Table of Contents A.1 Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning

Transcription

1 Table of Contents A.1 Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning 1. INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING a. Introduction b. Existing Regulatory Conditions (1) State of California (2) Regional Plans (a) Southern California Association of Governments (b) Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) (3) County of Los Angeles (a) Current Los Angeles County General Plan (b) County of Los Angeles General Plan Comprehensive Update (c) Los Angeles River Master Plan (Los Angeles County) (d) County of Los Angeles Zoning (e) County of Los Angeles Signage Regulations (4) (a) General Plan (b) Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan () (c) Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan (d) Zoning (e) Signage Regulations (f) Urban Design Principles and Walkability Checklist ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS a. Methodology b. Thresholds of Significance c. Project Design Features (1) Universal Studios (County) Specific Plan (a) Relationship to the Los Angeles County Code (b) Prohibitions/Exceptions to the Specific Plan and Substantial Conformance Review (c) Land Use Equivalency (d) Land Use and Design Regulations Page i

2 Table of Contents (e) Designation of Height Zones (f) Building Design Standards (g) Sustainable Development Measures (h) Landscape Standards (i) Low Impact Development (j) Historic Resources (k) Child Care Center(s) (l) Hotel (m) Alcoholic Beverages Regulations (n) Oak Tree Regulations (o) Grading and Construction Regulations (p) Transportation/Transportation Demand Management Regulations (q) Parking Regulations (r) Lighting Regulations (s) Sound Attenuation Regulations (t) Signage Regulations (u) Communication Facilities (v) Subdivision Regulations (2) Universal City (City) Specific Plan (a) Relationship to the Los Angeles Municipal Code (b) Prohibitions (c) Equivalency Transfer (d) Land Use Designations (e) Parking Requirements (f) Height Zones (g) Alcohol Consumption (h) Protected Trees (i) Signage (j) Lighting (k) Sound Attenuation (l) Grading and Construction Regulations d. Project Impacts (1) State of California (2) Regional Plans (a) Southern California Association of Governments (3) Local Jurisdictional Plans and Zoning (a) County of Los Angeles (b) (4) Impacts Under the No Annexation Scenario Page ii

3 Table of Contents 4. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES AND MITIGATION MEASURES a. Project Design Features b. Mitigation Measures LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION Page iii

4 Table of Contents List of Tables 7 Open Space District No Open Space District No Open Space District No Mixed-Use Universal City District Technical Support Overlay District Studio Production District Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan Regional Performance Indicators List of Figures 23 LAFCO Adopted Sphere of Influence Map Southern California Association of Governments Region Existing Community Plan/General Plan Designations Existing Zoning Designations General Plan Framework Long Range Land Use Diagram - San Fernando Valley Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan Barham Boulevard Area Boundaries of Proposed City and County Specific Plans Proposed Setbacks from Eastern Property Line within Mixed-Use Residential Area Proposed City Specific Plan Districts and Overlay Subdistrict Page iv

5 IV. Environmental Impact Analysis A.1 Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning 1. Introduction Development on the Project Site is guided by policies and regulations set forth in local and regional plans as well as the Los Angeles Municipal Code and the Los Angeles County Code, which establish the zoning regulations applicable to the respective portions of the Project Site. The provisions set forth in these plans and zoning regulations have been adopted for the purpose of eliminating or reducing potential land use impacts as a result of development within their jurisdictional boundaries. This section provides an analysis of the potential impacts of the proposed Project with regard to consistency with applicable land use regulations. The analysis of the Project s compatibility with the surrounding uses in the area is presented in Section IV.A.2, Physical Land Use, of this Draft EIR. Secondary environmental effects caused as a result of the land use relationships analyzed in this Section are addressed in other sections of the EIR, such as Transportation (Section IV.B), Noise (Section IV.C), and Air Quality (Section IV.H). 2. Environmental Setting a. Introduction Development of the Project Site is currently guided by several adopted land use plans and policies. These include those plans and policies that specifically address the Project Site itself, as well as several plans that address the Project Site in broader geographic contexts (e.g., the surrounding community, the City as a whole, the County and the Southern California region). As the Project Site is located within both the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles, both City and County land use plans are applicable to the proposed Project. The Project Site consists of 391 acres, 296 of which are currently located within unincorporated County of Los Angeles and 95 of which are currently located within the City of Los Angeles. Existing City and County portions of the Project Site are illustrated in Figure 12 in Section II, Project Description. The Applicant is seeking to annex approximately 76 acres currently located within the County portion of the Project Site to the and detach approximately 32 acres from the City s jurisdiction that Page 400

6 would be placed within the jurisdiction of the County. Therefore, annexation related land use policy issues are also relevant to the proposed Project. In addition, implementation of the Project as proposed requires the following approvals from the City and County: (1) City and County General Plan amendments; (2) approval of the proposed City and County Specific Plans; (3) zone and height district changes, including but not limited to, adding the proposed City Specific Plan to the list of allowed zones set forth in the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code; (4) City and County development agreements; (5) preannexation agreement (within the City); (6) Tentative Tract maps; (7) modifications of existing City/County boundaries to correspond to existing Project Site uses and improvements; (8) establishment of Community Facilities Districts/Mello Roos (within the City); (9) amendment of the City s Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan; (10) street vacation of portions of on-site public streets; (11) demolition, grading, and building permits; (12) haul route; and (13) other actions necessary to implement the proposed Project. The following section evaluates the effects of the proposed land use actions on existing State, City, and County land use regulations and plans. The proposed Project includes two specific plans that would provide new land use and zoning regulations for the Project Site: (1) the proposed Universal City (City) Specific Plan, which addresses land uses in the proposed City portions of the Project Site and (2) the proposed Universal Studios (County) Specific Plan, which addresses land uses in the proposed unincorporated County portion of the Project Site. These proposed Specific Plans are presented in draft form in their entirety in Appendix A of this Draft EIR, and summarized in Section II, Project Description of this Draft EIR, as well as under the Project Design Features section of this analysis. Existing plans and policies that are applicable to the Project Site are described in detail under Existing Conditions. The consistency of the proposed Project with the intent and corresponding designations of existing land use plans and regulations is also evaluated. b. Existing Regulatory Conditions (1) State of California The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Act of 2000 (Cortese-Knox Act) (Government Code Section et seq.) is the framework within which proposed city annexations, incorporations, consolidations, and special district formations are considered. In addition to establishing and authorizing the Los Angeles Local Agency Formation Commission, this law mandates specific factors which the Los Angeles Local Agency Formation Commission must address when considering annexation proposals. The Los Angeles Local Agency Formation Commission in turn establishes the ground rules by which the affected jurisdiction will process the annexation. The responsible agencies in an annexation or detachment relative to the proposed Project would be the Los Angeles Local Agency Formation Commission, the County of Los Angeles, and the. Page 401

7 A city or county cannot take actions which conflict with state annexation procedures. In the enactment of the Cortese-Knox Act, the State Legislature recognized that the local formation and determination of local agency boundaries is an important factor in promoting orderly development and in balancing such development with the sometimes competing state interests of discouraging urban sprawl, preserving open space and prime agricultural lands, and efficiently extending government services. The Legislature also recognized that furthering the availability of housing options throughout the State would contribute to effecting orderly development; this objective being accomplished through the logical formation and modification of the boundaries of local agencies, which can best accommodate and provide governmental services and housing for persons and families in the most efficient manner feasible. Under Government Code Section 56668, factors to be considered in the review of an annexation proposal include the following: (a) population density, natural boundaries, topography, proximity to other populated areas; (b) need for community services, the present cost and adequacy of services in the area; (c) the effect of the proposed action and alternative actions on the adjacent areas, on mutual social and economic interests; (d) the conformity of the proposal and its effects on adopted commission policies on providing planned, orderly, efficient patterns of urban development; (e) the effect of the proposal on maintaining the physical and economic integrity of agricultural lands; (f) the definiteness and certainty of boundaries of the territory, the nonconformance of proposed boundaries with lines of assessment or ownership, the creation of islands or corridors of unincorporated territory, and similar matters affecting the proposed boundaries; (g) consistency with city and county general plans; (h) the sphere of influence of any local agency that may be applicable; (i) the comments of any affected local agency; (j) the ability of the newly formed or receiving agency to provide the services which are subject to the application to the area, including sufficiency of revenues; (k) timely availability of water supplies for projected needs; (l) the extent to which the proposal will affect a city in achieving its fair share of the housing needs as determined by the appropriate council of governments (i.e., Southern California Association of Governments with regard to the proposed Project); (m) any information from the land owner or owners; (n) any information relating to existing land use designations; and (o) the extent to which the proposal will promote environmental justice, meaning the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with regards to the location of public facilities and the provision of public services. The Los Angeles Local Agency Formation Commission s adopted Sphere of Influence map for the is shown in Figure 23 on page 403. The Project Site is not within the City s Sphere of Influence; therefore, the proposed annexation/detachment actions will include a concurrent request to amend the City s Sphere of Influence. Page 402

8 Source: LAFCO December 13, Figure 23 LAFCO Adopted Sphere of Influence Map Page 403

9 (2) Regional Plans (a) Southern California Association of Governments The Southern California Association of Governments is the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization for six Southern California counties including the County of Los Angeles. Figure 24 on page 405 shows the Southern California Association of Governments region. The Southern California Association of Governments prepares and has adopted the 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, the 2007 Regional Housing Needs Assessment, the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, and the Regional Transportation Improvement Program to address regional growth and measure progress toward achieving regional planning goals and objectives. The Southern California Association of Governments has released its 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan, as an update to the adopted 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide. Several of the analyses presented in this Draft EIR are based on the growth forecasts incorporated into the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan. This approach was selected as this growth forecast was the most recently adopted by the Southern California Association of Governments at the time the Project s Notice of Preparation was issued by the City. Subsequent to the issuance of the Project s Notice of Preparation, the Southern California Association of Governments adopted the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, which incorporates an updated growth forecast compared to that included in the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan. A comparison of the two growth forecasts indicates that the growth forecasts incorporated into the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan are higher than the corresponding forecasts incorporated into the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan. Thus, the use of the 2004 growth forecast for analyses, such as traffic, yields a conservative analysis as a greater amount of background growth occurs under the 2004 growth forecast in comparison to the 2008 growth forecast. The relationship of the proposed Project to the goals and objectives of the 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, the 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan, and the 2004 Compass Blueprint Growth Vision are discussed in greater detail below. The Regional Transportation Plan, Regional Transportation Improvement Plan and Regional Housing Needs Assessment are addressed within their respective topical sections, Section IV.B, Traffic/Access, Section IV.N.2, Housing, and Section IV.N.3, Population of this Draft EIR. Page 404

10 Page 405 Source: Figure 24 Southern California Association of Governments Region

11 (i) 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide The Southern California Association of Governments Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide was adopted by the member agencies of the Southern California Association of Governments to set broad goals for the Southern California region and identify strategies for agencies at all levels of government to guide their decision-making. 13 It includes input from each of the 13 subregions that make up the Southern California region (comprised of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, and Ventura Counties). Adopted 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide policies related to land use are contained primarily in Chapter 3 of the 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, entitled Growth Management. The purpose of the Growth Management Chapter is to present forecasts which establish the socio-economic parameters for the development of the Regional Mobility and Air Quality Chapters of the 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, and to address issues related to growth and land use by encouraging local land use actions that would help minimize development costs, save natural resources, and enhance the quality of life in the region. 14 Impacts associated with regional mobility and air quality are discussed in Sections IV.B, Traffic/Access, and IV.H, Air Quality, respectively, of this Draft EIR. (ii) 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan The Southern California Association of Governments prepared and issued the 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan in response to the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council directive in the 2002 Strategic Plan to define solutions to inter-related housing, traffic, water, air quality, and other regional challenges. 15 The 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan serves as a policy framework for implementation of short-term strategies and long-term initiatives to improve regional mobility and sustainability, while also directly addressing the interrelationships between natural resource sustainability, economic prosperity, and quality of life. 16 The Southern California Association of Governments, Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, March 1996, Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide, p Southern California Association of Governments, 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan, accepted by the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council on October 2, 2008; Southern California Association of Governments. The State of the Region publications/pdf/2007/sotr07/sotr07_execsum.pdf. Page 406

12 Regional Comprehensive Plan incorporates principles and goals of the 2004 Compass Blueprint Growth Vision, discussed below. The 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan includes nine chapter areas: Land Use and Housing, Transportation, Air Quality, Energy, Open Space and Habitat, Water, Solid Waste, Economy, and Security and Emergency Preparedness. Each chapter is organized into three sections: goals, outcomes, and action plans. Each action plan contains Constrained Policies which provide a series of recommended near-term policies that developers and key stakeholders should consider for implementation as well as Strategic Initiatives for consideration by local jurisdictions and agencies when conducting project review. The Draft 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan was released for public review and comment in November The Regional Council accepted the Regional Comprehensive Plan as a guideline document on October 2, 2008, with direction that the 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan serve as an advisory document for local governments and that it be provided for their information and voluntary use in developing local plans and addressing local issues of regional significance. Because of its advisory nature, the Southern California Association of Governments has concluded that the 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan shall not be used in the Southern California Association of Governments' Inter-Governmental Review process. Thus, all evaluations of a project s consistency should still be based on the goals and policies established in the 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide. 17 (iii) Southern California 2004 Compass Blueprint Growth Vision The Southern California 2004 Compass Blueprint Growth Vision Report (2004 Compass Growth Vision), published by the Southern California Association of Governments, presents a comprehensive vision for growth in the six-county Southern California Association of Governments region, as well as the means of achieving that growth vision. 18 The 2004 Compass Growth Vision is intended to provide planning guidance and mechanisms for improved mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability for all Southern Californians by reorienting development around existing and planned transportation infrastructure on just 2% of the region s land area (the 2% Strategy is discussed in further detail below) Southern California Association of Governments, 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan, accessed July 7, Southern California Association of Governments, Southern California Compass Blueprint Growth Vision Report, June 2004, vision/principles. Page 407

13 The 2004 Compass Growth Vision notes that limitations on the amount of undeveloped land suitable for development may hinder the ability to accommodate new housing and jobs within the region. The report identified that under current adopted general plans, only 29 percent of the Southern California Association of Governments 2030 growth projection for the coastal basin of Los Angeles and Orange Counties could be accommodated through new development on vacant land. Infill, or new development in already developed areas, will be relied upon to provide locations for nearly half of the anticipated new housing region-wide. The 2004 Compass Growth Vision concludes that the strategy of combining compact, mixed-use development with housing and jobs near major transportation infrastructure will prove to be of enormous benefit in accommodating future growth, while also recognizing that incremental and strategic changes in small parts of the region can yield great benefits to the region as a whole as well as to individual cities. 19 These projected benefits led to the 2004 Compass Growth Vision being incorporated into the region's 2004 and 2008 Regional Transportation Plans. The 2004 Compass Growth Vision s 2% Strategy was created to implement the 2004 Compass Growth Vision, by working closely with local jurisdictions and the public at large. The 2004 Compass Growth Vision s 2% Strategy calls for changes to current land use and transportation trends within the 2% Strategy Opportunity Areas. The 2% Strategy Opportunity Areas comprise approximately 2% of the land in Southern California and are made up primarily of local areas of regional significance that are currently, or are projected to be, major employment and residential centers, areas attracting large numbers of work commuters that are well-accessible by both highway and transit; city centers; rail transit stops; bus rapid transit corridors; and airports, ports, and industrial centers that are significant in the region s economy. Priority residential in-fill areas that have the potential to absorb a fair share of projected regional residential growth and to provide regional and subregional transportation benefits are also identified as areas of opportunity. The 2004 Compass Growth Vision principles and related strategies are as follows: Principle 1: Improve mobility for all residents. Strategies to support Principle 1 include: (a) encourage transportation investments and land use decisions that are mutually supportive; (b) locate new housing near existing jobs and new jobs near existing housing; (c) encourage transit-oriented development; and (d) promote a variety of travel choices. 19 Southern California Association of Governments, Southern California Compass Blueprint Growth Vision Report, June 2004, Page 408

14 Principle 2: Foster livability in all communities. Strategies to support Principle 2 include: (a) promote infill development and redevelopment to revitalize existing communities; (b) promote developments that provide a mix of uses; (c) promote people scaled, pedestrian friendly communities; and (d) support the preservation of stable, single-family neighborhoods. Principle 3: Enable prosperity for all people. Strategies to support Principle 3 include: (a) provide a variety of housing types in each community to meet the housing needs of all income levels (b) support educational opportunities that promote balanced growth; (c) ensure environmental justice regardless of race, ethnicity, or income class; (d) encourage civic engagement; and (e) support local and state fiscal policies that encourage balanced growth. Principle 4: Promote sustainability for future generations. Strategies to support Principle 4 include: (a) preserve rural, agricultural, recreational, and environmentally sensitive areas; (b) focus development in urban centers and existing cities; (c) develop strategies to accommodate growth that use resources efficiently, eliminate pollution, and significantly reduce waste; and (d) utilize green development techniques. (iv) 2004 Regional Transportation Plan The 2004 Regional Transportation Plan focuses on improving the balance between land use and the current as well as future transportation systems. The Southern California Association of Governments is required to develop, maintain and update the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan on a three-year cycle. The 2004 Regional Transportation Plan is a multi-modal plan representing a vision for a better transportation system, integrated with the best possible growth pattern for the Region over the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan horizon of The 2004 Regional Transportation Plan provides the basic policy and program framework for long term investment in the vast regional transportation system in a coordinated, cooperative and continuous manner. The Southern California Association of Governments adopted the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan on May 8, 2008, subsequent to the City issuing the Project s Notice of Preparation. The 2008 Regional Transportation Plan is an update to the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan and continues the same policy directions set forth in the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan. As noted above, a comparison of the growth forecasts incorporated into the two plans concluded that the growth forecasts incorporated into the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan are higher than the corresponding forecasts incorporated into the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan. Thus, the use of the 2004 growth forecast for analyses, such as traffic, yields a conservative analysis as a greater amount of background growth occurs under the 2004 growth forecast in comparison to the 2008 growth forecast. Page 409

15 (b) Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) IV.A.1. Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning Metro prepared two transportation planning documents to improve mobility in the region through the use of bicycles: The Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan 20 and the Bicycle Transportation Account Compliance Document. These documents replace earlier 1996 sub-regional bicycle master plans but do not replace local planning documents. The 2006 Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan describes a vision for Los Angeles County that promotes bicycles as a viable transportation mode and furthers the regional goals of improving the quality of life and economic well being for people residing, working, and visiting Los Angeles County by outlining a bicycle infrastructure plan that improves overall mobility, air quality, and access to opportunities and resources. The Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan establishes regional bicycle planning policies and provides tools that can be used by local agencies, though the majority of its strategies are intended for implementation by Metro Planning. The Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan identifies the Universal City Metro Red Line Station as a bike-transit hub, which is defined in the Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan as an on-street or offstreet transit stop or transit center where a combination of elements, including numerous transit and/or rail lines, activity, and surrounding demographics make it a prime candidate to improve bicycle access to transit. The Bicycle Transportation Account Compliance Document helps local agencies establish funding for the State Bicycle Transportation Account program, providing Metro with an inventory and mapping of existing and proposed bicycle facilities in the County, an estimate of ridership and future local needs, and information for production of a public bike map. The Bicycle Transportation Account Compliance Document map shows the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel right-ofway adjacent to the Project Site as a proposed Class I bike path, connecting to an existing Class II bike path along Forest Lawn Drive. (3) County of Los Angeles The following plans are or will be administered by the County of Los Angeles within the geographic area of the proposed Project located within unincorporated Los Angeles County: (1) the current Los Angeles County General Plan; (2) the pending Los Angeles County General Plan Comprehensive Update and Amendment; and (3) the Los Angeles River Master Plan Page 410

16 (a) Current Los Angeles County General Plan IV.A.1. Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning The current Los Angeles County General Plan was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November The Elements of the General Plan, several of which have been updated or amended between 1987 and 1993, guide the County s land use policies. Current Elements and Plans that would be applicable to the unincorporated area within the Project Site include the General Plan Land Use Policy Map, the General Plan Urban Form Policy Map, the County Highway Plan, Bicycle Plan, and the following Elements of the County General Plan: Land Use; Circulation; Housing; Conservation and Open Space; Safety; Noise; Water and Waste Management; and Economic Development. The County is in the process of updating its General Plan. As of this date the County has issued the Draft General Plan Update and is currently overseeing the document s review and approval process, (discussed further below in Section IV.A.1.2.b(3)(b)). (i) Land Use Element The County General Plan Land Use Element sets forth policies for the general location, distribution, and intensity of land use. The Land Use Element serves as a tool for coordinating future development within both the private and public sectors. The policies of the Land Use Element encourage a more concentrated urban pattern through the revitalization of deteriorating urban areas, infill of underutilized lands, and focusing new urban development in the most suitable locations. It also reinforces General Plan policies for conserving natural and ecological resources and protecting County residents from natural hazards through careful management of development in sensitive areas. This is reflected in part via the County s Hillside Management regulations. The General Plan Policy Maps designate all or portions of the unincorporated area within the Project Site as the following: (1) Urban Revitalization (General Development Policy Map), (2) Multipurpose Center, Level 3 (Urban Form Policy Map), (3) Major Industrial (Land Use Policy Map), (4) Major Commercial (Land Use Policy Map), and (5) RI - Major Industrial Revitalization/Intensification Areas (Economic Development and Revitalization Policy Map). These land use designations primarily reflect the existing uses of the Project Site as a major entertainment center and working studio. The existing on-site land use designations are shown in Figures 25 and 26 on pages 412 and 413. The policies of the County of Los Angeles Land Use Element would apply until the adoption of the County of Los Angeles General Plan Update. Page 411

17 VE NT UR AB LV D 101 Legend Regional Center BL VD City Community Plan BA RH AM 101 Community Commercial Limited Commercial Medium Density Residential Minimum Density Residential Very Low Density Residential Open Space, Public & Quasi-Public Lands County General Plan Industrial Commercial Project Site Boundary Source: Matrix Environmental, ZIMAS, Figure 25 Existing Community Plan / General Plan Designations Page 412 Page _

18 VE NT UR AB LV D 101 Legend City Zoning RE15-1-H Residential Estate, Height District 1, Hillside 101 RE20-1 Residential Estate, Height District 1 RE20-1-H Residential Estate, Height District 1, Hillside RE40-1 Residential Estate, Height District 1 R1-1 One - Family, Height District 1 County Zoning P-1 Automobile Parking Surface & Underground, Height District 1 M-1 1/2 Restricted Heavy Manufacturing PB-1 Parking Building, Height District 1 Project Site Boundary C2-1 Commercial, Height District 1 (Q)C1-1L Qualified Classification, Limited Commercial, Height District 1L Source: Matrix Environmental, ZIMAS, Figure 26 Existing Zoning Designations Page 413

19 (ii) Circulation Element The Circulation Element of the County General Plan sets forth policies for the continuing development of a comprehensive transportation system for Los Angeles County. The Circulation Element concurs with the policy positions of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) and the Southern California Association of Governments on the need for the continued development and construction of a comprehensive public transportation system. The Circulation Element of the County General Plan reflects the location of existing and future transit corridors. Key features of the Circulation Element are the Transportation Plan, Highways Plan, and Bikeway Plan. The Transportation Element contains the Transportation Policy Map and the Highway Policy Map. The circulation policy maps depict the existing transportation system and identify needed additions and improvements, in accordance with the growth and development policies. The Highway Policy Map coincides, and is consistent, with the Los Angeles County Highway Plan (formerly known as the Master Plan of Highways). The Highway Policy Map depicts existing and potential highway routes and identifies areas and routes requiring expenditures of the majority of funds targeted for maintenance, rehabilitation, right-of-way protection and new construction as well as routes subject to special study. The County Highway Plan of the Los Angeles County General Plan designates a Major Highway in an alignment across the northern boundary of the Project Site, between the Barham Boulevard/Forest Lawn Drive intersection and Lankershim Boulevard (the East-West Road). The roadway is shown to be located adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel and includes a northerly extension through the Lakeside Golf Club which would connect with Forman Avenue in the Toluca Lake area. No funding has been allocated for the East-West Road and no right-of-way has been dedicated for its construction. A detailed environmental analysis of the East-West Road is presented in Section V.I, Alternatives: East-West Road Alternatives, of this Draft EIR. (iii) Conservation and Open Space Element The Conservation and Open Space Element sets policy direction for the open-space related resources in the County. These resources include land and water areas devoted to recreation, scenic beauty, conservation and the use of natural resources. To protect areas of significant natural resources, the Conservation and Open Space Element recommends the retention of areas in non-urban or open space use. Special emphasis is on the protection of hillside character and Significant Ecological Areas. The Conservation and Open Space Element also has goals to protect sites of historical, archaeological, scenic, and scientific value, as appropriate. The Conservation Page 414

20 and Open Space Element encourages a more concentrated urban pattern by directing growth to environmentally suitable areas. The Open Space Policy Map designates and categorizes all open space uses within the unincorporated Los Angeles County area. (iv) Safety Element The Safety Element addresses the following issues within the unincorporated area: Seismic Hazards, Geologic Hazards, Wildland and Urban Fires, Management of Hazardous Materials, Emergency Response Resources, and Safety-Oriented Research. (v) Noise Element The Noise Element addresses noise sources in the unincorporated area and identifies noise standards and land use compatibility guidelines to protect noise sensitive land uses from undesirable noise levels. The Noise Element specifically identifies interior and exterior noise standards as well as construction standards. The current and adopted General Plan Noise Element has been revised to conform to current California Government Code Standards. (vi) Water and Waste Management Element The Water and Waste Management Element addresses water resources and their availability and identifies standards and guidelines for their distribution and conservation. The Water and Waste Management Element also addresses solid waste management, landfill operation, and recycling opportunities critical to the County, as well as issues relating to flood control, aquifer replenishment, sewerage, and water reclamation systems. (vii) Economic Development Element The Economic Development Element identifies goals and policies relative to furthering, sustaining, and revitalizing employment, business and investment opportunities, stimulating economic growth, and promoting tourist attractions in the County. (viii) Housing Element The Housing Element includes goals and policies encouraging a wide range of housing types sufficient to meet the needs of current and future residents accessible to employment centers. The Housing Element would be applicable to the Project if the portions of the proposed Mixed-Use Residential Area currently in the County were not annexed to the as proposed. The proposed Project is compared to the applicable goals and policies of the current County General Plan Housing Element in Section IV.N.2, Housing, of this Draft EIR. Page 415

21 (b) County of Los Angeles General Plan Comprehensive Update Although the existing adopted County of Los Angeles General Plan guides land use within the unincorporated portion of the Project Site, the General Plan is currently undergoing updates in compliance with California Government Code Sections , 65301, and The proposed General Plan Update is intended to reflect changing demographics, growth, and infrastructure conditions in the County. The update process includes setting goals and policies that are designed to address immediate issues and concerns while maintaining an awareness of the long-term implications and consequences of the County s proposed actions. The General Plan Update focuses on amending the Countywide Elements of the General Plan and concentrates on the following Elements: Land Use, Mobility, Air Resources, Housing, Conservation and Open Space, Parks and Recreation, Noise, Safety, Public Services & Facilities, and Economic Development. In addition, the County General Plan Update addresses climate change in a number of General Plan Elements such as Land Use, Mobility, Conservation and Open Space, and Public Services and Facilities. The update is being conducted in two phases: Phase I includes the Housing Element Update and Phase II includes the Countywide Elements Update. The Phase I Housing Element Update has been completed and the updated Housing Element was adopted by the County on August 5, A brief discussion of the current drafts of the proposed Countywide Elements is presented below. The County s proposed Land Use Element update would rescind the current Land Use Policy Map and would reference two proposed maps: a Consolidated Unincorporated Area Land Use Policy Map that would include all 14 local plan maps as well as the remaining unincorporated urban county islands not covered by a local plan; and, the individual parcel-specific map sheets. For the map sheets for unincorporated areas not covered by a local plan, the land use designations would be modified to identify localserving commercial uses (not previously shown on the Land Use Policy Map) and redesignate these properties from the existing Major Commercial land use designation to the Neighborhood Commercial or Major Commercial land use designations. Under the County s General Plan Update the following changes would be made: (1) all Seismic Hazard Zone Maps published by the California Geological Survey would be incorporated by reference; and (2) policies defining the necessary studies and steps for the use of Seismic Hazard Zone Maps in the planning and building permit process would be added. Proposed changes to the Mobility Element under the General Plan Update include: (1) amend policy maps of the Transportation Plan to depict current policies on air, rail, and transit corridors and freeway lane improvement plans for high occupancy vehicles; (2) incorporate and update the Highway Plan as a sub-element of the Mobility Element; Page 416

22 (3) incorporate the Bikeway Plan, which would also be a sub-element (the Department of Public Works is currently updating the Bikeway Plan); and (4) incorporate strategies for pedestrian-oriented street design. Technical changes to the Conservation and Open Space Element under the County s General Plan Update are as follows: (1) revisions to reflect regulatory changes to the National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System permit process, water supply planning, water quality issues, and recent species listing at both the State and Federal levels; (2) revision to the Open Space Policy Map to reflect new acquisitions; (3) incorporation of relevant objectives of the current Scenic Highway Element; (4) revision to the Significant Ecological Area program; and (5) the separation of parks and recreational issues to be placed into a stand-alone Element. The Noise Element would be revised to incorporate more recent noise exposure information provided by County, State and Federal codes for evaluating noise conditions and for developing policies and programs that consider land use compatibility with the surrounding environs when planning new development. Issues related to flood hazards and hazardous materials are presented in the proposed Safety Element, and solid waste, recycling and landfill issues are presented in the proposed Public Services and Facilities Element. The proposed General Plan Update would continue to include an Economic Development Element, with goals and policies updated to reflect current and forecasted economic conditions, and issues related to industrial land preservation. (c) Los Angeles River Master Plan (Los Angeles County) The Project Site is located south of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel, which is subject to the land use goals of the Los Angeles River Master Plan. The Los Angeles River Master Plan, completed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works in 1996, recognizes the Los Angeles River as a resource of regional importance that must be protected and enhanced. Since the adoption of the Los Angeles River Master Plan in 1996, the subsequent Sign Guidelines and the Landscaping Guidelines and Plant Palettes amendments to the Los Angeles River Master Plan were approved by the County Board of Supervisors in March The Los Angeles River Master Plan and companion Corridor Highlights document were reissued by the County in April The intent of the Los Angeles River Master Plan is to identify ways to revitalize the publicly owned rights of way along the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel. The goals of the Los Angeles River Master Plan are to: ensure flood control and public safety; improve the appearance of the river; promote the river as an economic asset to Page 417

23 surrounding communities; preserve, enhance and restore environmental resources in and along the river; consider stormwater management alternatives; ensure public involvement, provide a safe environment and a variety of recreational opportunities along the river; and ensure safe access to and compatibility between the river and other activity centers. The Los Angeles River Master Plan includes recommendations with regard to aesthetics, economic development, environmental quality, flood management and water conservation, jurisdiction and public involvement, and recreation. The aesthetic goal and objectives include improving the appearance of the river; encouraging river cleanup and promoting beautification; providing interconnection between communities and recreation facilities; developing a greenbelt along the river; and encouraging development of a riverfront. The economic development goal and objectives include promoting the river as an economic asset to the surrounding communities; providing education, training, jobs and business opportunities to benefit communities; establishing funding sources; promoting responsible development; preserving and enhancing real estate values; and balancing local and regional benefits. The environmental quality goal and objectives include preserving, enhancing and restoring environmental resources in and along the river; improving and creating natural plant and animal habitats; increasing water conservation efforts; improving water quality and cleanliness of the river; and improving air quality. The flood management and water conservation goal and objectives include ensuring that flood control and public safety needs are met. The jurisdiction and public involvement goals are to ensure public involvement and coordination with master plan development. The recreation goal and objectives include providing a safe environment and recreational opportunities along the river; ensuring safe access to and compatibility between the river and other activity centers; providing a network of continuous multi-use trails; providing for a variety of active and passive recreation opportunities, and expanding open space. The Implementation Chapter of the Los Angeles River Master Plan discusses ways that cities and local agencies can support the Master Plan through local planning documents. The Project Site is located in Reaches 4 and 5 of the Los Angeles River Master Plan. Under the Los Angeles River Master Plan, improvements for the river adjacent to the Project Site include tree plantings and a trail adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel and a pedestrian/bicycle path connection to Universal CityWalk. Implementation of these improvements, although identified in the Los Angeles River Master Plan, would be administered by the where located within City boundaries. In the northeastern edge of the Project Site, approximately one-fourth of the Project Site abuts the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel. This northeastern portion of the Project Site is within the jurisdiction of the. The remaining approximately three-fourths of the northern edge of the Project Site is adjacent to River Page 418

24 Road, which is a two lane roadway that runs along the southern boundary of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel. The majority of this remaining three-fourths of the northern edge is within the jurisdiction of the County of Los Angeles and the majority of the roadway is owned by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the purposes of flood control management and maintenance of the channel. The Applicant has use of the County portions of River Road pursuant to a lease agreement with the County until such time as the County requires use of the right-of-way for other County purposes. (d) County of Los Angeles Zoning The County of Los Angeles portion of the Project Site consists of approximately 296 acres currently zoned M-1½. This zoning designation corresponds to the Restricted Heavy Manufacturing Zone. With the exception of all residential uses, family and adult day care facilities, hospitals, hotels and schools, the Los Angeles County Code generally allows any use in the M-1½ zone. In addition, uses that are allowed, subject to conditional use permits, include the sale of alcoholic beverages, amphitheaters, child care centers, outdoor signs, grading projects, cemeteries, massage and tattoo parlors, explosives storage, and surface mining. Existing County of Los Angeles zoning designations for the portions of the Project Site within the County of Los Angeles are shown on Figure 26 on page 413. (e) County of Los Angeles Signage Regulations The County of Los Angeles regulates the placement, erection, and maintenance of signs in unincorporated County territory. The County s sign regulations are intended to allow businesses to operate successfully, while protecting property values, aesthetics, and the public s health, safety and general welfare. The County portions of the Project Site are located in the M-1½ zone, the Restricted Heavy Manufacturing Zone. Subject to the limitations set forth in the County Code, the County s sign regulations allow: stationary and portable outdoor advertising signs; wall, roof, freestanding, projecting, and incidental business signs; building identification signs; temporary real estate and construction signs; and informational signs. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, sequential flashing signs located within 100 feet of and on the same side of the street as a residentially or agriculturally zoned property, revolving signs, signs advertising unlawful acts, businesses or purposes, banners, noise emitting signs, and signs dispensing bubbles. Signs located in a building, arcade, court or similar enclosed area that are not visible to the public without entering such facility are exempt from the County s signage regulations. (4) The following plans are administered by the within the geographic area of the proposed Project: (1) General Plan; (2) Los Page 419

25 Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (and proposed River Improvement Overlay), and (3) the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan. Although not formally adopted as regulatory plans, analysis of both the Planning Department s Urban Design Principles and Walkability Checklist have also been included in this discussion, recognizing the City s intent to acknowledge principles and strategies addressed in these policy documents in planning future development throughout the City. (a) General Plan The General Plan is comprised of the following Elements: Citywide General Plan Framework, Land Use, Air Quality, Transportation, Housing, Infrastructure Systems, Noise, Open Space, Conservation, Public Facilities and Service Systems, Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources, and Safety. The City General Plan sets forth goals, objectives and programs to guide day-to-day land use policies and meet the existing and future needs and desires of the community, while integrating a range of state-mandated Elements including Land Use, Transportation, Noise, Safety, Housing, and Open Space/ Conservation. The City General Plan integrates the Citywide Elements and Community Plans, and gives policy direction to the planning, regulatory and implementation programs. The Air Quality, Noise, Infrastructure, Public Facilities/Services, and Transportation Elements of the City General Plan, which contain goals, objectives and policies applicable to the proposed Project, are generally addressed within this section of the Draft EIR, but are addressed more thoroughly within their respective topical discussion in Section IV of the Draft EIR. (i) Framework Element The City General Plan Framework Element (Framework Element), adopted in December 1996 and readopted in August 2001, sets forth a Citywide comprehensive longrange growth strategy and defines Citywide policies regarding land use, housing, urban form, neighborhood design, open space and conservation, economic development, transportation, infrastructure and public services. 21 The Framework Element establishes goals and policies to guide local planning efforts at the community level through the Community Plans, Overlay Districts, and Specific Plans. The Framework Element also directs economic development efforts, resources, incentives, and strategies to foster desired economic activity. 21 Department of City Planning; website July 21, Page 420

26 The Land Use Chapter of the Framework Element summarizes key land use issues and presents the goals, objectives, policies, and programs that seek to maintain stable residential neighborhoods and encourage growth to locate within appropriate neighborhood districts, commercial and mixed-use centers, along boulevards, and in proximity to transportation corridors and transit stations. The Land Use Chapter designates Districts (i.e., Neighborhood Districts, Community Centers, Regional Centers, Downtown Centers, and Mixed-use Boulevards) and provides policies applicable to each District to support the vitality of the City s residential neighborhoods and commercial centers. The portion of the Project Site located within the, as shown in Figure 27 on page 422, is designated as a Regional Center under the General Plan Framework and as such is designated as a high-density place and a focal point of regional commerce, identity, and activity. Table 3-1 of the Framework Element lists the following as encouraged uses within a Regional Center: corporate and professional offices, retail commercial (including malls), offices, personal services, eating and drinking establishments, telecommunications centers, entertainment, major cultural facilities, hotels, and similar uses (i.e., mixed-use structures integrating housing with commercial uses; multi-family housing (independent of commercial); major transit facilities; and inclusion of small parks and other communityoriented activity facilities). 22 The development of sites and structures integrating housing with commercial uses is encouraged in Regional Centers, in concert with supporting services, open space, and amenities. 23 The density of Regional Centers also supports the development of a comprehensive and inter-connected network of public transit and services. 24 The Housing Chapter of the Framework Element presents an overview of the critical issues related to housing, identifies policies to further goals stated in the adopted General Plan Housing Element and direction for future amendments to the Housing Element. The Housing Chapter encourages market opportunities in housing development and land use patterns that offer a diversity of housing types, thus providing the foundation for better, more widely available housing options. 25 The Housing Chapter states that the City must Op. Cit., Table 3-1, Land Use Standards, page Op. Cit., page Ibid. Op. Cit., page 4-1. Page 421

27 Colfax Av Woodlake Whitsett Av Coldwater Cyn Av Laurel Bl Cyn Bl Tujunga Shoup Sepulveda W oodman Vineland Fallbrook Canoga Av Av T opanga Cy n Av Av Av Av Bl Van Nuys Reseda Bl De Soto Mason Winnetka Mt Av Av Av Gleason Av White Oak Av Reseda Bl 5 Roxford St Bledsoe St Polk St Sayre St Hubbard St INTRODUCTION The General Plan Framework is a long range, citywide, comprehensive growth strategy. It is a special element of the general plan which looks to the future as required by law and replaces Concept Los Angeles and the Citywide Plan (adopted in 1974). Because it looks at the city as a whole, the Framework provides a citywide context within which local planning takes place. Both the benefits and challenges of growth are shared. The Framework sets forth a conceptual relationship between land use and transportation on a citywide basis and defines new land use categories which better describe the character and function of the city as it has evolved over time. The new categories - Neighborhood District, Community Center, Regional Center, Downtown Center and Mixed Use Boulevards - are broadly described (with ranges of intensity/density, heights and lists of typical uses) and generally shown on this long range land use diagram. The definitions reflect a range of land use possibilities found in the city's already diverse urban, suburban and rural land use patterns - patterns which have evolved over time at different rates and in different locations. Their generalized locations reflect a conceptual relationship between land use and transportation. Because it is citywide, the Framework cannot anticipate every detail. Therefore, the community plans must be looked to for final determinations as to boundaries, land use categories, intensities and heights that fall within the ranges described by the Framework. The Citywide General Plan Framework Element neither overrides nor supersedes the Community plans. It guides the city s long range growth and development policy, establishing citywide standards, goals, policies and objectives for citywide elements and community plans. The Framework is flexible, suggesting a range of uses within its land use definitions. Precise determinations are made in the Community Plans. Balboa Woodley Av Bl N ley Circle Bl Val Santa Sus ana Mulholland Pa ss 1 1/ KILOMETERS 1 1/2 1/ MILES Rd Bl Plummer St Nordhoff St Dr Roscoe Bl Saticoy St Sherman Way Vanowen St 101 Tampa 118 Rinaldi St San Fernando Mission Chatsworth St Devonshire St Parthenia St Victory Bl Burbank Bl Ventura Bl Av Bl S epulveda 405 Bl Oxnard St Magnolia Bl Bl Brand Bl Moorpark St Glenoaks Bl San Fernando Rd Osborne St Sheldon St 170 Lankershim Bl Foothill Sunland Wentworth Bl St Bl La Tuna Cyn 210 Big Tujunga Rd Cyn Rd Apperson Day St Relationship To Community Plans Adoption of the Framework neither overrides nor mandates changes to the Community Plans. The Community Plans reflect appropriate levels of development at the time of the Framework s adoption. As community plans are updated utilizing future population forecasts and employment goals, the Framework is to be used as a guide - its generalized recommendations to be more precisely determined for the individual needs and opportunities of each community plan area. During that process, nothing suggests that a community plan must be amended to the higher intensities or heights within the ranges described in the Framework. The final determination about what is appropriate locally will be made through the community plans - and that determination may fall anywhere within the ranges described. As the city evolves over time, it is expected that areas not now recommended as Neighborhood Districts, Community and Regional Centers, and Mixed Use Boulevards may be in the future appropriately so designated; and areas now so designated may not be appropriate. Therefore, the Framework long range diagram may be amended to reflect the final determinations made through the Community Plan update process should those determinations be different from the adopted Framework. Examples of the application of Framework definitions: 1. A Regional Center located in a low- to mid-rise suburban area characterized by large vacant lots may have a lower intensity; while an urban area, where most lots are smaller and built upon at higher intensities may have higher overall intensities. While the uses of these two types of Regional Centers will generally be the same (e.g., large office buildings, major entertainment facilities, extensive retail, including large shopping malls, overnight accommodations, served by major transportation and close to housing), the development characteristics will differ and be determined through the Community Plan process, taking into account the surrounding area. 2. A Community Center in one part of the city may be identified for a low intensity, e.g., floor area ratio of 1.5:1 and a height of 3 stories; while in another part of the City, a Communify Center may start with a low intensity, e.g., floor area ratio of 1.5:1, but permit a bonus density (e.g., permit an additional floor area ratio of 0.5:1) and higher building heights whenever new development also includes housing. These kinds of more precise determinations are made through the Community Plans. The General Plan Framework provides the range within which the determinations are made. Relationship To Specific Plans The city has a number of adopted specific plans which set detailed development regulations for local areas and include various types of regulatory limitations. Examples of these limitations include "trip caps," Design Review Boards, density/intensity limits, maximum heights, landscape, lot coverage, etc. The General Plan Framework is consistent with and does not supersede nor override these local requirements. Footnotes 1. The General Plan Framework is comprised of the generalized Long Range Land Use Diagram, policies and programs. For a comprehensive understanding of the Framework's recommendations, both maps and text should be consulted. 2. Special Study Area. Future changes in use require approval by appropriate decision makers through appropriate studies and procedures. Changes may result in a community plan amendment, specific plan, development agreement, change of zone; and may include further restrictions, if necessary. 3. As decisions are made to fund or withdraw funding from transit stations, adjacent land uses will be reevaluated. 4. Compact areas identified for future growth are known as Districts, Centers and Mixed Use Boulevards. They are also defined by their function within the community, citywide and regional context and take into consideration adjacent property in adjoining cities when appropriate. They offer a range of development potential because some are developed to their maximum, while others are not. LEGEND Districts, Centers & Mixed Use Boulevards Neighborhood District A focal point for surrounding residential neighborhoods and containing a diversity of land uses such as restaurants, retail outlets, grocery stores, child care facilities, small professional offices, community meeting rooms, pharmacies, religious facilities and other similar services. The clustering of uses minimizes automobile trip-making and encourages walking to and from adjacent neighborhoods. Pedestrianoriented areas are encouraged, and the district may be served by a local shuttle service. Generally, Neighborhood Districts are at a floor area ratio of 1.5:1 or less and characterized by 1- or 2-story buildings. Community Center A focal point for surrounding residential neighborhoods and containing a diversity of uses such as small offices and overnight accommodations, cultural and entertainment facilities, schools and libraries, in addition to neighborhood oriented services. Community Centers range from floor area ratios of l.5:1 to 3.0:1. Generally, the height of different types of Community Centers will also range from 2- to 6-story buildings, e.g., some will be 2-story Centers, some 4- or 6-story Centers depending on the character of the surrounding area. Community Centers are served by small shuttles, local buses in addition to automobiles and/or may be located along rail transit stops. Regional Center A focal point of regional commerce, identity and activity and containing a diversity of uses such as corporate and professional offices, residential, retail commercial malls, government buildings, major health facilities, major entertainment and cultural facilities and supporting services. Generally, different types of Regional Centers will fall within the range of floor area ratios from 1.5:1 to 6.0:1. Some will only be commercially oriented; others will contain a mix of residential and commercial uses. Generally, Regional Centers are characterized by 6- to 20-stories (or higher). Regional Centers are usually major transportation hubs. Downtown Center An international center for finance and trade that serves the population of the five county metropolitan region. Downtown is the largest government center in the region and the location for major cultural and entertainment facilities, hotels, professional offices, corporate headquarters, financial institutions, high-rise residential towers, regional transportation facilities and the Convention Center, The Downtown Center is generally characterized by a floor area ratio up to 13:1 and high rise buildings. Mixed Use Boulevard These connect the city s neighborhood districts and community, regional and Downtown centers. Mixed Use development is encouraged along these boulevards, with the scale, density and height of development compatible with the surrounding areas. Generally, different types of Mixed Use Boulevards will fall within a range of floor area ratios from 1.5:1 up to 4.0:1 and be generally characterized by 1- to 2-story commercial structures, up to 3- to 6-story mixed use buildings between centers and higher buildings within centers. Mixed Use Boulevards are served by a variety of transportation facilities. Source: General Plan Framework, February, Figure 27 General Plan Framework Long Range Land Use Diagram - San Fernando Valley Page 422

28 strive to meet the housing needs of the population in a manner that contributes to stable, safe, and livable neighborhoods, reduces conditions of overcrowding, and improves access to jobs and neighborhood services. 26 The Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter of the Framework Element establishes the goal of creating a livable City for existing and future residents that is attractive to future investment with interconnected, diverse neighborhoods that build on the strength of those neighborhoods and functions at both neighborhood and Citywide scales. Urban form refers to the general pattern of building height and development intensity and the structural elements that define the City physically, such as natural features, transportation corridors, activity centers, and focal elements. Neighborhood design refers to the physical character of neighborhoods and communities within the City. The Framework Element does not directly address the design of individual neighborhoods or communities, but embodies generic neighborhood design and implementation programs that guide local planning efforts and lay a foundation for the updating of the Community Plans. The Framework Element s Urban Form and Neighborhood Design Chapter encourages growth in centers, which have a sufficient base of both commercial and residential development to support transit service. The Open Space and Conservation Chapter of the Framework Element recognizes the opportunity to incorporate open space as an amenity to enhance community and neighborhood character. The policies of this chapter recognize that there are communities where open space and recreation resources are currently in short supply, and suggests that vacated railroad lines, drainage channels, planned transit routes and utility rights-ofway, or pedestrian-oriented streets and small parks, where feasible, might serve as important resources for serving the open space and recreation needs of residents. The Transportation Chapter of the General Plan Framework includes proposals for major improvements to enhance the movement of goods and to provide greater access to major intermodal facilities. The Transportation Chapter stresses that transportation investment and policies will need to follow a strategic plan, including capitalizing on currently committed infrastructure and adoption of land use policies to better utilize committed infrastructure. The Transportation Chapter of the General Plan Framework is implemented through the Transportation Element of the General Plan. 26 Op. Cit., page 4-2. Page 423

29 The Infrastructure and Public Services Chapter of the Framework Element addresses infrastructure and public service systems, many of which are interrelated and include: wastewater, stormwater, water supply, solid waste, police, fire, libraries, parks, power, schools, telecommunications, street lighting, and urban forest. The goals and objectives of the Infrastructure and Public Services Chapter applicable to the proposed Project address wastewater, stormwater, water supply, solid waste, police and fire protection service, emergency medical service, libraries, parks, and infrastructure to assure that all areas of the City have the highest level of public protection and services available to meet existing and future demand. Issues regarding infrastructure and emergency services are addressed in Sections IV.B, Traffic/Access, IV.G.1, Water Resources - Surface Water, IV.K, Public Services, and IV.L, Utilities of this Draft EIR. (ii) Land Use Element/Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan The Land Use Element of the City General Plan is divided into 35 Community Plans for the purpose of developing, maintaining and implementing the General Plan. The Land Use Element is intended to guide the location and intensity of the private and public use of land and to promote an arrangement of land uses, streets, and services which will encourage and contribute to the economic, social and physical health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the people who live and work in the City. Additionally, the Community Plans serve as a companion to the Framework Element, implementing the applicable land use standards and policies of the Framework Element at the local level. Land uses on the portion of the Project Site currently located within the City of Los Angeles are within the Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan area. The current City portions of the Project Site are non-contiguous and located throughout peripheral sections of the Project Site. These areas include the northeast section of the Project Site which is designated as Limited Commercial and Very Low Density Residential; areas located in the south and southeast portion of the Project Site which are designated as Medium, Very Low and Minimum Density Residential; the northwest corner of the Project Site which is designated as Community Commercial; an area located within the south and southwest portion of the site designated as Regional Center commercial; and two strips of land along the north boundary adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel in the middle of the Project Site and in the northeast corner of the Project Site designated as Open Space. The land use designations for those portions of the Project Site currently within the are shown on Figure 25 on page 412. The goals and objectives in the Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan address local land use, growth and development issues Page 424

30 and opportunities, as well as transportation networks, infrastructure and other support services. The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan policies also address programs for the preservation, enhancement, and maintenance of all established residential neighborhoods, culturally and historically distinct neighborhoods, and pedestrian-oriented design, streetscape amenities, and landscaping in public places. The goals and objectives relative to local land use within the Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan area are summarized below. Residential Land Use Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan addresses residential land use opportunities and issues through the goal of a safe, secure, and high quality residential environment for all economic, age, and ethnic segments of the community. 27 The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan s residential objectives supporting the goal are: (1) to provide for the preservation of existing housing and or the development of new housing to meet the diverse economic and physical needs of existing residents and projected population of the Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan area to the year 2010; (2) to locate new housing in a manner that reduces vehicular trips and makes it accessible to services and facilities; (3) to preserve and enhance the varied and distinct residential character and integrity in existing single- and multi-family neighborhoods; (4) to promote and insure the provision of adequate housing for all persons regardless of income, age or ethnic background; and (5) to limit the intensity and density in hillside areas. These objectives are further implemented by specific policies. Commercial Land Use Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan addresses commercial land use opportunities and issues through the goal of a strong and competitive commercial sector which best serves the needs of the community through maximum efficiency and accessibility while preserving the historic commercial and cultural character of the district. 28 The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan s commercial objectives supporting this goal are: (1) to conserve and strengthen viable commercial development; (2) to allow for the development of automobile-related uses in specifically designated commercial designations along most Department of City Planning, Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan, May 13, 1998, page III-2. Ibid, page III-6. Page 425

31 major arterials, with a corresponding policy to prohibit the development of new automobilerelated uses in pedestrian oriented districts; (3) to enhance the identity of commercial districts and to identify pedestrian oriented districts; (4) to enhance the appearance of commercial districts; (5) to promote development of commercial properties adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel; and (6) to encourage commercial development of the Campo de Cahuenga Transit Station site, located on the west side of Lankershim Boulevard, north of Ventura Boulevard, while establishing a design element for the entire site, with a corresponding policy to require that any proposed development contain a design element that continues the early California Spanish style of architecture found at the Campo de Cahuenga. Recreation, Park, and Open Space Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan addresses recreation, park, and open space opportunities and issues through the following goals: (1) adequate recreation and park facilities to meet the needs of the residents in the plan area; and (2) a community with sufficient open space in balance with development to serve the recreational, environmental and health needs of the community and to protect environmental and aesthetic resources. The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan s parks, recreation, and open space objectives supporting these goals are to (1) conserve, maintain and better utilize existing recreation and park facilities which promote the recreational experience, and (2) to preserve existing open space resources and where possible develop new open space. Transportation Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan addresses transportation issues through the following goals: (1) develop a public transit system that improves mobility with convenient alternatives to automobile travel; (2) encourage alternative modes of transportation to the use of single occupancy vehicles in order to reduce vehicular trips; (3) a well maintained, safe, efficient freeway, highway and street network; (4) a system of highways, freeways, and streets that provides a circulation system which supports existing, approved, and planned land uses while maintaining a desired level of service at all intersections; (5) a system of safe, efficient, and attractive bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian routes; and (6) a sufficient system of welldesigned and convenient on-street parking and off-street parking facilities throughout the plan area. Historic and Cultural Resources Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan provides goals and objectives by which architecturally, historically, and culturally significant Page 426

32 sites in the Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan area would be preserved, enhanced, and maintained. 29 Urban Design Goals and Objectives The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan lays out broad, general policies for the Planning Department to use in reviewing individual, multi-residential and commercial projects. In commercial corridors, the emphasis is on the provision and maintenance of the visual continuity of streetscapes and creation of an environment that encourages pedestrian and economic activity. In multi-family areas, the emphasis is on the promotion of architectural design that enhances the quality of life, living conditions and neighborhood pride of the residents. The Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan also lays out design policies for streetscape and landscaping in public places. Please also refer to the related discussion below, Section 4(e), concerning the Department of City Planning Urban Design Principles and Walkability Checklist. (iii) Air Quality Element The Air Quality Element includes goals, objectives and policies applicable to the proposed Project to reduce air pollutants consistent with the South Coast Air Quality Management District s Air Quality Management Plan, including regional attainment of ambient air quality standards as a primary consideration in land use planning. The City's General Plan Framework, Air Quality and Transportation Elements call for Citywide congestion reduction by linking population and employment concentrations with transit systems to encourage more effective use of all transportation modes. The Air Quality Element sets forth specific goals to facilitate efficient management of transportation facilities and system infrastructure using cost-effective and innovative techniques that result in less reliance on single-occupant vehicles and reduce commute and non-work trips. The goals also address improved air quality, mobility, energy efficiency, and minimizing the impact of existing and future development by addressing the relationship between land use, transportation, and air quality. The Air Quality Management Plan and its relationship to the proposed Project are discussed in greater detail in Section IV.H, Air Quality of this Draft EIR. 29 Op. Cit., page III-25. Page 427

33 (iv) Transportation Element 30 The Transportation Element promotes strong linkages between land use, transportation and air quality. The Transportation Element sets forth street designations, selection/performance criteria for each designation, streetscape guidelines, correlated with land use, based on the recommendations of the Framework Element. The Community Plan incorporates the Transportation Element's Highways and Freeways system and also designates collector streets. Public streets and rights-of-way are also addressed as part of the infrastructure system regulated via the City General Plan Infrastructure and Public Facilities Element, discussed below. The Transportation Element recognizes that locating land uses that better serve the needs of the population closer to where they work and live reduces the number and the distance of vehicle trips, resulting in congestion relief and a decrease in air and noise pollution from mobile sources. The Transportation Element establishes three primary goals: (1) adequate accessibility to work opportunities and essential services, and acceptable levels of mobility for all those who live, work, travel, or move goods in Los Angeles; (2) a street system maintained in a good to excellent condition adequate to facilitate the movement of those reliant on the system; and (3) an integrated system of pedestrian priority street segments, bikeways, and scenic highways which strengthens the City's image while also providing access to employment opportunities, essential services, and open space. The City is currently updating the Bicycle plan, which is part of the Transportation Element. The Draft Bicycle Plan, dated September 2009, proposes a bike path along the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel, including the area of the Project Site. (v) Noise Element The Noise Element identifies goals to reduce or eliminate noise impacts associated with the proposed development of land and changes in land use and to provide for an environment where noise does not reduce the quality of urban life. The Noise Element is implemented by a variety of City regulations and standards. In addition, the individual Community Plans contain implementation features that address noise related land use issues. 30 The proposed update of the Transportation Element, including renaming to the Mobility Element, has been initiated by the Planning Department, although the actual revisions are not included in the Department s work program for Source: Memorandum from S. Gail Goldberg to Budget and Finance Committee of the Los Angeles City Council, April 22, Page 428

34 (vi) Conservation Element The Conservation Element is an informational document designed to explain the context, history and opportunities for protection and improvement of the City's natural resources. The singular goal of this Element recognizes the City s intent to preserve, protect and enhance its existing natural and related resources, including cultural and historical resources, through proper management or controlled use. This may include acquisition and protection of open space for habitat conservation, species protection, watershed maintenance and other purposes; reducing the demand for nonrenewable mineral and petroleum resources, water and other natural resources; and recycling water, wood products, metals, glass and other materials. The Conservation Element identifies objectives and policies specific to: agricultural land, animal keeping, archaeological and paleontological sites, cultural and historical features, endangered species, natural habitat, equine use areas, beaches and inland areas subject to erosion, fisheries, forests, landfills, brownfields, scenic landforms, vistas, and features, oceans, open space and parks, areas outside City jurisdictional boundaries (e.g., Mono Lake), mineral resources, fossil fuels, and water. The objectives and policies take into consideration both site specific and general applications. (vii) Housing Element The Housing Element consists of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community, and a statement of goals, policies, financial resources, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and production of housing. It is the overall housing goal of the City of Los Angeles to create a city of safe, livable and sustainable neighborhoods, maintaining the quality of life in all residential areas, with a range of housing in proximity to jobs, infrastructure and services, and where housing production and preservation result in an adequate supply of housing affordable to people of all income levels, races, and ages, suitable for all needs. The Housing Element, adopted by the City Council on August 13, 2008, identifies the City s housing conditions and needs, establishes the proposed goals, objectives, and policies that are the foundation of the City s housing and growth strategy, and provides associated programs to create sustainable, mixed-income neighborhoods across the City. The Housing Element is divided into six chapters, as follows: Housing Needs Assessment; Constraints on Housing Maintenance; Inventory of Sites for Housing; Opportunities for Conservation in Residential Development; Review of the Housing Element; and Housing Goals, Policies, Objectives and Programs. Page 429

35 (viii) Safety Element The Safety Element goals parallel three of the primary phases of disaster planning: hazard mitigation, emergency response and rapid and feasible recovery. The Safety Element emphasizes mitigation of potential hazard impacts, rather than avoidance through land use prohibitions, except as required by State flood and seismic regulations. This is in recognition that the City is a built city and damage due to disasters such as fire, seismic event or hazardous materials release could occur anywhere in the City regardless of distance from identified major earthquake fault rupture zones or concentrations of hazardous materials. The Safety Element assumes that hazard mitigation strategies, such as structural design, and pre-event training and planning can reduce damage, disruption, injury and costs resulting from natural disasters and will facilitate more rapid short and long term recovery following a disaster. (ix) Other General Plan Elements: Infrastructure Systems, Open Space, Public Facilities and Services, and Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources The Infrastructure Systems, Public Facilities and Services, and Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Elements are currently positioned for revision by the City of Los Angeles in order to be internally consistent with the more recently updated General Plan Elements. However, their update requires initiation of the General Plan amendment process by the City Council before revisions can proceed. At this time, the initiation process has not occurred. The existing policies and objectives of these Elements are recognized within the goals, objectives, and policies as set forth in the Framework Element, and individual Community Plans (Land Use Element), as well as within adopted City programs and implementation methods, including Community Design Overlay zones, Historic Preservation Overlay zones, Specific Plans and special use districts. For example, the Sherman Oaks- Studio City- Toluca Lake Cahuenga Pass Community Plan identifies the need to provide a circulation system which supports existing, approved, and planned land uses while maintaining a desired level of service and to ensure that the location, intensity and timing of development are not inconsistent with the provision of adequate transportation infrastructure. The update of the Open Space Element was formally initiated pursuant to a Council motion adopted on May 21, 2001 (CF ) and is currently undergoing revisions by the Page 430

36 Department of City Planning, although the revisions are not included in the Department work program for (b) Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan () On May 9, 2007, the City Council adopted the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan as a vision document constituting the framework within which all future riverrelated development within the City will be implemented. The goals set forth in this plan include: revitalizing the river; enhancing its identity and restoring the functional qualities of the river ecosystem; greening of neighborhoods to be accomplished by creating a continuous river greenway with connections to adjoining neighborhoods via safe public access, with the objective to improve the quality of life; and, improve water quality through environmentally-sensitive urban design. The Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan establishes the goal of creating a continuous 32-mile long river greenway along the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel that would provide a dedicated bicycle path on the south and west side of the river and a multiuse trail on the north and east sides of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel. The Project Site is located in the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel Reach 4: Tujunga Wash to Barham Boulevard. The Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan provides the overall vision for revitalization of the Los Angeles River. The proposed River Improvement Overlay District would implement the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, establishing guidelines for both private property and public rights-of-way. The River Improvement Overlay District is a proposed special use district that, pursuant to City ordinance, would require new projects to achieve points in three design categories: Watershed, Urban Design, and Mobility. The proposed River Improvement Overlay District also provides guidelines for new complete streets and includes a mobility strategy to ensure that the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and vehicle drivers are considered when major projects or street improvements are undertaken within the River Improvement Overlay District. The Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan identifies opportunities for revitalization and enhancement of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel along Forest Lawn Drive and at Weddington Park (North) and Weddington Park (South), to the east and west of the proposed Project Site, respectively. 31 Source: Memorandum from S. Gail Goldberg to Budget and Finance Committee of the Los Angeles City Council April 22, Page 431

37 (c) Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan IV.A.1. Land Use - Land Use Plans/Zoning The Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan (Mulholland Specific Plan), adopted in May 1992, is intended to assure the maximum preservation and enhancement of Mulholland Drive s scenic features and resources. The Mulholland Specific Plan regulates development within two areas referred to as the Inner Corridor and Outer Corridor. The Inner Corridor consists of the Mulholland Scenic Parkway right-of-way and the additional area extending 500 feet outwards from the outermost boundaries of the right-of-way. The Outer Corridor is defined in the Mulholland Specific Plan as the area which lies between the Inner Corridor s outermost boundary and one-half mile outward from the right-of-way. It is the intent of the Mulholland Specific Plan to preserve and enhance land having exceptional recreational or educational value, to assure that land uses are compatible with the parkway environment, to assure that the design of buildings complement or enhance views from Mulholland Drive, to preserve the existing residential character of areas along the right-of-way, to preserve the natural topographic variation within the Inner and Outer Corridors, to minimize grading and assure that graded slopes have a natural appearance, to reduce visual intrusion caused by excessive lighting, and to protect resources visible from Mulholland Drive. Universal City is considered a visual resource from Mulholland Drive. A dedicated plaque and Universal City view overlook are located on Mulholland Drive in the vicinity of Torreyson Drive. This overlook is located approximately 0.85 miles from the southern boundary of the Project Site. Based on the geographic extent of the Outer Corridor, a small portion of the southeastern corner of the Project Site, adjacent to the Hollywood Freeway, as shown in Figure 28 on page 433 is subject to the provisions of the Mulholland Specific Plan. While located within the boundaries of the Outer Corridor, the area between Mulholland Drive and the Project Site is extensively developed with residential uses, commercial uses lining both sides of Cahuenga Boulevard, and the Hollywood Freeway. Permitted land uses within the Outer Corridor are subject to certain limitations which include the protection of prominent ridges; streams; environmentally sensitive areas and the biologic, geologic and topographic features therein; oak trees; and archaeological and paleontological resources. Grading, with the exception of corrective grading as determined by the Department of Building and Safety, in excess of one cubic yard per four square feet per lot visible from Mulholland Drive must be approved by the City s Director of Planning. Graded slopes must have a natural appearance compatible with the characteristics of the Santa Monica Mountains. Single-family uses, low-light night lighting on private property, trails, major vista points, commercial and Low Medium I and II residential uses are Page 432

38 r D Adina Dr Outpost Cove Dr Outpost Dr Troy Wy Charleston Wy Outpost Rd Dr Macapa Dr Marvilla Dr r Cahuenga Bl West Lake Hollywood Dr Lakeridge Dr Cahuenga Bl East Cahuenga Bl East Odin St Whitley Ter Iris Holly Dr Universal Center Dr Universal Studios Blvd Project Site Blair Dr De Witt Velma Dr Floyd Ter Ellis Dr De Witt Dr Winnie Dr Barham Bl La Suvida Dr La Sombra Dr Lake Hollywood D r Northknoll Dr WonderView Dr Coral Dr Lake Hollywood Dr len Oak G Oakley Dr Ione Dr Hollywood Frwy Floyd Ter Blair Dr Lindo St North Knoll Dr Wonder View Sq WonderView Pl Dr Wonder View Bonniehill Dr Oak Glen Dr Dr Tareco Dr Oakshire Primera Av Passmore Dr Oakshire Dr Adina Dr Ellington Dr Bennett Dr Dos Palos D r Cahuenga Bl West Barbara Ct Barham Bl Hollycrest Dr Cahuenga Bl East Cadet Ct Hollycrest Dr Benda St North Knoll Dr Tareco D Wonder View Dr Transmission Line R/W Oakcrest Dr Montcalm Av Wilson Dr Woodro w Wilson Dr Pacific View Dr Cahuenga Bl West WoodrowWilson Dr Cahuenga Bl East Mu lho lland Dr Longdale Ln Lakeridge Rd Department of Water and Power Woodrow Montcalm Av Wilson Dr Woodrow Rd Lakeridge Pyramid Dr Pyramid Dr Pacific View Dr Caverna Dr Pacific View Dr Las Turas St Pyramid Pl Sunny Cove Pacific View Dr Hollywood Reservoir Mulholland Dr Questa Dr Lisco Pl Cervantes Pl Desmond Estates Rd Hillpark Dr Mulholland Dr Solar Dr Runyon Canyon Park Runyon Canyon Park Department of Water and Power Transmission Line R/W Lamar Rd Chelan Dr Carman Crest Dr Rd Senalda Outpost Dr Castillian Dr Hollywood Bowl Overlook Dr Holly Hollywood Bowl Cahuenga Bl West Chelan Dr Wattles Garden Park Chelan Pl Dr San Marco La Granada Dr Cahuenga Ter La Granada Dr Oporto Dr Rd Ma laga Cahuenga Bl Odin St Castilian Dr Los Tilos Rd La Presa Dr Highland Av Wedgewood Pl Iris Cir Dr Hollywood Rte 101 Fwy Whitley Av LEGEND Inner Corridor Overlay Zone 500 from Right-of-Way Outer Corridor Overlay Zone 500 to One-Half Mile from Mulholland Drive Right-of-Way Project Site Boundary Publicly-Owned Open Space Roadway Prominent Ridge Watercourse Major Vista Point Core Trail Existing Trail, Fire, or Service Road Source:, Page 433 Figure 28 Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan Barham Boulevard Area

39 permitted. The height of any structure visible from Mulholland Drive shall not exceed 40 feet. To determine visibility from Mulholland Drive, the visual analysis prepared for the proposed Project evaluates lines of sight toward the area consistent with the protocol established in the Mulholland Specific Plan guidelines (Guideline 17). 32 (d) Zoning The portion of the Project Site currently consists of approximately 95 non-contiguous acres that are zoned a variety of commercial and residential zones. Current zoning designations for the portions of the Project Site located within the City include: (1) the northeast area of the Project Site along Barham Boulevard is zoned (Q)C1-1L and RE20-1; (2) the northwest area of the Project Site located along Lankershim Boulevard is zoned C2-1L; (3) the southeast area of the Project Site located along Barham Boulevard and Buddy Holly Drive is zoned RE20-1 and RE40-1; (4) the southwest area of the Project Site located along the Hollywood Freeway is zoned C2-1, PB-1, P-1, RE15-1, and RE40-1 and (5) a small portion of land along the north boundary adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel is zoned R1-1. The (Q)C1-1L (Limited Commercial, Height District 1-L) Zone, permits business offices and retail uses accessory to the office uses. Buildings or structures located in Height District No. 1-L shall not exceed three stories. The C2-1L (Commercial, Height District 1-L) and C2-2 (Commercial, Height District No. 2) Zones permit any use permitted in the C1 zone and additional commercial and retail uses, signs, automotive repair, churches, circuses and carnivals, nurseries, fire and police stations, studios, and motion picture production (no outdoor sets). Buildings or structures in the C2-1L zone shall not exceed six stories, or 75 feet in height. In the C2-2 Zone (Height District No. 2), the total floor area contained in all the buildings on a lot shall not exceed six times the buildable area of the lot (Los Angeles Municipal Code Section A.2). The RE15-1, RE20-1, RE40-1 (Residential Estate, Height District 1) Zones permit single-family dwellings; government-owned parks, playgrounds, and community centers; accessory buildings; two-family dwellings adjacent to a commercial or industrial zone; truck farms and animal-keeping not for commercial purposes. In the RE Zones located in Height 32 Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan Design and Preservation Guidelines; approved by Los Angeles City Planning Commission, May 22, Page 434

40 District No. 1, no building or structure shall exceed 36 feet in height in non-hillside areas or 45 feet in height in hillside areas (Los Angeles Municipal Code Section ). The minimum lot size in the RE15, RE20, and RE40 zones are 15,000 square feet, 20,000 square feet, and 40,000 square feet, respectively. The R1-1 Zone permits singlefamily dwellings, parks, playgrounds, community centers, truck gardening, accessory living quarters, and home occupations on a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet, and a height not to exceed 45 feet. The P Zone allows automobile parking on surface areas or underground; whereas the PB Zone permits automobile parking in buildings. There are no specific regulations on lot area, although the minimum lot area and width regulations of the A and R Zones would apply to the P Zone. Existing zoning designations applicable to those portions of the Project Site within the are shown on Figure 26 on page 413. (e) Signage Regulations The regulates signs to promote public safety and welfare. The does this by controlling the size, height, and spacing of signs to protect the visual environment and regulating the design, construction and maintenance of signs to ensure that signs do not interfere with traffic safety or otherwise endanger public safety. The permits the following signs subject to area, height, location, projection, and other requirements: monument signs, information signs, projecting signs, wall signs, pole signs, illuminated architectural canopy signs, roof signs, window signs, marquee signs, temporary signs, and mural signs. Signs containing obscene content and flashing, mechanical and strobe lights are prohibited, as are supergraphic and off-site signs, among others. (f) Urban Design Principles and Walkability Checklist 33 The Urban Design Principles address the connections between individual properties, neighborhoods, and communities focusing on human scale. The ultimate goal is to integrate automotive and pedestrian scale design throughout the City. The Urban Design Principles focus on enhancing the qualities of neighborhoods, and raising the quality of development and connections between communities, specifically when creating urban design guidelines, policies, or regulations for future implementation. 33 Although not formally adopted as regulatory plans, analysis of the Urban Design Principles and Walkability Checklist have been included in this discussion, recognizing the City s intent to acknowledge principles and strategies addressed in these policy documents in planning future development throughout the City. Page 435

41 The Urban Design Principles recognize that areas and communities within the City have a variety of unique elements that do not necessarily apply throughout the City and therefore should not be uniformly applied throughout the City. The Urban Design Principles are as follows: usable and accessible transit areas; reinforce walkability and well-being; bridge the past and the future; accentuate visual interest; nurture neighborhood character; develop street furnishings; emphasize implementation and maintenance; stimulate sustainability and innovation; improve equity and opportunity; generate public open space; and, navigation, connection, and flow. 34 The Walkability Checklist serves as a primary tool recognizing and incorporating the Urban Design Principles. The Walkability Checklist reflects certain goals, objectives and current policies of the City s General Plan, specifically addressing the Urban Form and Neighborhood Design objectives of the Framework Element for pedestrian orientation as well the related objectives incorporated within the Community Plans. The Walkability Checklist identifies pedestrian-oriented design elements aimed at achieving accessibility, comfort and safety for pedestrian users of both the private and public realms of a project. In urban design, walkability is the measure of the overall walking conditions in an area based on contributing factors which include building orientation, building frontages, on-site landscaping, off-street parking, driveways, building signage and lighting, as primary factors affecting walkability within the private realm and sidewalks, crosswalks and street crossings, on-street parking, and utilities as contributors influencing walkability within the public realm. Street connectivity, access to mass transit, aesthetics, landscaping, and street furniture are ancillary components that can also influence the pedestrian experience. The guidelines included in the Walkability Checklist are not mandatory, with an understanding that not every guideline would be appropriate for every project; the primary objective is to achieve the implementation of some of the guidelines in every project, thereby improving pedestrian access, comfort and safety Source: Urban Design Principles (Draft), March 10, Department of City Planning, Walkability Checklist: Guidance for Entitlement Review, November Page 436

42 3. Environmental Impacts a. Methodology The determination of consistency with applicable land use policies and ordinances is based upon a review of the previously identified planning documents that regulate land use or guide land use decisions pertaining to the Project Site. California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15125(d) requires that an EIR discuss inconsistencies with applicable general and regional plans that the decision-makers should address. The proposed Project is considered not inconsistent with the provisions of the identified regional and local plans if it meets the general intent of the plans, and would not preclude the attainment of the primary intent of the land use plan or policy. If the proposed Project is determined to be inconsistent with specific objectives or policies of a land use plan, although not inconsistent overall with the land use goals of that plan and would not preclude the attainment of the primary intent of the land use plan, the proposed Project would be considered not inconsistent with the plan. Since the proposed Project is located within both the and unincorporated Los Angeles County, and would involve the annexation of land from unincorporated Los Angeles County into the and the detachment of land from the into unincorporated County of Los Angeles, the land use analysis addresses the relationship of the proposed Project to the City and County General Plans, with and without the proposed annexation/detachment. The entire proposed Project is also evaluated for consistency with Southern California Association of Governments 1996 Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide. The proposed Universal City (City) Specific Plan and the proposed Universal Studios (County) Specific Plan are incorporated into the analysis as Project Design Features and are compared to the applicable City, County, and Regional Plans. b. Thresholds of Significance The CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006) states that a determination of significance relative to land use plans shall be made on a case-by-case basis considering the following factors: Whether the proposal is inconsistent with the adopted land use/density designation in the Community Plan, redevelopment plan or specific plan for the site; and Page 437

43 Whether the proposal is inconsistent with the General Plan or adopted environmental goals or policies contained in other applicable plans. Based on these factors, the proposed Project would have a significant impact on land use if: The proposed Project is inconsistent with the adopted land use/density designation in the Community Plan, redevelopment plan or specific plan for the site; or, The proposed Project is inconsistent with the City or County General Plan or other adopted environmental goals contained in other applicable plans. c. Project Design Features As previously stated, under the proposed Project, approximately 76 acres within the existing Back Lot Area would be annexed into the. In addition, approximately 32 acres currently located within the portion of the Project Site would be detached and become part of unincorporated Los Angeles County. The existing and proposed City and County areas are illustrated in Figure 12 in Section II, Project Description. Upon completion of the annexation process, approximately 139 acres would be located within the and approximately 252 acres would be located within the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, resulting in an overall net addition of approximately 44 acres to the. The proposed Project would involve amendments to the City and County General Plans to reflect the proposed annexation and detachment. Proposed City General Plan amendments would also include amendments to the Sherman Oaks-Studio City-Toluca Lake Community Plan to designate the City portion of the Project Site as Regional Commercial and to remove Limited Commercial and Very Low Density Residential designations, corresponding to the C1 and RE20 zones, from approximately 40.2 acres located in the northeastern portion of the Project Site; to remove the Very Low and Minimum Density Residential designations, corresponding to the RE20 and RE40 zones, from approximately 11 acres located in the southeastern portion of the Project Site; to remove the Regional Center and Medium and Minimum Density Residential designations, with a variety of corresponding PB, P, RE15, and RE20 zones, on approximately 11.6 acres located in the south and southwestern portion of the Project Site; and to remove the Open Space designation from the slivers of the Project Site along the northern edge adjacent to the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel. In addition, the proposed Project would amend the Mulholland Specific Plan to remove the Outer Corridor designation of the Mulholland Specific Plan on the small portion of the Project Site located Page 438

44 along the US-101 (Hollywood) Freeway and modify the Mulholland Specific Plan boundary to exclude this portion of the Project Site. The proposed Project would also amend the following County General Plan policy maps to reflect the change in boundary resulting from the proposed detachment and annexation actions: General Development, Land Use, Urban Form and Economic Development and Revitalization. The proposed Project includes the implementation of two proposed Specific Plans: (1) the proposed Universal Studios (County) Specific Plan, and (2) the proposed Universal City (City) Specific Plan. The proposed County Specific Plan would be applicable to that portion of the proposed Project Site that would remain in the County and those areas that would be detached from the City and annexed to unincorporated Los Angeles County. The proposed City Specific Plan would be applicable to that portion of the Project Site located within the, including those areas currently within the City that would remain in the City and those areas currently within the County that would be annexed to the. The boundaries for these two proposed Specific Plan areas are shown in Figure 29 on page 440. The proposed Specific Plans are regulatory land use ordinances that would guide the systematic implementation of the respective City or County General Plan relative to the Project Site. The proposed Specific Plans would create new zoning regulations and establish land use standards that would replace existing zoning regulations and land use standards for the affected areas. The requested zone changes to the proposed Specific Plan zones would also establish pre-zoning, as required for the implementation of the proposed annexation/detachment actions. The following summarizes the respective proposed Specific Plans. The full texts of the current drafts of both proposed Specific Plans are contained in Appendix A of this Draft EIR. (1) Universal Studios (County) Specific Plan The proposed County Specific Plan allows for the continuation and expansion of the broad range of existing uses in the Business, Studio, and Entertainment Areas, including such uses as: Studio Use (television, motion picture and new media production), Studio Office, Office, cable, satellite, broadcast and telecommunications activities, tourism and Entertainment Use, Amphitheater, Entertainment Retail, restaurants, theaters, Hotel, child care, and parking uses, as well as associated operational activities. The draft proposed County Specific Plan is included as Appendix A-2 of this Draft EIR in its entirety. (a) Relationship to the Los Angeles County Code The regulations of the proposed County Specific Plan are in addition to those set forth in Titles 21 and 22 of the Los Angeles County Code and any other relevant Page 439

45 Universal Studios Specific Plan Area (Tentative Tract Map No ) UN Universal City Specific Plan Area (Tentative Tract Map No ) IO UD OD DR ST WO D F RE L OO L LY EW SA YW HO AY Universal City Specific Plan Area (Tentative Tract No ) ER 1 H OL L L UN IV 10 SA S E B LV D IV R US BU Universal City Specific Plan Area (Tentative Tract Map No ) BARH AM BOU LEV ARD LA NK ER SH IM B LV D LOS ANGELES RIVER FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL DD Y C U E N DR H Y A LL Universal Studios Specific Plan Area HO Universal City Specific Plan Area Universal City Specific Plan Existing Southern Entry Point Sign G A B LV D Source: Rios Clementi Hale, Figure 29 Boundaries of Proposed City and County Specific Plans Page 440