12
City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.41 IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC SERVICES 4. LIBRARIES 1. INTRODUCTION This section describes existing library facilities and services in the project area, and provides an analysis of potential impacts on these facilities and services that would occur as a result of the proposed project. The analysis addresses available library capacity and whether it is sufficient to accommodate the population growth generated by the proposed project. The analysis is based in part on information provided by City of Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING a. Regulatory Framework (1) City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework The City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework, adopted in December 1996 and readopted in August 2001, provides general guidance regarding land use issues for the entire City of Los Angeles and defines Citywide policies regarding land use, including infrastructure and public services. Goals and policies for the provision of adequate library services and facilities to meet the needs of the City’s residents are set forth in Objectives 9.20 and 9.21. Objective 9.20 proposes to adopt a Citywide library service standard by the year 2000. Policy 9.20.1, which further supports Objective 9.20, proposes the development of library standards dealing with the facilities’ net floor area, the appropriate number of permanent collection books per resident, and service radii. Policy 9.20.2 proposes a Citywide policy for locating non‐English language permanent collections. Objective 9.21 proposes to ensure library services for current and future residents and businesses. Policy 9.21.3, which supports Objective 9.21, encourages the inclusion of library facilities in mixed‐use structures, in community and regional centers, at transit stations, and in mixed‐use boulevards. Policy 13 within the General Plan Framework Implementation Programs Chapter holds the City Department of Libraries responsible for updating the Library Master Plan as well as providing sufficient capacity to correct existing deficiencies, identifying improvements to new library facilities, developing strategies to increase the distribution of library services, establishing a new City library service standard based on the needs of the City, and identifying funding sources for facility improvements. The implementation plans and policies set forth in the General Plan Framework have been addressed through the LAPL Branch Facilities Plan and the 1989 and 1998 Library Bond Programs. (2) Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan The Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan (Facilities Plan) guides the construction of branch libraries and specifies standards for the size and features of branch facilities based on the population served in each community. The Facilities Plan also outlines the required facilities expansion needs of the libraries within the City. The Facilities Plan was revised and recently approved by the Board of Library Commissioners on February 8, 2007. Under the 2007 Facilities Plan, the service population for a branch library is defined according to the size of the facility, as shown in Table IV.J.41, City of Los Angeles Public Library Branch Building Size Standards, LAPL bases the service population for a branch upon census tracts

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    0

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

     

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐1

IV.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J.  PUBLIC SERVICES 4.  LIBRARIES 

1.  INTRODUCTION 

Thissectiondescribesexistinglibraryfacilitiesandservicesintheprojectarea,andprovidesananalysisofpotentialimpactsonthesefacilitiesandservicesthatwouldoccurasaresultoftheproposedproject. Theanalysis addresses available library capacity and whether it is sufficient to accommodate the populationgrowthgeneratedbytheproposedproject.TheanalysisisbasedinpartoninformationprovidedbyCityofLosAngelesPublicLibrary(LAPL).

2.  ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING 

a.  Regulatory Framework 

(1)  City of Los Angeles General Plan Framework 

TheCityofLosAngelesGeneralPlanFramework,adoptedinDecember1996andreadoptedinAugust2001,providesgeneralguidanceregardinglanduseissuesfortheentireCityofLosAngelesanddefinesCitywidepoliciesregardinglanduse,includinginfrastructureandpublicservices.GoalsandpoliciesfortheprovisionofadequatelibraryservicesandfacilitiestomeettheneedsoftheCity’sresidentsaresetforthinObjectives9.20and9.21.Objective9.20proposestoadoptaCitywidelibraryservicestandardbytheyear2000.Policy9.20.1,whichfurthersupportsObjective9.20,proposesthedevelopmentof librarystandardsdealingwiththefacilities’netfloorarea,theappropriatenumberofpermanentcollectionbooksperresident,andserviceradii. Policy 9.20.2 proposes a Citywide policy for locating non‐English language permanent collections.Objective9.21proposestoensure libraryservices forcurrentandfutureresidentsandbusinesses. Policy9.21.3,whichsupportsObjective9.21,encouragestheinclusionoflibraryfacilitiesinmixed‐usestructures,incommunityandregional centers,at transit stations,and inmixed‐useboulevards. Policy13within theGeneral Plan Framework Implementation Programs Chapter holds the City Department of LibrariesresponsibleforupdatingtheLibraryMasterPlanaswellasprovidingsufficientcapacitytocorrectexistingdeficiencies, identifying improvements to new library facilities, developing strategies to increase thedistributionof libraryservices,establishinganewCity libraryservicestandardbasedon theneedsof theCity,andidentifyingfundingsourcesforfacilityimprovements. TheimplementationplansandpoliciessetforthintheGeneralPlanFrameworkhavebeenaddressedthroughtheLAPLBranchFacilitiesPlanandthe1989and1998LibraryBondPrograms.

(2)  Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan 

The Los Angeles Public Library Branch Facilities Plan (Facilities Plan) guides the construction of branchlibrariesandspecifiesstandardsforthesizeandfeaturesofbranchfacilitiesbasedonthepopulationservedineachcommunity. TheFacilitiesPlanalsooutlinestherequiredfacilitiesexpansionneedsofthelibrarieswithin the City. The Facilities Plan was revised and recently approved by the Board of LibraryCommissioners on February 8, 2007. Under the 2007Facilities Plan, the service population for a branchlibraryisdefinedaccordingtothesizeofthefacility,asshowninTableIV.J.4‐1,CityofLosAngelesPublicLibraryBranchBuildingSizeStandards,LAPLbasestheservicepopulationforabranchuponcensustracts

Page 2: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

IV.J.4.  Libraries    September 2011 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐2

thatareassignedtothatbranch.TheFacilitiesPlanhasbeenimplementedwithbondmeasureswithintwophases,the1989BondProgramandthe1998BondProgram.

In1989,CityofLosAngelesvotersapprovedProposition1,a$53.4millionBranchLibraryFacilitiesBond,alsoknownasthe1989LibraryBondIssue.UnderProposition1,theFacilitiesPlanproposedtoobtainnewsitesforbuilding,renovating,andexpandinglibrariesthatwereunabletoservethecommunitysufficientlyand/orweredamagedby theWhittierearthquake. LAPLalsosuccessfullyobtainedadditional funds fromthe Community Development Block Grant Award of federal funds from the California State LibraryProposition85, aswell as fromFriendsof theLibrary groups, for a total branch constructionprogramof$108million.Underthe1989BondProgram,29librarieswerebuilt.1

On November 3, 1998, Los Angeles voters approved Proposition DD, also known as the 1998 LibraryFacilitiesBond,a$178.3millionbondforfundingtheconstruction,renovation,improvement,orexpansionof32newbranchlibraries.Asaresultofeffectiveprojectmanagement,fouradditionalprojectswereaddedto the scope of the overall facilities program. Of the 36 total projects, 18existing library facilities werereplacedwith18newlibraryfacilitiesontheexistingCity‐ownedsites,ninelibrarieswereconstructedonnewlyacquiredsites, fivenewlibrarieswereconstructedonacquiredsitesincommunitiesthatpreviouslydidnothave library services, andwith the four additional projects, existing librarieswere renovated andexpanded.TheentireoriginalFacilitiesPlaniscompleted.2

(3)  Measure L 

OnMarch8,2011,LosAngelesvotersapprovedMeasureL,theLosAngelesPublicLibraryfundinginitiative.MeasureLchangesthecitycharter,graduallyraisingthelevelofguaranteedfundingofthelibrarysystemto.03 percent of assessed property value over a period of four years (up from the current rate of .0175percent).TheLAPLestimatesthatthisincreaseinfundingwillallowtheLAPLtofullyreimbursethegeneralfundforalloverheadexpenses,restorelibraryserviceonMondaysatall73librariesandonSundaysatninelibraries,andpurchasenewbooks.

1 Los Angeles Public Library website, Summary of Branch Facilities Plan Revision, available at: http://www.lapl.org/about/

planning_overview.htmlaccessedApril11,2011.2 Ibid.

Table IV.J.4‐1 

City of Los Angeles Public Library Branch Building Size Standards 

Population Served  Size of Facility 

Below45,000 12,500squarefeetAbove45,000a 14,500squarefeetRegionalBranch Upto20,000squarefeet

   

a  For a community with population above 90,000, consider adding a second branch to serve the area.  Source:  Los Angeles Public Library website, http://www.lapl.org/about/Branch_Facilities_Criteria.pdf, accessed April 5, 2011. 

Page 3: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

September 2011    IV.J.4.  Libraries 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐3

b.  Existing Conditions 

TheLAPLsystemprovideslibraryservicestotheCityofLosAngeles. LAPLconsistsoftheCentralLibraryand 72 branch libraries, with a multimedia inventory of over six (6) million items and 2,300 computerworkstationswithaccesstotheinternetandelectronicdatabases.3 AllbranchlibrariesprovidefreeaccesstocomputerworkstationsthatareconnectedtotheLibrary'sinformationnetwork.Inadditiontoprovidinginternet access, theseworkstations enable the public to search LAPL's electronic resources including theonline catalog, over 100subscription databases,word processing, language learning, literacy, and a largecollectionofhistoricdocumentsandphotographs.Inaddition,speciallydesignedwebsitesareprovidedforchildren,teens,andSpanishspeakers.

LAPLisamemberoftheSouthernCaliforniaLibraryCooperative(SCLC),anassociationofpubliclibrariesinthe greater Los Angeles area that shares resources to improve library service to the residents of allparticipating jurisdictions. Participation in this program enables individuals to use their library cards inmultiplejurisdictions,andallowsformemberlibrariestoreceivecompensationforsuchuse.

LAPLservicepopulationsarebasedonthenumberofpeopleresidingincensustractsthatareassignedtoaspecific library. Currently, there are no community branch libraries for theCentury City area. However,LAPLhasidentifiedfourLAPLlibrariesthatwouldservetheproposedproject:theWestLosAngelesBranchLibrary, theWestwoodBranchLibrary, theRobertsonBranchLibrary,and thePalms‐RanchoParkBranchLibrary. FigureIV.J.4‐1,LibrariesLocated intheVicinityoftheProjectSite, identifies the locationof theselibraryfacilitiesinrelationtotheprojectsite.TableIV.J.4‐2,LibraryFacilitiesLocatedintheVicinityoftheProjectSite,providesinformationregardingtheselibrariesincludingtheirdistancefromtheprojectsite,size,populationserved,andhoursofoperation.

TheWestLosAngelesBranchLibraryat11360SantaMonicaBoulevardislocatedapproximately2.5milessouthwestoftheprojectsite.This13,740‐square‐footbranchservesapopulationof39,147peopleaccordingtotheLAPL.Thelibrarycurrentlyemploys8.5full‐timestaffpositions.Thelibraryincludesatotalof47,123volumesandhasanannualcirculationof123,274people.Asaregionalbranch,thislibrarysupplementstheservicesprovidedbythelocalbranchlibraries.

The Westwood Branch Library at 1246 Glendon Avenue is located approximately 2.8miles west of theproject site. This 12,500‐square foot branch, which opened inMay 2005, serves a population of 76,725people according to the LAPL. The library currently employs 7.5 full‐time staff positions. The libraryincludesatotalof62,779volumesandhasanannualcirculationof249,767.4

The Robertson Branch Library at 1719 South Roberson Boulevard is located approximately 2.9 milessoutheast of theproject site. This9,035‐square‐foot branch library serves apopulationof 51,559peopleaccording to theLAPL. The library currently employs7.5 full‐time staffpositions. The library includesatotalof40,324volumesandhasanannualcirculationof204,040.

3 LAPL. About the Library, News Room. Los Angeles Public Library Facts 2010 (for fiscal year 2008‐09), available at:

http://www.lapl.org/newsroom/2010_facts.htmlAccessedApril5,2011.4 WrittencorrespondencefromJosephMolles,LAPLLibraryFacilitiesDivision,April26,2011.

Page 4: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

IV.J.4.  Libraries    September 2011 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

ThePalms‐RanchoParkBranchLibraryat2920OverlandAvenueislocatedapproximately3.0milessouthofthe project site. This 10,500 square foot branch, which opened in November 2002, serves a currentpopulation of 75,149 people according to the LAPL. The library currently employs 10 full‐time staffpositions.Thelibraryincludes53,387volumesandhasanannualcirculationof252,557.WiththeexceptionoftheWestLosAngelesBranchLibrary,theLAPLfacilitiesservingtheprojectsitedonotmeetthebranchbuildingsizestandardssetforthinthe2007FacilitiesPlan.

The City of Beverly Hills Public Library (BHPL) Main Library is also located near the project. The MainLibraryislocatedat444NorthRexfordDrive,approximately1.2milesnortheastoftheprojectsite(refertoFigure IV.J‐4). TheCity ofBeverlyHills is servedby twopublic libraries; theBeverlyHills Public Library,Main Library and the Roxbury Senior Library. The Main Library is a 91,000 square‐foot facility. GivenBeverlyHill’scurrent(2011)populationof34,210residents,theMainLibraryprovidesapproximately2.66squarefeetoflibraryspaceperresident.

BoththeLAPLandBHPLaremembersoftheSouthernCaliforniaLibraryCooperative(SCLC).TheSCLCisanassociationof46 independentcityandspecialdistrictpublic libraries located inLosAngeles,Orange,and

Table IV.J.4‐2 

Library Facilities Located in the Vicinity of the Project Site 

Library Distance fromProject Site  Size 

ServicePopulation  Hours of Operation 

WestLosAngelesRegionalLibrary

11360SantaMonicaBlvd.

2.5miles 13,740sf 39,147 12:30P.M.to8:00P.M. Tue&Thur.10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Wed&Fri.

10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Sat.

WestwoodBranchLibrary1246GlendonAve.

2.8miles 12,500sf 76,725 12:30P.M.to8:00P.M. Tue&Thur10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Wed&Fri

10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Sat

RobertsonBranchLibrary1719S.RobertsonBlvd.

2.9miles 9,035sf 51,559 12:30P.M.to8:00P.M. Tue&Thur10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Wed&Fri

1:00P.M.to5:00P.M.Sun

Palms–RanchoParkBranchLibrary

2920OverlandAve.

3.0miles 10,500sf 75,149 12:30P.M.to8:00P.M. Tue&Thur10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Wed&Fri

10:00A.M.to5:30P.M.Sat

BeverlyHillsMainPublicLibrary444N.RexfordDr.

1.2miles 91,000sf a 34,210b 10:00A.M.to8:00P.M. Mon–Wed10:00A.M.to6:00P.M.Thur–Sat12:00P.M.to5:00P.M.Sun

   

a  City of Beverly Hills General Plan Update, Technical Background Report, October 2005. b  California Department of Finance. Table E‐5: Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2010‐2011.  

Available at: http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/reports/estimates/e‐5/2011‐20/view.php.  Accessed April 29, 2011. 

 

Source:  Los Angeles Public Library website, City of Beverly Hills website, and written correspondence from Joseph Molles, LAPL Library Facilities Division, April 26, 2011.  Service populations are based on the most recent year (2010) of data availability. 

Page 5: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

������

� � �

�������������� ������������������������������������������������� ����� !�

��� ������� ���� ������������

� �����

���������� ��������������� ������� ����������������

��������� ���� ������������������������ ����������������

���������� ������������� ����� ��� ��! ������ ��������������"#

������������������������ ����������� �����$% ��!��&�'(�����������

���� �!�"#!

���������$�%�������%������� ���������"���������) �*+��! �����,���� ���������������#

Page 6: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

IV.J.4.  Libraries    September 2011 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐6

Thispageisintentionallyblank.

Page 7: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

September 2011    IV.J.4.  Libraries 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐7

Ventura counties which have agreed to cooperate in providing library service to the residents of allparticipating jurisdictions. SCLCmembers extend, on an equal basis, loan privileges to residents of othermember libraries. Additionally, an array of technical, arts, and general libraries are located on theUCLAcampusapproximatelylessthantwomilesfromtheprojectsite.

3.  PROJECT IMPACTS 

a.  Methodology 

Potentialprojectimpactsonlibraryservicesandfacilitiesaredeterminedbasedonidentifyingtheprimaryservicelibraryorlibrariesthatservetheprojectsite,forecastingthenumberofresidentsgeneratedbytheproject,identifyingthepopulationwithinthelibrary’sserviceareaatthetimeofprojectbuildout,combiningtheproject’sresidentpopulationwiththeforecastedserviceareapopulation,andcomparingthecombinedpopulationtotheservicepopulationforthelibraryasdeterminedbyLAPL.

b.  Significance Thresholds 

Appendix G of the CEQAGuidelines provides a screening question that addresses impactswith regard tolibraryprotectionservice.Thisquestionisasfollows:

Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentfacilities,needforneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,theconstructionofwhichwouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts,inordertomaintainacceptableserviceratios,responsetimesorotherperformanceobjectivesforanyofthepublicservices:

Otherpublicfacilities(includinglibraries)?

In the context of this question from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, the City of Los Angeles CEQAThresholds Guide, states that the determination of significance shall be made on a case‐by‐case basis,consideringthefollowingfactors:

Thenetpopulationincreaseresultingfromtheproposedproject;

Thedemandforlibraryservicesanticipatedatthetimeofprojectbuildoutcomparedtotheexpectedlevel of service available. Consider, as applicable, scheduled improvements to library services(renovation, expansion, addition or relocation) and the project’s proportional contribution to thedemand;and

Whethertheprojectincludesfeaturesthatwouldreducethedemandforlibraryservices(e.g.,on‐sitelibraryfacilitiesordirectsupporttoLAPL).

Basedonthesefactors,theprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactonlibraryservicesiftheprojectwouldgenerateademandforlibraryfacilitiesorservices,orwouldcauseanincreaseincommunitypopulationthatwould:

LIB‐1Causethedemandforlibraryservicestorequireneworphysicallyalteredlibraryfacilitiestomeettheneedsoftheproposedproject.

Page 8: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

IV.J.4.  Libraries    September 2011 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐8

c.  Analysis of Project Impacts 

Accordingto2010censusdata,theresidentialpopulationandthenumberofhousingunitsinCenturyCityrepresentsahouseholdsizeofapproximately1.34personsperhousehold.5Therefore,theproposedproject’s283 dwelling unitswould generate approximately 379 new residents. As there is no community branchlibrary for the Century City area, LAPL has identified theWest Los Angeles Regional Branch Library, theWestwoodBranchLibrary,theRobertsonBranchLibrary,andthePalms‐RanchoParkBranchLibraryasthelibraries thatwouldserve theproject site. LAPLbases theanticipatedservicepopulation forabranchoncensus tracts thatareassigned to thatbranch. Basedupon theCityPlanningDepartment’s estimates, theannualgrowthfactorforpopulationsservedbytheselibrariesisapproximately0.7percent.

TheWestLosAngelesRegionalBranchLibraryistheCityofLosAngeleslibrarynearesttheprojectsite.Assuch, it is anticipated that project residents would utilize this library over other LAPL libraries due toconvenience. As identified in Table IV.J.4‐2, the West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library is currentlyadequatelysizedtoaccommodatethepopulationresidinginitsservicearea. Specifically,at13,740squarefeet,thelibraryisdesignedtoaccommodateaservicepopulationofatleast45,000persons.Withacurrentservice area population of 39,147 persons, the current design could accommodate an additional 5,853residents.Asaresult,theproject’s379netnewresidentswouldonlycomprise6.5percentoftheadditionalresidentpopulation that couldbeaccommodatedby theWestLosAngelesRegionalBranchLibrary. Thisrepresents a nominal increase in the demand at the West Los Angeles Branch Library and the library’sexisting service level would be able to bemaintained without an additional library or alterations to theexistinglibrary.

However, all project residents would not necessarily use the nearest library. Given the project’s centrallocationtotheWestLosAngelesRegionalBranchLibrary,andtheWestwood,Robertson,andPalms‐RanchoParkBranchLibraries,theproject’spopulationcouldbeexpectedtodistributetheirdemand,thusloweringdemandatanyone location. AccordingtotheLAPL, thepopulationsbeingservedbytheseother facilitiesexceed the standards set forth in the 2007 Branch Facilities. Nonetheless, the use of these facilities byprojectresidentsisanticipatedtobeminimalastheywouldlikelyutilizetheLAPLlibrarynearesttheprojectsite,anduseofotherlibrarieswouldbedistributed.Further,the2007BranchFacilitiesPlanstatesthananadditionallibraryfacilityshouldbeconsideredonlywhenthepopulationservedbyabranchlibraryexceeds90,000persons.Evenontheremotechancethattheentiretyoftheproject’sestimated379residentsweretouse theWestwood,Robertson,orPalms‐RanchoParkBranchLibraries, theservicepopulationsof thesefacilitieswouldnotapproach90,000residents.Furthermore,projectresidentswouldbeeligibletousethearrayoftechnical,arts,andgenerallibrariesontheUCLAcampus,whichislocatedlessthantwomilesfromtheprojectsite. Asaresult, theproposedprojectwouldnotexceedthepopulation levelrequiredfornewfacilities.

TheBeverlyHillsMainLibrary,locatedapproximately1.2milesfromtheprojectsite,wouldalsobeavailabletoserveresidentsoftheproposedproject.Giventheproximityofthelibrarytotheprojectsite,someprojectresidents may also use this library. However, given the availability of other Los Angeles and regionallibraries,e.g.thelibraryfacilitiesofUCLAthenumberofsuchlibraryvisitorswouldbenegligible.EvenifallprojectresidentsweretousetheBeverlyHillsMainBranchLibraryundertheSCLC,theproject’sproposed5 CenturyCitymakesuptheentiretyCensusTract2679.01.Accordingtothe2010Censusdata,therewere2,428residentsand1,812

housingunitsinCenturyCity,foranaverage1.34personsperhousehold.

Page 9: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

September 2011    IV.J.4.  Libraries 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐9

residentswould result in only a negligible decrease in the floor‐area‐to‐resident ratio at the library (e.g.,2.63square feetperresidentvs.2.66square feetperresident). BeverlyHillshasnotestablishedcapacitystandardssimilartothoseofLosAngeles.However,itmaybenotedthatthe2.63squarefeetoflibraryspaceper person in Beverly Hills is substantially greater than the ratios associated with Los Angeles’ capacitystandards presented in Table IV.J‐4.1, above. When considering a service area population up to 44,999people,theLosAngelesservicelevelequatestoapproximately0.28squarefeetperperson(12,500squarefootlibraryforupto44,999people).Whenconsideringaservicepopulationofbetween45,000and90,000people, the service level ranges from 0.32 square foot per person (14,500 square foot library for 45,000people)to0.16squarefootperperson(14,500squarefootlibraryfor90,000people).Inanycase,BeverlyHills, liketheCityofLosAngelesisamemberoftheSCLCassociationofpubliclibrariesinthegreaterLosAngeles area that shares resources to improve library service to the residents of all participatingjurisdictions. Participation in this program enables individuals to use their library cards in multiplejurisdictions,andallowsformemberlibrariestoreceivecompensationforsuchuse.

ItshouldalsobenotedthattheprojectwouldgeneraterevenuetotheCity’sgeneralfundthatcouldbeusedfortheprovisionofpublicservicessuchaslibraryfacilities.Also,LosAngelesvoters,recognizingtheneedtoprovide adequate library services, recently approved Measure L. Measure L increases library fundinggraduallyto0.03percenttokeep librariesopen longerandto improve libraryservices; therebyprovidingLAPLamechanismtoaddresstheneedsofadditionalpopulation.

Thus,theprojectwouldresultinanominalincreaseinthedemandatlibraryfacilitiesservingthesiteandtheprojectwouldnotincreasedemandatlibraryfacilitiesservingtheprojectsitetotheextentthatanewlibrary facilityoralterations toanexisting facilitieswouldbe required tomaintainexisting service levels.Thus, since the increased demand generated by the project would be nominal, impacts on these libraryfacilitieswouldbelessthansignificant.

4.  CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 

SectionIII.,GeneralDescriptionofEnvironmentalSetting,ofthisDraftEIRidentifies40relatedprojectsthatare anticipated to be developed within the vicinity of the project site. However, for purposes of thiscumulative impact analysis on libraries, only those related projects that propose residential uses areconsideredasresidentialuseswouldgenerateusersoflibraryfacilities.ResidentialrelatedprojectarelistedinTableIV.J.4‐3,EstimatedCumulative ImpactstoLibraries. Of the40relatedprojects,20areresidentialprojectsgeneratingapopulationofapproximately3,759people.Withtheadditionoftheproject’sestimatedpopulationof379residents,thetotalnewresidentswouldbe4,138residents.

To theextent that theseresidentswouldutilizeonlyoneof thearea’s library’s, thecumulative residentialgrowthwouldnotbesufficientenoughtoresultintheneedforanewbranchlibraryatanyofthelibraries(i.e., theserviceareapopulationwouldnotexceed90,000residentsatanyof theareafacilities). It isalsoimportanttonotethatresidentswouldlikelyvisitthelibrarymostconvenienttothem(includinglibrariesavailable at the UCLA campus) and usewould be spread across these various libraries so no one facilitywould be significantly impacted. In addition, this numbermay be overstated as it does not consider thatmuch of the growth associated with the project and the related projects is already accounted for in theservice population projections made by LAPL. Similar to the proposed project, related projects wouldgeneraterevenuetotheCity’sgeneralfundthatcouldbeusedtofundLAPLexpendituresasnecessaryto

Page 10: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

IV.J.4.  Libraries    September 2011 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐10

Table IV.J.4‐3 

Estimated Cumulative Impacts to Libraries 

Map No.a  Project  Location 

ResidentialPopulation b, c, d 

CityofLosAngeles3 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 10955WilshireBlvd 204 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 10857SantaMonicaBlvd 957 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 1130GayleAve 978 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 1777WestwoodBlvd 919 Condominium 10777WilshireBlvd 12112 Condominium 1929BeloitAve 12714 CenturyCityWestfieldExpansion 10250SantaMonicaBlvd 351e

15 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 11122PicoBlvd 1087

16 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 2025AvenueoftheStars 279e17 Condominium 10331BellwoodAve 319

CityofBeverlyHills20 9900WilshireBlvd 9900WilshireBoulevard 52422 TheBeverlyHilton 9876WilshireBoulevard 25023 Condominiums 9936DurantDrive 2726 Condominiums 450‐460NorthPalmDrive 7327 Condominiums 432NOakhurstDrive 7130 Condominiums 140‐144SouthOakhurstDrive 2332 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 9200WilshireBoulevard 11235 Condominiums 225SHamiltonDrive 2736 Condominiums 156‐168NorthLaPeerDrive 2138 Mixed‐UseDevelopment 8600WilshireBoulevard 44

RelatedProjectsTotal 3,759

ProposedProjectTotal 379

GrandTotal 4,138

   

a  Corresponds with Map Nos. on Figure III‐1 of this Draft EIR. b  Based  on  the  most  recent  (2009)  data  in  the  West  Los  Angeles  Community  Plan,  the  Community  Plan  area  has 

76,933 persons residing in 38,155 dwelling units, averaging approximately 2.02 persons per household.  City of Los Angeles Planning Department Statistical Information, http://cityplanning.lacity.org, accessed April 5, 2011.  

c  Based  on  the  most  recent  (2011)  California  Department  of  Finance  Data,  the  City  of  Beverly  Hills  has  a  residential population  of  34,132  persons  residing  in  16,393  dwelling  units,  averaging  2.08  persons  per  household.    California Department  of  Finance.  Table  E‐5:  Population  Estimates  with  Annual  Percent  Change  –  January  1  2010  and  2011, http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/reports/estimates/e‐5/2011‐20/view.php, accessed April 29, 2011.  

d  Totals are rounded to the nearest whole number. e  Based on the 2010 Census data, Century City (Census Tract 2679.01) has 2,428 residents residing in 1,812 housing units, an 

averaging 1.34 persons per household. http://factfinder2.census.gov, accessed April 29, 2011.  Source:  Fehr and Peers (related projects), and PCR Services Corporation (population calculations), July 2011. 

Page 11: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4

September 2011    IV.J.4.  Libraries 

 

CityofLosAngeles 10000SantaMonicaBoulevardPCRServicesCorporation/SCHNo.2011041042 IV.J.4‐11

offsetthecumulativeincrementalimpactonlibraryservices.Therefore,cumulativegrowthanticipatedinthecommunity,includingtheproposedproject,wouldnotcauseafuturepopulationthatwouldexceedtheexpectedservicepopulationoflibrariesservingtheprojectsite.

5.  MITIGATION MEASURES 

Potentialimpactstolibrarieswouldbelessthansignificant.Therefore,nomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

6.  LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION 

Potential impacts to library services and facilities as a result of implementation of the proposed projectwould be less than significant and nomitigationmeasures would be required. The proposed project, inconjunctionwithrelatedprojects,wouldnotresultinasignificantcumulativeimpacttolibraryservicesandfacilities;therefore,nomitigationmeasuresarenecessary.

Page 12: IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS J. PUBLIC …IV.J.4. Libraries September 2011 City of Los Angeles 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard PCR Services Corporation/SCH No. 2011041042 IV.J.4‐4