Final Environmental Impact Report
Project Description: The Proposed Development Project includes demolition of the three existing industrial structures and construction of four residential structures above two levels of commercial uses. The mixed-use project includes approximately 266,800 square feet of commercial uses and approximately 538 residential units (518,764 square feet) and amenities such as a recreation center and a landscaped common courtyard area between the residential structures. In total, 2,029 parking stalls would be provided for both residential (962) and commercial (1,067) uses combined in five levels of subterranean parking. Other features would include additional landscaping and a public water feature/public art, as well as green roofs. Building heights would vary from four and five stories (108 feet above grade and 118 feet above grade, respectively) along Sepulveda, six and seven stories (114 feet above grade and 123 feet above grade, respectively) along Pico Boulevard, and 15 stories (approximately 200 feet above ground surface) above the two commercial levels in the western portion of the site. The existing land use designation for the Development Project site is Light Industrial, and the existing zoning is M2-1-O (Light Industrial) and PF (Public Facilities).
The Proposed Development Project includes the following requested approvals, including but not limited to: General Plan Amendment to re-designate the entire Development Project site as Community Commercial; Rezone of the Development Project site (excluding the Add Area) to C2-1; Affordable Housing Development Incentive to Permit Increase in Maximum Allowable FAR of 3:1; Conditional Use Permit to allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption; Development Agreement; Site Plan Review; Vesting Tentative Tract Map to separate the commercial and residential uses on-site; Variance from Sections 12.21.1.3.a and b of the LAMC to allow any roof structure to extend above the height limit established for this project, including but not limited to stairway enclosures, elevator overrides and mechanical equipment or screens of any type; Variance from 12.14.C.2 under the C2 zone that requires buildings erected for residential purposes to adhere to the side and rear yard requirements of the R4 Zone (section 12.11 C.2 and 3) that reduces all required yards to zero feet; Haul route approval; and Approval from the California Public Utilities Commission of encroachments to the Sepulveda Boulevard/Exposition Boulevard intersection crossing.
The City has identified three properties bound by West Pico Blvd. to the north, South Sawtelle Blvd. to the west, Exposition Blvd. to the south, and Sepulveda Blvd. to the east that the City intends to re-designate from Light Industrial and Public Facilities to Community Commercial, land uses defined in the WLA Community Plan. These three properties are referred to as the “Add Area Project site.” The purpose of the re-designation is to provide for logical, consistent area-wide planning and uniform land use designations within the Development Project site area. Thus, in addition to the discretionary approvals required for the Development Project, the City requests a General Plan Amendment to allow for re-designation of the Add Area Project site.
