1554 5th Street & 501 Colorado Avenue Hotel Projects EIR The proposed 5th and Colorado Hotel Projects would consist of demolition and removal of existing structures on two sites of approximately 22,500 square feet (sf) (0.52 acres) each, in south-eastern downtown Santa Monica, and construction of two six-story mixed-use hotels, each with two-level subterranean parking garages. Each hotel would be implemented through two separate development agreements. Documents Final Environmental Impact Report - Monday May 06, 2013 5th and Colorado Hotel Projects Final EIR Environmental Impact Report Preface Executive Summary Table of Contents List of Appendices List of Figures List of Tables List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1.2 Purpose and Legal Authority 1.3 Public Review and Comments 1.4 Required Approvals 1.5 Project Background 1.6 Project Applicant and Project Designers 1.7 Scope of the EIR 1.8 Areas of Known Public Controversy 1.9 Organization of the EIR 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Existing Project Sites Characteristics 2.2.1 Project Location 2.2.2 Existing Project Sites Land Uses 2.2.3 Surrounding Land Uses 2.2.4 Existing Land Use Designation and Zoning 2.3 Project Objectives 2.4 Project Overview 2.4.1 Hampton Inn & Suites – 501 Colorado Avenue 2.4.2 Courtyard by Marriott – 1554 5th Street 2.4.3 Project Design 2.4.4 Access, Parking and Circulation 2.4.5 Pedestrian Circulation 2.4.6 Utilities/Services 2.4.7 Open Space and Landscaping 2.4.8 Development Agreements 2.4.9 Operational Staffing 2.5 Construction Activities 2.5.1 Phasing 2.5.2 Demolition 2.5.3 Excavation 2.5.4 Construction 2.5.5 Construction Staffing 3.0 Environmental Impact Analysis and Mitigation Measures 3.0.1 Introduction 3.0.2 Cumulative Impacts 3.1 Aesthetics 3.1.1 Environmental Setting 3.1.2 Regulatory Framework 3.1.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.1. 4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.2 Air Quality 3.2.1 Environmental Setting 3.2.2 Regulatory Framework 3.2.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.2.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.3 Construction Effects 3.3.1 Environmental Setting 3.3.2 Regulatory Framework 3.3.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.3.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.4 Cultural Resources/Historical Structures 3.4.1 Environmental Setting 3.4.2 Regulatory Framework 3.4.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.4.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.5 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 3.5.1 Environmental Setting 3.5.2 Regulatory Framework 3.5.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.5.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.6 Geology/Soils 3.6.1 Environmental Setting 3.6.2 Regulatory Framework 3.6.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.6.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 3.7.1 Environmental Setting 3.7.2 Regulatory Framework 3.7.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.7.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.8 Land Use and Planning Policies 3.8.1 Environmental Setting 3.8.2 Regulatory Framework 3.8.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.8.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.9 Neighborhood Effects 3.9.1 Environmental Setting 3.9.2 Regulatory Framework 3.9.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.9.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.10 Noise 3.10.1 Environmental Setting 3.10.2 Regulatory Framework 3.10.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.10.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.11 Solar Access and Shadows 3.11.1 Environmental Setting 3.11.2 Regulatory Framework 3.11.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.11.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.12 Transportation and Traffic 3.12.1 Environmental Setting 3.12.2 Regulatory Framework 3.12.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.12.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 4.0 Other CEQA Considerations 4.1 Unavoidable Significant Environmental Effects 4.2 Irreversible Environmental Impacts 4.2.1 Growth-Inducing Impacts 4.2.2 Removal of Obstacles to Growth 4.3 Effects Found Not to Be Significant 5.0 Alternatives 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Project Objectives 5.3 Summary of Potentially Significant Unavoidable Project Impacts 5.4 Alternatives Analysis 5.4.1 Alternatives Considered but Discarded 5.4.2 Alternative 1 - No Project Alternative 5.4.3 Alternative 2 - Incorporation of Midas Building Alternative 5.4.4 Alternative 3 - Zoning Compliant Alternative 5.4.5 Alternative 4 - Reduced Development Alternative 5.4.6 Alternative 5 - Mixed-Use Development Alternative 5.5 Identification of Environmentally Superior Alternative 6.0 List of Preparers 7.0 References 8.0 Introduction to the Final EIR 8.1 Public Review Process 8.2 CEQA Requirements 8.3 Use of the Final EIR 9.0 Response to Comments on the Draft EIR 10.0 Corrections and Additions 11.0 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program 11.1 Purpose 11.2 Responsibilities 11.3 Monitoring Procedures 11.4 Monitoring Table Appendices Appendix A-Notice of Preparation/Initial Study NOP Initial Study and Neighborhood Impact Statement Appendix B-Comment Letters on NOP/Responses to NOP Comments Appendix C-Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Emision Calculations Appendix D-Cultural Resource Analysis Appendix E-Geotechnical Investigation Appendix F-Environmental Site Assessments Appendix G-Traffic Impact Analysis Appendix H-Luce Policies Appendix I-Comments on the Draft EIR California Department of Transportation Native American Heritage Commission Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice – Los Angeles (January 2013 Letter) OTO Development Chattel Inc. Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal, LLP Linscott Law & Greenspan Engineers Draft Environmental Impact Report - Thursday Dec 13, 2012 The Draft EIR comment period is 45 days as required by CEQA Guidelines Section 15105. Comments may be submitted, in writing, by 5:30 PM on Monday Jan 28, 2013 5th and Colorado Hotel Projects Draft EIR Cover Title Page Executive Summary Table of Contents LIST OF APPENDICES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1.2 Purpose and Legal Authority 1.3 Public Review and Comments 1.4 Required Approvals 1.5 Project Background 1.6 Project Applicant and Project Designers 1.7 Scope of the EIR 1.8 Areas of Known Public Controversy 1.9 Organization of the EIR 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Existing Project Sites Characteristics 2.2.1 Project Location 2.2.2 Existing Project Sites Land Uses 2.2.3 Surrounding Land Uses 2.2.4 Existing Land Use Designation and Zoning 2.3 Project Objectives 2.4 Project Overview 2.4.1 Hampton Inn & Suites – 501 Colorado Avenue 2.4.2 Courtyard by Marriott – 1554 5th Street 2.4.3 Project Design 2.4.4 Access, Parking and Circulation 2.4.5 Pedestrian Circulation 2.4.6 Utilities/Services 2.4.7 Open Space and Landscaping 2.4.8 Development Agreements 2.4.9 Operational Staffing 2.5 Construction Activities 2.5.1 Phasing 2.5.2 Demolition 2.5.3 Excavation 2.5.4 Construction 2.5.5 Construction Staffing 3.0 Environmental Impact Analysis and Mitigation Measures 3.0.1 Introduction 3.0.2 Cumulative Impacts 3.1 Aesthetics 3.1.1 Environmental Setting 3.1.2 Existing Views 3.1.3 Light and Glare 3.1.4 Regulatory Framework 3.1.5 State 3.1.6 Local 3.1.7 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.1.8 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.2 Air Quality 3.2.1 Environmental Setting 3.2.2 Regulatory Framework 3.2.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.2.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.2.5 Cumulative Impacts 3.3 Construction Effects 3.3.1 Environmental Setting 3.3.2 Regulatory Framework 3.3.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.3.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.4 Cultural Resources/Historical Structures 3.4.1 Environmental Setting 3.4.2 Regulatory Framework 3.4.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.4.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.5 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 3.5.1 Environmental Setting 3.5.2 Regulatory Framework 3.5.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.5.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.6 Geology/Soils 3.6.1 Environmental Setting 3.6.2 Regulatory Framework 3.6.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.6.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 3.7.1 Environmental Setting 3.7.2 Regulatory Framework 3.7.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.7.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.8 Land Use and Planning Policies 3.8.1 Environmental Setting 3.8.2 Regulatory Framework 3.8.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.8.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.9 Neighborhood Effects 3.9.1 Environmental Setting 3.9.2 Regulatory Framework 3.9.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.9.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.9.5 Cumulative Impacts 3.10 Noise 3.10.1 Environmental Setting 3.10.2 Regulatory Framework 3.10.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.10.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.11 Solar Access and Shadows 3.11.1 Environmental Setting 3.11.2 Regulatory Framework 3.11.3 Thresholds of Significance 3.11.4 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.11.5 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.12 Transportation and Traffic 3.12.1 Environmental Setting 3.12.2 Regulatory Framework 3.12.3 Impact Assessment and Methodology 3.12.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 4.0 Other CEQA Considerations 4.1 Unavoidable Significant Environmental Effects 4.2 Irreversible Environmental Impacts 4.2.1 Growth-Inducing Impacts 4.2.2 Removal of Obstacles to Growth 4.3 Effects Found Not to Be Significant 5.0 Alternatives 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Project Objectives 5.3 Summary of Potentially Significant Unavoidable Project Impacts 5.4 Alternatives Analysis 5.4.1 Alternatives Considered but Discarded 5.4.2 Alternative 1 - No Project Alternative 5.4.3 Alternative 2 - Incorporation of Midas Building Alternative 5.4.4 Alternative 3 - Zoning Compliant Alternative 5.4.5 Alternative 4 - Reduced Development Alternative 5.4.6 Alternative 5 - Mixed-Use Development Alternative 5.5 Identification of Environmentally Superior Alternative 6.0 List of Preparers 7.0 References Aesthetics Air Quality Construction Effects Cultural Resources/Historical Structures Greenhouse Gas Emissions Geology/Soils Hazards and Hazardous Materials Land Use and Planning Policies Neighborhood Effects Noise Solar Access and Shadows Transportation and Traffic Other CEQA Appendices Appendix A-Notice of Preperation/Initial Study NOP Initial Study and Neighborhood Impact Statement Appendix B-Comment Letters on NOP/Responses to NOP Comments Appendix C-Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculations Appendix D-Cultural Resource Analysis Appendix E-Geotechnical Investigation Appendix F-Environmental Site Assessments Appendix G-Traffic Impact Analysis Notice of Preparation (NOP) - Monday Apr 30, 2012 The NOP comment period is 30 days as required by CEQA Guidelines Section 15082. Comments may be submitted, in writing, by 5:30 PM on Wednesday May 30, 2012 5th and Colorado Hotel Projects NOP Notice of Preparation 5th and Colorado Hotels_Vicinity 5th and Colorado Hotels_ProjectSite