUSEANDPLANNING
a. PHYSICALLYDIVIDEANESTABLISHEDCOMMUNITY? x q q qb. CONFLICTWITHAPPLICABLELANDUSEPLAN,POLICYOR
REGULATIONOFANAGENCYWITHJURISDICTIONOVERTHEPROJECT(INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOTHEGENERALPLAN,SPECIFICPLAN,COASTALPROGRAM,ORZONINGORDINANCE)ADOPTEDFORTHEPURPOSEOFAVOIDINGORMITIGATINGANENVIRONMENTALEFFECT?
x q q q
c. CONFLICTWITHANYAPPLICABLEHABITATCONSERVATIONPLANORNATURALCOMMUNITYCONSERVATIONPLAN?
q q q x
XI. MINERALRESOURCES
a. RESULTINTHELOSSOFAVAILABILITYOFAKNOWNMINERAL q q q x
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-10
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
RESOURCETHATWOULDBEOFVALUETOTHEREGIONANDTHERESIDENTSOFTHESTATE?
b. RESULTINTHELOSSOFAVAILABILITYOFALOCALLY-IMPORTANTMINERALRESOURCERECOVERYSITEDELINEATEDONALOCALGENERALPLAN,SPECIFICPLAN,OROTHERLANDUSEPLAN?
q q q x
XII. NOISE
a. EXPOSUREOFPERSONSTOORGENERATIONOFNOISEINLEVELINEXCESSOFSTANDARDSESTABLISHEDINTHELOCALGENERALPLANORNOISEORDINANCE,ORAPPLICABLESTANDARDSOFOTHERAGENCIES?
x q q q
b. EXPOSUREOFPEOPLETOORGENERATIONOFEXCESSIVEGROUNDBORNEVIBRATIONORGROUNDBORNENOISELEVELS?
x q q q
c. ASUBSTANTIALPERMANENTINCREASEINAMBIENTNOISELEVELSINTHEPROJECTVICINITYABOVELEVELSEXISTINGWITHOUTTHEPROJECT?
x q q q
d. ASUBSTANTIALTEMPORARYORPERIODICINCREASEINAMBIENTNOISELEVELSINTHEPROJECTVICINITYABOVELEVELSEXISTINGWITHOUTTHEPROJECT?
x q q q
e. FORAPROJECTLOCATEDWITHINANAIRPORTLANDUSEPLANOR,WHERESUCHAPLANHASNOTBEENADOPTED,WITHINTWOMILESOFAPUBLICAIRPORTORPUBLICUSEAIRPORT,WOULDTHEPROJECTEXPOSEPEOPLERESIDINGORWORKINGINTHEPROJECTAREATOEXCESSIVENOISELEVELS?
q q q x
f. FORAPROJECTWITHINTHEVICINITYOFAPRIVATEAIRSTRIP,WOULDTHEPROJECTEXPOSEPEOPLERESIDINGORWORKINGINTHEPROJECTAREATOEXCESSIVENOISELEVELS?
q q q x
XIII. POPULATIONANDHOUSING
a. INDUCESUBSTANTIALPOPULATIONGROWTHINANAREAEITHERDIRECTLY(FOREXAMPLE,BYPROPOSINGNEWHOMESANDBUSINESSES)ORINDIRECTLY(FOREXAMPLE,THROUGHEXTENSIONOFROADSOROTHERINFRASTRUCTURE)?
x q q q
b. DISPLACESUBSTANTIALNUMBERSOFEXISTINGHOUSINGNECESSITATINGTHECONSTRUCTIONOFREPLACEMENTHOUSINGELSEWHERE?
q q q x
c. DISPLACESUBSTANTIALNUMBERSOFPEOPLENECESSITATINGTHECONSTRUCTIONOFREPLACEMENTHOUSINGELSEWHERE?
q q q x
XIV. PUBLICSERVICESWOULDTHEPROJECTRESULTINSUBSTANTIALADVERSEPHYSICALIMPACTSASSOCIATEDWITHTHEPROVISIONOFNEWORPHYSICALLYALTEREDGOVERNMENTFACILITIES,NEEDFORNEWORPHYSICALLYALTEREDGOVERNMENTALFACILITIES,THECONSTRUCTIONOFWHICHCOULDCAUSESIGNIFICANTENVIRONMENTALIMPACTS,INORDERTOMAINTAINACCEPTABLESERVICERATIOS,RESPONSETIMESOROTHERPERFORMANCEOBJECTIVEFORANYOFTHEFOLLOWINGPUBLICSERVICES:
a. FIREPROTECTION? x q q qb. POLICEPROTECTION? x q q qc. SCHOOLS? x q q qd. PARKS? x q q qe. OTHERPUBLICFACILITIES? x q q q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-11
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
XV. RECREATION
a. WOULDTHEPROJECTINCREASETHEUSEOFEXISTINGNEIGHBORHOODANDREGIONALPARKSOROTHERRECREATIONALFACILITIESSUCHTHATSUBSTANTIALPHYSICALDETERIORATIONOFTHEFACILITYWOULDOCCURORBEACCELERATED?
x q q q
b. DOESTHEPROJECTINCLUDERECREATIONALFACILITIESORREQUIRETHECONSTRUCTIONOREXPANSIONOFRECREATIONALFACILITIESWHICHMIGHTHAVEANADVERSEPHYSICALEFFECTONTHEENVIRONMENT?
x q q q
XVI. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION
a. CONFLICTWITHANAPPLICABLEPLAN,ORDINANCEORPOLICYESTABLISHINGMEASURESOFEFFECTIVENESSFORTHEPERFORMANCEOFTHECIRCULATIONSYSTEM,TAKINGINTOACCOUNTALLMODESOFTRANSPORTATIONINCLUDINGMASSTRANSITANDNON-MOTORIZEDTRAVELANDRELEVANTCOMPONENTSOFTHECIRCULATIONSYSTEM,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINTERSECTIONS,STREETS,HIGHWAYSANDFREEWAYS,PEDESTRIANANDBICYCLEPATHSANDMASSTRANSIT?
x q q q
b. CONFLICTWITHANAPPLICABLECONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPROGRAM,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOLEVELOFSERVICESTANDARDSANDTRAVELDEMANDMEASURES,OROTHERSTANDARDSESTABLISHEDBYTHECOUNTYCONGESTIONMANAGEMENTAGENCYFORDESIGNATEDROADSORHIGHWAYS?
x q q q
c. RESULTINACHANGEINAIRTRAFFICPATTERNS,INCLUDINGEITHERANINCREASEINTRAFFICLEVELSORACHANGEINLOCATIONTHATRESULTSINSUBSTANTIALSAFETYRISKS?
q q q x
d. SUBSTANTIALLYINCREASEHAZARDSTOADESIGNFEATURE(E.G.,SHARPCURVESORDANGEROUSINTERSECTIONS)ORINCOMPATIBLEUSES(E.G.,FARMEQUIPMENT)?
q q q x
e. RESULTININADEQUATEEMERGENCYACCESS? x q q qf. CONFLICTWITHADOPTEDPOLICIES,PLANSORPROGRAMS
REGARDINGPUBLICTRANSIT,BICYCLE,ORPEDESTRIANFACILITIES,OROTHERWISEDECREASETHEPERFORMANCEORSAFETYOFSUCHFACILITIES?
x q q q
XVII. UTILITIES
a. EXCEEDWASTEWATERTREATMENTREQUIREMENTSOFTHEAPPLICABLEREGIONALWATERQUALITYCONTROLBOARD?
x q q q
b. REQUIREORRESULTINTHECONSTRUCTIONOFNEWWATERORWASTEWATERTREATMENTFACILITIESOREXPANSIONOFEXISTINGFACILITIES,THECONSTRUCTIONOFWHICHCOULDCAUSESIGNIFICANTENVIRONMENTALEFFECTS?
x q q q
c. REQUIREORRESULTINTHECONSTRUCTIONOFNEWSTORMWATERDRAINAGEFACILITIESOREXPANSIONOFEXISTINGFACILITIES,THECONSTRUCTIONOFWHICHCOULDCAUSESIGNIFICANTENVIRONMENTALEFFECTS?
x q q q
d. HAVESUFFICIENTWATERSUPPLIESAVAILABLETOSERVETHEPROJECTFROMEXISTINGENTITLEMENTSANDRESOURCE,ORARENEWOREXPANDEDENTITLEMENTSNEEDED?
x q q q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-12
PotentiallySignificantImpact
PotentiallySignificantUnless
MitigationIncorporated
LessThanSignificantImpact
NoImpact
e. RESULTINADETERMINATIONBYTHEWASTEWATERTREATMENTPROVIDERWHICHSERVESORMAYSERVETHEPROJECTTHATITHASADEQUATECAPACITYTOSERVETHEPROJECT’SPROJECTEDDEMANDINADDITIONTOTHEPROVIDER’SEXISTINGCOMMITMENTS?
x q q q
f. BESERVEDBYALANDFILLWITHSUFFICIENTPERMITTEDCAPACITYTOACCOMMODATETHEPROJECT’SSOLIDWASTEDISPOSALNEEDS?
x q q q
g. COMPLYWITHFEDERAL,STATE,ANDLOCALSTATUTESANDREGULATIONSRELATEDTOSOLIDWASTE?
x q q q
XVIII. MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCE
a. DOESTHEPROJECTHAVETHEPOTENTIALTODEGRADETHEQUALITYOFTHEENVIRONMENT,SUBSTANTIALLYREDUCETHEHABITATOFFISHORWILDLIFESPECIES,CAUSEAFISHORWILDLIFEPOPULATIONTODROPBELOWSELF-SUSTAININGLEVELS,THREATENTOELIMINATEAPLANTORANIMALCOMMUNITY,REDUCETHENUMBERORRESTRICTTHERANGEOFARAREORENDANGEREDPLANTORANIMALORELIMINATEIMPORTANTEXAMPLESOFTHEMAJORPERIODSOFCALIFORNIAHISTORYORPREHISTORY?
x q q q
b. DOESTHEPROJECTHAVEIMPACTSWHICHAREINDIVIDUALLYLIMITED,BUTCUMULATIVELYCONSIDERABLE?(”CUMULATIVELYCONSIDERABLE”MEANSTHATTHEINCREMENTALEFFECTSOFANINDIVIDUALPROJECTARECONSIDERABLEWHENVIEWEDINCONNECTIONWITHTHEEFFECTSOFPASTPROJECTS,THEEFFECTSOFOTHERCURRENTPROJECTS,ANDTHEEFFECTSOFPROBABLEFUTUREPROJECTS).
x q q q
c. DOESTHEPROJECTHAVEENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSWHICHCAUSESUBSTANTIALADVERSEEFFECTSONHUMANBEINGS,EITHERDIRECTLYORINDIRECTLY?
x q q q
TheICONatPanorama III.InitialStudyChecklist PageIII-13
DISCUSSIONOFTHEENVIRONMENTALEVALUATION(Attachadditionalsheetsifnecessary) The Environmental Impact Assessment includes the use of official City of Los Angeles and othergovernment source referencematerials related to variousenvironmental impact categories (e.g.,Hydrology,AirQuality,Biology,CulturalResources,etc.).TheStateofCalifornia,DepartmentofConservation,DivisionofMinesandGeology–SeismicHazardMapsandreports,areusedto identifypotential futuresignificantseismicevents;includingprobablemagnitudes, liquefaction,and landslidehazards. BasedonApplicant informationprovided intheMasterLandUseApplicationandEnvironmentalAssessmentForm,impactevaluationswerebasedonstatedfactscontainedtherein,includingbutnotlimitedto,referencematerialsindicatedabove,fieldinvestigationoftheProjectSite,andotherreliablereferencematerialsknownatthetime.
Project specific impacts were evaluated based on all relevant facts indicated in the EnvironmentalAssessmentFormandexpressedthroughtheApplicant’sprojectdescriptionandsupportivematerials. BoththeInitialStudyChecklistandChecklistExplanations,inconjunctionwiththeCityofLosAngeles’sAdoptedThresholdsGuideandCEQAGuidelines,wereusedtoreachreasonableconclusionsonenvironmental impactsasmandatedundertheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA).
The Project as identified in the project description may cause potentially significant impacts on theenvironment. Therefore, this environmental analysis concludes that an Environmental Impact Report shall bepreparedtoaddressallpotentialadverseimpactsontheenvironment.
ADDITIONALINFORMATION:AllsupportingdocumentsandreferencesarecontainedintheEnvironmentalCaseFilereferencedaboveandmaybeviewedintheMajorProjects&EIRSection,Room750,CityHall.For City information, addresses, and phone numbers: visit the City’s website at http://www.lacity.org; CityPlanning-andZoningInformationMappingAutomatedSystem(ZIMAS)cityplanning.lacity.org/orMajorProjects&EIRSection,CityHall,200NSpringStreet,Room750.SeismicHazardMaps–http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/Engineering/Infrastructure/TopographicMaps/ParcelInformation–http://boemaps.eng.ci.la.ca.us/index0.1htmorCity’smainwebsiteundertheheading“NavigateLA.”
PREPAREDBY:MilenaZasadzien
TITLE:CityPlanner
TELEPHONENO.:(818)374-5054
DATE:August9,2016
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IV.ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTANALYSIS
INTRODUCTIONThissectionoftheInitialStudycontainsanassessmentanddiscussionofimpactsassociatedwitheachenvironmental issue and subject area identified in the Initial Study Checklist. The thresholds ofsignificancearebasedonthepracticesoftheCityofLosAngeles,theL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,andothersourcesasnoted.
IMPACTANALYSIS
1. AESTHETICS
SenateBill (SB) 743, effective January 1, 2014,made several changes toCEQA for projects located inareas servedby transit. Amongother changes, SB743eliminates theneed toevaluateaestheticandparking impacts of a project in some circumstances. Specifically, aesthetic and parking impacts of aresidential,mixed-useresidential,oremploymentcenterprojectonaninfillsitewithinaTransitPriorityArea(TPA)shallnotbeconsideredtohaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment.
SB743definesaTPAasanareawithinone-halfmileofamajortransitstopthatisexistingorplanned.Amajortransitstopisasitecontainingarailtransitstation,aferryterminalservedbyeitherabusorrailtransitservice,ortheintersectionoftwoormoremajorbusrouteswithafrequencyofserviceintervalof15minutesorlessduringtheAMandPMpeakcommuteperiods.Aninfillsitereferstoalotlocatedwithinanurbanareathathasbeenpreviouslydeveloped,oravacantsitewhereatleast75percentoftheperimeterofthesiteadjoins,orisseparatedonlybyanimprovedpublicright-of-wayfromparcelsthataredevelopedwithqualifiedurbanuses.
On February 10, 2016, theCity circulated Zoning Information FileNo. 2452 to clarify the locations ofTPAswithintheCity,andtoreaffirmthataestheticimpactsshallnotbeconsideredasignificantimpactontheenvironmentwhentheprovisionsofSB743apply.Specifically,ZoningInformationFileNo.2452statesthatvisualresources,aestheticcharacter,shadeandshadow,lightandglare,andscenicvistasoranyother aesthetic impact, as defined in theL.A. CEQAThresholdsGuide, shall notbe consideredanimpactforinfillprojectswithinTPAspursuanttoCEQA.AmapofTPAsisattachedtoZoningInformationFileNo.2452.AccordingtotheCity,andasshownonFigureIV-1(ProjectSiteandTransitPriorityArea),the Project Site is within a TPA.1 Therefore, the Project’s impacts on visual resources, aestheticcharacter,shadeandshadow,lightandglare,scenicvistas,State-andCity-designatedscenichighways,and parking are not considered to be significant per SB 743 and Zoning Information File No. 2452.Notwithstanding themandate imposed by SB 743, the following aesthetic analysis for the Project isprovidedforinformationalpurposesonly.
a) Wouldtheprojecthaveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista?
LessThanSignificantImpact.ForprojectslocatedoutsideofaTPA,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaproject introduces incompatible visual elements within a field of view containing a scenic vista orsubstantially blocks views of a scenic vista. Scenic vistas are generally described in two ways:
1 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information & Map Access System, website:http://zimas.lacity.org,accessed:August3,2016.
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panoramicviews(visualaccesstoalargegeographicarea,forwhichthefieldofviewcanbewideandextend into the distance) and focal views (visual access to a particular object, scene, or feature ofinterest).BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhetheraprojectresultsinasignificantimpactonascenicvistashallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• The nature and quality of recognized or valued views (such as natural topography, settings,man-madeornaturalfeaturesofvisualinterest,andresourcessuchasmountainsorocean);
• Whetheraprojectaffectsviewsfromadesignatedscenichighway,corridor,orparkway;
• Theextentofobstruction(e.g.,totalblockage,partialinterruption,orminordiminishment);and
• The extent to which a project affects recognized views available from a length of a publicroadway,bikepath,ortrail,asopposedtoasingle,fixedvantagepoint.
Theapproximately8.9-acreProjectSite is relatively flatandcurrentlydevelopedwiththreestructuresthat occupy approximately 172,500 square feet of floor area, and a surface parking lot. All of theexisting structures are currently unoccupied and a chain-link fence surrounds the Project Site. AMontgomeryWard store, an automobile repair shop, and a restaurant formerly occupied the on-sitebuildings. TherearenoprominenttopographicalfeaturesontheProjectSitefromwhichscenicvistascouldbeviewed,nordoestheProjectSitecontainascenicvista.
VisualresourceswithinthevicinityoftheProjectSitewiththepotentialtobeconsideredscenicincludedistant and obscured views from the Project Site of the SantaMonicaMountains approximately 5.2miles to the south, Verdugo Mountains approximately 5.6 miles to the east, and Santa SusanaMountains approximately 6.9 miles to the north. It should be noted that under the L.A. CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpactoccursonlywhenaproposedprojectadverselyaffectsthepublicview of a scenic vista and, therefore, impacts to private views are not considered to be significant.ViewsofthesemountainrangesfromtheProjectSitearenotreadilyavailableatthestreetlevelduetothedistanceofthesemountains(approximatelyfivetosevenmilesfromthesite)andtheexistingbuiltenvironmentbetween themountain rangesand theProjectSite,whichconsistsbuilding structuresofvaryingheights, includingmid- andhigh-risebuildings. Likewise, theexisting viewshedat theProjectSiteisdefinedbyexistingurbandevelopment.
TheProjectwould construct five separateone-and two-story commercialbuildingsand two separateseven-storybuildings(fivestoriesofresidentialovertwolevelsofabovegroundparking),andasix-levelparking structure for the commercial land uses. The Projectwould extend beyond the height of theexisting one- and two-story structures. Even so, the Project would not directly obstruct an existingpublicviewofascenicvistaassuchviewsarealreadyverylimited,andtheadditionalbuildingheightattheProjectSitewouldnototherwisesubstantiallyaffectsuchalready-limitedviews.Anyexisting,albeitlimited,viewswouldbe fromprivateviewpoints in thesurrounding residential landuses. Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
b) Wouldtheprojectsubstantiallydamagescenicresources,including,butnotlimitedto,trees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingswithinaStatescenichighway?
NoImpact.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpactwouldoccuronlyforprojectslocatedoutsideofaTPA if scenic resourceswouldbedamagedand/or removedbydevelopmentofa
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project.TherearenoState-designatedscenichighwaysorhighwayseligibleforscenicdesignationintheProjectSitevicinity.2TherearealsonoCity-designatedscenichighwaysintheProjectSitevicinity.3Assuch, theProjectwouldhavenopotential todamage scenic resourceswithin the corridorof a scenichighway.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccurandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
c) Wouldtheprojectsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings?
LessThanSignificantImpact.ForprojectslocatedoutsideofaTPA,asignificantimpactmayoccuriftheproject introduced incompatible visual elementson theproject site or visual elements thatwouldbeincompatiblewiththecharacteroftheareasurroundingtheprojectsite.
GeneralCharacterSignificanceMethodology
BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhetheraprojectthatislocatedoutsideofaTPAwillresultinasignificantaestheticimpactshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Theamountorrelativeproportionofexistingfeaturesorelementsthatsubstantiallycontributetothevaluedvisualcharacterorimageofaneighborhood,community,orlocalizedarea,whichwouldberemoved,alteredordemolished;
• Theamountofnaturalopenspacetobegradedordeveloped;
• The degree to which proposed structures in natural open space areas would be effectivelyintegratedintotheaestheticsofthesite,throughappropriatedesign,etc.;
• The degree of contrast between proposed features and existing features that represent thearea’svaluedaestheticimage;
• Thedegreetowhichtheprojectwouldcontributetothearea’saestheticvalue;and
• Applicableguidelinesandregulations.
TheProjectSiteislocatedintheurbanizedareaofPanoramaCity.ThePanoramaCityareaisgenerallycharacterized by low- tomedium-density residential land useswith high-density residential land usesand commercial land uses concentrated near the transit corridors of Sepulveda Boulevard, RoscoeBoulevard,VanNuysBoulevard,andLassenStreet. Multi-family residencesbound theProject Site tothenorth.TheProjectSiteisboundedtotheeastbyTobiasAvenue,beyondwhichisasurfaceparkinglotandthePanoramaMallshoppingcenter.Asingle-storyrestaurantbuildingislocatedatthesouthernendofthesurfaceparkinglot,atthenortheastcornerofRoscoeBoulevardandTobiasAvenue.One-totwo-story retail and office buildings are located to the east on the south side of Roscoe Boulevard.Single-story retail center buildings and two-storymulti-family residential buildings are located on thesouthsideofRoscoeBoulevard,acrossfromtheProjectSite.Multi-familyresidencesarealsolocatedto
2 California Department of Transportation, California Scenic Highway Mapping System, Los Angeles County,
website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_highways/langeles.htm,accessed: August3,2016.
3 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning,MobilityPlan2035,CitywideGeneralPlanCirculationSystem,MapA2–ValleySubarea.
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thewestofCedrosAvenueaswellastothenorthoftheProjectSite,andrangefromonetofourstoriesinheight.
TheProjectwould construct five separateone-and two-story commercialbuildingsand two separateseven-storybuildings(fivestoriesofresidentialovertwolevelsofabovegroundparking),andasix-levelparking structure for the commercial land uses. The Projectwould extend beyond the height of theexistingone-andthree-storystructuresonsite.Thus,theProjectwouldresultinachangeinthevisualcharacteroftheProjectSiteandsurroundingarea. ThefollowingdiscussionaddressestheextentandsignificanceofthechangetothevisualcharacterresultingfromProjectimplementation.
Height
TheProject’sproposedbuildingheightswouldbetoamaximumof83feetfortheresidentialbuildings(seven-storybuildings),65feetforthecommercialbuildings(one-totwo-storiesbuilding),and60feetfortheparkingstructure(sixlevels).ExistingbuildingsthatsurroundtheProjectSiterangefromonetofive stories in height. The existing zoning designation does not limit building height. The tallestbuildings,whichincludethetworesidentialbuildings,wouldbelocatedalongthewesternandnorthernboundaries of the site. While the Project would introduce taller buildings than what exist in thesurroundinguses,theProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeurbanviewshedofthesurroundingareaandwiththetypeofdevelopmentthatcanbedevelopedataregionalcommercialsite. Moreover,astheProject is located within a TPA, the siting of the residential buildings at the Project Site are notconsideredtobeasignificantimpact.Therefore,thevisualqualityandcharacterimpactassociatedwiththe proposed building’s heightwould be less than significant and further analysis of this issue is notrequired.
Massing
Inadditiontothe increasedheight, theProject’sproposedbuildingswould increasethebuildingmassontheProjectSite.TheresultingbuildingswouldbevisuallyprominentintheimmediatelysurroundingareacomparedtotheexistingusesattheProjectSite. This increasedvisibilitywouldoccuronnearbyroadwaysandadjoiningsidewalksborderingthesite,andthegreaterheightandmasswould increasethevisibilityoftheProjectSitefromnearbyresidentialandcommercialproperties.Evenwithincreasedprominence,however,theProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeurbanviewshedofthesurroundingareaandwith the typeofdevelopment that canbedevelopedat a regional commercial site, andas such,wouldbevisuallyintegratedwiththecharacteroftheareainageneralsense.ItshouldalsobenotedthattheProject’sdensitywouldbedevelopedconsistenttotheexistingfloor-to-arearatioattheProjectSite(1.5:1).
Moreover,theProjectSite iswithinthePanoramaCityCommunityDesignOverlayDistrict(CDO). Theintent of the Panorama City CDO is provide guidance and direction in the design of buildings andstorefrontsthatwillcontributetothedistrict’scontinuingrevivalbymovingtowardamorepedestrianfriendly commercial center that contributes to community identity and improves the physicalappearanceoftheVanNuysBoulevardcommercialcorridorwithinPanoramaCity. TheProjectwouldbeanurban-scaledevelopmentthatwouldbereflectiveoftheexpectedvisualcharacteroftheareaasitdevelopsaspartofthePanoramaCityCDOrevitalizationeffortsandinaccordancewithadoptedlanduseplans. Withrespect totheProject’sconsistencywithapplicablepolicies in theCDO,seeChecklistQuestion10(b)inthissectionandthelanduseanalysisintheforthcomingEIR.
Nonetheless, considering the existing urban environment and surrounding area and the Project’slocationwithin a TPA, theproposedmassingof theProjectwouldnot result in a significant aesthetic
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impact to the visual character or the quality of the site and its surroundingswith respect to buildingmass.Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
Design
ThebuildingsintheareaoftheProjectSitevaryinageandarchitecturalstylefrommorecontemporarybuildings to older buildings with little architectural interest. The proposed Project’s design is acontemporary architectural style. The Project has been designed to create a vibrant community andpedestrian-oriented streetscape and circulation. TheProject complements the scale and grain of theregionalcommercialareaalongtheVanNuysBoulevardcorridorwhilecontributinganarchitecturally-unique Project as part of the revitalization of the area. The façade of the Project is designed withvaryingmaterialsand treatments to createaunique street frontagewhilemaintaining thepedestrianexperience at street level with high ground-floor façade transparency. The Project’s architecturalmaterialselectionandcolorpalettewouldcontributetowardaestheticappeal inthearea. Thedesignalternates different textures, colors, materials, and distinctive architectural treatments to add visualinterestwhileavoidingdullandrepetitivefacades.
AspartoftheProject,landscapingandmaterialimprovementstothepublicright-of-wayalongadjoiningstreetsisintegratedintothedesign,facilitatingpedestrianactivity.Overall,theProjectisdesignedandoriented to connect the site as regional commercial use with the Van Nuys Boulevard commercialcorridor.
As a result of the proposed building’s architectural style and urban design on the Project Site, theproposedProjectwouldbeeffectivelyintegratedintotheaestheticsoftheurbanviewshedbymeansofits locationwithinaTPAanditsdesign,architecture,size,massing,and locationaswellaswithfuturedevelopmentsthatwouldservetorevitalizethisarea.Therefore,thevisualcharacterimpactassociatedwitharchitecturalstyleandurbandesignwouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
d) Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glarewhichwould adverselyaffectdayornighttimeviewsinthearea?
LessThanSignificantImpact.ForprojectslocatedoutsideofaTPA,asignificantimpactmayoccurifthedevelopment introduces new sources of light or glare on or from a project site which would beincompatiblewiththesurroundingareas,orwhichposeasafetyhazardtomotoristsutilizingadjacentstreets. Based on the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of whether a project locatedoutsideofaTPAwillresultinasignificantnighttimeilluminationimpactshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Thechangeinambientilluminationlevelsasaresultofprojectsources;and
• The extent towhich project lightingwould spill off the project site and effect adjacent light-sensitiveareas.
Light
The Project is located in awell-lit urban area of the Citywhere there aremoderate to high levels ofambient nighttime lighting, including street lighting, vehicle headlights, architectural and securitylighting, and indoor building illumination (light emanating from structures which passes throughwindows), all ofwhich are common to densely populated areas. Artificial light impacts are largely a
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functionofproximity. TheProjectSite is locatedwithinanurbanenvironment, thus, lightemanatingfromanyonesourcecontributestotheoveralllightingimpactsratherthanbeingsolelyresponsibleforlighting impacts on a particular use. As uses surrounding the Project Site are already impacted bylightingfromexistingdevelopmentwithinthearea,anyadditionalamountofnewlightsourcesmustbenoticeablyvisibletolight-sensitiveusestohaveanynotableeffect.
The Project would have the potential to alter lighting patterns in the area of the Project Site ascompared with the existing vacant structures and surface parking lot on site. Night lighting for theProjectwouldbeprovidedtoilluminatebuildingentrances,driveways,commercialuse,andforsecurity.AlthoughtheamountoflightemanatingfromtheProjectwouldrepresentanincreaseovercurrentlightlevels, LAMC Section 12.22.A.23(a)(5) (Mini-Shopping Centers and Commercial Corner Development)requiresthefollowing:
Allpublicareasofthe lotor lotsnotcoveredbyabuildingshallhavenight lightingforsafety and security. All other open exterior areas, suchaswalkways and trashareas,shallhavelow-level,security-typelighting.Allexteriorlightingshallbedirectedontothelot or lots, and all flood lighting shall be designed to eliminate glare to adjoiningproperties. All parking areas shall have aminimumof¾-foot-candle of flood lightingmeasuredatthepavement.
Additionally,headlightfromvehiclesenteringandexitingtheProjectparkingareaatnightwouldbeanincreased source of light at the Project Site due to the greater intensity of use at the site, which iscurrently vacant. Residentswould access the Project via two driveways on Cedros Avenue, near thenorthernboundaryoftheProjectSiteandonTobiasAvenuenearthenorthernboundaryoftheProjectSite, and access to the commercial parking structure would be provided via a driveway on RoscoeBoulevard,nearCedrosAvenue,andadrivewayonTobiasAvenue,nearthenorthernboundaryoftheProjectSite.Lightfromvehicleheadlightswouldnotdirectlyshineuponanynearbylight-sensitivelanduseforanysubstantialamountoftime.
ItisanticipatedthattheamountoflightemanatingfromtheProjectwouldrepresentanincreaseovercurrent light levels. Even so, compliance with City’s regulatory compliance measures would requireoutdoorlightingtobedesignedandinstalledwithshieldingsothatthelightsourcecannotbeseenfromadjacentresidentialproperties, thepublicright-of-way,nor fromabove. Therefore, impactswouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
Glare
GlareisacommonphenomenonintheSouthernCaliforniaareaduemainlytotheoccurrenceofahighnumber of days per year with direct sunlight and the highly urbanized nature of the region, whichresults in a large concentration of potentially reflective surfaces. Potential reflective surfaces in theProject vicinity include vehicles traveling and parked on streets in the vicinity of the Project site andexterior buildingwindows. Excessive glarenotonly restricts visibility, but also increases the ambientheatreflectivityinagivenarea.
TheProjectwouldincorporatebothsolidandglasssurfaces.Exteriorportionsoftheproposedbuildingwouldusevariousnon-reflectivematerialdesignedtominimizethetransmissionofglarefrombuildings.TheProject’s residentialparkingwouldbe locatedwithintheresidentialbuildingsandthecommercialparkingwould bewithin a parking structure near the center of the Project Site,minimizing potentialglare from vehicles. Compliance with the City’s regulatory compliance measure would require theexterior of the proposed building to be constructed of high-performance, non-reflectivematerials to
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minimizeglareandreflectedheat. Moreover,theProjectwouldnotusepolishedmetals in itsdesign.Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
Shade/Shadow
Theissueofshadeandshadowpertainstotheblockageofdirectsunlightbybuildings,whichmayaffectadjacentproperties. Theeffectsofshadingaresitespecific. AsdescribedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide, shadoweffectsaredependentupon several factors, including the local topography, theheightand bulk of a project’s structural elements, sensitivity of adjacent land uses, season, and duration ofshadow projection. Facilities and operations sensitive to the effects of shading include: routinelyuseable outdoor spaces associated with residential, recreational, or institutional (e.g., schools,convalescent homes) land uses; commercial uses such as pedestrian-oriented outdoor spaces orrestaurants with outdoor eating areas; nurseries; and existing solar collectors. These uses areconsideredtobesensitivebecausesunlightisimportanttofunction,physicalcomfort,orcommerce.
As described in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, for projects located outside of a TPA, a significantimpactwould generally occur if the development introduced light-blocking structures in excess of 60feet inheightabove thegroundelevation thatwouldbe locatedwithinadistanceof three times theheightoftheproposedstructuretoashadow-sensitiveuseonthenorth,northwest,ornortheast. Ofthe Project’s proposed buildings, the two residential buildings would exceed 60 feet in height (amaximum of 83 feet) andwould be located along the western and northern boundaries of the site.Existingmulti-family residential uses are located to the north and northwest of the site. Due to theheightandlocationoftheproposedresidentialbuildings,shadeandshadowmaybecastupontheseoff-siteusesforaperiodoftime.However,theProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeurbanviewshedofthesurrounding area andwith the type of development that can be developed at a regional commercialsite,andwiththetypeofrevitalizationenvisionedbythePanoramaCityCDO.Moreover,astheProjectislocatedwithinaTPA,thesitingoftheresidentialbuildingsattheProjectSitearenotconsideredtobeasignificantimpact.Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificantandfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
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Source: City of Los Angeles, March 2016.
Figure IV-1Project Site and Transit Priority Area
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TheICONatPanorama IV.EnvironmentalImpactAnalysisPageIV-9
2. AGRICULTUREANDFORESTRESOURCES
a) Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of StatewideImportance(Farmland),asshownonthemapspreparedpursuanttotheFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgramoftheCaliforniaResourcesAgency,tonon-agriculturaluse?
No Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project were to result in the conversion of State-designated Farmland to non-agricultural use. The Project Site is developed with vacant commercialstructures and associated surface parking lot areas, and is located in a developed area of the City.According to the State FarmlandMapping andMonitoring Program’smost recent FarmlandmappingdataforLosAngelesCounty,neithertheProjectsitenorthesurroundingareaaredesignatedasPrimeFarmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance.4 Thus, Project implementationwould not result in the loss of State-designated Farmland. Therefore, no impact would occur, andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
b) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson ActContract?
NoImpact.AsignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectweretoresultintheconversionoflandzonedforagriculturaluseorunderaWilliamsonActcontractfromagriculturalusetoanon-agriculturaluse.TheProject Site is zoned [Q]C2-1-CDO (Commercial, Height District 1) and [Q]P-1-CDO (Parking, HeightDistrict1). Thus, theProjectSite isnotzoned foragriculturaluse,norare thereanyagriculturalusescurrently occurring at the Project Site orwithin the surrounding area. Additionally, according to theState’smostrecentWilliamsonActlanddata,neithertheProjectSitenorsurroundingareaareunderaWilliamsonAct contract.5 Therefore, no impactwould occur, and further analysis of this issue is notrequired.
c) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (asdefined in Public Resources Code section 12222(g)), timberland (as defined by PublicResources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined byGovernmentCodesection51104(g))?
NoImpact. Asignificant impactmayoccur ifaprojectweretoresult intheconversionof landzonedfor,orcauserezoningof,forestland(asdefinedinPublicResourcesCodesection12220(g)),timberland(as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned timberland production (asdefinedbyGovernmentCodesection51104(g)).
IntheCity,forest landisapermitteduseinareaszonedOS(OpenSpace);however,theCitydoesnothave specific zoning for timberlandor timberlandproduction. TheProject Site is zoned [Q]C2-1-CDO(Commercial,HeightDistrict1)and[Q]P-1-CDO(Parking,HeightDistrict1).TheProjectSiteisnotzoned
4 StateofCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation,DivisionofLandResourceProtection,FarmlandMappingand
Monitoring Program, Los Angeles County Important Farmland 2012, published January 2015, website:ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dlrp/FMMP/pdf/2012/los12.pdf,accessed:April13,2016.
5 State of California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection, State of CaliforniaWilliamson Act Contract Land, Data Submissions Current to 2014, published 2015, website:ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dlrp/wa/2104%20Statewide%20Map/WA_2014_11x17.pdf, accessed: April 13,2016.
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TheICONatPanorama IV.EnvironmentalImpactAnalysisPageIV-10
forforestland,timberland,ortimberlandproductionlanduses.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
d) Wouldtheprojectresult inthe lossof forest landorconversiontoforest landtonon-forestuse?
No Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project were to result in the loss of forest land orconversion of forest land to non-forest use. The Project Site is entirely developed with vacantcommercial structures andassociated surfaceparking lot areas, and is located in aheavilydevelopedarea of the City. No forest land exists on or in the vicinity of the Project Site, and Projectimplementationwouldnotresult inthelossorconversionofforest land. Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
e) Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to theirlocation or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use orconversionofforestlandtonon-forestuse?
NoImpact.AsignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectindirectlyresultsintheconversionofFarmlandtonon-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. The Project Site is entirelydeveloped and located in a heavily developed area of the City. No agricultural uses, designatedfarmland, or forest land uses occur at the Project Site or within the surrounding area. As such,implementationoftheProjectwouldnotresultintheconversionofexistingFarmland,agriculturaluses,orforestlandon-oroff-site.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
3. AIRQUALITY
a) Wouldtheprojectconflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan?
PotentiallySignificant Impact. Asignificantairquality impactmayoccur ifaproject isnotconsistentwiththeapplicableAirQualityManagementPlan(AQMP),orwouldinsomewayrepresentasubstantialhindrancetoemployingthepolicies,orobtainingthegoals,ofthatplan.
TheCity,includingtheProjectSite,iswithintheSouthCoastAirBasin(“Basin”),andtheSouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict (SCAQMD) is directly responsible for reducingemissions from stationary(areaandpoint),mobile,andindirectsourcestomeetfederalandStateambientairqualitystandards.IthasrespondedtothisrequirementbypreparingaseriesofAQMPs.TheGoverningBoardofSCAQMDadopted themost recentof theseonDecember7,2012. ThisAQMP, referred toas the2012AQMP,waspreparedtocomplywiththefederalandStateCleanAirActsandamendments, toaccommodategrowth, to reduce the high levels of pollutants in the Basin, to meet federal and State air qualitystandards,andtominimizethefiscalimpactthatpollutioncontrolmeasureshaveonthelocaleconomy.The 2012 AQMP identifies the controlmeasures thatwill be implemented over a 20-year horizon toreducemajorsourcesofpollutants.ControlmeasuresestablishedinpreviousAQMPshavesubstantiallydecreased exposure to unhealthful levels of pollutants, evenwhile substantial population growthhasoccurredwithin the Basin. However, as construction and operation of the Project could result in anincreaseinemissions,potentialimpactsmaybesignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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b) Wouldtheprojectviolateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation?
Potentially Significant Impact. A project may have a significant impact if project-related emissionswouldexceedfederal,State,orregionalstandardsorthresholds,or ifproject-relatedemissionswouldsubstantiallycontributetoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation.Airpollutantswouldbeemittedasaresultofdemolition,grading,andtheconstructionoftheProject.Inaddition,airpollutantswouldbeemittedasaresultofautomobilestravellingtoandfromtheProjectSiteduringoperation.SincetheProjectintroducesagreaterintensityofdevelopmenttotheProjectSite,theresultingemissionscouldviolateairqualitystandardssetbytheSCAQMD.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Wouldtheprojectresultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheproject region isnon-attainmentunderanapplicable federalorstateambientair quality standard (including releasing emissions,which exceed quantitative threshold forozoneprecursors)?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a projectwould add a considerablecumulative contribution to federal or State non-attainment pollutants. The South Coast Air Basin,whereintheProjectSiteislocated,iscurrentlyinnonattainmentforozone,lead,andparticulatematter.TheconstructionandoperationofanewintensityofdevelopmentfromtheProjectcouldemitcriteriaair pollutants that could potentially result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of criteria airpollutants.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Wouldtheprojectexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations?
PotentiallySignificant Impact. Asignificant impactmayoccur ifaprojectwere togeneratepollutantconcentrations toadegree thatwould significantlyaffect sensitive receptors. TheSCAQMDcurrentlyrecommendsthatimpactstosensitivereceptorsbeconsideredsignificantwhenemissionsgeneratedataprojectsitecauseslocalizedpollutantlevelstoexceedstateambientairqualitystandardsatsensitivereceptorsorwhereaprojectcausesanincreaseinlocalcontaminantsduringconstructionandoperationof the project. A significant impact may also occur where a project would cause concentrations atsensitive receptors located near congested intersections to exceed the national or state ambient airqualitystandardsandthetrafficgeneratedbytheprojectcontributestotheconcentrations. SensitivereceptorsincloseproximitytotheProjectSiteinclude,butarenotlimitedto,theexistingmulti-familyresidences to the north, west, and south.6 The construction and operation of a new intensity ofdevelopment from the Project could emit substantial concentrations of air pollutants near thosesensitivereceptors.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
6 AdditionalsensitivereceptorsmaybeidentifiedduringthepreparationoftheEIR.
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e) Wouldtheprojectcreateobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople?
Less ThanSignificant Impact. Project-related significant adverseeffect couldoccur if constructionoroperation of a project would result in generation of odors that would be perceptible in adjacentsensitiveareas.
According to the SCAQMD CEQA Air Quality Handbook, land uses and industrial operations that areassociatedwithodorcomplaintsincludeagriculturaluses,wastewatertreatmentplants,foodprocessingplants, chemical plants, composting, refineries, landfills, dairies and fiberglass molding. The Projectinvolvestheconstructionandoperationofamixed-useresidentialandcommercialdevelopment,whichincludeslandusesthatarenottypicallyassociatedwithodorcomplaintsaccordingtotheSCAQMD.Asthe Project involves no elements related to industrial or other odor-generating land uses, noobjectionable odors are anticipated. Therefore, the potential impacts associated with objectionableodorswouldbelessthansignificantandnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.
Potentialsourcesthatmayemitodorsduringconstructionactivitiesincludeequipmentexhaust.Odorsfromthesesourceswouldbe localizedandgenerally confined to the immediateareasurrounding theProjectSite. TheProjectwouldusetypicalconstructiontechniques,andtheodorswouldbetypicalofmost construction sites and temporary and intermittent in nature. Therefore, construction of theProjectwouldresultinless-than-significantimpactsrelatedtoodors,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
4. BIOLOGICALRESOURCES
a) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitatmodifications,onanyspecies identifiedasacandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspecies inlocal or regional plans, policies, or regulation, or by the California Department of Fish andWildlifeorU.S.FishandWildlifeService?
No Impact. Based upon the criteria established in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, a project wouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonbiologicalresourcesifitcouldresultin:
• The loss of individuals, or the reduction of existing habitat, of a state or federal listedendangered,threatened,rare,protected,candidate,orsensitivespeciesoraSpeciesofSpecialConcern;
• The lossof individualsor the reductionofexistinghabitatofa locallydesignated speciesorareductioninalocallydesignatednaturalhabitatorplantcommunity;or
• Interference with habitat such that normal species behaviors are disturbed (e.g., from theintroductionofnoise,light)toadegreethatmaydiminishthechancesforlong-termsurvivalofasensitivespecies.
TheProjectSiteisdevelopedwiththreevacantcommercialstructuresandsurfaceparkinglotareasinadevelopedareaoftheCity.AccordingtoExhibitC-5oftheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,theProjectSiteandsurroundingareaarenot identifiedasabiologicalresourcearea.7 Moreover,theProjectSiteand
7 Ibid.,ExhibitC-5,BiologicalResourceAreas(ValleyGeographicalArea).
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immediately surrounding area are not within or near a designated Significant Ecological Area.8 TheProject Site does not contain any habitat capable of sustaining any species identified as a candidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartment of Fish andWildlife or U.S. Fish andWildlife Service. Additionally, there are no knownlocallydesignatednaturalcommunitiesattheProjectSiteorintheimmediatevicinity,noristheProjectSite located immediately adjacent to undevelopednatural open spaceor a naturalwater source thatmayotherwiseserveashabitatforState-orfederally-listedspecies.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
b) Wouldtheprojecthaveasubstantialadverseeffectonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenatural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by theCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlifeorU.S.FishandWildlifeService?
No Impact. Based upon the criteria established in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, a project wouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonbiologicalresourcesifitcouldresultin:
• The loss of individuals, or the reduction of existing habitat, of a state or federal listedendangered,threatened,rare,protected,candidate,orsensitivespeciesoraSpeciesofSpecialConcern;
• The lossof individualsor the reductionofexistinghabitatofa locallydesignated speciesorareductioninalocallydesignatednaturalhabitatorplantcommunity;
• Thealterationofanexistingwetlandhabitat;or
• Interference with habitat such that normal species behaviors are disturbed (e.g., from theintroductionofnoise,light)toadegreethatmaydiminishthechancesforlong-termsurvivalofasensitivespecies.
TheProjectSiteisdevelopedwiththreevacantcommercialstructuresandsurfaceparkinglotareasinadevelopedareaoftheCity.NoriparianorothersensitivehabitatareasarelocatedonoradjacenttotheProjectSite.9,10 Asdiscussedabove,neither theProjectSitenoradjacentareasarewithinabiologicalresource area or Significant Ecological Area. Implementation of the Project would not result in anyadverseimpactstoriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunities.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
c) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands asdefinedby Section 404of theCleanWaterAct (including, but not limited to,marsh, vernalpool,coastal,etc.)throughdirectremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruption,orothermeans?
No Impact. Based upon the criteria established in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, a project wouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonbiologicalresourcesifitcouldresultinthealterationofanexistingwetlandhabitat.
8 Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Planning & Zoning Information, GIS-NET3 online
database,website:http://planning.lacounty.gov/gisnet3,accessed:April13,2016.9 CityofLosAngeles,L.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,2006,ExhibitC-5,BiologicalResourceAreas(Valley
GeographicalArea).10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, Wetlands Mapper, website:
http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html,accessed:April13,2016
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TheProjectSiteisdevelopedwiththreevacantcommercialstructuresandsurfaceparkinglotareasinadevelopedareaoftheCity.ReviewoftheNationalWetlandsInventoryidentifiednoprotectedwetlandsin the vicinity of the Project Site.11 Furthermore, the Project Site does not support any riparian orwetlandhabitat,asdefinedbySection404oftheCleanWaterAct.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
d) Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident ormigratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlifecorridors,orimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites?
LessThanSignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonbiologicalresourcesifitcouldresultininterferencewithwildlifemovementormigrationcorridorsthatmaydiminishthechancesforlong-termsurvivalofasensitivespecies.
TherearenowildlifecorridorsornativewildlifenurserysitesintheProjectvicinity. However,existingon-sitetreeswouldberemoved(andreplaced)duringconstructionoftheProject,andthesetrees,alongwith the street trees,may provide temporary suitable habitat for nestingmigratory birds, which areprotected under the federalMigratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). TheMBTA,which is an internationaltreaty ratified in 1918, protectsmigratory nongame native bird species (as listed in 50 C.F.R. Section10.13) and their nests. Additionally, Section3503, 3503.5, and3513of theCalifornia Fish andGameCodeprohibit takeof all birds and their activenests, including raptors andothermigratorynongamebirds(aslistedundertheMBTA).TheProjectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeseexistingfederalandStatelaws(i.e.,MBTAandCaliforniaFishandGameCode,respectively).Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificant,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
e) Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicyorordinance?
LessThanSignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificant impact could occur if a project were to cause an impact that is inconsistent with localregulationspertainingtobiologicalresources,suchastheCityofLosAngelesProtectedTreeOrdinanceNo.177,404.AssetforthinOrdinanceNo.177,404,anyofthefollowingSouthernCalifornianativetreespecies,whichmeasuresfourinchesormoreincumulativediameter,fourandone-halffeetabovethegroundlevelatthebaseofthetree,isaprotectedtree:
• Oak tree includingValleyOak (Quercus lobata), California LiveOak (Quercusagrifolia), or anyother tree of the oak genus indigenous to California but excluding the Scrub Oak (Quercusdumosa);
• SouthernCaliforniaBlackWalnut(Juglanscalifornicavar.californica);
• WesternSycamore(Platanusracemose);and
• CaliforniaBay(Umbellulariacalifornica).
11 Ibid.
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AnarboristwasconsultedinMay201612todetermineifanywerenativeprotectedspeciesarepresentontheProjectSiteassetforthinOrdinanceNo.177,404.Thearboristconductedawalk-throughontheProjectsiteandconcludedthatnoprotectedtreesexistontheProjectSite. Thetreeassessmentalsoinspected adjacent properties anddetermined that there are noprotected trees present. Therefore,constructionof theProjectwouldnotaffectanyprotected trees. Moreover,anynon-protected treesthatwouldberemoved (with8-inchorgreater trunkdiameter,orcumulative trunkdiameter ifmulti-trunked,asmeasured54inchesabovetheground)wouldbereplacedata1:1ratio,asrequiredbytheCity.Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificant,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
f) Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan,Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitatconservationplan?
NoImpact.Asignificantimpactwouldoccurifaprojectwouldbeinconsistentwithmappingorpoliciesinanyconservationplansofthetypescited.TheProjectSiteanditsvicinityarenotpartofanydraftoradopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local,regional,orStatehabitatconservationplan.13Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
5. CULTURALRESOURCES
a) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historicalresourceasdefinedin§15064.5?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificant impactmayoccur if aprojectwoulddisturbhistoric resourceswhichpresentlyexistwithintheprojectsite.Section15064.5oftheStateCEQAGuidelinesdefinesahistoricalresourceas:
1) aresourcelistedinordeterminedtobeeligiblebytheStateHistoricalResourcesCommission,forlistingintheCaliforniaRegisterofHistoricalResources;
2) a resource listed in a local register of historical resources or identified as significant in anhistoricalresourcesurveymeetingcertainstateguidelines;or
3) an object, building, structure, site, area, place, record or manuscript which a lead agencydeterminestobesignificant inthearchitectural,engineering,scientific,economic,agricultural,educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California, provided that the leadagency’sdeterminationissupportedbysubstantialevidenceinlightofthewholerecord.
A significant adverse effect would occur if a project were to adversely affect an historical resourcemeeting one of the above definitions. A substantial adverse change in the significance of a historicresource means demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediatesurroundingssuchthatthesignificanceofahistoricalresourcewouldbemateriallyimpaired.
12 WrittencorrespondencefromMichaelWhite,ISACertifiedArborist#WE-9538A,May27,2016.13 California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Regional Conservation Plans, August 2015, website:
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=68626&inline,accessed:April13,2016.
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TherearethreevacantcommercialbuildingsontheProjectSite.Twoofthebuildingswereconstructedin 1961 and the third building was constructed in 1992. Thus, two of the buildings are eligible forconsiderationashistoricresourcesasthebuildingsareover50yearsofage.Additionally,SurveyLA,theCity’s official historic resources survey, has identified one of the on-site buildings (the formerMontgomeryWard)asahistoricresourcebecausethebuildingrepresentsanearlyandimportantphaseofcommercialdevelopmentinPanoramaCity,theformertenantwasananchortothePanoramaMall,andthebuildingwasdesignedbyLosAngelesarchitectRobertE.Alexander.14AstheProjectproposestodemolishthevacantcommercialbuildings,apotentiallysignificantimpactmayresult.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Wouldtheprojectcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcepursuantto15064.5?
LessThanSignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificant impactmayoccur ifgradingorexcavationactivitiesassociatedwithaprojectwoulddisturbarchaeologicalresourcespotentiallyexistingwithintheprojectsite.
The Project Site and immediately surrounding area do not contain any known archaeological sites orarchaeologicalsurveyareas.15 TheProjectdoesnotproposesubterranean levelsand,thus,wouldnotresultinexcavationtodepthsnotpreviouslydisturbedbypastandcurrentdevelopment.Nonetheless,should archaeological resources be discovered during grading or construction activities, work wouldcease in theareaof the finduntil aqualifiedarchaeologisthasevaluated the find inaccordancewithfederal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in Public Resources Code (PRC) Section21083.2,asrequiredbyexistingregulatoryrequirements. Therequiredcompliancewouldensureanyfounddepositsare treated inaccordancewith federal, State, and local guidelines, including those setforthintoPRCSection21083.2.Therefore,impactswouldbelessthansignificant,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
c) Would theprojectdirectlyor indirectlydestroyauniquepaleontological resourceor siteoruniquegeologicfeature?
Less Than Significant Impact. A significant impact could occur if grading or excavation activitiesassociatedwithaprojectwoulddisturbpaleontologicalresourcesorgeologicfeatureswhichpresentlyexistwithinthesite.
No unique geologic features are located on the Project site, which is developed with three vacantcommercialbuildingsandsurfaceparkinglotareas.TheProjectSiteandimmediatesurroundingareadonot contain any known vertebrate paleontological resources.16 However, the Project Site and
14 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning,SurveyLA,MissionHills–PanoramaCity–NorthHillsReport,
Individual Resources, March 20, 2014, website: http://www.preservation.lacity.org/files/Mission%20Hills-Panorama%20City-North%20Hills%20Individual%20Resources.pdf,accessed:April13,2016.
15 City of Los Angeles, Citywide General Plan Framework Final Environmental Impact Report, certified August2001,FigureCR-1–PrehistoricandHistoricArchaeologicalSitesandSurveyAreasintheCityofLosAngeles.
16 City of Los Angeles, Citywide General Plan Framework Final Environmental Impact Report, certified August2001,FigureCR-2–Vertibrate[sic]PaleontologicalResourcesintheCityofLosAngeles.
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surroundingarea is identifiedbytheCityashavingsurfacesedimentswithunknownfossilpotential.17TheProjectdoesnotproposesubterranean levelsand, thus,wouldnot result inexcavation todepthsnot previously disturbed by past and current development. Nonetheless, should paleontologicalresourcesbediscoveredduringgradingorconstruction,existingregulatoryrequirementswouldrequiretheCityofLosAngelesDepartmentofBuildingandSafetytobenotified immediately,andallworktoceaseintheareaofthefinduntilaqualifiedpaleontologistevaluatesthefind.Therequiredcompliancewould ensure that the found deposits would be treated in accordance with federal, State, and localguidelines, including those set forth in PRC Section 21083.2. Therefore, impacts would be less thansignificant,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
d) Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formalcemeteries?
LessThanSignificantImpact.Asignificantadverseimpactcouldoccurifgradingorexcavationactivitiesassociatedwithaprojectwere todisturbpreviously interredhuman remains. It isunknownwhetherhumanremainsarelocatedattheProjectSite.Anyhumanremainsthatmayhaveexistednearthesitesurfaceare likely tohavebeendisturbedorpreviously removed. Even so, shouldhuman remainsbeencountered unexpectedly during grading or construction activities, State Health and Safety CodeSection7050.5requiresthatnofurtherdisturbanceshalloccuruntiltheCountyCoronerhasmadethenecessary findingsas tooriginanddispositionpursuant toPRCSection5097.98. IfhumanremainsofNativeAmericanoriginarediscoveredduringProject construction, compliancewithState laws,whichfallwithinthejurisdictionoftheNativeAmericanHeritageCommission(PRCSection5097),relatingtothedispositionofNativeAmericanburialswouldbe required. Therefore, impactswouldbe less thansignificant,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
6. GEOLOGYANDSOILS
a) Would the project expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving:
(i) Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist-PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMap issuedbytheStateGeologist fortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault?RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42.
LessThanSignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaProjectSiteislocatedwithinaState-designatedAlquist-PrioloZoneorotherdesignated fault zone,andappropriatebuildingpracticesarenotemployed. TheProjectSite islocated intheseismicallyactiveregionofSouthernCalifornia. Numerousactiveandpotentiallyactivefaultswith surfaceexpressions (fault traces)havebeenmappedadjacent to,within, andbeneath theCity. The Project Site is not locatedwithin a designatedAlquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone.18 ThenearestactivefaultistheNorthridgeFault,approximatelythreemilesfromtheProjectSite.19Thus,the17 City of Los Angeles, Citywide General Plan Framework Final Environmental Impact Report, certified August
2001,FigureCR-3–Invertibrate[sic]PaleontologicalResourceSensitivityAreasintheCityofLosAngeles.18 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information & Map Access System, website:
http://zimas.lacity.org,accessed:April13,2016.19 Ibid.
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potential for future surface rupture on site is very low. Moreover, the Project Site is not within aPreliminaryFaultRuptureStudyArea.20Additionally,theCityofLosAngelesBuildingCode,withwhichthe proposed Project would be required to comply, contains construction requirements to ensurehabitablestructuresarebuilttoalevelsuchthattheycanwithstandacceptableseismicrisk.Therefore,impacts related to ground rupture from known earthquake faultswould be less than significant, andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
(ii) Strongseismicgroundshaking?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantgeologichazardimpactifitwouldcauseoraccelerategeologichazardswhichwould result in substantialdamage tostructuresor infrastructure,orexposepeople tosubstantial risk of injury. For the purpose of this issue, a significant impact may occur if a projectrepresentsanincreasedrisktopublicsafetyordestructionofpropertybyexposingpeople,property,orinfrastructure to seismically-induced ground shaking hazards that are greater than the average riskassociatedwithlocationsintheSouthernCaliforniaregion.
The Project Site is located in the seismically active region of Southern California and, therefore, issusceptibletogroundshakingduringaseismicevent.ThenearestactivefaulttotheProjectSiteistheNorthridgeFault,approximatelythreemilesfromthesite.Assuch,theProjectmaypotentiallyexposepeople or structures to substantial adverse effects from strong seismic ground shaking. Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
(iii) Seismic-relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantgeologichazardimpactifitwouldcauseoraccelerategeologichazardswhichwould result in substantialdamage tostructuresor infrastructure,orexposepeople tosubstantialriskofinjury.Forthepurposeofthisspecificissue,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectis located in anarea identifiedashavingahigh riskof liquefactionandmitigationmeasures requiredwithinsuchdesignatedareasarenotincorporatedintotheproject.
Liquefaction is a process whereby strong seismic shaking causes unconsolidated, water-saturatedsedimenttotemporarilylosestrengthandbehaveasafluid.Thepossibilityofliquefactionoccurringata given site is dependent on several factors, including: anticipated intensity and duration of groundshaking; the origin, texture, and composition of shallow sediments (in general, cohesionless, fine-grainedsedimentssuchassiltsorsiltysands,andareasofuncompactedorpoorlycompactedfillsaremorepronetoliquefaction);andthepresenceofshallowgroundwater.
WhiletheProjectSiteisnotidentifiedbytheCityassusceptibletoliquefaction,21ageotechnicalreportfor the Project Sitewould identify the underlying geologicmaterials and groundwater levels so as toassessandaccountforapotentialriskfromseismic-relatedgroundfailureincludingliquefaction,andassuch,thepreparationofageotechnicalreportiswarranted.TheProjectmaypotentiallyexposepeople
20 Ibid.21 Ibid.
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orstructurestosubstantialadverseeffectsfromseismic-relatedgroundfailure.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
(iv) Landslides?
No Impact. Based upon the criteria established in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, a project wouldnormallyhaveasignificantgeologichazardimpactifitwouldcauseoraccelerategeologichazardswhichwouldresultinsubstantialdamagetostructuresorinfrastructure,orexposepeopletosubstantialriskofinjury. Forthepurposeofthisspecific issue,asignificant impactmayoccur ifaproject is locatedinahillsideareawithsoilconditionsthatwouldsuggestahighpotentialforsliding.
TheProjectSiteisnotlocatedwithinanareaidentifiedbytheCityashavingapotentialforlandslides,orof a known landslide.22,23 TheProject Site and surrounding area consist of relatively flat topography.TheProject Site isnot in thepathof any knownorpotential landslides. Therefore,no impactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
b) Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmayoccur if aproject exposes largeareas to theerosionaleffectsofwindorwaterforaprotractedperiodoftime.TheProjectSiteisentirelydevelopedwiththreevacantcommercialbuildingsandsurfaceparkinglotareas.TheProjectwouldredevelopthesite with amixed-use project. Project grading and constructionmay expose soil, for a limited time,possiblyresultinginsoilerosion.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Wouldtheprojectbelocatedonageologicunitorsoilthatisunstable,orthatwouldbecomeunstable as a result of theproject, andpotentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateralspreading,subsidence,liquefactionorcollapse?
PotentiallySignificant Impact. A significant impactmayoccur if aproject isbuilt inanunstableareawithout proper site preparation or design features to provide adequate foundations for projectbuildings, thus, posing a hazard to life and property. As noted above, the Project Site is locatedapproximately three miles from the active Northridge Fault and is subject to strong seismic groundshaking.AgeotechnicalreportfortheProjectSitewouldidentifytheunderlyinggeologicmaterialsandgroundwaterlevelssoastoassessandaccountforapotentialriskfromanunstablegeologicunitorsoil,andassuch,thepreparationofageotechnicalreportiswarranted.TheProjectmaypotentiallyexposepeopleor structures to substantial adverse effects fromanunstable geologic unit or soil. Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
22 Ibid.23 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Los Angeles City General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit C,
LandslideInventory&HillsideAreas,AdoptedNovember1996.
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d) Wouldtheprojectbe locatedonexpansivesoil,as identified inTable18-1-Bof theUniformBuildingCode(1994),creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a project is built on expansive soilswithout proper site preparation or design features to provide adequate foundations for projectbuildings, thus,posingahazardto lifeandproperty. Ageotechnical report for theProjectSitewouldidentify the underlying geologic materials and groundwater levels so as to assess and account for apotential risk from an unstable geologic unit or soil, and as such, the preparation of a geotechnicalreport is warranted. The Projectmay potentially expose people or structures to substantial adverseeffectsfromanunstablegeologicunitorsoil.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
e) Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks oralternativewastewaterdisposal systemswhere sewers arenot available for thedisposal ofwastewater?
No Impact. Thisquestionwouldapply toaprojectonly if itwas located inanareanot servedbyanexistingsewersystem.TheProjectSiteislocatedinadevelopedareaoftheCity,whichisservedbyawastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment system operated by the City. The Project wouldconnect to the existing wastewater system. No septic tanks or alternative disposal systems arenecessary,noraretheyproposed.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
7. GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS
a) Wouldtheprojectgenerategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyor indirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Greenhousegas(GHG)emissionsrefertoagroupofemissionsthatarebelieved to affect global climate conditions. Thesegases trapheat in theatmosphereand themajorconcernisthatincreasesinGHGemissionsarecausingglobalclimatechange.Globalclimatechangeisachange in the average weather on the earth that can be measured by wind patterns, storms,precipitation, and temperature. Construction and operation of the Project would generate GHGemissions, which may significantly impact the environment either directly or indirectly. Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for thepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactwould occur if a proposed projectwould conflictwithanapplicableplan,policyorregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofGHGs.ConstructionandoperationoftheProjectwouldgenerateGHGemissions,whichmaybeinconsistentorinsomewayrepresentasubstantialhindrancetoemployingthepoliciesorobtainingthegoalsofGHG-reductionplans.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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8. HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS
AccordingtotheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofsignificancewithrespecttohazardsandhazardousmaterialsshallbemadeonacase-by-casebasisconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Theregulatoryframeworkforthehealthhazard;
• The probable frequency and severity of consequences to people or property as a result of apotentialaccidentalreleaseorexplosionofahazardoussubstance;
• The degree towhich the projectmay require a new, or interferewith an existing emergencyresponseorevacuationplan,andtheseverityoftheconsequences;
• The degree to which project design will reduce the frequency or severity of a potentialaccidentalreleaseorexplosionofahazardoussubstance;
• Theprobable frequency and severity of consequences topeople fromexposure to thehealthhazard;and
• The degree to which project design would reduce the frequency of exposure or severity ofconsequencestoexposuretothehealthhazard.
Thefollowingquestionsareevaluatedapplyingtheforegoingmethodology.
a) Would theproject createa significanthazard to thepublicor theenvironment through theroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials?
Less Than Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a project involves use or disposal ofhazardousmaterialsaspartofitsroutineoperationsandwouldhavethepotentialtogeneratetoxicorotherwisehazardousemissionsthatcouldadverselyaffectsensitivereceptors.ThetypesandamountsofhazardousmaterialsthatwouldbeusedinconnectionwiththeProjectwouldbetypicalofthoseusedin other residential and commercial developments (e.g., cleaning solvents, pesticides for landscaping,painting supplies, and petroleum products). Construction of the Project would also involve thetemporaryuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials, includingvehiclefuels,paints,oils,andtransmissionfluids.However,allpotentiallyhazardousmaterialswouldbecontained,stored,andusedinaccordancewithmanufacturers’ instructions and handled in compliance with applicable federal, State, and localregulations. Anyassociated riskwouldbeadequately reduced toa less-than-significant level throughcompliancewiththesestandardsandregulations.Therefore,theProjectwouldnotcreateasignificanthazard to thepublicor theenvironment through the routine transport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials.Aless-than-significantimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
b) Would the project create significant hazard to the public or the environment throughreasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpacttohazardsandhazardousmaterialsif:
• Theprojectinvolvedariskofaccidentalexplosionorreleaseofhazardoussubstances(including,butnotlimitedtooil,pesticides,asbestos,chemicalsorradiation);or
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• Theprojectinvolvedthecreationofanyhealthhazardorpotentialhealthhazard.
Duetotheageoftheexistingstructuresthatwouldberemoved,itispossiblethatasbestos,lead-basedpaint, and/or other hazardous materials could be present. Furthermore, it is possible that soilcontaminationcouldbepresentduetotheautomobilerepairfacilitythatformerlyoccupiedtheProjectSite.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone-quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpacttohazardsandhazardousmaterialsif:
• Aproject involvedariskofaccidentalexplosionorreleaseofhazardoussubstances(including,butnotlimitedtooil,pesticides,chemicalsorradiation);or
• Aprojectinvolvedthecreationofanyhealthhazardorpotentialhealthhazard.
Thefollowingschoolsarewithinone-quartermileoftheProjectSite:
• MichelleObama Elementary School, located at 8150N. Cedros Avenue, is approximately 670feettothesouth.24
• Panorama City Elementary School, located at 8600 Kester Ave, is approximately one-quartermiletothenorthwest.
• Panorama High School, located at 8015 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City is approximately one-quartermiletothesouth.
Assuch,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Wouldtheprojectbelocatedonasitewhichisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuant toGovernment Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,would it create asignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment?
Potentially Significant Impact. California Government Code Section 65962.5 requires various Stateagenciestocompilelistsofhazardouswastedisposalfacilities,unauthorizedreleasesfromundergroundstorage tanks, contaminated drinking water wells and solid waste facilities where there is knownmigration of hazardous waste and submit such information to the Secretary for EnvironmentalProtectiononatleastanannualbasis.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectsiteisincludedonanyoftheabovelistsandposesanenvironmentalhazardtosurroundingsensitiveuseswhichincludestheresidentialuses. Formeron-site landuses includedanautomobilerepair facility,which likely includedthe handling and storage of hazardous materials. The applicable hazardous materials lists will bereviewedduringthepreparationoftheEIR.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
24 Los Angeles Unified School District, Resident School Identifier, website:
http://rsi.lausd.net/ResidentSchoolIdentifier/,accessed:April13,2016.
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ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not beenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?
NoImpact. Asignificant impactmayoccur ifaproject is locatedwithinapublicairport landuseplanarea,orwithintwomilesofapublicairport,andsubjecttoasafetyhazard.ThenearestairporttotheProject Site isVanNuysAirport, locatedapproximately 2.1miles to thewest. TheProject Site is notlocatedwithinthisairport’sinfluencearea.25Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
f) Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?
NoImpact.Thisquestionwouldapplytoaprojectonlyifitwereinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandwould subject area residents and workers to a safety hazard. The Project Site is not located in thevicinityofaprivateairstrip.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
g) Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aproject would normally have a significant impact to hazards and hazardous materials if a projectinvolved possible interference with an emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.AccordingtotheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofsignificanceshallbemadeonacase-by-casebasisconsideringthedegreetowhichaprojectmayrequireanew,orinterferewithanexistingemergencyresponseorevacuationplan,andtheseverityoftheconsequences.
The Project Site is located along Roscoe Boulevard,which is an identified secondary disaster route.26Project constructionmay require lane closures along Roscoe Boulevard, and operation of the ProjectcouldincreasetrafficalongRoscoeBoulevard.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
h) Would the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or deathinvolvingwildlandfires, includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands?
No Impact. Asignificant impactwouldoccur ifaprojectsite is located inproximity towildlandareasandposesasignificantfirehazard,whichcouldaffectpersonsorstructuresintheareaintheeventofa
25 LosAngelesCountyAirportLandUseCommission,AirportInfluenceArea,Burbank/Glendale/PasadenaAirport,
May 2003, website: http://planning.lacounty.gov/assets/upl/project/aluc_airport-van-nuys.pdf, accessed:April13,2016.
26 Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Disaster Route Maps, City of Los Angeles Valley Area,website: https://dpw.lacounty.gov/dsg/DisasterRoutes/map/Los%20Angeles%20Valley%20Area.pdf,accessed:April13,2016.
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fire.TheProjectSiteislocatedwithinahighlydevelopedareaoftheCityanddoesnotincludewildlandsorhighfirehazardterrainorvegetation.TheProjectSiteisnotwithinaVeryHighFireHazardSeverityZone,27nor is theProjectSiteor surroundingareawithinawildland firehazardarea.28 Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
9. HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY
a) Wouldtheprojectviolateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonsurfacewaterqualityifdischargesassociatedwithaprojectwouldcreatepollution,contamination,ornuisanceasdefinedinSection13050oftheCaliforniaWater Code (CWC) or that cause regulatory standards to be violated, as defined in the applicableNationalPollutionDischargeEliminationSystem (NPDES) stormwaterpermitorWaterQualityControlPlanforthereceivingwaterbody.Forthepurposeofthisspecificissue,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectwoulddischargewaterwhichdoesnotmeetthequalitystandardsofagencieswhichregulatesurfacewaterqualityandwaterdischargeintostormwaterdrainagesystems.Significantimpactswouldalso occur if a project does not comply with all applicable regulations with regard to surface waterquality as governedby theStateWaterResourcesControlBoard (SWRCB). These regulations includecompliance with the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) requirements to reducepotentialwaterqualityimpacts.
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) issued Waste DischargeRequirementsforMunicipalStormwaterandUrbanRunoffDischarges(NPDESPermitNo.CAS004001),which requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate stormwater mitigationmeasures. Depending on the type of project, either a SUSMP or a Site Specific Mitigation Plan isrequiredtoreducethequantityandimprovethequalityofrainfallrunoffthatleavesaprojectsite.
InadditiontotheSUSMP,theCityinstitutionalizedtheuseofLowImpactDevelopment(LID)techniquesfordevelopmentandredevelopmentprojects. InOctober2011, theCityadoptedtheStormwaterLIDOrdinance(OrdinanceNo.181,899)withthestatedpurposeof:
• RequiringtheuseofLIDstandardsandpracticesinfuturedevelopmentsandredevelopmentstoencouragethebeneficialuseofrainwaterandurbanrunoff;
• Reducingstormwater/urbanrunoffwhileimprovingwaterquality;
• Promotingrainwaterharvesting;
• Reducingoff-siterunoffandprovidingincreasedgroundwaterrecharge;
• Reducingerosionandhydrologicimpactsdownstream;and
• Enhancingtherecreationalandaestheticvaluesinourcommunities.
27 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information & Map Access System, website:
http://zimas.lacity.org,accessed:April13,2016.28 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit D, Selected Wildlife
HazardAreasintheCityofLosAngeles,AdoptedNovember1996.
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ConstructionactivitiesassociatedwiththeProjecthavethepotentialtodegradewaterqualitythroughtheexposureofsurfacerunoff(primarilystormwater)toexposedsoils,dust,andotherdebris,aswellasfromrunoff fromconstructionequipment. Operationof theProjectalsohasthepotential todegradewaterqualityand/orwastedischargerequirements.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Wouldtheprojectsubstantiallydepletegroundwatersuppliesor interferesubstantiallywithgroundwaterrechargesuchthattherewouldbeanetdeficitinaquifervolumeoraloweringof the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wellswoulddroptoa levelwhichwouldnotsupportexisting landusesorplannedusesforwhichpermitshavebeengranted)?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactongroundwaterlevelifitwould:
• Changepotablewaterlevelssufficientlyto:
o Reduce the ability of a water utility to use the groundwater basin for public watersupplies,conjunctiveusepurposes,storageofimportedwater,summer/winterpeaking,orrespondtoemergenciesanddrought;
o Reduceyieldsofadjacentwellsorwellfields(publicorprivate);or
o Adverselychangetherateordirectionofflowofgroundwater
• Resultindemonstrableandsustainedreductioningroundwaterrechargecapacity.
OperationoftheProjectwoulduseamunicipalwatersupplyanddoesnotproposetheuseofanywellsorothermeansofextractinggroundwater.However,whiletheCityimportsthemajorityofitspotablewater supply from sources outside the Los Angeles Basin, local groundwater supplies have providedapproximately12percentofthetotalwatersupplyoverthelast10years.29 Assuch,operationoftheProject may impact existing groundwater supplies or may otherwise interfere with groundwaterrecharge.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamanner,whichwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationon-oroff-site?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project results in a substantialalterationofdrainagepatternsthatwouldresult inasubstantial increaseinerosionorsiltationduringconstruction or operation of the project. While a stream or river does not traverse the site,redevelopmentof theProject Sitemayalter theexistingdrainagepattern. Moreover, duringgradingandconstructionactivities,soilcouldbeexposedanderosioncouldoccur. Therefore, impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
29 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofWaterandPower,UrbanWaterManagementPlan2010,adoptedMay3,
2011,page6,website:http://www.ladwp.com,accessed:April13,2016.
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ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area,including through thealterationof the courseofa streamor river,or substantially increasethe rateoramountof surface runoff inamannerwhichwould result in floodingon-oroff-site?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aproject would normally have a significant impact on surface water hydrology if it would result in apermanent, adverse change to the movement of surface water sufficient to produce a substantialchange in the currentor directionofwater flow. While a streamor river doesnot traverse the site,redevelopmentoftheProjectSitemayaltertheexistingdrainagepattern. Therefore, impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
e) Would the project create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity ofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonsurfacewaterqualityifdischargesassociatedwithaproject would create pollution, contamination, or nuisance as defined in the CWC or that causeregulatory standards to be violated, as defined in the applicableNPDES stormwater permit orWaterQualityControlPlan for the receivingwaterbody. For thepurposeof this specific issue,a significantimpactmay occur if the volumeof stormwater runoff from a project sitewere to increase to a levelwhich exceeds the capacity of the storm drain system serving the project site. A significant adverseeffect would also occur if a project would substantially increase the probability that polluted runoffwouldreachthestormdrainsystem.
DevelopmentoftheProjectcouldpotentiallyincreasetheamountofrunofftotheexistingstormwaterdrainage system andmay substantially increase the probability that polluted runoff would reach thestormdrainsystem.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
f) Wouldtheprojectotherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectincludespotentialsourcesofwater pollutants that would have the potential to substantially degradewater quality. ConstructionactivitiesassociatedwiththeProjecthavethepotentialtodegradewaterqualitythroughtheexposureofsurfacerunoff(primarilystormwater)toexposedsoils,dust,andotherdebris,aswellasfromrunofffrom construction equipment. Operationof the Project also has thepotential to potentially degradewaterquality.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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g) Wouldtheprojectplacehousingwithina100-yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap?
No Impact. A significant impactwouldoccuronly if aprojectwouldplacehousingwithina100-yearfloodzone. According to theFederalEmergencyManagementAgency’s (FEMA)Flood InsuranceRateMap,theProjectSiteiswithinZoneX–OtherAreas,whichisadesignationforareasdeterminedtobeoutsidethe100-yearfloodhazardarea.30Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
h) Wouldtheprojectplacewithina100-yearfloodhazardareastructureswhichwouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows?
NoImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectwerelocatedwithina100-yearfloodzone,whichwould impede or redirect flood flows. As discussed in response to checklist question 9.g), above,FEMA’s Flood Insurance RateMap shows the Project Site is notwithin a 100-year flood hazard area.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
i) Would the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or deathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam?
PotentiallySignificant Impact. Althoughnotspecified intheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectexposespeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskoflossordeathcausedbythefailureofaleveeordam,includingbutnotlimitedtoaseismically-inducedseiche,whichisasurfacewavecreatedwhenabodyofwaterisshaken,whichcouldresultinawaterstoragefacilityfailure.TheProjectSiteiswithinapotentialinundationarea.31Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
j) Would the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or deathinvolvinginundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow?
No Impact. A significant impactmayoccur if aproject site is sufficiently close to theoceanorotherwaterbody tobepotentiallyat riskof theeffectsof seismically-induced tidalphenomena (i.e., seicheand tsunami), or if the project site is located adjacent to a hillside areawith soil characteristics thatwouldindicatepotentialsusceptibilitytomudslidesormudflows.
TheProjectisnotwithinanareapotentiallyimpactedbyatsunamiastheProjectSiteisapproximately14milesfromthePacificOcean.32TherearealsonomajorwaterbodiesinthevicinityoftheProjectSitethatwouldputthesiteatriskofinundationbyseiche.Furthermore,theProjectsiteislocatedwithinaheavilydevelopedareaoftheCitywherelittleopenspaceexists.TheProjectsiteisrelativelyflatandisnot locatedadjacenttoahillsideareaand,thus,thepotential formudflowsto impacttheProjectsite
30 Federal EmergencyManagement Agency, Flood Insurance RateMap, Los Angeles County, California, FEMA
Map Number 06037C1305F, effective September 26, 2008, website: http://msc.fema.gov/portal, accessed:April13,2016.
31 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning,GeneralPlanSafetyElement,ExhibitG,Inundation&TsunamiHazardAreasintheCityofLosAngeles,AdoptedNovember1996.
32 Ibid.
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would be highly unlikely. Therefore, no impactwould occur, and further analysis of this issue is notrequired.
10. LANDUSEANDPLANNING
a) Wouldtheprojectphysicallydivideanestablishedcommunity?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectweresufficientlylargeenoughorotherwiseconfiguredinsuchawayastocreateaphysicalbarrierwithinanestablishedcommunity(atypicalexamplewouldbeaprojectwhichinvolvedacontinuousright-of-waysuchasaroadwaywhichwoulddivideacommunityandimpedeaccessbetweenpartsofthecommunity).AccordingtotheL.A.CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of significance shall be made on a case-by-case basisconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Theextentoftheareathatwouldbeimpacted,thenatureanddegreeofimpacts,andthetypesoflanduseswithinthatarea;
• The extent to which existing neighborhoods, communities, or land uses would be disrupted,dividedorisolated,andthedurationofthedisruptions;and
• Thenumber,degree,andtypeofsecondaryimpactstosurroundinglandusesthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheproposedproject.
TheProjectSitecurrentlyconsistsof threevacantcommercialbuildingsandsurfaceparking lotareas.The Projectwould demolish the existing buildings and construct amix of residential and commerciallanduses.Existingmulti-familyresidencesarelocatedtothenorth,west,andsouthoftheProjectSite.Existing roadway infrastructureabuts theProjectSite to thewest, south,andeast. AnexistingpublicalleyrunsfromChaseStreetsouthwardthroughtheProjectSite.Onlyaportionofthealleyiscurrentlyusedbythepublic,which is locatedoutsideoftheProjectSite. Thepublicdoesnotcurrentlyusetheportionofthealleythat isproposedtobevacatednorhas itbeenusedsincethedevelopmentoftheexistinglanduses.Nonetheless,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Wouldtheprojectconflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policy,orregulationofanagencywithjurisdictionovertheproject(including,butnotlimitedtothegeneralplan,specificplan,localcoastalprogram,orzoningordinance)adoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffect?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project is inconsistent with theGeneralPlan, zoningdesignations,oranyother landuseplans currentlyapplicable to theproject siteandwouldcauseadverseenvironmentaleffects,which theseplansaredesigned toavoidormitigate.AccordingtotheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofsignificanceshallbemadeonacase-by-casebasisconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Whether the proposal is inconsistent with the adopted land use/density designation in theCommunityPlan,redevelopmentplanorspecificplanforthesite;and
• WhethertheproposalisinconsistentwiththeGeneralPlanoradoptedenvironmentalgoalsorpoliciescontainedinotherapplicableplans.
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TheProjectissubjecttonumerousregionalandlocallanduseplans,policies,andregulationsaswellastotheLAMC,andrequestsseveraldiscretionaryapprovalstodetermineconsistencywithlandusesandpolicies. A consistency analysis will be provided in the EIR. Therefore, impacts may be potentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Would the project conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or naturalcommunityconservationplan?
NoImpact.Asignificantimpactcouldoccurifaprojectsitewerelocatedwithinanareagovernedbyahabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan.Asdiscussedinresponsetochecklistquestion 4.f), above, the Project Site and its immediate vicinity are not part of any draft or adoptedHabitatConservationPlan,NaturalCommunityConservationPlan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orStatehabitatconservationplan.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
11. MINERALRESOURCES
a) WouldtheprojectresultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsoftheState?
NoImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccuriftheprojectsiteislocatedinanareausedoravailableforextractionofaregionally-importantmineralresource,or if theprojectdevelopmentwouldconvertanexisting or future regionally-important mineral extraction use to another use, or if the projectdevelopmentwouldaffectaccesstoasiteusedorpotentiallyavailableforregionally-importantmineralresource extraction. According to the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of significanceshallbemadeonacase-by-casebasisconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Whether,orthedegreetowhich, theprojectmightresult inthepermanent lossof,or lossofaccess to, a mineral resource that is located in a State Mining and Geology Board MineralResourceZone(MRZ)2zoneorotherknownorpotentialmineralresourcearea,and
• Whether the mineral resource is of regional or statewide significance, or is noted in theConservationElementasbeingoflocalimportance.
TheProject Site is fullydevelopedandnooilwells arepresent.33 Additionally, theProject Site isnotlocatedwithinanoilfieldoroildrillingarea,34norwithinasurfaceminingdistrictorMRZ-2zone.35TheProjectwouldnot affect anyextraction activities and therewouldbeno impactonexistingor futureregionally important mineral extraction sites. The Project would not involve mineral extractionactivities,norareanysuchactivitiespresentlyoccurringontheProjectSite.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.33 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information & Map Access System, website:
http://zimas.lacity.org,accessed:April13,2016.34 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning,LosAngelesCityGeneralPlanSafetyElement,ExhibitE,Oil
FieldandOilDrillingAreas,AdoptedNovember1996.35 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning,LosAngelesCityGeneralPlanConservationElement,ExhibitA,
MineralResources,AdoptedSeptember2001.
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b) Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplanorotherlanduseplan?
No Impact. A significant impactmayoccur ifaproject site is located inanareausedoravailable forextraction of a locally-important mineral resource, or if the project development would convert anexistingorfuturelocally-importantmineralextractionusetoanotheruse,oriftheprojectdevelopmentwould affect access to a site used or potentially available for locally-important mineral resourceextraction. According to the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of significance shall bemadeonacase-by-casebasisconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Whether,orthedegreetowhich, theprojectmightresult inthepermanent lossof,or lossofaccess to, a mineral resource that is located in a MRZ-2 zone or other known or potentialmineralresourcearea,and
• Whether the mineral resource is of regional or statewide significance, or is noted in theConservationElementasbeingoflocalimportance.
TherearenooilextractionoperationsanddrillingorminingofmineralresourcesattheProjectSite,noristheProjectSitewithinanareaidentifiedforsuchuses.Therefore,developmentoftheProjectwouldnotresultinthelossofavailabilityofamineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheresidentsoftheStateoralocally-importantmineralresource,ormineralresourcerecoverysite,asdelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orlanduseplan.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
12. NOISE
a) Wouldtheprojectresult inexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofnoise levels inexcessofstandardsestablishedinthelocalgeneralplanornoiseordinance,orapplicablestandardsofotheragencies?
PotentiallySignificantImpact. Asignificantimpactmayoccurwhereaprojectwouldnotcomplywiththe City’s General Plan Land Use Compatibility Standards for Noise or the City Noise Ordinance(OrdinanceNo.144,331).Astheon-sitebuildingsarevacantandtheProjectSiteisnototherwiseinuse,existing sources of noise at the Project Site generally consists of traffic along area roadways.Constructionandoperationof theProjectwould increasebothtemporaryand long-termnoise,whichcouldexceedCitynoisestandards.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Would theproject result in exposureof persons toor generationof excessive groundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels?
Potentially Significant Impact. Vibration is sound radiated through the ground. The rumbling soundcaused by the vibration of room surfaces is called groundborne noise. Groundborne vibration andgroundbornenoisecouldbegeneratedduringtheconstructionoftheProject.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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c) Would theproject result in a substantial permanent increase in ambientnoise levels in theprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?
PotentiallySignificantImpact. Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectwouldresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsaboveexistingambientnoiselevelswithouttheproject.Aprojectwould typicallyhaveasignificant impactonnoise levels fromprojectoperations if theprojectwould increase the ambient noise levels by 3 dBA CNEL at the property line of homes where theresulting noise level would be at least 70 dBA CNEL, or at the property line of commercial buildingswheretheresultingnoiselevelwouldbeatleast75dBACNEL.Additionally,anylong-termincreaseof5dBACNELormorewouldcauseasignificantimpact.
AstheProjectSitecurrentlyconsistsofthreevacantcommercialbuildingsandisnototherwiseinuse,the Projectwould introduce new sources of noise thatmay substantially increase the ambient noiselevels in the vicinity, particularly to the residences to the north, west, and south of the Project Site.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Would the project result in a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectweretoresultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsaboveexistingambientnoiselevelswithouttheproject.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpacttonoiselevelsfromconstructionif:
• Constructionactivitieslastingmorethanonedaywouldexceedexistingambientexteriornoiselevelsby10dBACNELormoreatanoisesensitiveuse;
• Construction activities lastingmore than 10 days in a 3-month period would exceed existingambientexteriornoiselevelsby5dBACNELormoreatanoisesensitiveuse;or
• Constructionactivitieswouldexceedtheambientnoiselevelby5dBACNELatanoisesensitiveuse between the hours of 9:00 PMand 7:00AMMonday through Friday, before 8:00AMorafter6:00PMonSaturday,oratanytimeonSunday.
Construction activities at the Project Sitewould introduce new sources of temporary noise thatmaysubstantiallyincreasetheambientnoiselevelsinthevicinity,particularlytotheresidencestothenorth,west,andsouthoftheProjectSite.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not beenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?
NoImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpacton ambient noise levels would normally occur if noise levels at a noise sensitive use attributable toairportoperationsexceed65dBACNELandtheprojectincreasesambientnoiselevelsby1.5dBACNELorgreater.
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AlthoughtheProjectSiteissubjecttooccasionaloverflightsfromjetandpropelleraircraft,asdiscussedin response to checklist question 8.e), above, the Project Site is approximately 2.1 miles from thenearestairport(VanNuysAirport),andisnotwithinthatairport’sinfluencearea.Moreover,theProjectSite is not locatedwithin an existing or projected noise contour associatedwith Van Nuys Airport.36Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
f) Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?
NoImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,asignificantimpacton ambient noise levels would normally occur if noise levels at a noise sensitive use attributable toairportoperationsexceed65dBACNELandtheprojectincreasesambientnoiselevelsby1.5dBACNELorgreater.Thisquestionwouldapplytoaprojectonlyiftheprojectsitewereinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip and would subject area residents and workers to substantial noise levels from aircraftoperations.Asdiscussedinresponsetochecklistquestion8.f),above,theProjectSiteisnotlocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
13. POPULATIONANDHOUSING
a) Would the project induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (forexample, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure)?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project would locate newdevelopment such as homes, businesses, or infrastructure, with the effect of substantially inducinggrowthintheprojectareathatwouldotherwisenothaveoccurredasrapidlyorinasgreatamagnitude.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhetheraprojectresultsinasignificantimpactonpopulationandhousinggrowthshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• The degree to which a project would cause growth (i.e., new housing or employmentgenerators)oracceleratedevelopmentinanundevelopedareathatexceedsprojected/plannedlevelsfortheyearofprojectoccupancy/buildout,andthatwouldresult inanadversephysicalchangeintheenvironment;
• WhetheraprojectwouldintroduceunplannedinfrastructurethatwasnotpreviouslyevaluatedintheadoptedCommunityPlanorGeneralPlan;and
• Theextenttowhichgrowthwouldoccurwithoutimplementationofaproject.
TheProjectwouldconstructapproximately423multi-familyresidencesatasitethatcurrentlyconsistsofthreevacantcommercialbuildingsandsurfaceparkinglotareas.AccordingtotheProjectApplicant,the Project could generate approximately 1,100 on-site residents. Therefore, impacts may bepotentiallysignificant.
36 Los Angeles World Airports, Van Nuys Airport, California State Airport Noise Standards Quarterly Report
(4Q15), prepared March 18, 2016, website:http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/VNY/pdf/VNY4Q15_Quarterly_Report_Map.pdf, accessed: April 13,2016.
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ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating theconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?
No Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a project would result in the displacement of existinghousing units, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. Based on the L.A.CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of whether a project results in a significant impact onpopulationandhousingdisplacementshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Anetlossofhousingequaltoorgreaterthanaone-halfblockequivalentofhabitablehousingunitsthroughdemolition,conversion,orothermeans;or
• Anet lossof anyexistinghousingunits affordable to very low-or low-incomehouseholds (asdefinedbyfederaland/orCitystandards),throughdemolition,conversion,orothermeans.
TheProject Site currently consistsof three vacant commercial buildings and surfaceparking lot areasand, thus, the Project would not displace existing housing. Therefore, no impact would occur, andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
c) Would theprojectdisplace substantialnumbersofpeople,necessitating theconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?
No Impact. A project-related significant adverse effect could occur if a project would result in thedisplacement of a substantial amount of people. The Project Site currently consists of three vacantcommercial buildings and surface parking lot areas and, thus, the Projectwould not displace people.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
14. PUBLICSERVICES
Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentfacilities,needforneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintainacceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the followingpublicservices:
a) Fireprotection?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantimpactonfireprotectionif itrequirestheadditionofanewfirestationortheexpansion,consolidation, or relocation of an existing facility to maintain service. The City of Los Angeles FireDepartment(LAFD)considersfireprotectionservicesforaprojecttobeadequateifaprojectiswithinthemaximumresponsedistanceforthelanduseproposed. PursuanttoLAMCSection57.09.07A,themaximum response distance between residential land uses and a LAFD fire station that houses anengineortruckcompanyis1.5miles.Ifthisdistanceisexceeded,allstructureslocatedintheapplicableresidentialareawouldberequiredtoinstallautomaticfiresprinklersystems.
The Project would construct approximately 423 multi-family residences and approximately 200,000squarefeetofcommercialspaceatasitecurrentlyconsistingofthreevacantcommercialbuildings.Asdiscussedabove,theProjectcouldpotentiallygenerateapproximately1,100residents. Additionalon-
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sitepopulationwouldbeincreasedbythenumbersofemployeesandpatronstothecommercialspaces.Theredevelopmentofthesiteandon-sitepopulationcouldincreasethenumberofemergencycallstoLAFD.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Policeprotection?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if the City of Los Angeles PoliceDepartment (LAPD) could not adequately serve a project, necessitating a new or physically alteredstation.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhethertheprojectresultsinasignificantimpactonpoliceprotectionshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• The population increase resulting from the proposed project, based on the net increase ofresidentialunitsorsquarefootageofnon-residentialfloorarea;
• The demand for police services anticipated at the time of project buildout compared to theexpected level of service available. Consider, as applicable, scheduled improvements to LAPDservices (facilities, equipment, andofficers) and theproject’sproportional contribution to thedemand;and
• Whethertheprojectincludessecurityand/ordesignfeaturesthatwouldreducethedemandforpoliceservices.
The Project would construct approximately 423 multi-family residences and approximately 200,000squarefeetofcommercialspaceatasitecurrentlyconsistingofthreevacantcommercialbuildings.Asdiscussedabove,theProjectcouldpotentiallygenerateapproximately1,100residents. Additionalon-sitepopulationwouldbeincreasedbythenumbersofemployeesandpatronstothecommercialspaces.
The Project would generate a permanent on-site populationwhere there currently is none, thereby,potentially increasing the number of service calls from the Project Site. Responses to thefts, vehicleburglaries,vehicledamage,traffic-relatedincidents,andcrimesagainstpersonswouldbeanticipatedtoincrease as a result of the increased on-site activity and increased traffic on adjacent streets andarterials.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Schools?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project includes substantialemployment or population growth, which could generate a demand for school facilities that wouldexceed the capacity of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Based on the L.A. CEQAThresholds Guide, the determination of whether a project results in a significant impact on publicschoolsshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Thepopulationincreaseresultingfromaproject,basedonthenetincreaseofresidentialunitsorsquarefootageofnon-residentialfloorarea;
• The demand for school services anticipated at the time of project buildout compared to theexpectedlevelofserviceavailable.Consider,asapplicable,scheduledimprovementstoLAUSD
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services (facilities,equipment,andpersonnel)andaproject’sproportionalcontribution to thedemand;
• Whether(andtothedegreetowhich)accommodationoftheincreaseddemandwouldrequireconstructionofnewfacilities,amajorreorganizationofstudentsorclassrooms,majorrevisionsto the school calendar (such as year-round sessions), or other actions which would create atemporaryorpermanentimpactontheschool(s);and
• Whetheraprojectincludesfeaturesthatwouldreducethedemandforschoolservices(e.g.,on-siteschoolfacilitiesordirectsupporttoLAUSD).
The Project would construct approximately 423 multi-family residences and approximately 200,000squarefeetofcommercialspaceatasitecurrentlyconsistingofthreevacantcommercialbuildings.Asdiscussedabove,theProjectcouldpotentiallygenerateapproximately1,100residents.TheseresidentswouldincludestudentsthatcouldgenerateademandforLAUSDschoolsthatcurrentlyservetheProjectSite.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Parks?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact would occur if the recreation and park servicesavailablecouldnotaccommodatetheprojectedpopulationincreaseresultingfromimplementationofaproject.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhetheraprojectresultsinasignificantimpactonrecreationandparksshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Thenetpopulationincreaseresultingfromaproject;
• The demand for recreation and park services anticipated at the time of project buildoutcompared to the expected level of service available. Consider, as applicable, scheduledimprovements to recreation and park services (renovation, expansion, or addition) and aproject’sproportionalcontributiontothedemand;and
• Whetheraproject includesfeaturesthatwouldreducethedemandforparkservices(e.g.,on-site recreation facilities, land dedication, or direct financial support to the Department ofRecreationandParks).
The Project would construct approximately 423 multi-family residences and approximately 200,000squarefeetofcommercialspaceatasitecurrentlyconsistingofthreevacantcommercialbuildings.Asdiscussedabove,theProjectcouldpotentiallygenerateapproximately1,100residents.ConsistentwiththerecommendedCityofLosAngelesDepartmentofRecreationandParksstrategytohelpalleviatetheburden on existing park and recreational facilities, the proposed Project would provide recreationalamenitiesandopenspaceforProjectresidents.However,theProject’sfutureresidentswouldincreasetheuseofparksandrecreationalfacilitiesintheareathatmaynothavethecapacitytoserveresidents.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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e) Otherpublicfacilities?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project includes substantialemployment or population growth that could generate a demand for other public facilities (such aslibraries),whichwould exceed the capacity available to serve aproject site. Basedon theL.A. CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationofwhetheraprojectresultsinasignificantimpactonlibrariesshallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Thenetpopulationincreaseresultingfromaproject;
• The demand for library services anticipated at the time of project buildout compared to theexpected levelofserviceavailable.Consider,asapplicable,scheduled improvementsto libraryservices (renovation, expansion, addition or relocation) and the project’s proportionalcontributiontothedemand;and
• Whether a project includes features thatwould reduce the demand for library services (e.g.,libraryfacilitiesordirectfinancialsupporttotheLosAngelesPublicLibrary).
The Project would construct approximately 423 multi-family residences and approximately 200,000squarefeetofcommercialspaceatasitecurrentlyconsistingofthreevacantcommercialbuildings.Asdiscussed above, the Project could potentially generate approximately 1,100 residents. The Project-generatedresidentswouldresultinanincreaseddemandforlibrarymaterials,andpotentiallyresultinthe need for new or expanded library facilities, the construction of which could have an adversesignificantimpact.Inadditiontolibraries,roadwayimprovementsand/ordedicationsmayberequiredby the Bureau of Engineering, the construction of which could have an adverse significant impact.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
15. RECREATION
a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or otherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a project would include substantialemploymentorpopulationgrowthwhichcouldgenerateanincreaseddemandforparkorrecreationalfacilities thatwould exceed the capacity of existing parks and causes premature deterioration of thepark facilities. As discussed in response to checklist question 14.d), above, the Project-generatedresidentswouldincreasedemandforparksandrecreationalfacilitiesintheareathatmaynothavethecapacitytoserveresidents.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion ofrecreationalfacilitieswhichmighthaveanadversephysicaleffectontheenvironment?
PotentiallySignificantImpact. Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectincludestheconstructionorexpansion of park facilities and such construction would have a significant adverse effect on theenvironment. TheProject includesopenspacesandrecreationalamenities, theconstructionofwhichcouldhaveanadversesignificant impact. Asdiscussedinchecklistquestion14.d),theProject’sfuture
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residentswould increasetheuseofparksandrecreational facilities intheareathatmaynothavethecapacitytoserveresidents.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
16. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC
a) Wouldtheprojectconflictwithapplicableplan,ordinanceorpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,takingintoaccountallmodesoftransportation includingmass transit andnon-motorized travel and relevant componentsofthe circulation system including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways andfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransit?
PotentiallySignificantImpact. Asignificantimpactwouldoccurifthechangeintrafficvolumesatthestudy area intersections associated with a project equals or exceeds the thresholds of significanceadoptedbytheCity.TheProjectwouldrequiretheuseofavarietyofconstructionvehiclesthroughouttheProjectconstruction.Typicalconstructionschedulescreatetripsoutsideofthetrafficpeakhours.ItisanticipatedthattherewouldbenohaulingduringthePMpeakhour,andthatconstructionworkerswould arrive at the Project Site prior to the AM peak hour, which is typical construction industrypractice.
OperationoftheProjectwouldgenerateapproximately1,100residentsinadditiontoon-siteemployeesandpatronsofthecommercialspaces,whichwouldresult in increasedvehicletripsonarearoadwaysthat could degrade existing levels of service to failing levels or further exasperate already-failingroadway facilities. The Project-generated population could also increase the demand for and use ofpublic transit,whichmayaffect theperformanceofexistingtransitconditions in thearea. Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Wouldtheprojectconflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,includingbutnot limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a projectwould cause a substantialchange in Congestion Management Program (CMP)-designated surface roads or highways whencompared to conditionswithout the project. The nearest CMP facility to the Project Site is the SanDiegoFreeway(I-405),approximately1.1milestothewest.37TheCMPrequiresthatnewdevelopmentprojects analyze potential project impacts on CMPmonitoring locations if an EIR is prepared for theproject. When a CMP analysis is required, the CMP methodology requires the analysis of trafficconditions at all CMP arterial monitoring intersections where a project would add 50 or more tripsduringeither theAMorPMweekdaypeakhours. TheCMPalso requires that traffic studies analyzemainlinefreewaymonitoringlocationswhereaprojectwouldadd150ormoretripsineitherdirectionduringeitherAMorPMweekdaypeakhours.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
37 LosAngelesCountyMetropolitanTransportationAuthority,2010CongestionManagementProgram,Exhibit2-
3,page13,website:http://media.metro.net/docs/cmp_final_2010.pdf,accessed:April13,2016.
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c) Would the project result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase intrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks?
NoImpact.Thisquestionwouldapplytotheprojectonlyifitinvolvedanaviation-relateduseorwouldinfluence changes to existing flight paths. The Project does not include any aviation-related use andwould have no impact on any airport. The Projectwould also not require anymodification of flightpathsfortheexistingairportsintheLosAngelesBasin.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
d) Wouldtheprojectsubstantiallyincreasehazardsduetoadesignfeature(e.g.,sharpcurvesordangerousintersections)orincompatibleuses(e.g.,farmequipment)?
No Impact. A significant impactmayoccur ifaproject includednewroadwaydesignor introducedanewlanduseorfeaturesintoanareawithspecifictransportationrequirementsandcharacteristicsthathave not been previously experienced in that area, or if project site access or other features weredesigned insuchawayastocreatehazardconditions. Nohazardousdesignfeaturesor incompatiblelanduseswouldbeintroducedwiththeProjectthatwouldcreatesignificanthazardstothesurroundingroadways.Therefore,noimpactwouldoccur,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
e) Wouldtheprojectresultininadequateemergencyaccess?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impactmay occur if a project designwould not provideemergencyaccessmeetingtherequirementsofLAFD,orthreatenedtheabilityofemergencyvehiclestoaccessandservetheprojectsiteoradjacentuses.Asdiscussedinresponsetochecklistquestion8.g),above, Roscoe Boulevard abuts the Project Site to the south and is secondary disaster route. TheProjectwouldconstructapproximately423multi-familyresidences,approximately200,000squarefeetofcommercialuses,andassociatedparking. ConstructionoftheProjectcouldresult inthetemporaryblockage of adjacent street lanes. The proposed residences could generate an on-site population ofapproximately 1,100 residents, andan additional on-sitepopulation from theemployees andpatronsassociatedwiththecommercialspaces,whichmayaffectthecapacityofadjacentstreets.Inaddition,as part of the Project existing site accesswould bemodified. Therefore, impactsmay be potentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
f) Would theproject conflictwithadoptedpolices,plansorprograms regardingpublic transit,bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of suchfacilities?
PotentiallySignificantImpact. Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectwouldconflictwithadoptedpolicesorinvolvemodificationofexistingalternativetransportationfacilitieslocatedon-oroff-site.Toencourageand facilitate theuseofpublic transportationandbicycleuse, theproposedProjectwouldprovideapproximately858bicycleparkingspaces(658spacesforresidentialuseand200spacesforthecommercial use). This proposed quantity of bicycle parking spaces exceeds LAMC requirements.Nonetheless, operation of the Project would generate approximately 1,100 residents in addition toemployees andpatrons associatedwith the commercial space,whichwould increase thedemand forand use of public transit and may affect the performance of existing transit conditions in the area.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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17. UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS
a) Would the project exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable RegionalWaterQualityControlBoard?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactcouldoccurifaprojectwoulddischargewastewater,whose content exceeds the regulatory limits established by the governing agency. This checklistquestionwouldtypicallyapplytopropertiesservedbyprivatesewagedisposalsystems,suchasseptictanks. CWCSection13260statesthatpersonsdischargingorproposingtodischargewastethatcouldaffect the quality of thewaters of the State, other than into a community sewer system, shall file aReportofWasteDischargecontaininginformationwhichmayberequiredbytheappropriateRegionalWater Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The RWQCB then authorizes a NPDES permit that ensurescompliancewithwastewater treatment and discharge requirements. No industrial discharge into thewastewatersystemwouldoccur.However,theProjectwouldincreasewastewatergenerationfromtheproposedresidentialandcommerciallanduses.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Wouldtheprojectrequireorresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexisting facilities, the constructionofwhich could cause significantenvironmentaleffects?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project would increase waterconsumptionorwastewatergenerationtosuchadegreethatthecapacityoffacilitiescurrentlyservingtheproject sitewouldbeexceeded. Basedon theL.A. CEQAThresholdsGuide, thedeterminationofwhether a project results in a significant impact on water shall be made considering the followingfactors:
• Thetotalestimatedwaterdemandfortheproject;
• Whether sufficient capacity exists in the water infrastructure that would serve the project,takingintoaccounttheanticipatedconditionsatprojectbuildout;
• Theamountbywhichtheprojectwouldcausetheprojectedgrowth inpopulation,housingoremploymentfortheCommunityPlanareatobeexceededintheyearoftheprojectcompletion;and
• Thedegree towhich scheduledwater infrastructure improvementsor project design featureswouldreduceoroffsetserviceimpacts.
BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantwastewaterimpactif:
• The projectwould cause ameasurable increase inwastewater flows to a pointwhere, and atimewhen,asewer’scapacityisalreadyconstrainedorthatwouldcauseasewer’scapacitytobecomeconstrained;or
• The project’s additional wastewater flows would substantially or incrementally exceed thefuture scheduled capacity of anyone treatmentplant by generating flows greater than thoseanticipatedintheWastewaterFacilitiesPlanorGeneralplananditselements.
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The Project would increase the demand for water and the generation of wastewater compared toexistingconditions.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
c) Wouldtheprojectrequireorresultintheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesor expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significantenvironmentaleffects?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifthevolumeofstormwaterrunoffwouldincreasetoa levelexceedingthecapacityofthestormdrainsystemservingaprojectsite,resulting intheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilities. TheamountanddirectionofstormwaterflowcouldbealteredwiththedevelopmentoftheProject.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
d) Wouldtheprojecthavesufficientwatersuppliesavailabletoservetheprojectfromexistingentitlementsandresources,orareneworexpandedentitlementsneeded?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact may occur if a project would increase waterconsumptiontosuchadegreethatnewwatersourceswouldneedtobeidentified.BasedontheL.A.CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of whether the project results in a significant impact onwatershallbemadeconsideringthefollowingfactors:
• Thetotalestimatedwaterdemandfortheproject;
• Whether sufficient capacity exists in the water infrastructure that would serve the project,takingintoaccounttheanticipatedconditionsatprojectbuildout;
• Theamountbywhichtheprojectwouldcausetheprojectedgrowth inpopulation,housingoremploymentfortheCommunityPlanareatobeexceededintheyearoftheprojectcompletion;and
• Thedegree towhich scheduledwater infrastructure improvementsor project design featureswouldreduceoroffsetserviceimpacts.
ThedemandforwaterwouldincreasewiththedevelopmentoftheProject.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
e) Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider whichservesormayservetheprojectthatithasadequatecapacitytoservetheproject’sprojecteddemandinadditiontotheprovider’sexistingcommitments?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.BaseduponthecriteriaestablishedintheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,aprojectwouldnormallyhaveasignificantwastewaterimpactif:
• The projectwould cause ameasurable increase inwastewater flows to a pointwhere, and atimewhen,asewer’scapacityisalreadyconstrainedorthatwouldcauseasewer’scapacitytobecomeconstrained;or
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• The project’s additional wastewater flows would substantially or incrementally exceed thefuture scheduled capacity of anyone treatmentplant by generating flows greater than thoseanticipatedintheWastewaterFacilitiesPlanorGeneralplananditselements.
TheProjectwouldincreasetheamountofwastewaterconveyedtothewastewatertreatmentsystem.Therefore,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
f) Wouldtheprojectbeservedbyalandfillwithsufficientpermittedcapacitytoaccommodatetheproject’ssolidwastedisposalneeds?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojectweretoincreasesolidwastegeneration to a degree such that the existing and projected landfill capacitywould be insufficient toaccommodatetheadditionalsolidwaste.BasedontheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,thedeterminationof whether the project results in a significant impact on solid waste shall be made considering thefollowingfactors:
• Amountofprojectedwastegeneration,diversion,anddisposalduringdemolition,construction,andoperationoftheproject,consideringproposeddesignandoperationalfeaturesthatcouldreducetypicalwastegenerationrates;
• Need foradditional solidwaste collection route,or recyclingordisposal facility toadequatelyhandleproject-generatedwaste;and
• Whether theprojectconflictswithsolidwastepoliciesandobjectives in theSourceReductionand Recycling Element or its updates, the Solid Waste Management Policy Plan, FrameworkElement of the Curbside Recycling Program, including consideration of the land use-specificwastediversiongoalscontainedinVolume4oftheSourceReductionandRecyclingElement.
TheProjectwouldgenerateconstructionanddemolitionsolidwasteaswellasdailysolidwasteduringthe operation of the Project, which would be recycled or landfilled. Therefore, impacts may bepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
g) Would the project complywith federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related tosolidwaste?
PotentiallySignificant Impact. Asignificant impactmayoccur ifaprojectwouldgeneratesolidwastethat was not disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. The Project would generateconstructionanddemolitionwasteaswell asdaily solidwasteduringoperationof theProject,whichwouldberecycledorlandfilled.Evenso,impactsmaybepotentiallysignificant.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
18. MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCE
a) Doestheprojecthavethepotentialtodegradethequalityoftheenvironment,substantiallyreduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to dropbelowself-sustaining levels, threaten toeliminateaplantoranimal community, reduce the
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numberorrestricttherangeofarareorendangeredplantoranimaloreliminateimportantexamplesofthemajorperiodsofCaliforniahistoryorprehistory?
Potentially Significant Impact. A significant impact could occur if a projectwould have an identifiedpotentially significant impact for any of the above issues, as discussed in the preceding sections. Asnotedintheforegoinganalysis,potentiallysignificantimpactsmayresult.
ThispotentialimpactshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable?(“Cumulativelyconsiderable”meansthattheincrementaleffectsofaprojectareconsiderablewhen viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other currentprojects,andtheeffectsofprobablefutureprojects)?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.ForthepurposeofthisInitialStudy,asignificantimpactmayoccurifaproject, in combination with the related projects, would result in impacts that would be less thansignificantwhenviewedseparately,butwouldbesignificantwhenviewedtogether.TheimpactsoftheProjectcouldpotentiallycombinewiththeimpactsofrelatedprojects.Forthoseenvironmentalissuesdiscussedabove that are tobe analyzed in theEIR, theEIRwill includeananalysis of the cumulativeimpactsassociatedwith thoseenvironmental issues. The following isa listof thecumulative impactsanalysestobeincludedintheEIR:
• AirQuality
• CulturalResources(HistoricResources)
• GeologyandSoils
• GreenhouseGasEmissions
• HazardsandHazardousMaterials
• HydrologyandWaterQuality
• LandUseandPlanning
• Noise
• PopulationandHousing
• PublicServices
• Recreation
• Transportation/Traffic
• UtilitiesandServiceSystems
ForthoseenvironmentalissuesthataretobescopedoutoftheEIR,thecumulativeimpactsanalysisisprovidedbelow.
AgricultureandForestResources
NoImpact.DevelopmentoftheProjectincombinationwiththerelatedprojectswouldnotresultintheconversionofState-designatedagriculturallandfromagriculturalusetoanon-agriculturalusenorresultinthelossofforestlandorconversionofforestlandtonon-forestuse.ThelatestfarmlandmapforLosAngeles County indicates that the Project Site and the surrounding area are not identified as State-designatedFarmland.38NeithertheProjectSitenorsurroundingareaarecurrentlyusedasagricultureorforestland,orzonedforagriculturalusesorforestland,timberland,ortimberlandproduction.Thus,
38 StateofCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation,DivisionofLandResourceProtection,FarmlandMappingand
Monitoring Program, Los Angeles County Important Farmland 2012, published January 2015, website:ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dlrp/FMMP/pdf/2012/los12.pdf,accessed:April13,2016.
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neithertheProjectnortherelatedprojectswouldresultintheconversionofexistingagriculturalusesorzoningtoanon-agriculturaluse,norresultinthelossofforestland,timberland,timberlandproductionorzoning,ortheconversionofforestlandtonon-forestuse.Therefore,therewouldbenocumulativeimpactsonagricultureandforestryresources,andfurtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
BiologicalResources
Less Than Significant Impact. The Project would not result in a potentially significant impact tobiologicalresources. TheProjectSiteandrelatedprojectsare located inadevelopedarea intheCity.However,itisunknownwhetherornotanyofthepropertiesonwhichtherelatedprojectsarelocatedcontainbiologicalresources,suchassensitivespecies,significanttrees,orprotectedtrees.Nonetheless,astheProjectwouldnotresultinasignificantimpact,thereisnopotentialfortheProjecttocontributeto a cumulative impact. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant, and furtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
CulturalResources(PaleontologicalandArchaeologicalResources,andHumanRemains)
Less Than Significant Impact. Although it is possible that the development of the Project and therelatedprojectscouldresultintheinadvertentdiscoveryofarchaeologicalorpaleontologicalresources,or human remains, it is anticipated that this impactwould be less than significant. Compliancewithexisting regulationswouldavoida significant cumulative impact toarchaeological andpaleontologicalresources,andhumanremains.Furtheranalysisoftheseissuesisnotrequired.
MineralResources
NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnothavesignificantimpactsonmineralresources.Itisnotknownifanyrelated projects would result in the loss of availability of knownmineral resources. Regardless, theProjectwouldhavenoincrementalcontributiontoapotentialcumulativeimpactonmineralresources,andtheProjectwouldhavenocumulativeimpactonsuchresources.Therefore,furtheranalysisofthisissueisnotrequired.
c) Doestheprojecthaveenvironmentaleffects,whichwillcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly?
PotentiallySignificantImpact.Asignificantimpactmayoccurifaprojecthasthepotentialtoresultinsignificantimpacts,asdiscussedintheprecedingsections.TheProjectcouldpotentiallyresultindirectorindirectadverseenvironmentaleffectsonhumanbeingswithrespecttothefollowingsubjects:
• AirQuality
• CulturalResources(HistoricResources)
• GeologyandSoils
• GreenhouseGasEmissions
• HazardsandHazardousMaterials
• HydrologyandWaterQuality
• LandUseandPlanning
• Noise
• PopulationandHousing
• PublicServices
• Recreation
• Transportation/Traffic
• UtilitiesandServiceSystems
ThesepotentialimpactsshallbeevaluatedinanEIR.
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TheICONatPanorama V.PreparersoftheInitialStudyandPersonsConsultedPageV-1
V.PREPARERSOFTHEINITIALSTUDYANDPERSONSCONSULTED
LeadAgency
CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning6262VanNuysBoulevard,Room351LosAngeles,CA91401 MilenaZasadzien,CityPlanner
ProjectApplicant
TheICONatPanorama,LLC9300WilshireBoulevard,Suite465BeverlyHills,CA90212 EranFields
EnvironmentalConsultant
EcoTierraConsulting,Inc.555W.5thStreet,31stFloorLosAngeles,CA90013
PauletteFranco,SeniorProjectManagerBradPerrine,SeniorEnvironmentalPlanner
Arborist White’sTreeService 13239WoodcockAvenue Sylmar,CA91342 MichaelWhite,ISACertifiedArborist#WE-9538A
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VI.ACRONYMS&ABBREVIATIONS
AQMP AirQualityManagementPlan
Basin SouthCoastAirBasin
CEQA CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct
City CityofLosAngeles,California
CMP CongestionManagementProgram
CDO CommunityDesignOverlay
CommunityPlan MissionHills–PanoramaCity–NorthHillsCommunityPlan
CWC CaliforniaWaterCode
du Dwellingunit(s)
FEMA FederalEmergencyManagementAgency
GHG Greenhousegas(es)
LADOT CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofTransportation
LADBS CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofBuildingandSafety
LAFD CityofLosAngelesFireDepartment
LAMC CityofLosAngelesMunicipalCode
LAPD CityofLosAngelesPoliceDepartment
LARWQCB LosAngelesRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard
LAUSD LosAngelesUnifiedSchoolDistrict
LID LowImpactDevelopment
MBTA MigratoryBirdTreatyAct
Metro LosAngelesCountyMetropolitanTransportationAuthority
MRZ MineralResourceZone
NPDES NationalPollutionDischargeEliminationSystem
PRC PublicResourceCode
RWQCB RegionalWaterQualityControlBoard
SB SenateBill
SCAQMD SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict
SUSMP StandardUrbanStormwaterMitigationPlan
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SWRCB StateWaterResourcesControlBoard
ChemicalSymbolsandMeasurementAbbreviations
CNEL CommunityNoiseEquivalentLevel
CO Carbonmonoxide
dBA A-weighteddecibel
lbs Pounds
NO2 Nitrogendioxide
NOX NitrogenOxides
O3 Ozone
PM10 RespirableParticulateMatter
PM2.5 FineParticulateMatter
ppm Partspermillion
sf Squarefeet
SOX SulfurOxides
VOC VolatileOrganicCompounds