IV. Environmental Impact Analysis - LA City Planning · 2014-12-22 · The analysis of views focuses on the ... tied to topography and distance from a scenic resource. “Focal views”

IV. Environmental Impact Analysis

City of Los Angeles Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Master Plan Project State Clearinghouse No. 2008101017 December 2014

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WORKING DRAFT – Not for Public Review

IV. Environmental Impact Analysis A.1 Aesthetics—Visual Character/Views

1. Introduction

This section evaluates the potential impacts of the Proposed Project on aesthetics and views in the Project area. Aesthetics refers to visual resources and the overall visual perception of the environment, and may include such characteristics as building height and mass, development density, design character, and landscaping, as well as the relationships between these elements. Aesthetic features often consist of unique or prominent natural or man-made/urban attributes that are visually interesting or appealing. Adverse effects on visual character can include the loss of existing valued aesthetic features or the introduction of contrasting features that contribute to a change in the character of the area. For instance, the introduction of contrasting features can overpower familiar features, eliminate context or associations with history, or create visual discordance where there may have been apparent efforts to maintain or promote a thematic or consistent character.

Views refer to visual access and obstruction of prominent visual features, including both specific visual landmarks and panoramic vistas. The analysis of views focuses on the extent to which the Project may interfere with visual access to scenic resources (i.e., mountain ranges, urban skyline, historic buildings, etc.). In general, the availability of views is closely tied to topography and distance from a scenic resource. “Focal views” consist of views of a particular object, scene, setting, or feature of visual interest. “Panoramic views” or vistas consist of views of a large geographic area for which the view may be wide and extend into the distance. Structures and other elements constructed or developed as part of a project may obstruct focal or panoramic views. The State of California and the City of Los Angeles have recognized the value of visual access through planning and zoning regulations that designate, preserve, and enhance publicly valued views.

2. Environmental Setting

a. Visual Character—Existing Visual Environment

(1) Project Site

The Project Site is located in a highly urbanized area that has been previously disturbed by past activities. The entire Project Site and the surrounding areas are

IV.A.1 Aesthetics—Visual Character/Views


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completely paved and developed or are in the process of being redeveloped. The approximately 43-acre Project Site is currently developed with an existing large regional mall with multiple commercial, retail, restaurant and entertainment uses, including a large movie theater and two parking structures. The Project Site is bounded on the east by Crenshaw Boulevard (which is designated in the West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan as a “Scenic Principal Major Highway”) on the south by Stocker Street, on the southwest by Santa Rosalia Drive, on the west by Marlton Avenue, and on the north by 39th Street. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bisects the Project Site, with the portion of the Project Site located north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard referred to as the North Area, and the portion of the Project Site located south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard referred to as the South Area. The North and South Areas are connected via a second-level pedestrian bridge across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The existing structures include a total of four (4) two- and four-level retail/mall structures, two smaller single-level retail structures, a large single-level movie theater, and nine smaller single-level commercial/restaurant structures located around the perimeter of the Project Site (collectively referred to as the Outbuildings). (See Figure II-2 in Section II, Environmental Setting, of this EIR.) Additionally there are two, two-level parking structures located to the west and south of the mall that provide a combined total of 1,676 parking spaces. Vehicular access to the Site is provided via entrances/exits on Crenshaw Boulevard, Stocker Street, Santa Rosalia Drive, and Marlton Avenue, as well as via Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

At the Project Site, the former May Company building (now Macy’s) at the northwest corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and the Broadway building (now Walmart), located opposite at the southwest corner across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, also at the Project Site, are considered to be historic resources.

Some of the remaining larger retail/mall and theater structures, while less distinctive in overall design, feature a number of architectural details. Additionally, several of the smaller commercial/restaurant structures located around the perimeter of the Project Site show a variety of architectural styles and details. Both parking structures emphasize functionality with little, if any, architecturally notable design features.

Landscaping is maintained in many locations around the Project Site, but is most evident along large portions of the perimeter, as well as the vehicular entrances/exits to the Project Site. The existing landscaping primarily consists of numerous mature palm trees and shrubs. There is no natural open space at the Project Site.

The topography of the Project Site varies with existing elevations ranging from 112 feet above mean sea level (“MSL”) in the northern and western areas of the Project



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Site to 153 feet above MSL at the corner of Stocker Street and Santa Rosalia Drive. The North Area is relatively flat with existing elevations ranging between 112 and 114 feet above MSL. The South Area increases in elevation along Crenshaw Boulevard and Stocker Street as well as along Santa Rosalia Drive from approximately 118 feet above MSL to the Project Site’s maximum elevation of 153 feet above MSL, an increase of approximately 35 feet. On an overall basis, there is approximately 41 feet of elevation change across the Project Site (i.e., from a low elevation of 112 feet above MSL to a high elevation of 153 feet above MSL). Existing ground elevations are shown on Figure III-2 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR.

(2) Site Vicinity

The area surrounding the Project Site is heavily urbanized and primarily characterized by a mix of commercial and retail uses, and to a lesser extent, smaller office uses. Single- and multi-family residential developments are also located within the immediate vicinity of the Project Site. There are no natural physical features on the Project Site or in the immediate Project vicinity, such as rock outcroppings, bodies of water, open spaces such as parks or mountains, substantial stands of native vegetation, etc. The Baldwin Hills and Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area (KHSRA), which includes approximately 1,400 acres of natural and active recreational open space, is located approximately 1 mile to the west; however, due to the density of residential development on the hillside to the immediate west of the Project Site and the topographical contours between the Project Site and the Baldwin Hills–KHSRA, the Project Site does not afford views of the KHSRA and cannot be seen from the KHSRA.

A number of vacant/underutilized lots and businesses, some designated for redevelopment, are also located adjacent to the Project Site to the northwest. The Project Site is bordered to the west by Marlton Avenue, which intersects with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Along Marlton Avenue, the Marlton Square redevelopment site is located to the south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The redevelopment site as proposed is a 19-acre, multi-phased project that was entitled to develop senior housing, single-family housing units and condominiums, as well as restaurant and retail space. The only component of that project that has been constructed is a portion of the senior housing project on Buckingham Road. The site is a mostly vacant mix of smaller retail developments, with the remainder of the area cleared and fenced. The Baldwin Villa Plaza senior housing complex, a five-story residential development, is located to the north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard along the east side of Marlton Avenue. A two-story YMCA facility is located along the southeastern side of the intersection of Marlton Avenue and Santa Rosalia Drive.



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To the south, the Project Site is bordered by Stocker Street. Land uses on the south side of Stocker Street are primarily one- and two-story residential homes (single- and multi-family), with some one- and two-story retail and commercial/office buildings located at the intersection of Crenshaw Avenue and Stocker Street.

The Project Site is bordered to the east by Crenshaw Boulevard. South of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, land uses on the east side of Crenshaw Boulevard primarily include one- and two-story retail and commercial businesses, with some office uses. North of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, land uses include one- and two-story commercial and offices, as well as multi-family residential developments. A two-story funeral home business is located at the corner of West 39th Street and Crenshaw Boulevard.

The Project Site is bordered to the southwest by Santa Rosalia Drive. Existing land uses along the west side of Santa Rosalia Drive include the Crenshaw Medical Arts Center, a six-story medical building, a recently completed six-story residential condominium development, as well as older two- to three-story multi-family residential housing units. A two-story kindergarten and a two-story church are also located along Santa Rosalia Drive.

(3) Existing Viewsheds

(a) Views of and Toward the Project Site

Viewsheds refer to the visual qualities of a geographical area that can be viewed by the public and are defined by the horizon, topography, and other natural features that give an area its visual boundary and context, or by development that has become a prominent visual component of the area. Views of the Project Site include the existing buildings that are part of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Public views of the Project Site are available from Crenshaw Boulevard, Stocker Street, Santa Rosalia Drive, Marlton Avenue, 39th Street, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Figure IV.A.1-1 on page IV.A.1-5, Views 1 through 3 of the Project Site, shows the southern boundary of the Project Site along Stocker Street. As shown, the existing outbuildings along the southern boundary include an IHOP restaurant, One United Bank, a vacant restaurant and a Wells Fargo Bank. The remainder of the southern frontage is largely surface parking.

Figure IV.A.1-2 on page IV.A.1-6, Views 4 through 6 of the Project Site, captures the existing frontage along Santa Rosalia Drive and Marlton Avenue on the southwestern boundary of the Project Site. As shown, this frontage includes views of existing restaurant and retail uses. Figure IV.A.1-3 on page IV.A.1-7, Views 7 through 9 of the Project Site, illustrates the western and northern frontages along Marlton Avenue and 39th Street,

View 1: View along Stocker Street of the IHOP restaurantat the southern end of the project site.

View 3: View from Stocker Street of the Wells Fargo bankbuilding at the southern end of the project site.

View 2: View from Stocker Street of the One United Bankbuilding at the southern end of the project site.

View Location Map

LegendProject SiteView Location# Feet

0 400200

Crenshaw

Boulevard

PROJECT SITEMartin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

Stocker Street

Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

Santa Rosalia Drive

Marlton

Avenu

e

123

Source: Matrix Environmental, 2009.

Figure IV.A.1-1Views of the Project Site

Views 1-3

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View 4: View from Santa Rosalia Drive of the southernentrance to the project site. Restaurant and retail uses are visible.

View 6: View along Marlton Avenue of the existing onsite restaurant uses.

View 5: View from Santa Rosalia Drive of restaurant useson the southwest portion of the project site.

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Santa Rosalia Drive

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Views 4-6

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View 7: View of the Rave Theater on the northwestside of the southern portion of the project site, fromMarlton Avenue.

View 9: View from 39th Street of the Albertson’s storeat the northernmost end of the project site.

View 8: View looking east at the existing on site underpass on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Mall. Macy’s is visible to the left, and Rave Theater is visible on the right.

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9

7



Views 7-9

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respectively. Views 7 and 8 show the western frontage, including views of the Rave Theatres, the existing mall bridge across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and surface parking. Views of Macy’s and the main mall building can also be seen from this frontage. View 9 shows the Albertson’s grocery store on the northeastern corner of the Project Site. Figure IV.A.1-4 on page IV.A.1-9, Views 10 through 12 of the Project Site, show the eastern frontage of the Project Site along Crenshaw Boulevard. Views 10 and 11 capture the existing Macy’s and Walmart buildings located on the northwestern and southwestern corners of Marin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard, respectively. View 12 shows the entrance to the Project Site at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. The remainder of the eastern frontage includes views of surface parking.

Panoramic skyline views of the Project Site are visible from the Baldwin Hills neighborhood. However, in some instances, these views are somewhat disrupted by the extent of residential development and trees and vegetation on the east facing hillside (see Figure IV.A.1-9 on page IV.A.1-14, Views 25 and 26).

(b) Views of Surrounding Uses

Given the highly urbanized nature of the area surrounding the Project Site, the existing viewsheds are defined primarily by the adjacent land uses and the scale of existing development. These include: the office/commercial and newer residential construction along Santa Rosalia Drive (see Figure IV.A.1-5 on page IV.A.1-10, Views 14 and 15); vacant and unused retail/commercial uses and larger senior residential development along Marlton Avenue (see Figure IV.A.1-6 on page IV.A.1-11, Views 16 through 18); the single- and multi-family residential uses along Marlton Avenue (see Figure IV.A.1-7 on page IV.A.1-12, Views 19 and 20); the single and multi-family residential uses along Stocker Street and Crenshaw Boulevard (see Figure IV.A.1-5, View 13, on page IV.A.1-10 and Figure IV.A.1-8, View 22, on page IV.A.1-13); and the commercial and retail uses along Crenshaw Boulevard (see Figure IV.A.1-8, Views 23 and 24).

In the distance, prominent visual features include the intermittent views of the Los Angeles basin which includes the Hollywood Hills and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north and the downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and Koreatown high rise urban skylines to the north and northeast. The Century City skyline is located to the northwest. These views can be seen intermittently along the major thoroughfares in the area. Due to the higher topography, panoramic views of Hollywood Hills, San Gabriel Mountains, and the Los Angeles, Hollywood, Century City, and Koreatown skylines and the Project Site are clearly visible from public streets and private homes in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood. However, since Century City is located to the northwest of the Project Site, the Project Site is not within views of the Century City skyline (see Figure IV.A.1-9, Views 25, 26, and 27, on page IV.A.1-14).

View 10: View of the Macy’s retail store on the southeastside of the northern portion of the project site.

View 12: View looking west at the on site underpass of the existing Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Mall on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

View 11: View of the Wal-Mart retail store on the northeast side of the southern portion of the project site.

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Santa Rosalia Drive

Marlton

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10

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Views 10-12

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View 13: View of residential uses at the corner of StockerStreet and Santa Rosalia Drive, south of the project site.

View 15: View of a church and the adjacent Kid’sPreparatory Academy along Santa Rosalia Drive,southwest of the project site.

View 14:View of the Crenshaw Medical Arts Centre and a six-storey condominium development along Santa Rosalia Drive, southwest of the project site.

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Figure IV.A.1-5Views of the Surrounding Uses

Views 13-15

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View 16: View of vacant lot and buildings at the corner ofMarlton Avenue and Santa Rosalia Drive, west of theproject site.

View 18: View of vacant buildings and commercial usesalong Marlton Avenue west of the project site.

View 17: View of the Crenshaw YMCA facility at thecorner of Marlton Avenue and Santa Rosalia Drive, westof the project site.

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Boulevard


Stocker Street


Santa Rosalia Drive

Marlton

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Views 16-18

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View 19: View of the multi-family residential Baldwin Villa Plaza on Marlton Avenue west of the project site.

View 21: View of commercial uses at the corner of 39thStreet and Crenshaw Boulevard, northeast of the projectsite.

View 20: View of single family residential uses at thecorner of 39th Street and Marlton Avenue, northwest of the project site.

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Boulevard


Stocker Street


Santa Rosalia Drive

Marlton

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Views 19-21

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View 22: View of residential uses on Crenshaw Boulevardeast of the project site.

View 24: View of commercial uses lining CrenshawBoulevard east of the project site.

View 23: View of the US Post Office across 39th Street,north of the project site.

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24



Views 22-24

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View 25: View of the project site and residential uses and St. Bernadette Church on Don Felipe Drive looking northeast.

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Figure IV.A.1-9Views from Baldwin Hills

PROJECT SITE


Santa Rosalia Drive

Marlton

Avenu

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Stocker St.Dan Mariano Dr.

Don Felipe Dr.

Don Diablo Dr.

25

26

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View 27: Views of the project site and adjacent residential and commercial uses on Don Mariano Drive also looking to the northeast, but more northerly than View 26 . Distant panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, San Gabriel Mountains, downtown Los Angeles, and Koreatown urban skylines are located beyond the project site.

View 26: View of the project site and residential and commercial uses on Don Mariano Drive looking northeast. Distant panoramic views of the downtown Los Angeles urban skyline are located beyond the project site.

27

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(4) Scenic Resources

The Project Site is located in a fully developed urban area of the West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert community and does not contain significant natural features (such as rock outcroppings, bodies of water, substantial stands of native vegetation, etc.) or native California trees of particular aesthetic value (e.g., oak, sycamore, California black walnut, or California bay trees) on the Project Site. While trees do exist at the Project Site or on sidewalks adjacent to the Project Site, all trees are ornamental species and are not considered scenic resources. There are no major open spaces on the Project Site.

At the Project Site, the former May Company building (now Macy’s), at the northwest corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and the Broadway building (now Walmart) were constructed in 1947. The Broadway and May Company buildings’ architectural and historic significance is analyzed in Section IV.D, Cultural Resources, of this EIR. As discussed therein, both buildings are considered to have separate, but distinctive, architectural characteristics and are considered to be historic resources.

b. Regulatory Framework

(1) General Plan Framework Element

The Citywide General Plan Framework Element (General Plan Framework) was adopted in December 1996 and readopted in August 2001, providing direction regarding the City’s vision for growth. Although the General Plan Framework does not directly address the design of individual neighborhoods or communities, it embodies broad neighborhood design policies and implementation programs to guide local planning efforts.

The General Plan Framework includes an Urban Form and Neighborhood Design chapter to guide the design of future development. This chapter establishes a goal of creating a livable city for existing and future residents with interconnected, diverse neighborhoods. The Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter encourages growth in areas that have a sufficient base of both commercial and residential development to support transit service. Furthermore, the Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter states that the livability of all neighborhoods would be enhanced by upgrading the quality of development and improving the quality of the public realm. The Proposed Project’s consistency with applicable urban form and design guidelines of the General Plan Framework is discussed below in Table IV.A.1-1 on page IV.A.1-28.



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(2) West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan

The West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan establishes broad, general guidelines for individual projects and community design. The Urban Design Chapter of the Community Plan is divided into two sections: Design Policies for Individual Projects, and the Community Design and Landscaping Guidelines. The Design Policies for Individual Projects section is directed at individual projects and identifies general guidelines which should be considered for certain individual projects.

The Community Design and Landscaping Guidelines section is directed at a community's use of streetscape improvements and landscaping in public spaces and rights-of-way. The applicable West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Urban Design policies are identified and discussed in greater detail under the “Project Impacts” subheading in Table IV.A.1-2 on page IV.A.1-29.

In addition, the Crenshaw Corridor is described as a Scenic Principal Major Highway in the Community Plan. As a Scenic Principal Major Highway in this alignment, the minimum right-of-way width for Crenshaw Boulevard is 104 feet, and it is currently between 129 and 179 feet. In addition, development of all parcels within the Corridor should conform to the appropriate standards and guidelines contained in Chapter V of the Community Plan.

(a) Proposed Community Plan Update

As discussed in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR, the City of Los Angeles Planning Department is in the process of updating the Community Plan. A draft of the updated Community Plan and a Draft EIR analyzing the potential environmental effects of the update were released in September 2012, and the preparation of a Final EIR is underway. The proposed update to the Community Plan revisits the goals and policies for the area and includes design guidelines for new development that are intended to supplement the Citywide Design Guidelines (discussed below) and Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) requirements, where applicable. For informational purposes, the extent to which the Proposed Project implements applicable design guidelines for new development identified in the proposed update to the Community Plan is discussed under the Environmental Impacts subheading below.



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(3) City of Los Angeles Walkability Checklist1

In August 2007, the City of Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved the Walkability Checklist: Guidance for Entitlement Review (the “Walkability Checklist”). The purpose of the Walkability Checklist is to guide the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, as well as developers, architects, engineers, and all community members in creating enhanced pedestrian movements, access, comfort, and safety—contributing to overall walkability throughout the City of Los Angeles. The Walkability Checklist provides a list of recommended strategies that projects should employ to improve the pedestrian environment in the public right-of-way and on private property. Each of the implementation strategies on the Walkability Checklist should be considered in a project, although not all strategies would be appropriate in every project. Incorporating these guidelines into a project’s design encourages pedestrian activity, more adequate forms, and placemaking. Guidelines that pertain to the Proposed Project are described in greater detail and compared to the Proposed Project in Section IV.H, Land Use and Planning, of this EIR.

(4) Citywide Design Guidelines2

The Citywide Design Guidelines are similar to the Walkability Checklist in that they serve to implement the General Plan Framework’s urban design principles and are intended to be used by City Planning Department staff, developers, architects, engineers, and community members in evaluating project applications, along with relevant policies from the General Plan Framework and Community Plans. By offering more direction for proceeding with the design of a project, the Citywide Design Guidelines illustrate options, solutions, and techniques to achieve the goal of excellence in new design. The Citywide Design Guidelines are intended as performance goals and not zoning regulations or development standards, and therefore do not supersede regulations in the LAMC. As stated in the Citywide Design Guidelines, although each of the Citywide Design Guidelines should be considered in a project, not all of them will be appropriate in every case, as each project will require a unique approach, and “flexibility is necessary and encouraged to achieve excellent design.”3

The Citywide Design Guidelines are divided into three sections: residential, commercial, and industrial. Within each section are a number of design principles and

1 Although not formally adopted as regulatory plans, analyses of the Walkability Checklist and Citywide

Design Guidelines are provided in this EIR in recognition of the City’s intent to acknowledge principles and strategies addressed in these policy documents in planning future development throughout the City.

2 Ibid. 3 Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Residential Citywide Design Guidelines, Multi-Family

Residential and Commercial Mixed-Use Projects, May 2011, p.5.



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measures that address the different elements of site and building design and environmental sensitivity based on land use. Each section of the Citywide Design Guidelines is organized by overarching objectives, followed by a list of specific implementation strategies. The Project’s consistency with the objectives of the Commercial Citywide Design Guidelines, which apply to pedestrian-oriented/commercial and mixed-use projects, is discussed in the impact analysis below.

3. Environmental Impacts

a. Methodology

(1) Visual Character/Aesthetics

The analysis of aesthetics/visual character is based on a three-step process as follows:

Step 1: Describe the massing and general proportion of buildings and open space, and proposed treatments around the Proposed Project edges, which may be anticipated on the basis of the proposed project’s design features. The maximum building heights and mass are assumed in the evaluation.

Step 2: Compare the expected appearance to the existing site appearance and character of adjacent uses and determine whether and/or to what extent a change of the visual character of the area could occur (considering factors such as the blending/contrasting of new and existing buildings given the proposed uses, density, height, bulk, setbacks, signage, etc.); and

Step 3: Compare the anticipated appearance of the Project to standards within existing plans and policies which are applicable to the proposed Project Site (regulatory analysis).

(2) View Obstruction

The analysis of views compares the changes resulting from the development of the Proposed Project to existing views. The intent of the analysis is to determine if view resources exist and whether view resources would be blocked or diminished. Views refers to visual access to a particular sight from a given vantage point or corridor. Focal views focus on a particular object or building of visual interest and panoramic views focus on vistas that provide visual access to a large geographic area, for which the field of view can be wide and extend into the distance. The determination of significance is based on whether view blockages of visual resources would occur. The determination of significance is also based on the type of land uses that would experience view blockages. View



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blockages from public places, such as designated scenic highways, corridors, parkways, roadways, bike paths and trails are considered significant under the L.A. City CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006). The analysis of views is based on a five-step process as follows:

Step 1: Define the view resources.

Step 2: Evaluate whether a potential obstruction of view resources would occur, and whether the obstruction would substantially alter the view. The substantiality of an alteration in viewing is somewhat subjective and dependent on many factors. In this analysis, an obstruction in the view of a particular view resource is considered substantial if it exhibits the following traits: (1) the area viewed contains a view resource; (2) the obstruction of the resource covers more than an incidental/small portion of the resource; and (3) the obstruction would occur along a public viewing area.

Step 3: Consider whether the proposed project includes design features that offset the alteration in views or loss of views of a particular valued view resource.

Step 4: Consider whether the blockage is permanent, as viewed from a scenic vantage point; or whether the blockage would be momentary, as viewed by a mobile pedestrian or from a vehicle.

b. Thresholds of Significance

(1) Visual Character

As set forth in the L.A. City CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006, pages A.1-3–A.1-4), the determination of significance as to visual character impacts shall be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:

• The amount or relative proportion of existing features or elements that substantially contribute to the valued visual character or image of a neighborhood, community, or localized area, which would be removed, altered, or demolished;

• The amount of natural open space to be graded or developed;

• The degree to which proposed structures in natural open space areas would be effectively integrated into the aesthetics of the site, through appropriate design, etc.;

• The degree of contrast between proposed features and existing features that represent the area’s valued aesthetic image;



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• The degree to which a proposed zone change would result in buildings that would detract from the existing style or image of the area due to density, height, bulk, setbacks, signage, or other physical elements;

• The degree to which the project would contribute to the area’s aesthetic value; and

• Applicable guidelines and regulations.

Based on these factors, the Proposed Project would have a potentially significant impact if it were to substantially alter, degrade, or eliminate the existing visual character of the Project area, including valued existing features or resources; or if the Proposed Project were to introduce elements that substantially detract from the visual character of the Project area.

(2) View Obstruction

As set forth in the L.A. City CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006, pages A.2-2 to A.2-3), the determination of significance as to visual character impacts shall be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:

• The nature and quality of recognized or valued views (such as natural topography, settings, man-made or natural features of visual interest, and resources, such as mountains or the ocean);

• Whether the project affects views from a designated scenic highway, corridor, or parkway;

• The extent of obstruction (e.g., total blockage, partial interruption, or minor diminishment); and

• The extent to which the project affects recognized views available from a length of a public roadway, bike path, or trail, as opposed to a single, fixed vantage point.

Based on these factors, the Proposed Project would have a potentially significant impact with respect to views if Project-related development were to substantially obstruct an existing view.



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c. Regulatory Compliance Measures and Project Design Features

(1) Regulatory Compliance Measures

The Proposed Project would comply with all applicable regulatory standards. Implementation of the following Regulatory Compliance Measures, as currently required and/or as may be amended in the future, are intended to reduce impacts related to aesthetics/visual character and views:

Regulatory Compliance Measure B.1-1: The Proposed Project shall comply with the requirements for signage set forth in Article 4.4 or the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

(2) Project Design Features

In addition to the visual and design characteristics described in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR, the Proposed Project would implement the following specific Project Design Features with regard to aesthetics/visual character and views:

Project Design Feature B.1-1: Temporary construction fencing shall be placed along the periphery of the Project Site to screen construction activity from view at the street level from off-site.

Project Design Feature B.1-2: The Applicant shall ensure through appropriate postings and daily visual inspections that no unauthorized materials are posted on any temporary construction barriers or temporary pedestrian walkways that are accessible/visible to the public, and that such temporary barriers and walkways are maintained in a visually attractive manner throughout the construction period.

d. Project Impacts

(1) Visual Character Impacts

(a) Construction Impacts

During construction, the Project Site’s visual appearance would be altered due to site preparation activities (i.e., grading, excavation, and soil stockpiling) and the construction of Project buildings. Additionally, construction equipment and materials as well as temporary facilities, such as portable toilets and construction offices, may be located on-site. Construction activities for the Proposed Project would be most visible to occupants of adjacent land uses, and pedestrians and motorists on Marlton Avenue,



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Crenshaw Boulevard, Stocker Street, 39th Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Santa Rosalia Drive. However, in accordance with the Project Design Features, temporary fencing would be placed along the periphery of the Project Site to screen views of the construction activity from the ground level, and would be visually maintained through regular inspections.

Visible construction activities would also include truck traffic to and from the Project Site. However, the impact of construction trucking would not significantly impact the visual character of the area, since major roadways are intended to accommodate a range of vehicle types, including trucks incidental to construction and deliveries. Furthermore, construction-related visual impacts would only occur on a short-term basis, and the Proposed Project would not substantially alter, degrade or eliminate the existing visual character of the area. Thus, construction-related visual character impacts would be less than significant.

(b) Operational Impacts

The following analysis is based, in part, on conceptual renderings and building elevations prepared for the Proposed Project, which are intended to depict key features relevant to the assessment of aesthetic impacts, such as building height, density, massing, materials, articulation, and setback, as well as signage and landscaping. The conceptual renderings and building elevations are included in Figure III-5 through Figure III-12, Figure III-19 through Figure III-24, and Figure III-26 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR.

As previously discussed, the Project Site is currently graded and developed with the existing Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, a large regional mall with multiple commercial, retail, restaurant and entertainment uses, including a large movie theater and two, two-level parking structures that provide a combined total of 1,676 parking spaces. The current structures range from 17 to 82 feet in height from grade. The existing mall property is largely fenced off from the surrounding land uses offering isolated entry points into the Project Site. Surrounding uses include a mix of one- to three-story commercial and retail uses, and one- to six-story office buildings. Some of these commercial uses are vacant and boarded up or are economically underperforming. Single-family homes and two- to six-story multi-family residential developments are also located within the immediate vicinity of the Project Site. The Project Site does not contain any natural open space areas.

As discussed in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR, the Proposed Project seeks to reinvent the Project Site by introducing a diverse mix of new uses that complement and enhance the existing enclosed mall and theater. The Proposed Project combines the retention of the existing mall building, the stand alone movie theater building, and the Outbuilding located at the corner of Stocker Street and Santa Rosalia Drive



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(Outbuilding D), with new development that creates a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use property that complements and enhances the existing on-site uses. The new commercial uses proposed for development include a Retail Village with pedestrian access from Crenshaw Boulevard and Stocker Street located around the intersection of Stocker Street and Crenshaw Boulevard; a hotel located to the south of the Retail Village and existing mall building; an office building at the northern edge of the Project Site at the southwest corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and 39th Street; and street front retail uses along Crenshaw Boulevard, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Marlton Avenue. The Proposed Project also introduces residential uses to a previously commercial-only site, with residential apartments located within the southwest corner of the Project Site along Santa Rosalia Drive and Marlton Avenue and residential condominium and apartment units located above the street front retail uses in the North Area.

The Project Site would be physically altered with implementation of the Proposed Project, resulting in a general change of character and appearance. As discussed in the Project Description, the intent of the Proposed Project is to contribute to the revitalization of the area by providing an active, pedestrian-oriented development consisting of a mixed-use retail, office, hotel, entertainment, and residential development with an emphasis on creating a network of walkable landscaped corridors that link visitors, residents, and employees throughout the Project Site and to the adjacent community.

On an overall basis, the Proposed Project would introduce structures ranging from 20 to 145 feet above grade, whereas the current structures range from 17 to 82 feet above grade (see Figure III-14 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). Existing building setbacks range from 0 to 32 feet along Crenshaw Boulevard, 10 to 30 feet along Stocker Street, 14 to 34 feet along Santa Rosalia Drive, and 0 to 46 feet along Marlton Avenue (see Figure III-15 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). Under the Proposed Project, building setbacks are substantially reduced and range from 3 to 7 feet at most locations, particularly along Crenshaw Boulevard and the portion of the Retail and Entertainment Area along Stocker Street (see Figure III-16 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). At some locations along Marlton Avenue proposed building setbacks would increase to 12 to 17 feet. As previously discussed, the topography of the Project Site varies, with approximately 41 feet of elevation change across the Project Site (i.e., from a low elevation of 112 feet above MSL to a high elevation of 153 feet above MSL). As part of the Proposed Project, the placement of parking below the building areas in the southeastern and southern portions of the Project Site would create an on-site topography at the pedestrian level that changes more gradually, thereby making it easier for pedestrians to travel across these portions of the Project Site. While some changes to the ground elevations within the Project Site are proposed, no changes to the existing ground elevations along the perimeter of the Project Site would occur under the Proposed Project.



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As shown in Figure III-5, Figure III-7, III-9, III-10, III-12, and III-26 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR, the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan includes a number of stepped buildings with variations in building heights and setbacks, openings in the building plane, and integrated open space, plazas, and landscaping. Parking structure façades located at the same grade as the adjoining street level would be covered with a green wall system. These features would serve to minimize the visual massing of the proposed structures by providing three-dimensional qualities to the building planes and creating vertical and horizontal variation, effectively integrating the Proposed Project into the existing urban environment. Under the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan, the majority of the proposed buildings would range from 30 to 89 feet above grade, which would be generally consistent with the heights and scale of surrounding development. While some of the proposed structures would be taller than the current on-site uses, the proposed building heights would not present a substantial inconsistency with the visual character of the surrounding, urbanized area. The two tallest structures (i.e., the hotel and office uses), under the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan, would be slender in form and style, located at either end of the Project Site, and separated with spatial transitions including setbacks, open space, varied shorter buildings, trees, and landscaping (e.g., see Figure III-10 and Figure III-12 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). These features would serve to minimize the visual impacts of the taller hotel and office structures and avoid uniform visual massing across the entire Proposed Project.

The Proposed Project would convert what is currently a mostly-fenced-off property with limited pedestrian access points and expansive surface parking lots into a human-scaled, mixed-use development that, under the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan, incorporates pedestrian-friendly amenities at the ground level, as well as modern design elements. Most notably, the Retail Village located at the corner of Stocker Street and Crenshaw Boulevard is currently designed as an elevated, open-air plaza that would tie together a grouping of distinct retail structures that would be connected by a network of pedestrian pathways (e.g., see Figure III-5 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). These pedestrian pathways are currently planned to range from 20 to 50 feet in width, allowing spaces outside of the retail stores to include landscaping, seating, tables for dining, shading canopies, and water features (e.g., see Figure III-26 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). Under the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan, the plaza would be at the same elevation and connect to the upper level of the existing mall (e.g., see Figure III-10 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR) and would be accessed by a distinguishing set of gentle steps/mini escalator. Street-front retail uses would reactivate the Crenshaw Boulevard, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Marlton Avenue street frontages. Through these design features, the Proposed Project would create a more inviting pedestrian realm, thereby contributing to a greater sense of place and connection between the Project Site and the surrounding community.



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Furthermore, new structures are currently designed and oriented to provide architectural variation and create visual interest throughout the Project Site. The proposed residential buildings are currently planned to be designed in a contemporary architectural style, exhibiting multi-faceted building forms, roof forms, elevations, and a mix of styles (e.g., see Figure III-7, Figure III-9, and Figure III-12 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR). The new buildings would replace older, underutilized buildings with an architectural style, under the Proposed Project’s conceptual plan, that is visually compatible with other newer or recently renovated buildings in the area (e.g., the recently completed six-story residential condominium development on Santa Rosalia Drive). Furthermore, as discussed below and in Section IV.H, Land Use and Planning, of this EIR, the Proposed Project incorporates numerous design elements that are recommended in the Citywide Design Guidelines and Walkability Checklist for the purpose of creating high-quality, pedestrian-friendly, urban developments.

With regard to signage, the existing Project Site has a total of 4,215 square feet of sign area visible from the public streets that surround the Project Site. The Proposed Project aims to reactivate the Project Site by removing the perimeter fencing that surrounds the majority of the site and increasing the amount of on-site development, with an emphasis on pedestrian-friendly uses that are visible and accessible from the street level. Consistent with this goal, the Proposed Project would increase the volume and coverage of on-site signage and would diversify the types of signage on the Project Site in order to identify new uses and create an inviting atmosphere for patrons and pedestrians. A total of 31,720 square feet of on-site signage is proposed, an increase of 27,505 feet of sign area. The types of new signage proposed include illuminated wall signs, architectural canopy signs, illuminated pole signs, illuminated marquee signs, banner signs, and supergraphic signs. As set forth in the Regulatory Compliance Measure above, all Project signage would comply with the provisions of Article 4.4 of the LAMC, including requirements regarding the maximum amount (square footage) of signage, as well as the permitted sign types. Additional restrictions on signage have been incorporated into the Project’s design including limitations on the size of individual signs, minimum distances between signs, and the maximum percent of a building’s façade that can be covered by signage. These additional signage regulations serve to reduce the potential for a clustering of signage at any location within the Project Site that is visible from a public street. As shown in Figure III-18 through Figure III-24 in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR, Project signage would be consistent and compatible with the Project Site’s use as a Regional Center, and would not appear visually overwhelming or substantially out of character with the surrounding area.

With regard to on-site visual resources, the Project Site contains no valued or unique visual architectural or natural resources.



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Overall, the Proposed Project would contribute to the diversity of building heights and would not substantially change the existing character of the Project area. New structures would replace aging on-site commercial structures while preserving the existing on-site historical structures, and new open space, public gathering spaces, pedestrian improvements, and landscaping would be provided. Furthermore, the Proposed Project would remove the existing fencing that surrounds the perimeter of the Project Site and would provide increased points of entry from adjacent neighborhoods, creating new and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connections and amenities. While a substantial increase in signage is proposed at the Project Site, the amount of signage proposed is consistent with all of the applicable provisions of the LAMC and is part of the Project’s overall design to reinvent the Project Site with a unique character at a location that is adjacent to a proposed Crenshaw light rail station and, as a result, support the design guidelines in the proposed Community Plan Update which calls for the creation of a “signature urban village of regional distinction that encourages pedestrian activity and economic vitality.” Based on the analysis above, the Proposed Project would not substantially alter, degrade, or eliminate the existing visual character of the Project area, including valued existing features or resources, or introduce elements that substantially detract from the visual character of the Project area. Therefore, the Proposed Project’s impacts on aesthetics and visual character would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

(2) View Obstruction Impacts

With regard to views of the Project Site, the Project Site is located in a highly urbanized area with no natural features or scenic resources that would be considered prominent. Due to the area’s relatively flat topography and adjacent intervening development, the Project Site does not offer any valued views or occupy a substantial portion of any scenic viewshed in the immediate vicinity. The Proposed Project’s new structures would offer variations in colors, massing, and forms, thus promoting visual interest within views containing the Project Site. The Proposed Project site plan and layout would promote a pedestrian-oriented streetscape along with new landscaping and pedestrian amenities to ensure quality views of the Project Site.

With regard to off-site views, valued public views of natural resources or man-made iconic features in the Project area include urban skyline views, including downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Century City, and Hollywood, as well as the Hollywood Hills and San Gabriel Mountains located north, northeast, and northwest of the Project Site. Due to the topography of the Los Angeles Basin, views of the urban skylines, the Hollywood Hills, and the San Gabriel Mountains can be afforded in many areas, providing a backdrop common to the area. However, intervening buildings and the relatively flat topography of the Project area preclude scenic vistas of urban skylines or hillsides in the immediate Project Site vicinity. Rather, only intermittent views of these features can be seen along public roadways in the immediate area. The Proposed Project would contribute to further infill



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within existing, intermittent views, and would not obstruct scenic vistas of valued view sources. Therefore, impacts on views of the urban skylines, Hollywood Hills, and San Gabriel Mountains from the immediate vicinity of the Project Site would be less than significant.

With regard to views from scenic highways, Crenshaw Boulevard is designated by the City of Los Angeles as a Scenic Principal Major Highway. Views of the downtown skyline are currently available looking northeast from Crenshaw Boulevard. However, the Proposed Project would be constructed on the west side of Crenshaw Boulevard, and therefore, would not affect the existing northeast views of the downtown skyline from this Scenic Principal Major Highway. The remaining roadways near the Project Site include Stocker Street on the south, Santa Rosalia Drive on the southwest, Marlton Avenue on the west, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which bisects the Project Site. These roadways are not designated scenic highways under the West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan. Therefore, the Project’s impact on a designated scenic highway would be less than significant.

Based on the analysis above, Project-related development would not obstruct an existing view. Therefore, impacts related to view obstruction would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

(3) Policy and Regulatory Compliance

To support the analysis of potential impacts to visual character and views, the following discussion evaluates the Proposed Project’s consistency with applicable policies and regulations related to aesthetics. As discussed herein, the Proposed Project would be substantially consistent with such policies and regulations.

(a) General Plan Framework

As analyzed in Table IV.A.1-1 on page IV.A.1-28, the Proposed Project would be consistent with applicable policies in the General Plan Framework’s Urban Form and Neighborhood Design chapter.

(b) West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan

The Proposed Project would be designed to be substantially consistent with the West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Urban Design policies contained in Chapter V of the Community Plan. A detailed analysis of the applicable policies is provided in Table IV.A.1-2 on page IV.A.1-29.



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Table IV.A.1-1 Proposed Project Consistency Analysis With the Applicable Policies of the General Plan Framework’s Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter

Policies Evaluation of Project Consistency

Policy 5.2.2: Encourage the development of centers, districts, and selected corridor/boulevard nodes such that the land uses, scale, and built form allowed and/or encouraged within these areas allow them to function as centers and support transit use, both in daytime and nighttime.

Consistent. The Proposed Project represents an infill development within an existing Regional Center that would concentrate new development, housing, and jobs within walking distance of several Metro bus lines and DASH service and the Metro Crenshaw and Expo Phase I lines, thus providing opportunities for residents and employees to use transit for work trips, and encouraging the use of transit to access other destinations.

Policy 5.2.2.c: Regional centers should contain pedestrian-oriented areas.

Consistent. Pedestrian-accessible, neighborhood-serving ground floor commercial retail and restaurant uses would be located within the Project Site. The Proposed Project would be designed as a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use center with an emphasis on creating a network of walkable landscaped corridors that link visitors, residents, and employees throughout the Project Site and to the adjacent community. The Proposed Project would include a variety of pedestrian-oriented amenities including lighting, trees, seating, landscaping, and street furniture.

Furthermore, implementation of the Proposed Project would help to integrate the Project Site with the community by removing the fencing that surrounds the existing mall property and providing increased points of entry from adjacent neighborhoods, along with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connections and amenities. With the proposed pedestrian corridor in the South Area, the Proposed Project would enhance pedestrian linkages to the adjacent Santa Barbara Plaza to the west, which is proposed for redevelopment to include new commercial, service, and retail uses, open spaces, and public gathering places. The Proposed Project is also within walking distance of the Leimert Park Village to the southeast, a commercial and cultural center that is proposed for redevelopment. The Proposed Project would improve pedestrian linkages to these adjacent activity centers and the neighborhood, helping to create a pedestrian-oriented district and enhancing the walkability of the surrounding area.

Source: The Citywide General Plan Framework Element, 2001, http://cityplanning.lacity.org/cwd/framwk; Matrix Environmental, 2014.

(c) Proposed Community Plan Update

The proposed update to the Community Plan includes design guidelines for commercial areas, and states that these design guidelines should be applied to



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Table IV.A.1-2 Proposed Project Consistency Analysis With the Applicable Urban Design Policies of the

West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan


Commercial and Industrial Site Planning Structures shall be oriented toward the main commercial street where a parcel is located and shall avoid pedestrian/vehicular conflicts by:

1. Locating surface parking to the rear of structures.

2. Minimizing the number and widths of driveways providing sole access to the rear of commercial lots.

3. Where appropriate, locate retail and commercial service uses along frontages of commercial developments.

4. Providing front pedestrian entrances for businesses fronting on main commercial streets.

5. Providing pedestrian access from the front of buildings to rear parking for projects with wide frontages.

6. Providing landscape strips between driveways and walkways accessing the rear of properties.

7. Providing speed bumps for driveways paralleling walkways for more than 50 feet.

8. Requiring site plans which include ancillary structures, service areas, pedestrian walkways, vehicular paths, loading areas, drop off and landscaped areas.

9. Providing where feasible, the undergrounding of new utility service.

Consistent: Surface parking serving the Proposed Project would be limited with nearly all of the parking spaces located within parking structures. Parking structures would be integrated with the mixed-use buildings, or where parking structure façades are located at the same grade as the adjoining street level, the parking structures would be covered with a green wall system.

The changes to the existing vehicular access system on the Project Site are minimal. Internal vehicular circulation would also remain largely unchanged. As a mixed-use development with residential, hotel, office, retail, and entertainment uses, the Proposed Project would include an improved pedestrian environment. Pedestrian-accessible, commercial-retail, residential, office, and hotel uses would be located within the Proposed Project and along the frontages of the Project Site. The pedestrian circulation plan would include increased points of entry from the exterior property boundaries, widened pedestrian walkways, street furniture, landscaping, and bus shelters along the Project Site’s periphery. The Proposed Project’s driveways would be designed according to LAMC standards to ensure adequate sight distance, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Height and Building Design

The mass, proportion of all new buildings and remodels shall adequately address pedestrian scale. The design of all proposed projects shall be articulated to provide variation and visual interest, and enhance the streetscape by providing continuity and avoiding opportunities for graffiti. Building materials shall be employed to provide relief to bland, untreated portions of exterior building façades. The purpose of these provisions is to ensure that building walls are designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood, and creates a stable environment with a pleasant and desirable character. Accordingly, the following policies are proposed:

1. No structures shall exceed 30 feet in height

Consistent: With respect to the arrangement of uses, structures, and improvements in relation to neighboring properties, the Proposed Project would include structures ranging from 20 feet above grade to approximately 145 feet above grade. The building frontages would be designed in response to pedestrian scale with first floor setbacks and arcades where appropriate.

New structures would be designed and oriented to provide variations in massing throughout the site. More specifically, the proposed buildings would provide a contemporary architectural style, exhibiting multi-faceted massing building forms, roof forms, elevations, and a mix of styles interspaced with open space, plazas, and landscaping. These features minimize the visual massing of the proposed


Table IV.A.1-2 (Continued) Proposed Project Consistency Analysis With the Applicable Urban Design Policies of the



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within 15 feet and 30 feet of front and rear property lines, respectively.

2. Maximize the area devoted to transparent building elements, such as windows and doors, on front façades. However, façades facing rear parking areas, shall limit such transparent elements to at least 20 of the frontage. (Commercial Only).

3. Require the use of articulations, recesses, surface perforations, porticoes to break up long, flat building façades.

4. Provide accenting, complementary building materials to building façades.

5. Maximize the applications of architectural features or articulations on building façades.

6. Design architecturally untreated façades for signage.

7. Screen mechanical and electrical equipment from public view.

8. Screen all rooftop equipment and building appurtenances from public view.

9. Require the enclosure of trash areas for all projects.

10. Require freestanding walls to conform to requirements of Section 2.c above.

structures and blend the Proposed Project into the existing urban environment.

Extensive landscaping, outdoor seating areas, pedestrian-networks and gathering spaces in common open space areas, would also help create an inviting, aesthetically pleasing environment on the Project Site. The Proposed Project would include landscaped buffering and setbacks that would promote compatibility with surrounding land uses and would screen all utilities, trash areas, or mechanical equipment from public view or incorporate them into the design of the Proposed Project.

Parking Structures

Parking structures shall be integrated with the design of the buildings they serve through:

1. Design parking structure exteriors to complement the style, materials and color of the main building.

2. Maximize retail and commercial service uses on ground floors (Commercial only).

3. Utilize landscaping to screen parking structures not architecturally integrated with the main building.

4. Utilize decorative walls and landscaping to buffer residential uses from parking structures.

Consistent: The Project’s proposed parking structures would be constructed with visually compatible materials, colors, and decorative elements that would complement existing and new buildings on the Project Site. Parking structures would be integrated with the mixed-use buildings, or where parking structure façades are located at the same grade as the adjoining street level, the parking structures would be covered with a green wall system.

Surface Parking Landscaping

1. Devote 7 percent of total surface area of surface parking lots to landscaping.

2. Provide a landscape buffer along public streets or adjoining residential uses.

Consistent: The only surface parking lot at Project buildout would be located adjacent to the proposed hotel and existing Outbuilding D located at the corner of Stocker Street and Santa Rosalia Drive. As shown in Figure III-10 in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR, a landscaping buffer consisting of





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street trees and groundcover would be provided between the surface lot and Santa Rosalia Drive. It is anticipated that this surface parking lot would devote, at a minimum, 7 percent of its total surface area to landscaping. In addition, parking structure façades located at the same grade as the adjoining street level would be covered with a green wall system.

Light and Glare

1. Install on-site lighting along all pedestrian walkways and vehicular access ways.

2. Shield and direct on-site lighting onto driveways and walkways, and away from adjacent residential uses.

Consistent. The Proposed Project would include lighting on pedestrian walkways and vehicular access points and driveways that would support pedestrian circulation and safety during nighttime hours. Full cut-off fixtures shall be installed that minimize glare from the light source and provide light downward and inward to structures (see Section IV.K, Public Services, of this EIR).

Multiple Residential

Site Planning

All multiple residential projects, of five or more units shall be designed around a landscaped focal point or courtyard to serve as an amenity for residents. Toward that goal, the following policies are proposed:

1. Provide a pedestrian entrance at the front of each project.

2. Require useable open space for outdoor activities, especially for children.

Consistent. Each of the residential and mixed-use residential structures would be designed around landscaped courtyards, as well as landscaped open space areas, and would include balconies, and other common space areas and amenities to help meet the recreational needs of residents, including children. The entire Project Site would also include extensive landscaping, outdoor seating areas, and pedestrian amenities that would be accessible to all residents and the community as a whole. Each residential structure would include pedestrian-oriented entrances.

Design

The design of all buildings shall be of a quality and character that improves community appearance by avoiding excessive variety and monotonous repetition. Achievement of this can be accomplished through:

1. Require the use of articulations, recesses, surface perforations, porticoes to break up long, flat building façades.

2. Utilize complementary building materials in building façades.

3. Consider the use of varying design features to provide definitions for each story in a development.

4. Integrate building fixtures, awnings, security gates, etc. into design of building.

5. Screen all rooftop equipment and building

Consistent: New residential structures would be developed in a contemporary architectural style, exhibiting multi-faceted massing building forms, roof forms, elevations, and a mix of styles interspaced with open space and landscaping. These features minimize the visual massing of the proposed residential structures and blend the Proposed Project into the existing urban environment.

Each residential building would be arranged around a central landscaped courtyard or would include a common landscaped area. Each building would include extensive exterior landscaping and would be connected by a network of landscaped pedestrian walkways. Associated utilities, gates, trash areas, or mechanical equipment would be enclosed or screened from public view or would be incorporated into the design of the buildings.





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appurtenances from adjacent properties.

6. Require decorative, masonry walls to enclose trash.

Parking Structures

Parking structures shall be integrated with the design of the buildings they serve through:

1. Design parking structure exteriors to match the style, materials and color of the main building.

2. Maximize commercial uses on ground floors.

3. Utilize landscaping to screen parking structures not architecturally integrated with the main building.

4. Utilize decorative walls and landscaping to buffer residential uses from parking structures.

Consistent: The majority of parking for the residential uses would be integrated into the residential building structure. Parking structures would be constructed with visually compatible materials, colors, and decorative elements that would complement existing and new buildings on the Project Site. Parking structure façades located at the same grade as the adjoining street level would be covered with a green wall system.

Source: West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan, 1998; Matrix Environmental, 2014.

development within the Regional Center so as to create a “signature urban village of regional distinction that encourages pedestrian activity and economic vitality.” The design guidelines in the proposed update to the Community Plan are the same or substantially similar to the corresponding design guidelines in the operative Community Plan (adopted in 1998), and address site planning; height and building design; roofs and rooftop equipment; storage, trash, and recycling areas; freestanding walls; parking structures; and surface parking landscape. Thus, the consistency analysis in Table IV.A.1-1 on page IV.A.1-28 also demonstrates that the Proposed Project would be generally consistent with the applicable design guidelines in the proposed update to the Community Plan.

(d) Citywide Design Guidelines

The Citywide Design Guidelines are intended as performance goals and not zoning regulations or development standards. Although each of the Citywide Design Guidelines should be considered in a project, it is recognized by the City that not all will be appropriate in every case. The Proposed Project is concluded to be consistent with the six objectives of the Citywide Design Guidelines for pedestrian-oriented/commercial and mixed-use projects, as discussed below.



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Objective 1: Consider Neighborhood Context and Linkages in Building and Site Design.

Implementation of the Proposed Project would help to integrate the Project Site with the community by removing the fencing that surrounds the existing mall property and providing increased points of entry from adjacent neighborhoods, along with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connections and amenities. The Proposed Project’s design defines the street edge around the Project Site perimeter in ways that respond to the various surrounding land uses, building scales, and street right‐of‐way widths and characteristics. Furthermore, the proposed pedestrian corridor through the South Area would connect the key pedestrian activity node at the southeast corner of the Proposed Project through the Retail Village then through the existing mall building and onward between the two major proposed parking structures, ultimately connecting with Marlton Avenue, as well as to the nearby Leimert Park Village to the south.

Objective 2: Employ High Quality Architecture to Define the Character of Commercial Districts.

As discussed above and depicted in Figure III-5 through Figure III-12, Figure III-19 through Figure III-24, and Figure III-26 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR, the design for the Proposed Project uses the minimalist approach to detailing to create consistency with the from existing mall buildings, while introducing a contextual architecture that incorporates contemporary materials and systems that blend well with the surrounding community while also defining the Project Site as a regional destination. One of the Proposed Project’s defining design features is the treatment of the ground-level façades as a “base,” capped by a horizontal band that is recognizable throughout the majority of the Proposed Project. The mid- and upper-level façades above this horizontal band would be reflective of their specific uses (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.). The proposed hotel and office buildings feature glass curtain walls with mechanical equipment screens forming a topping crown. The residential façades are more of a repetitive play between solid and void, thus creating an articulated composition. The parking structures are open for natural ventilation, with solid horizontal sections of the façades clad with a green wall system.

Objective 3: Augment the Streetscape Environment with Pedestrian Amenities.

Sidewalk treatments along the street edge, particularly within the Retail Village, would support a pedestrian experience. Street-facing store fronts would replace the perimeter fencing that currently surrounds the Project Site, creating a more inviting pedestrian realm. The Proposed Project also includes pedestrian connections from the Metro portal to the entrance to the Retail Village. Within the Project Site, outdoor seating areas and improved hardscape and softscape would be provided. Overall, the Proposed Project would substantially enhance the walkability of the Project Site and vicinity.



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Objective 4: Minimize the Appearance of Driveways and Parking Areas.

The Proposed Project would replace all existing parking facilities over time and develop new parking facilities in both the North and South Areas. The appearance of parking areas would be minimized through the use of a green wall system and by incorporating parking levels within the mixed-use buildings (e.g., see Figure III-7 in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR). The majority of access would be provided by existing driveways with very few new driveways installed (see Figure III-29 in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR). Furthermore, the Project access locations would be designed to conform to City standards.

Objective 5: Include Open Space to Create Opportunities for Public Gathering.

The Proposed Project would incorporate a variety of open space areas and amenities throughout the Project Site to accommodate the unique needs of the mall visitors, employees, and residents. The Proposed Project’s conceptual landscape plan, as shown in Figure III-25 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR, illustrates how landscaping would be used to create an aesthetically attractive environment that promotes pedestrian activity and public gathering. As shown on the conceptual landscape plan, over 138,000 square feet of landscaped areas would be provided within the Project Site along with over 180,000 square feet of pedestrian-oriented open space areas. A conceptual rendering of a pedestrian oriented open space within the Retail Village is shown in Figure III-26 in Section III, Project Description, of this EIR. Open space amenities available to the Proposed Project’s residents include areas for active as well as passive recreation. Useable open space areas integrated into the Proposed Project’s residential development may consist of private and or common areas including recreation rooms, roof decks, swimming pools, spas, children play areas, a running track, dog park areas, half-court basketball courts, and outdoor hardscape and landscaped areas for gathering and community activities.

Objective 6: Improve the Streetscape by Reducing Visual Clutter.

The Proposed Project would remove the fencing that surrounds the existing mall property. As set forth in the Regulatory Compliance Measure above, Project signage would comply with the City’s signage regulations as set forth in Article 4.4 of the LAMC, including requirements regarding the maximum amount (square footage) of signage, as well as the permitted sign types. Additional restrictions on signage have been incorporated into the Project’s design, including limitations on the size of individual signs, minimum distances between signs, and the maximum percent of a building’s façade that can be covered by signage (see Table III-5 in Section III, Project Description, of this Draft EIR).



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These additional signage regulations serve to reduce the potential for a clustering of signage at any location within the Project Site that is visible from a public street.

4. Cumulative Impacts

a. Aesthetics and Visual Character

Increased development associated with buildout of the related projects would alter the visual image of the area surrounding each site. As required by the City of Los Angeles, the project design for each project would be reviewed by the lead agency for consistency with applicable City codes and regulations prior to final plan approval. The development of the related projects in combination with the Proposed Project would help to revitalize the area by redeveloping some vacant and underutilized sites, resulting in a beneficial cumulative aesthetic impact to the area. Related Projects Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are the closest related projects to the Project Site and include three mixed-use commercial residential projects and a senior housing development. Similar to the Proposed Project, each related project would be designed to be substantially consistent with the General Plan Framework and the West Adams–Baldwin Hills–Leimert Community Plan Urban Design policies. Therefore, it is not anticipated that future development inclusive of the Project and nearby related projects would substantially alter, degrade, or eliminate the existing visual character of the Project area, including valued existing features or resources, or introduce elements that substantially detract from the visual character of the area. Cumulative impacts to aesthetics/visual character would, therefore, not be considered cumulatively considerable, and, as a result, the Project’s cumulative impacts would be less than significant.

b. Obstruction of Views

Related Projects Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 would be located in existing viewsheds containing the Project Site. Public views of natural resources and man-made iconic features in the area include views of the downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Century City, and Hollywood building skylines, as well as the Hollywood Hills and San Gabriel Mountains located north, northeast, and northwest of the Project Site. Intermittent views of these resources can be seen in the immediate area, while panoramic views are available from higher elevations in the Baldwin Hills area.

As discussed above, the Proposed Project would not block views toward scenic resources in the area as such views are not available due to the topography and intervening development within the Project area. Given the limited number of related projects that would enter the same field of view as the Project Site, and the fact that long-range views of scenic resources generally are not available in the Project area, any



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potential impacts would be limited. As under existing conditions, scenic vistas would remain intermittent throughout the Project area, as many existing buildings currently obstruct views of these resources from surrounding vantage points. Views of other off-site visual resources, including architectural or historically significant structures, could be affected by the related projects. However, the Proposed Project would not contribute to such impacts since it would not adversely affect valued views of on-site visual resources. As such, the Project’s contribution to cumulative view impacts would not be considered cumulatively considerable, and, as a result, the Project’s cumulative impacts would be less than significant.

5. Mitigation Measures

As the Proposed Project is anticipated to result in less than significant impacts related to visual character and views, no mitigation measures are required.

6. Level of Significance After Mitigation

Project and cumulative impacts related to visual character and views would be less than significant.

Documents

IV. Environmental Impact Analysis - LA City Planning · 2014-12-22 · The analysis of views focuses on the ... tied to topography and distance from a scenic resource. “Focal views”