Mangrove Estates Site Mixed Use Development

Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)

 

EIR No.:  ENV-2009-3345-EIR

State Clearinghouse No.:  2009101091

 

March 2010

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Executive Summary.................................................................................................................. ES-1

 

1.0  Introduction

            1.1   Purpose and Legal Authority.................................................................................. 1-1

            1.2   Project Background…………................................................................................... 1-2

            1.3   Environmental Impact Report Background........................................................... 1-2

            1.4   Project Summary...................................................................................................... 1-3

            1.5   Lead, Responsible, and Trustee Agencies............................................................... 1-4

            1.6   EIR Scope and Content…….................................................................................... 1-4

            1.7   CEQA Environmental Review Process................................................................... 1-6

           

2.0  Project Description

            2.1   Project Applicant..................................................................................................... 2-1

            2.2   Project Location....................................................................................................... 2-1

            2.3   Existing Site Characteristics.................................................................................... 2-1

            2.4   Project Characteristics............................................................................................. 2-7

            2.5   Project Objectives.................................................................................................... 2-9

            2.6   Required Approvals................................................................................................ 2-9

 

3.0  Environmental Setting

            3.1  Regional Setting........................................................................................................ 3-1

            3.2  Project Site Setting.................................................................................................... 3-3

            3.3   Cumulative Projects Setting.................................................................................... 3-7

 

4.0  Environmental Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4-1

            4.1   Aesthetics  ................................................................................................................ 4.1-1

            4.2   Air Quality................................................................................................................ 4.2-1

            4.3   Cultural and Historic Resources............................................................................. 4.3-1

            4.4   Geology..................................................................................................................... 4.4-1

            4.5   Hazardous Materials............................................................................................... 4.5-1

            4.6   Hydrology and Water Quality................................................................................ 4.6-1

            4.7   Land Use and Planning .......................................................................................... 4.7-1

            4.8   Noise......................................................................................................................... 4.8-1

            4.9   Public Services and Utilities..................................................................................... 4.9-1

            4.10 Recreation and Parks.............................................................................................. 4.10-1

            4.11  Transportation and Circulation............................................................................. 4.11-1

            4.12  Utilities.................................................................................................................... 4.12-1

           

 

5.0  Other CEQA-Required Discussions

            5.1  Growth Inducing Effects.......................................................................................... 5-1

            5.2  Global Climate Change............................................................................................ 5-2

 

6.0  Alternatives

            6.1  Alternative 1:  No Project........................................................................................ 6-1

            6.2   Alternative 2:  650,000 Square Foot Maximum Buildout...................................... 6-2

            6.3   Alternative 3:  800,000 Square Foot Maximum Buildout...................................... 6-6

            6.4   Alternative 4:  Regional Connector Corridor......................................................... 6-11

            6.5   Alternative Sites....................................................................................................... 6-16

            6.6   Alternatives Considered But Rejected.................................................................... 6-17

            6.7  Environmentally Superior Alternative................................................................... 6-17

 

7.0  References and Report Preparers

            7.1  References................................................................................................................. 7-1

            7.2  Persons Contacted.................................................................................................... 7-4

            7.3  Report Preparers....................................................................................................... 7-5

 

8.0  Comments and Responses.................................................................................................... 8-1

 

List of Figures

 

            Figure 1-1       Environmental Review Process.............................................................. 1-7

            Figure 2-1       Regional Location.................................................................................... 2-2

            Figure 2-2       Vicinity Map............................................................................................ 2-3

            Figure 2-3       Site Photographs...................................................................................... 2-4

            Figure 2-4       Surrounding Land Uses.......................................................................... 2-6

            Figure 3-1       Central City North Community Plan Land Use Map........................... 3-7

            Figure 3-2       Zoning Map.......................................................................................... 3-9

            Figure 3-3       Cumulative Projects in Project Site Vicinity....................................... 3-13

            Figure 4.1-1    Project Site Photographs......................................................................... 4.1-2

            Figure 4.1-2    Project Site Photographs......................................................................... 4.1-3

            Figure 4.1-3    Project Site Photographs......................................................................... 4.1-4

            Figure 4.1-4    Summer Solstice Shadows – June 21...................................................... 4.1-18

            Figure 4.1-5    Winter Solstice Shadows – December 21................................................ 4.1-19

            Figure 4.3-1    Existing Building...................................................................................... 4.3-6

            Figure 4.4-1    Regional Fault Map.............................................................................. 4.3-6

            Figure 4.4-2    Liquefaction Potential.......................................................................... 4.4-7

            Figure 4.5-1    Recommended Additional Soil Assessment Site Locations................... 4.5-13

            Figure 4.8-1    Sensitive Receptor and Noise Measurement Locations......................... 4.8-7

            Figure 4.9-1    Fire Station Locations.............................................................................. 4.9-3

            Figure 4.9-2    Police Station Locations....................................................................... 4.9-6

            Figure 4.10-1  Parks Within a 1- and 2-Mile Radius...................................................... 4.10-3

            Figure 4.11-1  Study Area............................................................................................... 4.11-2

            Figure 4.11-2  Existing Weekday AM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes.............................. 4.11-7

            Figure 4.11-3  Existing Weekday PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes............................... 4.11-8

            Figure 4.11-4  Future 2015 Without Project AM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes............. 4.11-12

            Figure 4.11-5  Future 2015 Without Project PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes.............. 4.11-13

            Figure 4.11-6  Project Only - AM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes..................................... 4.11-21

            Figure 4.11-7  Project Only - PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes...................................... 4.11-22

            Figure 4.11-8  Future 2015 With Project AM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes.................. 4.11-23

            Figure 4.11-9  Future 2015 With Project PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes................... 4.11-24

            Figure 6-1       Regional Connector Corridor Conceptual Plan..................................... 6-12

 

List of Tables

 

            Table ES-1... Anticipated Onsite Land Uses................................................................. ES-2

            Table ES-2... Summary of Significant Environmental Impacts, Mitigation

            .................... Measures, and Residual Impacts............................................................. ES-3

            Table 1-1..... Scoping Comments Received..................................................................... 1-3

            Table 1-2..... Anticipated Onsite Land Uses................................................................... 1-3

            Table 2-1..... Summary of Existing Site Characteristics.................................................. 2-5

            Table 2-2..... Anticipated Onsite Land Uses…............................................................... 2-7

            Table 3-1..... Cumulative Projects in the Project Site Vicinity....................................... 3-15

            Table 3-2..... Approximate Cumulative Development by Land Use............................. 3-19

            Table 4.1-1   Consistency with General Plan Framework Urban Form and

            .................... Neighborhood Design Goals, Objectives, and Policies............................. 4.1-11

            Table 4.1-2.. Consistency with Central City North Community Plan

            .................... Urban Design Goals, Objectives, and Policies……….. ……………………4.1-12

            Table 4.2-1   Current Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards.................... 4.2-2

            Table 4.2-2   Ambient Air Quality Data......................................................................... 4.2-5

            Table 4.2-3   SCAQMD Operational Air Quality Significance Thresholds................... 4.2-11

            Table 4.2-4   SCAQMD LSTs for Construction.............................................................. 4.2-12

            Table 4.2-5   Estimated Unmitigated Construction Maximum Daily

                                 Air Pollutant Emissions.............................................................................. 4.2-14

            Table 4.2-6   Estimated Mitigated Construction Maximum Daily

                                 Air Pollutant Emissions.............................................................................. 4.2-17

            Table 4.2-7   Operational Emissions Associated with Onsite Development................. 4.2-18

            Table 4.2-8   Mitigated Operational Emissions Associated with Onsite

                                 Development............................................................................................... 4.2-23

            Table 4.2-9   Estimated Carbon Monoxide Concentrations........................................... 4.2-24

            Table 4.4-1.. Major Faults in Project Site Vicinity.......................................................... 4.4-5

            Table 4.5-1.. Building Methane Mitigation Regulations................................................. 4.5-4

            Table 4.5-2.. GeoSearch Summary Listing of Sites within 1/8 mile from

            .................... Project Site................................................................................................... 4.5-6

            Table 4.7-1.. Comparison of Project Characteristics to RCPG Policies......................... 4.7-12

            Table 4.7-2.. Consistency with 2008 RTP Goals............................................................. 4.7-15

            Table 4.7-3.. Compass Blueprint Growth Vision Report Policy Consistency................ 4.7-16

            Table 4.7-4.. Consistency with City of Los Angeles General Plan................................. 4.7-17

            Table 4.7-5.. Central City North Community Plan Policy Consistency........................ 4.7-19

            Table 4.7-6.. Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan Policy Consistency.......... 4.7-21

            Table 4.8-1  Representative Environmental Noise Levels............................................ 4.8-2

            Table 4.8-2.. Human Response to Different Levels of Groundborne Vibration........... 4.8-4

            Table 4.8-3.. Guidelines for Noise Compatible Land Uses............................................. 4.8-8

            Table 4.8-4.. Existing Daytime Noise Levels................................................................... 4.8-8

            Table 4.8-5.. Typical Noise Levels at Construction Sites............................................... 4.8-11

            Table 4.8-6.. Anticipated Maximum Construction Noise Levels at

            .................... Sensitive Receptor Locations...................................................................... 4.8-12

            Table 4.8-7.. Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment.............................. 4.8-14

            Table 4.8-8.. Project Contribution to Roadway Noise Levels........................................ 4.8-15

            Table 4.8-9.. Parking Lot Noise Sources at 100 Feet...................................................... 4.8-17

            Table 4.9-1.. City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Centers and Equipment….. 4.9-2

            Table 4.9-2.. Part I Crime Statistics (2008)….................................................................. 4.9-5

            Table 4.9-3.. LAUSD Schools that Serve the Project Site Vicinity................................. 4.9-7

            Table 4.9-4.. Estimated Student Generation by Onsite Development…....................... 4.9-13

            Table 4.9-5.. Estimated Student Generation by the Cumulative Projects…................. 4.9-15

            Table 4.10-1 Park Facilities within 1 Mile of Project Site............................................... 4.10-2

            Table 4.10-2 Park Facilities within 2 Miles of Project Site.............................................. 4.10-4

            Table 4.10-3 LAMC Open Space Area Requirements.................................................... 4.10-5

            Table 4.10-3 LAMC Open Space Area Requirements.................................................... 4.11-1

            Table 4.11-1 Study Area Intersections............................................................................ 4.11-1

            Table 4.11-2 Level-of-Service Definitions....................................................................... 4.11-4

            Table 4.11-3 Existing 2009 Level-of-Service Summary.................................................. 4.11-9

            Table 4.11-4 Existing 2009 Level-of-Service Summary.................................................. 4.11-14

            Table 4.11-5 Definition of Significant Impact at Intersection........................................ 4.11-15

            Table 4.11-6 Trip Generation Estimate........................................................................... 4.11-19

            Table 4.11-7 Project Impact Summary............................................................................ 4.11-25

            Table 4.11-8 TDM and Signal Upgrade Mitigation Summary...................................... 4.11-32

            Table 4.11-9 Parking Scenarios for Onsite Development.............................................. 4.11-35

            Table 4.12-1 LADWP Water Supply............................................................................... 4.12-3

            Table 4.12-2 Local Groundwater Basin Supply.............................................................. 4.12-4

            Table 4.12-3 Current Onsite Water Use.......................................................................... 4.12-8

            Table 4.12-4 Current Wastewater Generation............................................................... 4.12-9

            Table 4.12-5 Solid Waste Disposal Facilities................................................................... 4.12-11

            Table 4.12-6 Projected Increase in Onsite Water Demand............................................ 4.12-15

            Table 4.12-7 Projected Increase in Onsite Wastewater Generation.............................. 4.12-19

            Table 4.12-8 Onsite Development Demolition/Construction Waste............................ 4.12-21

            Table 4.12-9 Onsite Development Solid Waste Generation........................................... 4.12-22

            Table 4.12-10  Cumulative Projects Wastewater Generation........................................ 4.12-24

            Table 4.12-11  Cumulative Projects Solid Waste Generation........................................ 4.12-25

            Table 5-1  ... Anticipated Employment Density............................................................. 5-1

            Table 5-2..... Estimated Electricity Consumption........................................................... 5-13

            Table 5-3  ... Estimated Annual Operational Emissions of Greenhouse Gases............. 5-13

            Table 5-4..... Estimated Annual Mobile Emissions of Greenhouse Gases...................... 5-14

            Table 5-5  ... Combined Annual Emissions of Greenhouse Gases................................. 5-14

            Table 5-6..... CAPCOA Suggested Thresholds for Greenhouse Gases.......................... 5-15

            Table 5-7..... Comparison of VMT and Emissions: Infill versus Greenfield

            .................... Development............................................................................................... 5-16

            Table 5-8  ... Project Consistency with Applicable Climate Action Team

            .................... Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategies....................................... 5-17

            Table 5-9  ... Project Consistency with Applicable Attorney General

            .................... Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures....................................................... 5-21

            Table 6-1..... Comparison of Project Alternatives’ Buildout Characteristics................ 6-2

            Table 6-2..... Impact Comparison of Alternatives.......................................................... 6-18

           

 

Appendices

Appendix A   Initial Study/Notice of Preparation and Responses to the NOP

Appendix B    Equivalency Tables

Appendix C    Air Quality Modeling Results

Appendix D   Historic Resources Evaluation

Appendix E    Environmental Site Assessment

Appendix F    Noise Modeling Results

Appendix G    Traffic Impact Study

Appendix H   Water Supply Assessment

            Appendix I     Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program