Iii. Environmental Setting

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

1. OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

A. Regional Setting

The project site is located in Los Angeles County, in the Hollywood community of the City of Los Angeles (the “City”) (see Section II [Project Description], Figure II-1 [Regional and Project Vicinity Map]). The project site is also located within the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area and the Vermont/Western Station Neighborhood Area Plan (SNAP) Specific Plan.

Regional access to the project site is provided via the Hollywood Freeway (US-101), located less than one half mile east of the project site, the Harbor Freeway (SR-110), located 4.2 miles northwest of the project site, and the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10), located 4.2 miles north of project site. Hollywood Boulevard to the north, Western Avenue to the east, Santa Monica Boulevard to the south, and Vine Street to the west serve as the primary arterial roadways providing access to the area surrounding the project site. The project site spans across an entire block on Sunset Boulevard between Western Avenue and St. Andrews Place and is bounded by Sunset Boulevard to the north, St. Andrews Place to the west, De Longpre Avenue to the south, and Western Avenue to the east. Several public transport services run adjacent to the project site, including several Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) stations, City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (DOT) bus routes, and the Metro Red Line. The nearest Metro Red Line station is located at Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue, three blocks north of the project site.

B. Local Setting and Land Uses

The project site, located in the Hollywood Community Plan Area and Hollywood Redevelopment Plan Area, encompasses approximately 3.69 acres, or approximately 160,736 square feet of land area on a rectangular shaped parcel. The project site has a corresponding existing zoning classification of C2-1. The project site is also located with Subarea C of the SNAP, which designates the site for Community Center uses as defined by the Framework Element of the General Plan. The SNAP restricts all Community Center uses to C4 uses as defined by the LAMC.

Currently, the project site is occupied by a Department of Water and Power (DWP) electrical substation, a surface parking lot, and approximately 59,561 square feet of one-story vacant commercial buildings that used to house various businesses including a CVS/Pharmacy, a 3 Hermanos department store, a Farm Fresh Ranch Market, and a Carl’s Jr. Restaurant. The electrical facilities associated with the DWP substation are above ground and are enclosed by a chain link fence and masonry enclosures and occupy a substantial portion of the southeast corner of the site. Additionally, a vacant part of the southwestern corner of the site previously included a recycling center operation. Existing buildings are located on the southern portion of the lot with a surface parking area located on the northern portion of the lot. The existing buildings were constructed in the mid 1970s. The project site has minimal vegetation consisting of some shrubs and scattered pine and palm trees. The topography of the project site is relatively flat, with a gradual slope from the north to the south. Views of the existing project site are shown in Figures III-1 (Views of the Project Site, Views 1, 2, and 3) and III-2 (Views of the Project Site, Views 4, 5, and 6).

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-1 View 1: View from Sunset Boulevard looking south- View 2: View from Sunset Boulevard looking west across the project site. The parking lot, southwest across the project site. The parking vacant CVS Pharmacy, and vacant Farm Fresh lot, vacant Farm Fresh Market, and vacant 3 Market are visible on the project site. Hermanos are visible on the project site.

Harold Way Western Avenue St. Andrew Place

2 1

Sunset Boulevard 3

De Longpre Avenue View 3: View from Sunset Boulevard looking south across the project site. The parking lot, PROJECT SITE vacant CVS Pharmacy, and vacant Carl’s Junior PHOTO LOCATION MAP Restaurant are visible on the project site.

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-1 Views of the Project Site, Views 1, 2, and 3 View 4: View from De Longpre Avenue looking View 5: View from Western Avenue looking west north towards the project site. The electrical towards the project site. The electrical substation substation and the Carl’s Junior Restaurant are and the rear of the vacant commercial uses are visible on the project site. The Hollywood Hills to visible on the project site. the north of the project site are visible in the distance. Additionally, multi-family residential uses to the northeast of the project site and the McDon- alds Restaurant located east of the project site are also visible.

Harold Way Western Avenue St. Andrew Place

Sunset Boulevard

5 De Longpre Avenue View 6: View from De Longpre Avenue looking 6 4 northwest towards the project site. The rear of the PROJECT SITE vacant commercial uses are visible on the project PHOTO LOCATION MAP site.

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-2 Views of the Project Site, Views 4, 5, and 6 City of Los Angeles January 2012

C. Surrounding Land Uses

The project site is located in a highly developed urban area. General land uses in the vicinity of the project site include a mix of high-density commercial/retail uses, as well as single- and multi-family residential uses, contained in structures ranging from one- to five-stories, which are physically separated from the project site by arterial and non-arterial roadways. The following paragraphs describe the specific land uses in the project site vicinity.

The project site is generally surrounded by low- to mid-height one-story commercial uses to the north, east, and west. To the northwest and north of the project site, across Sunset Boulevard, there are two, single-story commercial/retail complexes, and an associated surface parking lot. To the north of the project site, also across Sunset Boulevard, is a single-story Orchard Supply Hardware store, with an associated surface parking lot. To the northeast of the project site across Sunset Boulevard is a five- story, mixed-use building with ground floor commercial uses (a Walgreens drug store and a Verizon Store) and four floors of multi-family residential uses. On the northbound side of St. Andrews Place, north of Sunset Boulevard, is a complex of one-story residential bungalows and single-family residential uses. Views of the surrounding uses to the north are shown in Figure III-3 (Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 1, 2, and 3) and Figure III-4 (Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 4, 5, and 6).

To the east of the project site, across Western Avenue, there is a single-story fast food establishment (a McDonalds), and an adjacent one-story commercial/retail complex with associated surface parking. To the southeast of the project site, across Western Avenue, is the three-story ICDC College. Views of the surrounding uses to the east are shown in Figure III-5 (Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 7, 8, and 9).

A single-story post office and a three-story Assistance League of Southern California facility are located to the south of the project site, across De Longpre Avenue. The Assistance League provides a variety of services to the community, including the Learning Center for Young Children, which provides services to pre-kindergarten aged children, and the Children’s Club, which provides an academically-gifted kindergarten program and after school programs for ages 5 to 15. Both of these facilities are located on the west side of St. Andrews Place, south of De Longpre Avenue. Other services provided at the Assistance League include the Hollywood Senior Multi-Purpose Center, Family Service Agency, Operation School Bell (which provides school clothes to children), and the Theater for Children. The two-story Covenant House, which provides services to homeless teens, including temporary housing, is located southeast of the project site, on the southwest corner of Western Avenue and Fernwood Avenue. The remainder of the area south of the project site contains a mix of multi- and single-family residential uses in buildings one to three stories in height. Views of the surrounding uses to the south are shown in Figure III-6 (Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 10, 11, and 12).

To the west of the project site, across St. Andrews Place, is a one-story Home Depot retail store with an attached above grade parking structure. Northwest of the project site, there are a number of one-story commercial and retail outlets and a single-story fast food outlet (Burger King). Views of the surrounding uses to the west are shown in Figure III-7 (Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 13, 14, and 15).

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-4 View 1: View from the south side Sunset Boulevard View 2: View from the south side of Sunset Boule- looking northwest towards one-story vard looking northwest towards the Orchard commercial/retail complexes. Supply Hardware Store.

Harold Way Western Avenue St. Andrew Place

Sunset Boulevard 1 2 3

De Longpre Avenue View 3: View from the southeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and Western Avenue looking PROJECT SITE northeast towards a Verizon Store, Walgreens, PHOTO LOCATION MAP and multi-family residential uses.

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-3 Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 1, 2, and 3 View 4: View from St. Andrews Place looking north View 5: View from Harold Way looking south- towards single-family residential land uses north of west towards multi- and single-family residential the project site. land uses north of the project site.

St. Andrew Place 5 6 Harold Way Western Avenue

4

Sunset Boulevard

De Longpre Avenue View 6: View from Harold Way looking northeast towards multi-family residential land uses north PROJECT SITE of the project site. PHOTO LOCATION MAP

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-4 Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 4, 5, and 6 View 7: View from the northwest corner of Western View 8: View from Western Avenue looking east Avenue and Sunset Boulevard looking southeast towards the Food4Less, ICDC College, and towards a McDonalds. associated surface parking. St. Andrew Place Harold Way Western Avenue

7

Sunset Boulevard

8

De Longpre Avenue 9 View 9: View Western Avenue looking south- east towards the industrial building southeast of PROJECT SITE the project site. PHOTO LOCATION MAP

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-5 Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 7, 8, and 9 View 10: View from De Longpre Avenue looking View 11: View from Western Avenue looking southwest towards the Learning Center for Children southwest towards the Post Office. The Covenant and the Assistance League of California Children’s House is also visible in the background. Club.

Sunset Boulevard St. Andrew Place Western Avenue

10 11 De Longpre Avenue

12

View 12: View Western Avenue looking south- west towards the Covenant House. PROJECT SITE PHOTO LOCATION MAP

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-6 Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 10, 11, and 12 View 13: View from St. Andrews Place looking View 14: View from the northwest corner of Sunset northwest towards Burger King and retail uses. Boulevard and St. Andrews Place. Various retail and commercial uses are seen in the background. St. Andrew Place Harold Way Western Avenue

13 14 Sunset Boulevard

15

De Longpre Avenue View 15: View from St. Andrews Place looking west at the Home Depot west of the project site. PROJECT SITE PHOTO LOCATION MAP

Source: EcoTierra Consulting, November 2010.

Figure III-7 Views of Surrounding Land Uses, Views 13, 14, and 15 City of Los Angeles January 2012

2. RELATED PROJECTS

Sections 15126 and 15130 of the State CEQA Guidelines provide that EIRs consider the significant environmental effects of a project as well as “cumulative impacts.” Cumulative impacts refer to two or more individual effects which, when considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts (CEQA Guidelines Section 15355). Cumulative impacts may be analyzed by considering a list of past, present, and probable future projects producing related or cumulative impacts (CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 [b][1][A]).

All proposed (those with pending applications), recently approved, under construction, or reasonably foreseeable projects that could produce a related or cumulative impact on the local environment when considered in conjunction with the proposed project are included in this EIR. For an analysis of the cumulative impacts associated with these related projects and the proposed project, cumulative impact discussions are provided under each individual environmental impact category in Section IV (Environmental Impact Analysis) of this EIR.

The list of 51 projects (see Table III-1 [List of Related Projects]) includes all approved, under construction, proposed, or reasonably foreseeable projects within the Study Area that are expected to be completed by the anticipated proposed project buildout and occupancy.

The list of related projects is not intended to be the exclusive list of projects that may occur during the buildout period, which cannot be known in an absolute or exhaustive way. Instead, the list is intended to demonstrate the anticipated magnitude of development that may occur in the Hollywood area during this period based on projects currently on file with the City. Furthermore, the related projects list provides a conservative analysis because it is unlikely that all of the projects on the list will be developed due to various circumstances that could arise during the typical planning process. The related projects are shown on Figure III-8 (Location of Related Projects).

Table III-1 List of Related Projects

Map No. Project Size Location 1 Restaurant 6,321 sf 6531 Hollywood Blvd. 2 Residential 108 units 5555 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 9,937 sf Hollywood Garfield 3 Residential 216 units 5550 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 18,353 sf Hollywood Passage 4 Residential 786 units 6677 Santa Monica Blvd. Restaurant 4,000 sf Lexington Coffee Shop 5,500 sf Retail 12,700 sf 5 Residential 400 units 6121 Sunset Blvd. Office 380,000 sf Columbia Square Hotel 125 rooms Restaurant 31,000 sf Retail 10,300 sf 6 Apartments 42 units 5400 Hollywood Blvd.

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-10 City of Los Angeles January 2012

Table III-1 List of Related Projects

Map No. Project Size Location Retail 6,778 sf 7 Condominiums 57 units 1717 Vine St. Restaurant 5,489 sf 8 Retail 7,440 sf 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. Condominiums 80 units Supermarket 40,000 sf 9 Apartments 375 units 6250 Hollywood Blvd. Condominiums 150 units W Hotel and Residences Restaurant 49,500 sf Hotel (open) 305 units Specialty Retail 12,000 sf 10 Apartments 437 units 5651 Santa Monica Blvd. Retail 377,900 sf Paseo Plaza 11 Gas Station 10 pump 5420 Sunset Blvd. 12 Apartments 952 units 6200-6201 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 190,777 sf 13 Office 740,987 sf 5800 Sunset Sound Stage 82,500 sf KTLA 14 Apartments 306 units 1538 Vine St. Retail 68,000 sf 15 Condominiums 311 units 5925 Sunset Blvd. Office 40,000 sf Retail 5,000 sf Restaurant 8,500 sf 16 School 224 student 1460 Gordon St. Retail 6,400 sf Emerson College 17 Restaurant 15,161 sf 6523 Hollywood Blvd. 18 Restaurant 12,225 sf 6506 Hollywood Blvd. 19 Condominiums 96 units 5663 Melrose Ave. Retail 3,350 sf 20 Condominiums 42 units 6001 Carlton Way 21 Condominiums 85 units 6230 Yucca St. Office 13,790 sf Live work 10 units 22 Assisted Living 68 units 5245 Santa Monica Blvd. Retail 51,674 sf 23 Hotel 50 rooms 6600 Sunset Blvd. 24 Office 240,000 sf 959 Seward St.

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-11 City of Los Angeles January 2012

Table III-1 List of Related Projects

Map No. Project Size Location 25 Office 85,000 sf 6516 Selma Ave. 26 Restaurant 8,100 sf 6608 Hollywood Blvd. 27 Hotel 136 rooms 6417 Selma Ave. 28 Residential 57 units 1149 Gower St. 29 Residential 176 units 6100-6116 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 7,200 sf 30 Condominiums 24 units 1225 N. Vermont Ave. Retail 8,338 sf 31 Office 214,000 sf 6225 Hollywood Blvd. 32 School 350 students 1717 Gramercy Pl. 33 Office 121,450 sf 1601 N Vine St. Restaurant 6,150 sf Bar 2,300 sf 34 Apartments 87 units 1800 Argyle Ave. Office 23,000 sf 35 Office 130,000 sf 956 Seward St. 36 Condominiums 140 units 4900 Hollywood Blvd. Hotel 200 rooms Retail 27,000 sf 37 Hotel 80 units 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Restaurant 15,290 sf 38 Health Club 13,112 sf 6311 Romaine St. 39 Office 104,155 sf 6601 Romaine St. Storage 1,970 sf 40 Museum 80,000 sf 1313 Vine St. 41 Office 190,000 sf 1546 Argyle Ave. Retail 25,000 sf Ametron 42 Apartments 240 units 6230 Sunset Blvd. Retail 5,000 sf 43 Office 100,000 sf 1750 Vine St. Condominiums 492 units Capitol Records (Hollywood Millenium) Hotel 200 rooms Retail 80,000 sf 44 Office 237,000 sf 6215 Sunset Blvd. Condominiums 170 units Palladium Hotel 251 rooms Restaurant 12,700 sf 45 Apartments 70 units 1720 Gower St.

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-12 City of Los Angeles January 2012

Table III-1 List of Related Projects

Map No. Project Size Location 46 Office 40,000 sf 5825 Sunset Blvd. 47 Apartments 42 units 1544 Serrano Ave. 48 Apartments 130 units 6142 Franklin Ave. 49 Hotel 86 rooms 6107 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 5,000 sf 50 Restaurant 3,236 sf 5777 Hollywood Blvd. Retail 5,275 sf 51 Apartments 63 units 922 Western Ave. Retail 13,500 sf Source: Overland Traffic Consultants, Inc., 2011.

Target at Sunset and Western III. Environmental Setting Page III-13 Source: Overland Traffic Consultants, Inc., December 2010.

Figure III-8 Related Projects Map