JORDAN DOWNS SPECIFIC PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2010021007 ENVIRONMENTAL CASE NO. ENV-2010-0032-EIR Prepared for CITY OF LOS ANGELES Department of City Planning Environmental Review Section 200 North Spring Street, Room 750 Los Angeles, California 90012 Prepared by TERRY A. HAYES ASSOCIATES INC. 8522 National Boulevard, Suite 102 Culver City, CA 90232 November 18, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... I-1 A Purpose of this Report...I-1 B Lead Agency...I-2 C Responsible Agencies...I-2 D Public Review and Comments...I-2 E Summary of the Proposed Project...I-3 F Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts...I-4 G Unavoidable Significant Adverse Impacts...I-36 H Summary of Alternatives...I-37 II. III. IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION... II-1 A Introduction... II-1 B Project Objectives... II-1 C Project Location and Surrounding Uses... II-3 D Project Description... II-3 E Implementation of the Specific Plan... II-10 F Human Capital Plan... II-22 G Sustainability... II-23 H Construction Schedule and Phasing... II-24 I Required Discretionary Approvals... II-27 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING...III-1 A Overview of Environmental Setting... III-1 B Related Projects... III-5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS... IV-1 A Aesthetics... IV.A-1 B Agricultural Resources... IV.B-1 C Air Quality... IV.C-1 D Biological Resources... IV.D-1 E Cultural Resources... IV.E-1 F Energy... IV.F-1 G Geology and Soils... IV.G-1 H Hazards and Hazardous Materials... IV.H-1 I Hydrology and Water Quality... IV.I-1 J Land Use and Planning... IV.J-1 K Mineral Resources... IV.K-1 L Noise and Vibration... IV.L-1 M Population, Housing, and Employment... IV.M-1 N Public Services... IV.N-1 O Recreation... IV.O-1 P Traffic and Transportation... IV.P-1 Q Utilities and Service Systems... IV.Q-1 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) V. ALTERNATIVES... V-1 A Introduction... V-1 B Project-Level Impacts... V-1 C Alternatives to the Proposed Project... V-3 D Analysis of Alternative 1 No Project Alternative... V-12 E Analysis of Alternative 2 Reduced Annexation Area Alternative... V-15 F Analysis of Alternative 3 Reduced Height Alternative... V-21 G Analysis of Alternative 4 Industrial Zone Alternative... V-25 H Environmentally Superior Alternative... V-26 VI. OTHER MANDATORY CEQA SECTIONS... V1-1 A Unavoidable and Significant Impacts... VI-1 B Reasons Why the Project is Being Proposed, Notwithstanding... VI-2 C Irreversible Adverse Environmental Changes... VI-3 D Growth-Inducing Impacts... VI-3 E Potential Secondary Effects... VI-3 F Effects Determined Not to be Significant... VI-4 VII. PERSONS AND RESOURCES CONSULTED... VII-1 APPENDICES (UNDER SEPARATE COVER) Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Notice of Preparation and Comment Letters Air Quality Data Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments Civil Engineering Report Noise Data Traffic Impact Study Water Supply Assessment ii
LIST OF FIGURES Figure II-1 Regional Location... II-4 Figure II-2 Specific Plan Area and Annexation Area... II-5 Figure II-3 Proposed Zoning Designations... II-6 Figure II-4 Proposed Building Heights... II-8 Figure II-5 Density... II-9 Figure II-6 Key Map... II-13 Figure II-7 Illustrative Site Plan... II-15 Figure II-8 Representative Residential Building Types... II-16 Figure II-9 Illustrative View of Proposed Central Park... II-19 Figure II-10 Illustrative View of Extension of Century Boulevard... II-21 Figure II-11 Construction Phase 1 and 2... II-25 Figure II-12 Construction Phase 3 and 4... II-26 Figure III-1 Aerial Photograph... III-2 Figure III-2 Jordan Downs Public Housing Complex Photographs... III-4 Figure III-3 Jordan Downs Recreation Center, Mudtown Farms, and David StarrJordan High School Photographs... III-6 Figure III-4 Annexation Area Photographs... III-7 Figure III-5 Related Projects... III-9 Figure IV.A-1 Aerial Photograph and Visual Context... IV.A-3 Figure IV.A-2 Front View of Typical Housing Units at the Jordan Downs Public Housing Complex... IV.A-4 Figure IV.A-3 Rear View of Typical Housing Units at the Jordan Downs Public Housing Complex... IV.A-5 Figure IV.A-4 Views of existing Open Space within the Specific Plan Area... IV.A-6 Figure IV.A-5 View of David Starr Jordan High School Buildings... IV.A-7 Figure IV.A-6 View of Private and HACLA-owned Properties in the Jordan Downs Annexation Area... IV.A-9 Figure IV.A-7 View of Typical Single Family Neighborhood Adjacent to the Specific Plan Area... IV.A-11 Figure IV.A-8 View Looking North and South from the Specific Plan Area... IV.A-12 Figure IV.A-9 Proposed Building Configurations and Scale... IV.A-20 Figure IV.A-10 Building Massing Along 97 th and Grape Streets... IV.A-21 Figure IV.A-11 97 th Street Cross-Section... IV.A-22 Figure IV.A-12 Summer Solstice Shadows... IV.A-25 Figure IV.A-13 Winter Solstice Shadows... IV.A-26 Figure IV.A-14 Spring-Fall Equinox Shadows... IV.A-27 Figure IV.C-1 Air Monitoring Areas... IV.C-5 Figure IV.C-2 Air Quality Sensitive Receptor Locations... IV.C-7 Figure IV.C-3 South Coast Air Basin... IV.C-12 Figure IV.D-1 Existing Trees and Landscaping... IV.D-2 Figure IV.E-1 David Starr Jordan High School... IV.E-4 Figure IV.G-1 Active Faults... IV.G-3 Figure IV.H-1 Specific Plan Area Properties... IV.H-4 Figure IV.H-2 Residential Metals Diagram... IV.H-7 Figure IV.H-3 Commercial Metals Diagram... IV.H-8 Figure IV.H-4 Extractable Hydrocarbon Plan LAFD Residential Screening Level... IV.H-10 iii
LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED) Figure IV.H-5 Extractable Hydrocarbon Plan LARWQCB Soil Screening Level... IV.H-11 Figure IV.I-1 Existing Underground Box Culvert... IV.I-4 Figure IV.J-1 Land Use Overview... IV.J-2 Figure IV.J-2 Street-Level Views of Specific Plan Area 1... IV.J-3 Figure IV.J-3 Street-Level Views of Specific Plan Area 2... IV.J-4 Figure IV.J-4 Existing Land Uses... IV.J-7 Figure IV.J-5 Existing General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations... IV.J-8 Figure IV.J-6 Proposed Site Plan... IV.J-16 Figure IV.J-7 Proposed Land Use and Zoning Designations... IV.J-18 Figure IV.J-8 Key Map... IV.J-19 Figure IV.J-9 Non-conforming Uses with Proposed Zoning Designations... IV.J-33 Figure IV.L-1 A-Weighted Decibel Scale... IV.L-2 Figure IV.L-2 Noise Monitoring Locations... IV.L-4 Figure IV.L-3 Noise Sensitive Receptor Locations... IV.L-6 Figure IV.N-1 Fire Stations and Police Stations... IV.N-2 Figure IV.N-2 Fire Hydrants Serving the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-6 Figure IV.N-3 LAPD Video Monitoring Infrastructure... IV.N-10 Figure IV.N-4 Security Lighting... IV.N-11 Figure IV.N-5 Public Schools and Libraries... IV.N-13 Figure IV.O-1 Parks and Recreational Facilities... IV.O-2 Figure IV.P-1 Existing Roadways and Study Intersections... IV.P-2 Figure IV.P-2 Existing Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 1 to 20... IV.P-7 Figure IV.P-3 Existing Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 21 to 41... IV.P-8 Figure IV.P-4 Existing Transit Service... IV.P-10 Figure IV.P-5 Related Projects... IV.P-20 Figure IV.P-6 Scenario 1 Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 1 to 20... IV.P-23 Figure IV.P-7 Scenario 1 Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 21 to 41... IV.P-24 Figure IV.P-8 Existing and Proposed Lane Configurations... IV.P-26 Figure IV.P-9 Scenario 2 Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 1 to 20... IV.P-27 Figure IV.P-10 Scenario 2 Peak Hour Volumes for Study Intersections Numbers 21 to 41... IV.P-28 Figure V-1 Alternative 2 Reduced Annexation Area Alternative... V-5 Figure V-2 Alternative 3 Reduced Height Alternative... V-6 Figure V-3 Alternative 4 Industrial Zone Alternative... V-7 iv
LIST OF TABLES Table I-1 Specific Plan Program Summary...I-5 Table I-2 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures...I-6 Table II-1 Annexation Area Properties... II-10 Table II-2 Specific Plan Program Summary... II-12 Table II-3 Existing and Proposed Land Use and Zoning Designations... II-14 Table III-1 Related Projects... III-8 Table IV.A-1 Building Height Recommendations by Building Type... IV.A-15 Table IV.A-2 Parking by Building Type... IV.A-16 Table IV.C-1 2007-2009 Ambient Air Quality Data in Project Vicinity... IV.C-6 Table IV.C-2 State and National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status for the South Coast Air Basin... IV.C-9 Table IV.C-3 SCAQMD Daily Construction Emissions Thresholds... IV.C-18 Table IV.C-4 SCAQMD Daily Operational Emissions Thresholds... IV.C-18 Table IV.C-5 Regional Construction Emissions - Unmitigated... IV.C-22 Table IV.C-6 Localized Construction Emissions - Unmitigated... IV.C-23 Table IV.C-7 Net Daily Operational Emissions... IV.C-24 Table IV.C-8 Estimated Carbon Monoxide Concentrations... IV.C-25 Table IV.C-9 Project Consistency with the Air Quality Management Plan... IV.C-27 Table IV.C-10 Estimated Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions... IV.C-29 Table IV.C-11 Regional Construction Emissions - Mitigated... IV.C-33 Table IV.C-12 Localized Construction Emissions - Mitigated... IV.C-34 Table IV.D-1 Plant Life in the Specific Plan Area... IV.D-3 Table IV.D-2 CNDDB Quad Viewer Listing for the Southgate Quadrangle... IV.D-4 Table IV.E-1 Historic Structures within ½-Mile of the Specific Plan Area... IV.E-3 Table IV.E-2 Archeological Sites within ½-Mile of the Specific Plan Area... IV.E-5 Table IV.F-1 LADWP Power Source Mix... IV.F-2 Table IV.F-2 Estimated Electricity Usage from Existing Uses within the Specific Plan Area... IV.F-4 Table IV.F-3 Estimated Natural Gas Usage from Existing Uses within the Specific Plan Area... IV.F-5 Table IV.F-4 Estimated Electricity Usage of the Proposed Project... IV.F-9 Table IV.F-5 Estimated Natural Gas Usage of the Proposed Project... IV.F-11 Table IV.F-6 Estimated Electricity Usage of the Proposed Project and Two Related Projects... IV.F-12 Table IV.F-7 Estimated Natural Gas Usage of the Proposed Project and Nine Related Projects... IV.F-13 Table IV.G-1 Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale... IV.G-4 Table IV.H-1 Regulatory Database Research... IV.H-5 Table IV.J-1 Specific Plan Program Summary... IV.J-15 Table IV.J-2 Annexation Area Properties... IV.J-15 Table IV.J-3 Existing and Proposed Land Use and Zoning Designations... IV.J-20 Table IV.J-4 Project Consistency with Local Plans and Policies... IV.J-24 Table IV.J-5 Non-conforming Uses with Proposed Zoning Designations... IV.J-32 Table IV.J-6 Project Consistency with Regional Plans... IV.J-35 Table IV.L-1 Existing Noise Levels... IV.L-5 Table IV.L-2 Guidelines for Noise Compatible Land Use... IV.L-9 v
LIST OF TABLES (CONTINUED) Table IV.L-3 Maximum Noise Levels of Common Construction Machines... IV.L-11 Table IV.L-4 Outdoor Construction Noise Levels... IV.L-12 Table IV.L-5 Construction Noise Impact Unmitigated... IV.L-12 Table IV.L-6 Vibration Velocities for Construction Equipment... IV.L-14 Table IV.L-7 Estimated Mobile Source Noise Levels Proposed Project... IV.L-14 Table IV.L-8 Estimated Mobile Source Noise Levels Cumulative... IV.L-18 Table IV.L-9 Construction Noise Impact Mitigated... IV.L-20 Table IV.M-1 Existing (2010) Population Characteristics... IV.M-2 Table IV.M-2 Existing Housing Characteristics... IV.M-3 Table IV.M-3 Existing (2010) Employment in Jordan Downs Specific Plan Area... IV.M-3 Table IV.M-4 Existing (2010) Employment Characteristics... IV.M-3 Table IV.M-5 Jordan Downs Specific Plan Estimated Population and Housing Growth by Housing Type... IV.M-6 Table IV.M-6 Jordan Downs Specific Plan Proposed Job-Creating Development... IV.M-6 Table IV.M-7 SCAG Projected (2020) Population, Housing, and Employment Growth... IV.M-7 Table IV.M-8 Jordan Downs Specific Plan Estimated Population and Housing Growth Compared to SCAG Growth Projections... IV.M-7 Table IV.M-9 Related Projects and their Estimated Net Gain/Loss of Population, Housing, and/or Employment... IV.M-9 Table IV.N-1 LAFD Fire Stations Serving Specific Plan Area... IV.N-1 Table IV.N-2 LAFD Fire Station Incident Response Data of Fire Stations Serving the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-3 Table IV.N-3 LACOFD Stations Serving the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-4 Table IV.N-4 Part I Crime Offense Statistics... IV.N-8 Table IV.N-5 Current Enrollments and Capacities of LAUSD Schools Serving the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-12 Table IV.N-6 Planned Public Schools to Serve the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-14 Table IV.N-7 Proposed Project School Student Generation... IV.N-21 Table IV.N-8 Projected Enrollments and Capacities of Existing LAUSD Schools Serving the Specific Plan Area... IV.N-21 Table IV.N-9 Estimated Student Generation of the Proposed Project and Related Projects... IV.N-25 Table IV.O-1 Parks and Recreation Facilities within Two Miles of the Specific Plan Area... IV.O-3 Table IV.P-1 Study Intersections by Jurisdiction... IV.P-4 Table IV.P-2 Level of Service Definitions for Signalized Intersections... IV.P-5 Table IV.P-3 Level of Service Definitions for Unsignalized Intersections... IV.P-5 Table IV.P-4 Existing Study Signalized Intersection Peak Hour LOS... IV.P-6 Table IV.P-5 Existing Transit Service in Project Area... IV.P-13 Table IV.P-6 City of Los Angeles Significant Impact Criteria... IV.P-14 Table IV.P-7 Estimated Proposed Project Trip Generation... IV.P-18 Table IV.P-8 Related Projects and their Trip Generation... IV.P-22 Table IV.P-9 Existing and Scenario 1 Peak Hour LOS Comparison for Signalized Intersections... IV.P-22 Table IV.P-10 Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 Peak Hour LOS Comparison for Signalized Intersections... IV.P-29 Table IV.P-11 Scenario 2 Peak Hour LOS/Signal Warrant for Unsignalized Intersection (City of Los Angeles Guidelines)... IV.P-30 vi
LIST OF TABLES (CONTINUED) Table IV.P-12 CMP Arterial Monitoring Intersection Analysis AM Peak Hour... IV.P-30 Table IV.P-13 CMP Freeway Analysis... IV.P-30 Table IV.P-14 LAMC and Specific Plan Parking Requirements... IV.P-33 Table IV.Q-1 LADWP Water Supply... IV.Q-2 Table IV.Q-2 LADWP Groundwater Extractions... IV.Q-3 Table IV.Q-3 Water Usage from Existing Uses on Specific Plan Area... IV.Q-6 Table IV.Q-4 Estimated Wastewater Generation Usage of Existing Uses on Specific Plan Area... IV.Q-7 Table IV.Q-5 Estimated Solid Waste Generation from Existing Uses on Specific Plan Area... IV.Q-8 Table IV.Q-6 Estimated Water Usage of the Proposed Project... IV.Q-17 Table IV.Q-7 Estimated Wastewater Generation of the Proposed Project... IV.Q-19 Table IV.Q-8 Estimated Solid Waste Generation of the Proposed Project Table IV.Q-9 During Demolition and Construction Phases... IV.Q-21 Estimated Solid Waste Generation During the Operation of the Proposed Project... IV.Q-22 Table IV.Q-10 Estimated Water Usage of the Proposed Project and Two Related Projects... IV.Q-23 Table IV.Q-11 Estimated Wastewater Generation of the Proposed Project and Nine Related Projects... IV.Q-24 Table V-1 Comparison of Alternatives... V-8 Table V-2 Summary of Similar Impacts Between Alternative 2 and the Proposed Project... V-15 Table V-3 Alternative 2 Estimated Electricity Usage... V-17 Table V-4 Alternative 2 Estimated Natural Gas Usage... V-17 Table V-5 Alternative 2 Job Generation... V-19 Table V-6 Alternative 2 Estimated Trip Generation... V-20 Table V-7 Alternative 2 Utility Generation Rates... V-20 Table V-8 Summary of Similar Impacts Between Alternative 3 and the Proposed Project... V-21 Table V-9 Summary of Similar Impacts Between Alternative 4 and the Proposed Project... V-22 Table V-10 Table V-11 Estimated Wastewater Generation, Water Demand, and Solid Waste Generation Under Alternative 4... V-25 Summary of Better/Worse Impacts Between All Build Alternatives and the Proposed Project... V-26 vii