iv.a.2. land use physical (metro) - la city planning · 2008. 10. 14. · city of los angeles...

Metro Universal Project IV.A.2. Land Use – Physical Land Use Draft Environmental Impact Report Page IV.A.2-1

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS A. LAND USE

2. PHYSICAL LAND USE

This Section describes the land uses within the Project Site and in the immediately surrounding properties and analyzes the physical relationships between the two. Section IV.A.1 (Land Use Plans/Zones) of this EIR describes the consistency of the Project with adopted planning and zoning regulations applicable to the Project Site and surrounding areas. Section IV.D (Visual Qualities) of this EIR provides additional information with respect to the existing views and visual characteristics of the Project Site as seen from the surrounding neighborhoods.

Organization of the Section

1. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a) Project Site Overview

b) Existing Surrounding Uses

i) East of the Project Site

(1) Universal Studios Property

(2) Tower Area

(3) Campo de Cahuenga Historic Site

ii) South of the Project Site

(1) Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard Area

(2) Cahuenga Pass Residential Area

iii) West of the Project Site

(1) Studio City Residential and Commercial Areas

iv) North of the Project Site

(1) Weddington Park (North) and Weddington Park (South)

(2) The Island Neighborhood and City View Lofts

(3) North Hollywood/Valley Village Residential and Commercial Areas

(4) Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel

City of Los Angeles August 2008


(5) Lakeside Golf Club

(6) Toluca Estates Residential Area

(7) Toluca Lake Residential Area

2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

a) Thresholds of Significance

b) Methodology

c) Project Impacts

i) Impacts at Eastern Boundary

ii) Impacts at Southern Boundary

iii) Impacts at Western Boundary

iv) Impacts at Northern Boundary

3. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

4. MITIGATION MEASURES

5. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION



1. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a. Project Site Overview

The approximately 14.34-acre Project Site is located within the Sherman Oaks-Studio City-Toluca Lake-Cahuenga Pass Community Planning area of the City of Los Angeles and is bounded by Bluffside Drive to the north and west, Lankershim Boulevard to the east, and Ventura Boulevard to the south. Campo de Cahuenga Way and the Hollywood Freeway bisect the Project Site at the central and southern portions of the site, respectively. Figures I-1 and I-2 in Section I (Introduction-Summary) of this EIR provide regional, Project location, and aerial maps of the Project Site and area.

Five separate parcels comprise the Project Site. These parcels are respectively referred to as Sites A, B, C, D, and E (refer to Section II (Project Description), Figure II-2). Sites A and B are located north of Campo de Cahuenga Way; Site C is located south of Campo de Cahuenga Way and north of the Hollywood Freeway; and Sites D and E are located north of Ventura Boulevard and south of the Hollywood Freeway.

Currently, the Project Site operates as a transit/transportation hub associated with the Universal City Metro Red Line station operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The Metro Red Line subway runs under the Project Site, and the underground station is located just west of the corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Campo de Cahuenga Way. North of the Project Site, the subway runs under Lankershim Boulevard to the North Hollywood Station, which is the terminus of the Red Line. South of the Project Site, the subway runs in a tunnel beneath the Santa Monica Mountains to the Hollywood/Highland Station. Photographs depicting existing land uses on the Project Site are provided in Section III (Environmental Setting) of this EIR. The existing uses/operations that are located on each of the parcels that comprise the Project Site are:

i. Sites A & B

Sites A and B contain surface park & ride lots that provide 564 parking spaces for Metro patrons and is also used by the John Anson Ford Amphitheater for remote parking from time to time. Except for 80 spaces that are reserved for permit holders, these spaces are made available on a first-come, first-served basis, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. There is presently no charge to park in the non-reserved park & ride spaces. For the 80 reserved spaces located within Sites A and B, Metro operates a Paid-For-Parking program that allows patrons to purchase permits that allow patrons to park in any space within the designated "RESERVED" parking area before 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. After 11 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, all parking, including reserved areas, is available to all Metro patrons. The park & ride lots are accessed by driveways located on Lankershim Boulevard and Campo de Cahuenga Way.

A drop-off area for transit patrons (“kiss & ride”) is located in the central part of Sites A and B, just west of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. This area provides curbside space for approximately four automobiles to stop and discharge passengers. No parking is permitted in this area. An open plaza with landscaping is provided between the kiss & ride facility and the portal entrance to the underground



subway station located at the northwest corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Campo de Cahuenga Way. This portal provides stairway and escalator access to a mezzanine level that crosses under Campo de Cahuenga Way to the station entrance that leads down one additional level to the station platform. In addition, an elevator providing access to the mezzanine and station platform levels is located adjacent to the escalator/stairway entrance, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Campo de Cahuenga Way and Lankershim Boulevard.

A decorative concrete block wall and landscaped buffer area presently separates the park & ride facilities on Sites A and B from the adjacent Bluffside Drive roadway and the Weddington Park (South) recreation facility. In addition, a decorative concrete block wall and iron rod fence presently separates the Campo de Cahuenga historic site from Sites A, B, and C.

ii. Site C

Site C presently contains Metro bus loading/drop-off, transfer and layover facilities, and a portal entrance to the subway station (Figure II-4). Access to this facility (bus only; no automobile access allowed) is provided from Campo de Cahuenga Way. Buses enter the facility and then proceed to the south end of Site C where they loop around to access one of ten bus loading bays, five of which are actively used at present, where passenger drop-off and loading take place. An open plaza with landscaping is provided between the bus bays and the portal, located at the southwest corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Campo de Cahuenga Way. This plaza provides a convenient pedestrian way for patrons to access both the buses and the subway station. Similar to the portal on the north side of Campo de Cahuenga Way, the southwest portal provides stairway and escalator access to a mezzanine level that crosses under Campo de Cahuenga Way to the station entrance that leads down one additional level to the station platform. In addition, an elevator providing access to the mezzanine and station platform levels is located adjacent to the escalator/stairway entrance, located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Campo de Cahuenga Way and Lankershim Boulevard.

For bus lines where the Universal City station serves as the “end of the line,” a bus layover facility is provided at the north end of Site C. After discharging passengers at the bus bay, buses laying over at Site C proceed north to a parking area where the bus can remain until the driver’s next route starts. Rest room and lounge facilities accessible to Metro employees are also provided on Site C.

iii. Site D

Site D is owned by the State of California Department of Transportation (“Caltrans”). It is currently leased by Metro and is used by the Metro transit patrons as a park & ride surface lot and contains approximately 68 striped parking spaces. This lot is available to Metro transit patrons on a first-come, first-served basis, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A pedestrian tunnel under the Hollywood Freeway provides direct access between the Metro Red Line station and Site D. Alternatively, a sidewalk is provided along Lankershim Boulevard underneath the Hollywood Freeway overpass. Patrons can use the sidewalk on the eastern edge of Site C to access the subway station portal. Vehicular access to Site D is provided from Ventura Boulevard.



iv. Site E

Site E is owned by the County of Los Angeles. It is currently used as a park & ride surface lot and contains 161 striped parking spaces. This lot is available to Metro transit patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. Under existing conditions, this lot is typically under-utilized during the day as only limited pedestrian access is available from this lot to the Metro station and therefore, the lot is presently less suitable for park & ride patrons than other, more convenient lots. However, during the summer, Site E is utilized as a park & ride facility for the Hollywood Bowl. On Hollywood Bowl event nights, parking is limited to Bowl patrons after 6 p.m. Although the Hollywood Bowl season runs early spring to late fall, the most frequent use of this lot for Hollywood Bowl park & ride occurs during high attendance events, primarily on Friday and Saturday nights between July and September. Vehicular access to Site E is provided from Ventura Boulevard.

b. Existing Surrounding Uses

As shown in Figure IV.A.2-1, the Project Site is surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential uses, most of which are physically separated from the Project Site by adjacent facilities, such as Weddington Park (South), the Hollywood Freeway (U.S. 101), and arterial roadways. Figure IV.A.2-2 identifies where each of the surrounding areas discussed below is located.

i. East of the Project Site

(1) Universal Studios Property

Lankershim Boulevard and the Campo de Cahuenga historic site provide the eastern boundary of the Project Site. The movie studio, entertainment, and production facilities of Universal Studios are located east of the Project Site across Lankershim Boulevard. More specifically, the area of the Universal Studios property that fronts Lankershim Boulevard currently provides office and production facilities, meeting rooms, and other related low- to high-rise facilities, including the 15-story, 185-foot Lew R. Wasserman building (formerly the MCA World Headquarters building, 755 feet above mean sea level (msl)1), and the 5-story, 65-foot John R. Ford building (635 feet above msl).

1 Building heights are defined at fixed elevations expressed in terms of feet above mean sea level (msl), measured

to the highest point of any roof structures or parapet wall, where mean sea level is defined as the level of the surface of the sea at its mean position midway between mean high and low tide.



Figure IV.A.2-1 Surrounding Land Uses



Figure IV.A.2-2 Surrounding Areas for Analysis



(1) Tower Area

East of the Project Site, near the northeast corner of Lankershim Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway, are several high-rise buildings and associated two- to four-story parking structures. This “Tower Area” includes the 36-story, 506-foot (1,089 feet above msl), 10 Universal City Plaza (10 UCP) office building (formerly known as the Texaco Tower) located at the northeast corner of Lankershim Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway; the 20-story, 188-foot (848 feet above msl), Sheraton Universal Hotel located east of the 10 UCP tower ; and the 25-story, 286-foot (1,022 feet above msl), Universal City Hilton Hotel, located east of the Sheraton Universal Hotel (near the southwest corner of the intersection of Universal Hollywood Drive and Hotel Drive) . The three high-rise structures within the Tower Area are prominently visible from many locations surrounding Universal City. The Tower Area parking structures are also visible from nearby locations along the Hollywood Freeway.

(2) Campo de Cahuenga Historic Site

The Campo de Cahuenga historic site, a City, state, and nationally designated historic resource, is located adjacent to the Project Site. This site was the location of the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga in 1847, which ended the Mexican-American War in California. The Campo de Cahuenga historic site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is designated as a State of California Historic Landmark and is a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The site includes the archaeological trace of the original foundation of the adobe building where the Treaty was signed,2 along with a one-story visitor’s center and landscaped plaza that were built in the 1940s by the City Department of Recreation and Parks as part of a city-wide parks master plan that dates to the 1920s. The site also includes a non-historic asphalt surface parking lot with approximately 20 parking spaces. Both the foundation (archaeological resource) and the visitor’s center and landscaped plaza (historic resource) are identified as cultural resources. Additional information regarding the Campo de Cahuenga site is contained in Section IV.H, Cultural Resources, of this EIR.

ii. South of the Project Site

The Hollywood Freeway bisects the Project Site. The Hollywood Freeway, which is under the jurisdiction of the Caltrans, runs generally northwest-southeast through this area, and therefore serves as one of the primary regional vehicular access points to the Project Site from areas located to the north and west, as well as to the south and east.

Ventura Boulevard is the southern boundary of the Project Site. Ventura Boulevard runs generally northwest-southeast and is designated as a Major Highway. Ventura Boulevard serves as one of the primary regional vehicular access points to the Project Site from surrounding areas.

(1) Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard Area

Cahuenga Boulevard is located immediately south of and parallel to the Hollywood Freeway east of Lankershim Boulevard. Land uses along this portion of Cahuenga Boulevard, from Barham Boulevard to Lankershim Boulevard, include commercial and office development, as well as a church, a park, an 2 The foundation itself is buried. A replica of the building footprint and foundation is provided at ground level.



independent living facility and 65 unit live/work projects. Existing commercial uses include a bar, fast food establishments and restaurants, a Holiday Inn hotel, gas stations, the Universal City Nissan car dealership, parking lots, and retail sales and service outlets (e.g., nail salon, music shop, liquor store, laundromat, print shop), in buildings which are from one to three stories in height. Office uses include banks and other businesses, in buildings which are from one to four stories in height.

The former Hanna-Barbera site at the northeast corner of Universal Studios Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard is currently under construction with a mixed-use development that will provide office and retail space, a gym, and 148 apartment units within four three-story buildings. The former Braille Institute site at the northwest corner of Universal Studios Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard is currently under construction with a mixed-use development that will provide 68 live/work townhome condominiums within nine three-story structures. These are the only residential uses along the north side of Cahuenga Boulevard in this area. A two-story church is located on the north side of Cahuenga Boulevard, west of the townhome project under construction. The El Paseo de Cahuenga Park is located on the north side of Cahuenga Boulevard, east of the former Hanna-Barbera site that is currently under construction. This approximately 1.3-acre neighborhood park is operated and maintained by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and provides open space and picnic tables for passive recreation. All of the above described uses are separated from the Project Site by the Hollywood Freeway.

(2) Cahuenga Pass Residential Area

The Cahuenga Pass residential area extends south from Cahuenga Boulevard up to the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains and east to the Hollywood Freeway. This community consists primarily of one- and two-story homes. Existing at-grade elevations within the Cahuenga Pass residential area vary substantially, ranging from approximately 625 feet above msl (at Cahuenga Boulevard) to 1,275 feet above msl (at the ridge top of the Santa Monica Mountains). Access to the Cahuenga Pass residential area in the Project vicinity is provided via Lankershim Boulevard, Fredonia Drive, Broadlawn Drive, Oakside Drive, and Bennett Drive, all of which cross Cahuenga Boulevard at locations south of the Project Site.

iii. West of the Project Site

(2) Studio City Residential and Commercial Areas

The Hollywood Freeway and Bluffside Drive form the immediate western boundary of the Project Site.

The Studio City residential and commercial areas are located to the south and west of the Project Site, within both flat and hillside areas, and are separated from the Project Site by physical buffers such as the Hollywood Freeway. Existing at-grade elevations within the Studio City residential and commercial areas vary substantially ranging from approximately 600 feet above msl (at Ventura Boulevard) to 1,175 feet above msl (at the ridge top of the Santa Monica Mountains). Commercial properties located along Ventura and Cahuenga Boulevards are similar in character to those to the south of the Project Site, described above in the “Cahuenga Boulevard Area” discussion. Residential uses within Studio City consist of single-family homes and multi-family developments.



iv. North of the Project Site

Bluffside Drive and Valleyheart Drive form the immediate northern boundary of the Project Site.

(1) Weddington Park (North) and Weddington Park (South)

To the north (and west) of the Project Site and south of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel (LARFCC) is Weddington Park (South), an approximately 2.2-acre neighborhood park operated and maintained by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The existing at-grade elevation at Weddington Park (South) ranges from approximately 550 to 560 feet above msl. Weddington Park (North) is approximately 1.7 acres in size and is located north of the LARFCC. Neither Weddington Park (North) nor Weddington Park (South) abuts Lankershim Boulevard. Weddington Park (South) provides one baseball field, and a surface parking lot as well as an open space area for recreation. Weddington Park (North) provides recreation centers, two baseball fields, and a surface parking lot. In addition to serving surrounding residential communities, Weddington Park (South) is used by employees from the surrounding commercial areas on a limited basis for passive recreation and walking.

Since Weddington Park (North) is separated from the Project Site by both the LARFCC and Lankershim Boulevard, as well as intervening homes along Brookview Drive and Riverton Avenue, this park has minimal physical connection to the Project Site and is not discussed further in this section.

(2) The Island Neighborhood and City View Lofts

The City View Lofts, a new four-story, 145-unit multi-family residential development over parking, is located along the west side of Lankershim Boulevard north of the Project Site between Valleyheart Drive and the LARFCC. . West of the City View Lofts is the existing “Island” neighborhood, which is comprised of single-family houses and is zoned R1-1. These single-family residences, accessed from Lankershim Boulevard via Valleyheart Drive, are buffered from the Project Site by Bluffside Drive, Weddington Park (South), and Valleyheart Drive.

(3) North Hollywood and Valley Village Residential and Commercial Areas

The North Hollywood community is generally located to the north of the Project Site, in the area to the north, northwest, and west of the Toluca Lake area. Properties along Lankershim Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard north of the LARFCC are commercially developed and occupied by businesses that generally serve the automobile industry, provide office uses, or provide neighborhood services or goods, such as the Ca’ del Sole Restaurant. The North Hollywood community is composed of a mix of single-family homes and small- to large-scale multi-family developments, interspersed with low-rise office buildings. The Valley Village residential community is located to the west of the Project Site, north of the LARFCC.

(4) Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel

North of the Project Site is the LARFCC, which is concrete-lined and approximately 130 feet in width at the point where the channel passes by the area in which the Project Site is located. The width of the channel’s right-of-way varies along the route of the channel. Existing at-grade elevations along the LARFCC range from approximately 510 to 535 feet above msl. The Project Site is not within the



County’s Los Angeles River Master Plan. However, in January 2007, the City released the Draft Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan for public review and comment. The Draft Plan identifies opportunities for LARFCC expansion along the north side of Weddington Park (South), which is directly north and west of the Project Site. This Plan is examined in detail in Section IV.A.1 (Land Use Plans/Zones), of this EIR.

(5) Lakeside Golf Club

North of, and adjacent to, the LARFCC and east of the Project Site is the private Lakeside Golf Club. The majority of Lakeside Golf Club is located in the City of Los Angeles. The eastern portion of Lakeside Golf Club is located in the City of Burbank. The club property extends from approximately Toluca Estates Drive on the west, to Rose Street on the east. It includes an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse and associated facilities that include tennis courts, a driving range, and a swimming pool. The club is located on relatively flat topography which has been contoured to form a slightly undulating landscape.

(6) Toluca Estates Residential Area

The Toluca Estates residential area, located approximately 0.75 miles northeast of the Project Site, is located within the Toluca Lake community, discussed below. Toluca Estates generally consists of the residences west of Ledge Avenue. Approximately five residences in the southern portion of Toluca Estates are adjacent to the LARFCC, while the rest of the residences in the Toluca Estates community are bounded to the north by Valley Spring Lane and the Lakeside Golf Club to the east. The Toluca Estates residential area consists of one- and two-story, large-lot, single-family houses.

(7) Toluca Lake Residential Area

The Toluca Lake residential area is located within the cities of Los Angeles and Burbank. This residential area is located approximately 0.5 mile northeast of the Project Site. The Toluca Lake residential area is generally bounded by Clyborn Avenue and Warner Bros. Studios to the east, the Lakeside Golf Club to the south, Cahuenga Boulevard to the west, and Camarillo Street to the north (north of the Ventura Freeway). This community is primarily comprised of one- and two-story, large-lot, single-family houses, interspersed with apartment and condominium complexes.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

a. Thresholds of Significance

The City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide (2006) requires the land use analysis to address the following two areas of study: (1) land use consistency; and (2) land use compatibility.

With respect to land use compatibility, the Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide (page H.2-3) states that a determination of significance relative to land use compatibility shall be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:



• The extent of the area that would be impacted, the nature and degree of impacts, and the type of land uses within that area;

• The extent to which existing neighborhoods, communities, or land uses would be disrupted, divided or isolated, and the duration of the disruptions; or

• The number, degree, and type of secondary impacts to surrounding land uses that could result from implementation of the Project.

Based on these factors, the Project would have a significant impact if it would disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities.

Project impacts related to land use consistency are addressed in Section IV.A.1 (Land Use – Land Use Plans/Zones), of this EIR.

b. Methodology

This Section provides an analysis of the Project’s potential physical land use impacts based upon the allowable land uses, density, and maximum building heights that could occur along the Project Site edges. The analysis of the Project’s potential physical land use impacts focuses on the Project Site’s edges and is based on the assumption that impacts related to land use compatibility could occur where the Project Site has a physical interface with off-site uses. This Section assesses the Project’s compatibility with existing land uses in terms of land use, density, and building height. Where an incompatibility would result, the above-referenced three factors identified in the Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide are considered in determining the significance of the potential impact. Special consideration is given to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, Weddington Park (South), the Island neighborhood, and the City View Lofts due to their proximity to the Project Site.

The concepts of disrupt, divide, or isolate, as set forth in the significance threshold, typically pertain to a project that would add such features as a highway or above-ground infrastructure that would impact the land use relationships within an existing neighborhood. Due to the topography and proximity of the off-site land uses to the Project Site, a conservative interpretation of the concept of “disruption” is used in this analysis. For the purposes of this analysis, a significant “disruption” impact would occur if Project activities would substantially alter the existing physical relationships between existing on- and off-site uses.

Signage can create a physical land use impact through disruption of an existing area caused by characteristics of the signage, including animation and movement. Animation and movement can be a distraction, causing a viewer to shift focus to the signage. For example, large scale commercial animated or moving signage adjacent to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site or Weddington Park (South) could affect visitors to these sites by changing the atmosphere in which their visit takes place. This is particularly true when the existing character of the on-site development is not especially noticeable (i.e., surface parking lots). Similarly, such signage could be viewed as disruptive by residents of immediately adjacent neighborhoods that do not currently see this type of signage. This effect diminishes with distance as the visual effects of the signage decrease, and the potential for clear views of the signage



decreases due to blockage by intervening topography, buildings and landscaping. This change in the character of visitors’ or residents’ experiences can also apply to building mass and scale and result in physical land use impacts from these characteristics.

c. Project Impacts

i. Existing Surrounding Uses

(1) Impacts at Eastern Boundary

As discussed above, the eastern boundary of the Project Site abuts Lankershim Boulevard and the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, beyond which is the Universal Studios property.

(a) Impacts to Universal Studios Property The movie studio, entertainment, and production facilities of Universal Studios are located east of the Project Site across Lankershim Boulevard. The Project would provide additional office, media production facility, and related land uses within the area across from the Universal Studios property.

Development on Site A would include an office building and media production facility consisting of an office building up to 24 stories and 382 feet above grade (943 feet above msl), along with a connected media production facility up to five stories, and 114 feet above grade (675 feet above msl). No setbacks would be required or are proposed along the Project Site’s eastern boundary. The eastern boundary of the Project Site along Lankershim Boulevard is currently highly developed with several low- to high-rise structures. These include office and production structures such as the five-story Technicolor building (605 feet above msl), the eight-story Carl Laemmle building (665 feet above msl), the 15-story Lew R. Wasserman building (formerly the MCA World Headquarters building, 755 feet above msl), and the four-story Jules Stein office building (625 feet above msl). Therefore, the development of future proposed mid- to high-rise buildings would provide a continuation of existing commercial uses with building heights similar to those present off-site in the vicinity of the Project Site.

In addition, the pedestrian bridge that would be constructed over Lankershim Boulevard in Phase 2, in either configuration, would be designed to promote pedestrian links between the east side of Lankershim Boulevard and the Metro Red Line station. This element of the Project would enhance and connect, rather than disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities, and would therefore have a less than significant impact on the Universal Studios property with respect to physical land use.

The Project would be compatible with the Universal Studios property in terms of land use, density, and building height and, as such, would not disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities. Therefore, Project development would have a less than significant impact on the Universal Studios property with respect to physical land use.

Signage would be permitted along Lankershim Boulevard, facing the Universal Studios property, under the proposed Metro Universal supplemental use district for signage (Metro Universal SUD). The Lankershim Boulevard frontage of Site A would be within Sign District 4 and the pedestrian bridge would be within the separate Metro District, which both allow for the greatest level of signage within the



Project. Other than supergraphics, signs of up to 500 square feet would be permitted at a height of up to 25 feet above ground level, and signs of up to 4,000 square feet would be permitted between 25 and 100 feet above ground, with signs of 2,000 square feet permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground. Except for supergraphics, up to 20% of the building façade up to 25 feet above ground and up to 60% of the building façade between 25 and 100 feet above ground could contain signage, while signage located greater than 100 feet above ground could occupy no more that 5% of the building façade. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within both Sign District 4 and the Metro District. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. The focus of this signage toward Lankershim Boulevard would serve to reinforce the perception of this area as an active developed urban center that would not be inconsistent with the appearance and operation of the Universal Studios property. As such, Project signage at this location would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the existing Universal Studios property use, and Project signage would have a less than significant impact on the Universal Studios property with respect to physical land use.

(b) Impacts to Tower Area The Tower Area includes the 36-story, 506-foot, 10 UCP office building (1,089 feet above msl) located at the northeast corner of Lankershim Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway; the 20-story, 188-foot (848 feet above msl), Sheraton Universal Hotel located east of the 10 UCP ; and the 25-story, 286-foot (1,022 feet above msl), Universal City Hilton Hotel, located east of the Sheraton Universal Hotel (near the southwest corner of the intersection of Universal Hollywood Drive and Hotel Drive).

The Project could provide additional retail, restaurant, office, studio, media production facility, possible hotel/residential, parking, and other associated land uses that would be in proximity to the Tower Area and would have comparable building heights. The Project would continue the pattern of existing surrounding uses within the Project Site, providing land uses, densities, and building heights that would be compatible with the existing development in the immediate area. In addition, the pedestrian bridge that would be constructed over Lankershim Boulevard in Phase 2, in either configuration, would be designed to promote pedestrian links between the east side of Lankershim Boulevard and the Metro Red Line station. This element of the Project would enhance and connect, rather than disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities. Therefore, Project development would not disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities and would have a less than significant impact with regard to physical land use in relation to the off-site Tower Area.

Project signage facing the Tower Area would be within Sign District 4 and the Metro District with the same signage as permitted adjacent to the Universal Studios property, as described above. Adjacent to the Tower Area, signage located on Site C buildings could include signs, other than supergraphics, of up to 500 square feet would be permitted at a height of up to 25 feet above ground level, and signs of up to 4,000 square feet between 25 and 100 feet above ground, with signs of up to 2,000 square feet permitted greater than 100 feet above ground. Except for supergraphics, up to 20% of the building façade up to 25 feet above ground and up to 60% of the building façade between 25 and 100 feet above ground could contain signage, while signage located greater than 100 feet above ground could occupy no more that 5% of the building façade. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within both Sign District 4 and



the Metro District. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. The focus of this signage toward Lankershim Boulevard would serve to reinforce the area’s Regional Center designation that would be consistent with the appearance and operation of the buildings within the Tower Area. As such, Project signage at this location would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the existing uses within the Tower Area, and Project signage would have a less than significant impact on the Tower Area with respect to physical land use.

(c) Impacts to Campo de Cahuenga Historic Site The Campo de Cahuenga historic site, a designated historic landmark containing an archaeological site and a one-story visitors’ center and adjacent plaza,3 is located along the west side of Lankershim Boulevard adjacent to the Project Site. (See Figure II-3, Existing Site Plan.) The Campo de Cahuenga historic site is associated with two periods of significance: (1) the adobe era, (1795-1880s); and (2) the park era when the City of Los Angeles excavated the site and constructed the public park and building, (1923-1953). Some components of the existing Campo de Cahuenga historic site are significant due to the association with the adobe era, and some components are significant due to the association with the park era, and some modern components are not associated with either era of significance and thus are not considered historic resources. The historic significance of the various components of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site is as follows:

• Feliz Adobe Archaeological Site: Portions of what is left of the adobe foundation remain intact under the Campo de Cahuenga historic site and under Lankershim Boulevard, immediately adjacent to the Project Site. The adobe foundation is considered historic due to the association with the adobe era.

• Visitor’s center and adjacent plaza: The existing one-story building and landscaped plaza are considered historic resources due to the association with the park era.

• East and south walls surrounding the plaza: Some portions of the east and south walls are original to the 1949 construction. These original portions are considered historic due to the association with the park era.

• All other portions of the walls surrounding the plaza: Portions of the walls surrounding the plaza were constructed in 2004. While these modern portions of the wall were carefully designed to complement the original 1949 wall, the modern portions are not associated with either era of significance, and are not considered historic.

• Paved areas west and north of the visitor’s center: The paved areas west and north of the visitor’s center, including the striped parking lot, between the building and the wall date from 2004. As such, these areas are not associated with either era of significance, and are not considered historic.

3 The archaeological site, visitor’s center and landscaped plaza are historic elements, along with portions of the

wall that currently encloses the Campo de Cahuenga site. See Section IV.H, Cultural Resources of this EIR.



The Project would provide additional office, media production, retail/restaurant, and parking uses in the immediate vicinity of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. The building heights within the Project Site near the Campo de Cahuenga historic site would be 382 feet above grade for the 24-story office building, 46 feet above grade for the two-story retail/restaurant uses, and 108 feet above grade for a seven-story parking garage. Although the Project would include building heights substantially taller than the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, as discussed above, development within this portion of the Project Site would be a continuation of existing land uses with building heights similar to this portion of Lankershim Boulevard which is already built out with mid- to high-rise office/studio structures that line the east side of Lankershim Boulevard (e.g., the existing four-story Jules Stein building and 15-story Lew R. Wasserman building). Off-site hotel and office towers are also located in the vicinity of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, at the northeast corner of the Hollywood Freeway and Lankershim Boulevard, ranging from 20 to 36 stories (i.e., 848 feet above msl to 1,089 feet above msl). No setbacks would be required for the proposed 24-story office building. However, the Project would maintain a landscaped physical separation from the Campo de Cahuenga historic site by approximately 100 feet on the southern boundary and approximately 30 feet on the western and northern boundaries. The Project would make improvements to the currently paved areas adjacent to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site and remove portions of non-historic walls. These improvements would enhance the Campo de Cahuenga’s setting and improve access. Nonetheless, the Project would place much taller and denser new structures relatively close to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site and would increase activity in the immediate vicinity of the historic elements. Therefore, these two aspects of the Project would have the potential to disrupt the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, which would constitute a significant impact on the Campo de Cahuenga historic site with respect to physical land use.

The pedestrian bridge that would be constructed over Lankershim Boulevard in Phase 2, in either configuration, would be designed to promote pedestrian links between the east side of Lankershim Boulevard and the Metro Red Line station. This element of the Project would enhance and connect, rather than disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities, and would therefore have a less than significant impact on the Campo de Cahuenga historic site with respect to physical land use.

Project signage in the vicinity of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site would be within Sign District 4 and the Metro District with the same signage as permitted across from the Universal Studios property and the Tower Area, as described above. This signage could include signage on the south face of the 24-story office building and the retail/restaurant area facing the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. Under Sign District 4 of the Metro Universal SUD, signage on the south face of the 24-story office building could include signs, other than supergraphics, of up to 500 square feet at a height of up to 25 feet above ground level, and signs of up to 4,000 square feet at a height of 25 to 100 feet above ground, with signs of up to 2,000 square feet permitted at a height greater than 100 feet above ground. Except for supergraphics, up to 20% of the building façade up to 25 feet above ground and up to 60% of the building façade between 25 and 100 feet above ground could contain signage, while signage located greater than 100 feet above ground could occupy no more that 5% of the building façade. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within both Sign District 4 and the Metro District. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. 1Signage of the quantity, height, and sizes permitted, coupled with the types of signs permitted, would be sufficiently out



of character with the Campo de Cahuenga historic site and may result in a disruption to the land use character of this facility. As such, Project signage could result in a significant impact with respect to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site.

(2) Impacts at Southern Boundary

As discussed above, the southern boundary of the Project Site abuts Ventura Boulevard. The Hollywood Freeway separates Site C from Sites D and E. Low- to mid-rise commercial development is located along Cahuenga Boulevard and the south side of Ventura Boulevard, with the Cahuenga Pass single-family residential neighborhood located farther to the south. The Project would be compatible with the Hollywood Freeway in terms of land use, density, and height and would have a less than significant impact with respect to physical land use. Those impacts to the commercial and residential areas south of Cahuenga Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard are discussed below.

(a) Impacts to Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard Areas In the Project vicinity, Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards are developed with land uses that include restaurants, gas stations, car dealerships, retail sales and service outlets, banks, other miscellaneous businesses, a church, El Paseo de Cahuenga Park, and two mixed-use developments currently under construction. These mixed-use developments include the former Hanna-Barbera site at the northeast corner of Universal Studios Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard which will provide office space, a gym, retail, and 148 apartments; and the former Braille Institute site at the northwest corner of Universal Studios Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard which will provide 68 live/work townhome condominiums. Structure heights along this stretch of Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards range up to approximately three stories. The Project could provide additional retail/restaurant, office, media production facility, possible hotel/residential, parking, and other associated land uses along the southern portion of the Project Site, north of the freeway (Site C). With respect to land use consistency, the Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard areas are physically separated from the Project Site by the Hollywood Freeway. Moreover, the portion of the Project Site that is immediately adjacent to Ventura Boulevard (Sites D and E) would continue their current use as surface parking lots during Phase 1 and may be used as parking lots or for construction staging during Phase 2 of the Project. No structures would be constructed on these sites as part of the Project. The Project’s new office or hotel/residential land uses on Site C would represent a change in land use within currently underdeveloped portions of the Project Site. The building heights above grade of the Project would exceed the heights of existing commercial uses along Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards. Nonetheless, much of the southern area of the Project Site is already shielded from Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards by the Hollywood Freeway. Furthermore, due to the physical separation of Site C from development along Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards by both distance (i.e., a minimum of approximately 200 feet) and intervening structures and infrastructure (e.g., the Tower Area (from some locations), the Hollywood Freeway, and surface parking lots on Sites D and E), the Project would not disrupt, divide, or isolate existing neighborhoods or communities in these areas and would be generally compatible with the Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard commercial areas in terms of land use, density, and building height. Therefore, Project development would have a less than significant impact on the Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard areas with respect to physical land use.



With respect to Project signage, the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 25 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that would be visible from the Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards commercial areas. Because of the intervening elevated Hollywood Freeway roadway, it is not expected that signage located below the 25-foot level would be visible from this area. Moreover, some signs located between 25 and 100 feet above grade may only be intermittently visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at a height greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade, while signs located between 25 and 100 feet above ground could be up to 4,000 square feet in area and may occupy up to 60% of the building facade. Due to the proximity of this location to a designated landscaped freeway,4 signage would be limited to on-site signage only, in compliance with the California Outdoor Advertising Act, (California Business & Professions Code Section 5200 et. seq.), consistent with the requirements of Sign District 2 of the Metro Universal SUD. Signage within Sign District 4 would also be visible from this area. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within both Sign Districts 2 and 4. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. Because of the restriction on signage greater than 100 feet above ground, coupled with the distance between the Project Site and this area, animated or moving signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the existing Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards commercial areas and impacts of this signage would be less than significant. Supergraphics could occupy an entire building façade. However, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the existing Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards commercial areas and Project signage would have a less than significant impact on the Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards commercial areas with respect to physical land use.

(b) Impacts to Cahuenga Pass Residential Area The Cahuenga Pass residential area consists of one- and two-story single-family homes at elevations consistent with and extending above the elevation of the Project Site. This residential area is located on the north-facing slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, south of the Cahuenga/Ventura Boulevard commercial areas. Development within the Project Site would be visible from many of the higher elevation homes within this community. Nonetheless, the Project’s introduction of new retail/restaurant, office, media production facility, possible hotel/residential, parking, and other associated land uses would complement existing surrounding neighborhood areas. As discussed previously, portions of the southern area of the Project Site is already shielded from Cahuenga Boulevard by the off-site Tower Area, which includes high-rise towers, at the northeast corner of Lankershim Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway. In addition, the pedestrian bridge that would be constructed over Lankershim Boulevard in Phase 2, in either configuration, would not be discernible from the other development in the area. Due to the physical separation of the Project Site from the Cahuenga Pass residential area by both distance and

4 A designated “landscaped freeway” is a section of freeway with planting that meets the criteria of the Outdoor

Advertising Act regulations. It is used in the control and regulation of Outdoor Advertising Displays. However, for purposes of this analysis, the character of on-site signage is not expected to substantially differ from off-site signage in terms of size and/or aesthetic character. Thus, for analytic purposes, limitation of this Sign District to on-site signage only does not reflect of any substantial difference between on- and off-site signage.



intervening structures and infrastructure (e.g., the Tower Area, the Hollywood Freeway, existing surface parking lots on Sites D and E, and Cahuenga and Ventura Boulevards), the Project would be generally compatible with the Cahuenga Pass residential community in terms of land use, density, and building height and would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the existing Cahuenga Pass community. Therefore, Project development would have a less than significant physical land use impact with respect to the Cahuenga Pass residential area.

With respect to Project signage, Sign Districts 2, 3 and 4 and the Metro District of the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 25 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be visible from the Cahuenga Pass residential area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted above 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. In addition, signs of up to 4,000 square feet in area that could occupy up to 60% of the building face would be permitted between 25 and 100 feet above ground. These signs could be visible from the higher elevation areas within the Cahuenga Pass residential area. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within all Sign Districts that are visible from this area. In addition, supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. Except for supergraphics, restrictions on signage located greater than 100 feet above ground, which include signage up 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade, coupled with the distance between the Project Site and the Cahuenga Pass residential area would limit the effects of this signage on the Cahuenga Pass residential area. In addition, signage located between 25 and 100 feet above ground would be viewed within the context of an urbanized Regional Center with high existing levels of ambient light and would be viewed from a greater distance, which would limit the effects on residences located within the higher elevations of the Cahuenga Pass residential area. As such, Project signage, other than supergraphics, would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Cahuenga Pass residential area and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Cahuenga Pass residential area with respect to physical land use. Although supergraphics could occupy an entire building façade, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Cahuenga Pass residential area, and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Cahuenga Pass residential area with respect to physical land use.

(3) Impacts at Western Boundary

As discussed above, the western boundary of the Project Site is comprised of the Hollywood Freeway and Bluffside Drive. Beyond the freeway is the Studio City community, containing mixed commercial and residential uses in low- to mid-rise (3-5 stories) configurations.

Studio City provides residential and commercial areas west of the Project Site, beyond the Hollywood Freeway, at elevations level with and above the western portions of the Project Site. Within the vicinity of Studio City, the Project would provide retail/restaurant, office, media production facility, possible hotel/residential, parking, and other associated land uses. As discussed previously, building heights along the western portion of the Project Site, would be represented by the parking structures on Sites B and C (up to 7 stories). However, due to the physical separation of the Project Site from the nearest development to the southwest within Studio City by both distance and intervening structures and



infrastructure (e.g., the Hollywood Freeway), the Project would not have a physical land use impact on the Studio City community. Nonetheless, the Project’s introduction of possible new residences, office, media production facility, and retail uses would complement existing surrounding neighborhood areas by providing possible new homes for people who work in the area, and new jobs, shopping, dining, and other attractions for people who already reside in the area, thus reducing the need for travel to other areas of the City. As such, the Project would be generally compatible with Studio City with respect to land use, density, and building height consistency. Project development would not divide, isolate, or disrupt the existing Studio City community; therefore, the Project would have a less than significant impact on Studio City with respect to physical land use.

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on Studio City.

With respect to Project signage, Sign Districts 2, 3 and 4 of the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be visible from the Studio City area. Because of the intervening elevated Hollywood Freeway roadway, it is not expected that signage located below the 100-foot level would be visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign Districts 2 and 4 at this height. In addition, supergraphic signs, which would be permitted within Sign Districts 2, 3, and 4, are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign area regulations. Because of the intervening elevated freeway and restrictions on signage greater than 100 feet in height, coupled with the distance between the Project Site and this area, Project signage, other than supergraphics, would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Studio City area and Project signage would have a less than significant impact on the Studio City area with respect to physical land use. Although supergraphics could occupy an entire building façade, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Studio City area, and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Studio City area with respect to physical land use.

(4) Impacts at Northern Boundary

The northern boundary of the Project Site, as discussed above, is comprised of Weddington Park (South). The Island neighborhood and Weddington Park (North) are located to the north beyond Weddington Park (South), while the North Hollywood, Valley Village, Toluca Lake, and Toluca Estates areas are located further to the north and northwest of the Project Site.

(a) Impacts to Weddington Park (South) To the immediate north and west of the Project Site is Weddington Park (South), a recreation facility operated and maintained by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Weddington Park is divided into two parts. Weddington Park (North) is located north of the Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel (LARFCC), whereas Weddington Park (South) is located between the Project Site and the Island neighborhood.



As discussed above, in the vicinity of Weddington Park (South), the Project could provide additional office and media production facility land uses. The Project would provide building massing substantially greater than exists within Weddington Park (South). The Project would represent a continuation of existing uses in the immediate area, with building heights similar to those along the east side of Lankershim Boulevard (e.g., the existing five-story, 53-foot Technicolor building, 15-story, 185-foot Lew R. Wasserman building, and the 8-story, 103-foot Carl Laemmle building). Hotel and office towers are also located in the general vicinity of Weddington Park (South), at the northeast corner of the Hollywood Freeway and Lankershim Boulevard, ranging from 20 to 36 stories (i.e., 188 to 506 feet in height). In addition, the Project Site and Weddington Park (South) would continue to be separated by Bluffside Drive. Nonetheless, the Project would place much taller and denser new structures closer to Weddington Park (South), which could potentially disrupt activities within the park. Therefore, the Project is conservatively considered to have a significant impact on Weddington Park (South) with respect to physical land use.

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on Weddington Park (South).

Potential Land Exchange. As part of the Project, a potential land exchange could take place that would increase the land area within Weddington Park (South) and reconfigure parking and open space within the existing park, while allowing for an increased footprint for the Site B parking garage that would facilitate circulation and storage of buses within the Metro Bus Transit Plaza. The potential land exchange would consist of the following elements: The potential land exchange consists of the following elements:

(1) Metro would acquire by eminent domain 13,450 square feet of Recreation and Parks’ property that would become part of the Project Site, and in consideration, Metro would convey 18,180 square feet of the Project Site to the Department of Recreation and Parks;

(2) Bluffside Drive west of the cul-de-sac (the park access road) would be realigned to follow the new park property line;

(3) The existing surface parking lot located next to the baseball field would be relocated to a portion of the land transferred to the Department of Recreation and Parks that is adjacent to Project Site; and

(4) The site of the existing surface parking lot would be converted to open space and/or additional athletic facilities as determined by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The land exchange would increase the land area of Weddington Park (South) by approximately 4,730 square feet. The land exchange would need to be approved by the City of Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners and the Metro Board. The land swap and improvements would not disrupt, divide or isolate the park in that it would increase the amount of overall and usable park area. Therefore, impacts of the potential land exchange with respect to physical land use would be less than significant.



With respect to Project signage, the Metro Universal SUD establishes the most restrictive signage district (District 1) on the building facades facing the communities to the north and northwest of Sites A and B. Within this area, signage would be limited to wayfinding and LAMC-required signage only. Sign District 3 would be located on a portion of the northern and western façades of the Site B parking garage, the western façade of the retail/restaurant area and the western façade of the Site A office building. The purpose of this signage would be primarily to provide a connection between the retail uses and the surrounding neighborhood by identifying retail uses that would be oriented toward serving the surrounding community. Signage in Districts 1 and 3 would be generally limited to tenant identification and wall signs (including building identification signs over 100 feet), way-finding and LAMC-required signage (although Sign District 3 also permits supergraphic signs that are discussed below). Animated and moving signage is permitted in Sign District 3 only at Sign Level 1 (0 to 25 feet above ground level). However, because of existing vegetation within Weddington Park (South), only intermittent views of this lower level signage are available. Because of these restrictions on signage facing Weddington Park (South) and the limitations on views of the lower level signage, this aspect of Project signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate Weddington Park (South) and impacts related to physical land use would be less than significant.

Sign District 4 of the Metro Universal SUD would also permit signage on the north facing facades of the office building on Site A and the parking structure and high-rise buildings located on Site C. In addition, Sign District 3 would permit supergraphic signs on the western façade of the office building on Site A. Other than supergraphics, signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. In addition, other than supergraphics, signs of up to 4,000 square feet in area that could occupy up to 60% of the building face would be permitted between 25 and 100 feet above ground. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within all Sign Levels within Sign District 4. Animated and moving signage would not be permitted within Sign Levels 2 and 3 within Sign District 3. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. As noted, views from parts of Weddington Park (South) are intermittent, as existing vegetation provides screening from some locations. To the extent animated or moving signs within Sign District 4would be visible from Weddington Park (South), they could potentially disrupt Weddington Park (South) and impacts related to physical land use would be significant. In addition, display of supergraphics that could occupy an entire building façade within Sign Districts 3 and 4 would have the potential to disrupt Weddington Park (South) and this signage would have a significant impact on Weddington Park (South) with respect to physical land use.

(b) Impacts to the Island Neighborhood and City View Lofts City View Lofts, a new four-story multi-family residential development above parking, is located along the west side of Lankershim Boulevard between Valleyheart Drive and the LARFCC. To the west of this development is the Island neighborhood. Project building heights would correspond with building heights currently found along Lankershim Boulevard. As such, the Project would continue existing uses with building heights similar to those in the area which is built out with mid-rise to high-rise office and studio structures along the east side of Lankershim Boulevard (e.g., the existing five-story, 53-foot Technicolor buildings and 8-story, 103-foot Carl Laemmle building). Off-site hotel and office towers are



also located in the general vicinity, at the northeast corner of the Hollywood Freeway and Lankershim Boulevard, ranging from 20 to 36 stories (i.e., 188 to 506 feet in height). No setbacks would be required or proposed along the Project Site’s northern boundary. The Project would bring buildings closer to the Island neighborhood. Currently, the distance from a the office building on Site A to the nearest Island neighborhood residence property line is approximately 522 feet; the distance from Project Site property line to the nearest Island neighborhood residence is approximately 306 feet. City View Lofts are separated from the nearest Project Site boundary by Valleyheart Drive. However, under the Project, the five-story media production facility building would be of similar massing to the four-story City View Lofts buildings. Due to the physical separation of the Project Site from the residential properties to the north by Weddington Park (South), and, specifically, the separation of the lower-density Island neighborhood and City View Lofts from the Project Site by Valleyheart Drive and Bluffside Drive, and trees within Weddington Park (South), the Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt the Island neighborhood or City View Lofts. Therefore, the Project would have a less than significant physical land use impact with respect to the Island neighborhood and City View Lofts

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on City View Lofts or the Island neighborhood.

Sign Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 would be visible from the Island neighborhood. Signage in Districts 1 and 3 would be generally limited to tenant identification and wall signs (including building identification signs over 100 feet), way-finding and LAMC-required signage (although Sign District 3 also permits supergraphic signs that are discussed below). Animated and moving signage is permitted in Sign District 3 only at Sign Level 1 (0 to 25 feet above ground level). However, because of existing vegetation within Weddington Park (South), only intermittent views of this lower level signage are available. Because of these restrictions on signage facing the Island neighborhood and the limitations on views of the lower level signage from existing vegetation, this aspect of Project signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Island neighborhood and impacts related to physical land use would be less than significant.

During Phase 1, signage on the north-facing frontage of the Site A office building, within Sign District 4, would be potentially visible from the eastern portion of the Island neighborhood. In addition, during Phase 2, Sign Districts 2 and 4 would also permit signage on the north and west facing facades of the parking structure and high-rise building located on Site C that could be visible within the Island neighborhood. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. In addition, other than supergraphics, signs of up to 4,000 square feet in area that could occupy up to 60% of the building face would be permitted between 25 and 100 feet above ground. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign Districts 2 and 4 that would not be limited in the hours during which illumination, animation, and or movement could be displayed. To the extent that animated or moving signs would be visible from locations within the Island neighborhood, they could potentially disrupt the Island neighborhood and impacts related to physical land use from animated or moving signs in Sign Districts 2 and 4 would be significant on the Island neighborhood.



Supergraphic signs would be permitted within Sign Districts 2, 3 and 4 and are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. Display of supergraphics that could occupy an entire building façade would have the potential to disrupt the Island neighborhood and this signage would have a significant impact on the Island neighborhood with respect to physical land use. Sign Districts 1, 3 and 4 would be visible from City View Lofts. Signage in Districts 1 and 3 would be generally limited to tenant identification and wall signs (including building identification signs over 100 feet), way-finding and LAMC-required signage (although Sign District 3 also permits supergraphic signs that are discussed below). Animated and moving signage is permitted in Sign District 3 only at Sign Level 1 (0 to 25 feet above ground level). However, because of existing vegetation within Weddington Park (South), only intermittent views of this lower level signage are available from City View Lofts. Restrictions on signage within Sign Districts 1 and 3 of the Metro Universal SUD, coupled with limited visibility of these signs, would limit potential effects related to signage on City View Lofts and impacts of lower level project signage within Sign Districts 1 and 3 related to physical land use would be less than significant on City View Lofts.

During Phase 1, signage on the north-facing frontage of the Site A office building, within Sign District 4, and the west-facing frontage within Sign District 3, would be visible from City View Lofts. During Phase 2, views to Site C would be blocked by Phase 1 development and therefore Phase 2 signage would not be visible from City View Lofts. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. In addition, other than supergraphics, signs of up to 4,000 square feet in area that could occupy up to 60% of the building face would be permitted between 25 and 100 feet above ground. Animated and moving signage would not be permitted within Sign District 3 at Sign Levels 2 and 3. No impact related to animated or moving signage within District 3 would occur at City View Lofts. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign District 4. Animated or moving signage within Sign District 4 could potentially disrupt City View Lofts and impacts related to physical land use would be significant.

Supergraphic signs would be permitted within Sign Districts 3 and 4 are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. Display of supergraphics that could occupy an entire building façade would have the potential to disrupt City View Lofts and this signage would have a significant impact on City View Lofts with respect to physical land use.

(c) Impacts to the North Hollywood and Valley Village Residential and Commercial Areas

The North Hollywood and Valley Village areas, are located to the north and northwest of the Project Site. The Project’s introduction of a new office building, media production facility, and retail/restaurant uses and possible hotel/residential uses would complement existing surrounding neighborhoods. Due to the physical separation of the Project Site from the nearest development within the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas by both distance and intervening structures and infrastructure (e.g., the LARFCC, the Hollywood Freeway, Lankershim Boulevard, and the Toluca Lake community), the Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas, and impacts related to physical land use would be less than significant with respect to these areas.



Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas.

Sign Districts 1, 3, and 4 would be visible from the North Hollywood residential and commercial areas. With respect to Project signage, the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be visible from the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign District 4. Because of the distance from the Project Site, it is not expected that signage located below the 100-foot level would be visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. Because of the restrictions on signage at heights greater than 100 feet, coupled with the distance between the Project Site and these areas, animated or moving signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas with respect to physical land use. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. These signs would be permitted within Sign Districts 3 and 4 and would be visible from the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas. Although supergraphics could occupy an entire building façade, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide or isolate the North Hollywood and Valley Village areas and this signage would have a less than significant impact on these communities with respect to physical land use.

(d) Impacts to Los Angeles River Flood Control Channel North of the Project Site is the LARFCC, which is concrete-lined and approximately 130 feet in width. The northern boundary of the Project Site would contain new buildings with heights ranging from approximately 114 to 382 feet, which, as discussed previously, are consistent with existing building heights in this area. The Project may provide building massing substantially greater than the LARFCC, as it does not currently provide, nor would it in the future provide, occupiable structures. New development would provide a continuation of the existing on-site urban landscape along the LARFCC. Therefore, the Project would be generally compatible with the LARFCC with respect to physical land use, density, and building height. The Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt the existing LARFCC; therefore, the Project would have a less than significant impact on the LARFCC with respect to physical land use.

Project signage would not be perceptible within the LARFCC, which does not currently provide, nor would it in the future provide occupiable structures. No physical land use impacts would be associated with Project signage at this location.

(e) Impacts to Lakeside Golf Club East of the Project Site and north of and adjacent to the LARFCC is the Lakeside Golf Club, a private facility primarily consisting of an 18-hole regulation golf course and related recreational facilities (i.e., clubhouse, tennis courts and swimming pool). The northern boundary of the Project Site, which is the



portion of the Site that would be partially visible from the Lakeside Golf Club, would contain new buildings with heights ranging from approximately 114 to 382 feet, which, as discussed previously, are consistent with existing commercial building heights in this area. Although the Project may provide building massing substantially greater than that of the clubhouse and other accessory structures within the Lakeside Golf Club, future development along most of the northern Project Site boundary would be similar to land uses (studio and office) and building heights that currently exist along the majority of the southern boundary of the Lakeside Golf Club. Furthermore, the LARFCC and Lankershim Boulevard would continue to serve to physically separate the Project Site from the Lakeside Golf Club such that, similar to existing conditions, land uses and activities within the northern portion of the Project Site under the Project would not have a physical land use connection with the golf club. Therefore, the Project would be generally compatible with the Lakeside Golf Club with respect to land use, density, and building height. The Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt the existing Lakeside Golf Club; therefore, the Project would have a less than significant impact on the Lakeside Golf Club with respect to physical land use.

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures and landscaping, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on Lakeside Golf Club.

With respect to Project signage, Sign District 4 of the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground on the north and northeast faces of high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be visible from the Lakeside Golf Club. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign District 4. Because of the distance from the Project Site and intervening landscaping, it is not expected that signage located below the 100-foot level would be visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. Because of these restrictions, coupled with the distance between the Project Site and this area, animated or moving signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Lakeside Golf Club and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Lakeside Golf Club with respect to physical land use. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. These signs would be permitted within Sign District 4 and would be visible from the Lakeside Golf Club. However, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide or isolate the Lakeside Golf Club and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Lakeside Golf Club with respect to physical land use.

(f) Impacts to Toluca Estates Residential Area The Toluca Estates single-family residential area is located northeast of the Project Site within the Toluca Lake community, a portion of which is directly bordered to the south by the LARFCC (i.e., approximately five homes) northeast of the Project Site. The Project would provide additional office and media production facility uses and would contain new buildings with heights ranging from approximately 114 to 382 feet, which, as discussed previously, are consistent with existing commercial building heights in this area. Although the Project may provide building massing greater than that of the homes within Toluca Estates, the LARFCC, the commercial uses along Lankershim Boulevard, and the Universal



Studios property would continue to physically separate the Project from the southernmost homes in this residential area. As such, the Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt this community and would have a less than significant physical land use impact with respect to the Toluca Estates residential area.

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures and landscaping, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on Toluca Estates.

With respect to Project signage, Sign District 4 of the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be intermittently visible from the Toluca Estates area. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign District 4. Because of the distance from the Project Site (approximately 1,000 feet) and intervening development and landscaping, it is not expected that signage located below the 100-foot level would be visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. Signage on Site A and C buildings could be intermittently visible from Toluca Estates. High-rise signage on Site C would be partially or wholly obscured from view within Toluca Estates by the high-rise development that would occur on Site A. However, due to the distance between the Project Site and this area and the buffering effects of intervening development and landscaping, animated or moving signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Toluca Estates area, and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Toluca Estates area with respect to physical land use. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. These signs would be permitted within Sign District 4 and would be intermittently visible from Toluca Estates. However, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide or isolate Toluca Estates and this signage would have a less than significant impact on Toluca Estates with respect to physical land use.

(g) Impacts to Toluca Lake Residential Area As discussed above, the Project would provide additional office and media production facility uses with building heights similar to those currently existing in the Project area. Although the Project may provide building massing greater than that of the homes within Toluca Lake residential area, the LARFCC, and the commercial uses along Lankershim Boulevard, and the Universal Studios property would physically separate the Project from the residential area. As such, land uses and activities within the northern portion of the Project Site under the Project would not have a substantial physical land use connection with the residential uses within the Toluca Lake residential area. Therefore, the Project would not divide, isolate, or disrupt this community and would have a less than significant impact with on the Toluca Lake residential area with respect to physical land use.

Due to the physical separation of the pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Boulevard by both distance and intervening structures, the pedestrian bridge would not have a physical land use impact on the Toluca Lake residential area.



With respect to Project signage, Sign District 4 of the Metro Universal SUD would permit signage at a height of greater than 100 feet above ground on the high-rise buildings on Sites A and C that could be intermittently visible from the Toluca Lake area. Animated and moving signage would be permitted within Sign District 4. Because of the distance from the Project Site and intervening landscaping and development, it is not expected that signage located below the 100-foot level would be visible from this area. Other than supergraphics, signs that would be permitted at heights greater than 100 feet above ground could be up to 2,000 square feet in area and could occupy no more than 5% of the building façade. This signage would only be intermittently visible from the Toluca Lake area because of the restrictions on signage 100 feet aboveground, the distance between the Project Site and this area (approximately one-half mile), and the buffering effects of intervening landscaping and development. In addition, high-rise signage on Site C could be partially or wholly obscured from view within Toluca Lake by the high-rise development that would occur on Site A. As such, animated or moving signage would not disrupt, divide, or isolate the Toluca Lake area, and this signage would have a less than significant impact on the Toluca Lake area with respect to physical land use. Supergraphic signs are not subject to maximum permitted sign area or maximum individual permitted sign regulations. These signs would be permitted within Sign District 4 and would be intermittently visible from the Toluca Lake area. However, because of the distance between the Project Site and this area, supergraphic signs would not disrupt, divide or isolate the Toluca Lake area and this signage would have a less than significant impact with respect to physical land use.

3. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Cumulative physical land use impacts could occur if the Project and one or more of the related projects identified in Section III.B (Related Projects) causes a physical land use impact on one of the uses that surrounds the Project Site (i.e., the affected area would be impacted by both the Project and a related project).

Development of the Project in combination with the related projects would result in an intensification of existing prevailing land uses in the Project vicinity. Of particular note, Related Project No. 65 would be located in the immediate Project vicinity.

Related Project No. 65, the Universal Studios Vision Plan project, is located east of the Project Site across Lankershim Boulevard. The Universal Studios Vision Plan would involve the net increase of approximately 1.56 million square feet of new commercial development plus 500 hotel rooms and related facilities and 2,937 residential units. The Universal Studios property is currently developed with studio offices and production facilities for movie, television, and commercial production. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk are comprised of entertainment retail venues, including Universal City Cinemas, Gibson Amphitheater, retail, restaurant, and other entertainment opportunities and the offices and related structures fronting Lankershim Boulevard. The development of the 2,937 residential units, approximately 115,000 square feet of neighborhood retail and community-serving commercial uses, and 65,000 square feet of community-serving facilities would occur within the existing backlot area of the Universal Studios property.



The Universal Studios Vision Plan would be developed in a number of phases. It is anticipated that construction of the Universal Studios Vision Plan would conclude by 2030. Therefore, the Universal Studios Vision Plan project would result in an intensification of commercial office, studio, and retail land uses in close proximity to the Project. While the Universal Studios Vision Plan project could combine with the Project to intensify certain types of commercial land uses in the area, these land uses would be consistent with and complement existing land uses in the immediate vicinity (i.e., commercial studio and office uses existing within Universal City, the Sheraton Universal Hotel and Universal City Hilton Hotel, restaurant and retail land uses along Ventura and Cahuenga Boulevards, and nearby multi-family residential communities). Together, the Project and the Universal Studios Vision Plan would work together to reinforce the physical appearance and structure of Universal City as a Regional Center and urban development node. In addition, both the Project and the Universal Studios Vision Plan project would be consistent with many policies discussed in Section IV.A.1 (Land Use Plans/Zones), which concentration of development activity around public transit hubs. As a result, the intensification of land uses around a transit stop is a desirable rather than undesirable land use pattern.

The Project, in conjunction with the Universal Studios Vision Plan project, would generally not have the potential to cause cumulative physical land use impacts because the two projects generally do not share common edges, with the exception of Lankershim Boulevard. As such, the physical land use impacts of the two projects would be limited to those caused by each project separately and the impacts of one project would generally be isolated from the other. Because of physical configuration and distance considerations, the Project and the Universal Studios Vision Plan would not result in cumulative physical land use impacts with respect to the northern, southern, and western edges of the Project Site. The only common edge shared by the two projects would be Lankershim Boulevard, which constitutes the eastern edge of the Project Site and the western edge of the Universal Studios Vision Plan. Along this edge, both projects would incorporate new buildings of greater height and mass than existing uses. For the most part, this pattern would be consistent with the existing development pattern along Lankershim Boulevard, consisting of building heights ranging from approximately 80 feet to approximately 500 feet in height. The one exception would be the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. As noted above, the Project would result in a significant physical land use impact on the Campo de Cahuenga historic site due to increased building height and activity on and in the immediate vicinity of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. Because of the separation of the Vision Plan site from the Campo de Cahuenga historic site by the approximately 100-foot wide Lankershim Boulevard roadway and since the Vision Plan would not directly contribute to increased activity levels within the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, the Project and the Vision Plan would not result in a significant cumulative physical land use impact on the Campo de Cahuenga historic site.

With regard to the other related projects, it should be noted that all of the related projects are subject to zoning and land use designations for the applicable City or County jurisdiction for each of the related projects’ sites. This excludes the Universal Studios Vision Plan, which if approved, would be in compliance with new zoning designations and Specific Plans. These requirements would regulate future land uses and provide development standards for such land uses that would preclude potential land use compatibility impacts. Therefore, the Project would not combine with the related projects to create a



significant cumulative impact with respect to land use, density, or building height compatibility and cumulative physical land use impacts would be less than significant.

With respect to signage, Project signage coupled with signage associated with the Universal Studios Vision Plan would combine to produce a concentration of signage along the Lankershim Boulevard edge of both projects. This signage would serve to reinforce the perception of this area as a vibrant, high-density urban development node, which would not cause impacts related to physical land use on surrounding uses, with the exception of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. Since both projects include signage that could potentially affect this site, this EIR conservatively concludes that cumulative physical land use impacts related to signage would be significant at this location. Because signage from the Universal Studios Vision Plan would be physically separated from the Island neighborhood, City View Lofts and Weddington Park (South) by the Project Site, Lankershim Boulevard or both, this signage would not contribute to a significant cumulative physical land use impact at these locations.

4. MITIGATION MEASURES

The Project would result in significant physical land use impacts at three locations: (1) the Campo de Cahuenga historic site; (2) Weddington Park (South); and (3) the Island neighborhood and City View Lofts. The following mitigation measures shall be implemented at these locations.

A2-1 The Project Applicant shall work with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, in consultation with the City Office of Historic Resources, to minimize disruption on the operation of the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. Measures shall be developed that fully protect the historic components of the site, including the archaeological site, portions of the perimeter wall, the one-story visitor’s center building, and existing landscape features, from damage and disruption to the character-defining features of those components. Such measures shall include screening, landscaping and design elements to route pedestrian traffic around sensitive areas. Such measures shall also include on-site security presence to ensure that artifacts are protected from damage or theft. A pedestrian circulation plan and security plan shall be developed and approved by the Department of Recreation and Parks, in consultation with the Office of Historic Resources, prior to the issuance of building permits for building construction on Sites A and B of the Project Site.

A2-2 The Project Applicant shall install a landscaping buffer along the western edge of Bluffside Drive between Valleyheart Drive and the southern edge of Site B consisting of trees and bushes of sufficient height to provide additional visual buffering of the areas of Weddington Park (South) from the buildings located on Sites A and B. A detailed landscaping plan shall be developed by the Project Applicant and approved by the Department of City Planning in conformance with the conceptual landscape plan prior to the issuance of building permits for building construction on Sites A and B of the Project Site.

5. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION

Implementation of the mitigation measures identified above would work to minimize disruption at the Campo de Cahuenga historic site, the Island neighborhood, City View Lofts, and Weddington Park



(South) locations. With implementation of Mitigation Measure A2-1 identified above, safety and security impacts associated with increased activity at the Campo de Cahuenga historic site would be addressed and physical land use impacts associated with increased activity would be reduced to less than significant. No feasible mitigation measures are available to reduce impacts associated with increased building height, mass, and density or signage adjacent to the Campo de Cahuenga historic site and physical land use impacts associated with increased building height, mass, density and signage would be significant and unavoidable at the Campo de Cahuenga historic site. However, this EIR includes alternatives with reduced height and/or massing, as well as alternatives with no or reduced signage. While Mitigation Measure A2-2 identified above would reduce impacts related to building height, mass, and density on Weddington Park (South), these impacts would remain significant and unavoidable after mitigation. Impacts related to animated or moving signage or supergraphics on Weddington Park (South), the Island neighborhood and City View Lofts would be significant and unavoidable. No feasible mitigation measures are available to reduce impacts to these areas from animated or moving signage or from supergraphics. Alternative designs to address physical land use impacts are addressed in Section VI (Alternatives) of this EIR.

iv.a.2. land use physical (metro) - la city planning · 2008. 10. 14. · city of los angeles...

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