City Planning Commission

Información en Español acerca de esta junta puede ser obtenida Ilamando al (213) 978-1300 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014, after 8:30 a.m. CITY HALL - PUBLIC WORKS BOARD ROOM 350 200 N. SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 Renee Dake Wilson, AIA, President Michael J. LoGrande, Director Dana Perlman, Vice President Alan Bell, AICP, Deputy Director Robert L. Ahn, Commissioner Lisa M. Webber, AICP, Deputy Director David H. Ambroz, Commissioner Vacant, Deputy Director Maria Cabildo, Commissioner Caroline Choe, Commissioner Richard Katz, Commissioner John W. Mack, Commissioner Marta Segura, Commissioner James K. Williams, Commission Executive Assistant II POLICY FOR DESIGNATED PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS No(s) 4, 5 and 9. Pursuant to the Commission=s general operating procedures, the Commission at times must necessarily limit the speaking times of those presenting testimony on either side of an issue that is designated as a public hearing item. In all instances, however, equal time is allowed for presentation of pros and cons of matters to be acted upon. All requests to address the Commission on public hearing items must be submitted prior to the Commission=s consideration of the item. EVERY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION MUST COMPLETE A SPEAKER=S REQUEST FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE COMMISSION STAFF. Day of hearing submissions may not be more than two (2) written pages, including exhibits. Photographs do not count toward the page limitation. Twenty (20) copies of the submission must be given to the Commission Executive Assistant prior to the start of the hearing who will distribute them to the City Planning Commission. Non-complying materials will NOT be distributed to the Commission. The Commission has adopted rules regarding written submissions to ensure that it has reasonable and appropriate opportunity to review your materials. These rules may be found under “Forms and Instructions” on the Planning Department’s website www.planning.lacity.org . The Commission may ADJOURN FOR LUNCH at approximately 12:00 Noon. Any cases not acted upon during the morning session will be considered after lunch. TIME SEGMENTS noted * herein are approximate. Some items may be delayed due to length of discussion of previous items. The Commission may RECONSIDER and alter its action taken on items listed herein at any time during this meeting or during the next regular meeting, in accordance with the Commission Policies and Procedures and provided that the Commission retains jurisdiction over the case. In the case of a Commission meeting cancellation, all items shall be continued to the next regular meeting date or beyond, as long as the continuance is within the legal time limits of the case or cases. Sign language, interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or other services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request no later than three working days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by calling the Commission Executive Assistant at (213) 978-1300 or by e-mail at CPC@lacity.org. If you challenge these agenda items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing agenized here, or in written correspondence on these matters delivered to this agency at or prior to the public hearing. If you seek judicial review of any decision of the City pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.5, the petition for writ of mandate pursuant to that section must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which the City's decision became final pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6. There may be other time limits which also affect your ability to seek judicial review. AGENDAS are posted for public review in the Main Street lobby of City Hall East, 200 No. Main Street, Los Angeles, California, and are accessible through the Internet at www.planning.lacity.org. Click the Meetings and Hearings@ link. Commission meetings may be heard on Council Phone by dialing (213) 621-2489 or (818) 904-9450. GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS: CEQA - Calif. Environmental Quality Act ND - Negative Declaration EIR - Environmental Impact Report MND - Mitigated Negative Declaration CE - Categorical Exemption 1. DIRECTOR’S REPORT A. Update on City Planning Commission Status Reports and Active Assignments 1. Ongoing Status Reports: ReCode: LA 2. City Council/PLUM Calendar and Actions 3. List of Pending Legislation (Ordinance Update) B. Legal actions and rulings update C. Other items of interest 2. COMMISSION BUSINESS A. Advance Calendar B. Commission Request C. Minutes of Meeting – February 27, 2014 3. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The Commission shall provide an opportunity in open meetings for the public to address it, for a cumulative total of up to thirty (30) minutes, on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. (This requirement is in addition to any other hearing required or imposed by law.) PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK MUST SUBMIT A SPEAKER=S REQUEST FORM. ALL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC THAT ARE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. Individual testimony within the public comment period shall be limited as follows: (a) For non-agendized matters, up to five (5) minutes per person and up to ten (10) minutes per subject. (b) For agendized matters, up to three (3) minutes per person and up to ten (10) minutes per subject. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THESE ITEMS WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS EACH ITEM IS CALLED FOR CONSIDERATION. The Chair of the Commission may allocate the number of speakers per subject, the time allotted each subject, and the time allotted each speaker. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 2 MARCH 13, 2014 4. DIR-2012-1112-DB-1A Council District: 11 – Bonin CEQA: ENV-2012-1111-MND-REC1 Expiration Date: 3-13-14 Ext. Plan Area: Brentwood-Pacific Palisades Appeal Status: Not further Related Case: VTT-71898-CN-1A appealable PUBLIC HEARING - Continued from February 13, 2014 Location: 11965 - 11979 W. MONTANA AVENUE (legally described as lots 14 and 15 Block 21 of the San Vicente Park Tract) Proposed Project: The proposed demolition of two (2) existing, two (2)-story apartment buildings with a combined total of 32 dwelling units, and the construction of a six (6)-story, 49-unit condominium building including two levels of parking (street level and subterranean garage) with 105 parking spaces on a 29,453 square- foot property. In exchange for reserving four (4) of the 36 by-right dwelling units for Very Low Income households for a period of 30 years, the Director of Planning granted the project the following two incentives: a 35 percent increase of the maximum permitted floor area ratio (FAR) from required 3:1 to 4.05:1 as defined by Section 12.21.1 A. of the LAMC, and a 22 percent increase thereby allowing a 56 foot in the height building envelope at its highest point, and a 68 foot maximum height to accommodate the sloping terrain of the project site, as permitted pursuant to Section 12.21.1 B. 2 in lieu of the normally permitted 45 feet. Requested Actions: Appeal of the Director of Planning’s Determination approving the two Density Bonus incentives. Applicant: Montana Bundy, LLC Appellant: Regent Properties, LLC Rep.: Daniel Gryczman Recommended Actions: 1. Deny the appeal. 2. Sustain the Determination of the Director of Planning in approving the two Density Bonus incentives granted to the applicant in exchange for reserving four (4) of the units for Very Low Income households for a period of 30 years. 3. Adopt the revised Findings for the Density Bonus request. 4. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration, ENV-2013-1111-MND-REC1, and find that it adequately serves as the environmental clearance for the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and Section 21082.1(C)(3) of the California Public Resources Code. Staff: Greg Shoop (213) 978-1243 5. VTT-71898-CN-1A Council District: 11 – Bonin CEQA: ENV-2012-1111-MND-REC1 Expiration Date: 3-13-14 Ext. Plan Area: Brentwood-Pacific Palisades Appeal Status: Further appealable Related Case: DIR-2012-1112-DB-1A to City Council PUBLIC HEARING - Continued from February 13, 2014 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 3 MARCH 13, 2014  Location: 11965 - 11979 W. MONTANA AVENUE (legally described as lots 14 and 15 Block 21 of the San Vicente Park Tract) Proposed Project: The proposed demolition of two (2) existing, two (2)-story apartment buildings with a combined total of 32 dwelling units, and the construction of a six (6)-story, 49-unit condominium building including two levels of parking (street level and subterranean garage) with 105 parking spaces on a 29,453 square- foot property. Proposed Vesting Tentative Tract Map VTT-71898-CN to allow a maximum 49-unit new condominium development with 105 onsite parking in the R3-1 Zone was approved by the Advisory Agency. Requested Actions: Appeal of the entire action of the Advisory Agency’s Letter of Determination approving Vesting Tentative Tract 71898-CN thereby creating a 49 unit air space condominium development. In addition, the appellants are appealing the issuance of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the entitlements. Applicant: Montana Bundy, LLC Appellant #1: Regent Properties, LLC Rep.: Daniel Gryczman Appellant #2: Mark Lifrieri Recommended Actions: 1. Deny the appeals. 2. Sustain the action of the Deputy Advisory Agency in approving Vesting Tentative Tract 71898-CN. 3. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration No. ENV-2012-1111-MND-REC1 and find that it adequately serves as the environmental clearance for the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and Section 21082.1(C)(3) of the California Public Resources Code. Staff: Jon Foreman (213) 978-1348 6. CPC-2009-542-GPA-ZC-HD-ZV-ZAA-SPR Council District: 15 – Buscaino CEQA: ENV-2009-339-EIR SCH No. 200851066 Expiration Date: 4-21-14 Plan Area: Harbor Gateway Appeal Status: Appealable to City Council; ZC appealable by applicant only, if denied in whole or in part PUBLIC HEARING – Completed on November 18, 2013 Location: 1311 W. SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD (legally described as Lots 2 and 3 of Tract 65665) Proposed Project: The proposed project involves the construction of two (2) six (6) story 65 foot in height multiple family buildings containing 352 residential rental units with 704 residential parking spaces and 89 guest parking spaces on two vacant lots. Requested Actions: 1. Pursuant to Section 21082.1 (c)(3) of the California Public Resources Code, certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) ENV-2009-339-EIR SCH No. 200851066 Environmental Impact Report for the above referenced project. Adopt the proposed mitigation monitoring program and find that the EIR reflects the independent judgment of the lead agency. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 4 MARCH 13, 2014  2. Pursuant to Section 11.5.6 of the Municipal Code, a General Plan Amendment to the Harbor Gateway Community Plan from Heavy Industrial Land Use to Neighborhood Commercial Land Use on lots 2 and 3 of Tract 65665. 3. Pursuant to Section 11.5.6 of the Municipal Code, a General Plan Amendment to the Harbor Gateway Community Plan from Heavy Industrial Land Use to Neighborhood Commercial Land Use for the “added areas” consisting of lots 4 and 5 of Tract 65665. 4. Pursuant to Section 12.32 of the Municipal Code, a Zone and Height District Change from the M3- 1VL (Heavy Industrial) Zone) to the C2-1L (Commercial) Zone on lots 2 and 3 of Tract 65665. 5. Pursuant to Section 12.32 of the Municipal Code, a Zone Change from the M3-1VL (Heavy Industrial) Zone to the C2-1VL (Commercial) Zone for the added areas consisting of lots 4 and 5 of Tract 65665. 6. Pursuant to Section 12.27 of the Municipal Code, a Zone Variance to allow a 2:1 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) instead of the 1.5:1 FAR permitted in the 1L Height District. 7. Pursuant to Section 12.28 of the Municipal Code, a Zoning Administrator Adjustment to allow balconies to project into the side yard 2.5 feet instead of the 1 foot permitted by Section 12.22 C 20. 8. Pursuant to Section 16.05 of the Municipal Code, a Site Plan Review for a project which creates more than 50 net new dwelling units. Applicant: Nancy Bush, A&M Properties Rep.: Darryl Fisher, Fisher Associates, Inc. Recommended Actions: 1. Do not certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) ENV-2009-339-EIR SCH No. 200851066 Environmental Impact Report for the above referenced project. Do not adopt the proposed mitigation monitoring program and do not find that the EIR reflects the independent judgment of the lead agency. 2. Disapprove a General Plan Amendment to the Harbor Gateway Community Plan from Heavy Industrial Land Use to Neighborhood Commercial Land Use on lots 2 and 3 of Tract 65665. 3. Disapprove a General Plan Amendment to the Harbor Gateway Community Plan from Heavy Industrial Land Use to Neighborhood Commercial Land Use for the added areas consisting of lots 4 and 5 of Tract 65665. 4. Disapprove a Zone and Height District Change from the M3-1VL (Heavy Industrial) Zone to the C2- 1L (Commercial) Zone on lots 2 and 3 of Tract 65665. 5. Disapprove a Zone Change from the M3-1VL (Heavy Industrial) Zone to the C2-1VL (Commercial) Zone for the added areas consisting of lots 4 and 5 of Tract 65665. 6. Disapprove a Zone Variance to allow a 2:1 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) instead of the 1.5:1 FAR permitted in the 1L Height District. 7. Disapprove a Zoning Administrator Adjustment to allow balconies to project into the side yard 2.5 feet instead of the 1 foot permitted by Section 12.22 C 20. 8. Disapprove a Site Plan Review for a project which creates more than 50 net new dwelling units. Staff: Greg Shoop (213) 978-1243 7. CPC-2013-1442-ZC-CU-SPR Council District: 4 – LaBonge CEQA: ENV-2013-1441-MND Expiration Date: 3-31-14 Plan Area: Wilshire Appeal Status: Appealable to City Council; ZC appealable by applicant only, if denied in whole or in part CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 5 MARCH 13, 2014  PUBLIC HEARING – Completed on January 31, 2014 Location: 5100 W. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, legally described as Tract: TR 4810, Lots: 23, 24, 25, 26, Tract 5690 lots 101, 102; Tract 4642 lots 226, 227, and 228 Proposed Project: The proposed project includes demolition of an existing 23,000-square foot church and 3,600 square foot drive-through fast-food restaurant to construct a six-story, mixed use building with 138 multi-family residential units and approximately 12,550 square feet of ground floor commercial area. The building is proposed for 85 feet in height. Parking includes 324 spaces (80 retail spaces, 199 residential spaces, and 45 additional spaces). The commercial stalls are provided on the ground level within the building and in the adjacent surface parking lot. The residential stalls are provided in 2 subterranean parking levels within the building. The project provides 15,905 square feet of total open space and common amenities. The project is providing bicycle parking as required pursuant to the City’s Bicycle Ordinance (No. 182386). The property includes 9 lots plus a vacated alley with a combined area of approximately 62,930 gross square feet. The property is located in the Wilshire Community Plan along Wilshire Boulevard between Orange Drive and Mansfield Avenue. The existing zoning is C4-2D, [Q]C2-1 and R3-1 with land use designations of Community Commercial and Medium Residential. The project vehicular access will be from Orange Drive (commercial use) and Mansfield Avenue (residential use), with no vehicular access to or from Wilshire Boulevard. Requested Actions: 1. Pursuant to Section 21082.1(c)(3) of the California Public Resources Code, adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2013-1441-MND for the above referenced project. 2. Pursuant to LAMC Section 12.32 of the Municipal Code, a Zone Change from the existing C4-2D and [Q]C2-1 zones to (T)(Q)RAS4-1 zone. 3. Pursuant to LAMC Section 12.32 of the Municipal Code, a Height District change from Height District 2D to Height District 1. 4. Pursuant to LAMC Section 12.24 W 37 of the Municipal Code, a Conditional Use Permit to allow commercial parking in the R3-1 zone and to allow access from a less restrictive zone to a more restrictive zone. 5. Pursuant to Section 16.05 of the Municipal Code, Site Plan Review for a project which results in an increase of 50 or more residential units. Applicant: Aaron Korda, The Korda Group Rep.: Shahab Ghods, Plus Architects Recommended Actions: 1. Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2013-1441-MND for the above referenced project. 2. Approve and recommend the City Council adopt a Zone Change from the existing C4-2D and [Q]C2-1 zones to (T)(Q)RAS4-1 zone, subject to the Conditions of Approval. 3. Approve and Recommend the City Council Adopt a Height District change from Height District 2D to Height District 1. 4. Approve a Conditional Use from Section 12.24 W 37 of the Municipal Code to allow commercial parking in the R3-1 zone and to allow access from a less restrictive zone to a more restrictive zone. 5. Approve the Site Plan Review findings. Staff: Debbie Lawrence (213) 978-1163 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 6 MARCH 13, 2014 8. CPC-2014-669-CPU Council District: All CEQA: ENV-2014-670-SE Expiration Date: N/A Plan Area: Citywide Appeal Status: N/A CLOSED SESSION The City Planning Commission shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the cases entitled Fix the City, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC) Case No. BS 138580; La Mirada Avenue Neighborhood Association of Hollywood v. City of Los Angeles, et al., LASC Case No. BS 138369, Save Hollywood.org, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., LASC Case No. BS 138370. (These cases involve challenges to the City Council's June 19, 2012 adoption of the Hollywood Community Plan Update and its environmental impact report.) 9. CPC-2014-669-CPU Council District: All CEQA: ENV-2014-670-SE Expiration Date: N/A Plan Area: Citywide Appeal Status: N/A PUBLIC HEARING Location: CITYWIDE Proposed Project: 1. Rescind, vacate and set aside all actions approving the 2012 Hollywood Community Plan Update (HCPU) and certifying the EIR adopted in connection therewith, and all related approvals issued in furtherance of the HCPU, and thereby revive by operation of law the General Plan elements and zoning regulations that were in place immediately before the City’s adoption of the HCPU; 2. Adopt an amendment to the General Plan Framework Element that reaffirms the City’s historical interpretation and implementation that the Framework Element’s monitoring policies and programs are intended to guide the community plan update process, that the Framework Element does not require, and was not intended to require, the community plans themselves to contain the same monitoring policies and programs set forth in the Framework Element, and that the monitoring programs are discretionary, and dependent upon the availability of resources and competing priorities as the Court of Appeal previously held in Saunders v. City of L.A., Case No. B232415. Requested Actions: 1. Approve and recommend that the City Council Adopt the Resolution to rescind, vacate, and set aside the General Plan Amendment to the Hollywood Community Plan, and all related actions to the Transportation Element and Framework Element, as part of the General Plan of the City of Los Angeles, as set forth in CF 12-0303 and thereby revive by operation of law the General Plan elements that were in place immediately prior to the City’s adoption of the HCPU. 2. Approve and recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance to rescind, vacate, and set aside Ordinance Number 182,173 and thereby revive by operation of law the zoning ordinances and regulations in place immediately prior to the City Council’s adoption of Ordinance 182,173. 3. Approve and recommend that the Mayor recommend to City Council adopt the resolution for the General Plan Framework Element amendment reaffirming the City’s historical interpretation and implementation of the Framework Element’s monitoring policies and programs. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 7 MARCH 13, 2014  4. Consider the environmental analysis contained in the Initial Study. 5. Recommend that the City Council determine that the actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, for the reasons set forth in the CEQA draft Notice of Exemption and Narrative. 6. Recommend that the City Council direct that the Department of City Planning file the final Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk immediately after the ordinance is approved and passed in final by the City Council. 7. Authorize the Director of Planning to present the Resolution and General Plan Amendment to the Mayor and City Council, in accordance with Sections 555 and 558 of the City Charter. Applicant: City of Los Angeles Recommended Actions: 1. Conduct a public hearing on the proposed actions, as presented in the staff report. 2. Approve the Staff Report as the Commission Report. 3. Approve and act on the Requested Actions as listed in Actions 1 - 7 above. Staff: Conni Pallini Tipton (213) 978-1179 10. CPC Consideration of a Letter of Support for the Department of City Planning FY 2014-15 Budget Request. The next scheduled regular meeting of the City Planning Commission will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014 City Hall Van Nuys City Hall Council Chamber, 2nd Floor Van Nuys, CA 91401 An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate. The meeting facility and its parking are wheelchair accessible. Translation services, sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or other services must be requested 72 hours prior to the meeting by calling the Planning Commission Secretariat at (213) 978-1300 or by email at CPC@lacity.org. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 8 MARCH 13, 2014