MEMORANDUM HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. SHERI REPP LOADSMAN, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/ PLANNING & BUILDING DIRECTOR /s/

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1 MEMORANDUM Agenda Item #: 13 Meeting Date: 9/12/17 TO: THRU: FROM: SUBJECT: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ANTON DAHLERBRUCH, CITY MANAGER /s/ SHERI REPP LOADSMAN, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/ PLANNING & BUILDING DIRECTOR /s/ REVIEW OF BUTCHER-SOLANA RESIDENTIAL PROJECT PROPOSED IN THE CITY OF TORRANCE AT HAWTHORNE BLVD. AND VIA VALMONTE DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 THE ISSUE The City of Torrance, serving as the lead agency for the proposed Butcher-Solana Residential Development Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), requested interested persons and agencies provide identification of environmental issues and information to be considered in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. A response was prepared on behalf of the City that identifies several areas of direct interest to Palos Verdes Estates. DISCUSSION The Butcher-Solana Residential Development Project proposes 248-unit apartments on a acre former diatomaceous earth quarry located at the southwest corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Via Valmonte. The project applicant, ReyLenn Properties, LLC, is seeking approval from the City of Torrance for a general plan amendment and zone change to allow the residential development on 5.71 acres with the remaining acres to be preserved as open space. PlaceWorks, a firm located in Orange County, has been retained by the City of Torrance to prepare an environmental analysis of the project pursuant to CEQA. On August 10, 2017, City staff attended a scoping meeting conducted by the City of Torrance and PlaceWorks to receive comments on the scope and content of the proposed EIR. City staff also met with representatives from Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills to develop a collaborative response. Traffic consultants for 1 001

2 Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates prepared a coordinated response to the traffic study. The letters from each city are attached. On August 28, 2017, a letter from City Manager Anton Dahlerbruch was sent to the City of Torrance requesting additional review for the following: Traffic: Consider update of traffic volume data, trip distribution, analysis of additional intersections, adequacy of proposed parking, and location of entrances to the project site. Construction Impacts: disruption of property. Consider a pest control management plan prior to major Noise: Consider site planning and design options to minimize noise intrusion into surrounding neighborhoods. Open Space: Consider how best to preserve and maintain the undeveloped open space, including potential restrictions to public access if adequate safeguards are not identified to provide for public safety and maintenance. Provide means for addressing fire safety and weed abatement for proposed open space areas. Based upon community comments, there is general concern with the 248 proposed residential units, massing associated with 5-story buildings, compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods and potential traffic impacts to public streets. These areas of concern, comments received during the scoping process and addition areas identified by PlaceWorks will be fully evaluated during the EIR process. More localized concerns for Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates relate to the adjacency of the open space area to Ernie Howlett Park and residential areas along Via Pavion, Via Pinzon and Lucera Circle. Policy considerations will extend beyond the CEQA process to determine if the open space area should be available to the public. Historically, Butcher Hill has been accessed from trails from Ernie Howlett Park and openings at the end of Via Pavion, Via Pinzon and the Torrance Boundary Trail. The private property is not fenced and is frequented by the public during all hours. In some cases, residents have reported safety and public nuisance concerns due to the unsupervised use of the property and inadequate maintenance associated with weeds, debris and litter. Next Steps in the CEQA Process CEQA requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible. The City of Torrance and PlaceWorks will proceed with preparation of the Draft EIR. Once available for public review, a 45-day comment period will be provided. A Final EIR will then be prepared including responses to comments received on the Draft EIR. The Final EIR will be considered through a public hearing process before the Torrance Planning Commission and City Council

3 During the process, the City will actively engage with our neighboring cities to be responsive to the City of Torrance. The City Council will be asked for policy direction as needed and will be kept apprised of the project schedule. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the action. NOTIFICATION This item on the City Council agenda has been posted and notice according to the City s standard practices. ALTERNATIVES The alternatives available to the City Council include: 1. Receive and file this report. 2. Provide direction in reference to policy considerations and areas for further discussion. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council discuss and provide direction

4 ATTACHMENTS: A Palos Verdes Estates Letter dated August 28, 2017 B Rolling Hills Estates Letter dated August 28, 2017 C Rancho Palos Verdes Letter dated August 28, 2017 D Rolling Hills Letter dated August 28, 2017 E Butcher-Solana Residential Development Project EIR Scoping Meeting Presentation F CEQA Flow Chart 4 004

5 Attachment A 005

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8 Attachment B 008

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10 Attachment C 010

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12 Attachment D 012

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14 Attachment E Butcher-Solana Residential Development Project EIR Scoping Meeting City of Torrance City Hall Council Chambers 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA Thursday, August 10, :30 pm 014

15 Agenda 1. Purpose of Scoping Meeting 2. Project Overview 3. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Process 4. Opportunities for Public Participation 5. Public Comments 015

16 Purpose of Scoping Meeting Provide Project information and overview Provide an opportunity for public input Determine the scope, focus, and content of the EIR Environmental topics Potential mitigation Potential alternatives 016

17 Project Overview 017

18 Regional Location 018

19 Surrounding Land Uses North: Commercial, residential East: Commercial, residential South: Ernie J. Howlett Park, Sunrise Senior Living Center West: Residential 019

20 Existing Site Used as a diatomaceous earth mine to the late 1950s Currently vacant with non-native fill soils and various vegetation 020

21 Prior Entitlement Requests Prior Residential Development Requests 1996: 63 Single Family Subdivision Final EIR prepared - Withdrawn before City Council review 2003: 21 lot subdivision Withdrawn before Initial Study Commenced 021

22 Current Entitlement Requests Environmental Assessment EAS General Plan Amendment GPA From Low-Density to Low-Medium Density Residential Zone Change ZON A-1 Zone to Planned Development (PUD ) Conditional Use Permit CUP Precise Plan PRE (Site in Hillside Overlay) Division of Lot DIV

23 Current Entitlement Requests Consolidate 17 parcels into 3 lots Develop 248 apartment units in three five-story buildings Located in the footprint of the diatomaceous earth mine Each building would have four stories of residential floors Ground level parking garages in each building 1-bedroom unit 2-bedroom unit Unit Total Residential (Square Feet) Parking Garage (Square Feet) Total (Square Feet) Building A ,411 25, ,358 Building B ,897 33, ,847 Building C ,179 18,925 91,104 Total ,487 78, ,

24 Proposed Tract Map 024

25 Project Details 025

26 Proposed Site Plan 026

27 Project Details Access Access from Hawthorne Boulevard only Via Valmonte driveway would be exit and right-turn only Hawthorne Driveway would be right-turn in/right-turn out 027

28 Project Details Parking Total of 484 parking spaces 197 parking spaces under the 3 apartment buildings 6-story 242 space parking structure 45 surface parking spaces PROPOSED PARKING Structure / Lot Spaces Garage, ground level, Building A 62 Garage, ground level, Building B 86 Garage, ground level, Building C 49 Subtotal, Garages 197 Garage, ground level, Building D 242 Surface Parking 45 Total

29 Project Details Site Features Residential Amenities 5,000 square-foot community room/gym Rooftop pool and spa over parking structure 96,385 square feet of landscaping Open Space Easement acres bluff-top area would be preserved as undeveloped open space 029

30 Proposed Landscape Plan 030

31 Building Elevations Street View 031

32 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 032

33 EIR Purpose Discloses project impacts to public and decision makers. Identifies ways to avoid or reduce environmental impacts. Analyzes alternatives. Fosters interagency coordination and public review/participation. 033

34 Initial Study To determine if there are potential significant environmental effects. To identify the appropriate CEQA document and process. Contents: Project Description Environmental Setting Identification of potential effects (comprehensive checklist) Consistency with applicable plans/zoning 034

35 Notice of Preparation Contains a brief description of the project, its location, and where documents relating to the project can be found. Notifies responsible agencies and other interested parties that an EIR will be prepared. Solicits input regarding the scope, focus, and content of the upcoming EIR. Distributed for a 30-day public review period. 035

36 Topics Analyzed in the Initial Study Aesthetics Agriculture & Forestry Resources Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology & Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hydrology & Water Quality Land Use & Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population & Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation & Traffic Tribal Cultural Resources Utilities & Service Systems 036

37 Topics Proposed to be Analyzed in the EIR Aesthetics Agriculture & Forestry Resources Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology & Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hydrology & Water Quality Land Use & Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population & Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation & Traffic Tribal Cultural Resources Utilities & Service Systems 037

38 Overview of the EIR Process Prepare Initial Study Prepare Final EIR including Response to Comments Prepare/Distribute Notice of Preparation (30 days) July 27, 2017 to August 28, 2017 Planning Commission Hearing Dates TBD Scoping Meeting July 10, 2017 City Council Hearing Dates TBD Prepare Draft EIR Notice of Determination Public and Agency Review of Draft EIR (45 days) Dates TBD = Public Input Opportunities 038

39 Public Participation & Input 039

40 Opportunities for Public Participation Notice of Preparation Review period began on July 27, 2017 and ends on August 28, 2017 The NOP and Initial Study are available for review at: City of Torrance City Clerk s Office & Permit Center 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA Walteria Library 3815 W 242 nd Street, Torrance, CA Katy Geissert Civic Center Library 3301 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA City of Torrance Community Development Department website: communitydevelopment/planning/ butcher-solana 040

41 Future Opportunities for Public Participation Draft EIR Draft EIR is circulated for 45 days (Schedule TBD) Final EIR Will include response to comments Final EIR is published and made available for review prior to project approval Planning Commission & City Council Hearings Schedule TBD 041

42 Public Comments Environmental issues you would like to see in the EIR Comments on the Initial Study/NOP and Scoping Meeting may be submitted to the City at: Mail: Danny Santana, Planning and Environmental Manager City of Torrance, Planning Division 3031 Torrance Boulevard Torrance, CA Comments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Monday, August 28 and must be in writing. 042

43 Public Comments Scoping Meeting 3-Minutes per Speaker Provide Name & Address Identify the Environmental issues you would like to see in the forthcoming EIR You may submit comments today or mail/ later Include your name and address 043

44 Butcher-Solana Residential Development Project EIR Scoping Meeting City of Torrance City Hall Council Chambers 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA Thursday, August 10, :30 pm 044

45 Attachment F 045