Tropico Apartments Project

366 Pages·2014·10.92 MB·English

DRAFT SUBSEQUENT
Prepared For:
City of GLendale
633 E. Broadway
Room 103
Glendale, CA 91206
Tropico Apartments Project
Environmental Impact Report
SCH No. 2008121042
860 Hampshire Road, Suite P
Westlake Village, CA 91361 November 2013
[phone] FAX [phone]
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT
SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Tropico Apartments Project
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Glendale in its role as Lead Agency has completed a Draft
Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project described below and invites comments
on the adequacy and completeness of the environmental analyses described in the Draft Subsequent
EIR.
PROJECT LOCATION/DESCRIPTION:The proposed Tropico Apartments Project ("Project") is located
at 435 West Los Feliz Boulevard and is zoned Industrial/Commercial-Residential Mixed-Use (IMU-R).
The 91,826 square-foot site is bounded on the south by Los Feliz Boulevard, on the east by Gardena
Avenue, on the north by Fernando Court, and on the west by railroad tracks. The project site is
currently vacant.
The Project proposes development of a five-story residential building and a six-story parking structure
with a total of 225 multi-family residential units (approximately 49 studios, 103 one-bedroom, and 73
two-bedroom units) and 330 parking spaces. The residential building would be located on the easterly
portion of the site; the parking structure would be located on the westerly portion of the site abutting
railroad tracks. The parking structure would have five levels of residential units along its entire southern
edge screening the structure from Los Feliz Boulevard. In addition, a ground floor leasing office and
four levels of units would be located on the northeast corner of the parking structure on Fernando
Court. A 20' wide utility easement landscaped as a pedestrian paseo would separatethe two
structures. The maximum height of the structures would be approximately 65 feet above adjacent
grade. Vehicle access to the parking structure on the site would be provided via one driveway along
Fernando Court near the western Project boundary.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FINDINGS: The Draft Subsequent EIR has been prepared pursuant to
the requirements of the State Guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA). Potential impacts were either less than significant or mitigated to less than significant for
aesthetics, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, land use and planning, public
services, population and housing, and utilities and service systems. Overall, the project was determined
to result in significant and unavoidable environmental impacts related to short-term construction
equipment noise and vibration; long-term vehicle exterior noise levels along Los Feliz Road, long term
traffic and circulation impacts to the intersection of Los Feliz Road/San Fernando Road, long-term
recreation impacts, and contribute to cumulative solid waste, recreation, fire, and police impacts.
DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY: The Draft Subsequent EIR will be available for public review for a period
of 30 days on and after November 12, 2013 on the Planning Division’s website at
www.ci.glendale.ca.us/government/planning and at the Central Library. Copies of the Draft
Subsequent EIR will also be available for public review at the Planning Division of the City of Glendale,
633 E. Broadway, Room 103, Glendale, CA 91206-4386.
HOW TO COMMENT: Please provide written comments to Jeff Hamilton, Senior Planner, at the City of
Glendale Planning Division, 633 E. Broadway, Room 103, Glendale, CA 91206-4386, fax: (818) 240-
0392 or email: [email protected], prior to the close of the 30-day public review period at
5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2013.
Published: Glendale News Press – November 9, 2013
Draft Subsequent
Environmental Impact Report

Tropico Apartments Project
City of Glendale
(SCH No. 2008121042)

Prepared for:
City of Glendale
633 E. Broadway, Room 103
Glendale, California 91206

Prepared by:
Meridian Consultants LLC
860 Hampshire Road, Suite P
Westlake Village, California 91361

November 2013
Table of Contents
Section Page
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1.0-1
2.0 Summary .................................................................................................................................. 2.0-1
3.0 Project Description .................................................................................................................. 3.0-1
4.0 Environmental Impact Analysis ............................................................................................... 4.0-1
4.1 Aesthetics ................................................................................................................................ 4.1-1
4.2 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions ............................................................................ 4.2-1
4.3 Hazards & Hazardous Materials .............................................................................................. 4.3-1
4.4 Land Use & Planning ................................................................................................................ 4.4-1
4.5 Noise ........................................................................................................................................ 4.5-1
4.6 Public Services ......................................................................................................................... 4.6-1
4.6.1 Fire Protection & Emergency Medical Services .................................................... 4.6.1-1
4.6.2 Police Protection ................................................................................................... 4.6.2-1
4.6.3 Schools .................................................................................................................. 4.6.3-1
4.7 Recreation ............................................................................................................................... 4.7-1
4.8 Population and Housing .......................................................................................................... 4.8-1
4.9 Traffic & Transportation .......................................................................................................... 4.9-1
4.10 Utilities and Service Systems ................................................................................................. 4.10-1
4.10.1 Water Service ...................................................................................................... 4.10.1-1
4.10.2 Sewer .................................................................................................................. 4.10.2-1
4.10.3 Solid Waste ......................................................................................................... 4.10.3-1
5.0 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................. 5.0-1
6.0 Effects Not Found To Be Significant ........................................................................................ 6.0-1
7.0 Other CEQA Sections ............................................................................................................... 7.0-1
7.1 Growth Inducing Impacts ........................................................................................................ 7.1-1
7.2 Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes ...................................................................... 7.2-1
8.0 Organizations and Persons Consulted ..................................................................................... 8.0-1
9.0 References ............................................................................................................................... 9.0-1

A disc containing both the Draft EIR and Appendices is attached on the inside cover.
Appendices

4.2 Air Quality Calculations
4.3 Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Limited Phase 2
4.5 Noise Study and Roadway Noise Calculations
4.9 Traffic Study

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List of Figures
Figure Page
2.0-1 Regional Location and Project Vicinity ................................................................................... 2.0-3
2.0-2 Project Site and Surrounding Uses .......................................................................................... 2.0-4
3.0-1 Regional Location and Project Vicinity .................................................................................... 3.0-3
3.0-2 Project Site and Surrounding Uses .......................................................................................... 3.0-4
3.0-3 Site Plan ................................................................................................................................... 3.0-7
3.0-4 Perspective South Elevation – Los Feliz Road, and West Elevation – Parking Structure ...... 3.0-10
3.0-5 Perspective East Elevation – Gardena Avenue ...................................................................... 3.0-11
4.1-1 Photo Location Key .................................................................................................................. 4.1-5
4.1-2 Existing Off-Site Views (Photos 1 – 2) ...................................................................................... 4.1-6
4.1-3 Existing Off-Site Views (Photos 3 – 4) ...................................................................................... 4.1-7
4.1-4 Existing Off-Site Views (Photos 5 – 6) ...................................................................................... 4.1-8
4.1-5 Existing On-Site Views (Photos 7 – 8) ...................................................................................... 4.1-9
4.1-6 Perspective South Elevation - Los Feliz Road, and West Elevation - Parking Structure ........ 4.1-14
4.1-7 Perspective East Elevation - Gardena Avenue....................................................................... 4.1-15
4.3-1 Groundwater Laboratory Results ............................................................................................ 4.3-7
4.4-1 Project Vicinity ......................................................................................................................... 4.4-3
4.4-2 Land Use Designation Map ...................................................................................................... 4.4-6
4.4-3 Zoning Designation Map .......................................................................................................... 4.4-7
4.4-4 San Fernando Road Corridor Redevelopment Project Area .................................................. 4.4-10
4.5-1 Common Noise Levels ............................................................................................................. 4.5-3
4.5-2 Noise Monitoring Locations .................................................................................................... 4.5-8
4.5-3 Existing Noise Zones .............................................................................................................. 4.5-11
4.5-4 Land Use Compatibility to Noise ........................................................................................... 4.5-12
4.5-5 Noise Levels to Typical Construction Equipment .................................................................. 4.5-25
4.6.1-1 Fire Stations Responding to the Project Site ........................................................................ 4.6.1-3
4.7-1 Glendale Parks and Recreation Facilities within One Mile Radius of the Project Site ............ 4.7-5
4.9-1 Existing Travel Lanes & Intersection Locations ....................................................................... 4.9-3
4.9-2 Existing Average Daily Traffic Volumes ................................................................................... 4.9-8
4.9-3 Project Traffic Outbound Distribution ................................................................................... 4.9-13
4.9-4 Project Traffic Inbound Distribution ...................................................................................... 4.9-14
4.9-5 Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes .................................................................................. 4.9-17
4.9-6 Other Development Traffic Analysis Zone Map .................................................................... 4.9-18
4.9-7 Existing Plus Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes ............................................................. 4.9-23
4.9-8 Cumulative without Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes ................................................. 4.9-32
4.9-9 Cumulative with Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes ....................................................... 4.9-33

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List of Tables
Table Page
2.0-1 Summary of Project Impacts ................................................................................................... 2.0-5
3.0-1 Proposed Development ........................................................................................................... 3.0-8
4.0-1 List of Related Projects ............................................................................................................ 4.0-4
4.2-1 Air Quality Monitoring Summary ............................................................................................ 4.2-4
4.2-2 South Coast Air Basin Attainment Status ................................................................................ 4.2-5
4.2-3 Greenhouse Gases ................................................................................................................... 4.2-7
4.2-4 California GHG Inventory 2001-2009 ...................................................................................... 4.2-8
4.2-5 Criteria Air Pollutants ............................................................................................................ 4.2-10
4.2-6 South Coast Air Quality Management District Emissions Thresholds ................................... 4.2-29
4.2-7 Localized Significance Thresholds for a 2.3-Acre Site Located in SRA 7 ................................ 4.2-31
4.2-8 Construction Emissions ......................................................................................................... 4.2-34
4.2-9 Estimated Operational Emissions .......................................................................................... 4.2-36
4.2-10 LST Worst-Case Emissions ..................................................................................................... 4.2-37
4.2-11 Future Carbon Monoxide Concentrations – With Project ..................................................... 4.2-38
4.2-12 Estimated Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions .............................................................. 4.2-43
4.5-1 Noise Descriptors .................................................................................................................... 4.5-4
4.5-2 Existing Ambient Noise Levels ................................................................................................. 4.5-7
4.5-3 Existing Noise Zones ................................................................................................................ 4.5-9
4.5-4 Existing Roadway Modeled Noise Levels................................................................................. 4.5-9
4.5-5 Exterior Presumed Noise Standards ...................................................................................... 4.5-13
4.5-6 Ground Bourne Vibration Impact Criteria ............................................................................. 4.5-15
4.5-7 Existing with and without Project Noise Levels (dBA CNEL) at 75 Feet from Roadway
Centerline .............................................................................................................................. 4.5-17
4.5-8 Maximum Noise Levels Generated by Parking Lots .............................................................. 4.5-18
4.5-9 Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment ........................................................... 4.5-21
4.5-10 Typical Maximum Noise Levels for Construction Phases ...................................................... 4.5-24
4.5-11 Cumulative with and without Project Noise Levels (dBA CNEL) at 75 Feet from Roadway
Centerline .............................................................................................................................. 4.5-28
4.6.1-1 Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Service Staffing and Equipment ........................... 4.6.1-2
4.6.2-1 Arrests in April 2013 ............................................................................................................. 4.6.2-2
4.6.3-1 Student Generation Table (Project) ..................................................................................... 4.6.3-3
4.6.3-2 Student Generation Table (Cumulative) ............................................................................... 4.6.3-4
4.7-1 Park and Recreation Facilities Classification and Service Area Standards .............................. 4.7-2
4.7-2 Glendale Parks and Recreation Facilities within 1 Mile of the Project Site ............................. 4.7-3
4.8-1 SCAG Demographic Projections............................................................................................... 4.8-1
4.9-1 Level of Service Definitions for Signalized Intersections ......................................................... 4.9-5
4.9-2 Existing Levels of Service ......................................................................................................... 4.9-6
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List of Tables (continued)
Table Page
4.9-3 Existing Average Daily Traffic Volumes ................................................................................... 4.9-6
4.9-4 Construction Trips ................................................................................................................. 4.9-19
4.9-5 Existing Plus Project Construction Traffic Conditions ........................................................... 4.9-20
4.9-6 Trip Generation ..................................................................................................................... 4.9-22
4.9-7 Existing Plus Project Levels of Service ................................................................................... 4.9-22
4.9-8 Existing Plus Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes ............................................................. 4.9-24
4.9-9 Cumulative without Project Levels of Service ....................................................................... 4.9-29
4.9-10 Cumulative Plus Project Levels of Service ............................................................................. 4.9-30
4.9-11 Cumulative with Project Average Daily Traffic Volumes ....................................................... 4.9-31
4.10.1-1 Project Water Demand ..................................................................................................... 4.10.1-20
4.10.1-2 Normal Weather Water Supply and Demand Comparison .............................................. 4.10.1-21
4.10.1-3 Multiple Dry Year Period Water Supply and Demand Comparison ................................. 4.10.1-22
4.10.1-4 Water Demand of Related Projects .................................................................................. 4.10.1-23
4.10.2-1 Projected Project Sewage Generation ............................................................................... 4.10.2-4
4.10.2-2 Generation of Sewage by Related Projects ........................................................................ 4.10.2-8
4.10.3-1 Disposal Capacities of Primary Landfills Serving the City of Glendale ............................... 4.10.3-4
4.10.3-2 Annual Permitted Capacities of Certified Recycling Facilities ............................................ 4.10.3-5
4.10.3-3 Projected Cumulative Solid Waste Generation ................................................................ 4.10.3-11
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This section provides information on the background of the Project, as described in Section 3.0, Project
Description, and assessed in this Draft environmental impact report (EIR), the environmental review
process being conducted by the City of Glendale for this Project and the organization and content of this
Draft Subsequent EIR.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS
Background
In 2010, the Glendale Redevelopment Agency, which is now the Successor Agency after the elimination
of Redevelopment Agencies within the state, and the City of Glendale approved the Mitaa Plaza Project
and certified the Final EIR (SCH No. 2008121042). The approved Mitaa Plaza Project included the
development of a 163,090 square-foot mixed use development consisting of a grocery store, day spa,
restaurants, retail, and medical/general office uses with a five-story parking structure. Entitlements
included design review, a sign program, a 125-space parking exception, Conditional Use Permits for
various on-site uses such as massage services and for the sale of alcoholic beverages, a standards
variance for parking structure height and building corner treatment, and two sign variances. Significant
and unavoidable impacts associated with these approved uses and entitlements were examined in the
Final EIR and included traffic noise impacts along Fernando Court and along Los Feliz Boulevard east and
west of Gardena Avenue; noise impacts during construction activities; cumulative construction and
operational noise impacts; recreation impacts; traffic impacts due to the generation of 8,338 average
daily trips (ADTs), 368 AM peak hour trips, and 825 PM peak hours trips resulting in impact to the
intersections of San Fernando Road/Chevy Chase Drive, San Fernando Road/West Los Feliz Road, San
Fernando Road/Brand Boulevard, and Glendale Avenue/Chevy Chase Drive; the loss of on-street parking
spaces; and reduction of landfill capacity in Los Angeles County.
Since the time of approval of the Mitaa Plaza Project, the applicant has changed the project and has
submitted a new application to the City of Glendale to develop a 225-dwelling-unit apartment project on
the site with a six-story parking structure that includes 330 spaces (referred to as the “Project”). Because
of the size and type of the proposed Project, there would be a reduction and/or increase in some of the
previously identified impacts for the approved Mitaa Plaza Project. For example, the Project would
reduce traffic generation from 8,338 ADTs to 1,350 ADTs, from 368 AM peak-hour trips to 67 AM peak-
hour trips, and from 825 PM peak-hour trips to 88 PM peak-hour trips. Water usage would be reduced
from 66.5 acre-feet to 39.2 acre-feet and wastewater generation from 47,515 gallons per day to 24,224
gallons per day under the proposed Project. However, because the proposed Project is a residential
project and would result in a permanent population, the Project would result in an increase in
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1.0 Introduction
recreation and school impacts, as well as solid waste. The difference between the previously approved
Project and proposed Project is examined in Section 6.0, Alternatives, within this EIR.
Purpose of a Subsequent EIR
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires preparation of an EIR when there is substantial
evidence that a project may have a significant impact on the environment. The purpose of an EIR is to
provide decision makers, public agencies, and the public with an objective and informational document
that fully discloses the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project. The EIR process is
specifically designed to facilitate the objective evaluation of potentially significant direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of a proposed project, as well as to identify potentially feasible mitigation measures
and alternatives that reduce or avoid a project’s significant impacts. In addition, CEQA specifically
requires that an EIR identify those adverse impacts determined to be significant after mitigation.
The purpose of a Subsequent or Supplement to the Final EIR is defined in the CEQA Guidelines as:1
1) Substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the previous
EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the
severity of previously identified significant impacts.
2) Substantial changes in circumstances under which the project is undertaken will occur which will
require major revisions of the previous EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental
effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified effects.
3) New information of substantial importance which was not known and could not have been known
with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the previous EIR was certified as complete,
shows any of the following:
(a) The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous EIR.
(b) Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the
previous EIR.
(c) Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible,
and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project, but the project
proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.

1 14 California Code of Regulations § 15162.
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1.0 Introduction
(d) Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the
previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but
the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.
This Subsequent EIR has been prepared to evaluate environmental impacts resulting from the proposed
Project and changes that have occurred since adoption of the Mitaa Plaza Project Final Environmental
Impact Report (the “Final EIR”), SCH No. 2008121042, dated December 2010.
Based on the Project revisions, the City determined this Draft Subsequent EIR will assess the following
environmental topics:
• Aesthetics • Public Services
• Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Recreation
• Hazards & Hazardous Materials • Population & Housing
• Land Use & Planning • Traffic & Transportation
• Noise • Utilities & Service Systems
This Subsequent Draft EIR was released by the City for a public review period in accordance with Section
15087 of the CEQA Guidelines. A Notice of Availability (NOA) of this Draft EIR for review was provided
with copies of the Draft EIR to regional and local public agencies. In addition, the NOA and Draft EIR
were made available on the City of Glendale website at:
www.ci.glendale.ca.us/planning/environmentalreview.asp.
Following the completion of this review period, the City of Glendale will review all comments received
on the Draft Subsequent EIR and prepare written responses in accordance with Section 15088 of the
CEQA Guidelines. These comments and responses will be incorporated into the proposed Final
Subsequent EIR, which will be reviewed and considered by the City Council for certification in
accordance with Section 15090 of the CEQA Guidelines prior to considering the proposed Project for
approval.
Interested individuals, organizations, and public agencies can provide written comments on this Draft
Subsequent EIR to:
City of Glendale
Community Development Department – Planning Division
633 E. Broadway, Room 103
Glendale, California 91206
Attention: Jeff Hamilton, Case Planner
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