IV.H Land Use - Department of City Planningcityplanning.lacity.org/EIR/10k_SantaMonica/DEIR/issues/IV.H._Land... · Santa Monica Boulevard in alignment with Moreno Drive. The east

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.H.1

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS H. LAND USE

1. INTRODUCTION

Developmentontheprojectsiteisguidedbypoliciesandregulationssetforthinlocalandregionalplansandthe applicable zoning. The provisions set forth in these plans have been adopted for the purpose ofeliminating or reducing potential land use impacts as a result of development within their jurisdictionalboundaries.Thissectionprovidesananalysisofthepotentialimpactsoftheproposedprojectwithregardtoconsistencywithapplicable landuseregulations,aswellas thecompatibilityof theproposedprojectwiththe surrounding uses in the area. Secondary environmental effects caused as a result of the land userelationshipsanalyzedinthissectionareaddressedinothersectionsoftheDraftEIR.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a. Existing Conditions

(1) Project Site

TheprojectsiteislocatedwithintheCityofLosAngelesatthenortheastern‐mostcornerofCenturyCityandis bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard and Moreno Drive as shown in Figure IV.H‐1, Project Site andSurroundingLandUses,below.1 CenturyCity,which is locatedapproximately8.5mileswestofdowntownLos Angeles and 6miles northeast of the Pacific Ocean, is served by threemajor arterials: SantaMonicaBoulevard,OlympicBoulevard,andPicoBoulevard.CenturyCityandtheprojectsitealsohavenearbyaccessto Interstate405 (SanDiegoFreeway)via SantaMonicaBoulevard. In this area, SantaMonicaBoulevardservesasthenorthboundaryoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan.TheeastedgeofCenturyCity,whichispositionedinthemostnortherlysectionoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlannortherlysectionoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,alsoformsthejurisdictionalboundarybetweenthecitiesofLosAngelesandBeverlyHills.

AsdescribedinSectionII,ProjectDescription,ofthisDraftEIR,theapproximately2.4‐acre(104,350‐square‐foot)projectsite iscurrentlyvacant. Theparcelwas formerlyoccupiedbyapproximately130,500squarefeet of office and restaurant uses and a free‐standing parking structure, all ofwhichwere demolished in2005.Theprojectsitehasbeensubsequentlygradedandiscurrentlyenclosedbyconstructionfencing.

TheprojectsiteisdesignatedasRegionalCommercialCenterintheLosAngelesGeneralPlan,theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,andtheCenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan(CCNSP).TheprojectsiteisalsolocatedwithintheWestLosAngelesTransportationImprovementandMitigationSpecificPlan(WestLATIMP)Area.

1 CenturyCityislocatedonanorthwest‐southeastaxis,withSantaMonicaBoulevardrunninginanortheast/southwestdirection.If

theorientationofSantaMonicaBoulevardwereassumedtobeeast‐west,forthesakeofsimplicity,thelocationoftheprojectsitemay also be identified as the northeast corner of Century City. Accordingly, the following land use discussion describes truenorthwestas“north,”truenortheastas“east,”truesoutheastas“south,”andtruesouthwestas“west.” Therefore,theedgeoftheprojectsitefrontingSantaMonicaBoulevardisdescribedas“north.”

IV.H. Land Use September 2011


TheexistingzoningoftheprojectsiteisC2‐2‐0,consistentwiththedesignationsoftheapplicablelanduseplans. TheC2portionof thisdesignation indicates that the site is zoned for commercialuses. As theC2zoningiscumulative,italsopermitsmulti‐familyresidentialusesconsistentwiththeR4zone.Thesecondpartofthiszoningdesignation(“2”)indicatesthatthesiteislocatedinHeightDistrictNo.2,whichallowsforapermitted floorarearatio (FAR)of6.0:1. Thezoningdesignationdoesnotrestrictbuildingheight. Thethirdpartofthiszoningdesignation(“O”)indicatesthattheprojectsiteiswithinaSupplementalOilDrillingDistrict.

(2) Surrounding Uses

Century City borders the project site on east and south. Century Citywas originally conceived as a “citywithinacity”underamasterplandesignedbyWeltonBeckettandAssociatesinthelate1950s.Atthattime,thefutureCenturyCitysitecomprisedTwentiethCenturyFox’s180‐acrebacklot.Currently,approximately50,000 people work in or visit Century City every day; over 6,500 residents are housed in a variety ofcondominiums, townhomes, and high‐rise units; and Century City features a total of 25, primarily office,high‐rise buildings. Although office towers are the predominant use in Century City’s business “core,”existingresidentialusesinCenturyCityaregenerallylocatedinthevicinity,orsouthof,OlympicBoulevard.The42‐storyCenturyresidentialtowerislocatedatthenorthwestcornerofAvenueoftheStarsandOlympicBoulevard;the28‐storyCenturyTowersresidentialcomplexislocatedjustnortheastofAvenueoftheStarsandPicoBoulevard;the20‐storyParkPlaceresidentialtowersarelocatedsouthofOlympicBoulevardjustnorthofGalaxyWay;andthemid‐riseCenturyHillresidentialcondominiumsarelocatedjustsouthofGalaxyWay south of Olympic Boulevard. The low‐rise Century Woods condominium complex is located justnortheastofCenturyParkWestandOlympicBoulevard.TheFoxStudiosproductionlotislocatedbetweenOlympicandPicoBoulevards, to the southandwestofCenturyCity’smoderncommercialandresidentialneighborhoods.

Century City’s business “core” has been designed as a grid consisting of primarily office towers locatedwithinbroadsetbacks fromthestreets. However, thebusiness“core” iscurrentlyundergoingatransitionfrom primarily office uses to a greater mix of office, retail, restaurant, and residential uses. Recentdevelopmentincludesthe2000AvenueoftheStarsprojectwhichprovidesa15‐storyofficebuilding,anew10,000 square‐foot Cultural Pavilion, retail services, and restaurants. This development is locatedapproximatelytwoblockssouthoftheprojectsite.Approvedprojectsincludetherenovationofthe22‐acreWestfield Century City Shopping Center (“New Century Plan”),which entails the demolition of two officebuildings at SantaMonica Boulevard/Avenue of the Stars, new office uses (although net office floor areawouldbedecreasedfrom360,964squarefeetto106,523squarefeet),anetincreaseof358,881squarefeetofretailandrestaurantuses,andapproximately262multi‐familyunits.Thenewretailbuildingswouldhaveheightsup to75 feetandproposedresidentialuseswouldbe located ina towerrising to39stories. TheWestfieldCenturyCityShoppingCenterislocatedapproximatelytwoblockswestoftheprojectsite.

AsshownaboveinFigureIV.H‐1,landusesimmediatelyadjacenttotheprojectsiteincludethe15‐and19‐storyNorthropPlazabuildingsand7‐storyparkingstructure,locatedalongthewestsideoftheprojectsiteandalongaportionoftheprojectsite’ssouthboundary.Othernearbyhigh‐riseofficebuildingsincludethe21‐storyCenturyParkPlazaonCenturyParkEast;thetwin23‐storyWattPlazaTowersandtwin44‐storyCentury Plaza Towers, which are located at opposite corners of Century Park East and ConstellationBoulevard; and the26‐story10100SantaMonicaBoulevardbuilding. Othernearbyhigh‐risebuildings inCenturyCityincludethe28‐story,1900AvenueoftheStarsbuilding;the36‐storyMGMTower;the39‐story

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September 2011 IV.H. Land Use


AIG‐SunAmericaCenter;the39‐storyFoxPlazaTower;the18‐storyCenturyParkMedicalPlazaTower;the18‐storyParkHyattHotel;andthe17‐storyCenturyPlazaHotelandSpa.

To the west of Century City along Santa Monica Boulevard, land uses are generally mid‐ and low‐risecommercialbuildings,withsomemulti‐familyuses.Low‐density,single‐familyneighborhoodsarelocatedtothe south andwest of Century City and north of SantaMonicaBoulevard, to thewest of the Los AngelesCountryClubGolfCourse.

Aspreviouslydiscussed,CenturyCity’seastboundaryformsthejurisdictionalboundarybetweenthecitiesof Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills boundary runs along Moreno Drive along the eastboundaryoftheprojectsiteandthen,jogsbehindtheprojectsitetoformasectionoftheprojectsite’ssouthboundary. Beverly Hills High School is located directly to the south of the project site, south of thejurisdictional boundary. ThenearestBeverlyHillsHigh School building to theproject site is the recentlycompleted4‐storyScienceandTechnologybuilding. Thisbuildingisseparatedfromtheprojectsitebyanapproximate20‐footdedicatedprivatedrivewithintheschoolcampus. AswithBeverlyHillsHighSchool,whichislocatedatthewestsideofMorenoDrive,thelandusestotheeastofMorenoDrivearealsolocatedintheCityofBeverlyHills.NearbylandusesintheCityofBeverlyHillsincludeC‐3A‐zonedcommercialusesfronting South SantaMonicaBoulevard directly acrossMorenoDrive from the project site, andR4‐zonedmulti‐familyresidentialusesfrontingDurantDrive,RobbinsDrive,andYoungDrive,directlyacrossMorenoDrivefromtheprojectsiteandBeverlyHillsHighSchool. TheCityofBeverlyHills imposes45‐footheightlimitsinboththeC‐3AandR4zonesinthisarea.

AlthoughMorenoDrive terminates at SantaMonica Boulevard, the City boundary continues north acrossSantaMonicaBoulevardinalignmentwithMorenoDrive.TheeastedgeoftheLosAngelesCountryClubGolfCourse, which is located in the City of Los Angeles directly north of the project site, forms the LosAngeles/Beverly Hills jurisdictional boundary. Adjoining the golf course property just to thenorth/northeastoftheprojectsitearetheformerRobinsons‐MayDepartmentStoreandsurfaceparkinglotintheCityofBeverlyHills.TheBeverlyHiltonHoteladjoinstheseusestotheeast.TheRobinsons‐MaysiteandtheBeverlyHiltonHotelareaccessedfromWilshireandSantaMonicaBoulevardsviaMervGriffinWay.

ThisareaofBeverlyHillsisalsoundergoingatransitiontoprovidemorehigh‐densityhousing.TheBeverlyHilton Hotel site is currently known as the “Beverly Hilton Revitalization Project.” This project includesapproximately120residentialunits.TheRobinsons‐Maypropertywaspreviouslyapprovedforamixed‐useproject, known as “9900Wilshire;”2 however, this sitewas recently sold and the future use of the site iscurrentlyunknown.

b. Regulatory Framework

Thefollowingdiscussionidentifiesandgenerallydescribestheregulatoryplansandpoliciesandordinancesthatwouldbe applicable todevelopment at the site of theproposedproject. Specific provisionsof thosedocuments that pertain to the project are listed in the Impact Analysis section below and evaluated forconsistencywiththeprojectfeatures.

2 ApprovedbytheCityofBeverlyHills,April11,2008.



(1) Local Plans and Zoning

(a) City of Los Angeles General Plan

California state law requires that every city and county prepare and adopt a long‐range comprehensiveGeneral Plan to guide future development and to identify the community’s environmental, social, andeconomic goals. TheGeneral Planmust: (1) identify the need andmethods for coordinating communitydevelopmentactivitiesamongallunitsofgovernment;(2)establishthecommunity’scapacitytorespondtoproblemsandopportunities;and(3)provideabasisforsubsequentplanningefforts.TheCityofLosAngelesGeneralPlansetsforthgoals,objectives,andprogramstoprovideaguidelineforday‐to‐daylandusepoliciesandtomeettheexistingandfutureneedsanddesiresofthecommunity,whileintegratingarangeofstate‐mandated elements including Transportation, Noise, Safety, Housing, and Open Space/Conservation.ElementsoftheGeneralPlanalsoincludetheGeneralPlanFramework,discussedbelow,andtheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,whichguideslanduseatthecommunitylevel.

(b) City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework

The City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework Element (General Plan Framework) establishes theconceptual basis for the City’s General Plan. The General Plan Framework sets forth a citywidecomprehensivelong‐rangegrowthstrategyanddefinesCitywidepoliciesregardinglanduse,housing,urbanform, neighborhood design, open space and conservation, economic development, transportation,infrastructure, and public services. General Plan Framework land use policies are further guided at thecommunitylevelthroughcommunityplansandspecificplans.

TheGeneralPlanFrameworkLandUseChapterdesignatesDistricts(i.e.,NeighborhoodDistricts,CommunityCenters,RegionalCenters,DowntownCenters,andMixed‐UseBoulevards)andprovidespoliciesapplicableto each District to support the vitality of the City’s residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.Century City is designated as a “Regional Center” under the General Plan Framework and as such, isdesignatedasahigh‐densityplace,andafocalpointofregionalcommerce,identity,andactivity.3Table3‐1oftheGeneralPlanFrameworkliststhefollowingas“encourageduses”4withinaRegionalCenter:

Corporate and professional offices, retail commercial (including malls), offices, personal services,eating and drinking establishments, telecommunications centers, entertainment, major culturalfacilities,hotels,andsimilaruses;

Mixed‐usestructuresintegratinghousingwithcommercialuses;

Multi‐familyhousing(independentofcommercial);

Majortransitfacilities;

Inclusionofsmallparksandothercommunity‐orientedactivityfacilities.

ThedevelopmentofsitesandstructuresintegratinghousingwithcommercialusesisencouragedinRegionalCenters, inconcertwithsupportingservices,openspace,andamenities.5 ThedensityofRegionalCenters

3 CityofLosAngelesGeneralPlanFramework,Long‐RangeLandUseDiagram,West/CoastalLosAngeles.4 GeneralPlanFramework,Table3‐1,LandUseStandards,page3‐23.5 GeneralPlanFramework.,page3‐40.



also supports the development of a comprehensive and inter‐connected network of public transit andservices.6

TheHousingChapteroftheGeneralPlanFrameworkstatesthathousingproductionhasnotkeptpacewiththedemandforhousing.7AccordingtotheGeneralPlanFramework,theCityofLosAngeleshasinsufficientvacant properties to accommodate the projected population growth and the supply of land zoned forresidentialdevelopmentisthemostconstrainedinthecontextofpopulationgrowthforecasts.8TheHousingChapterstatesthatnewresidentialdevelopmentwillrequiretherecyclingand/orintensificationofexistingdevelopedproperties.9TheGeneralPlanFrameworkstatesthattheCitymuststrivetomeethousingneedsofthepopulationinamannerthatcontributestostable,safe,andlivableneighborhoods,reducesconditionsofovercrowding,andimprovesaccesstojobsandneighborhoodservices.10

TheUrbanFormandNeighborhoodDesignChapteroftheGeneralPlanFrameworkestablishesthegoalofcreatinga livablecity forexistingandfutureresidents;acitythat isattractiveto future investment;andacity of interconnected, diverse neighborhoods that builds on the strength of those neighborhoods andfunctions at both the neighborhood and Citywide scales. “Urban form” refers to the general pattern ofbuildingheightanddevelopmentintensityandthestructuralelementsthatdefinetheCityphysically,suchasnaturalfeatures,transportationcorridors,activitycenters,andfocalelements.“Neighborhooddesign”referstothephysicalcharacterofneighborhoodsandcommunitieswithintheCity.TheGeneralPlanFrameworkdoes not directly address the design of individual neighborhoods or communities, but embodies genericneighborhooddesignandimplementationprogramsthatguidelocalplanningeffortsandlayafoundationfortheupdatingofcommunityplans.Withrespecttoneighborhooddesign,theUrbanFormandNeighborhoodDesignChapterencouragesgrowthinregionalcenters,whichhaveasufficientbaseofbothcommercialandresidentialdevelopmenttosupporttransitservice.

TheOpenSpaceandConservationChapteroftheGeneralPlanFrameworkcallsfortheuseofopenspacetoenhance community and neighborhood character. The policies of this chapter recognize that there arecommunities where open space and recreation resources are currently in short supply, and thereforesuggests thatvacatedrailroad lines,drainagechannels,planned transit routesandutilityrights‐of‐way,orpedestrian‐orientedstreetsandsmallparks,wherefeasible,mightserveasimportantresourcesforservingtheopenspaceandrecreationneedsofresidents.

TheTransportationChapteroftheGeneralPlanFrameworkincludesproposalsformajorimprovementstoenhance the movement of goods and to provide greater access to major intermodal facilities. TheTransportationChapter acknowledges that the quality of life for every citizen is affectedby the ability toaccess work opportunities and essential services, affecting the City’s economy, as well as the livingenvironment of its citizens.11 The Transportation Chapter stresses that transportation investment and

6 GeneralPlanFramework,page3‐40.7 GeneralPlanFramework,page4‐1.8 GeneralPlanFramework,page4‐1.9 GeneralPlanFramework,page4‐1.10 GeneralPlanFramework,page4‐2.11 GeneralPlanFramework,page8‐2.



policieswillneedtofollowastrategicplan,includingcapitalizingoncurrentlycommittedinfrastructureandadoptionoflandusepoliciestobetterutilizecommittedinfrastructure. TheTransportationChapteroftheGeneralPlanFrameworkisimplementedthroughtheTransportationElementoftheGeneralPlan.

(c) Do Real Planning Guidelines

TheDoRealPlanningguidelinesareasetofguidelinespreparedbytheCityPlanningCommission,andusedby thePlanningDepartment in implementing theDepartment’s StrategicPlan. DoRealPlanning includesfourteenpointstoguideplanningactivitiesfortheCityandhelptheCityinimplementingexistingCityPlansandPolicies. Thesepointsare intended toset theCityonacourse towardsustainability. However, theseguidelines do not replace or supersede any adopted policies. Many of the fourteen points addressproceduresfortheoperationsoftheCityPlanningDepartmentand/orissuesisolatedtospecificsettingsandtypes of projects that are different from the proposed project. Of the fourteen points, several addressplanningconceptsthatarerelevanttotheproposedproject.Pointsofparticularnotearethosethatpertainto(1)locationoflandusesanddensity(Points3and6),sitedesign/walkability/parkinglocation(Points1,2,9and12),improvementofhousingstock(Point5),andgreendesignwithabundantlandscaping(Points7and8).Point1,“DemandaWalkableCity”hasledtothedevelopmentofa“WalkabilityChecklist,”discussedbelow.

(d) Walkability Checklist

The City of Los Angeles Walkability Checklist for Site Plan Review (Walkability Checklist) is a programcreated by the City’s Urban Design Studio that specifies urban design guidelines for projects required toundergo Site Plan Review. The Walkability Checklist consists of a list of design elements intended toimprovethepedestrianenvironment,protectneighborhoodcharacter,andpromotehighqualityurbanform.TheWalkabilityChecklististobeusedbyCityplannerstoassessthepedestrianorientationofaproject.Thesuggested design guidelines are consistent with the General Plan and supplement applicable CommunityPlan requirements, but are not considered mandatory. The guidelines address such topics as buildingorientation,buildingfrontage, landscaping,off‐streetparkinganddriveways,buildingsignage,andlightingwithintheprivaterealm,andsidewalks,streetcrossings,on‐streetparking,andutilitiesinthepublicrealm.

(e) West Los Angeles Community Plan

The land use policies and standards of the General Plan Framework and the General Plan Elements areimplemented at the local level through the community planning process. Community plans are orientedtoward specific geographic areas of the city, defining locally the General Plan Framework’smore generalpoliciesandprogramsandareintendedtopromoteanarrangementoflanduses,streets,andservicesthatwillencourageandcontributetotheeconomic,social,andphysicalhealth,safety,welfare,andconvenienceofthepeoplewholiveandworkinthecommunity.Goals,objectives,policies,andprogramsarecreatedtomeettheexistingandfutureneedsofthecommunitythroughyear2010.AsshowninFigureIV.H‐2,WestLosAngelesCommunityPlanDesignations, theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlandesignatesCenturyCity,northofOlympicBoulevard,asCommercial.Aspreviouslydiscussed,the(Commercial)zonesintheCityofLosAngelesarecumulativeinthattheyallowsusesassociatedwithlessintensezones,includingresidentialormixedresidential/commercialuses.

Issues in theWest LosAngeles Community Plan that pertain to residential uses include: (1) the need toprotect low‐density residential uses from encroachment from spillover traffic or commercial off‐streetparking;(2)usableopenspaceandrecreationalfacilitiesinmultiple‐familyhousing;(3)lackoftransitionin

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scale,density,andcharacterbetweencommercialandindustrialusesandsingle‐andmultiple‐familyareas;and(4)theneedtocoordinatenewdevelopmentwiththeavailabilityofpublicinfrastructure.Opportunitiesthat are applicable to residential development include the area’s diverse and socially and economicallyvibrant community, with unique architectural and historic characteristics; proximity of cultural andintellectual resources suchasmuseums, theaters, andeducational institutions, aswell as recreational andoceanamenities;proximitytoLosAngelesInternationalAirport;accesstomajorfreewaysandemploymentcenters indowntownLosAngelesandCenturyCity;andpotential formixed‐usedevelopmentalongSantaMonica,Wilshire,andSawtelleBoulevards.12

TheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanalsodescribes transportationasasignificant landuse issue,citingtraffic congestion along major transportation corridors; inadequate transportation linkages betweenresidentialareasandcommercial,retail,andrecreationalfacilities;inadequateautomobilealternativessuchas rail, bus service, and streets orpathswhich encouragebiking andwalking; and spilloverparking fromcommercial areas into residential areas.13 The West LA TIMP is described in the West Los AngelesCommunityPlanasatransportation‐relatedopportunityinthatitmitigatestheimpactofnewdevelopmenton the circulation system through transportation impact fees fornon‐residentialprojects. Transportationopportunities also described in the West Los Angeles Community Plan include improved and expandedbicycle lanes, coordinated with systems in adjacent communities; implementation of traffic mitigationmeasures for major projects; and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) streetimprovementsonSantaMonicaBoulevard. Bicycle lanesare intended toprovideaccess tomajoractivitycenters,schools,andrecreationareas;whereas,theMTAplan(whichhasnowbeenimplemented)isnotedasameansof improving traffic flow, reducingcongestion, andenhancing theappearanceofSantaMonicaBoulevard.14

The West Los Angeles Community Plan sets forth goals and objectives to maintain the community’sdistinctivecharacterbypreservingandenhancingthepositivecharacteristicsofexistinguseswhichprovidethefoundationofcommunityidentity,suchasscale,height,bulk,setbacks,andappearanceandmaximizingdevelopment opportunities around future transit systems while minimizing adverse impacts. Goals,objectives, andpoliciesof theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanpertinent to residentialuses include theprovision of a safe, secure, and high quality residential environment for all economic, age, and ethnicsegmentsof thecommunity. Objectivesandpolicies include thedevelopmentofnewhousing tomeet thediverseeconomicandphysicalneedsoftheexistingresidentsandprojectedpopulationofthearea;andthereductionofvehiculartripsandcongestionbydevelopingnewhousinginproximitytoadequateservicesandfacilities.Housingpoliciesalsoincludethelocationofhigherresidentialdensitiesnearcommercialcentersandmajorbusrouteswherepublic service facilitiesand infrastructurewill support thisdevelopmentandthe requirement of architectural compatibility and adequate landscaping for newmulti‐family residentialdevelopment in existing residential areas to protect the character of existing residential neighborhoods.Housingpoliciesare furtherdesigned toensure thatnewhousingopportunitiesminimizedisplacementofresidentsandtoencouragemultiple‐familyresidentialdevelopmentinspecifiedcommercialzones.

12 WestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,pageI‐2andI‐3.13 WestLosAngelesCommunityPlan.,pageI‐4.14 WestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,pageI‐5.



WhiletheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlandoesnotmandatemixed‐useprojects,itencouragesmixed‐usedevelopmentincommerciallydesignatedareasthathavethepotentialforsuchuses.15Theintentofmixed‐use development is to provide housing in proximity to jobs and services, to reduce vehicular trips,congestion,andairpollution,toprovideforrentalhousing,andtostimulatepedestrian‐orientedareas.TheWest Los Angeles Community Plan states that the mixed‐use concept could accommodate separatecommercialandresidentialstructuresinthesameblock.16

(f) Century City North Specific Plan (CCNSP)

TheprojectsiteisalsolocatedwithintheCCNSParea,asshownin,FigureIV.H‐3,CenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan Area, below. Adopted in November 1981, the CCNSP was designed to guide development andredevelopment in the area and to ensure adequate transportation andotherpublic facilities for thehigh‐intensity Century City center. The CCNSP establishes a phasing strategy, consisting of two developmentphases, to assureorderlydevelopment andprovide adequate infrastructurewithbuild‐out of the existingzoningforthearea.TheCCNSPlimitsdevelopmentinCenturyCitythroughtheassignmentofdevelopmentrights called Cumulative Automobile Trip Generation Potential (CATGP) Trips to parcels within theCCNSP.17,18 The first phaseof theCCNSP (PhaseI) alloweddevelopmentuntil projectshadused a certainnumber of development rights or CATGP Trips and required specific street dedications and roadwayimprovementsonAvenueoftheStars,CenturyParkEast,CenturyParkWest,ConstellationBoulevard,PicoBoulevard,andSantaMonicaBoulevard. TheCCNSP’ssecondphaseofdevelopmentbeganwhenbuildingpermitshadbeenissuedforprojectsgenerating15,225.606CATGPTripsandwhenallpublicimprovementssetforthintheCCNSPOrdinancewerecompleted.PursuanttoCityofLosAngelesCaseNo.CF98‐0672,allPhaseIimprovementshavebeencompletedandtheCCNSPisnowactinginitssecondphase.

Development inPhase II is limited to three sourcesof CATGPTrips. First, a projectmayuse theoriginalPhaseICATGPTripsassignedbytheCitytoparcelsin1981.Second,aprojectmayuseReplacementCATGPTrips generated when uses on a parcel are changed or buildings on that parcel are demolished, since achange of use or demolition of these buildings frees the parcel for replacement development.19 Third, aprojectmayhaveCATGPTrips transferred to theproject site fromanotherparcelwithin theCenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan.AlimitednumberofCATGPTripsmayalsobetransferredfromtheCenturyCitySouthSpecificPlanareatolotswithintheCenturyCityNorthSpecificPlanarea.InorderforatransferofCATGPTrips to occur, the Director of City Planning must certify in writing that the transfer conforms to theprovisions of the CCNSP.20 The CCNSP defines a project as “any building, structure or addition to anybuildingorstructuretobeconstructedonalotwithintheSpecificPlanArea,excludinganyconstructionorrenovationactivitythatdoesnotaddtoCATGP.”

15 WestLosAngelesCommunityPlan.,pageIII‐6.16 WestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,pageIII‐6.17 CumulativeAutomobileTripGenerationPotential(CATGP)isdefinedas“thecumulativetotaldailyTripsgeneratedbyallProjectson

commercially zoned lotswithin the SpecificPlanArea forwhichbuildingpermitsare issued subsequent toNovember15,1981,”basedonCATGPTripgenerationfactorsspecifiedwithintheSpecificPlan.(CenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan,Section2,page2.)

18 CATGPTripsaredefinedasa“unitofrealpropertydevelopmentrightspursuanttothisSpecificPlanandmeansacalculationofdailyarrivals at and daily departures from a building or structure bymotor vehicles of four ormorewheels. The number of Tripsgenerated by any Project or existing building or structure shall be calculated utilizing the table set forth in the definition ofCumulativeAutomobileTripGenerationPotential.”(CenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan,Section2,page5.)

19 CCNSPSections3.C.3and3.C.420 CCNSPSection5.

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ArecordofallocatedCATGPTripsforCenturyCityandindividualparcelsismaintainedbytheLosAngelesDepartmentofCityPlanning. BasedonCityPlanning’s January1,2010TripAllocationChart, 2,143.4616ReplacementCATGPTripsareavailableontheprojectsite.

TheCCNSPareaisdividedinto“Core”and“Buffer”Areas.TheprojectsiteislocatedwithintheBufferArea,whichprovidesforafloorarearatio(FAR)of4.5to1.

(g) Greening of Century City Pedestrian Connectivity Plan

TheGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlan(May2007)isaPlanningCommissionapprovedCityofLosAngelesPlanningDepartmentguideline forCenturyCity asamodelof sustainable living. It isintended topromote the integrationof residential, commercialbusinesses, retail, cultural, hospitality, andentertainmentuses;byincorporatingnewhigh‐densityresidentialandretailprojectswithinitscommercialcenter; and by providing an interconnected network of pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths and publictransit.MuchoftheGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlan’sfocusistoenhanceCenturyCityas a 24‐hour, 7‐day sustainable, walkable neighborhood. The Greening of Century City PedestrianConnectivityPlansetsforthinnovativestreetscapedesign,anopenspacenetwork,andartprogramtocreatea vibrant live‐work‐play community. The guiding principles of the plan are (1) improved pedestrianexperience; (2)enhancedtransitconnectivity;(3)amorebeautifulpublicrealm;(4)updated identity,and(5)asustainableCenturyCity. TheGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlansetsforthurbandesign guidelines to support each of these principles, which incorporate policies and specific designguidelines. Inaddition,theGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlanprovidesconceptdesignforeachofCenturyCity’sthoroughfares,includingSantaMonicaBoulevard.

(h) West Los Angeles Transportation Improvement and Mitigation Specific Plan

The project site is also located within the boundaries of the 1997 West LA TIMP. The West LA TIMPincorporatesabroadareabetweentheHollywoodHillsonthenorth,theCityofSantaMonicaboundaryonthewest,theCityofCulverCityboundaryonthesouth,andtheCityofBeverlyHillsboundaryontheeast.Among other goals, the purpose of the West LA TIMP is to provide a mechanism to fund specifictransportation improvements, regulate the phased development of land uses, prevent peak hour level ofservice(LOS)onstreetsandintersectionsfromreachingLOS“F”or,ifpresentlyatLOS“F”precludefurtherdeterioration in the LOS, and promote neighborhood protection programs to minimize intrusion ofcommutertrafficthroughresidentialneighborhoods.TheWestLATIMPestablishesspecifictransportationmitigationstandardsandprocedures,underwhichnobuilding,grading,orfoundationpermitcanbeissueduntil the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and the City Engineer have certifiedcompletion of such measures, or that their completion has been guaranteed to the satisfaction of thesedepartments. A Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA) under the TIMP establishes a fee for newdevelopmentprojects. However, theWestLosAngelesTIMPexemptsmulti‐familyprojects fromTIA fees.Mitigationmeasures are based on the potential significant transportation impact of the proposed projectduringtheP.M.peakhour.21

21 WestLosAngelesTransportationImprovementandMitigationSpecificPlan,page8(March8,1997).



(i) City of Los Angeles Municipal Code

TheCityofLosAngelesMunicipalCode(LAMC),Chapter1(PlanningandZoningCode)definestherangeofzoning classifications throughout the City and provides the specific permitted uses applicable to eachdesignation. The Planning and Zoning Code is cumulative under most zoning categories, so that lesserintensityusesareallowedinhigherintensityzones.Forinstancesingle‐familyusesarepermittedinmulti‐familyzonesandmulti‐familyusesarepermittedincommercialzones. AsshowninFigureIV.H‐4,ZoningMap,theprojectsiteisdesignatedasC2‐2‐Owhich,underPlanningandZoningCodeSection12.14,providesforavarietyofoffice,retail,andmulti‐familyuses.

LAMC Sec. 12.14 refers to multi‐family standards in other areas of the code (including Section 12.11)regarding themaximumnumber of permitted dwelling units, off‐street parking, building setbacks, usableopenspace,andotherdevelopmentfeaturesapplicabletomulti‐familyuses. TheprojectsiteisdesignatedHeightDistrictNo.2,which,permitsdevelopmentatanFARof6.0:1.

Thesiteisalsodesignatedasbeinginan“O”OilDrillingDistrict,whichisdefinedinthePlanningandZoningCode as districts where the drilling of oil wells or the production from the wells of oil, gas, or otherhydrocarbonsubstancesispermitted.Nopetroleumstorageorextractionactivitiespresentlyoccurwithintheprojectsite.However,theprojectsiteislocatedwithinanareadesignatedasamethanezonebytheCityof Los Angeles.22 All new buildings and paved areas located in a methane zone are required to testunderlying soils for any detectablemethane gas, as required under themethane gas seepage regulations(LAMCBuildingRegulations,Division71). Theconcentrationofdetectablemethanewoulddetermine thetypes of design features required to mitigate methane seepage. Please see Chapter IV.F, Hazards andHazardousMaterials,ofthisDraftEIR,forfurtherdiscussionofthisissue.

CommerciallandusessurroundingtheprojectsitewithinCenturyCityaresimilarlyzonedC2‐2‐O,allowingforthesamerangeofusesastheprojectsite.TheresidentialuselocatedatthecornerofOlympicBoulevardandCenturyParkWestaswellasthesouthofOlympicBoulevardiszonedR4‐2‐O,amulti‐familyresidentialzonewithcertainlimitations.Single‐familyresidentialneighborhoodsintheR‐1zonearelocatedjustwestofCenturyCity, tothenorthofOlympicBoulevardandSantaMonicaBoulevard. TheLosAngelesCountryClubGolfCourse,northofSantaMonicaBoulevard,iszonedA‐1tocorrespondtotheopenspaceuseofthegolfcourse.

(j) Adjacent Zoning in Beverly Hills

Asindicatedpreviously,thecitiesofLosAngelesandBeverlyHillsjurisdictionalboundaryislocatedjusttotheeastoftheprojectsite.WithintheCityofBeverlyHills,thecommercialusesalongSouthSantaMonicaBoulevard, thataredirectlyacrossMorenoDrive fromtheprojectsitearezonedC‐3A. BeverlyHillsHighSchool,whichis locateddirectlysouthoftheprojectsite, iszonedS(PublicSchoolZone). TheareaacrossMorenoDrivedirectlyacrossfromtheprojectsiteandBeverlyHillsHighSchoolarezonedR‐4(multi‐familyresidential).

22 CityofLosAngelesDepartmentofPublicWorks,MethaneOrdinanceMapA‐20960,CityOrdinanceNo.175,790,February4,2004.

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(2) Regional Plans

(a) Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

SCAG is the designated regional planning agency for six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino,Riverside,VenturaandImperial.SCAGisajointpowersagencywithresponsibilitiespertainingtoregionalissues. SCAG’s current land use policies are set forth in the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, and theCompassGrowthVision,inconjunctionwithitsconstituentmembersandotherregionalplanningagencies.

(i) Regional Transportation Plan

The2008RegionalTransportationPlan(RTP)adoptedbySCAGinMay2008,isamulti‐modalplan,whichasdiscussedintheRTP,representsSCAG’svisionforabettertransportationsystemthatwillintegratelanduseintotransportationplanningtomaketheregion“functionasbestthatitcan”overtheRTPhorizonof2035.23TheRTPistheculminationofamulti‐yeareffortfocusingonmaintainingandimprovingthetransportationsystem through a balanced approach that considers system preservation, system operation andmanagement, improved coordination between land use decisions and transportation investments, andstrategicexpansionofthesystemtoaccommodatefuturegrowth.TheRTPincludesgoalsandpoliciesthatpertain to mobility, accessibility, safety, productivity of the transportation system, protection of theenvironmentandenergyefficiency,andlanduseandgrowthpatternsthatcomplementthestateandregion’stransportationinvestments.

(ii) Compass Blueprint Growth Vision

In an effort to maintain the region’s prosperity, continue to expand its economy, house its residentsaffordably, and protect its environmental setting as awhole, SCAG has collaboratedwith interdependentsub‐regions,counties,cities,communitiesandneighborhoodsinaprocessreferredtobySCAGasSouthernCaliforniaCompass,whichresultedinthedevelopmentofasharedGrowthVisionforImperial,LosAngeles,Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. SCAG began Compass Blueprint in 2002,spearheaded by the Growth Vision Subcommittee, which consists of civic leaders from throughout theregion. The shared regional vision sought to address issues such as congestion and housing availability,whichmaythreatentheregion’slivability.

TheunderlyinggoalofthegrowthvisioningeffortistomaketheSCAGregionabetterplacetolive,work,andplay forall residents. Toorganize thestrategies for improving thequalityof life in theSCAGregion, fourprincipleswereestablishedbytheGrowthVisionSubcommittee.ThesegoalsarecontainedintheCompassBlueprintGrowthVisionReport. Theprinciplesare intended topromoteandmaximizeregionalmobility,livability,prosperityandsustainability.Decisionsregardinggrowth,transportation,landuseandeconomicdevelopmentshouldsupportandbeguidedbytheseprinciples.Specificpolicyandplanningstrategiesalsoareprovidedasawaytoachieveeachoftheprinciples.

Inaddition,theCompassBlueprint2%StrategyprovidesguidanceforhowandwhereSCAGcanimplementtheGrowthVisiongoals for theregion’s future. Thestrategycalls formodestchanges tocurrent landuseandtransportationtrendson2%ofthelandareaoftheregion.Asindicatedonthe2%StrategyOpportunityAreasmapfortheCityofLosAngeles–Central,thesiteislocatedwithinaCompass2%StrategyOpportunity

23 SCAG,2008RTP:MakingtheConnection(http://SCAG.ca.gov/rtp2008/index.html).



Area.Assuch,thesiteiswithinakeytargetareathat,ifdevelopedathigherdensity,wouldhelpbestservethemobility,livability,prosperityandsustainabilitygoalsoftheGrowthVision.

(b) Air Quality Management Plan

TheAirQualityManagementPlan (AQMP)of the SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict (SCAQMD)presentsstrategiesforachievingtheairqualityplanninggoalssetforthintheFederalandCaliforniaCleanAirActs(CCAA),includingacomprehensivelistofpollutioncontrolmeasuresaimedatreducingemissions.TheSCAQMD,whichwasestablishedin1977pursuanttotheLewis‐PresleyAirQualityManagementAct,isresponsible for bringing air quality in the SouthCoastAirBasin (Basin) into conformitywith federal andStateairpollutionstandards. TheSCAQMDisalsoresponsible formonitoringambientairpollution levelsthroughout the Basin and for developing and implementing attainment strategies to ensure that futureemissionswill bewithin federal and State standards. The AQMP, last amended in 2007, is addressed inSectionIV.B,AirQuality,ofthisEIR(pleaserefertoSectionIV.Bforadiscussionoftheproject’sconsistencywiththeAQMP).

(c) Congestion Management Program

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) administers the CongestionManagement Program (CMP), a State‐mandated program designed to provide comprehensive long‐rangetrafficplanningonaregionalbasis. OnOctober28,2010theMetroBoardadoptedthe2010CMPforLosAngelesCounty.The2010CMPsummarizestheresultsof18yearsofCMPhighwayandtransitmonitoringand 15 years ofmonitoring local growth. CMP implementation guidelines for local jurisdictions are alsocontainedinthe2010CMP.TheprimarygoaloftheCMPistoreducetrafficcongestioninordertoenhancetheeconomicvitalityandqualityoflifeforaffectedcommunities.CMPguidelinesspecifythatthosefreewaysegmentstowhichaproposedprojectcouldadd150ormoretripsineachdirectionduringthepeakhoursbeevaluated. TheguidelinesalsorequireevaluationofdesignatedCMProadway intersections towhichaproposedproject couldadd50ormore tripsduringeitherpeakhour. Theproject’s consistencywith theCMPisdiscussedinSectionIV.K,TransportationandCirculation,ofthisEIR.

3. PROJECT IMPACTS

a. Methodology

The analysis of potential land use impacts considers consistency of the project with adopted plans andpolicies that regulate land use on the project site, as well as the compatibility of proposed uses withsurroundinglanduses.Thedeterminationofconsistencywithapplicablelandusepoliciesandordinancesisbaseduponareviewofthepreviouslyidentifiedplanningdocumentsthatregulatelanduseorguidelandusedecisions pertaining to the project site. CEQA Guidelines Section 15125(d) requires that an EIR discussinconsistencieswithapplicableplansthatthedecision‐makersshouldaddress. Evaluationsaremadeastowhetheraprojectisinconsistentwithsuchplans.Projectsareconsideredconsistentwithregulatoryplansifthey are compatiblewith the general intent of the plans andwould not preclude the attainment of theirprimarygoals. Theintentionoftheevaluationofconsistencywithregulatoryplansistodetermineifnon‐compliancewouldresultinasignificantphysicalimpact.



Theintentofthecompatibilityanalysisistodeterminewhethertheprojectwouldbecompatibleinrelationtouse,size,intensity,density,scale,andotherphysicalandoperationalfactors.Thecompatibilityanalysisisbased on aerial photography, land use maps, and field surveys in which surrounding uses have beenidentifiedandcharacterized. Theanalysisaddressesgeneral landuserelationshipsandurbanform,basedonacomparisonoflanduserelationshipsintheprojectareaunderexistingconditionstotheconditionsthatwouldoccurwithprojectimplementation.

b. Significance Thresholds

AppendixGoftheCEQAGuidelinesprovidesasetofscreeningquestionsthataddressimpactswithregardtoLandUse.Thesequestionsareasfollows:Wouldtheproject:

a. Physicallydivideanestablishedcommunity.

b. Conflictwithanyapplicable landuseplan,policy,orregulationofanagencywith jurisdictionoverthe project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, orzoningordinance)adoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffect

c. Conflictwithanyapplicablehabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan.

AsdiscussedintheInitialStudy,whichiscontainedinAppendixAofthisEIR,andinChapterVI,SubsectionF,EffectsFoundNottobeSignificant,ofthisEIR,theprojectwouldhavenoimpactwithrespecttohabitatconservation plans or natural community conservation plans. As such, no further analysis of this topic isnecessary.

InthecontextofthesequestionsfromAppendixGoftheCEQAGuidelines,theCityofL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide (2006) states that impacts regarding land use be made on a case by case basis considering thefollowingfactors:

(1) Land Use Consistency

Whethertheproposalis inconsistentwiththeadoptedlanduse/densitydesignationintheexistingCommunityPlan,RedevelopmentPlansorSpecificPlansfortheSite.

Whether the proposal is inconsistent with the General Plan or adopted environmental goals orpoliciescontainedinotherapplicableplans.

Basedonthesefactors,theproposedprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactonlanduseif:

LU‐1: The project were in substantial conflict with the adopted General Plan, Community Plan,SpecificPlan,orwithapplicableenvironmentalpoliciesinotherregionalandlocalplans.

(2) Land Use Compatibility

Theextentof thearea thatwouldbe impacted, thenatureanddegreeof impacts,and the typesoflanduseswithinthatarea;



Theextenttowhichexistingneighborhoods,communities,orlanduseswouldbedisrupted,divided,orisolatedandthedurationofthedisruptions;and

Thenumber,degree,andtypeofsecondaryimpactstosurroundinglandusesthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheproject.

Basedonthesefactors,theproposedprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactonlanduseifitwould:

LU‐2: Substantiallyandadverselychangetheexistingrelationshipsbetweennumerouslandusesorpropertiesinaneighborhoodorcommunityorhavethelong‐termeffectofadverselyalteringaneighborhoodorcommunitythroughongoingdisruption,divisionorisolation.

c. Project Design Features

Asdescribed inChapter II,ProjectDescription, theprojectwould include283 residentialunits anda totalfloor areaof469,575 square feet tobeprovidedon a lotwith approximately104,350 square feet of landarea.Theupto39‐storyresidentialbuildingwouldbeconstructedonthenorthernportionofthesitealongSantaMonicaBoulevard,awayfromBeverlyHillsHighSchoolandmulti‐familyresidentialusestothesouthandsoutheast.Itwouldhaveanarrowfloorplateandamaximumbuildingheightof460feet.24

Theancillarybuildingwouldbelocatedtothewestoftheresidentialtower,withamaximumheightof90feet (40 feetwith the Automated Parking Option). However, the frontage along SantaMonica Boulevardwouldbelowerwithamaximumheightofupto40feet(20feetwiththeAutomatedParkingOption).

Theprojectwouldprovide approximately112,352 square feet of usable open space (112,746 square feetwith the Automated Parking Option), including 82,052 square feet of common open space. Of the openspace, approximately 43,141 square feet would be located at ground level and landscaped to create anoverall garden feel outward from the project site to the street. This open space, along with improvedlandscaping along the adjacent sidewalks, and building setbacks that are equal to or greater the site’srequired setbacks with substantially greater setbacks at many locations would provide buffering fromadjacentusesandenhancethepedestrianqualitiesadjacenttotheprojectsite.

As described in Chapter II of this EIR, Subsection F, Necessary Approvals, proposed land use approvalsincludethefollowingapprovals:

VestingTentativeTractMapandHaulRoute;

ProjectPermitComplianceReview,includingSitePlanReview;

ZoningAdministratorAdjustment to permit the project’s buildable area to be 4.5:1 FARbased ongrosslotarea(totalof469,575FARsquarefeet);

ZoningAdministratorAdjustmenttopermitthedevelopmentof283dwellingunits,whichutilizetheTripsalreadyassignedtothissite;

24 AsmeasuredpursuanttotheCityofLosAngelesMunicipalCode.



Filing of Form 7460‐1, Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration, with the Federal AviationAdministrationfortheresidentialbuilding;

Grading,excavation,foundation,andassociatedbuildingpermits;and

Otherpermitsandapprovalstoberequestedorasdeemednecessary.

d. Analysis of Project Impacts

Landuse impacts for theproject’s Conventional andAutomatedParkingOptionswouldbe essentially thesame.Bothwouldprovidethesamelanduse,projectdensity,projectactivityandprojectdesign.Theonlyvariationbetween thetwooptionsarises fromthe lowerheightof theancillarybuilding fromninestoriesabove grade to four stories above grade with the Automated Parking Option. While the height of thestructurewouldbereduced,thetotalnumberofparkingspaces,andrelatedlanduseactivityandlanduseeffectwouldbethesame. ThelowerheightoftheparkingfacilityintheAutomatedParkingOptionwouldslightly reduce the building massing on the project site, and provide reduced air emissions and energyconsumption. The following analysis focuses on the Conventional Parking Option, which has greaterpotentialforsignificantimpacts.

(1) Consistency of the Proposed Project with Applicable Plans and Policies

The development of the proposed project would be subject to numerous land use plans, as well as thedevelopmentregulationsintheLAMC’sZoningandPlanningCode.TheconsistencyoftheproposedprojectwiththeregulationsandpoliciesoftheGeneralPlanFramework,theCity’sDoRealPlanningProgramanditsrelatedWalkability Checklist, theWest LosAngeles CommunityPlan, theCCNSP, theGreening of CenturyCity Pedestrian Connectivity Plan, the LAMC, and the RCPG are addressed in this chapter. The proposedproject’s consistencywith theAQMP is addressed in Chapter IV.B,AirQuality, and theproposedproject’sconsistencywiththeCMPandtheWestLATIMPisaddressedinChapterIV.L,TrafficandCirculation,ofthisDraftEIR.

(a) City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework Element

TableIV.H‐1,ComparisonoftheProjecttoApplicablePoliciesoftheGeneralPlanFramework,evaluatestheconsistencyoftheproposedprojectwithpoliciesoftheFrameworkElement.AsdiscussedinTableIV.H‐1,the proposed project would be consistent with applicable policies of the General Plan Framework. Theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththelandusesencouragedinadesignated“RegionalCenter.” Inaddition,theproposedproject’sresidentialelementwouldbeconsistentwiththegoalsoftheFramework’sLandUseChapter,inthatitwouldincreaseactivityduringtheeveninghoursandweekendsandlocateahighdensityresidentialuseincloseproximitytojobs,transit,retailuses,andrestaurants;thusenhancingahighquality life style. In addition, the proposed project would contribute to the existing diversity of uses inCenturyCity,andprovidehousing inanareawhere theproductionofhousinghasnotkeptpacewith thedemand. Byprovidinghigh‐densityhousing inthis location, theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistenttheGeneralPlanFramework’sLong‐RangeLandUseDiagram,whichidentifiesCenturyCityasaRegionalCenterwithanexistingrangeofservicesandcommercialactivities.

IV.H Land Use September 2011

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.H‐24

Table IV.H‐1

Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies of the General Plan Framework Element

Recommendation Analysis of Proposed Project Consistency

Land Use Chapter

Goal3C:Multi‐familyneighborhoodsthatenhancethequalityoflifefortheCity’sexistingandfutureresidents.

Consistent.TheproposedprojectwouldenhancethequalityoflifefortheCity’sexistingandfutureresidentsbyredevelopingacurrentlyunderutilizedsitetoprovidehigh‐qualityresidentialdwellingunitswithanenvironmentallyconscioussustainabledesignwithinCenturyCity,incloseproximitytojobs,transit,restaurants,andretailuses.TheProjectwouldcreatealandmarkgatewaytoCenturyCity.Theproject’slandscapedopenspacewouldalsoenhancethequalityoflifefortheCity’sfutureandexistingresidents,withapproximately43,141squarefeetoflandscapedopenspacetocreateanoverallgardenfeeloutwardfromtheprojectsitetothepublicstreet.Theprojectwouldalsoenhancepedestrianactivitylinkingtoshopping,recreation,entertainmentinbothCenturyCityandBeverlyHills,aswellasaccesstonearbyjobopportunities

Objective3.1:AccommodateadiversityofusesthatsupporttheneedsoftheCity’sexistingandfutureresidents,businesses,andvisitors.

Consistent.TheproposedprojectwouldcontributetothediversificationofusesinCenturyCity,whichcurrentlyincludesoffice,retail,hotel,restaurant,entertainment,andmulti‐familyresidentialuses.TheFrameworkstatesthat“theproductionofhousinghasnotkeptpacewiththedemandforhousingintheCityofLosAngeles,andtheCityhasinsufficientvacantpropertiestoaccommodatetheprojectedpopulationgrowth”(Framework,Chapter4,page1).Inthisregard,theprovisionofresidentialuseswouldsupporttheneedsoftheCity’sexistingandfutureresidents,andwouldprovidearesidentialbasethatwouldsupporttheCity’sbusinesses.

Policy3.1.1:IdentifyareasontheLandUseDiagramandtheCommunityPlanssufficientforthedevelopmentofadiversityofusesthatservetheneedsofexistingandfutureresidents(housing,employment,retail,entertainment,cultural/institutional,educational,health,services,recreation,andsimilaruses),providejobopportunities,andsupportvisitorsandtourism.

Consistent.CenturyCityisidentifiedasa“RegionalCenter”ontheGeneralPlanFramework’sLandUseDiagram.DevelopmentofresidentialunitsinCenturyCitywouldservetheneedsofexistingandfutureresidentsandwouldexpandthediversitywithinthisdesignatedRegionalCenter.Theproposedprojectwouldbelocatedincloseproximitytocommercial,retail,entertainment,andrestaurantuses.Duringconstruction,anduponcompletionandoccupancy,theprojectisexpectedtogenerateneweconomicactivityintheCity,includingnumerousconstructionjobsandfullandpart‐timejobsfortheresidential‐supportuses.

Policy3.1.4:AccommodatenewdevelopmentinaccordancewithlanduseanddensityprovisionsoftheGeneralPlanFrameworkLong‐RangeLandUseDiagram.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeFrameworkElement’sLong‐RangeLandUseDiagram,whichidentifiesCenturyCityasaRegionalCentertargetedforhighdensitygrowth.TheProjectwouldprovideapproximately283residentialunitswithassociatedamenitiesatadensityconsistentwiththeintentoftheRegionalCenterdesignation,adjacenttootherhighdensityuses.

Policy3.1.7:Allowfordevelopmentinaccordancewiththepolicies,standards,andprogramsofspecificplansinareasinwhichtheyhavebeenadopted.

Consistent.Theapproximately2.4‐acreprojectsiteislocatedwithintheCenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan,whichestablishespolicies,standards,andprogramsforfuturedevelopmentofthesite.TheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeCATGPTriprequirementsoftheCCNSP,aswellasothercriteriapertainingtothetypeofdevelopmentanticipatedattheprojectsiteintheCCNSP.ThepoliciesoftheCCNSPrelativetothe


Table IV.H‐1 (Continued)

Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies

of the General Plan Framework Element



proposedprojectaredescribedingreaterdetailinTableIV.H‐3,below.

Objective3.2:Toprovideforthespatialdistributionofdevelopmentthatpromotesanimprovedqualityoflifebyfacilitatingareductionofvehicletrips,vehiclemilestraveled,andairpollution.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldintegrateresidentialhousingintoaRegionalCenter,therebyreducingtheneedforresidentstotravelelsewhereforjobs,shopping,dining,andentertainment.Byprovidingresidentialusesnearcomplementaryoffice,retail,entertainment,andotherresidentialuses,andinproximitytoexistingandproposedtransitcorridors,theprojectwouldreducethenumberandlengthofvehiculartripscomparedtolocatingthesameresidentialusesinamoredistantsuburbanlocation,therebyreducingcongestionandairpollution.Theproject’slocationandpedestrianamenitieswouldalsolinkthesitetonearbyjobcenters.Thesefeatureswouldpromotepedestrianactivityratherthanarelianceonvehicles.

Objective3.4:Encouragenewmulti‐familyresidential,retailcommercial,andofficedevelopmentintheCity’sneighborhooddistricts,community,regional,anddowntowncentersaswellasalongprimarytransitcorridors/boulevards,whileatthesametimeconservingexistingneighborhoodsandrelateddistricts.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovide283newresidentialunitsinaRegionalCenterlocatedalongSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway,withnumerouspublictransitopportunities.Theprojectwouldalsobelocatedincloseproximitytoothermajorroadways,includingWilshireBoulevardandOlympicBoulevard.PublictransitservestheseroadsaswellasthemajorarterialsinCenturyCity.MetroisalsoproposingtolocateastationstopfortheWestsideSubwayExtension(thePurpleLine)inCenturyCityinthevicinityoftheProjectsite.Threelocationsforthestationarecurrentlyunderconsiderationwhichrangefrom0.05milesto0.5milesindistancedependingontheselectedlocation.BylocatingtheProject’sresidentialuseswithinCenturyCity’sdensecommercialarea,theProjectwouldprovidehousingopportunitiesoutsideofexistingneighborhoods,therebyhelpingtopreservethoseneighborhoods.

Objective3.7:Provideforthestabilityandenhancementofmulti‐familyresidentialneighborhoodsandallowforgrowthinareaswherethereissufficientpublicinfrastructureandservicesandtheresidents’qualityoflifecanbemaintainedorimproved.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovidemulti‐familyresidentialdevelopmentinahighlyurbanizedareawithsufficientpublicinfrastructureandservicestomeetprojectneeds.TheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheCCNSPwhichprovidesphasingmechanismsforassuringthatnewdevelopmentoccurscommensuratewithavailableinfrastructure.TheprojectwouldcreateasubstantiallylandscapedresidentialinterfacealongtheexistingpedestriancorridorbetweenresidentialneighborhoodsinCenturyCityandretail,restaurant,andcommercialusesalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardcorridorandintheCityofBeverlyHills;andbetweenresidentialneighborhoodsintheCityofBeverlyHillsandentertainment,services,andWestfieldretailandgroceryinCenturyCity.

Objective3.10:Reinforceexisting,andencouragedevelopmentofnew,regionalcentersthataccommodateabroadrangeofusesthatserve,providejobopportunities,andareaccessibletotheregion,arecompatiblewithadjacentlanduses,andaredevelopedtoenhanceurbanlifestyles.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldreinforcetheexistingCenturyCityRegionalCenterbyprovidinganimportantresidentialcomponentcomplementingCenturyCity’sexistingoffice,retail,anddiningopportunities.Bylocatinghousingwithinavibrantcommercialandretailarea,theprojectisdesignedtoenhancetheurbanlifestyleofCenturyCityandnearbyBeverlyHills,andtoreducedependenceonautomobiles.Theproject’sbuildingorientation,design,andpedestrianamenitieswouldlinkthesitetothesenearbyjobcentersandretail,andtheprojectwouldbecomplementedbyopenspacefacingSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive,withimprovedstreetscapeandsidewalks.Accordingly,residentsandvisitorsoftheprojectwouldbeabletoaccess







nearbybusiness,employment,entertainment,andlodginguseswithease.

Objective3.16:Accommodatelanduses,locateanddesignbuildings,andimplementstreetscapeamenitiesthatenhancepedestrianactivity.

Consistent.TheproposedprojectincludesanumberofdesignfeaturesthatsupportandenhancetheoverallpedestrianenvironmentwithinCenturyCity.ProjectdesignfeaturesincludelandscapingandenhancedpedestrianaccessalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive.Thelandscapingprogramwouldincludeextensivelylandscapedopenspacewithmaturetrees,shrubs,andgroundcover,andwouldsupporttheconceptspresentedinthe2007GreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlansoastoenhancethequalityofthepublicthoroughfaresandprovideanappearancethatisconsistentwiththeoveralllandscapingconceptforCenturyCity.

Housing Chapter

Policy4.1.1:ProvidesufficientlanduseanddensitytoaccommodateanadequatesupplyofhousingunitsbytypeandcostwithineachCitysub‐regiontomeetthetwenty‐yearprojectionsofhousingneeds.

Consistent:Theproposedprojectwouldprovide283newmulti‐familyhousingunits,therebycontributingtothemulti‐familyhousinggoalsfortheCityofLosAngeles.Theproposedprojectrepresentsapproximately2.7percentofthenewhouseholdsprojectedforthecensustractscomprisingtheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan(2009estimatedresidentialunits)comparedtoSCAG’s2020estimatedhouseholds(residentialunits)forthesamecensustracts(38,200unitsin2009comparedto48,596unitsin2020=10,396newhouseholds).aTheprojectcombinedwithrelatedprojectsintheprojectstudyareaintheWestLosAngelescommunitywouldincreasehousingby2,160units(seeSec.IV.H.4,CumulativeImpacts,below),whichwouldamounttoapproximately20.7percentoftheanticipatedincreaseinhousingintheWestLosAngelescommunitybetween2009and2020.Theprojectandrelatedprojectswouldcontributetothearea’shousingsupplytohelpmeettheCity’slong‐termprojectionsofhousingneeds.

Objective4.2:Encouragethelocationofnewmulti‐familyhousingdevelopmenttooccurinproximitytotransitstations,alongsometransitcorridors,andwithinsomehighactivityareaswithadequatetransitionsandbuffersbetweenhigherdensitydevelopmentandsurroundinglowerdensityresidentialneighborhoods.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbelocatedwithinahighlydevelopedurbanareaalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandiswithincloseproximitytoothermajorroadways,includingWilshireBoulevardandOlympicBoulevard,andtheproposedMetroWestsideSubwayExtensionstation.Theproject,whichwouldbesituatedadjacenttotheexistingmid‐andhigh‐risesinCenturyCity,wouldmaintainthecharacterofthesurroundingarea.Theprojectwouldprovideopenspacebufferareasbetweentheproject’sbuildingsandtheadjacentBeverlyHillsHighSchooltothesouthandmultifamilyresidentialusestotheeast.Theproject’sancillarybuildingwithparkingandresidentialamenitieswouldbelocatedalongthewesternportionofthesite,distantfromthemultifamilyresidentialuseslocatedinBeverlyHillstotheeast.

Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter

Goal5A:AlivableCityforexistingandfutureresidentsandonethatisattractivetofutureinvestment.ACityofinterconnected,diverseneighborhoodsthatbuildsonthestrengthsofthoseneighborhoodsandfunctionsatboththeneighborhoodandCitywidescales.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldprovideasubstantialinvestmentintheCityandinhigh‐qualityurbanhousingalongamajorcommercialcorridor,inadenseurbanarea¸consistentwiththevisionoftheCCNSP.Theprojectwouldgeneratelocalspendingbyhouseholdsoccupyingtheproposedresidentialdevelopment,andannualtaxrevenuefortheCity,aswellasrevenuethroughavarietyofdevelopment‐relatedfeesandtaxes,(e.g.,Quimbyfeesandconstructionfees).







Objective5.2:Encouragefuturedevelopmentincentersandinnodesalongcorridorsthatareservedbytransitandarealreadyfunctioningascentersforthesurroundingneighborhoods,thecommunity,ortheregion.

Consistent.TheprojectsitewouldbesituatedontheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandwithinashortwalkingdistancetotheTransitParkway’sbusrapidtransit(busrapidtransit)stationandthefuturestationstopfortheLosAngelesMetroWestsideSubwayExtensioninCenturyCity.Threelocationsforthestationarecurrentlyunderconsiderationwhichrangefrom0.05milesto0.5milesindistancefromtheprojectsite,dependingontheselectedlocation.TheCenturyCityareacurrentlyfunctionsasaRegionalCenter.

Policy5.2.2:Encouragethedevelopmentofcenters,districts,andselectedcorridor/boulevardnodessuchthatthelanduses,scale,andbuiltformallowedand/orencouragedwithintheseareasallowthemtofunctionascentersandsupporttransituse,bothindaytimeandnighttime.

Consistent.CenturyCityisadesignatedRegionalCenterconsistingofamixtureofhigh‐riseoffice,commercial,retail,restaurant,entertainment,andresidentialuseslocatedincloseproximitytomajorroadways,includingSantaMonicaBoulevardandWilshireBoulevard.ThelocationoftheprojectwithinthisRegionalCenterisconsistentwiththelanduses,scale,andbuiltformofthesurroundingareaandwouldencourageandsupporttransitusebothindaytimeandnighttime.Theproject’scomplementaryusestotheexistingcommercialandentertainmentusesanditsconnectivityalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrivefrontageswouldsupportdaytimeandnighttimeuse.

Open Space and Conservation Chapter

Policy6.4.8.a&b:Encouragetheimprovementofopenspace,bothonpublicandprivateproperty,asopportunitiesarise.Suchplacesmayincludethededicationof“unbuildable”areasorsitesthatmayserveasgreenspace,orpathwaysandconnectionsthatmaybeimprovedtoserveasneighborhoodlandscapeandrecreationamenities.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovideapproximately43,141squarefeetofgroundlevelopenspace,comprisingapproximately41percentoftheprojectsite.Thelandscapingprogramwouldincludematuretrees,shrubs,andgroundcoverthroughoutthesite;andtheSantaMonicaBoulevardfrontagewouldtransitionatthecornerofSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDriveintoalargerexpanseofopenspace.Theprojectwouldextendanoverallgardenfeeloutwardfromtheprojectsitetothepublicstreet.ThistypeofexpansiveopenspaceareawouldprovideaneededcomplementtotheurbannatureofCenturyCity,asencouragedbytheCommunityPlan.Itwouldalsoprovideapedestrian‐friendlyenvironmentandwouldenrichthestreetlifebyencouragingwalkingbetweenadjacentuses.Theprojectwouldalsoincluderooftopopenspaceandrecreationalamenities,aswellasprivateopenspaceareas.Theproject’sancillarybuildingwouldincludea27,579squarefootlandscapedroofdeckwithoutdoorpool,sundeck,hottubandtenniscourtfacility,andwouldalsoincludealargeindoorlappool.Theprojectwouldalsoprovideprivateterracesformanyresidences,totaling30,300squarefeet.

Transportation

Objective3:Supportdevelopmentinregionalcenters,communitycenters,majoreconomicactivityareasandalongmixed‐useboulevardsasdesignatedintheCommunityPlans.

Consistent.TheprojectsiteislocatedinCenturyCity,amajoreconomicactivityareathatisdesignatedasaRegionalCenterintheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan(CommunityPlan,pageIII‐4).TheproposedprojectisconsistentwiththeGeneralPlanFramework’sgoaloftargetingRegionalCentersforhigher‐densitygrowth.Inaddition,theprojectsiteislocatedinatransitcorridorandincloseproximitytothefuturePurpleLinestation,thus,supportingtheCity’stransportationobjectivestoconcentratedevelopmentinactivityareas.







Objective4:Preservetheexistingcharacteroflowerdensityresidentialareasandmaintainpedestrian‐orientedenvironmentswhereappropriate.

Consistent.CenturyCityisageographicdistrictthatadjoinssurroundinglow‐densityresidentialusesbydefinedboundaries.Forinstance,thejurisdictionalboundarybetweentheCityofLosAngelesandtheCityofBeverlyHillsformstheeastboundaryofCenturyCity.ThepatternofdevelopmentassociatedwithCenturyCityisthatofhigh‐riseusesjuxtaposedwithoff‐sitelowdensityresidentialneighborhoodsinboththeCitiesofLosAngelesandBeverlyHillstotheeastandwestofCenturyCity.Itistypicaloftheexistingcharacteroftheseoff‐siteneighborhoodstoexperiencetheadjoiningtallbuildingsrisinginthebackground.TheprojectsiteislocatedwithintheexistingboundariesofCenturyCityandwouldnotreplaceorremovelowdensityuses,orchangelandusepatternswithinexistinglow‐densityresidentialneighborhoods.TheproposedprojectislocatedattheedgeofCenturyCitynearanexistinglow‐rise,multi‐familyneighborhoodtothewestofMorenoDriveinBeverlyHills.Thisdevelopmentpatternissimilartothejuxtapositionofexistinghigh‐risetowersinCenturyCitywithoff‐siteresidentialusesandisconsistentwithCenturyCity’shigh‐risepattern.Inaddition,theproposedprojectwouldprovideadeep,landscapedsetbackbetweentheproject’sresidentialbuildingandtheoff‐siteresidentialneighborhood.Theproposedprojectwouldprovidepedestrianamenities,includingstreettreesalongMorenoDrive.Astheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithanestablisheddevelopmentpattern,wouldnotoccurwithinalow‐densityresidentialneighborhood,wouldprovidealandscapedsetback,andwouldenhancethepedestriancharacterofthearea,itwouldbeconsistentwiththeGeneralPlanFramework’sobjectiveofpreservinglowerdensityresidentialneighborhoodsandenhancingtheexistingpedestrianenvironment.

a Southern California Associations of Governments, 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, Integrated Growth Forecast, Forecast by Census Tract for 2020, compared to City of Los Angeles, Local Population and Housing Profile for 2009 for census tracts comprising the West Los Angeles Community Plan.

Source:PCRServicesCorporation,2011.

Thelocationofmulti‐familyhousingonthesitewouldconserveexistingresidentialneighborhoodsinthatitwould be located entirely within the boundaries of Century City and would not replace any housing inexistingneighborhoods.

Theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithestablishedlandusepatternsinthearea,inwhichhigh‐riseusesarelocatedinproximitytooff‐site,lowdensityresidentialneighborhoods.Theproposedprojectwouldprovideforthestabilityandenhancementofmulti‐familyresidentialneighborhoodsasitwouldoccurinanareawheresufficientpublicinfrastructureandservicesareavailable.Theproposedprojectwouldenhancethequalityoflifeofthearea’sresidentsbycreatingaresidentiallinkbetweenexistingresidentialusesinthesouthportionofCenturyCityandusesalongSantaMonicaBoulevard.



TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedadjacenttotheSantaMonicaTransitParkwayandinthevicinityoftheproposedPurpleLinesubwaystationandwould,thus,supporttransit,consistentwiththegoalsoftheHousingandTransportationChapters. Theproposedprojectwouldalsobeconsistentwith theobjectivesandpoliciesoftheTransportationChapteroftheGeneralPlaninthatitwouldbelocatedinamajor,existingeconomicactivityarea.AstheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithapplicableobjectivesandpoliciesoftheGeneralPlanFramework,itwouldhavealessthansignificantimpactwithrespecttoconsistencywiththislanduseplan.

(b) Do Real Planning

ThePlanningCommission’s“DoRealPlanning”includesfourteenpointsintendedtosettheCityonacoursetowardsustainability.ManyofthefourteenpointsaddressproceduresfortheoperationoftheCityPlanningDepartmentorissuesisolatedtospecificsettingsandtypesofprojectsthataredifferentfromtheproposedproject. However, of the fourteen points, several address planning concepts that are relevant to theproposedproject.Pointsofparticularnotearethosethatpertaintolocationoflandusesanddensity(Points3 and 6), site design/walkability/parking location (Points 1, 2, 9 and 12), improvement of housing stock(Point5),andgreendesignwithabundantlandscaping(Points7and8).Point1,“DemandaWalkableCity”hasledtothedevelopmentofa“WalkabilityChecklist,”discussedbelow.Pointsof“DoRealPlanning”thatwouldbeapplicabletotheprojectincludethefollowing:

Point 3, “Require Density Around Transit” and Point 6, “Locate Jobs Near Housing,” address thelocationofnewdevelopmentwithintheCity. Theprojectwouldbesupportiveofthesepointsasitincreases population density in an area that is well served by public transit, including bus rapidtransitandthefutureCenturyCityPurpleLineSubwaystation.Thesitealsohasimmediateaccesstoemployment,services,retailinCenturyCityandtheimmediatesurroundingarea.

Point5,“AdvanceHomesforEveryIncome,”addressesthevalueofup‐zoninglandtoaccommodatehigherdensitiesand theneed toaddresshousing for thepoorandmiddleclassasacomponentofsuchup‐zoning.Whiletheprojectdoesnotincludeaffordablehousing,theprojectwouldcontributetotheobjectiveofPoint5inthatitwouldincreasehousingstockwithavarietyofunitsizes.

Point 12, “Identify Smart Parking Requirements,” addresses smart parking guidelines intended toavoid parking lots that occupy prime street frontage. The proposed project design would beconsistentwiththisintentinthatallparkingwouldbeenclosed,andsetbackbehindlandscapingandbuildingfrontages. WiththeAutomatedParkingOption,thefloorareaandrespectivebuildingsizeneededtoparktheproposed708spaceswouldbedecreased.

Point2,“OfferBasicDesignStandards,”andPoint8,“LandscapeinAbundance,”andPoint9,“ArrestVisual Blight,” apply to the appearance of the City. The proposed project, which would be adistinctive landmark building of high‐quality architectural design, would be consistentwith thesepoints.Inaddition,thestreetfrontagehasbeendesignedtobevisuallyattractiveasviewedfromthesidewalklevel. Someoftheproject’sdesignfeaturesincludeaprojectdesignwitharticulationandtexture toavoid “stuccobox”development, theundergroundingofutilities; theavoidanceofblankwalls, andstreet‐frontparking lots;anda substantial landscapingprogram,with41percentof thesiteingroundlevelopenspace.

Point7,“ProduceGreenBuildings,”addressestheneedtosupportsustainabledevelopmentand, inparticular, toencouragedevelopers to commit tobuildingLEEDcertifiedbuildings. TheproposedprojectwouldbedesignedtoachievethestandardsofLEEDcertificationandtocomplywiththeCity



of Los Angeles Green Building Ordinance. A sustainability program would be prepared andmonitored by a LEED accredited design consultant to provide guidance in project design,construction andoperations; and to provideperformancemonitoringduringproject operations toreconciledesignandenergyperformanceandenhanceenergysavings.

(c) Walkability Checklist

TheprojectiscomparedtothepoliciesoftheCity’sWalkabilityChecklistinTableIV.H‐2,ComparisonoftheProject to thePoliciesof theWalkabilityChecklist, below. As shown inTable IV.H‐2, theprojectwouldbesubstantially consistentwithchecklistpolicies. Theprojectwould improveexistingpedestrianconditionsalongMorenoDriveandSantaMonicaBoulevardbylandscapingandupgradingtheexistingstreetfrontage.The project would feature a well‐defined building entrance oriented toward and accessible from SantaMonicaBoulevard,andcreatea landmarktower thatwouldcontribute to the identityofCenturyCityasastrong,positivecomponentoftheCity’sskyline.BecausetheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeapplicablepoliciesoftheWalkabilityChecklistimpactswithrespecttothesepolicieswouldbelessthansignificant.

(d) West Los Angeles Community Plan

Table IV.H‐3,ComparisonoftheProposedProjecttoApplicablePoliciesoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,evaluatestheconsistencyof theproposedprojectwithpoliciesof theCommunityPlan. AsshowninTable IV.H‐3, theproposedprojectwouldbe substantially consistentwith thePlan’s residential andopenspace objectives and policies. The proposed project would be consistent with commercial objectives tostrengthenviablecommercialdevelopmentbyenlargingtheresidentialbasethatwouldsupportsuchuses.Neworproposedcommercialusesincludeanetincreaseof358,881squarefeetofretail/restaurantusesinthe nearby Westfield Century City Shopping Center and over 3 million square feet of new office, retail,entertainment,andrestaurantusesinthe2000AvenueoftheStarsproject. Theproximityofaresidentialpopulationtocommercialuseswouldsupportandstrengthenviablecommercialdevelopmentinthearea.

As discussed in Table IV.H‐3, the proposed project would support the distinction of Century City as apedestrian‐orientedcommercialcenterandwouldpromotethecharacterofthedistrictthoughhighqualityarchitectural design. The proposed project would be consistent with the open space goal to providesufficientopenspaceinbalancewithnewdevelopmenttoservetherecreational,environmental,healthandsafetyneedsofthecommunity.

Astheproposeddevelopmentwouldnotincludea“low‐income”component,theproposedprojectwouldnotdirectlycontributetoattainmentoftheCity’sobjectivestopromoteaffordablehousing.Theprojectwouldalso not directly contribute to the policy to prevent development of all‐residential uses on commercialproperties.However,thecriterionfordeterminingsignificancewithrespecttoalanduseplanemphasizesconflictswithplansadoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffect,recognizingthataninconsistencywithaplan,policy,orregulationdoesnotnecessarilyequatetoasignificantimpactontheenvironment.Althoughtheproposedprojectwouldnotprovideaffordablehousing,thiswouldnotresultinnoncompliancewithanestablishedregulationnorresultinasignificantphysicalimpactasaresultofthenon‐compliance.Inaddition,theprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththehigh‐riseurbancharacterofadjacentandsurroundinghigh‐riseofficebuildingsandwouldnotcauseachangeinthearea’scharacterthatwoulddiscourage the continuation of existing commercial uses. Therefore, the project would not result in asignificant environmental impact and would be in substantial compliance with the land use designation,objectivesandpoliciesoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan.



Table IV.H‐2

Comparison of the Project to the Policies of the Walkability Checklist

Objective/Goal/Policy Project Compatibility

SIDEWALKS

Objective:Supporteaseofpedestrianmovementandenrichthequalityofthepublicrealmbyprovidingappropriateconnectionsandstreetfurnishingsinthepublicrightofway.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldupgradelandscapingandstreettrees,andprovidepedestrianlightingalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrivefrontages,enhancingpedestrianlinkagesbetweenBeverlyHillsandtheCenturyCityretailandentertainmentuses.

GoalsDelineatethepedestriancorridor. Consistent. Improved sidewalksandadjacent

landscapingwoulddelineatethepedestriancorridorinthevicinityoftheprojectsite.

Provideforpedestriansafetyandcomfort. Consistent. Theprojectwouldprovideforpedestriansafetyandcomfortthroughtheprovisionofpedestrianlightingandsidewalkimprovements.

Encouragepedestriantravel. Consistent. Theprojectwouldencouragepedestriantravelbylocatingamulti‐familyresidentialusewithinwalkingdistanceofabroadarrayofretail,restaurant,entertainment,businessoffices,andservices,aswellasproximitytotransitintheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandthefuturePurpleLineSubway.

Createactiveenvironmentsbysupportingavarietyofpedestrianactivities.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldsupportpedestrianactivitybyenhancingthestreetfrontwithlandscapinganddirectaccessfromtheproposedresidentialtower.

Create,preserve,andenhanceneighborhoodidentityand“placemaking.”

Consistent. TheneighborhoodidentityofCenturyCityisthatofhigh‐riseclusters,locatedinbroad,landscapedsetbacks.Theprojectwouldsupportandenhancetheexistingneighborhoodidentityand“placemaking”bycreatingalandmarktowerwithahighdegreeofarchitecturalinterestwithinthecurrentbackdropofCenturyCity’stowers.

Complywithgovernmentalregulationsforallimprovementsinthepublicrightofway.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldcomplywithexistingregulationsforimprovementsinthepublicright‐of‐way.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistCreateacontinuousandpredominantlystraightsidewalkandopenspace.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldprovidecontinuoussidewalks,landscaping,andlandscapedsetbacksalongthepublicright‐of‐way.

Createabufferbetweenpedestriansandmovingvehiclesbytheuseoflandscapeandstreetfurniture(benches,newspaperracks,pedestrianinformationkiosks,bicycleracks,busshelters,andpedestrianlighting).

Consistent. Theprojectwouldprovidenewlandscaping/treesalongthepedestrianwaystocreatealandscapedbufferbetweenthepedestrianwaysandthevaletandothersiteactivitiesattheprojectsite.

Provideadequatesidewalkwidththataccommodatespedestrianflowandactivityyetisnotwiderthannecessary.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldprovideuniformsidewalksthatwouldaccommodatepedestrianflow.






Utilizestreetfurnishingstocreateaconsistentrhythm(i.e.,consistentheightoflightpolesorconsistentshadepatternoftrees).

Consistent. TheprojectwouldprovideuniformstreettreesandpedestrianlightingtocreateaconsistentrhythmandpatternalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrivefrontages.

Incorporatecloselyplantedshade‐producingstreettrees.Theymaybeinterspersedwithexistingorproposedpalms.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldprovidecloselyplanted,shadeproducingstreettrees.

Plantparkwayswithgroundcover,low‐growingvegetationorpermeablematerialsthataccommodatebothpedestrianmovementandcardoors.

Consistent.Parkwaylandscapingwouldbeprovidedthatwouldaccommodatepedestrianmovement.However,noparkingwouldbeallowedalongtheproject’sSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrivefrontagesandtheneedforlow‐profileshrubberytoaccommodatecardoorswouldnotbenecessary.

CROSSWALKS / STREET CROSSINGS

Objective:Pedestriansafetyistheprimaryconcernindesigningandmanagingstreetcrossings.Crossingsthataresafe,easytouseandwell‐markedsupportactive,pedestrian‐friendlyenvironmentsandlinkbothsidesofthestreetphysicallyandvisually.

Consistent. The MorenoDrive/SouthSantaMonicaBoulevardintersectioncrossingfromtheprojectsitetotheeastwasinstalledandsignalizedwiththedevelopmentoftheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway.ThenearestpedestrianrouteacrosstheSantaMonicaTransitParkwayislocatedatCenturyParkEast,oneblocktothewestoftheprojectsite.NopedestrianaccessacrosstheTransitParkwayisprovidedattheprojectsite,orwouldbeappropriateduetothecomplexityoftheintersection(severalroadwaysconvergingandseparatinginacomplexsignalizedpattern).Forfurtherdiscussionregardingpedestriansafety,refertoSectionIV.K,TrafficandCirculation,ofthisEIR.

GoalsAppropriatelylocatestreetcrossingsinresponsetotheanticipatedtrafficflowandconvenienceofthepedestrian.

Consistent. Thestreetcrossingsat,orinthevicinityof,theprojectsite,arebasedonrecentchangesinthealignmentoftheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway.TheMorenoDrivepedestriancrossing,whichleadsfromtheprojectsitetoacommercialdistrictintheCityofBeverlyHills,iswell‐markedandsignalized.Theprojectwouldnotchangeoraffecttheexisting,recentlyconstructedconfigurationofcrosswalks.

Provideforpedestriansafetyandcomfort. Consistent. Theproject wouldprovidedenselandscapingalongthesidewalks,alongwithsidewalkandcurbimprovements.

Increasethelevelofcautionofpedestriansandmotorists.

Consistent. Theproject wouldlimitdrivewaystotworight‐turnonlydrivewayonSantaMonicaBoulevardandonemulti‐usedrivewayonMorenoDrive,bothwelldistancefromtheintersection.Theprojectwouldalsoprovidepedestrianlightingtoincreasesecurityandpedestrianvisibility.






Createalinkbetweenthetwosidesofthestreetormarkablock’smid‐pointorend‐point.

Consistent. TheprojectsiteislocatedatthesouthwestcorneroftheintersectionofSantaMonicaBoulevard/SantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandMorenoDrive.Inthisarea,theSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandaseriesofaccessroadsparallelSantaMonicaBoulevard,withnointerveningdevelopment.AlinkacrossthecombinedSantaMonicaBoulevardandtheTransitParkwayisnotappropriateattheprojectsite.However,asignalizedpedestriancrossing,whichlinksthetwosidesofMorenoDrive,iscurrentlyprovidedacrossMorenoDriveatthenortheastcorneroftheprojectsite.Theexistinglinkagewouldbecontinuedwiththedevelopmentoftheproject.

EnsurecrosswalksareincompliancewithDepartmentsofTransportationandPublicWorksregulations.

Consistent. TheconfigurationofthesignalizedcrosswalksacrossMorenoDriveisconsistentwiththerequirementsDepartmentsofTransportationandPublicWorks.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistIncorporatesuchfeaturesaswhitemarkings,signage,andlightingsothatpedestriancrossingsarevisibletomovingvehiclesduringthedayandnight.

Consistent. TheexistingsignalizedcrosswalkatMorenoDriveincorporatesmarkingsandsignalization.Futurevisibilitymaybeenhancedbynewpedestrianlightingonthewestside(projectsite).

Improvevisibilityforpedestriansincrosswalksbyinstallingcurbextensions/bumpoutsandadvancestopbars,andeliminatingon‐streetparkingspacesadjacenttothecrossing.

Consistent. TheSantaMonicaBoulevard/MorenoDriverights‐of‐wayandtrafficdemandwouldnotallowbump‐outs.However,noparkingwouldbeallowedalongtheprojectfrontages.Therefore,pedestrianswouldbevisibletodriversapproachingtheintersection.

Emphasizepedestriansafetyandcomfortatcrosswalkswithdevicessuchaspedestriancrossingsignals,visibleandaccessiblepushbuttonsforpedestrianactuatedsignalsanddualsidewalkrampsthataredirectedtoeachcrosswalk.

Consistent. ThepedestriancrossingatMorenoDriveisimprovedwithpedestriancrossingsignals.DualsidewalkrampswouldnotbenecessarysincenocrossingofSantaMonicaBoulevardinthislocationisprovided.Theprojectwouldcontinuetheexistingaccesspatternatthislocationforthereasonsdescribedabove.

Createtheshortestpossiblecrossingdistanceatpedestriancrossingsonwidestreets.Devicesthatdecreasethecrossingdistancemayincludeamid‐streetcrossingisland,anareaofrefugebetweenaright‐turnlaneandthroughlane,acurbextension/bumpoutandaminimalcurbradius.

Consistent. MorenoDriveisalocalstreetinthislocation,andthestreetcrossingisrelativelynarrow.Nochangesinthestreetorsidewalkconfigurationwouldbenecessary.

ON‐STREET PARKING

Objective:On‐streetparkingisoftendesiredinresidentialandcommercialareasforitsconvenientaccesstostreetfrontentrances.Residents,shoppers,andbusinessesareamenabletolimitedslowingoftrafficasatrade‐offfortheeconomicbenefitsofon‐streetparking.

NotApplicable.Noon‐streetparkingisavailablealongtheproject’sstreetfrontages.TheestablishedSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDriverightsofwayandexistingtrafficdemanddonotandwouldnotprovidespaceforon‐streetparking.






GoalsMaximizeon‐streetparking. NotApplicable.(Seethepriorcomment.)Directlyserveadjacentstreetfrontentranceswithon‐streetparking.

NotApplicable.(Seethepriorcomment.)

Createabufferbetweenpedestriansandtheroadway.

Consistent. TheprojectfrontagesalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDriveincludenotablelandscapedsetbacksandlandscapedparkways.

Complywithapplicablegovernmentalregulationsforallparkinginthepublicrightofway.

NotApplicable.Noparkingiscurrentlyprovidedorwouldbeprovidedontheproject’sMorenoDriveandSantaMonicaBoulevardstreetfrontages.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistProvideangledorparallelon‐streetparkingwhereverpossible.

NotApplicable.(Seethepriorcomment.)

Eliminatestreetparkingwithinpedestriancrossings. NotApplicable.(Seethepriorcomment.)UTILITIES

Objective:Thedisruptionofviewsandvisualpollutioncreatedbyutilitylinesandequipmentshouldbeminimized.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbelocatedunderground.

GoalsLocateutilitiesinareasthatpreservethecharacterofthestreetandneighborhood.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbelocatedunderground,consistentwiththeexistingcharacterofSantaMonicaBoulevardinCenturyCity.

Minimizetheimpactofutilitiesonthevisualenvironment.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbelocatedundergroundandwouldnotimpactthevisualenvironment.

Minimizetheimpactofutilitiesonthepedestrianpathoftravel.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbelocatedundergroundandwouldnotimpactthepedestrianpathoftravel.

Ensurethelocationofutilitiesinthepublicrightofwaycomplieswithgovernmentalandutilityregulations.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentneededfortheprojectwouldcomplywithgovernmentalandutilityregulations.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistPlaceutilitiesundergroundwheneverpossible. Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbe

locatedunderground.Placeutilitiesinthelandscapeareasandawayfromcrosswalksorsidewalks.

Consistent.Allutilitylinesandequipmentwouldbelocatedundergroundand,therefore,sidewalksandcrosswalkswouldnotbeaffected.

Bufferequipmentwithplantinginamannerthatcontributestothequalityofthepublicstreetscape.

NotApplicable.Allutilitieswouldbelocatedundergroundandwouldnotrequirelandscapebuffers.

Eliminateconflictsbetweenutilitiesandaccesstobuildingentrances.

NotApplicable.Allutilitieswouldbeundergroundandnoconflictsbetweenutilitiesandaccesstobuildingentranceswouldoccur.






BUILDING ORIENTATION

Objective:Usetherelationshipbetweenbuildingandstreettoimproveneighborhoodcharacterandthepedestrianenvironment.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldimprovetherelationshipbetweentheresidentialtowerandthestreetbyorientingtheentrancetowardSantaMonicaBoulevard.Theentrancewouldbeatgradeandabroadpedestrianpathwayfromtheentrancetothesidewalkwouldbeprovided.

GoalsEnliventhepublicrealmbysitingbuildings,sotheyinteractwiththesidewalkandthestreet.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldenliventhepublicrealmbyorientingthefrontofthebuildingtowardSantaMonicaBoulevard.

Contributetoasenseofhumanscale. Consistent.TheprojectwouldcontributetoasenseofhumanscalebyorientingtheentrancetoSantaMonicaBoulevardandbyprovidingarchitecturaldefinitionofthebuilding’slowerstories.Architecturalfeaturesthatwouldenhancehumanscaleincludeadistinctentrylevel,canopies,andglasscantileveredbuildingelement.Buildingsetbacksandgroundlevellandscapingwouldalsocontributetotheproject’spedestrianlevel.

Supporteaseofaccessibilitytobuildings. Consistent.Abroadwalkwaywouldconnectthebuildingentranceandvaletdrop‐offtothepublicsidewalk.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistDesigngradelevelentrancesfromthepublicright‐of‐wayforpedestrians.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovidethefrontbuildingentranceatgradelevelandorientedtowardthepublicsidewalk.

Createprimaryentrancesforpedestriansthatareeasilyaccessiblefromtransitstops,withasdirectapathaspossibletothetransitstop.

Consistent.Thetowerentrancewouldbeorientedtowardthepublicsidewalk,whichhasdirectaccesstobusrapidtransit,andothertransitalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway.

Makeprimaryentrancestobuildingsvisiblefromthestreetandsidewalk.

Consistent.Thetowerentranceswouldbeatgradeandvisiblefromthestreetandsidewalk.

Maintainatleastoneentrancefromthepublicwayatretailestablishmentswithdoorsunlockedduringregularbusinesshours.

NotApplicable.Theprojectdoesnotincluderetailorothercommercialcomponents.

Incorporatetransitionsfromthesidewalktothefrontdoorsuchasgradeseparation,landscaping,and/orporchesatindividualentrancestoresidences.Thesemethodsshouldnotnegativelyimpacttheoverallstreetwall.

Consistent.Abroad,landscapedwalkwaywouldprovidethetransitionbetweenthesidewalkandthetowerentranceinmannerthatwouldnotnegativelyimpactthestreetfrontage.

ComplywithAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)guidelinesatprimarypedestrianentrances.Alternateapproachesforpersonswithmobilitylimitations(suchasarampnexttothemainpathtotheprimaryentry)shouldnotbenecessary.

Consistent.EntrancestothetowerandotheronsitefacilitieswouldcomplywithallapplicableADAguidelines.






Incorporatepassagewaysorpaseosintomid‐blockdevelopments,particularlyonlongblocks,thatfacilitatepedestrianmovementthroughthedepthoftheblocktothefrontofthenextparallelblock.Pedestriansneednotwalkthecircumferenceofablockinordertoaccessthemiddleofthenextparallelblockoralleyorparkingbehindtheblock.

NotApplicable.Theprojectsiteislocatedatthenortheastcornerofalargeblock.Mid‐streetpaseosandothercrossingswouldnotbeadaptabletothesite.

Activatemid‐blockpassagewaysorpaseossothattheyarevisuallyinterestingandsafespaces.

NotApplicable.Theprojectwouldnotprovidemid‐blockpassagewayssincetheinsideboundariesoftheprojectsitearenotlocatedparalleltoanotherstreetorblock.

Providedirectaccesstobuildingentrancesfromsidewalksandstreets.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovidedirectaccesstothebuildingentrancefromtheadjacentpublicsidewalk.

Locatebuildingsatthefrontpropertylineorattherequiredsetbacktocreateastrongstreetwall.Whereadditionalsetbackisnecessary,thatareacanbeusedtocreatean“outdoorroom”adjacenttothestreet,incorporatingseatingorwaterfeaturesforexample.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbelocatedinthenorthwestsectionoftheprojectsitetomaximizeopenspaceonthesouthandeastinterfaceswithBeverlyHillsHighSchoolandtheresidentialusesacrossMorenoDrive.TherelativelywidesetbackswouldenhancethevisibilityofthetowerfromthesidewalkandwouldbeinkeepingwithbroadersetbackstypicalofCenturyCity.

Usearchitecturalfeaturestoprovidecontinuityatthestreetwhereopeningsoccurduetodrivewaysorotherbreaksinthesidewalkandbuildingwall.

Consistent.Lowerstoryarchitecturalfeatures,landscaping,decorativepavementalongtheentrancedriveways,andotherfeatureswouldprovidevisualcontinuityattheproject’sdriveways.

OFF‐STREET PARKING AND DRIVEWAYS

Objective:Thesafetyofthepedestrianisprimaryinanenvironmentthatmustaccommodatepedestriansandvehicles.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbelimitedtotwodrivewaysonSantaMonicaBoulevardandonedrivewayonMorenoDrive.Valetactivitieswouldtakeplaceatthesite’sinterior.Drivewayswouldfeaturedecorativepavingatsidewalkcrossingsthatwouldenhancepedestrianawarenessofthedrivewaylocation.

GoalsEnsurethatclearandconvenientaccessforpedestriansisnotminimizedbyvehicularneeds.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldensurethatclearandconvenientaccessforpedestriansisnotaffectedbyvehicularneeds.Abroadpedestrianwalkway,separatedfromthedrivewayentrance,onSantaMonicaBoulevard,wouldensurepedestrianvisibilitybetweenthesidewalkandthetowerentrance.

Eliminateauto‐pedestrianconflicts. Consistent.Theprojectwouldeliminateauto‐pedestrianconflictsbyseparatingpedestrianaccesstothetowerandthedrivewayentrance,providingpedestrianlighting,andlimitingdriveways.






Increaseawarenessbetweenpedestriansandmotorists.

Consistent.Decorativedrivewaypavementandpedestrianlightingwouldincreaseawarenessbetweenpedestriansandmotorists.ThesignalizedcrosswalkatMorenoDrivewouldalsoincreaseawarenessandright‐of‐waybetweenpedestriansandmotorists.

Maintainthecharacterofapedestrianfriendlystreet. Consistent.Theprojectwouldenhancethestreetfrontagewithtreesandgardens,aswellaslimitthenumberofdrivewaycrossings.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistMaintaincontinuityofthesidewalk. Consistent.Theprojectwouldmaintainsidewalk

continuitybylimitingdrivewaycrossings.Locateparkingbehindbuildingsratherthandirectlyexposedtotheadjacentmajorstreet.

Consistent.Parkingwouldbeprovidedbothbelowgroundandinastructure(anancillary,ninestorystructurewithintheprojectsite).

Usealleystoaccesstheparkingbehindthebuilding.Ifnoalleyisavailable,createaccesstoparkingfromasidestreet,whereverpossible.

Consistent.Noalleyaccessisavailable.AccesswouldbelimitedtotwodrivewaysonSantaMonicaBoulevardandonedrivewayonMorenoDrive.

Accommodatevehicleaccesstoandfromthesitewithasfewdrivewaysaspossible.

Consistent.AccesswouldbelimitedtotwodrivewaysonSantaMonicaBoulevardandonedrivewayonMorenoDrive.

Limitthewidthofeachdrivewaytotheminimumrequired.

Consistent.Drivewayswouldbelimitedtominimumwidthspermittedfortwowaytraffic.

Incorporatearchitecturalfeaturesonparkingstructurefacadesthatrespondtotheneighborhoodcontextandthatcontributeto“placemaking”.

Consistent.Theparkingstructurewouldbedesignedtobecompatiblewiththearchitecturalstyleoftheresidentialtower.Groundlevelarchitecturalelementswillbecarriedfromtheresidentialbuilding.Thefacadesoftheparkingstructurewouldbedrapedwithverticallandscapingtocreatea“greenwall”effect.

Limitparkinginthefrontsetbackofthebuildingtowithinalloweddriveways.

Consistent.Theonlysurfaceparkingwouldconsistoftemporaryparkingwithinthevaletarea.

Mitigatetheimpactofparkingvisibletothestreetwiththeuseofplantingandlandscapewallstallenoughtoscreenheadlights.

Consistent.Parkedcarswithintheproposedsubterraneanandabove‐gradestructureswouldnotbevisiblefromthestreet.

Illuminateallparkingareasandpedestrianwalkways.

Consistent.Allpedestrianwalkwaysandadjacentsidewalkswouldbeilluminatedforway‐findingandsecurity.

Reconstructabandoneddrivewaysassidewalks. NotApplicable.Allformerdrivewayshavebeendemolishedandremoved.

Reconstructsub‐standarddrivewaystomeetcurrentADArequirements.

NotApplicable.Noformerorsubstandarddrivewaysexistonthesite.






ON‐SITE LANDSCAPING

Objective:Contributetotheenvironment,addbeauty,increasepedestriancomfort,addvisualrelieftothestreet,andextendthesenseofthepublicright‐of‐way.

Consistent.Thesidewalkfrontageswouldbelandscapedwithstreettreesandgardens.ThedeepgardeninthesoutheastsectorofthepropertywouldaddbeautyandaddvisualreliefasviewedfromtheMorenoDrivestreetandsidewalk,fromresidentialusestotheeastoftheprojectsite,andfromtheBeverlyHillsHighSchoolcampustothesouth.Theviewsintotheprojectsitefrompubliclocationswouldextendthesenseofthepublicright‐of‐way.

GoalsAddvisualinterest. Consistent.Streettrees,cornersignageand

landscaping,decorativedrivewaysurfacing,lawns,andgardenswouldaddvisualinterestasviewedfromsurroundingpubliclocations.

Differentiatethepublicpedestrianzonefromtheprivatezone.

Consistent.Streettreesandotherlandscapingwoulddifferentiatebetweenthepublicsidewalkandtheprojectinterior.

Enhancepedestriancomfort. Consistent.Denseshadetreesalongthesidewalkfrontageswouldenhancepedestriancomfort.

Createaneighborhoodidentityandcontributeto“placemaking”.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeidentityofCenturyCity,whichischaracterizedbyhigh‐risebuildingslocatedwithinlandscapedsetbacks.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistProvidecanopytreesinplantingareasinadditiontothestreettrees.

Consistent.Canopytreeswouldbelocatedthroughouttheprojectsite.

Provideplantingthatcomplementspedestrianmovementorviews.

Consistent.Abroad,landscapedentrancewalkwaywouldcomplementpedestrianmovementandopenviewsoftheprojectfromSantaMonicaBoulevard.

Provideplantingthatcomplementsthecharacterofthebuiltenvironment.

Consistent.Theproject’sformallandscapingschemewouldcomplementthecharacteroftheCenturyCity’shighlyurbanizedbuiltenvironmentandtheformaldesignofthebuilding.

BUILDING FAÇADE

Objective:Usethedesignofvisiblebuildingfacadestocreate/reinforceneighborhoodidentityandaricherpedestrianenvironment.

Consistent.Thebuildingdesignisbasedonagroupingofinterrelatedbuildingquadrantsandslopedlinesforroofs,entrycanopiesandselectedbuildingfaces(slightlyangledfacades)tocreatebuildingarticulationandinterest.Theheightandlandmarkqualityoftheproject’stowerwouldreinforcetheidentityofCenturyCityasasceniccomponentoftheCity’sskyline.

GoalsIncorporatefeaturesonthebuildingfacadethataddvisualinteresttotheenvironment.

Consistent.Theangularprojectionsofthetower’sentrancearea,exteriorwalls,androoflinewouldcreatedramaandaddvisualinteresttotheenvironment.






Createcompatibilitybetweenbuildings,street,andneighborhoodthrougharchitecturalelementsthataddscaleandcharacter.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththescaleandcharacterofsurroundinghigh‐risebuildingsand,throughat‐gradeandlowerlevelfeaturesincludingthedesignoftheentrancearea,wouldcreatecompatibilitybetweenthetowerandthestreet.

Provideviewsbeyondthestreetwalltoenhancethepublic’svisualenvironment.

Consistent.Viewsthroughvariousangledprojectionsalongthetower’sfaçadewouldenhancethepublic’svisualenvironment.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistIncorporatedifferenttextures,colors,materials,anddistinctivearchitecturalfeaturesthataddvisualinterest.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldincorporateavarietyofbuildingplanes,includingvariedrooflinesandbuildingmaterialsthatwouldaddvisualinterest.

Addscaleandinteresttothebuildingfacadebyarticulatedmassing.

Consistent.Asviewedfromvariousdirections,thebuildingwouldpresentvariousplanes,thicknesses,andarticulationsthatwouldaddscaleandinteresttothetower.

Reinforcetheexistingfacaderhythmalongthestreetwitharchitecturalelements.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbedesignedtocreateafaçaderhythmasviewedfromSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive,whichincludesangularlinesandprojectionsconsistentwiththearchitecturalintegrityofthestructure.

Discourageblankwalls.Architecturalfeatures,enhancedmaterials,fenestration,planting,lighting,andsignagemaycontributetoamorepedestrianfriendlystreetscape.

Consistent.Thebuildingwouldincorporatebuildingplanevariations,avarietyofbuildingmaterials,architecturallighting,andidentificationsignagewhichwouldavoidblankwallsandcreateapedestrianfriendlystreetscape.

Includeoverheadarchitecturalfeatures,suchasawnings,canopies,trellisesorcornicetreatmentsthatprovideshadeandreduceheatgain.

Consistent.Anangularprojectionovertheentranceareawouldprovideshadeandreduceheatgain,aswellasstrongarchitecturalinterest.

Contributetoneighborhoodsafetybyprovidingwindowsatthestreetthatactas“eyesonthestreet”.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldprovidewindowsthatoverlookthepublicsidewalksalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive.

Devote75%offacadesforgroundfloorretailusestopedestrianentrancesandpedestrian‐leveldisplaywindows.

NotApplicable.Theprojectwouldnotincorporatearetailcomponent.

Utilizethebuildingwallforsecuritybetweenthestructureandthestreet,eliminatingtheneedforfencesatthestreet.

NotApplicable.Theprojectincludessetbacksalongthestreetfrontages.

BUILDING SIGNAGE AND LIGHTING

Objective:Strengthenthepedestrianexperience,neighborhoodidentityandvisualcoherencewiththeuseofbuildingsignageandlighting.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovidewell‐designed,appropriately‐scaledsignagealongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive.Buildingidentificationsignagewouldbelocatedatstreetlevelandvisibletopedestrians.

GoalsCreatevisualcuesforpedestrians. Consistent.Buildingidentificationsignagewouldbe

locatedatstreetlevelandvisibletopedestrians.






Complementthecharacterofnearbybuildingsandthestreet.

Consistent.SignagewouldconsistofbuildingidentificationandwouldbeconsistentwithsignageforaresidentialbuildingwithinCenturyCity.

Addhumanscaletotheenvironment. Consistent.Signagewouldbelocatedatstreet‐leveland,assuchwouldaddhumanscale.

Enhancepedestriansafetyandcomfort. Consistent.Pedestrianlightsandotherexteriorlightingwouldenhancenighttimevisibilityandactivitythatwouldenhancepedestriansafetyandcomfort.

ImplementationStrategyChecklistIncludesignageataheightandofasizethatisvisibletopedestrians,assistsinidentifyingthestructureanditsuse,andfacilitatesaccesstothebuildingentrance.

Consistent.SignagewouldbelocatedatstreetlevelinanareaofthepropertyvisiblefrombothSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive.Way‐findingsignageorlightingthatindicatesbuildingordrivewayentranceswouldbesizedtobevisibleatthepedestrianlevel.

Provideadequatelightinglevelstosafelylightthepedestrianpath.

Consistent.Pedestrianlightswouldbeprovidedatbuildingentrances,gardenpaths,andalongadjacentsidewalkstoenhancepedestriansecurity.

Utilizeadequate,uniform,andglare‐freelightingtoavoidunevenlightdistribution,harshshadows,andlightspillage.

Consistent.Lightingwouldbedesignedtocreateanattractiveandsafeenvironment,whileminimizingglare,deepshadows,andspillover.

Usefixturesthatare“darksky”compliant. Consistent.Inaccordancewith“darksky”principles,theprojectwouldminimizeglareandobtrusivelightbyavoidingfixturesthatmisdirectlightorproduceexcessiveorunnecessarylight,


Table IV.H‐3

Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies of the West Los Angeles Community Plan

Policy/Objective Analysis of Proposed Project Consistency

Objective1‐1:ToprovideforthepreservationofexistinghousingandforthedevelopmentofnewhousingtomeetthediverseeconomicandphysicalneedsofexistingresidentsandprojectedpopulationofthePlanareatotheyear2010.

Consistent. Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultintheremovalofanyexistinghousing.Theproposedprojectwouldprovide283newmulti‐familyresidentialunits,therebycontributingtothemulti‐familyhousinggoalsfortheWestLosAngelesarea.Astheproposedprojectwouldnotremoveorreplaceanyexistingresidentialunits,wouldresultinanetincreaseinresidentialunits,andwouldprovideresidentialunitsforasectorofthediverseWestLosAngelescommunity,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththispolicy



Comparison of the Project to the Policies of the

West Los Angeles Community Plan



Policy1‐1.1:Protectexistingsingle‐familyresidentialneighborhoodsfromnewout‐ofscaledevelopmentandotherincompatibleuses.

Consistent. Theproject’s39‐storyresidentialbuildingwouldbeconsistentwithcurrentdevelopmentinCenturyCity,includingthe44‐storytwinCenturyPlazaTowers;theproposed37‐story1950AvenueoftheStarsofficeTower;the41‐story2055AvenueoftheStarsresidentialtower;andtheapproved39‐storyWestfieldCenturyCityShoppingCenterresidentialbuilding.Newhigh‐riseresidentialbuildingsinCenturyCityfollowanestablishedpatternofhigh‐risedevelopmentinCenturyCity.ThelocationofCenturyCity’shigh‐risetowersincloseproximitytosurroundingsingle‐familyneighborhoodsisthearea’sestablishedpatternofdevelopment,inwhichCenturyCity’sclusteroftowersriseabovethesurroundinglow‐risearea.Theclusteringofhigh‐risebuildingswithintheboundariesofCenturyCityisbothconsistentwiththeexistingdevelopmentpatternoftheareaandprotectsoff‐siteresidentialneighborhoodsfromencroachmentbylargerscaledevelopment.TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedatthenortheastedgeofCenturyCity,whichisnotadjacenttosingle‐familyneighborhoods,withmulti‐family‐zonedresidentialneighborhoodtotheeastofMorenoDriveinBeverlyHills.Theprojectsitewouldbedevelopedwithalandscapedgardenanddeepbuildingsetbacktoprovideabufferbetweentheoff‐sitemulti‐familyresidentialusesandtheproject’sresidentialtower.Becausetheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththehigh‐risecharacterofCenturyCityandwouldnotbelocatedwithincloseproximitytoanexistingsingle‐familyneighborhood,itwouldnotconflictwiththeCommunityPlanpolicytoprotectsinglefamilyneighborhoodsintheWestLosAngelesCommunity.

Policy1‐1.3:Provideforadequatemulti‐familyresidentialdevelopment.

Consistent. Theproposed projectwouldprovide283newmulti‐familyhousingunits,therebyimplementingthemulti‐familyhousinggoalsoftheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan.TheCityofLosAngelescurrentlyestimatesatotalof38,200unitsin2009forthecensustractscomprisingtheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanarea.SCAGestimatesatotalof48,596households(residentialunits)by2020forthecensustractscomprisingtheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanarea,foranincreaseof10,396housingunitsbetween2009and2020.Theprojectwouldrepresentapproximately2.7percentoftheincreaseinresidentialunitsexpectedbetween2009and2020.a

Objective1‐2:Toreducevehiculartripsandcongestionbydevelopingnewhousinginproximitytoadequateservicesandfacilities.

Consistent. TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedwithinwalkingdistancetoabroadrangeofservicesandfacilitiesinCenturyCity,includingretail,banking,restaurants,offices,hospital,culturalcenter,andtransitservices.TheproposedprojectwouldalsobewithinwalkingdistanceofabroadrangeofservicesandfacilitiesintheCityofBeverlyHills.Furthermore,theprojectwouldlocateresidentialusesincloseproximitytojobopportunities,therebyeliminatingorreducingvehicletrips.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththisobjective.







Policy1‐2.1:Locatehigherresidentialdensitiesnearcommercialcentersandmajorbusrouteswherepublicservicefacilitiesandinfrastructurewillsupportthisdevelopment.

Consistent. Theproposedprojectwouldlocatehigh‐densityresidentialuseswithinanexistinghighdensitycommercialcenter,whichisservedbyexistingtransit,utility,street,andhighwayinfrastructure.ShuttlebusesinCenturyCityandprimarybusservicesintheadjacentSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway,includingbusrapidtransitandMetro’sproposedPurpleLineSubwaywouldbeavailabletoservetheprojectsite.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththispolicy.

Objective1‐3:Provideforadequatemulti‐familyresidentialdevelopment.

Consistent. Theproposedprojectwouldresultinthedevelopmentof283multi‐familydwellingunits,whichwouldcontributetothecommunity’smulti‐familyhousingsupply.Theprojectwouldrepresentapproximately2.7percentoftheincreaseinresidentialunitsexpectedintheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanareabetween2009and2020(seePolicy1‐1.3,above).a

Policy1‐3.1:Requirearchitecturalcompatibilityandadequatelandscapingfornewmulti‐familyresidentialdevelopmenttoprotectthecharacterandscaleofexistingneighborhoods

Consistent.Thelocationoftheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththelanduses,scale,andbuiltformofthesurroundingareaandexistingneighborhood.Theprojectwouldbelocatedwithinadevelopedurbanareaandincloseproximitytooffice,commercial,retail,restaurant,andentertainmentuses,whicharewellservedbypublictransit.

Theproject’ssiteplan,architectureandlandscapingwouldprotectandenhancethecharacteroftheexistingneighborhood.Theminimalfootprintdesignoftheproject’sresidentialbuildingwouldallowtheprojecttoprovidemoreopenspaceontheprojectsite,includingapproximately43,141squarefeetofgroundlevelopenspace.

Theprojectwouldalsoprovideopenspaceonsiteasbuffersbetweentheproject’sbuildingsandtheadjacentBeverlyHillsHighSchooltothesouthandmultifamilyresidentialusestotheeast.Theproject’shighriseresidentialbuildingwouldhaveanarrowfloorplate,andtheApplicantwouldconstructtheresidentialbuildingonthenorthern‐mostportionofthesitealongSantaMonicaBoulevardandawayfromusestothesouthandsoutheast.Theancillarybuildingwithparkingandresidentialamenitieswouldbelocatedatthewestsideofthetower,distantfrommultifamilyresidentialuses.Betweenprojectbuildingsandadjacentuses,theprojectwouldprovideapproximately43,141squarefeetofgroundlevelopenspacearea,thusbufferingthehigh‐riseresidentialbuildingfromthelowerdensityusestothesouthandeast.

TheproposedresidentialbuildingwouldcreatevisualinterestalongSantaMonicaBoulevardthroughadesignthatbreaksawayfromthetraditionalcorporatehigh‐risevernacular.Thebuildingdesignwouldbebasedonagroupingofinterrelatedbuildingquadrants,andwouldincludeslopedlinesforroofs,entrycanopies,andselectedbuildingfaces,tocreateslightlyangledfacades.Theresidentialbuildingwouldalsoincludea40‐footentrylobbyvisiblefromandaccessibletothesidewalk,thusmeetingthegoalofprovidingapedestrian‐orientedbuildingdesign.







Objective1‐4:Topromoteadequateandaffordablehousingandincreaseitsaccessibilitytomoresegmentsofthepopulation,especiallystudentsandseniorcitizens.

PartiallyConsistent. Whiletheproposedprojectwouldincreasethearea’savailablehousingsupplyandwouldprovidearangeofunitsizes,theproposedresidenceswouldnotmeettheCity’sdefinitionoflowandmoderate‐incomeunits.However,anincreaseinhousingsupplywouldincrementallyreducedemandandmayfacilitatetheaffordabilityofunitsinotherlocations.Theprojectwouldnotrequiretheremovalofexistinghousingstock,affordableorotherwise.

Objective2‐1:Toconserveandstrengthenviablecommercialdevelopmentandtoprovideadditionalopportunitiesfornewcommercialdevelopmentandserviceswithinexistingcommercialareas.

Consistent. Theprojectwouldincreasetheresidentialbasethatsupportstheexistingbusinesscommunity.Inaddition,residentialgrowthinthisareawouldpotentiallystimulatenewcommercialdevelopmentinthesurroundingcommercialdistrict.

Policy2‐1.1:Newcommercialusesshallbelocatedinexistingestablishedcommercialareasorshoppingcenters.

Consistent. Theintentofthispolicyistoavoidcommercialdevelopmentinnon‐commercialareas.Althoughtheprojectsiteislocatedinanestablishedcommercialarea(C2),itwouldnotprecludethedevelopmentofothercommercialpropertiesinthesurroundingcommercialzonesorimpedetheobjectivesoftheCommunityPlan.

Policy2‐1.2:Protectcommerciallyplanned/zonedareasfromencroachmentbyresidentialonlydevelopment.

PartiallyConsistent. WhileCenturyCityiszonedforcommercialuse,thezoningdesignationwasplannedtoaccommodatearangeofcommercialandresidentialuses.Theproposedprojectwouldbearesidential‐onlydevelopmentwithinanexistingcommercialzoneand,thus,wouldnotdirectlyprovidearesidential/commercialmixofuses.However,thehigh‐rise,urbancharacteroftheprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththecharacterofsurroundinghigh‐riseofficebuildings.Theconsistencyinurbancharacterandcompatibilityamonghigh‐riseurbanuseswouldnotchangethecharacterofCenturyCitytoanareamoresuitabletoresidentialdevelopmentthancommercialdevelopmentorcausethetransitionofsurroundingcommercialusestoresidentialuses.Further,theprojectislocatedonarelativelysmallsitethatispartofalargerdevelopmentmilieu(CenturyCityandthesurroundingarea)expectedtocontainamixofindividualdevelopments,someofwhichattheindividualparcellevelmightbeeithercommercialorresidentialonly.NewdevelopmentsintheareathatwouldprovideamixofresidentialandcommercialusesincludetheWestfieldCenturyCity,locatedapproximatelytwoblockstothewestoftheprojectsite.Theprojectwouldnotimpedethecontinuedcommercialuseofadjacentpropertiesorcausethetransitionofadjacentornearbycommercialpropertiesfromcommercialtoresidentialuses.

Policy2‐1.3:Ensurethatviabilityofexistingneighborhoodstoresandbusinesseswhichsupporttheneedsoflocalresidentsandarecompatiblewiththeneighborhood.

Consistent. Theproposedproject’sintroductionofnewresidentialuses toCenturyCitywouldsupportandstrengthenviablecommercialdevelopmentinthearea,includingproposedretail/restaurantusesassociatedwiththeexistingandrenovatedWestfieldCenturyCityShoppingCenterandnewoffice,retail,entertainment,andrestaurantusesassociatedwith2000AvenueoftheStarsproject.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldsupporttheviabilityofexistingbusinessesthatcurrentlysupporttheneedsoflocalresidentsandwhicharecompatiblewiththecharacterofCenturyCity.







Objective2‐2:Topromotedistinctivecommercialdistrictsandpedestrian‐orientedareas.

Consistent. CenturyCitywasdevelopedasadistinctivecommercialdistrict,withhigh‐qualityarchitecture,broadlandscapedsetbacks,amixofusesandservices;andpedestrianlinkagesandpaths.Theproposedprojectwouldpromotethecharacterofthedistrictthoughhighqualityarchitecturaldesignandspecificpedestrianamenities,includinglandscapingalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive.Astheproject’snewresidentialpopulation,thebuilding’sarchitecturaldesign,andground‐levelamenitieswouldenhancethecharacteroftheexistingdistrictandsupportpedestrianactivity,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththispolicy.

Policy2‐2.1:Encouragepedestrian‐orienteddesignindesignatedareasandinnewdevelopment.

Consistent. Theproposedprojectwouldincorporatespecificpedestrianamenities,includingdeeplandscapingalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive;improvedsidewalks,andpedestrianlightingand,thus,wouldbeconsistentwiththeintentofthispolicytoimprovepedestrianconditions.

Objective2‐3:Toenhancetheappearanceofcommercialdistricts.

Consistent. Theproposedprojectwouldenhancetheappearanceoftheexistingcommercialdistrictbyprovidinglandscaping,streettreesalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive,andadeeplandscapedgardenalongMorenoDrive.Theseamenities,aswellasthelandmarkarchitecturalqualityoftheproposedresidentialtowerwouldimprovethevisualqualityofthesurroundingareaandCenturyCity.

Goal5:Toprovidesufficientopenspaceinbalancewithnewdevelopmenttoservetherecreational,environmental,healthandsafetyneedsofthecommunityandtoprotectenvironmentalandaestheticresources.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldincludeaconsiderableamountofactiveopenspace,alandscapedrecreationalroofdeck,andanindoorrecreationalareawithsuchfeaturesaspools,courts,andgymfacilitiestoserveprojectresidents,andlimitpotentialimpactsonexisting‐offsiteopenspaceresources.Further,theApplicantwouldmeettheCity’srequirementsforthededicationofparklandorprovisionofinlieufees(Quimbyfees)forparksandrecreationalusestosupportCitygoalsregardingparklands(seeChapterIV.J.5,ParksandRecreation,ofthisDraftEIR).Assuch,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththisgoal.

a City of Los Angeles, Local Population and Housing Profile for 2009 for census tracts comprising the West Los Angeles Community Plan

compared to the Southern California Associations of Governments, 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, Integrated Growth Forecast, Forecast by Census Tract for 2020 for the same census tracts. (Note: The Community Plan estimates approximately 40,309 households by 2010; however, current City “Local Population and Housing Profile for 2009” is more current and may be more accurate. Under the projection of 40,309 households by 2010 contained in the Community Plan, the project would represent approximately 3.4 percent of SCAG’s estimated increase in households to 2020.)

Source:PCRServicesCorporation,2011



(e) Century City North Specific Plan

TableIV.H‐4,ComparisonoftheprojecttotheapplicablepoliciesofCenturyCityNorthSpecificPlan,evaluatesthe consistency of the proposed projectwith the CCNSP. The purpose of the CCNSP is to assure orderlydevelopmentandtoprovidestreetcapacityandotherpublicfacilitiesadequatefortheintensityanddesignofdevelopmentinCenturyCitybyestablishingphasesforconstructionwithinthespecificplanarea.

TheCCNSPincorporatestwophasesofdevelopment.PursuanttoCityofLosAngelesCase#CF98‐0672,allPhaseIimprovementshavebeencompletedandtheCCNSPisnowactinginitssecondphase.TheCCNSP’ssecond phase of development began when building permits had been issued for proposed projectsgenerating 15,225.606 Trips, and when all public improvements set forth in the CCNSP Ordinance werecompleted.TheuseoftheTripcapisthemechanismbywhichtheCCNSPcontrolsoverallprojectdensityina manner that is consistent with the objectives of the Century City mission as a regional center, andconsistentwiththeplannedinfrastructureforaccommodatinggrowthinCenturyCity.

ThepertinentprovisionsoftheCCNSPinregardtotheproject’slanduseimpactsareaddressedinSections3.C.1and3.C.3. Section3.C.1providesguidelinespertainingtodesigncompatibility,pedestrianprovisions,architecturalscreeningofmechanicalequipmentandadequateprovisionfortrafficandutilityinfrastructurefacilities. AsdiscussedinTableIV.H‐4,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeseprovisionsbyprovidingaprojectwhichiscompatiblewithsurroundinguses,whichenhancespedestrianlinkages,whichprovidesappropriatearchitecturalscreeningandwhichmeetstherequirementsregardingtrafficandutilityrelatedimpacts.(ForfurtherdiscussionseeSectionsIV.K,TransportationandCirculation,andIV.L,UtilitiesandServiceSystems.)

Based on the City PlanningDepartment’s January 1, 2010 Trip Allocation Chart, 2,143.4616ReplacementCATGPTripsareavailableontheProjectsite.PursuanttoSection2oftheCCNSP,whichdefinesCATGP,eachresidentialunitconstructedrequires7.55CATGPTrips. Theprojectwouldbeconstructing283residentialunits and, therefore, would require 2,136.65 Trips. Since the project site currently has 2,143.4616ReplacementTrips,therearesufficientTripsonsitetoconstructtheproject.

TheprojectsiteislocatedwithintheCCNSP’sBufferArea,whichprovidesforafloorarearatio(FAR)of4.5to 1. The project is being constructedwith a FAR of 4.5:1 after the zoning administrator adjustment topermitbuildable,orFAR,squarefootagetobebasedongrosslotarea,ratherthannetlotarea.Multiplyingtheproject’sgrosslotareaof104,350byaFARof4.5:1resultsinatotalof469,575FARsquarefeet,whichistheproposedsizeoftheresidentialbuildingandancillaryamenities.



Table IV.H‐4

Comparison of the Proposed Project to Applicable Policies of the Century City North Specific Plan

Policy Analysis of Proposed Project Consistency

Section3.C.1.a:TheProjectconformstoalloftheprovisionsofthisSpecificPlan,theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanandallotherapplicableprovisionsoftheGeneralPlan.

Consistent.Asdemonstratedthroughouttheanalysisherein,theprojectwouldbesubstantiallyconsistentwithapplicableprovisionswithintheCCNSP,theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,andtheGeneralPlan.

Section3.C.1.b:Theproposedprojecthasbeendesignedinawaytoreasonablyassurethatitwillnotcastashadowformorethantwohours,between8A.M.and8P.M.uponanydetachedsingle‐familydwellinglocatedoutsidetheCCNSParea.

Consistent.Theprojectwouldnotcastashadowformorethantwohoursonanysingle‐familyhomelocatedinasingle‐familyneighborhoodorasingle‐familyzonedareaoutsideoftheSpecificPlanarea.Therewouldbeshadingofmorethantwohoursononesingle‐familyunitlocatedtotheeastoftheprojectsiteinBeverlyHills.However,theshadingwouldoccuratonlyoneisolatedlocation,wheretheunitisanon‐consistentusewithinamulti‐familyresidentialzone,otherwisedevelopedwithmulti‐familyhousing.TheimpactwouldalsooccurintheCityofBeverlyHills,whichdoesnotapplytheSpecificPlan’sshade/shadowstandardtoitsownprojectforthepurposeofevaluatingLandUseorshade/shadowimpacts.TheshadingimpactontheoneunitwouldnotconstituteasignificantenvironmentalimpactbasedontheCity’sCEQAThresholdsGuidethresholdsofsignificance,andtherefore,wouldnothavesubstantialshadingeffects.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldbesubstantiallyconsistentwiththisCCNSPprovision.

Section3.C.1.c:Sufficientprovisionshavebeenmade,ifnecessary,toassuretheinstallationofacontinuousPedestrianCorridorinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofSection10ofthisOrdinanceandasshownontheMap.

NotApplicable. TheproposedprojectisnotlocatedintheareadesignatedforPedestrianCorridorundertheCCNSP.

Section3.C.1.d:Sufficientprovisionshavebeenmade,ifnecessary,toassuretheinstallationofPedestrianCrossingsinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofCCNSPSection10andasshownontheMap.

NotApplicable. PedestriancrossingsshownintheCCNSParenotlocatedintheprojectsitevicinity.

Section3.C.1.e:Theproposedprojecthasbeendesignedinamannerwhichadequatelyscreensventilation,heatingandairconditioningducts,tubes,equipmentandotherrelatedappurtenancesfromtheviewofpedestrians,motoristsandoccupantsofadjacentbuildings.

Consistent.Theprojectisdesignedsothatallventilation,heatingandairconditioningducts,tubes,andothersuchmechanicalequipmentwouldbescreenedfromthelineofsightofpedestrians,motorists,andoccupantsofadjacentbuildings.

Section3.C.1.f:Thefacadeoftheparkingbuildinghasbeendesignedtobecompatibleinarchitecturalcharacterwithitsprincipalbuildingandwithadjacentexistingoffice,commercialorresidentialbuildings.

Consistent. Theparkingstructurewouldbedesignedtobecompatiblewiththearchitecturalstyleoftheresidentialtower.Groundlevelarchitecturalelements/treatmentswouldbecarriedfromtheresidentialbuilding.Thefacadesoftheparkingstructurewouldbedrapedwithverticallandscapingtocreatea“greenwall”effect.

Section3.C.1.g:ConsiderationhasbeengivenbytheCityPlanningCommissiontoimpactsgeneratedbytheproposedprojectonthevehicularcirculationsystemwithintheSpecificPlanAreaandonthesectionsofPico,OlympicandSantaMonicaBoulevardsbetweenonemile

Consistent. TheEIRfortheproposedprojectincludesacomprehensivetrafficstudy,conductedunderthedirectionoftheCityofLosAngelesDepartmentofTransportation(LADOT).Thetrafficanalysisevaluatesproposedprojectimpactsonthelocalandregional



Comparison of the Proposed Project to Applicable Policies of the Century City North Specific Plan



easterlyandonemilewesterlyoftheboundariesoftheSpecificPlanArea,includingspecificallytheimpactsatthoseintersectionsservingtheSpecificPlanAreaatPico,OlympicandSantaMonicaBoulevards,andthatmitigationmeasures,ifany,weregivendueconsideration.Suchconsiderationofimpactsandmitigationmeasuresshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,forecastsofpotentialtrafficfrom:(1)allproposedprojectswithintheSpecificPlanAreaandtheareagovernedbytheCenturyCitySouthSpecificPlanforwhichbuildingpermitshavebeenissued,butwhichhavenotyetbeenconstructedand(2)allallowablefuturedevelopmentpermittedunderthedensitiesandusessetforthforsaidareas.TheseforecastsshallbebasedontheTripgenerationfactorscontainedinthedefinitionofCATGP.SaidconsiderationofimpactsandmitigationmeasuresshallbemadeinwritingorreducedtowritingandshallbeapartoftheproposedprojectPermitfile.

roadwaynetwork(refertoSectionIV.K,TransportationandCirculation).Asconcludedinthetrafficanalysis,nosignificantimpactsrelativetoPico,Olympic,andSantaMonicaBoulevardswouldoccurasaresultoftheproposedproject.Assuch,theproposedprojectwouldcomplywiththisCCNSPrequirement.

Section3.C.1.h:Adequatesewersandsimilarpublicutilities,facilitiesandservices,otherthanthoseconsideredpursuanttoCCNSPSection3.C.1.g,existorwillexisttoservicetheintensityanddesignoftheproposedprojectandotherdevelopmentintheCCNSPArea.

Consistent. AsdiscussedinSectionIV.J,PublicServices,ofthisDraftEIR,withtheimplementationofproposedmitigationmeasures,theproposedprojectwouldhavealessthansignificantimpactwithrespecttofireandpoliceprotectionservices,schools,librariesandpublicparks.AsdiscussedinSectionIV.L,Utilities,theproposedprojectwouldhavealessthansignificantimpactwithrespecttosewerandwaterdemand,withtheimplementationofprojectdesignfeaturesandmitigationmeasures.Impactswithrespecttosolidwasteweredeterminedtobelessthansignificant,asdiscussedintheInitialStudy,AppendixAofthisDraftEIR.

Section3.C.1.i:Sufficientprovisionshavebeenmadetoassuretheinstallationofanyon‐siteoroff‐siteimprovementsdeemednecessarybytheCityEngineertoaccommodateanycumulativeimpactsgeneratedbytheproposedprojectonexistingsewersorothersimilarpublicutilities,facilitiesandservices,otherthanthoseconsideredpursuanttoCCNSPSection3.C.1.g.

Consistent. Adequatecapacityexistsinthewaterandwastewaterconveyancesystemtoservetheproposedproject.Ifnecessary,theconstructionoftheproposedprojectwouldincludeallnecessaryon‐andoff‐sitesewerandwaterpipeimprovementsandconnectionstoadequatelylinktheproposedprojecttotheCity’sexistingsystems.ThedesignoftheconnectionswouldbedevelopedbyaregisteredengineerandreviewedbytheLosAngelesDepartmentofPublicWorks(LADPW).LADOTwillreviewanyconstructionorexcavationinapublicright‐of‐way.Fireflowsarecurrentlyadequateandimprovementsareanticipatedinthenearfuture.WithadherencetotherequirementsofLADPWandLADOT,theproposedprojectwouldcomplywiththisCCNSPrequirement.

PCRServicesCorporation,2011.



(f) Greening of Century City Pedestrian Connectivity Plan

Table IV.H‐5, Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies of the Greening of Century City PedestrianConnectivityPlan,evaluatestheconsistencyoftheprojectwiththeConnectivityPlan.AsshowninTableIV.H‐5,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththefiveprinciplesofthePlan.InaccordancewithPrinciple1, the projectwould create a better pedestrian environment and experience for CenturyCity through theprovisionofstreetscapeandstreettreesalongSantaMonicaBoulevard,pedestrian lighting,and improvedsidewalks.ThisareawouldconnecttopublicwalkwaysandsidewalksthroughoutCenturyCityandprovideconnectivitytoBeverlyHills.Theproposedprojectwouldprovidestreet‐levelaccessforbuildingresidentsand frontdoorvaletservicesorientedtowardSantaMonicaBoulevard. ThisorientationwouldencouragepedestrianactivitybetweentheprojectsiteandnearbycommercialusesalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandotherareasofCenturyCityand,assuch,improvestreetactivity.Landscapingalongthesidewalksandwithinthesitewouldbuffervaletactivitiesfromthepublicsidewalks.

The proposed projectwould be consistentwith Principles 2 and 3 to immediately support transit and toenhanceconnectivitybetweenpedestriansandtransitinthatitwouldintroducehighdensityhousingtoanareacurrentlyservedbybusrapidtransitandothertransitservicesintheadjacentSantaMonicaBoulevardTransit Way (including the future Purple Line Subway route) and would enhance public landscape andstreetscape. Theproximityofhighdensityresidentialusestoexistingtransitimmediatelysupportstransituse,includingthepotentialfordailycommutingbetweenCenturyCityanddowntownLosAngelesandotherareasoftheCityorregion.TheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithPrinciples4and5todevelopanupdated identity andmore sustainableCenturyCity through the coordinationof its street lightingdesign,landscaping, and street tree planswith the program set forth in the Greening of Century City PedestrianConnectivity Plan, and by incorporating sustainable strategies, including LEED green building techniquesandothersustainabilityfeatures.

Some of the project’s keydesign features thatwould contribute to energy efficiencies include landscapedopenspacetoavoidheatfieldaffectandtoprovidesiteshading,andtheuseofglass/windowareasfor

ventilation and daylight accessibility. The project’s proposedAutomated ParkingOption, if implemented,wouldreduceairqualityimpacts,reduceenergyconsumption,andreduceprojectconstructionimpactsfromthoseoftheConventionalParkingOption.Otherbuildingfeatureswouldincludesuchitemsasstormwaterretention;installationofheating,ventilation,andairconditioning(HVAC)systemsthatutilizeozone‐friendlyrefrigerants;useofmaterialsandfinishesthatemitlowquantitiesofvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs);useofhighefficiencyfixturesandappliances;andrecyclingofsolidwastes.TheprojectwouldalsobedesignedtocomplywiththeCityofLosAngelesGreenBuildingOrdinance.BasedontheanalysispresentedinTableIV.H‐5,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeapplicablepoliciesoftheGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrian Connectivity Plan. Therefore, land use impacts relative to the Greening of Century CityPedestrianConnectivityPlanwouldbelessthansignificant.



Table IV.H‐5

Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies of the Greening of Century City Pedestrian Connectivity Plan

Principal Proposed Project Comparison

1.CreateabetterpedestrianenvironmentandexperienceforCenturyCity.1.1Improvestreetlevelpedestrianconnectivityandactivity.

Consistent.TheproposedprojectwouldenhancelandscapingandpublicsidewalksalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrive,enhancingconnectivityandbetweenCenturyCityandBeverlyHills.

1.2Providenew,enhancedstreetscapeelements. Consistent.LandscapingandstreetscapewouldbeprovidedalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardandMorenoDrivesidewalks.Streettreesandotherlandscapingwouldbufferandvisuallyscreenvaletactivitiesfromthepublicsidewalks.

1.3Incorporateexistingstreet‐orientedprogramsandcreatenewstreet‐orientedactivityelements.

Consistent.Theproposedprojectwouldprovidestreet‐levelaccessforbuildingresidentsandfrontdoorvaletservicesorientedtowardSantaMonicaBoulevard.ThisorientationwouldencouragepedestrianactivitybetweentheprojectsiteandnearbycommercialusesalongSantaMonicaBoulevardandotherareasofCenturyCityand,assuch,improvestreetactivity.

1.4CompletetheSpecificPlanPedestrianCorridorinadditiontoactivatingandfurtherdevelopingstreetscapesthroughoutCenturyCity.

Consistent.TheprojectsiteisnotlocatedintheSpecificPlanPedestrianCorridorarea.However,theprojectwouldenhancepedestrianwaysforthosewalkingpasttheprojectsiteforactivityalongtheSpecificPlanPedestrianCorridor.

2.Enhanceconnectivitybetweenpedestriansandtransit.2.4Betterutilizepublictransitimmediately Consistent.Theproposedprojectwouldintroducehigh

densityhousingtoanareacurrentlyservedbybusrapidtransitandislocatednearexistingtransitstopsalongtheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitWay.Theproximityofhighdensityresidentialusestoexistingtransitsupportstransituse,includingthepotentialfordailycommutingbetweenCenturyCityanddowntownLosAngelesandotherareasoftheCityorregion.

3.CreateamorebeautifulpublicrealmwithinCenturyCity.3.1ContinueexistingstrollinggardensonSantaMonicaBoulevardintoastrollingloopandconnectpedestrianpaths,gardens,andopenspacesinandaroundCenturyCity.

Consistent.Theproposedprojectwouldimprovesidewalks,landscaping,andpedestrianamenities(suchaspedestrianlighting)alongSantaMonicaBoulevard,andconnectivitytoallwalkwaysthroughoutCenturyCity,aswellasconnectivitybetweenCenturyCityandtheCityofBeverlyHills.

3.3Createaprogramofbeautifulnewpubliclandscapes. Consistent.Theprojectwouldprovideauniformpatternofstreettreesandlandscapingalongadjacentpublicsidewalks.ThelandscapedsetbackalongMorenoDrivewouldfeatureavarietyoflandscapedgardensvisiblefromthepublicsidewalk.



Comparison of the Project to Applicable Policies of the Greening of Century City Pedestrian Connectivity Plan


Principal Proposed Project Comparison

4.Developanupdatedidentityforwhatthe21stCenturyCitycanbe.4.1CreateanupdatedidentityforCenturyCitywhilerespectingthelegacyoftheoriginalCenturyCitydesignwithunifiedlighting,landscape,andstreetfurnishingsthatreflect21stCenturyimprovementsintechnology,sustainability,andlifestyle.

Consistent.Theproposedprojectwouldcoordinateitsstreetlightingdesign,landscaping,andstreettreeplanswiththeprogramsetforthintheGreeningofCenturyCityandPedestrianConnectivityPlan.

5.DevelopamoresustainableCenturyCity5.1IncorporatesustainablestrategiesintoallaspectsofCenturyCitydesign:planting,lighting,watermanagement,drainage,solaraccess,alternativeenergystrategies,art,andmore.Encouragegreenbuildingpracticesinnewandrenovatedconstruction.

Consistent.TheproposedprojectwouldbedesignedtoachievethestandardsofLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)certificationthroughtheincorporationofgreenbuildingtechniquesandothersustainabilityfeatures,extensivelandscapingtoreduce“heatisland”effects;theuseofheating,ventilation,andairconditioningsystemsthatutilizeozone‐friendlyrefrigerants;theuseofmaterialsandfinishesthatemitlowquantitiesofvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs);placementandorientationofthebuildingstomaximizesolarcontrol;theuseofhigh‐performanceglazingandoverhangsonthesidesofthebuildings;andlandscapingthatprovidesmaximumfoliageduringthesummermonthsandsuninfiltrationduringthewintermonths.Waterconservationwouldbemaximizedthroughtheuseofwaterefficientfixturesandadripirrigationsystem.

5.3Evaluatebuildingenvelopeforareassuitablefornewopenspaceandactivestreetfrontage.

Consistent.Theprojectdesignallowasubstantialportionoftheprojectsitetobeplacedinlandscapedopenspaceuses,includingnewlandscapingalongthestreetfrontagesandalargeopenspaceareaonthesoutheastpartoftheprojectsite,openingtowardsBeverlyHillscommercialandresidentialareas.

Source: PCR Services Corporation, 2011.

(g) City of Los Angeles Municipal Code

TableIV.H‐6,ComparisonoftheProjecttoApplicableLandUseRegulationsoftheCityofLosAngelesPlanningandZoningCode, evaluates the consistency of the proposed projectwith applicable policies of the zoningcode. The zoning for the project site and it’s vicinity in Century City and adjacent Beverly Hills areas isshowninFigureIV.H‐4,ZoningMap,onpageIV.H.14.ForthereasonsdiscussedinTableIV.H‐6,theprojectwould be consistent with the provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The proposed residentialdevelopment is a permitted use in the underlying C2 zone, which allows multi‐family developmentconsistentwiththeR4zone.Theprojectisconsistentwithrequiredfront,side,andrearyardsetbacksforresidential uses in the C2 zone, providing considerably more setback area than required at most of theproject locations. The project would be consistent with LAMC Sec. 12.21 G.2 regarding open space for



Table IV.H‐6

Comparison of the Project to Applicable Land Use Regulations of the City of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code

Code Section Code Requirement Analysis of Proposed Project Consistency

Sec.12.14.A.1.a(1)(PermittedUsesinC2Zone)

AnyusepermittedintheC1.5LimitedCommercialZone(theC1.5zonepermitsanyuseconsistentwiththerequirementsoftheR4ormulti‐familyZone.

Consistent.TheprojectwouldbedevelopedaccordingtotherequirementsoftheR4zone,aspermittedintheexistingC2zone.

12.14.C.1(FrontyardsetbackinC2zone)

Notrequired. Consistent:Theprojectwouldnotberequiredtoprovideafrontyardsetback.However,thebuildingsetbackprovidedwouldbeaminimumof30feetalongSantaMonicaBoulevardand50feetovermuchofthebuildingfrontage.

Sec.12.14.C.2(SideandRearYardSetbacksinC2Zone)

PursuanttotheR4ZonerequirementswhichareapplicabletoresidentialprojectsintheC2Zone,theprojectsitewouldberequiredtohavesetbacksof16feetforthesideyardsand20feetfortherearyard.

Consistent.Theprojectsitewouldhavesideandrearyardsetbacksthatmeetandexceedtherequiredstandards.Thesideyardsetbackalongthewesternedgeoftheprojectsitewouldbe16feet.ThenearestbuildingcomponenttotheeasternedgeoftheeastsideoftheprojectalongMorenoDrivewouldbe16feet.However,thegroundlevelbuildingfacesandthetallerresidentialtowerwallfacingMorenoDrivewouldbemoreintherangeof35to50feetfromtheeastpropertyline.Therearyardsetbackfromtheancillarybuildingwouldbeabout25feet.

Sec.12.11.C.4(R4ZoneAreaRequirements)

Theminimumlotareaperdwellingunitshallbe400squarefeet.

Consistent (with an adjustment under LAMC Sec.12.28.A). The requested adjustment would allow anadditional 23 dwelling units to be constructed by theproject, above the 260 units otherwise permitted basedon a requirement of 400 square foot per dwelling unit(LAMC Sec. 12.11.C4). The additional dwelling unitsallowed would be consistent with the developmentanticipated in the CCNSP andwould be compatiblewiththedensityofuses in theprojectarea. Furthermoretheproject site would have sufficient CATGP Trips toconstruct all 283 dwelling units, consistent with theCCNSP.Theresultingdevelopmentwouldfallwellbelowthe project’s 4.5:1 FAR and would provide a housingdensity that is consistent with other policies andregulationsasnotedaboveandbelow.



Comparison of the Project to Applicable Land Use Regulations

of the City of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code


Code Section Code Requirement Analysis of Proposed Project Consistency

12.21A.4(a) ForDwellingUnits—Off‐streetautomobileparkingshallbeprovidedat1spaceforeachdwellingunitcontaininglessthanthreehabitablerooms;1.5spacesforeachdwellingunitscontainingthreehabitablerooms;and2spacesforeachdwellingunitcontainingmorethanthreehabitablerooms.

Consistent. The proposed project would provide2.5parkingspacesperdwellingunit(2.0residentparkingspacesand0.5guestparkingspaceperdwellingunit),or708parkingspaces forresidentandguestuse.Thus, theprojectisconsistentwiththiscodesection.

Sec.12.21.2.B.1(HeightofBuildingsorStructuresinCenturyCity)

NoheightlimitisestablishedforHeightDistrict2.

ConsistentAsnoheightlimitisestablishedforpropertieswithinHeightDistrictNo.2,whichincludestheprojectsite,theproposedresidentialbuildingheightwouldbeconsistentwiththisprovision.

12.21.2B.3 ThetotalfloorareacontainedinallthemainbuildingonalotinHeightDistrictNo.2shallnotexceedsixtimesthebuildableareaofsaidlot.

Consistent.Theproject’sFARof4.5:1wouldbewithinthislimit,andthusconsistentwiththiscodesection.

Sec.12.21G.2(UsableOpenSpace)

Newconstructionshallhave100squarefeetofusableopenspaceforeachunithavinglessthanthreehabitablerooms;125squarefeetofusableopenspaceforeachunithavingthreehabitablerooms;and175squarefeetofusableopenspaceforeachunithavingmorethanthreehabitablerooms.

Consistent.Assumingthemaximumunitsize(morethanthreehabitablerooms),theproposedprojectwouldrequire175squarefeetofusableopenspaceforeachresidentialunit.Therefore,atotalofapproximately49,525squarefeetofusableopenspacewouldberequired(283unitsx175squarefeet).Theprojectwouldprovideapproximately112,352squarefeetofusableopenspacewiththe(112,746squarefeetwiththeAutomatedParkingOption),including82,052squarefeetofcommonopenspace.Becausetheusableopenspacewouldbegreaterthanthecoderequirement,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththiscodesection.

Sec.12.21.G.2(a)(3)(LandscapedCommonOpenSpace)

Aminimumof25percentofthecommonopenspaceareashallbeplantedwithgroundcover,shrubsortreespursuanttospecifiedtreeplantingrequirements.

Consistent:Approximately45percentofthetotaloutdoorcommonopenspace(70,720squarefeet)wouldbeplantedwithgroundcover,shrubsortrees,foratotalofapproximately31,736squarefeetofplantedopenspace.Becausetheproject’splantedopenspacewouldbegreaterthanthecoderequirementof25percent,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththecodesection.

PCRServicesCorporation,2011.



residentialuses,providingapproximately112,746squarefeetofusableopenspace,including82,052squarefeetofcommonopenspace,and43,141squarefeetofgroundlevellandscapedarea.

Proposed approvals for the project, as listed under Chapter II.G,NecessaryApprovals, in this EIR (and asProject Design Features, above) include adjustments to calculate the project’s buildable area on gross lotarea and permit the construction of 283 dwelling units, a slight increase in the permitted dwelling unitdensity pursuant to LAMC Section 12.28.A (AdjustmentsandSlightModifications). These adjustments areminorvariationsthatwouldhavealessthansignificantlanduseimpact.

The requested adjustmentwould allow 283 residential units to be constructed on site, an increase of 23unitsabovethe260unitsotherwisepermittedbasedonarequirementof400squarefootperdwellingunit(LAMC Sec. 12.11.C4). The additional dwelling units allowedwould be consistent with the developmentanticipatedintheCCNSPandwouldbecompatiblewiththedensityofusesintheprojectarea.FurthermoretheprojectsitewouldhavesufficientCATGPTrips toconstructall283dwellingunits, consistentwith theCCNSP.

The second requested adjustmentwould allow theproject’s buildable area to be based on gross lot area.Basedontheproject’sproposedFARof4.5:1,andgrosslotareaof104,350,theprojectwouldbepermittedatotalFARsquarefootageof469,575. Thisadjustmentwouldhavea lessthansignificant landuse impact.TheprojectwouldstillberequiredtoprovidethesamesetbacksrequiredundertheLAMC’szoning,andtheprojectwouldprovidemuchgreatersetbacksthanrequiredinmanyportionsoftheprojectsite.Sincetheproject designwouldminimize the footprint of the residential building, the projectwould also provide amuch greater square footage of open space than otherwise required under the LAMC (see Figure II‐3,ConceptualSitePlan,inthisEIR).Thus,nosignificantlanduseimpactswouldbegenerated.

TheprojectisalsorequestingProjectPermitComplianceReviewunderLAMCSection11.5.7.C,includingSitePlanReviewrequiredforallprojectswhichcreateanincreaseof50ormoredwellingunits.AstherearenomaximumheightsassociatedwiththeC2‐2Zone,theproject’s460‐footheightwouldbeconsistentwiththeheightlimit.

(h) Southern California Association of Governments 2008 Regional Transportation Plan and

Compass Blueprint Growth Vision

SCAG’s 2008 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Compass Blueprint incorporate several goals andpolicies that are applicable to the proposed project. These SCAG policies are discussed below under (i)RegionalTransportationPlanand (ii)CompassBlueprintGrowthVision. Table IV.H‐7,Consistencyof theProjectwith Applicable Policies of the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan and Compass Blueprint, below,provides a detailed analysis of the proposed project’s consistency with applicable RTP and CompassBlueprintpoliciesinaside‐by‐sidecomparison.

(i) Regional Transportation Plan

BasedontheanalysispresentedinTableIV.H‐7,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithapplicableRTPgoalsandpolicies. Theproposedprojectwouldbe locatednear theSantaMonicaTransitParkway,atransitcorridorthatprovidesbusrapidtransit,andislocatedinthevicinitythefuturesubwaystationforthePurpleLineSubway,thussupportingtheregion’stransportationinvestment.AsshowninTableIV.H‐7,the



Table IV.H‐7

Consistency of the Project with Applicable Policies of the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan and Compass Blueprint


2008RegionalTransportationPlanGoalsMaximizemobilityandaccessibilityforallpeopleandgoodsintheregion.

Consistent. Thelocationofproposeddevelopmentwithinamajortransportationcorridor(SantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway)whichisalsoservedbybusrapidtransit,othertransitlines,andMetro’sfuturePurpleLineSubwaywouldmaximizemobilityandtheaccessibilitytotheprojectsite.

Ensuretravelsafetyandreliabilityforallpeopleandgoodsintheregion.

Consistent. Theproject isdesignedtominimizepedestrian/vehicleconflictsassociatedwithvehiclesenteringandexitingtheprojectsitebyprovidingonlyonepointofaccessonSantaMonicaBoulevard.SidewalksalongSantaMonicaBoulevardwouldbeimprovedtoenhancepedestrianaccesstoAvenueoftheStars(twoblockstothewest)andexistingtransitstopsinthatlocation.TheAvenueoftheStars/SantaMonicaBoulevardintersectionalsoprovidespedestrianaccesstothewestboundtransitstops/stationslocatedatthenorthsideoftheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway.

Preserveandensureasustainableregionaltransportationsystem.

Consistent. TheproximityoftheprojecttoalternativetransitmodesintheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway,aswellasmultiplebuslinesandshuttlebusesservingCenturyCitywouldsupporttheregion’stransportationinvestmentandthesustainabilityoftheregionaltransportationsystem.

Maximizetheproductivityofourtransportationsystem.

Consistent. Theproject wouldlocateahigh‐densityresidentialuseinanareaservedbyarangeofexistinglocalandregionalbuslines,includingMetro’sbusrapidtransitandthefuturePurpleLineSubway.Theproximityofresidentialusestothetransitsystemswouldmaximizetheproductivityofthetransportationsystemand,assuch,wouldbeconsistentwiththisgoal.

Protecttheenvironment,improveairqualityandpromoteenergyefficiency.

Consistent. Theproject’soperations wouldresultinalessthansignificantimpactwithregardtoairquality.Nonetheless,theprojectwouldimplementprojectdesignfeaturesandmitigationmeasurestoreduceairqualityimpacts,includingtheincorporationofenergy‐savingLEEDfeatures(seeChapterIV.B,AirQuality,ofthisDraftEIR).Ashort‐termsignificantimpactduringconstructionwouldincludemitigationmeasurestoreduceemissionstotheextentfeasible.

Encouragelanduseandgrowthpatternsthatcomplementourtransportationinvestments.

Consistent. Theproject wouldintensifydevelopmentadjacenttotheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkwayandservedbythebusrapidtransit,othertransitproviders,andthefuturePurpleLineSubway.Growthinpotentialridershipinproximitytotheseexistingsystemswouldsupportthepublic’stransportationinvestments.



Consistency of the Project with Applicable Policies of the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan and Compass Blueprint



CompassBlueprintPrinciple1: Improvemobilityforallresidents:

Encouragetransportationinvestmentsandlandusedecisionsthataremutuallysupportive.

Locatenewhousingnearexistingjobsandnewjobsnearexistinghousing.

Encouragetransit‐orienteddevelopment.

Promoteavarietyoftravelchoices.

Consistent. Theproject representsahighdensity(R4)residentialusethatwouldintensifydevelopmentadjacenttotheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway,busrapidtransit,othertransitlines,andthefuturePurpleLineSubwayinanarea(CenturyCityandWestLosAngeles)characterizedashigh‐employment.Assuch,theprojectwouldimprovemobilityoptionsfortheproject’sfutureresidents.

Principle2: Fosterlivabilityinallcommunities

Promoteinfilldevelopmentandredevelopmenttorevitalizeexistingcommunities.

Promotedevelopments,whichprovideamixofuses.

Promote“peoplescaled,”walkablecommunities.Supportthepreservationofstable,single‐familyneighborhoods.

Consistent. Theproject wouldprovide283residentialunitsintheCenturyCitycommunity,whichwouldfosterthelivabilityofCenturyCity,createagreatermixofusesinCenturyCity,andimprovethewalkabilityoftheareathroughsidewalkimprovements,pedestrianlighting,streettrees,andlandscapingandgardensvisiblefromthepublicsidewalk.Theprojectwouldbelocatedwithinacommercialareaandwouldnotcauseanyencroachmentintoaresidentialareaorstable,single‐familyneighborhoods.

Principle3: Enableprosperityforallpeople:

Ensure environmental justice regardlessofrace,ethnicityorincomeclass.

Encouragecivicengagement.

Consistent. Althoughcivicengagementisgenerallybeyondthescopeofanindividualproject,discriminationbasedonrace,ethnicityorincomeclasswouldbeprohibitedinthesaleoruseoftheproject’srespectiveresidentialunits.Inaddition,theprojectwouldenhancethepedestrianenvironment,andwouldcontributetotheeconomicwell‐beingoftheCitythroughthedevelopmentofahighqualitylandmarkbuilding.

Principle4: Promotesustainabilityforfuturegenerations

Focusdevelopmentinurbancentersandexistingcities.

Developstrategiestoaccommodategrowththatusesresourcesefficiently,eliminatepollutionandsignificantlyreducewaste.

Utilize“green”developmenttechniques.

Consistent. Theproject islocatedwithinanexisting,intenselydevelopedurbanarea.Theprojectwouldimplementconservationfeatures,includingLEEDstandardsinbuildingdesignandwouldimplementotherconservationmeasuresandreduceenergydemand,pollution,andwaste.




projectwouldbeconsistentwithRTPgoalstomaximizemobilityandaccessibilityforallpeopleandgoodsintheregion,supporttravelsafety,andtomaximizetheproductivityoftheregion’stransportationsystembylocatingwithinacloseproximitytotheSantaMonicaTransitParkwaywithexistingtransit line(busrapidtransit) and the future Century City Purple Line subway station. Based on the analysis presented inTableIV.H‐7, the project would be consistent with applicable RTP policies. No significant impacts withrespect to RTP policies, many of which were adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating anenvironmentaleffect,wouldoccur.

(ii) Compass Blueprint Growth Vision

Table IV.H‐7 compares the project to applicable policies of the Compass Blueprint Growth Vision. Theprojectwouldbe consistentwith theprincipals of theCompassBlueprintGrowthVisionPlan in that it islocatedwithinthePlan’sdesignated2%StrategyOpportunityAreafortheCityofLosAngeles.TheCompass2%StrategyOpportunityArea isakeytargetareaforregionaldevelopment inwhichnewdevelopment isfocused in existing urban centers. As shown in Table IV.H‐7, the project would support the CompassBlueprintGrowthVisionPrinciple1toimprovemobilityforallresidents,bylocatinganewdevelopmentinamutuallysupportiveenvironment,inwhichnewhousingwouldbenearexistingjobs;developmentwouldbelocated in close proximity to transit; and a variety of travel choices would be available. The project isconsistent with Principle 2 to foster livability by providing infill development and redevelopment torevitalize an existing community, providing amix of uses, and by supporting a “people‐scaled,”walkablecommunity;andPrinciple4inthatdevelopmentisfocusedinanexistingurbancenter.InaccordancewithPrinciple 4, the project wouldmeet LEED standards to reduce energy demand, pollution, andwaste. AsdescribedinTableIV.H‐7,theprojectwouldbeconsistentwithSCAG’sapplicableCompassBlueprintGrowthVisionprinciplesandpolicies.Nosignificantimpactswithrespecttopolicies,manyofwhichwereadoptedfor thepurposeof avoidingormitigating an environmental effect,wouldoccur and, as such impactswithrespecttothispolicydocumentwouldbelessthansignificant.

(i) Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the consistency of the project with the applicable policies of the General PlanFrameworkElement, thePlanningCommission’sDoRealPlanningpolicies, theCity’sWalkabilityChecklist,theWestLosAngelesCommunityPlan,theCCNSP,theGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlan,applicablelanduseregulationsoftheCityofLosAngelesPlanningandZoningCode,SCAG’s2008RegionalTransportationPlan, andSCAG’sCompassBlueprintGrowthVision plan, theprojectwouldbe substantiallyconsistentwithalltheapplicablepolicies.Approvalofadjustmentswithregardtodwellingunitdensityandthe calculation of buildable area would not result in a significant physical impact or consistency impact.Because the projectwould not be in substantial conflictwith the adoptedGeneral Plan, Community Plan,SpecificPlan,andapplicableenvironmentalpoliciesinotherregionalandlocalplans,impactswithrespecttoplanconsistencywouldbelessthansignificant.

(2) Land Use Compatibility

(a) Compatibility of Use

Compatibility of use addresseswhether the proposedprojectwould be compatiblewith the predominantcharacteristics/mix of land uses in the surrounding area. Century City is an intensely developed urbancommunity characterized by amix of office, retail, hotel, restaurant, entertainment, and residential uses.Generally, commercial uses in Century City are located in the proximity of SantaMonica Boulevard,with

September 2011 IV>H. Land Use


long‐termresidentialuseslocatedintheproximityof,ortothesouthof,OlympicBoulevard.CenturyCity’scommercial core area, however, is transitioning to incorporate high‐rise residential uses among existinghigh‐riseofficebuildingsandothercommercialuses.NewresidentialprojectsintheCenturyCityNorthareaincludethe147‐unit2055AvenueoftheStarsresidentialtower,locatedatthenorthwestcornerofAvenueof theStarsandOlympicBoulevard;262residentialunits in theWestfieldCenturyCityproject, locatedat10250SantaMonicaBoulevard;and208residentialunitsinthe2025AvenueoftheStarsmixed‐useproject,(CenturyPlazaHotelsite).Theintroductionoftheproject’sresidentialusesinthenorthernpartofCenturyCity would foster a mixed‐use environment in that area that would be consistent with the existing andgrowingresidentialcharacterofthearea.

Similar to the introduction of high‐density residential uses to Century City’s commercial core, the City ofBeverly Hills is also proposing high‐density residential uses in the vicinity of SantaMonica andWilshireBoulevard. TheBeverlyHiltonHotelsite iscurrentlyknownasthe“BeverlyHiltonRevitalizationProject.”Thatprojectincludes120residentialcondominiumunits,anew170‐roomhotel,and11,500squarefeetofrestaurant uses. The Robinsons‐May property adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel site was previouslyapprovedforamixed‐useresidentialandcommercialuse,knownas“9900Wilshire;”25 The9900WilshireProjectincludes252residentialunits,15,646squarefeetofretailusesand4,800squarefeetofrestaurantuses.However,thissitewasrecentlysoldandthefutureuseofthesiteiscurrentlyunknown.

Theproposedprojectwouldadjoinnon‐residentialusestothesouthandwest,includingBeverlyHillsHighSchooltothesouthandtheNorthropCentertothewest.TheLosAngelesCountryClubislocatednorthoftheproject,tothenorthoftheSantaMonicaBoulevardTransitParkway.CommercialusesarealsolocatedtothenortheastofthesiteandtotheeastoftheprojectsitetothenorthofthealleybetweenSouthSantaMonicaBoulevardandDurantDrive(atapproximatemidblockoftheprojectsite).Theseuses,locatedtotheeastofMorenoDrive,are located in theCityofBeverlyHills. Southof thealley, theprojectsite is locateddirectlyacrossMorenoDrivefromamulti‐familyneighborhoodintheCityofBeverlyHills.

The residential use represented by the project would be consistent with other residential uses in thesurroundingarea. Theeastedgeoftheprojectsitefacingtheexistingmulti‐familyresidentialunitsacrossMorenoDrive inBeverlyHillswouldbedensely landscapedwith treesalongMorenoDriveand landscapegardenswithin the project site. The substantial landscaped setback is located directly to thewest of thenearest residential properties. The dense landscaping and the distance of the residential tower from thenearestoff‐site residentialuseswouldprovidea compatible interfacebetweenon‐andoff‐site residentialunits.

TheprojectwouldrepresentaconsistentlanduserelativetoBeverlyHillsHighSchooltothesouth.PublicK‐12 schools are generally sited in residential areas and considered appropriate land uses in residentialzones. Theproposedresidentialtowerwouldbesetbackapproximately150feetfromthesouthpropertyline and further buffered from the high school property by fencing and landscaped garden areas. Theproject’smainentryonSantaMonicaBoulevardwouldbebufferedfromtheBeverlyHillsHighcampusbyprojectbuildingsandthelandscapedgarden.Withthedeepsetbackofthetoweranddenselandscapingandgardensbetweenthetowerandthehighschoolcampus,theproposedprojectwouldbecompatiblewiththeadjacentschooltothesouthandresidentialusestotheeast.

25 ApprovedbytheCityofBeverlyHills,April11,2008.



The proposed projectwould introduce a different interfacing land usewith respect to the adjacent officebuildings in the Northrop Center. Conflicts of land use between residential and non‐residential uses aregenerally causedbyhigher activity associatedwithnon‐residentialuses thatdisrupt theuseorquietof aresidentiallanduse.However,duetothenatureoftheNorthropCenterasexecutiveofficesusedprimarilyduring the daytime and in which activities are primarily inside, this use would not generate late nightactivityorotherdisturbanceswithrespecttotheproject’sresidentialuse.Inaddition,activitiesassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldnotbeconsidereddisruptiveoftheadjacentofficebuildingsandwouldnotadversely change the relationship or alter the community through ongoing disruption. Therefore, theproximityoftheseuseswouldbeconsideredcompatible.

Theprojectsitewaspreviouslyoccupiedbyacommerciallanduse,includinganofficebuilding,restaurant,andparkingstructure,whichwaslocatedalongthesouthedgeoftheprojectsitefrontingbothBeverlyHillsHigh School and residential uses to the east of Moreno Drive. As the project site has been previouslyoccupiedbyalandusethatwasnotentirelyconsistentinusewiththeadjacentBeverlyHillsHighSchoolandadjacent residential uses in the City of BeverlyHills to the east, the proposed residential tower,which isbufferedfromadjacentusesintheCityofBeverlyHillsbytreesandotherlandscapingalongMorenoDrive,wouldnotadverselychangetherelationshipbetweentheprojectsiteandnearbyandadjacentschoolandresidential properties. As a residential use, the proposed project would not substantially or adverselychange the existing relationships between numerous land uses or properties in the existing surroundingcommunity through ongoing disruption, division, or isolation. Therefore, impacts with respect tocompatibilityofusewouldbelessthansignificant.

(b) Compatibility of Intensity and Scale

With respect to its locationwithin the boundaries of Century City, a designated Regional Centerwith noheightrestrictionsintheexistingC2‐2zone,theprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththescaleofCenturyCity’shigh‐risecomponent, including the twin44‐storyCenturyPlaza towers; the36‐storyMGMTower; the39‐story AIG‐SunAmerica Center; the 39‐story Fox Plaza tower, the 41‐story 2055 Avenue of the Starsresidentialtower,andtheapproved39‐storyWestfieldCenturyCityProjecttower.

Century City is surrounded on all sides by lower‐density land uses, which contributes to the aestheticbenefitsofCenturyCityasaseriesoftowersrisingabovethelow‐profilelandscapeoutsideitsboundaries.In addition, Century City incorporates a range of building heights, which contributes to the quality andinterestoftheskyline.Theproposedprojectwouldcontinuethispatternofdevelopmentbycontributingtothe variety of building heights within Century City, and in its greater height compared to immediatelyadjacentbuildingsoutsideCenturyCity.ThejuxtapositionofthetallerbuildingandlowerdensityusesintheadjacentCityofBeverlyHillswouldbesoftenedthrougheffectsoftheproject’slandscapedsetbackandopenspace along Moreno Drive. The project is not out of character with existing land use patterns betweenCenturyCityandadjacentlower‐densityresidentialneighborhoods.

Becausetheproposedresidentialtowerrepresentsacontinuationofanexistinglandusepattern, itwouldnotsubstantiallyandadverselychangetheexistingrelationshipsbetweenhigh‐riselanduseswithinCenturyCityandlow‐riseusesalongCenturyCity’sborders.Theproposedprojectwould,therefore,notsubstantiallyand adversely change the existing relationships between numerous land uses or properties in thesurroundingarea,orhavethelong‐termeffectofadverselyalteringaneighborhoodorcommunitythrough



ongoing disruption, division or isolation. Therefore, land use impacts with respect to compatibility ofintensityandscalewouldbelessthansignificant.

4. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Section III,GeneralDescriptionofEnvironmentalSetting,providesa listofprojects thatareplannedorareunderconstructionintheproposedprojectarea.Fortyrelatedprojectshavebeenidentifiedintheproposedproject’s study area. Of these, 18 are located in theCity of LosAngeles and22 are located in theCity ofBeverlyHills.Eightlarge‐scalerelatedprojectsarelocatedinthenearvicinityoftheprojectsite,and/orarelocatedwithinCCNSPareaofCenturyCity,andwouldpotentiallycontributetoacumulativelanduseimpactwhencombinedwiththeproject. FourofthesearelocatedintheCityofLosAngelesandfiveofthesearelocatedintheCityofBeverlyHills.Theserelatedprojectsincloseproximityincludethefollowing:

RelatedProjectNo.2: Commercial Development at 10700 Santa Monica Boulevard, City of LosAngeles‐35,000squarefeetofofficeconstructionand9,000squarefeetofretailuses.

RelatedProjectNo.14: WestfieldCenturyCityExpansionProjectat10250SantaMonicaBoulevard,CityofLosAngeles‐Redevelopmentofexistingretailmalltoallowanetincreaseof358,881squarefeet of retail and restaurant uses, a net decrease of 289,460 square feet of office uses, and 262residentialunitsina39‐storybuilding.

RelatedProjectNo.16: MixedUseDevelopmentat2025AvenueoftheStars,CityofLosAngeles–RedevelopmentoftheCenturyPlazaHotelsitewith208residentialcondominiums,240‐roomhotel,117,600 square feet of offices, 16,800‐foot fitness club, 15,400 square feet of restaurant use, and93,800squarefeetofretailuses.

RelatedProjectNo.18: Currentlyproposedofficeprojectat1950Avenueof theStars,CityofLosAngeles–Developmentof725,830squarefeetofofficeusesinone37‐storyhigh‐risetowerandtwolow‐rise(onestoryandtwostory)buildings.(Previouslyapprovedfor438residentialunitsintwo47‐storytowersandone12‐storybuilding).

RelatedProjectNo.20:MixedUseDevelopmentat9900WilshireBoulevard,CityofBeverlyHills–FormerRobinsons‐Maysite,approvedfor252residentialunits,15,646squarefeetofretailuses,and4,800square‐footrestaurant.

Related ProjectNo. 21: BeverlyHills Gateway at 9844Wilshire Boulevard, City of BeverlyHills ‐95,000squarefeetofgeneralofficeuses.

RelatedProjectNo.22: Beverly Hilton Revitalization Project at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, City ofBeverlyHills ‐New170‐roomhotel,120residentialcondominiumunits,and11,500square feetofrestaurantuses.

Related Project No. 24: Office Building at 9900 Santa Monica Boulevard, City of Beverly Hills ‐119,000squarefeetofofficeuses.

The related projects as currently proposed would introduce residential uses in areas that are zoned forcommercial uses, and represent a trend from all‐commercial to mixed use. In Century City, two relatedprojects(Nos.14,and16)wouldresultinanincreaseof470residentialunits.Combinedwiththeproposedproject,thecombinedincreaseinresidentialunitsinCenturyCitywouldbe753.IntheCityofBeverlyHills,in the proximity of the project site, two related projects (Nos. 20 and 22)would provide 372 residential



units.ThetotalcombinedincreaseinresidentialunitsinCenturyCityandtheadjacentareaofBeverlyHillswouldbe1,125.

TotalrelatedprojectsintheprojectstudyareawithintheCityofLosAngeles(includingRelatedProjectsNo.3,4,7,8,9,12,14,15,16,17,and18)includeapproximately1,439residentialunitsand,combinedwiththeproposed project, include approximately 1,722 residential units. The City of Los Angeles estimatesapproximately 38,200 residential units in 2009 in the census tracts making up the West Los AngelesCommunityPlanarea.SCAG’s2008RTPestimates48,596unitsin2020inthesamecensustractareas.Thisdifference represents an increase of approximately 10,396 new residential units in theWest Los Angelescommunity between 2009 and 2010. Total housing units under the related projects combined with theproposedprojectrepresentsapproximately16.6percentoftheanticipatedgrowth.Asthecombinedtotalinthe project study area (within the City of Los Angeles) would not exceed the projected 10,396 newresidentialunitsintheWestLosAngelesCommunityPlanarea,thecumulativeincreaseinresidentialunitswouldbelessthansignificant.

Anincreaseinresidentialunitsinthejobs‐richCenturyCityareawouldbeconsistentwiththegoalsofthe2008RTPtobalancejobsandhousing.Thispolicyisexpectedtoreducecommutingtripsandmilestraveled.AswiththeCenturyCityarea,theCityofBeverlyHillsinthevicinityoftheSantaMonicaBoulevardcorridorisdesignatedasa“2%StrategyOpportunityArea”(SCAG,CompassBlueprintPlan),whichallowsforgrowthconsistentwiththe2008RTP. Therefore,thecumulativetotalincreaseinresidentialunitsinCenturyCityandadjacentsitesinBeverlyHillswouldbeconsistentwithgrowthandjobs/housingbalancepoliciesfortheareaandwouldbelessthansignificant.

Developmentoftheeightnearbyrelatedprojectsandtheother32moredistantrelatedprojectsisexpectedto occur in accordancewith City of Los Angeles and City of Beverly Hills adopted plans and regulations.Basedontheinformationavailableregardingtherelatedprojects,itisreasonabletoassumethattheprojectsunderconsiderationintheCitiesofLosAngelesandBeverlyHillswouldimplementandsupportimportantlocalandregionalplanninggoalsandpolicies.TherelatedprojectswithinCenturyCitywouldberequiredtocomplywith theCATGPTrip limitationsset forth in theCCNSP. Furthermore, theuseofreplacementandtransferredtripswouldadditionallylimitnewdevelopmentwithinCenturyCitythatwould,otherwise,resultin a potentially significant traffic impact. It is anticipated that any new projectswould be subject to theproject permit approval process and would incorporate any mitigation measures necessary to reducepotentiallanduseimpacts.Therefore,nosignificantcumulativelanduseimpactsareanticipated.

5. MITIGATION MEASURES

Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinsignificantimpactsassociatedwithlandusecompatibility,divisionof an existing community, or consistency with regulatory land use plans and guidelines. Therefore, nomitigationmeasureswouldberequired.

6. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION

Theproposedprojectwouldbesubstantiallyconsistentwiththeexistingregulatoryframeworkrelativetoland use, including the General Plan Framework, theWalkability Plan, theWest Los Angeles CommunityPlan,theCCNSP,theGreeningofCenturyCityPedestrianConnectivityPlan,theZoningandPlanningCode,



andSCAG’s2008RTPandCompassGrowthPlans. In addition, theproposedprojectwouldbe consistentwith existing land use patterns and scale represented by the juxtaposition of high intensity developmentwithin theboundariesofCenturyCityandsurrounding lower‐intensitycommunities. Because theprojectwouldbeconsistentwithapplicableplansandpoliciesandwouldnotcreateadivisionordisruptionofanestablishedcommunity,landuseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

Documents

IV.H Land Use - Department of City Planningcityplanning.lacity.org/EIR/10k_SantaMonica/DEIR/issues/IV.H._Land... · Santa Monica Boulevard in alignment with Moreno Drive. The east