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City of Los Angeles II-1 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
II. CORRECTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
A. INTRODUCTION
Any corrections and modifications to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) text generated either
from responses to comments or independently by the City of Los Angeles are stated in this section of the
Final EIR.
These EIR corrections and modifications are provided to clarify, refine, and provide supplemental
information for the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Draft EIR. Changes may be
corrections or clarifications to the text of the original Draft EIR. Other changes to the EIR clarify the
analysis in the EIR based upon the information and concerns raised by commenters during the public
review period or added by the City of Los Angeles. None of the information contained in these EIR
modifications constitutes significant new information or changes to the analysis or conclusions of the
Draft EIR.
The information included in corrections and modifications to the EIR that resulted from the public
comment process or were initiated by the City of Los Angeles does not constitute substantial new
information that requires recirculation of the Draft EIR. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines, Section 15088.5, states in part:
(a) A lead agency is required to recirculate an EIR when significant new information is added to
the EIR after public notice is given of the availability of the draft EIR for public review under
Section 15087 but before certification. As used in this section, the term “information” can
include changes in the project or environmental setting as well as additional data or other
information. New information added to an EIR is not “significant” unless the EIR is changed
in a way that deprives the public of a meaningful opportunity to comment upon a substantial
adverse environmental effect of the project or a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect
(including a feasible project alternative) that the project’s proponents have declined to
implement. “Significant new information” requiring recirculation, includes, for example, a
disclosure showing that:
(1) A new significant environmental impact would result from the project or from a new
mitigation measure proposed to be implemented.
(2) A substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact would result unless
mitigation measures are adopted that reduce the impact to a level of insignificance.
(3) A feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others
previously analyzed would clearly lessen the significant environmental impacts of the project,
but the project’s proponents decline to adopt it.
II. Clarifications and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-2 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
(4) The draft EIR was so fundamentally and basically inadequate and conclusory in nature that
meaningful public review and comment were precluded.
(b) Recirculation is not required where the new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or
amplifies or insignificant modifications in an adequate EIR.
The changes to the Draft EIR included in these EIR modifications do not constitute “significant” new
information because:
no new significant environmental impact would result from the Project or from a new or
modified mitigation measure;
there is no substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact that would result
unless mitigation measures are adopted that reduce the identified significant impacts to a level of
insignificance;
no feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others
previously analyzed has been proposed or identified that would clearly lessen the significant
environmental impacts of the Project; and
the Draft EIR is not fundamentally or basically inadequate or conclusory in nature such that
meaningful public review and comment were precluded.
Therefore, recirculation of the Draft EIR is not required because the new information added to the EIR
through these modifications clarifies or amplifies information already provided or makes insignificant
modifications to the already adequate Draft EIR.
For simplicity, the EIR modifications contained in the following pages are in the same order as the
information appears in the Draft EIR. Changes in text are signified by strikeout text (strikeout) where text
has been removed and by double underline text (underline) where text has been added. The applicable
page numbers from the Draft EIR are also provided where necessary for easy reference.
B. CLARIFICATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
Changes to the Draft EIR are listed below by section and page number.
I. Summary
The Summary is replaced with the Summary provided in this Final EIR.
II. Clarifications and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-3 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
II. Project Description
Page II-12, the first sentence in the first paragraph is revised as shown:
The Temple’s normal business hours extend from 8:030 AM to 7:30 PM, although a number of classes and
other programs may extend later into the evening or be held on the weekend. The Temple employs
approximately 43 persons, including 3 clergy, up to 25 staff persons, 12 maintenance staff, and security
staff. The Temple nursery school is licensed for 79 students and employs an additional 12 to 14 staff; for
the 2010–2011 academic year, the nursery school has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.
Page II-12, the first sentence in the third paragraph is revised as shown:
The hours of operation and activities during a typical week are summarized in Table II-2, Overview of
Existing Temple and Nursery School Operations.
Table II-2 on pages II-13 to II-14 is updated to provide clarification of the operational
characteristics at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple for various uses:
City of Los Angeles II-4 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Table II-2
Overview of Temple and Nursery School Operations
AM PM AM (next day)
5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5
Mon
Office Hours
Social Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events1
DO* Nursery School* Extended Nursery Care*
Elementary School Extended ElementaryCare
Religious School
Adult/Community/Special1
Tues
Office Hours
Social Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events1
DO* Nursery School* Extended Nursery Care*
Elementary School Extended ElementaryCare
Religious School
Adult/Community/Special1
Wed
Office Hours
Social Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events1
DO* Nursery School* Extended Nursery Care*
Elementary School Extended Elementary Care
Religious School
Adult/Community/Special1
Thurs
Office Hours
Social Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events1
DO* Nursery School* Extended Nursery Care*
Elementary School Extended Elementary Care
Religious School
Adult/Community/Special1
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-5 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
AM PM AM (next day)
5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5
Fri
Office Hours
Social Services Worship Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events1
DO* Nursery School* Extended Nursery Care*
Elementary School Extended Elementary Care
Religious School
Adult/Community/Special1
Sat
Social Services
Worship Services
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events
Adult/Community/Special1
Sun
Social Services
Religious School
Celebrations/Life Cycle Events
Adult/Community/Special1
Source: Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 2011.
DO = early drop off1 These events are periodic in nature
* These activities typically occur Sept. through July.
City of Los Angeles II-6 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Page II-14, the first paragraph is revised as shown and a new paragraph is added below it:
The Temple also currently operates its Tikkun Olam food pantry on Sunday mornings. This program runs
from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, is staffed with up to 18 volunteers, and serves approximately 175 to 200
people, with most arriving on foot or via mass transit. Medical screening services are provided in
conjunction with the food pantry program. After project buildout, the social services center would
operate daily from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Celebrations and life cycle events, which include but are not limited to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings,
memorial services and religion investitures occur throughout the year, as follows: Monday through
Friday between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM; Saturdays between 2:00 PM and 2:00 AM; and on Sundays
between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM.
The last paragraph beginning on page II-15 and ending on page II-16 is modified as follows:
The floor area ratio (FAR), which represents building size divided by the area of the Project site and is a
measure of development density, would increase from 0.73:1 to 1.21:1 under the proposed Master Plan;
the maximum allowable FAR on the Project site is 6:1, which would permit the development of
approximately 1,031,742 722,000 square feet.6 The proposed Project would also increase developed lot
coverage, or the percentage of the site covered by buildings and structures (including the parking
structure), from 36 percent to approximately 73 percent. The balance of the Project site, approximately
27 percent or 45,840 square feetacres, would be comprised of landscaped or recreational space or
hardscape improvements, such as sidewalks.
Table II-3 was revised in row five on page II-17 to indicate the number of students in the New
East School Building:
6 City of Los Angeles, Municipal Code Section 12.21.1: Height of Building or Structures.
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-7 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Table II-3
Summary of Existing and Proposed Development
Uses Existing
To Be
Removed Proposed New
Total at
Buildout
Net
Difference
Historic Sanctuary
Existing: Main Sanctuary, Rabbinical
Offices, Piness Auditorium, Stalford
Hall, Connection to 1929 School
Wing, Tikkun Olam Facilities (Social
Services) (to be relocated)
58,065 sf (2,065 sf) - 56,000 sf (2,065 sf)
Temple Administration &
Education
Existing: Administration Offices,
Meitus Hall, Factor Chapel, and
Nursery School
Proposed: Administration Offices,
Event Space, Conference Rooms,
Common Spaces
15,600 sf (15,600 sf) 55,380 sf 55,380 sf 39,780 sf
Historic School Wing (c. 1929)
Existing: Portion of Elementary
School
Proposed: Nursery School,
Administration Offices
16,575 sf - - 16,575 sf -
School Wing Addition (c. 1963)
Existing: Portion of Elementary
School
20,000 sf (20,000 sf) - - (20,000 sf)
Central Stair
New Vertical Circulation- - 2,265 sf 2,265 sf 2,265 sf
New East School Building
Nursery School, Administration
Offices for 216 students.
- - 46,045 sf 46,045 sf 46,045 sf
New West School Building
K-6 Elementary School for 420
Students
- - 59,470 sf 59,470 sf 59,470 sf
Tikkun Olam (Social Services)
To be located in Parking Structure- - 9,215 sf 9,215 sf 9,215 sf
Office Building (c. 1953) 13,650 sf (13,650 sf) - - (13,650 sf)
Total Square Feet 123,890 sf (51, 315 sf) 172,375 sf 244,950 sf 121,060 sf
Parking
Existing: Surface Parking Accessible
from Harvard Boulevard and 6th
Street
Proposed: 6-Level Parking Structure
103 spaces (103 spaces)Approximately
500 spaces
Approximately
500 spaces
Approximately
397 spaces
Notes:
sf = square feet
Source: Wilshire Boulevard Temple Vision Plan; Levin & Associates Architects, February 2010.
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-8 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Table II-4 on page II-37 has been revised to reflect the correct number of months for Phase 1A and
Phase 1B construction:
Table II-4
Project Construction Phasing
Project
Phase Stage Description of Project Phase
Anticipated
Timeframe
1
1A
Renovate historic Sanctuary; construct Sanctuary East Court, temporary
central utility plant, temporary surface parking lot upgrades.
Demolish existing commercial office building.
Oct. 2011–Nov. 2013
(1325 months)
1B
Construct East School Building and parking structure.
Demolish existing 1963 school wing addition and existing hardscape in
location of proposed parking structure.
Nov. 2013–Feb. 2015
(1415 months)
1CRenovate historic 1929 school wing; construct Central Stair; renovate Piness
Auditorium and Stalford Hall.
Mar. 2015–Feb. 2016
(11 months)
2Construct West School Building.
Demolish existing 1963 administration/education addition.
Sept. 2016–Dec. 2017
(15 months)
3
Construct new Temple administration/event building.
Demolish existing hardscape in area of new Temple administration/event
building.
July 2019–Dec. 2020
(18 months)
Page II-39, the paragraph describing the requested entitlements is revised as follows:
The Los Angeles Department of City Planning is acting as Lead Agency as defined by CEQA for the
environmental review of this Project. Discretionary approvals requested for the proposed Project include
Site Plan Review and may include, but are not limited to, potential ancillary authorizations such as relief
from street dedication/widening requirements, or Zoning Administrator adjustments relating to setbacks
adjustments and fencing and a variance for temporary off-site parking during construction of the parking
structure.
IV.V.2Global Climate Change
Page IV.B.2-31, the last bullet under the heading v. Sustainability, is revised as follows:
Central Utility Plant: A central utility plant has been designed for maximum efficiency and
energy conservation to serve all of the proposed new buildings as well as the existing historic
buildings.
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-9 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
IV.D Geologic Hazards
Page IV.D-14, first full paragraph, is revised as follows:
Construction of the proposed Project would require grading over approximately 98,000 square feet. and
would cut aApproximately 4645,000 cubic yards of fill would be excavated (the majority for the
subterranean parking structure), of whichand approximately 1035,000 cubic yards would be exported.
Approximately 3510,000 cubic yards of certified fill would be imported.
IV.F Transportation
The following paragraph was added following the first paragraph under the subheading Parking
on page IV.F-48.
In accordance with a Citywide Zoning Administrator determination (Case No. ZA-88-1405 (R) and the
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Zoning Code Manual and Commentary (Fourth Edition –
May 2005)), the required parking for the proposed Project is based on the number of fixed seats in the
sanctuary. Pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.21 A4(e), the number of required parking
spaces for the proposed Project is one parking space for each five fixed seats. Given the sanctuary has
1,800 fixed seats; a total of 360 parking spaces would be required for the proposed Project.
On page IV.F-48, the number if parking spaces required was changed as follows:
The LAMC would require the proposed Project to provide 3560 parking spaces. As the new six-level
parking structure would provide approximately 500 spaces, the Project would meet Code-required
parking and increase the current parking by approximately 397 parking spaces over the existing parking
supply.
IV.R Noise
Page IV.E-25, the first bullet is revised as follows:
During the preliminary construction phases of the proposed Project, a temporary cCentral utility
pPlant would be developed between the existing northern surface-parking are and the existing
play yard north of the Administrative Building. The temporary cCentral utility pPlant would be
set back from Hobart Boulevard, well within the property line of the Project site. The temporary
cCentral utility pPlant would consist of an enclosed chiller room (approximately 1,110 square feet
in size) and would be surrounded by 16-feet 8-inch high concrete walls with acoustical louvers
attached. The temporary cCentral utility pPlant would also consist of a cooling tower in an
enclosed room of approximately 900 square feet. The cooling tower would be surrounded by
concrete walls that are 14-feet in height and the roof of the cooling tower would be open to the
sky.
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-10 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Page IV.E-55, the first sentence of the first full paragraph is revised as follows:
During the preliminary construction phases of the proposed Project a temporary cCentral utility pPlant
would be developed between the existing northern paved-area and the existing play yard north of the
1963 Administration addition building. The temporary cCentral utility pPlant would be set back from
Hobart Boulevard, approximately 55 feet inside the property line of the Project site. The temporary
cCentral utility pPlant would consist of an enclosed chiller room (approximately 1,110 square feet in size)
and would be surrounded by 16-foot-8-inch-high concrete walls with acoustical louvers attached. The
temporary cCentral utility pPlant would also consist of a cooling tower in an enclosed room of
approximately 900 square feet. The cooling tower would be surrounded by concrete walls that are 14-feet
in height and the roof of the cooling tower would be open to the sky. The temporary cCentral utility
pPlant chiller and cooling tower would be located in concrete block enclosures ensuring that the noise
generated by the temporary Air Conditioning (AC) system would be attenuated, thus reducing the noise
level expected to occur at the Gardens at Wilshire Center apartment building and Wilshire Smiling Tree
School to its west, the apartment building to its north, and the JJ Grand Hotel to its east.
The proposed Project would include development of cooling and heating systems with a chilled water
central utility plant that would provide air conditioning to all new buildings on the Project site. The
chillers and cooling towers would be located on the roof deck of the parking structure, in the
northwestern portion of the site. The cCentral utility pPlant chillers and cooling towers would be located
in a concrete block enclosure, with the chiller plant fully enclosed and the cooling towers open to the sky.
This would attenuate noise generated by the AC system, thus reducing the noise level expected to occur
at the Gardens at Wilshire Center apartment building and Wilshire Smiling Tree School to its west, the
apartment building to its north, and the JJ Grand Hotel to its east.
C. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In response to the recent case Sunnyvale West Neighborhood Association v. City of Sunnyvale City Council
(6th App. Dist., December 16, 2010) the proposed Project’s roadway volumes and intersection impacts
were analyzed based on existing conditions plus Project conditions. A Traffic Study Addendum was
prepared by Gibson and Associates to analyze this scenario and was prepared utilizing the same
methodology, parameters, and assumptions as were contained in the Traffic Study provided in Appendix
IV.F of the Draft EIR. The Traffic Study Addendum is provided in Appendix A to this Final EIR.
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-11 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
The Existing with Project traffic volumes were developed by adding the Project generated peak hour
traffic volumes to the Existing Conditions (Year 2010) peak hour traffic volumes. Figure 1, Existing with
Project Peak Hour Traffic Volumes, shows the Existing with Project peak hour traffic volumes at all of
the studied intersections.
A summary of the volume-to-capacity ratios and LOS values for each of the study intersections during
the typical weekday morning and afternoon peak hours for the Existing with Project conditions are
shown in Table 1, Existing plus Project Conditions Intersection Peak Hour Levels of Service. As shown
in Table 1, application of the City’s threshold criteria to the Existing with Project conditions indicates that
the Project would not result in a significant traffic impact at any of the study intersections during either
the morning or afternoon peak hours. Therefore, no mitigation measures are required. This finding is
consistent with that found in the analysis of Future with Project conditions contained in the Draft EIR.
Table 1
Existing with Project Conditions
Intersection Peak Hour Levels of Service
Intersection
Existing without
Project Conditions
Existing with
Project Conditions Results
V/C LOS V/C LOS
Change in
V/C
Significant
Impact?
AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
Western Avenue
& 6th Street0.547 0.594 A A 0.550 0.595 A A 0.003 0.001 No No
Hobart
Boulevard & 6th
Street
0.520 0.651 A B 0.526 0.651 A B 0.006 0.000 No No
Harvard
Boulevard & 6th
Street
0.487 0.604 A B 0.505 0.607 A B 0.018 0.003 No No
Normandie
Avenue & 6th
Street
0.587 0.649 A B 0.591 0.649 A B 0.004 0.000 No No
Western Avenue
& Wilshire
Boulevard
0.653 0.748 B C 0.669 0.751 B C 0.016 0.003 No No
Hobart
Boulevard &
Wilshire
Boulevard
0.447 0.519 A A 0.447 0.519 A A 0.000 0.000 No No
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-12 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
Intersection
Existing without
Project Conditions
Existing with
Project Conditions Results
V/C LOS V/C LOS
Change in
V/C
Significant
Impact?
AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
Harvard
Boulevard &
Wilshire
Boulevard
0.429 0.576 A A 0.477 0.577 A A 0.048 0.001 No No
Normandie
Avenue/Irolo
Street & Wilshire
Boulevard
0.562 0.584 A A 0.576 0.585 A A 0.014 0.001 No No
Source: Gibson and Associates, Traffic Study Addendum, February 24, 2011.
The Wilshire Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project includes the conversion of the existing curb lanes
running east and west along Wilshire Boulevard into exclusive Bus Rapid Transit lanes during peak
periods to facilitate rapid bus transportation connecting west Los Angeles to downtown Los Angeles. The
bus lane is anticipated to begin operation in late 2011 or early 2012. Therefore, the analysis of Existing
(2010) Plus Project conditions does not include these improvements.
In summary, the analysis of Existing with Project conditions indicates that no significant traffic impacts at
the study intersections are anticipated to occur based on the significance criteria established by the Los
Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). These results are consistent with the conclusions
outlined in the Traffic Study for the Future with Project (Year 2020) conditions, which also resulted in no
significant traffic impacts at the study intersections. Thus, measuring the Project’s traffic impacts on the
existing environment would not result in any additional impacts or cause a substantial increase in the
severity of the traffic impacts beyond those already identified in the Draft EIR.
Existing with Project Peak Hour Traffic Volumes
FIGURE 1
1037-001•03/11
SOURCE: GTC – February 2011
NOT TO SCALEn
II. Corrections and Modifications to the Draft EIR
City of Los Angeles II-14 Wilshire Boulevard Temple Master Plan Project Final EIR
ENV-2010-1407 April 2011
This additional information does not constitute significant new information or changes to the analysis or
conclusions of the Draft EIR or require recirculation of the Draft EIR. The State CEQA Guidelines, Section
15088.5, states in part:
(a) A lead agency is required to recirculate an EIR when significant new information is added to
the EIR after public notice is given of the availability of the draft EIR for public review under
Section 15087 but before certification. As used in this section, the term “information” can
include changes in the project or environmental setting as well as additional data or other
information. New information added to an EIR is not “significant” unless the EIR is changed
in a way that deprives the public of a meaningful opportunity to comment upon a substantial
adverse environmental effect of the project or a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect
(including a feasible project alternative) that the project’s proponents have declined to
implement. “Significant new information” requiring recirculation includes, for example, a
disclosure showing that:
(1) A new significant environmental impact would result from the project or from a new
mitigation measure proposed to be implemented.
(2) A substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact would result unless
mitigation measures are adopted that reduce the impact to a level of insignificance.
(3) A feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others
previously analyzed would clearly lessen the significant environmental impacts of the
project, but the project’s proponents decline to adopt it.
(4) The draft EIR was so fundamentally and basically inadequate and conclusory in nature
that meaningful public review and comment were precluded.
(b) Recirculation is not required where the new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or
amplifies or insignificant modifications in an adequate EIR.
Given the above, this additional information does not constitute “significant” new information, result in a
new or substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact, or require recirculation of the
Draft EIR.
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