Iv. Environmental Impact Analysis F

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS F. PUBLIC SERVICES 5. LIBRARIES

1. INTRODUCTION

This section addresses potential impacts on the library facilities and services administered by the City of Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). The analysis is based on information provided by the City of Los Angeles, Library Facilities Division and on information accessed on the LAPL website.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a. Regulatory Framework

(1) City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework

The City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework, adopted in December 1996 and again in August 2001, sets objectives and policies for library services in the City of Los Angeles. Objective 9.20 proposes to adopt a citywide library service standard by the year 2000. Policy 9.20.1 proposes the development of library standards dealing with the facilities’ net floor area, the appropriate number of permanent collection books per resident, and service radii. Policy 9.20.2 proposes a Citywide policy for locating non-English language permanent collections. The General Plan Framework Implementation Programs-Plans and Policies, Policy 13, holds the Department of Libraries responsible for updating the Library Master Plan as well as providing sufficient capacity to correct existing deficiencies, identifying improvements to new library facilities, developing strategies to increase the distribution of library services, establishing a new City library service standard based on the needs of the City, and identifying funding sources for facility improvements.

• The plans and implementation policies set forth in the General Plan Framework have been addressed through the Los Angeles Library Branch Facilities Plan and the current 1998 Library Bond Program. The current 1998 Library Bond Program is the second phase of the original 1989 Library Bond Program.

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(2) Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan

The Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan (Facilities Plan) guides the construction, maintenance, and organization of public libraries and specifies standards in defining geographic service areas and the size of branch facilities. The Facilities Plan was revised and recently approved by the Board of Library Commissioners on February 8, 2007. The Facilities Plan also outlines the required facilities expansion needs of the libraries within the City. Under the Facilities Plan, the service population for branch libraries is defined according to total floor area, as shown in Table IV.F-20 on page IV.F-74.

On November 3, 1998, Los Angeles voters approved a second bond measure, Proposition DD, also known as the 1998 Library Facilities Bond, a $178.3 million bond for funding towards building, improving, renovating, and expanding 32 branch libraries throughout Los Angeles. The 1998 Library Branch Facilities Program, which described the funding, sizes, and geographic locations for new or renovated branch libraries, served as the basis for Proposition DD and the 1998 Library Bond Program. The original 32 projects were built on time and under budget. Thus, four additional projects were added to the scope of the total facilities program between September 2002 and June 2004 due to the Library Branch Facilities Program’s success and effective management, Friends of the Library contributions, and a California State Library Proposition 14 grant for a total construction program of $226.3 million. Of the four additional projects, three have been completed and one project is currently under construction.1

The Westwood Branch Library was constructed as a new facility in 2005 with funding from the 1998 bond measure. In addition, the Facilities Plan has proposed 19 new and expanded library branches in communities that are not served or underserved by existing library resources. Of the eleven existing branches proposed for expansion, the West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library is slated to expand from 13,740 to 20,000 square feet, with its construction to be funded through the 1998 bond measure.2

b. Existing Conditions

The LAPL system provides library services to the City of Los Angeles. LAPL consists of the Central Library and 71 branch libraries, with a multimedia inventory of over 6.3 million items and 2,300 computer workstations with access to the internet and electronic databases.3 All branch libraries provide free access to computer workstations that are connected to the Library's

1 LAPL 1998 Library Bond Program Quarterly Report – January 2008, accessed July 9, 2008. 2 LAPL Branch Facilities Plan – Proposed Project List, accessed July 9, 2008. 3 Los Angeles Public Library website, Los Angeles Public Library and Library Foundation of Los Angeles Annual Report 2007-2008, accessed March 24, 2009.

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Table IV.F-20

Los Angeles Public Library Criteria for New Libraries

Population Served Size of Facility Below 45,000 12,500 square feet Above 45,000 a 14,500 square feet Regional Branch Up to 20,000 square feet

a For a community with population above 90,000, consider adding a second branch to serve the area.

Source: Los Angeles Public Library website, http://www.lapl.org/about/Branch_Facilities_Criteria.pdf, accessed February 2009.

information network. In addition to providing internet access, these workstations enable the public to search LAPL's electronic resources including the online catalog, over 100 subscription databases, word processing, language learning, literacy, and a large collection of historic documents and photographs. In addition, specially designed websites are provided for children, teens, and Spanish speakers.

LAPL is a member of the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System (MCLS), an association of public libraries in the greater Los Angeles area that shares resources to improve library service to the residents of all participating jurisdictions. The LAPL also participates with other library systems in the “Library of California,” a network of public and private California libraries. Participation in these programs allows individuals to use their library cards in multiple jurisdictions, and for member libraries to receive compensation for such use.

Generally, library facilities within two miles of a project site are considered to be within the service area of a project.4 LAPL has identified the Washington Irving Branch Library as the primary library facility that would serve the proposed project. Other libraries within two miles that could potentially serve the proposed project include the Jefferson Branch Library, the Memorial Branch Library, and the Baldwin Hills Library. Figure IV.F-5 on page IV.F-75 depicts the location of these libraries in relation to the project site. Table IV.F-21 on page IV.F- 76 provides information regarding these libraries including their distance from the project site, size, population served, and hours of operation.

The Washington Irving Branch Library is located at 4117 West Washington Boulevard, approximately 354 feet northwest of the project site. Per the City’s Planning Department, this 12,259-square foot branch served a population of approximately 56,233 people in 2005, and is expected to service approximately 58,429 people by 2010 and 59,330 people by 2015. The

4 City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006).

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VENICE BLVD

SAN VICENTE BLVD VICENTE SAN S REDONDO BLVD BLVD VICENTE SAN

S LA BREA AV Los Angeles, CA 90016 2906 S. La Brea Avenue Branch Library Baldwin Hills W OLYMPIC BLVD W OLYMPIC BLVD

W WASHINGTON BLVD PROJECT SITE Source: PCR Services Corporation, 2009; Thomas Brothers, Inc. 2008. 0 Los Angeles, CA 90007 W. Jefferson Boulevard 2211 Branch Library Jefferson

WILSHIRE BLVD WILSHIRE BLVD

W PICO BLVD PICO W W PICO BLVD PICO W 0.5

CRENSHAW BLVD Los Angeles, CA 90019 4625 W. Olympic Boulevard Branch Library Memorial

W ADAMS BLVD 1 Miles

ARLINGTON AV (Primary Library serving Project Area) Los Angeles, CA 90019 W. Washington4117 Boulevard Branch Library Washington Irving

S WILSTON PL

W JEFFERSON BLVD Two-Mile Radius of theProject Site

S WESTERN AV S WESTERN AV

WILSHIRE BLVD

W WASHINGTON BLVD Libraries Located Within

W PICO BLVD

W OLYMPIC BLVD Figure IV.F-5

W 8TH ST Washington Square IV.F.5. Public Services-Libraries

Table IV.F-21

Libraries Located in the Vicinity of the Project Site

Distance from 2005 Service Library Project Site Size Population Hours of Operation Washington Irving Branch 354 feet 12,259 sq ft 56,233 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mon. & Wed. 4117 W. Washington Blvd. 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tue. & Thur. 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fri. & Sat. Closed Sun. Jefferson Branch 1.7 miles 9,000 sq ft 46,981 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mon. & Wed. 2211 W. Jefferson Blvd. 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tue. & Thur. 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fri. & Sat. Closed Sun. Memorial Branch 2.0 miles 10,578 sq ft 23,357 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mon. & Wed. 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tue. & Thur. 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fri. & Sat. Closed Sun. Baldwin Hills Branch 2.0 miles 12,000 sq ft 71,655 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mon. & Wed. 2906 S. La Brea Ave. 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tue. & Thur. 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fri. & Sat. Closed Sun.

Source: Fax communication with Rona Berns, Library Facilities Division, Los Angeles Public Library, March 4, 2009 and telephone communication with Rona Berns, LAPL Library Facilities Division, March 25, 2009.

library has nine staff positions and a total of 63,000 volumes. Washington Irving Branch Library does not meet the branch size criteria set forth by the 2007 Facilities Plan which requires a 14,500-square foot facility for a service population above 45,000 people. However, according to LAPL, the Washington Irving Branch Library adequately meets the current demand for library services.5

The Jefferson Branch Library is located at 2211 West Jefferson Boulevard, approximately 1.7 miles southeast of the project site. Per the City’s Planning Department, this 9,000-square foot branch served a population of approximately 46,981 people in 2005. Jefferson Branch Library does not meet the branch size criteria set forth by the 2007 Facilities Plan which requires a 14,500-square foot facility for a service population above 45,000 people.

The Memorial Branch Library is located at 4625 West Olympic Boulevard, approximately 2.0 miles northwest of the project site. Per the City’s Planning Department, this 10,578-square foot branch served a population of approximately 23,357 people in 2005. Memorial Branch Library does not meet the branch size criteria set forth by the 2007 Facilities Plan which requires a 12,500-square foot facility for a service population below 45,000 people.

5 Fax communication with Rona Berns, Library Facilities Division, Los Angeles Public Library, March 4, 2009.

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The Baldwin Hills Branch Library is located at 2906 South La Brea Avenue, approximately 2.0 miles southwest of the project site. Per the City’s Planning Department, this 12,000-square foot branch served a population of approximately 71,655 people in 2005. Baldwin Hills Branch Library does not meet the branch size criteria set forth by the 2007 Facilities Plan which requires a 14,500-square foot facility for a service population above 45,000 people.

3. PROJECT IMPACTS

a. Methodology

Potential project impacts on library services and facilities are determined based on identifying the primary service library or libraries that serve the project site, forecasting the number of residents generated by the project, identifying the population within the library’s service area at the time of project buildout, combining the project’s resident population with the forecasted service area population, and comparing the combined population to the service population for the library as determined by LAPL.

b. Significance Thresholds

(1) Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines

In accordance with Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines, a project could have a significant impact on the environment with regard to libraries if a project would result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered library facilities, or need for new or physically altered library facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable performance objectives of the library department.

(2) City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide

The City of L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006) provides specific guidance for measuring a project's actual impacts. The following factors are set forth in the City of L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006) for determining on a case-by-case basis whether the proposed project would have a significant impact:

• The net population increase resulting from the proposed project.

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• The demand for library services anticipated at the time of project buildout compared to the expected level of service available. Consider, as applicable, scheduled improvements to library services (renovation, expansion, addition or relocation) and the project’s proportional contribution to the demand.

• Whether the project includes features that would reduce the demand for library services (e.g., on-site library facilities or direct support to the LAPL).

Based on these factors, according to the City of L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006), a significant impact to libraries would occur if the proposed project would:

• Substantially increase demand to the extent that a new library would need to be constructed or existing facilities expanded in order to maintain acceptable service.

c. Analysis of Project Impacts

LAPL has identified the Washington Irving Branch Library as the primary library facility that would serve the proposed project. LAPL bases the service population for a branch upon census tracts that are assigned to that branch. Per the City’s Planning Department, Washington Irving Branch Library served a population of approximately 56,233 people in 2005. The number of people that would be served by this library in 2010 and 2015 is approximately 58,429 and 59,330 people, respectively.6 These numbers represent an annual growth factor of 0.308 percent. Based on this annual growth factor, the estimated number of people that would be served by the Washington Irving Library in 2013 (buildout year of the proposed project) is 58,970 people.

(1) Option A

The 547 residential units in Option A would generate a population of approximately 1,526 new residents.7 Assuming in 2013 all project residents would utilize Washington Irving Branch Library, the expected number of residents served by Washington Irving Branch Library in 2013 combined with Option A’s estimated population would be 60,496 people. Thus, Option A’s demand for library services would represent a 2.6 percent increase in the demand for library services at Washington Irving Branch Library. When applying the LAPL size criterion on a per capita basis, the LAPL size criterion equates to approximately 0.322 square feet per person (14,500 square feet ÷ 45,000 people). Based on the size criterion of 0.322 square feet per capita,

6 Fax communication with Rona Berns, Library Facilities Division, Los Angeles Public Library, March 4, 2009. 7 The West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Community Plan estimates that in 2010, the population in the Community Plan Area would increase to 200,981 residents and the number of households would grow to 71,896, which would represent an average household size of 2.79 persons.

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Option A would result in a need for an additional 491 square feet of library space. This need would be nominal, representing four percent of the library’s current size. Furthermore, it is not practical for libraries to add small increments of space due to demand attributable to new development projects. To achieve appropriate economies of scale, libraries are usually expanded when cumulative increases in demand justify major additions, as with the 1989 and 1998 bond programs described above.

Additionally, the LAPL indicates that the Washington Irving Branch Library adequately meets the current demand for library services. However, the Washington Irving Branch Library does not indicate if its projected library service demand for 2010 and 2015 would be adequately accommodated. Nonetheless, residents of the project would not be limited to solely utilizing the Washington Irving Branch Library. Other libraries in the vicinity such as the Jefferson, Memorial, and Baldwin Hills Branch Library are within a 2.0 mile radius of the project site, and would be available for use by residents. School libraries would also be available to serve students that are generated by the project. Furthermore, the project would generate revenue to the City’s general fund in the form of net new property tax, direct (i.e., from on-site commercial uses) and indirect (i.e., from household spending) sales tax, utility user’s tax, gross receipts tax, real estate transfer tax on residential initial sales and annual resales, and other miscellaneous household-related taxes (e.g., parking fines). This revenue could be used to fund LAPL expenditures as necessary to offset the project’s incremental impact on library services. As such, project impacts to library services are considered less than significant.

It is noted that the LAPL Facilities Division has indicated that direct impacts would occur as a result of the project increase in population and immediate proximity to the Washington Irving Branch Library. LAPL recommends that the developer pay mitigation fees of $200 per capita to fund books, computers, and other library materials to mitigate project impacts. However, there is no ordinance in place which allows developer fees for libraries to be levied upon new development projects. Thus, although LAPL Facilities Division has indicated that direct impacts would occur as a result of the project’s increase in population and immediate proximity to the Washington Irving Branch Library, the mitigation presented by the LAPL is considered infeasible.

While there are other libraries servicing the area, and the project would generate revenues for the City’s general fund, which would serve to offset the project’s incremental impact on library services, the impact is considered significant.

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(2) Option B

The 342 residential units in Option B would generate a total of approximately 954 new residents.8 Assuming in 2013 all project residents would utilize Washington Irving Branch Library, the expected number of residents served by Washington Irving Branch Library in 2013 combined with Option B’s projected population would be 59,924 people. Thus, Option B’s demand for library services would represent a 1.6 percent increase in the demand for library services at Washington Irving Branch Library. When applying the LAPL size criterion on a per capita basis, the LAPL size criterion equates to approximately 0.322 square feet per person (14,500 square feet ÷ 45,000 people). Based on the size criterion of 0.322 square feet per capita, Option B would result in a need for an additional 307 square feet of library space. This need would be nominal, similar to but less than Option A above, representing approximately 2.5 percent of the library’s current size.

Additionally, the LAPL indicates that the Washington Irving Branch Library adequately meets the current demand for library services. However, the Washington Irving Branch Library does not indicate if its projected library service demand for 2010 and 2015 would be adequately accommodated. Furthermore, as discussed above, residents of the project would not be limited to solely utilizing the Washington Irving Branch Library. Other libraries in the vicinity such as the Jefferson, Memorial, and Baldwin Hills Branch Library are within a 2.0 mile radius of the project site, and would also be available for use by residents. School libraries would also be available to serve students that are generated by the project. Furthermore, as with Option A, Option B would generate revenue to the City’s general fund in the form of net new property tax, direct (i.e., from on-site commercial uses) and indirect (i.e., from household spending) sales tax, utility user’s tax, gross receipts tax, real estate transfer tax on residential initial sales and annual resales, and other miscellaneous household-related taxes (e.g., parking fines). This revenue could also be used to fund LAPL expenditures as necessary to offset the project’s incremental impact on library services. As such, project impacts to library services would be less than significant.

As indicated above, the LAPL Facilities Division has concluded that direct impacts would occur as a result of the project increase in population and immediate proximity to the Washington Irving Branch Library. While LAPL recommends that the developer pay mitigation fees of $200 per capita to fund books, computers, and other library materials to mitigate project impacts, there is no ordinance in place which allows developer fees for libraries to be levied upon new development projects. Thus, the suggested mitigation presented by the LAPL is considered infeasible.

8 Ibid.

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4. MITIGATION MEASURES

As discussed above, impacts to libraries would be significant. LAPL recommends that the developer pay mitigation fees of $200 per capita to fund books, computers, and other library materials to mitigate project impacts. However, there is no ordinance in place which allows developer fees for libraries to be levied upon new development projects. Thus, although LAPL Facilities Division has indicated that direct impacts would occur as a result of the project’s increase in population and immediate proximity to the Washington Irving Branch Library, the mitigation presented by the LAPL is considered infeasible.

5. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Section III, General Description of Environmental Setting, of this Draft EIR identifies 31 related projects that are anticipated to be developed within the vicinity of the project site. For the purpose of this cumulative impact analysis, only residential projects have been considered as demand for library services are comprised mostly of residents within the community. Of the 31 related projects, 12 residential projects have been identified. As shown in Table IV.F-22 on page IV.F-82, these 12 projects would generate a total of approximately 7,876 new residents. With Option A’s estimated 1,526 residents, a cumulative total of approximately 9,402 new residents would be generated within the project area. With Option B’s estimated 954 residents, a cumulative total of approximately 8,830 new residents would be generated within the project area.

Assuming all 9,402 or 8,830 new residents utilized the Washington Irving Branch Library, cumulative development would further cause this library to exceed its target population based on its size criteria. However, it is unlikely that these residents from the related projects would attend only the Washington Irving Branch Library as there are numerous branch libraries throughout the cumulative project locations that are within proximity to these projects, including the Pio-Pico-Branch Library, Fairfax Branch Library, Jefferson Branch Library, Memorial Branch Library, Wilshire Branch Library, Felipe de Neve Branch Library, Exposition Park Branch Library, and the Angeles Mesa Branch Library. Furthermore, the projected population presented in Table IV.F-21 does not take into account any existing uses that may be demolished, and the associated existing demand on library services created by those uses. Therefore, this analysis provides a conservative estimate of the number of residents that would utilize the Washington Irving Branch. It is also anticipated that each project would be reviewed on a

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Table IV.F-22

Estimated Cumulative Impacts to Libraries

Map Estimated Residential No.a Project Location Population b, c Nearest Library (ies) 8 Apartment 3800 Wilshire Boulevard 91 Pio-Pico Branch Library 10 Apartment, Retail 648 S. Western Avenue 240 Pio-Pico Branch Library 12 Condominium, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard 378 Fairfax/Memorial Branch Restaurant Library 13 Condominium, 694 Hobart Boulevard 242 Pio-Pico Branch Library Restaurant, Night Club, Retail. Office, Health Club/Spa 16 Apartment, Medical 3323 W. Olympic 21 Pio-Pico/ Memorial Office Boulevard Branch Library 22 Apartment 5500 Wilshire Boulevard 175 Fairfax/Memorial Branch Library 23 Apartment, Restaurant, 5600 Wilshire Boulevard 288 Fairfax/Memorial Branch Retail Library 24 Wilshire La Brea High 5200 W. Wilshire 562 Memorial/Fairfax Branch Rise; Apartment, Boulevard Library Retail, Restaurant 26 Condominium, 600 Hobart Boulevard 70 Pio-Pico/Wilshire Branch Specialty Retail Library 27 Condominium 844 S. Fedora Avenue 38 Pio Pico/Felipe de Neve Branch Library 30 Condominium 3001 S. Western Avenue 66 Jefferson/ Exposition Park Branch Library 31 Condominium, 4100 S. Arlington 34 Exposition Park/ Angeles Specialty Retail Avenue Mesa/ Jefferson Branch Library Related Projects Total 7,876

Option A Total 1,526 Cumulative with Option A Total 9,402

Option B Total 954 Cumulative with Option B Total 8,830 a Corresponds with Map Nos. on Figure III-1 of this Draft EIR. b For related projects with residential uses, the residential population was determined by multiplying the number of residential units by the average household size as indicated by the population data obtained for the census tract where each project is located. c Totals are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Source: PCR Services Corporation, 2009.

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project-by-project basis and would be expected to coordinate with LAPL to verify availability of service. Related projects would also generate revenue to the City’s general fund in the form of property taxes, sales taxes, etc. As with the proposed project, this revenue could then be used to fund LAPL expenditures as necessary to offset cumulative impacts on library services. In addition, while additional funding for libraries may be recommended to address cumulative demand for services, there is no ordinance in place which allows developer fees for libraries to be levied upon new development projects. Therefore, based on the information provided by the LAPL, the project would contribute to a cumulative impact to library facilities.

6. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION

The project would result in a significant impact and would contribute to a significant cumulative impact with regard to libraries. As the suggested mitigation measures is considered infeasible, impacts to library facilities and services would remain significant and unavoidable.

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