HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-27 PC AGENDA CONTINUATION OF ADJOURNED MEETINGSPlanning Commission
City of Hermosa Beach
Adjourned Meeting Agenda - Final
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254
Council Chambers7:00 PMMonday, March 27, 2017
Adjourned Meeting
(Continuation of the February 22, 23, 27; and March 13 and 21, 2017 Meetings)
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March 27, 2017Planning Commission Adjourned Meeting Agenda -
Final
CONTINUATION OF THE FEBRUARY 22, 23, 27;
AND MARCH 13 AND 21, 2017 MEETINGS
Links to February 22, 23, 27; and March 13 and 21, 2017 Planning
Commission Meeting Videos
17-0197
===Note: No Smoking Is Allowed in The City Hall Council Chambers===
THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER
Planning Commission agendas and staff reports are available for review on the City's web site at
www.hermosabch.org. Wireless access is available in the City Council Chambers for mobile devices:
Network ID: CHB-Guest, Password: chbguest
Written materials distributed to the Planning Commission within 72 hours
of the Planning Commission meeting are available for public inspection immediately
upon distribution in the Community Development Department during normal business hours
from Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on the City's website.
If you challenge any City of Hermosa Beach decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described on this agenda, or in a written
correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Assistive Listening Devices will be
available for check out at the meeting. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting,
please call or submit your request in writing to the Community Development Department
at (310) 318-0242 at least 48 hours (two working days) prior to the meeting time to inform us
of your needs and to determine if/how accommodation is feasible.
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing to Recommend Certification of the PLAN Hermosa Final
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Recommend Adoption of PLAN
Hermosa with Suggested Changes
REPORT
17-0196
4.
Recommendation:It is recommended that the Planning Commission take the following actions:
* Adopt the resolution recommending the City Council certify the Final Environmental
Impact Report, adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and adopt a
Statement of Overriding Considerations for PLAN Hermosa as identified in Attachment 1.
* Adopt the resolution recommending the City Council adopt PLAN Hermosa, the
integrated General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan for the City of Hermosa Beach,
confirm that the implementation actions adequately carry out the goals and policies of
PLAN Hermosa, and direct staff to submit the Coastal Land Use Plan to the California
Coastal Commission for Certification as identified in Attachment 2.
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March 27, 2017Planning Commission Adjourned Meeting Agenda -
Final
5. Adjournment
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City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
17-0197
Links to February 22, 23, 27; and March 13 and 21, 2017 Planning Commission Meeting Videos
Attachment:
1.February 22, 2017 Adjourned Meeting Video
2.February 23, 2017 Adjourned Meeting Video
3.February 27, 2017 Adjourned Meeting Video
4.March 13, 2017 Adjourned Meeting Video (audio available at 00:01:55)
5.March 21, 2017 Regular Meeting Video (click on item No. 12, PLAN Hermosa, at 02:11:30)
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City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
REPORT 17-0196
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission
Adjourned Meeting of March 27, 2017
Public Hearing to Recommend Certification of the PLAN Hermosa Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
and Recommend Adoption of PLAN Hermosa with Suggested Changes
Recommended Action:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission take the following actions:
·Adopt the resolution recommending the City Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report,
adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program,and adopt a Statement of Overriding
Considerations for PLAN Hermosa as identified in Attachment 1.
·Adopt the resolution recommending the City Council adopt PLAN Hermosa,the integrated General
Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan for the City of Hermosa Beach,confirm that the implementation
actions adequately carry out the goals and policies of PLAN Hermosa,and direct staff to submit the
Coastal Land Use Plan to the California Coastal Commission for Certification as identified in
Attachment 2.
Background:
In July 2013,the City of Hermosa Beach initiated the process of updating and integrating the City’s General
Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan,collectively referred to as PLAN Hermosa.The City has received two grants
for this effort,from the Strategic Growth Council for a ‘Comprehensive Blueprint for Sustainability and a Low
Carbon Future’ and from the Coastal Commission for Local Coastal Program Assistance.
The work products prepared for PLAN Hermosa thus far, including background reports, issue papers, and
community engagement materials and results are available on the City’s webpage at
<http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=767>. Previous activities as well as plans already adopted by
the City and other background resources may also be reviewed at this webpage.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR):
An EIR is an informational document to provide the public and decision makers with information on the
environmental effects of proposed actions.The EIR evaluates the direct physical environmental effects that
may occur through the implementation of PLAN Hermosa as well as the indirect physical effects,based on
“significance thresholds”adopted or accepted by agencies or by the City,which serve as benchmarks for
determining if a component action will result in a significant adverse environmental impact.
The City of Hermosa Beach prepared the PLAN Hermosa Program EIR (State Clearinghouse #2015081009)
in its capacity as lead agency under CEQA and in compliance with CEQA.The EIR consists of the Notice of
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in its capacity as lead agency under CEQA and in compliance with CEQA.The EIR consists of the Notice of
Preparation,the Draft EIR including technical appendices,the Responses to Comments,Final Corrections and
Additions,Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program,and the Project Findings and Statement of Overriding
Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN Hermosa.
Planning Commission Role:
An EIR must be certified before the decision-makers can rely on it in deciding whether or not to approve a
project.The Planning Commission’s first role is to make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to
certify the Final Environmental Impact Report.Certification is appropriate when the document:(1)has been
completed in compliance with CEQA;(2)was presented to decision-makers for consideration prior to
approving the project;and (3)that the EIR reflects the City’s independent judgment and analysis.The
recommended findings are set forth in the resolution in Attachment 1 and a summary of the EIR process is
provided in this staff report.
EIR Development Proceedings:
Notice of Preparation
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act,the City,acting as Lead Agency,circulated a Notice of
Preparation (NOP)for the project on August 7,2015,beginning a 30-day review period.As part of the scoping
process,the City prepared a description of the project,identified proposed project objectives,and identified the
potential environmental issues to be evaluated.
A public scoping meeting was held to take public comment on the NOP at the Planning Commission meeting
on August 18,2015,in the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers.The NOP and letters received in response
to the NOP from both public agencies and members of the public are included in Appendix B of the Draft EIR.
Draft Environmental Impact Report
Following the Notice of Preparation period,the City prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
evaluating PLAN Hermosa’s potential direct,indirect,and cumulative environmental impacts on the following
issues:
·Aesthetics and Visual Resources
·Air Quality
·Biological Resources
·Cultural Resources
·Geology and Soils
·Greenhouse Gas Emissions
·Hazards and Hazardous Materials
·Hydrology and Water Quality
·Land Use and Planning
·Mineral Resources
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·Noise and Vibration
·Population, Housing, and Employment
·Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities
·Transportation
The DEIR also analyzed three alternatives to the proposed project:Alternative 1 -Retain Existing General
Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan is the No Project Alternative;Alternative 2 -Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 is
the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative;and Alternative 3 -Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources
is the Character Retention Alternative.The Character Retention Alternative was determined to be the
environmentally superior alternative.The Planning Commission has reviewed and discussed the alternatives
and made findings for each alternative to determine that they are infeasible.
The Draft EIR,provided as Attachment 1E,was circulated for a 72-day public comment period beginning
October 26,2016 and ending on January 5,2017.As part of the Draft EIR review process,the Planning
Commission held a special meeting on November 21, 2016 to take public comment on the Draft EIR.
Final Environmental Impact Report
The City received comment letters from public agencies and the public regarding the Draft EIR.This document
responds to the comments received,as required by CEQA.As prescribed by CEQA Guidelines Sections
15088 and 15132,the lead agency (in this case,the City of Hermosa Beach)is required to evaluate comments
on environmental issues received from persons who have reviewed the Draft EIR and to prepare written
responses to those comments.This Final EIR contains individual responses to each comment received during
the public review period for the Draft EIR.In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15088(c),the written
responses describe the disposition of significant environmental issues raised,detailed in Attachment 1A.The
City and its consultants have provided a good faith effort to respond in detail to all environmental issues raised
by the comments.
The Final EIR was circulated on February 9,2017 and all required notifications were provided pursuant to
CEQA (Public Resources Code Section 21092.5).The Planning Commission held Public Hearings on
February 22,23,27,and March 13,2017 to review PLAN Hermosa and the Final EIR and recommended
changes to the EIR based on changes to the goals and policies,implementation actions,and mitigation
measures.The Final EIR has been updated to reflect Planning Commission input and is included as
Attachment 1B.
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program,provided in Attachment 1C has been revised to reflect the
Planning Commission’s input on the feasibility of implementing mitigation measures.Pursuant to Section
15091 (a)(1)of the CEQA Guidelines,the Planning Commission needs to determine that changes or
alterations have been required in the project that,to the extent feasible,substantially lessen the significant
environmental effects identified in the EIR and identify those changes in a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program.In accordance with Section 15091 (d),and Section 15097 of the CEQA Guidelines,a public agency is
required to adopt a program for reporting or monitoring required changes or conditions of approval to
substantially lessen significant environmental effects.
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Project Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations
The Project Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations set forth in Attachment 1D,are presented
for recommendation by the City of Hermosa Beach Planning Commission as the City’s findings under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)(Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.)and the CEQA
Guidelines (California Code of Regulations,Title 14,Section 15000 et seq.)relating to the Project.The
Findings provide the written analysis and conclusions of this Planning Commission regarding the Project’s
environmental impacts,mitigation measures,alternatives to the Project,and the overriding considerations,
which in this Planning Commission’s view,justify approval of PLAN Hermosa,despite environmental effects
that cannot be mitigated below a level of significance.Planning Commission provided input to make findings
related to the alternatives to the proposed project,which are documented in the Statement of Overriding
Considerations.
Tribal Consultation
In accordance with Senate Bill 18 (SB 18)and Government Code 69352.3,and Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52)and
Government Code 21000,the City of Hermosa Beach requested a list of Tribal Organization contacts from the
Native American Heritage Commission in April 2014.The City of Hermosa Beach sent notifications to the
appropriate tribal organizations in January 2015 in compliance with SB 18,and again in August 2015 to comply
with AB 52.The City has complied with the requirements for tribal consultation and the findings of consultation
process can be found in Attachment 1D.
Findings to Recommend Certification:
Based on the facts and the entire record of the proceedings,the Planning Commission can make the findings
needed to recommend certification and adopt the resolution provided as Attachment 1.
PLAN Hermosa
Planning Commission Role:
The Planning Commission’s second responsibility is to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding
adoption of PLAN Hermosa to serve as the City’s integrated General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan.This
recommendation can be made following review and consideration by the Planning Commission of the new
Planning Commission Recommended Draft of PLAN Hermosa prepared in March 2017,and any additional
changes recommended by the Planning Commission by making findings that it is (1)consistent with and
reflective of the City’s continuing goals,policies,actions and intent to adopt a general plan for the physical
development of the City;(2)meets the requirements of,and is in conformance with the policies and
requirements of Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act,(3)has offered the public an opportunity to participate
in the development of the plan through public hearings or other means deemed appropriate by the City.The
recommended findings are set forth in the resolution in Attachment 2 and summarized below in this staff
report.
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PLAN Hermosa Review Proceedings:
The Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa was made available to the public on December 15,2015.Digital
copies of the document were posted on the City’s website,and hard copies were available for review at the
Community Development Counter of City Hall,the Police Department,the Community Center and the
Hermosa Beach Library.Hard copies were also made available to the community free of charge from the
Community Development Department.A city-wide mailing was produced and sent to all addresses within the
City in January 2016 to let the community know about opportunities to provide input or participate in meetings
related to PLAN Hermosa.
Written comments on the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa were encouraged to be submitted between
December 15,2015 and February 25,2016 and were presented for consideration by the City’s Commissions
during their review of PLAN Hermosa.Opportunities to provide verbal comments at the following public
meetings:
·January 25,2016 -Joint Study Session of the Planning Commission,Public Works Commission,Parks
and Recreation Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission
·January 26, 2016 - Study Session of the City Council
·February 5-6, 2016 - Community Open House and Walking Tours
City Commission Review
Following the release of the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa,the Planning Commission,Public Works
Commission,Parks and Recreation Commission,and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission held
public meetings to review the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa between March 2016 and June 2016 on
the following dates:
·March 15, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
·March 28, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
·April 5, 2016 - Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting (Parks + Open Space Element)
·April 18, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
·April 19, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Mobility Element)
·April 25, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Mobility Element)
·May 9, 2016 - EPAC Meeting (Public Safety Element)
·May 16, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Sustainability + Conservation)
·May 18, 2016 - Public Works Commission Meeting (Mobility Element)
·June 15, 2016 - Public Works Commission Meeting (Infrastructure, Public Safety Elements)
·June 20, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Governance, Parks + Open Space,
Infrastructure Elements)
·June 21, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Public Safety Element)
Through these meetings,all of the Commissions have recommended modifications to the document.The
changes to PLAN Hermosa that the Planning Commission recommends to the City Council include input from
the Public Works Commission,Parks and Recreation Commission,and Emergency Preparedness Advisory
Commission and have been incorporated into the Planning Commission Recommended Draft of PLAN
Hermosa.
Planning Commission Recommended Draft of PLAN Hermosa:
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The Planning Commission has held duly noticed Public Hearings on the following dates:
·February 22, 2017
·February 23, 2017
·February 27, 2017
·March 13, 2017
·March 21, 2017
The public hearings have been held to review PLAN Hermosa and the Final EIR and reviewed proposed
changes to goals and policies to PLAN Hermosa and provide direction on which changes should be
incorporated into the Planning Commission Recommended Draft, which is provided as Attachment 2A.
Implementation Actions
At the time the Draft Environmental Impact Report was circulated for public comment in October 2016,the City
also prepared a set of proposed Implementation Actions.These Implementation Actions were drafted following
the City’s Commissions’Review of PLAN Hermosa,and considered Commission comments on the goals and
policies to create a work program to be implemented following formal adoption of PLAN Hermosa.Planning
Commission provided input and the implementation actions have been revised as noted in Attachment 2B.
Findings to Recommend Adoption:
Based on the facts and the entire record of the proceedings,the Planning Commission can make the findings
needed to recommend adoption of PLAN Hermosa and adopt the resolution provided as Attachment 2.
Attachments:
1.Planning Commission EIR Resolution
A.Final Environmental Impact Report -Public Comments + Response to Comments
B.Final Corrections and Additions to the EIR based on Planning Commission Changes to PLAN
Hermosa and Implementation Actions
C.Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
D.Project Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations
E.Draft Environmental Impact Report
2.Planning Commission Resolution on PLAN Hermosa
A.March 2017 Planning Commission Recommended Draft PLAN Hermosa
B.PLAN Hermosa Revised Implementation Actions
Respectfully Submitted by: Leeanne Singleton, General Plan Coordinator
Approved: Ken Robertson, Community Development Director
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RESOLUTION NO. 17-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY
COUNCIL CERTIFY THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT (“EIR”), ADOPT A MITIGIATON MONITORING AND
REPORTING PROGRAM, AND ADOPT A STATEMENT OF
OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLAN HERMOSA, THE
INTEGRATED GENERAL PLAN AND COASTAL LAND USE PLAN
FOR THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. In July 2013, the City of Hermosa Beach initiated a comprehensive update to
the General Plan, including integration of the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan. This update includes
comprehensive revisions to all previous elements of the General Plan, with the exception of the
Housing Element, which was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community
Development on October 18, 2013. The three-and-a-half year update process has resulted in the
preparation of PLAN Hermosa, which includes General Plan Elements on Governance, Land Use
+ Design, Mobility, Sustainability + Conservation, Parks + Open Space, Public Safety, Noise, and
Infrastructure. PLAN Hermosa also covers California Coastal Act topics of Public Access,
Recreation + Visitor Serving Facilities, Water Quality Protection, Environmentally Sensitive
Habitats + Natural Resources, Planning + Development, Archaeological + Cultural Resources,
Scenic + Visual Resources, Coastal Hazards, Shoreline Erosion + Protective Devices, and Energy
+ Industrial Development.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the City,
acting as Lead Agency, circulated a Notice of Preparation (“NOP”) for the project on August 7,
2015, beginning a 30-day review period. As part of the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”)
scoping process, the City held a public scoping meeting at the Planning Commission meeting on
August 18, 2015, in the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers. The NOP and letters received in
response to the NOP from both public agencies and members of the public are included in
Appendix B of the Draft EIR. The Draft EIR was circulated for a 72-day review period beginning
Attachment 1
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October 26, 2016 and ending on January 5, 2017. As part of the Draft EIR review process, the
Planning Commission held a special meeting on November 21, 2016 to take public comment on
the Draft EIR. The Final EIR was made public on February 9, 2017. Revisions to the Final EIR
have been made based on Planning Commission review and changes to PLAN Hermosa. All
required notifications were provided pursuant to CEQA (Public Resources Code Section 21092.5)
and all comment letters were incorporated into the Final EIR.
SECTION 3. In accordance with Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) and Government Code 69352.3,
and Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) and Government Code 21000, the City of Hermosa Beach
requested a list of Tribal Organization contacts from the Native American Heritage Commission in
April 2014. The City of Hermosa Beach sent notifications to the appropriate tribal organizations in
January 2015 in compliance with SB 18, and again in August 2015 to comply with AB 52. The
City has complied with the requirements for tribal consultation and the findings of consultation
process can be found in Attachment D to this resolution.
SECTION 4. The Planning Commission, Public Works Commission, Parks and
Recreation Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission held public
meetings to review the 2015 Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa between January 2016 and
June 2016, and have recommended modifications to the document. The Planning Commission
further held Public Hearings on February 22, 23, and 27; and March 13, 21, and27, 2017 to review
and identify additional recommended changes to PLAN Hermosa, based on previous input from
the Public Works Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Emergency Preparedness
Advisory Commission, and public and commissioner testimony provided during the public
hearings. The changes to PLAN Hermosa that the Planning Commission recommends to the City
Council, have been incorporated into the Planning Commission Recommended Draft prepared in
March 2017 can be found as Attachment A to the PC Resolution No 17-____ and are included as
part of the Planning Commission’s recommendation for City Council consideration. The proposed
changes to the project largely clarify and define policy language without changing the intent of the
PLAN’s goals and objectives. Pursuant to Section 15088.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the
changes would not result in any new significant environmental impacts nor substantially increase
Attachment 1
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the severity of significant impacts described in the EIR and a recirculation of the EIR is not
necessary. The EIR is not changed in a way that deprives the public of a meaningful opportunity to
comment upon a substantial adverse environmental effect of the project because the impact
conclusions have not changed. The EIR is also not changed in a way that deprives the public of a
meaningful opportunity to comment upon a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect that
will not be implemented, as all feasible mitigation and a reasonable range of alternatives were
discussed in the EIR and during the extensive public hearing process. There are no new or
substantially increased impacts that were not previously identified in the EIR. As explained further
in Attachment D, Hermosa Beach Planning Commission Project Findings and Statement of
Overriding Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN Hermosa, none of the conditions
set forth in CEQA requiring recirculation of a Draft EIR have been met.
SECTION 5. The City of Hermosa Beach prepared the PLAN Hermosa Program EIR
(State Clearinghouse #2015081009) in its capacity as lead agency under CEQA and in compliance
with CEQA. The Final EIR, provided as Attachments A through E consists of the NOP, Notice of
Availability, the Draft EIR including technical appendices, the Responses to Comments, Final
Corrections and Additions, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and the Project
Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN
Hermosa. Hereafter, these documents will be referred to collectively as the “Final EIR.” These
Findings are based on the entire record before the Planning Commission, including the Final EIR.
SECTION 6. In accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21092.5, the City
provided written proposed responses to public agencies that commented on the Draft EIR ten (10)
days prior to certification of the Final EIR.
SECTION 7. Notice of the public hearing before the Planning Commission on the PLAN
Hermosa and FEIR was advertised in The Easy Reader Newspaper on February 16, 2017, and re-
advertised in the Easy Reader on March 16, 2017. Notification of the Public Hearing was also
shared with the local press and was also distributed via the City’s eNotify, Nixle and Nextdoor
communication systems to the Hermosa Beach community.
Attachment 1
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SECTION 8. In accordance with CEQA Section 21082, the Planning Commission
independently reviewed and analyzed the Final EIR, provided as Attachments A through E, and
the administrative record relating to the proposed project. The Final EIR constitutes an accurate
and complete statement of the environmental impacts of the proposed project. The Final EIR
reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission and it hereby recommends the City
Council adopt the facts and analysis in the Final EIR and in the Project Findings and Statement of
Overriding Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN Hermosa and certify the Final
EIR. The omission of some detail or aspect of the Final EIR does not mean that it has been
rejected by the Planning Commission.
SECTION 9. Pursuant to Section 15091 (a)(1) of the CEQA Guidelines, the Planning
Commission finds that changes or alterations have been required in the project that, to the extent
feasible, substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the EIR. These
changes or alterations are included in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. In
accordance with Section 15091 (d), and Section 15097 of the CEQA Guidelines, which require a
public agency to adopt a program for reporting or monitoring required changes or conditions of
approval to substantially lessen significant environmental effects, the Planning Commission hereby
recommends the City Council adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
incorporated herein as Attachment C.
SECTION 10. In accordance with CEQA Section 21081, specific overriding economic,
legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the project have been identified that outweigh the
significant effects on the environment, as described in the Statement of Overriding Considerations
(Attachment D). The Planning Commission hereby recommends the City Council make the
findings described in the Project Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations
Recommending the adoption of PLAN Hermosa.
Attachment 1
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VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
HERMOSA BEACH ON THIS ___ DAY OF MARCH, 2017.
______________________________
Ken Robertson, Secretary
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Michael Flaherty, Chairman
Date
Attachment 1
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city of hermosa beach
Final Environmental Impact Report
SCH# 2015081009 • February 2017
PLAN Hermosa........................................................
Attachment 1A
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Attachment 1A
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C ITY OF H ERMOSA B EACH
PLAN H ERMOSA
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
SCH #2015081009
Prepared for:
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
1315 VALLEY DRIVE
HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254
Prepared by:
MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
1 KAISER PLAZA, SUITE 1150
OAKLAND, CA 94612
REVISED MARCH 2017
Attachment 1A
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Attachment 1A
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
i
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background and Purpose of the EIR ......................................................................................... 2.0-1
1.2 Intended Uses of the EIR .............................................................................................................. 2.0-1
1.3 Organization and Scope of the Final EIR ................................................................................ 2.0-2
2.0 RESPONSES TO COMMENTS
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2.0-1
2.2 Commenter List ............................................................................................................................. 2.0-1
2.3 Comments and Responses ........................................................................................................ .2.0-2
3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3.0-1
3.2 Revisions to the Draft EIR ............................................................................................................. 3.0-1
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
4.1 Mitigation Montoring Program ................................................................................................... 4.0-1
4.2 Monitoring Authority and Enforcement Responsibility .......................................................... 4.0-1
4.3 Mitigation Compliance Responsiblity ....................................................................................... 4.0-1
4.4 General Monitoring Procedures ................................................................................................ 4.0-1
4.5 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Table ............................................................................ 4.0-2
APPENDICES
ADDED TO APPENDIX C: TECHNICAL BACKGROUND REPORT (ON CD)
Appendix A1 – Hermosa Beach Market Analysis
Appendix A2 – Vulnerability and Adaptation to Sea Level Rise
Appendix B1 – Natural Resources
Appendix B2 – Special-Status Species
Appendix B6 – Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Assessment
Appendix B7 – City of Hermosa Beach 2013–2021 Housing Element
APPENDIX H (TRIBAL CONSULTATION)
Attachment 1A
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
ii
ABBREVIATIONS
AB Assembly Bill
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CHR California Historical Resource
EIR environmental impact report
GHG greenhouse gas
HCM Highway Capacity Manual
kW kilowatt
kWh kilowatt-hour
JWPCP Joint Water Pollution Control Plant
LACSD Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
LID Low Impact Development
LOS level of service
mgd million gallons per day
MMRP mitigation monitoring and reporting program
MW megawatt
NAHC Native American Heritage Commission
NOP Notice of Preparation
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
OPR California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
PCH Pacific Coast Highway
REC renewable energy certificate
SB Senate Bill
SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SCCIC South Central Coastal Information Center
SCE Southern California Edison
TIS Traffic Impact Study
VMT vehicle miles traveled
Attachment 1A
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
1.0-1
This Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) was prepared in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines (Section 15132).
The City of Hermosa Beach (City) is the lead agency for the environmental review of the
proposed PLAN Hermosa (SCH No. 2015081009), which includes the implementation of a
citywide General Plan and Local Coastal Program (proposed project). The City has the principal
responsibility for approving the proposed project.
1.1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE EIR
The following is an overview of the environmental review process for the proposed project that
led to the preparation of this Final EIR.
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
A Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Draft EIR was issued August 7, 2015. The NOP was
circulated to the public, local, state, and federal agencies, and other interested parties to solicit
comments. These comment letters are included in Appendix B of the Draft EIR. A scoping meeting
was held on August 18, 2015. The review period for the NOP ended on September 8, 2015.
DRAFT EIR
A Notice of Availability for the Draft EIR was posted on the City’s website and distributed to
interested parties on October 26, 2016. The Draft EIR was released for public and agency review
for a 72-day review period ending on January 5, 2017. The Planning Commission held a hearing
on November 21, 2016, to receive comments on the Draft EIR. Comments received during the
public review period are addressed in this Final EIR.
The Draft EIR contains a description of the project, description of the environmental setting,
identification of project impacts, and mitigation measures for impacts found to be significant, as
well as an analysis of project alternatives. The Draft EIR was provided to interested public
agencies and the public and was made available for review at City offices and on the City’s
website.
FINAL EIR
The City received comment letters from public agencies and the public regarding the Draft EIR.
This document responds to the comments received, as required by CEQA. As prescribed by
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15088 and 15132, the lead agency (in this case, the City of Hermosa
Beach) is required to evaluate comments on environmental issues received from persons who
have reviewed the Draft EIR and to prepare written responses to those comments. This Final EIR
contains individual responses to each comment received during the public review period for the
Draft EIR. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15088(c), the written responses describe
the disposition of significant environmental issues raised. The City and its consultants have
provided a good faith effort to respond in detail to all significant environmental issues raised by
the comments. This document also contains minor edits to the Draft EIR, which are included in
Section 3.0, Revisions to the Draft EIR. This document constitutes the Final EIR.
Attachment 1A
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
1.0-2
CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL EIR/PROJECT CONSIDERATION
This document, together with the Draft EIR (incorporated by reference in accordance with
CEQA Guidelines Section 15150), will comprise the Final EIR for this project. The City will review
and consider the Final EIR. If the City finds that the Final EIR is “adequate and complete,” the
City may certify the Final EIR. The rule of adequacy generally holds that the EIR can be certified if
it: (1) shows a good faith effort at full disclosure of environmental information; and (2) provides
sufficient analysis to allow decisions to be made regarding the project in contemplation of its
environmental consequences.
Upon review and consideration of the Final EIR, the City may take action to adopt, revise, or
reject the proposed project. A decision to approve the project would be accompanied by
written findings in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093. Public
Resources Code Section 21081.6 also requires lead agencies to adopt a mitigation monitoring
and reporting program to describe measures that have been adopted or made a condition of
project approval in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment.
1.2 INTENDED USES OF THE EIR
The EIR is intended to evaluate the environmental impacts of PLAN Hermosa to the greatest
extent possible. This EIR, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15126, should be used as
the primary environmental document to evaluate all planning and permitting actions
associated with the project. Please refer to Chapter 3.0, Project Description, of the Draft EIR for a
detailed discussion of PLAN Hermosa.
1.3 ORGANIZATION AND SCOPE OF THE FINAL EIR
This document is organized in the following manner:
SECTION 1.0 – INTRODUCTION
Section 1.0 provides an overview of the EIR process to date and describes the required contents
of the Final EIR.
SECTION 2.0 – RESPONSES TO COMMENTS
Section 2.0 includes a list of commenters, copies of written comments (coded for reference),
and the responses to those written and oral comments made on the Draft EIR.
SECTION 3.0 – REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
Section 3.0 lists the revisions made to the Draft EIR as a result of comments received and other
staff-initiated changes.
SECTION 4.0 – MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Section 4.0 provides a program for reporting or monitoring regarding the implementation of
mitigation measures for PLAN Hermosa, if it is approved, to ensure that the adopted mitigation
measures are implemented as defined in this EIR.
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2.1 INTRODUCTION
This Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) for PLAN Hermosa (proposed project) was
prepared in accordance with CEQA (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) and
the CEQA Guidelines (California Code Regulations Section 15000 et seq.). The City of Hermosa
Beach is the lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed project and has the
principal responsibility for approving the project.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESPONDING TO COMMENTS ON A DRAFT EIR
CEQA Guidelines Section 15204 recommends that commenters provide detailed comments that
focus on the sufficiency of the Draft EIR in identifying and analyzing the possible impacts on the
environment and ways in which the project’s significant effects might be avoided or mitigated.
This section also notes that commenters should include an explanation and evidence supporting
their comments. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064, an effect is not considered significant
in the absence of substantial evidence supporting such a conclusion.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15088 requires that lead agencies evaluate all comments on
environmental issues received on the Draft EIR and prepare a written response. The written
response must address the significant environmental issue raised and must be detailed, especially
when specific comments or suggestions (e.g., additional mitigation measures) are not accepted.
In addition, there must be a good faith and reasoned analysis in the written response. However,
lead agencies need only respond to significant environmental issues associated with the project
and do not need to provide all the information requested by commenters, as long as a good faith
effort at full disclosure is made in the EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15204).
CEQA Guidelines Section 15088 recommends that where a response to comments results in
revisions to the Draft EIR, those revisions be incorporated as a revision to the Draft EIR or as a
separate section of the Final EIR. Revisions to the Draft EIR are incorporated as Section 3.0 of this
Final EIR.
There were numerous comments from individuals concerning PLAN Hermosa itself, with particular
emphasis on carbon neutrality. Comments on PLAN Hermosa that are not germane to the analysis
of environmental impacts do not require detailed responses in this Final EIR, as provided under
CEQA. However, general responses are included for completeness and to inform the decision-
making process. Comments that provide suggestions or questions regarding goals and policies in
PLAN Hermosa are presented for consideration in a separate document and will be included in
staff reports to the Planning Commission and City Council.
2.2 COMMENTER LIST
The following commenters submitted written comments on the Draft EIR. The comment period for
the Draft EIR began October 27, 2016, and ended January 5, 2017. Confirmation of lead agency
compliance with CEQA for public review of the Draft EIR was received from the Governor’s Office
of Planning and Research on October 26, 2016.
Attachment 1A
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Letter Code Commenter Date
Agencies
CALTRANS California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), District 7 December 20, 2016
CSDLAC County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County January 5, 2017
NAHC California Native American Heritage Commission December 21, 2016
CLAFD County of Los Angeles Fire Department November 16, 2016
Tribes
GBMI Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians October 30, 2016
Individuals
ADLS Steve Adler November 24, 2016
BARP Peggy Barr November 17, 2016
BERC Claudia Berman January 2, 2017
FORR Robert Fortunato November 21, 2016
GRED David Grethen November 21, 2016
KRUA Arthur Krugler December 4, 2016
MORG G & J Moriyama November 19, 2016
MOWB Bette Mower November 18, 2016
PALJ Jens Palsberg November 20, 2016
SARK Ken Sarno November 2, 2016
SCHH Heather Schneider December 2, 2016
TATP1 Pam Tatreau December 5, 2016
TATP2 Pam Tatreau December 31, 2016
TUTC Coco Larson-Tuttle December 12, 2016
Planning Commission Meeting
PUBM Transcript from Planning Commission Public Hearing on Draft EIR November 21, 2016
2.3 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES
Written comments on the Draft EIR are reproduced on the following pages, along with responses
to those comments in table form at the end of this section.
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AGENCIES
Attachment 1A
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Attachment 1A
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CALTRANS-1
CALTRANS-2
CALTRANS-3
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CALTRANS-4
CALTRANS-5
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CSDLAC-1
CSDLAC-2
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CSDLAC-2
cont.
CSDLAC-3
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NAHC-1
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NAHC-1
cont.
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CLAFD-1
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CLAFD-1
cont.
CLAFD-2
CLAFD-3
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
CALTRANS-1 The commenter recommends that the City refer to the California Governor’s Office
of Planning and Research (OPR) Guidelines for vehicle miles traveled analysis in
CEQA.
The OPR website and guidelines regarding vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis in
CEQA documents were reviewed in conjunction with the preparation of the
project’s Traffic Impact Study (TIS). The Draft EIR (pp. 4.14-19 through 4.14-20)
summarizes how Senate Bill (SB) 743 will change the way in which transportation
impacts may be evaluated by jurisdictions. While the VMT analysis in the EIR is
consistent with draft guidelines being prepared by OPR in response to SB 743, its
implementation is still evolving and has not yet been incorporated into the CEQA
Guidelines. As such, the City of Hermosa Beach does not have adopted thresholds
for evaluating a project’s VMT. Because the recommendations for new analysis
metrics and thresholds of significance are still under development by OPR, the VMT
metrics presented in the City’s Draft EIR are for informational purposes, as noted
on page 4.14-32 in the Draft EIR, and the City has relied on adopted level of service
(LOS) standards to determine potential impacts.
CALTRANS-2 This comment references Table 4.14-19 (Caltrans Signalized Intersection Impact
Criteria), which is on page 4.14-34 in the Draft EIR. The table identifies three impact
thresholds. The comment states that the threshold in the table is incorrect, but does
not indicate which threshold is incorrect.
Per Caltrans’ TIS guidelines, Caltrans intersections along the Pacific Coast Highway
(PCH) in the study area were analyzed using the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)
methodology. While Caltrans’ TIS guidelines provide screening criteria to
determine whether a TIS is needed, its guidance does not include criteria to
determine whether the project’s trip generation should be considered “significant”
under CEQA. For purposes of the Draft EIR analysis, PLAN Hermosa would create a
significant impact at a signalized intersection if it causes the intersection to
degrade to LOS D, E, or F from LOS C or above. The City, as the CEQA lead agency,
worked with its traffic consultant to establish the thresholds used in the Draft EIR,
which are consistent with standards used in other recent environmental
documents in the city, including the TIS for the E&B Oil Development Project EIR.
CALTRANS-3 The City and its project consultants selected a project evaluation scenario for the
Caltrans intersections along the PCH that included lane repurposing consistent
with the policies and objectives in PLAN Hermosa and that would document the
potential impacts of substantial modifications to the intersections’ operating
capacity. Specific information for each intersection is included in Appendix G in
the Draft EIR, based on the master planning documents available at the time of
the analysis. The plans referred to are still under development. Caltrans has not
yet completed its Project Study Report for improvements to the PCH, so no formal
reference is available for that plan. However, the Request for Programming is
available at:
http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=5706.
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
The Aviation Boulevard Master Plan is also under development. Documentation of
a public meeting for the project’s early conceptualization is available at:
http://hermosabeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=2462&
meta_id=126846.
As noted on page 4.14-39 in the Draft EIR, PLAN Hermosa would contribute to
significant impacts at the intersections of the PCH with Artesia Boulevard and
Aviation Boulevard. Opportunities for physical mitigations (by the City) are limited
by alignment issues, Caltrans’ plans for the PCH intersections noted in planning
documents, and inconsistency with local adopted plans. For those reasons, there
is no feasible mitigation available to the City to mitigate PLAN Hermosa impacts,
and the City is not proposing any specific mitigation for PCH intersections at this
time. However, the City will continue to work with Caltrans in the context of the PSR
and future engineering studies when specific projects are advanced.
CALTRANS-4 The commenter suggests four additional policies be added to PLAN Hermosa. The
suggested policies address coordination between the City and Caltrans
concerning state facilities, as well as the City’s transportation impact fee program.
The suggested policies do not propose specific measures that, if implemented,
would further reduce transportation network impacts identified in the Draft EIR.
PLAN Hermosa actions include substantial implementation of Transportation
Demand Management measures that are expected to reduce the expected
growth in traffic compared with the 2040 without PLAN Hermosa scenario.
Therefore, cumulative impacts on both local and state facilities will be reduced.
It is not clear from the comment how the suggested policies would further reduce
these impacts. However, the commenter’s suggested changes are provided in a
separate document and will be presented to the Planning Commission and City
Council to consider their incorporation into PLAN Hermosa.
CALTRANS-5 PLAN Hermosa does not propose any specific projects that would directly affect
state roadways or drainage systems, nor would it result in the movement of goods
requiring a Caltrans transportation permit. This comment is not directed to the
technical analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. City staff acknowledges Caltrans
requirements, and the City would be responsible for ensuring private or public
projects that may be developed in the city comply with applicable design
standards and permitting. Additionally, the City’s Low Impact Development (LID)
Ordinance, green streets policy, Enhanced Watershed Management Plan, and
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit ensure stormwater
is controlled, which is explained in greater detail in Section 4.8, Hydrology and
Water Quality, in the Draft EIR, beginning on page 4.8-8.
County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
CSDLAC-1 This is an informational comment about the County Sanitation Districts of Los
Angeles County wastewater collection and treatment system. It is not specifically
directed to the analysis in the Draft EIR, but does include information about
capacity and flows. City staff reviewed the description of facilities in the Draft EIR
(pp. 4.13-32 and 4.13-39) relative to the information presented in the comment
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
and did not find any discrepancies, with one minor exception. The Draft EIR
(p. 4.13-32) reported an average flow of 263.1 million gallons per day (mgd) to the
Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (based on information provided by the district
in its Notice of Preparation (NOP) comment letter [Draft EIR Appendix B]), while this
comment indicates an average flow of 254.1 mgd, presumably reflecting more
current information. This discrepancy does not affect the conclusion in the Draft
EIR about impacts on wastewater facilities, because the capacity of the Joint
Water Pollution Control Plant remains at 400 mgd, and the more current
information reflects a decrease in average flow, meaning the plant is further away
from reaching capacity than was previously presented. However, the Draft EIR has
been revised with this information (see Chapter 3.0, Revisions to the Draft EIR). With
regard to comment 4 in the letter, the flows presented in the Draft EIR (p. 4.13-39)
were calculated by district staff and provided in its NOP comment letter.
CSDLAC-2 This is an informational comment about the district’s sewerage fee program. It
does not address the analysis in the Draft EIR.
CSDLAC-3 This comment notes that the future capacity of the Joint Water Pollution Control
Plant is based on the regional growth forecast prepared and adopted by the
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and therefore capacity
of the plant is limited to the approved growth identified by SCAG. As described in
Draft EIR Section 4.12, Population, Housing, and Employment, the City of Hermosa
Beach provided input to SCAG in the preparation of the Regional Growth Forecast
adopted as part of the 2016–2040 Regional Transportation Plan on the population,
household, and employment buildout proposed under PLAN Hermosa, and SCAG
accepted that input in full, making the local and regional growth forecasts
identical for growth by the year 2040.
Based on the flow estimates provided by the district in its NOP comment letter,
PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the wastewater system would represent less than
an additional 0.1 percent contribution to flows to the system. This increase would
have a negligible impact on system capacity (Draft EIR p. 4.13-39).
Native American Heritage Commission
NAHC-1 The Draft EIR fully evaluated potential impacts on tribal cultural resources in Section
4.4, Cultural Resources. The City of Hermosa Beach has also complied with Senate
Bill (SB) 18 and Assembly Bill (AB) 52 consultation requirements. The Executive
Summary document provided to the NAHC by the State Clearinghouse included
a CD containing the Draft EIR, which contains the specific information the
commenter asserts was missing from the EIR.
As stated in the Draft EIR (p. 4.4-1), information for the analysis in the Cultural
Resources section of the Draft EIR was based on a technical report titled
Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Assessment and Historic Resources
Existing Conditions Report to support PLAN Hermosa, prepared by PCR Services
Corporation and included in the Draft EIR as Appendix C-7. The assessment
included an archaeological resources records search through the California
Historical Resources Information System, South Central Coastal Information Center
(CHRIS-SCCIC), and a Sacred Lands File search through the California Native
American Heritage Commission (NAHC), among other items (Draft EIR p. 4.4-1).
Attachment 1A
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
The Draft EIR (p. 4.4-5) described the requirements for SB 18 and AB 52 tribal
consultation requirements and how the City has complied with those
requirements. In August 2014, the City received information from the NAHC
pursuant to SB 18 indicating a search of the results of a Sacred Lands File search
and the names of tribal representatives. As stated on page 4.4-5, the City
requested consultation with Native American tribes in compliance with SB 18 in
January 2015, and again under AB 52 in August 2015. In addition to the tribal
consultation process, the City has sent notifications to each of the listed tribal
organizations offering opportunities to comment on the NOP and the Draft EIR.
Copies of all communications with the NAHC and the tribal organizations listed by
the NAHC in accordance with SB 18 and AB 52 requirements have been provided
in a new Appendix H added to the Final EIR. The documents in Appendix H are
confidential to comply with AB 52 and protect the confidential information
provided by California Native American Tribes. They are included in the
administrative record for the EIR and are on file with the City of Hermosa Beach.
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-
Kizh Nation have requested that an experienced, trained, and certified Native
American monitor be on-site during any ground-disturbing activities related to
subsequent projects. It should be noted that PLAN Hermosa is a program level
document that will not directly result in physical changes to the environment since
there is no evidence of a substantial impact and we cannot speculate what types
of projects will be proposed under the General Plan, revisions to the
implementation actions are appropriate to respond to tribe’s concerns.
The Draft EIR (Impacts 4.1-1 and 4.1-2 on pp. 4.4-10 through 4.4-12) evaluated the
potential for implementation of PLAN Hermosa to adversely affect Native
American resources and human remains. As stated on page 4.4-11, no known
archaeological resources (historic or prehistoric) have been recorded within the
city. The Draft EIR noted that these findings, however, do not preclude the
possibility of encountering undiscovered archaeological resources during
construction, given the proven prehistoric and historic occupation of the region,
the identification of surface and subsurface archaeological resources near the
PLAN Hermosa planning area (e.g., Old Salt Lake and CA-LAN-1872), and the
favorable natural conditions (e.g., Pacific Ocean) that would have attracted
prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area. The archaeological monitoring of
numerous construction projects throughout the region in recent decades has
demonstrated the existence of deeply buried archaeological deposits, especially
in locations of rapid Holocene deposition such as alluvial fans. The Draft EIR (p.
4.4-12) also noted that the discovery of Native American human remains, including
cases of multiple burials, is not uncommon in the region (e.g., Malaga Cove).
The City concluded impacts would be less than significant and would not require
mitigation measures because PLAN Hermosa includes a comprehensive policy-
based approach for determining whether tribal resources or remains may be
present in an area in which ground disturbance could occur and how potential
impacts would be mitigated. For example, implementation action LAND USE-23
(Draft EIR p. 4.4-10) directs that the City require archaeological investigations for
all applicable discretionary projects, in accordance with CEQA regulations, for
areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural
Attachment 1A
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
resources. As part of the implementation action, the City will require the
preservation of discovered archaeologically significant resources (as determined
based on city, state, and federal standards by a qualified professional) in place if
feasible or provide mitigation (avoidance, excavation, documentation, curation,
data recovery, or other appropriate measures) prior to further disturbance. The
Draft EIR (pp. 4.4-11 through 4.4-12) explained how this process would work: an
initial archaeological study (Phase I Assessment), at a minimum, would consist of
the following tasks to identify known archaeological resources in a given project
site: a cultural resources records search through the South Central Coastal
Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System, a
pedestrian survey of the project site, a review of the land use history, and
coordination with knowledgeable organizations or individuals (e.g., Hermosa
Beach Historical Society, Native American tribes). If warranted, additional analyses
such as archaeological test excavations and/or remote sensing methods would
be implemented to identify resources.
To more explicitly address tribal requests for a Native American monitor to be
present during ground-disturbing activities, the City proposes amending
implementation action LAND USE-21 as follows (new text underlined):
LAND USE -21. All discretionary projects that include ground disturbance or
excavation activities on previously undisturbed land shall be required to
conduct archaeological investigations in accordance with CEQA
regulations to determine if the project is sensitive for cultural resources.
Additionally, as the Lead Agency for future discretionary projects, the City
is required under AB 52 to notify tribal organizations of proposed projects
and offer to consult with those tribal organizations that indicate interest.
Following any tribal consultation or archaeological investigation, the City
shall weigh and consider available evidence to determine whether there
is a potential risk for disturbing or damaging any cultural or tribal resources
and whether any precautionary measures can be required to reduce or
eliminate that risk. Those precautions may include requiring construction
workers to complete training on archaeological and tribal resources
before any ground disturbance activity and/or requiring a qualified
archaeologist or tribal representative to monitor some or all of the ground
disturbance activities. The City shall require the preservation of discovered
archaeologically significant resources (as determined based on city, state,
and federal standards by a qualified professional) in place if feasible or
provide mitigation (avoidance, excavation, documentation, curation,
data recovery, or other appropriate measures) prior to further disturbance.
County of Los Angeles Fire Department
CLAFD-1 The commenter states PLAN Hermosa does not appear to have any impact on the
emergency responsibilities of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department. The
comment does not affect the conclusions in the Draft EIR concerning fire
protection impacts (Impact 4.13.2-1 [pp. 4.13-7 through 4.13-8] in Section 4.13,
Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities).
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AGENCIES
Comment # Response
CLAFD-2 This commenter states the statutory responsibilities of the County of Los Angeles
Fire Department Forestry Division. The comment does not address the technical
analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR.
CLAFD-3 The commenter states that the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the County
of Los Angeles Fire Department has no comments at this time.
Attachment 1A
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TRIBES
Attachment 1A
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Attachment 1A
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Subject: Plan Hermosa: City of Hermosa Beach Beach General Plan and
Local Coastal Program Update
please see atatchment
Sincerely,
Andrew Salas, Chairman
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians Kizh Nation
PO Box 393
Covina, CA 91723
cell: (626)9264131
email: gabrielenoindians@yahoo.com
website: www.gabrielenoindians.org
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians
Sun 10/30/2016 1:59 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
Cc:Matt Teutimez.Kizh Gabrieleno ; Christina Swindall ; Henrypedregon
; Gary Stickel ;
2 attachments ﴾737 KB﴿
IMG_4746.jpg; Subject‐ Plan Hermosa‐ City of Hermosa Beach Beach General Plan and Local Coastal Program Update .docx;
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TRIBES
Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians–Kizh Nation
Comment # Response
GBMI-1 The commenter summarizes information about the ancestral and traditional
territories of the Kizh villages such as Engnovangan, and has included an
excerpt from a 1978 publication about the Gabrieleño. The Draft EIR (p. 4.4-2)
notes the significance of this village in Hermosa Beach.
The Draft EIR (Impacts 4.1-1 and 4.1-2 on pp. 4.4-10 through 4.4-12) evaluated
the potential for implementation of PLAN Hermosa to adversely affect Native
American resources and human remains. As stated on page 4.4-11, no known
archaeological resources (historic or prehistoric) have been recorded within
the city. The Draft EIR noted that these findings, however, do not preclude the
possibility of encountering undiscovered archaeological resources during
construction, given the proven prehistoric and historic occupation of the
region, the identification of surface and subsurface archaeological resources
near the PLAN Hermosa planning area (e.g., Old Salt Lake and CA-LAN-1872),
and the favorable natural conditions (e.g., Pacific Ocean) that would have
attracted prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area. In addition to the
specific examples cited by the commenter for a project in Los Angeles and
Hawaiian Gardens, the archaeological monitoring of numerous construction
projects throughout the region in recent decades has demonstrated the
existence of deeply buried archaeological deposits, especially in locations of
rapid Holocene deposition such as alluvial fans. The Draft EIR (p. 4.4-12) also
noted that the discovery of Native American human remains, including cases
of multiple burials, is not uncommon in the region (e.g., Malaga Cove).
As noted in response NAHC-1, the City is proposing to amend implementation
action LAND USE-21 to more explicitly detail the tribal consultation process and
include direction as to when a Native American monitor would be required to
be present on-site during ground disturbance activities. This implementation
action, as amended, would ensure the consultation requirements of AB 52 are
followed by the City as the lead agency and that requirements are clear
related to the presence of Native American monitors during ground-disturbing
activities in which a tribe or archaeological investigation indicate the potential
for tribal resources to be found.
GBMI-2 As described on page 4.4-5 in Section 4.4, Cultural Resources, in the Draft EIR,
the City requested consultation with Native American tribes in compliance
with SB 18 in January 2015 and again under AB 52 in August 2015. The City
notified all of the relevant tribal organizations identified by the Native
American Heritage Commission for the City of Hermosa Beach. In a letter
dated May 19, 2014, the NAHC provided a list of the tribes that claim traditional
or cultural affiliation with the area surrounding Hermosa Beach, including the
Gabrieleño/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrieliño-Tongva
Tribe, Gabrieliño Band of Mission Indians, and Gabrieliño/Tongva Nation. All of
the groups identified by the NAHC will continue to be notified of projects in
Hermosa Beach and offered an opportunity to consult with the City in
accordance with AB 52.
Attachment 1A
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Attachment 1A
51
INDIVIDUALS
Attachment 1A
52
Attachment 1A
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Carbon Neutral
Dear Councilmembers
Upon reviewing the general plan towards the goal of becoming "carbon neutral" I am pleased that you have taken a thoughtful approach
to this endeavor. However, after my review I find this far beyond the scope of your elected positions to ratify any part of this proposal
without asking the community for permission. Additionally, I would like to know what benefit the City of Hermosa would have for being
the "1st" to be carbon neutral?
1. Do we receive tax benefits for implementing this plan?
2. Do the savings offset the expense of implementing this plan? If so, how many years will it take?
3. If there are no financial benefits to going carbon neutral why purchase carbon offsets?
4. If we have the money for carbon offsets wouldn't that money be more beneficial to the environment if we promoted worthy
environmental causes? For example: we could promote the need that we as consumers actually consume less. Clearly it is better for the
environment over all to use a gasoline powered car until it no longer can be used... rather than turning the car in and purchasing an
electric car. If you wish I can provide many studies that speak to over consumption with regards to autos, computers, phones etc.
As stated before, I applaud all of you for undertaking this lofty goal, however, I believe many of your suggestions should be open to a
vote and not dictated by our City Council.
Thank you
‐‐
Steve Adler
steve adler
Thu 11/24/2016 12:17 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
ADLS
-1
Attachment 1A
54
comments on carbon neutrality
11/17/2016
RE: Carbon Neutrality/EIR
Enough is Enough!
There have been 4 “studies” on the feasibility of Hermosa Beach becoming Carbon Neutral. And in
October the council approved yet another $7500 for an additional study…when all of the 4 previous
ones came to a similar conclusion: The only way to be Carbon Neutral is to either purchase carbon
offset credits or produce renewable energy in order to offset emissions.
Neither of these options is a sound management or fiscal decision.
First of all, purchasing carbon offset credits (RECs) is NOT being carbon neutral {EIR 4.615}: Just by
merely purchasing RECs you can’t create CLEANER energy or CLEANER air. RECs do nothing to
actually lower greenhouse gases (GHG) but merely shift money from the city to the pockets of the
brokers representing Carbon Neutrality or CCAs, who are usually the consultants pushing this agenda
on cities. RECs are merely deals on paper that cost Hermosa Beach taxpayers more money.
Secondly, producing renewable energy on our own (thru a CCA) is not sound judgement. There is no
guarantee that the energy we will generate/receive will be any more renewable or CLEANER than what
we already receive from SCE. SCE is currently regulated by the state and federal governments to have
CLEANER/RENEWABLE energy. The most recent statistics I was able to find for SCE were from 2014
and it is required to increase yearlyin 2014 we received 27% CLEAN energy and 24% RENEWABLE.
[source: 2014 Power Content Label Southern California Edison]
The actual break down looked like this:
27% is CLEAN
33% is moderately CLEAN
Peggy Barr
Thu 11/17/2016 3:44 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>; Marie Rice <marierice@gmail.com>; Mike Flaherty
<mikeflaherty2010@gmail.com>; Peter Hoffman <phoffman@lmu.edu>; Rob Saemann <rsgc1@aol.com>; David Pedersen
<dpedersen@hermosabch.org>; Councilmember Carolyn Petty <cpetty@hermosabch.org>; Councilmember Jeff Duclos
<jduclos@hermosabch.org>; Mayor Hany Fangary <hfangary@hermosabch.org>; Mayor Pro Tem Justin Massey
<jmassey@hermosabch.org>; Councilmember Stacey Armato <sarmato@hermosabch.org>; City Clerk <cityclerk@hermosabch.org>;
John Jalili <jjalili@hermosabch.org>;
BARP
-1
BARP
-2
Attachment 1A
55
12/5/2016 comments on carbon neutrality Leeanne Singleton
40% is unspecified*****
And 24% of this power is RENEWABLE
***** My understanding of the definition of unspecified, includes things they can’t really measure, like the
input onto the grid of the CLEAN solar power that our household and many others generate.
So far I have only been addressing the Hermosa Beach City as its own entity. But if the EIR is passed to
include "community wide carbon neutrality" {EIR 6.09, 6.010} Hermosa Beach residents and taxpayers
are due to see huge increases in costs with instituting :
the establishment of greenhouse gas impact fees {EIR 4.616} which will drive up the cost of
developmentultimately passed on to us as consumers.
the requirement to install renewable energy projects on homes and businesses, mandating retrofits to
existing buildings to improve energy efficiency {EIR 4.613} costing the homeowners money and again
ultimately the business passing the cost onto consumers.
the elimination of the use of natural gas within the city
new modified parking standards to disincentive gasoline powered cars, making it more onerous and/or
expensive to park – ultimately driving down our tax base from businesses.
We cannot have these provisions hard coded as part of our General Plan, providing the foundation
for future policies. If we do we are just setting ourselves up for misery, bankruptcy, a decrease in our
quality of life and worst of all an infringement on personal property rights.
I reiterate…Enough is Enough!
Please consider your decision thoroughly; it affects everyone for generations to come!
Peggy Barr
BARP
-2
cont.
BARP
-3
Attachment 1A
56
Carbon Reduc�on % 2005
Level
2020 2030 2040 2050
California ‐15 ‐49 ‐80
Hermosa Sustainabity Project 2011 ‐15
PLAN Hermosa Carbon Neutrality PLAN end date 2040 ‐66
PLAN Hermosa Carbon Neutrality Goal 2 @ 2030 ‐66
PLAN Hermosa Project Alterna�ve 2020 ‐66
PLAN Hermosa DEIR Comments
Here are a few comments for the PLAN Hermosa DIER related to the Carbon Neutrality topic:
Are the assumptions made on today's technology or do you factor in technological changes that
may occur over the next 20+ years? It's my understanding that they are based on today's
technology. Therefore, please specify that clearly upfront.
I found the comparisons between the PLAN and State requirements confusing. It would be good to
have some type of table so that people can compare the PLAN options to State requirements. I did
a quick table of an example. The EIR should have something like this and have a clearer
statement of how we line up to the State requirements. It took me many hours to realize that PLAN
Hermosa end date of 2040 is in line with California's current requirements.
Thank you,
Claudia Berman
Claudia Berman
Mon 1/2/2017 3:41 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
BERC-1
Attachment 1A
57
Plan Hermosa Meeting tonight and Palo Alto to get $1 million
City Clerk Would you please forward this email to the Planning commission and I ask that this email be included as a
supplemental
Dear Honorable Planning Commissioners and Staff,
Thank you for all the good work you are doing on Plan Hermosa. I know you are aware of the importance of this plan in setting the course for
the city in the coming decades. While reviewing Plan Hermosa you will inevitably get questions as to why we are pursuing a carbon neutrality
goal.
If health of our residents, sustainability of our environment and disaster preparedness are not compelling enough reasons, than the economics
should be. Plan Hermosa was partially funded by $410K from the Strategic Growth Council because we are pursuing the goal of Carbon
Neutrality.
Many other initiative have been and will be funded because we differentiate ourselves from competing cities by aspiring to this Carbon Neutral
goal. A recent example is the UCLA‐MBA study where a group of local residents who are working toward their MBA heard about our Carbon
neutral goal and are doing a business plan for our city that is conservatively valued at $160,000 for $7,500.
By keeping this ambitious goal at the forefront of our consciousness, we can help the city be more efficient in its operations and better for our
residents ‐ while getting funding to help our local economy. As you can see in the email below, Palo Alto, who has a similar Carbon Neutral
goal, just recently got $1 million to study how to reduce traffic.
Please support an aggressive Carbon Neutral 2030 goal for our city and let me know let me know if you have any question or concerns.
Respectfully,
Robert Fortunato
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: City of Palo Alto <cityofpaloalto@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 17, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Subject: Climate Action: Taking Our Next Big Step ‐‐ 80 x 30!
To:
Robert Fortunato
Mon 11/21/2016 12:32 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>; Peter Hoffman <phoffman@hermosabch.org>; Michael Flaherty
<MFlaherty@hermosabch.org>; Rob Saemann <rsaemann@hermosabch.org>; Marie Rice <mrice@hermosabch.org>; David Pedersen
<dpedersen@hermosabch.org>;
Cc:City Council <citycouncil@hermosabch.org>; Elaine Doerfling <edoerfling@hermosabch.org>;
FORR
-1
Attachment 1A
58
BRT
November 2016
Climate Action: Taking our Next Big Step
Palo Alto: Designing Our
Path to 2030
Palo Alto has long been ahead of the pack in sustainability,
adopting one of the first municipal climate action plans in the U.S.
in 2007, delivering carbon neutral electricity, and partnering with our
community to develop a vision for an innovative, carbon neutral city
of the future. Poised to take the next step as a climate and
sustainability leader with one of the boldest municipal climate
goals in the country...[Read More...]
Regional Consortium Wins $1
Million Federal Grant for
Technologybased Commute
Alternatives
One of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan's (S/CAP) key
focus areas is to rethink mobility. Road transportation represents
about 61% of Palo Alto’s carbon footprint. Last month, the City of
Palo Alto, as part of a regional consortium of stakeholders, won a
$1 million federal grant for a demonstration project to reduce single
occupant vehicle driving from 75 percent to 50 percent in the Bay
area. [Read More]
Palo Alto and Sustainability News of interest
Governor Brown signs major climate bill, requiring the state
to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030
City of Palo Alto received the 2016 California Energy
Efficiency Industry Council Energy Champion Award, in
recognition for adopting a new Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Ready
"Reach Code", which goes into effect January 1, 2017
The second phase of the Cool Block pilot program is about to
get underway and additional neighborhood blocks are invited
to participate
Palo Alto and leading U.S. cities partner on guidelines for
smart cities to ensure the responsible and equitable
deployment of smart city technologies
City of Palo Alto Utilities ranks in the national top 10 for most
solar watts per customer
Council Adopts 80 x 30
Goal and Framework for
Climate Action Plan
The City Council adopted the
general framework of the
Sustainability and Climate
Action Plan (S/CAP) at its
meeting on Monday, April 18,
which identifies a Greenhouse
Gas Emissions reduction goal
of 80 percent by 2030. [Read
More]
Get Involved. S/CAP at
the next City Council
Meeting on November
28th.
On Monday, November 28th,
the City Council will meet to
review the Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan (S/CAP)
and decide upon formal
adoption of the plan. The
agenda for the meeting will
be posted here. As always,
you're invited and welcome to
share your perspectives (just
be sure to fill out a comment
card).
Share Your Priorities for
2017 with Palo Alto City
Council
What are the priorities you
would like to see the Palo Alto
City Council adopt in 2017?
You are invited to share your
thoughts on Open City Hall.
[Read more]
Attachment 1A
59
Considering Solar? Sign up now to take advantage of Palo
Alto’s Current Net Metering program.
For more timely sustainability news and updates...
...follow Chief Sustainability Officer Gil Friend on Twitter @PaloAltoCSO
The City has a variety of enews topics that may be of interest to you. Join
other enews topics, update your subscriptions, modify your password or e
mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber
Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you
have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact
subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.
This service is provided to you at no charge by the City of Palo Alto.
This email was sent to using GovDelivery, on behalf of: City of Palo Alto · 250 Hamilton Ave · Palo
Alto, CA 94301 · 6503292100
Powered by
GovDelivery
‐‐
Robert Fortunato
President
www.ForStrategy.com
Our commitment to leadership, innovation and sustainability is reflected in our Green Idea House
"Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done,
and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done" Paul Hawken
Attachment 1A
60
HB Planning Commission - PLAN EIR - 11/21/2016 - D. Grethen
(Comments in bold italics. Introductory/background info in plain text)
Figure 4.6-3 is a useful way to depict state-driven carbon reduction goals and
measures as related to local neutrality goals, as well as potential offsets.
But the following accompanying description of may need to be even more
precisely explained to be more clear to describe how the numbers add up.
Per report: “As depicted in Figure 4.6-3 (Emissions Reductions Needed to Meet State
and Local Targets), the impact of state legislation on local emissions in 2040 would leave
a remaining gap of 48,800 MTCO2e to be reduced by local policy to achieve state goals
and a remaining gap of 95,420 MTCO2e to achieve a carbon neutral goal by 2040 as
proposed in the draft of PLAN Hermosa.”
More significantly, the following questions associated with Figure 4.6-3
should be addressed:
Why does state legislation need to be augmented by local policy to meet state
goals?
Why is state legislation insufficient to meet state goals?
Is there something specific about Hermosa Beach that results in state
legislation not being sufficient for Hermosa Beach to not meet state goals?
These insights might help the city better understand its challenges, regulatory
role, and degree of local initiative necessary to achieve carbon reduction goals.
Figure 4.6-3 and its accompanying discussion also indicate the following
conclusions, which could imply large environmental impacts:
The city will already be significantly challenged to meet state goals through
local measures beyond what will be driven by state legislation (this is
indicated by the size of the blue shaded region of the figure compared to the
size of the pink shaded region)
The city will be greatly additionally challenged in order to achieve full carbon
neutrality beyond what it must do to meet the state goals, with neutrality
approximately doubling the size of the total challenge (this is apparent since
the size of the green shaded region is roughly the size of the blue shaded
region)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The subsection underlined as “Renewable Energy Generation” on Page 4.6-21
highlights how renewable energy may be generated for local use in the following
ways, some local and some remote:
Installations on homes and businesses (local)
Carbon neutral municipal facilities (local)
Locations appropriate for additional renewable energy technologies and to
GRED1-1
GRED1-2
Attachment 1A
61
“allow by right” (local)
Community choice aggregation (CCA - remote)
The decision to use remotely- versus locally-generated renewable energy
to achieve carbon reductions will be a large determinant of impacts to the
local environment, residents, and businesses.
Rough order of magnitude estimates for potential land use impacts should
be provided for scenarios where municipal (and entire community) carbon
reduction/neutrality goals are met by use of local solar energy to fully
supply the total kW-hr energy needs every day, plus any additional
renewable energy generation needed in lieu of purchasing carbon offsets
(e.g. Alternative 2).
The estimates should specify the following for both the municipality and entire
community:
Total land/mounting area to achieve municipal (and community) carbon
neutrality with all electricity generated locally for solar.
Total available rooftop mounting area on municipal (and community
residential/business) buildings
Amount of additional land/mounting area that would be needed to be provided
in municipal (and community) open spaces
This would provide an initial feasibility assessment for local solar and help
determine whether most of the city’s renewable energy is likely to be locally
generated, or whether we would heavily rely on remotely located sources (e.g.
via CCA). This could also provide further insight about potential local impacts
such as glare and ability to preserve local city character.
Additionally, it should also be identified what specific locations in the city
might be “appropriate for additional renewable energy technologies” and
where they might be “allowed by right” as stated on Page 4.6-21.
The availability of locations would determine feasibility or whether land use
modification impacts occur. The city is already well developed and rather
dense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fuel consumption Table 4.13-7 includes electric vehicle electricity use in kW-hr,
as well as assumed fuel efficiencies.
The basis for the electric vehicle use estimate should be supported
clarified including the following:
Which corresponding level of carbon reduction this usage supports (full
neutrality vs. 66% of 2005 levels
Fraction and amount of increase in the fraction of citywide vehicles that are
GRED1-2
cont.
GRED1-3
Attachment 1A
62
electric (extent of gasoline vehicle replacement assumed or needed)
Anything else that might better relate this table to the GHG Section 4.6 of EIR
These estimates would help to better understand the amount of supporting
infrastructure needed (e.g. charging stations and parking area) and potential
resident impacts (e.g. home electricity and vehicle replacement)
The basis for the 77 mpg fuel efficiency estimate should be described and
supported.
The accuracy of fuel efficiency forecasts directly affects carbon emissions
predictions. Fuel efficiency could also determine the extent of conversion to
electric vehicles driven based on how it motivates vehicle owners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GHG mitigation measures MM4.6-1a, b, and c call an active/adaptive
management approach for tracking progress towards state carbon reductions
goals, potentially including regulatory corrective measures.
Mitigation measures potentially resulting in regulation to meet state-driven
carbon reduction goals may be appropriate if necessary to assure legal
compliance, but would not be appropriate to meet local voluntary goals for
complete carbon neutrality. The proposed mitigations listed above seem
to be consistent with state goals and measures (legislation and orders).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 6.0.5 entitled “Environmentally Superior Alternative“ identifies the
Character Retention alternative as environmentally superior to the other
alternatives presented, including 2030 Carbon Neutrality.
Among the alternatives presented, I would not object to Character
Retention Alternative 3. I do not support the 2030 Carbon Neutrality
Alternative 2.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative 2 in Section 6 is defined by two simultaneous changes to the baseline
(acceleration to 2030 and no carbon offset purchases) whose respective impacts
are not at all readily distinguishable in the report. The lack of distinction also
hinders public discourse in this area.
The report needs to better distinguish between the impacts of acceleration
to 2030, versus the effects of not allowing carbon offset purchases,
perhaps by adding a column to an existing table, or with a new table.
Table 6.0-4 compares carbon reductions for the 2040 versus 2030 (with offsets)
scenarios. The most glaring difference between the scenarios is seen by
GRED1-3
cont.
GRED1-4
GRED1-5
GRED1-6
Attachment 1A
63
comparing the ‘Community Solar’ and ‘Purchase Offsets’ line items in the table.
The main difference in HOW the carbon goals are met between the two
scenarios is that the offsets in 2040 are roughly exchanged for a large
increase in local energy generation. This is a large impact to land use,
with other impacts such as glare and aesthetics also identified in the
report.
Note: This also relates to other comments provided about land and solar area.
Section 6 includes impacts for each environmental area including Land Use
Planning on Page 6.0-22.
Why is there no discussion under Land Use Planning for Alternative 2
given that elsewhere in the report it is shown that the amount of local
energy generation needed would increase by a factor of about 5x? Please
include in Land Use section or elsewhere in the report if more appropriate.
Additionally, Page 6-35 states as follows (underline added here):
“Alternative 2 could pose greater impacts to aesthetics and biological resources due to
increased use of renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, or ocean-based
renewable energy sources, and greater impacts to cultural resources due to greater
alteration or demolition of designated or potentially eligible historic resources to
construct high energy performance buildings. While the impacts to aesthetics, biological
resources, and cultural resources may be greater than with PLAN Hermosa, it is unknown
whether they would rise to the level of being considered a significant impact, because
the specific design and location of additional renewable energy projects cannot be
determined at this time”
The above underlined excerpt seems to limit the depth of certain impact
assessments in a way that is not very satisfying. That is why the solar
scenario calculations are requested per other comments provided here. I
can see how ocean wave/tidal technology may not yet be so well
understood, but solar is.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 6 includes Alternative 2 for 2030 Carbon Neutrality, which means the
community has 14 years, not 24 years to reach neutrality after 2016.
The rate of carbon reductions, based on the amount of reduction and
reduced length of time to achieve, would be additionally challenging and
likely especially impacting since the amount of time to meet goals is
reduced by a factor of about 1.7x. Given the amount of reduction to
achieve carbon neutrality is about 2x what is needed by city initiatives
beyond state goals and measures (Fig. 4.6-3), this means carbon reduction
must occur at a rate of nearly 4x what might normally be needed based on
state measures.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRED1-6
cont.
GRED1-7
GRED1-8
Attachment 1A
64
Alternative 2 in Sec 6 identifies impacts including the following effects on
residences.
Replacement of gas heating systems, water heaters, and stoves
Expense and delays to retrofit their homes for energy purposes prior to sale
(unless onus for upgrades could be placed on homebuyer after sale)
Home electrical system impacts for electric vehicle charging.
If homeowners lose discretion in the way they manage their property, this
could have adverse environmental impacts. For example, if replacements
or changes to home appliances, utility infrastructure, or building
conversions are mandated to occur before these resources have exhausted
their naturally useful lifetimes, there would be environmental impacts
associated with the prematurely generated wastes.
GRED1-9
Attachment 1A
65
PLAN EIR ‐ Additional Grethen Comments
HB PLAN EIR Comments ﴾Transportation/General﴿ ‐ Dec 2016 ‐ D. Grethen
﴾Comments/Recommendations in bold italics. Introductory/background info in plain text﴿
Transportation:
Tabulated data along with Figs 4.14‐8 and ‐9 indicate worsening traffic levels or service ﴾LOS﴿ for 2040 including PCH, Artesia, Aviation,
Prospect, and Manhattan Avenue. Accompanying discussion indicates reasons why the impacts are expected to be significant and unavoidable,
emphasizing limitations of potential mitigation measures. But it was not clearly certain just what is the root cause of the LOS degradation
impacts. Is it mostly driven by the identified planned elimination of a lane of traffic in each direction of PCH in Hermosa Beach? Or is it more
driven by other factors, such as increased regional traffic through Hermosa Beach, ﴾e.g. more Redondo residents using Prospect﴿?
Please provide an enhanced analytical explanation of reasons for degraded LOS in Hermosa Beach, especially for those roadways where LOS is
as low as D or E ﴾or even C﴿, including on Prospect.
General:
As a general EIR comment, it would be good if more explanations could be provided about what are the driving causes for environmental
differences due to the PLAN ﴾or between now and 2040﴿. The comment above about LOS is a specific example that spurred this general
comment.
Throughout the EIR, as a goal and to the extent practical, please attempt include more insight about reasons for results, not just stating the
results and showing the supporting data. Such insights and identification of root causes might be useful to guide additional future analyses and
efforts to seek mitigation. If this info is in certain appendices, perhaps add references to those.
GRED
2-1
Attachment 1A
66
Comments; EIR / City Planning Commission
From; Arthur H Krugler, Professional Chemical and Mechanical Engineer.
Forty years of experience in power generation and fuels; 26 years in process plant engineering.
Attendee and speaker @ Nov. 21 hearing ‐ invited by Tracy Hopkins.
Provided copies of my booklet; POLAR BEARS IN THE HOT SEAT; CO2 and Global Warming
You commission members impressed me with your attention to the EIR and the speakers;
And also your understanding of the magnitude of the EIR proposals.
My comments as an observer:
1 The elephant in the room is the State Mandate on Carbon Neutrality; the Clean Power Plan.
This could force major and expensive changes on the city and residents.
I do not see enough information of how self‐generation of power could save so much money.
“A pessimist is someone who has financed an optimist”.
Ozone and Methane rules are also significant.
2 My handout, “POLAR BEARS IN THE HOT SEAT; . . ” is a condensation of years of study.
Yes, NOAA data shows a sudden warming of the small North Pole area which started in 1980. see pages 1 and 20.
I am neither denier, nor acceptor, nor challenger of modelers but a careful analyzer of data.
3 Ice core data shows our planet had started the cool down portion of the 110,000 year cycle ﴾ see pages 1 and 19 ﴿ some 10,000 years ago.
Magma activity, ﴾ volcanoes and undersea vents ﴿ has caused a 35 year long 10 degree rise at the North Pole temperature, which is very likely
ending.
Earthquake activity near the North Pole, responding to Magma movement, increased in 1970 and has abruptly stopped.
The North Pole ice could return very quickly.
4 CO2 levels will continue to rise along with the increased use of natural gas fuel but temperatures will cool.
5 I expect to see many news reports this year and next like those in the LA Times today, Sunday Dec 4;
Page A‐20 “Aloha, Old Man Winter; Hawaii peaks get 2 feet of snow" ‐ 'last year had none'
Page B‐5; "Water year is off to a good start”; Northern Sierra Nevada sees wettest fall since 1984’, 200% above average.
Expect snow storms and floods in Central and Eastern US. Cold arctic air meets warm humid Caribbean air with predictable results.
An 'ice age' requires heavy snowfall for many years to create the thick ice layer.
However, LA Times front page news continues; Page A‐19 ‐ Opinion;
“OUR REPUBLIC OF CLIMATE”; ‘California is a role model leading the nation ‐ and even the world’.
Actually, we need to develop and install a new generation of nuclear plants to provide the power for desalination and heating in this cold world,
as well as the ever increasing energy uses. Energy efficiency and alternate sources where economical are excellent also.
Leaving fossil fuel in the ground will also leave the asphalt we need to replace roads and roofs.
Arthur H Krugler
Should any of you commissioners be interested in further discussion, I am available 24/7.
Further bio information is available @
Art Krugler
Sun 12/4/2016 8:28 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
KRUA
-1
KRUA
-2
Attachment 1A
67
Untitled
This carbon neutrality business is a bunch of bologna.
G & J Moriyama
Sat 11/19/2016 1:46 AM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
MORG-1
Attachment 1A
68
City owned building Prospect and 6th St.
I have read the PLAN Hermosa draft and the General Plan and see references to maintenance and upgrades to City facilities,
parks, etc. The structures in the City yard are referenced and I agree, they are in dire need of renovation. There is a building
being used for storage next to Ft. Lots of Fun at 6th and Prospect. It has been allowed to deteriorate and is now an eyesore
and a blight in our neighborhood. It is not in an industrial area it is in a residential neighborhood with children, homes, dogs,
parks, etc. and as such, is a HIGHLY VISIBLE structure. I do not see this building referenced in any of the documents under
review. I invite you to do a driveby, take a look and tell me if you agree or disagree that this structure (peeling, cracked
stucco, mold and mildew growing up the sides) should be a HIGH PRIORITY item. I guarantee you that no one in City
government would want this structure in its condition in their neighborhood.
I am asking that language be included in the planning documents that specifically references this building just as Clark
Stadium, 8th Street, Plaza, fire station, library and other sites are referenced.
Since this building has some historical significance (it was originally a school), perhaps it could be painted with one of the
lovely murals I see in the downtown area, showing children playing and arriving for school as they would have back in 1925
when it was constructed.
If there is another channel I should use to bring this to the attention of those who could bring about this request, please give me
that information and I will pursue the issue further.
Bette Mower
Fri 11/18/2016 1:52 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
MOWB
-1
Attachment 1A
69
From: Jens Palsberg
Date: November 20, 2016 at 4:41:54 PM PST
To: Peter Hoffman <phoffman@hermosabch.org>, Michael Flaherty <mflaherty@hermosabch.org>, Rob Saemann
<rsaemann@hermosabch.org>, Marie Rice <mrice@hermosabch.org>, David Pedersen <dpedersen@hermosabch.org>
Subject: a carbon neutral community
Dear Members of the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission,
Peter Hoffman, Michael Flaherty, Rob Saemann, Marie Rice, and David Pedersen,
Thank you for all you do for Hermosa Beach.
I like PLAN Hermosa, which spells out worthwhile opportunities
and has a forward‐looking approach. I am particularly excited
about the vision of a carbon neutral community. This vision
attracted me and my UCLA Executive MBA team to do our final
project on aspects of the vision, as detailed in the attached plan.
The Hermosa Beach City Council voted in favor of the project
on September 28, 2016. The project will run from January to June 2017.
I believe that PLAN Hermosa's vision of a carbon neutral community
will continue to garner interest and excitement in the future.
Sincerely,
Jens Palsberg
Professor, UCLA Computer Science Department
PALJ-1
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General Plan Air Quality Section
The refineries surrounding us should not be omitted from the air quality section of the plan. The
particulates and gasses emitted during surprise flares and other unanticipated refinery events in
Torrance and El Segundo definitely lower the air quality in surrounding cities. To what extent
and for how long our city's air quality is affected would vary depending on the nature and
duration of the event. The problem is, we never know what the effects are because the refineries
certainly won't tell us and we don't measure or analyze the air ourselves.
In addition, lowprobability but very deadly refinery emergencies related to the use of acid
catalysts could require a rapid response by the city to minimize injury and loss of life. While this
could be classified more as an emergencypreparedness issue than a matter of air quality, it
underscores the need to continuously monitor our own air for sudden changes, using city
controlled and calibrated equipment. It also reinforces the dual threats posed by regional
refineries.
The general plan should affirmatively recognize these threats (as should the planning of all
nearby cities) and not just rest on regional trends and averages. Therefore the plan should
incorporate:
Cityowned and observed air monitoring equipment
Enhanced city relationship with AQMD and other regulatory agencies
Involvement by the city in efforts to mitigate or remove refinery risks by both community
groups and other neighbor city governments.
Ken Sarno
Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
Ken Sarno
Wed 11/2/2016 3:06 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
SARK
-1
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71
Carbon neutrality
It is very very rare that I send comments to the city council, but I feel so strongly that I had to send this
email. While we all need to do our part for the environment, I am strongly against Hemosa's proposed
plan for Carbon Neutrality. I am against Hermosa buying carbon offsets. I am against the elimination of
the use of natural gas. What is the proposed alternative? I am against establishing a CCA. Putting
requirements on new building is one thing, but to mandate retrofits to existing buildings is not ok. We
have all lived in Hermosa for many many years and now you want to change the rules. All of these
things will increase costs to home owners, prohibitively for many. How about going with a more positive
approach of passing on savings and benefits to people who voluntarily make the proposed changes to
their home, not penalizing others who don't.
Sincerely,
Heather Schneider
Hermosa resident
Heather Schneider
Fri 12/2/2016 3:01 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
SCHH-
1
Attachment 1A
72
NO 100% Carbon Neutrality
This is my letter to the Beach Reporter:
Unless the HB Council can be convinced otherwise, it is about to adopt PLAN HERMOSA’s general plan which includes making Hermosa Beach
100% Carbon Neutral. I feel the City Council is over stepping its authority and infringing on my Constitutional and Property Rights. While
“Going Green” should be encouraged, it should not be mandatory. A big step to that plan is changing to Community Choice Aggregation for
our energy source. It is an expensive undertaking and not without risks. The PLAN would mandate expensive retrofits on new construction,
rebuilds and selling a home. It even effects what kind of car you drive. If compliance is not met, one must pay a penalty ﴾yet to be determined﴿
in the form of credits to offset emissions. Residents have no vote in the matter. I feel that it is irresponsible of the Council to agree on such an
extreme PLAN which will likely have negative impact on our property values. Kudos to HB Planning Commissioner Rob Saemann, for his
common sense presentation at the last Council Meeting. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5Jr_eiKQUY&t=26s .
PLAN HERMOSA seems determined on being “the first” to be Carbon Neutral. Our 1.4 sq. miles won’t be a speck in the Global Carbon
Footprint. Unless, you are competing in the Olympics or sports event, I don’t see the need to be “first”. You can learn a lot by others mistakes.
It is time for PLAN HERMOSA to re‐evaluate its PLAN. I LOVE Hermosa Beach, but dislike the radical direction it is headed. As the old saying
goes, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”.
Pam Tatreau
Hermosa Beach
Pam T
Mon 12/5/2016 8:25 AM
TATP
1-1
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Carbon Neutrality
PLAN HERMOSA is a group of individuals faced with determining and planning the future of H.B. I applaud their efforts to improve the
health and environment of our city. However, I do NOT feel the “Carbon Neutrality” should be a part of that plan. Mandating expensive
retrofits to new construction, rebuilds and selling a home is too extreme. “Carbon Neutrality” is better suited to a newly planned
community where homes are built with solar panels and electrical appliances. People moving into that community are aware that there
may be restrictions placed on the vehicles they drive. A BIG step in the “Carbon Neutrality Plan” is changing to Community Choice
Aggregation (CCA) for our energy source. It is an expensive undertaking and not without risks. Even our City Planners raised some
valid concerns. “Carbon Neutrality” is too extreme for our little beach community and should be revised or deleted from the Plan. I feel
that “Carbon Neutrality” is the goal of a few people and NOT the goal of the residents. Changes of this magnitude should NOT be
decided by a few people. Why must residents try to convince the City Council not to support these changes? Many residents are still
unaware of these changes which are about to affect their daily lives. If you really wanted to know how residents felt, you would not be
afraid to put the measures on a ballot for a vote. I am beginning to lose faith in our community. I thought that I still lived in a democracy
or is my beloved Hermosa Beach turning into a dictatorship? Thank you for your time.
Pam Tatreau
Hermosa Beach
Pam T
Sat 12/31/2016 9:01 AM
TATP
2-2
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Feedback on PLAN Hermosa
Hello. My name is Coco Larson‐Tuttle and my husband is Bruce Tuttle. We live at 1139 7th Place, Hermosa Beach. My husband is
handicapped ﴾visually impaired and in a wheelchair﴿. I wanted to be sure that handicapped access is addressed in the general
plan. Currently there are limited access streets that are safe for wheel chair travel and only a few streets ﴾PCH﴿ that have audible
alarms for crossing at lights. I would implore the city to consider handicapped people when decisions regarding the general plan
are being made.
Thank you,
Coco Larson‐Tuttle
Sent from my iPad
Coco Tuttle
Mon 12/12/2016 5:32 PM
To:Leeanne Singleton <generalplan@hermosabch.org>;
TUTC
-1
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INDIVIDUALS
Comment # Response
Steve Adler
ADLS-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. It is
not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or conclusions in the
Draft EIR.
The specific questions raised by the commenter do not require further
consideration for purposes of the EIR’s evaluation of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions impacts but are addressed in a separate document that will be
presented to the Planning Commission and City Council to consider
incorporating into PLAN Hermosa.
Peggy Barr
BARP-1 This comment addresses PLAN Hermosa Sustainability + Conservation Element
Policy 1.4 (carbon offsets as needed), which appears on page 4.6-15 in the Draft
EIR. The commenter suggests “purchasing carbon offset credits (RECs) is not
carbon neutral.” It should be noted that “RECs” are not the same as carbon
offsets; an REC is a renewable energy certificate. Neither PLAN Hermosa nor the
Draft EIR refer to RECs.
Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, evaluates the ability of PLAN Hermosa
to reduce community GHG emissions to meet statewide GHG reduction goals,
equivalent to 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040, the threshold of significance
used in the analysis. While this section of the Draft EIR identifies carbon offsets as
a strategy to meet a local carbon neutral goal by 2040, carbon offsets are not
necessary, nor are they included in the analysis showing how the City will meet
the long-term state goals.
BARP-2 In addition to general policy comments on carbon neutrality, the commenter
expresses an opinion about the production of renewable energy or
participation in a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), stating there is no
guarantee that the energy the City will generate or receive will be any more
renewable or cleaner than what is already received from Southern California
Edison (SCE). The commenter also provides a summary of SCE’s power content
mix in 2014, stating that 27 percent is clean, 33 percent is moderately clean, 40
percent is unspecified, and 24 percent of the power is renewable.
The Draft EIR’s GHG emissions analysis considered the emissions generated by
SCE’s current electricity mix, the effect of state legislation such as the
Renewables Portfolio Standard (requiring 50 percent renewables by 2030), and
the potential GHG reductions that would be achieved through implementation
of a future CCA program, increased local renewable energy generation, and
improved energy efficiency.
Because the exact effect of each strategy on reducing GHG emissions cannot
be determined until specific details of each program and policy are determined
by the City Council and programs are implemented, the Draft EIR recommends
three GHG-related mitigation measures: re-inventory community GHG emissions
and evaluate implementation progress every five years at a minimum
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(mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b) and revise PLAN Hermosa and/or the City’s
Climate Action Plan should the City determine that Hermosa Beach is not on
track to achieve the applicable state GHG reduction goals.
BARP-3 The commenter expresses an opinion about the effects that a carbon neutrality
goal will have on residents and taxpayers with regard to specific policies
contained in PLAN Hermosa. The comment is not directed to the adequacy of
the technical analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. The specific comments do
not require further consideration for purposes of the EIR’s evaluation of GHG
emissions impacts, but are provided for consideration by the City Council and
Planning Commission in their review and adoption of PLAN Hermosa.
Claudia Berman
BERC-1 The commenter suggested more detailed information regarding the technology
assumptions used in the GHG emissions analysis should be provided to enhance
the utility/readability of the Draft EIR, along with a table that compares PLAN
Hermosa to the various GHG reduction goals set by local plans and state
legislation. The Draft EIR has been revised to incorporate this information into
Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions (see Chapter 3.0, Revisions to the Draft
EIR).
Robert Fortunato
FORR-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. An attachment to the comment letter outlined the
City of Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan efforts, which are
informational but are not relevant to PLAN Hermosa or the adequacy of the
analysis and conclusions in the Draft EIR. No further response is required, but the
information will be provided to the Planning Commission and City Council for
consideration.
David Grethen
GRED1-1 The commenter notes the usefulness of Figure 4.6-3 (Emissions Reductions
Needed to Meet State and Local Targets) on page 4.6-20 in Section 4.6,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, in the Draft EIR, but suggests that the following
questions should be addressed associated with the emissions reduction data
presented in the figure: why does state legislation need to be augmented by
local policy to meet state goals; why is state legislation insufficient to meet state
goals; and Is there something specific about Hermosa Beach that results in state
legislation not being sufficient to meet state goals?
The commenter’s questions are not directed to the adequacy of the technical
analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. However, the questions are relevant to
the policy and decision-making process for local GHG reduction goals. These
issues are addressed in a separate document and will be presented to the
Planning Commission and City Council to consider their incorporation into PLAN
Hermosa.
GRED1-2 The commenter suggests that the decision to use remotely generated versus
locally generated renewable energy to achieve carbon reductions will be a
large determinant of impacts, and suggests that rough order-of-magnitude
estimates to supply the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy needed, and any
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additional renewable energy generation needed to avoid purchasing offsets,
should be provided to support the impact analysis.
Draft EIR Section 4.13, Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities,
identifies the current and projected electricity use in Hermosa Beach, under a
business-as-usual scenario and with implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies.
The table below illustrates the rough order of magnitude of renewable energy
needed to offset electricity use (including electric vehicle charging).
Electricity Use Only
2040
Business-as-Usual
Scenario
With Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa
Policies
Residential (kWh) 54,696,400 33,363,500
Nonresidential (kWh) 55,142,800 40,102,000
Electric vehicle (kWh) — 9,959,700
Total electricity use (kWh) 109,839,200 83,425,200
Average kWh generated annually
per kW of solar
1,488 1,488
kW solar needed 73,817 56,065
MW solar needed 73.82 56.07
kWh – kilowatt-hour; kW – kilowatt; MW – megawatt
-- The business-as-usual scenario does not anticipate energy use by electric vehicles to be tracked
separately or represent a significant portion of the electricity consumption.
As indicated by the data, to offset all Hermosa Beach electricity use in 2040, with
the implementation of other PLAN Hermosa policies to reduce electricity use
(e.g., building codes and energy conservation programs), approximately 56
megawatts (MW) of solar electricity would need to be installed.
The feasibility of solar energy to provide more than 50 MW of electricity can be
roughly estimated using Google’s Project Sunroof, an interactive web-based
tool that estimates the technical solar potential of all buildings in a region or
community. For Los Angeles County, as a whole, a rooftop is considered viable
if it receives 75 percent or more of the maximum annual sun. In Hermosa Beach,
approximately 77 percent of rooftops in the city are considered viable (Project
Sunroof data explorer (October 2016) [https://www.google.com/get/
sunroof/data-explorer/). It should be noted that the Project Sunroof data only
consider rooftops and do not consider parking lots or the potential use of
roadways for solar energy generation. Additionally, Project Solar focuses only on
solar and does not consider the potential of wind, tidal, or wave energy
technologies to meet local electricity demand.
If the City were to offset all emissions sources through the generation of
renewable energy, it would take the equivalent of 390 million kWh annually or
approximately 262 MW of solar capacity. Given the limited land area in
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Hermosa Beach, there is a higher likelihood that some of the energy would have
to be generated outside of the city’s boundaries to achieve this scenario.
This analysis does not change the conclusions of the Draft EIR related to the
feasibility of achieving GHG emissions reductions through implementation of
PLAN Hermosa policies because the capacity to generate energy locally was
already considered in the analysis presented in the Draft EIR. Additionally, this
analysis does not change the conclusions of the potential effects of Alternative
2 (2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative), included in Draft EIR Section 6.0,
Alternatives to the Proposed Project, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030,
which indicates there could be potentially greater impacts associated with
aesthetics, biological resources, and cultural resources due to increased
renewable energy generation (locally or elsewhere).
GRED1-3 The commenter suggests that additional context or information should be
provided associated with Table 4.13-7 (Fuel Consumption Associated with the
Future Development Potential Under PLAN Hermosa), which is on page 4.13-62
in Section 4.13, Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities, in the Draft EIR,
specifically which corresponding level of carbon reduction this usage supports
(full neutrality versus 66 percent of 2005 levels); fraction and amount of increase
in the fraction of citywide vehicles that are electric; and anything else that might
better relate this table to Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, in the Draft EIR.
Table 4.13-7 was developed using the same assumptions used for the GHG
emissions analysis in Section 4.6 in the Draft EIR, which shows that PLAN Hermosa
will reduce emissions locally by at least 66 percent by 2040 and that
achievement of carbon neutrality may occur through the purchase of offsets.
By 2040 it is estimated that in Hermosa Beach approximately 75 percent of new
vehicles will be electric or carbon-free vehicles, compared to approximately 5
percent in 2015. This information, along with all other assumptions associated
with the calculation of energy or fuel use and GHG reductions, is also detailed
in Appendix E-1 in the Draft EIR.
As indicated in Table 4.13-7, the average fleet fuel efficiency is projected to be
55 miles per gallon by 2040; the projection is based on state and federal fuel
efficiency standards. The reduction of transportation fuel consumed (77
percent) is a result of greater fuel efficiency from conventionally fueled vehicles,
a reduction in overall vehicle miles traveled through land use changes, and a
greater shift to electric vehicles.
This information has been added to Section 4.13, Public Services, Community
Facilities, and Utilities (see Chapter 3.0, Revisions to the Draft EIR).
GRED1-4 As noted in the commenter’s letter, mitigation measures MM 4.6-1a, 1b, and 1c
are intended to ensure consistency with the state’s GHG reduction goals, which
are based on the scientific consensus of the emissions reductions needed to limit
global warming to two degrees Celsius. As articulated on page 4.6-17 in the
Draft EIR, the City of Hermosa Beach has identified that the impact of PLAN
Hermosa would be significant if it would generate GHG emissions that exceed
long-term state targets, roughly equivalent to emissions that are 66 percent
below 2005 levels by 2040. The mitigation measures are focused on ensuring
compliance with long-term GHG reduction goals that exceed state goals. If the
City sets GHG reduction goals that exceed state goals, the City could establish
additional monitoring mechanisms separate from the EIR. The comment does
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79
not change the analysis or conclusions of the EIR; therefore, no additional
response is required.
GRED1-5 This comment references Subsection 6.0.5, Environmentally Superior Alternative,
of the Draft EIR, which identifies Alternative 3 (Character Retention Alternative)
as the environmentally superior alternative. The commenter’s preference for
Alternative 3 is noted. The comment does not address the adequacy of the
technical analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is
required.
GRED1-6 The commenter suggests that a better distinction between the impacts of
accelerating a carbon neutral goal to 2030 versus the effect of not allowing
carbon offset purchases should be made in Alternative 2 (2030 Carbon Neutral
Alternative). The commenter also suggests that an increase in local renewable
energy generation would have impacts on land use that should be discussed in
the environmental analysis of Alternative 2.
Table 6.0-4 (Comparison of Emissions Reduction Scenarios 2030 vs. 2040),
referenced by the commenter, illustrates the major changes in annual carbon
reduction between the two scenarios presented under the Community Solar,
Land Use and Transportation Alternatives, Additional Transportation Strategies,
and Purchase Offsets categories.
While it would be up to the City’s decision-makers to determine exactly what
policy direction should be explored in alternative scenarios, a scenario which
accelerates carbon neutrality to 2030, but still includes the use of carbon offsets,
would appear to be similar to the 2040 scenario already presented. A 2040
scenario that forgoes the use of carbon offsets would appear similar to the 2030
scenario, perhaps with slightly smaller reductions needed from the community
solar strategy due to greater reductions from energy efficiency strategies.
A rough order-of-magnitude analysis was presented in Response GRED1-2 to
demonstrate the amount of renewable energy generation needed to meet
various GHG reduction scenarios. The 2030 scenario presented as Alternative 2
in the Draft EIR assumes that 134 MW of solar, or other renewable energy
production (wind, tidal, wave) equivalent to 200 million kWh annually, would be
needed to achieve the resulting emissions reductions presented in Table 6.0-4.
A large portion of this renewable energy has the potential to be generated
locally, although the analysis indicates that some of this energy may be
developed elsewhere, which may have potentially greater impacts on
aesthetics, biological resources, and cultural resources, as noted in Responses
GRED1-2 and GRED1-7.
GRED1-7 This comment references the Land Use and Planning analysis for Alternative 2,
which is on page 6.0-22 in the Draft EIR. The commenter notes that there is no
discussion related to additional area needed for renewable energy generation
and suggests that the analysis should be able to determine the potential impact
of solar on certain resource areas, such as aesthetics, biological resources, and
cultural resources.
For the purposes of the EIR analysis, and in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Appendix G, the evaluation of land use impacts is limited to whether or not the
action would physically divide an established community, or whether it would
conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation. Because renewable
energy resources such as solar and wind can already be accommodated on
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80
rooftops or parking lots, or can serve as shade structures as an accessory to the
primary use of a property (described in Section 17.46.220 of the Hermosa Beach
Municipal Code), there is limited potential for the development of these
generally small-scale resources to prevent the primary function or use of a
property that would alter established land use patterns.
With regard to potential impacts from larger-scale solar development on
aesthetics, biological resources, and cultural resources, these impacts are
difficult to determine without having specific details on location (local or
elsewhere), size (utility scale or distributed), or technology (ground- or roof-
mounted, static or sun-tracking). In general, renewable energy projects vary in
their impacts and mitigations with respect to biological resources and
aesthetics. Some of the impacts identified in large renewable energy projects in
the state have included loss of sensitive habitat, alteration of migration and
wildlife movement, aesthetic impacts along scenic highways, and creation of
new sources of light and glare.
A detailed impact analysis for these topics for Alternative 2 would be
speculative and is not required under CEQA (CEQA Guidelines Section 15145),
and this level of detail is also not required for the alternatives analysis (CEQA
Guidelines Section 15126.6). The Draft EIR (p. 6.0-35) does, however,
conservatively conclude that impacts on aesthetics, biological resources, and
cultural resources may be greater with Alternative 2 than with PLAN Hermosa.
The level of detail for the impact assessments for Alternative 2 is sufficient for
informed decision-making. For the reasons stated above, no additional analysis
is possible or warranted at this time.
GRED1-8 The commenter notes that the rate of carbon reductions needed to achieve
carbon neutrality by 2030 is nearly four times the rate of reductions needed to
achieve state goals. This is a correct statement, but it is not directed to the
adequacy of the technical analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional
response is required.
GRED1-9 The commenter suggests that Alternative 2 (2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative),
and specifically the implementation of potential measures to replace gas
heating appliances, retrofits to homes prior to sale, or addition of electric vehicle
infrastructure, could have adverse environmental effects associated with waste
generated due to equipment or building materials being replaced before these
resources have exhausted their naturally useful lifetimes.
Implementation of any policies related to GHG emissions reduction in the form
of a legislative act or ordinance will require City Council approval and will
include specific program details regarding the naturally useful lifetime of
equipment, phased-in implementation, and other mechanisms to prevent the
unnecessary disposal of materials or equipment. Additionally, the City of
Hermosa Beach has several programs and requirements to ensure the proper
disposal and handling of building materials and equipment to minimize
environmental impacts. This includes a requirement that at least 50 percent of
a building’s demolition waste be recycled, and programs/events such as the
Household Hazardous Waste collection.
GRED2-1 The projected increase in regional population and employment from Hermosa
Beach and other nearby cities by 2040 would lead to increased numbers of
vehicle trips in Hermosa Beach unless changes to the land use and
transportation system are implemented. When combined with the fact that
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Hermosa Beach has little or no capacity within the right-of-way to expand
vehicular facilities, the result is a degradation in the level of service at Artesia
and Aviation boulevards and Prospect and Manhattan avenues. At most of the
study intersections, PLAN Hermosa actually leads to improved LOS when
compared to 2040 conditions without the project. For those locations where
capacity is insufficient, widening roadways to increase capacity would, in most
cases, be inconsistent with other goals of PLAN Hermosa. More information for
specific locations is available in Appendix G in the Draft EIR.
PLAN Hermosa actions include substantial implementation of Transportation
Demand Management measures, which are expected to reduce the expected
growth in traffic compared with the 2040 without PLAN Hermosa scenario.
Therefore, cumulative impacts on both local and state facilities would be
reduced.
Art Krugler
KRUA-1 The City appreciates the commenter’s positive feedback regarding the
Planning Commission’s review of the Draft EIR. No additional response is
required.
KRUA-2 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. The handout referenced in the comment concerns
climate change, in general, and does not address climate change and GHG
emissions in Hermosa Beach. Comments related to proposed policy will be
presented to the City’s decision-makers for consideration.
It is also important to note that regardless of whether the City’s decision-makers
agree with the potential threats of climate change, the State of California has
adopted long-term GHG reduction goals and requires jurisdictions to address
GHG emissions under the California Environmental Quality Act and to
demonstrate whether or not the project would generate GHG emissions that
may have a significant impact on the environment.
G & J Moriyama
MORG-1 The commenters express an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
Bette Mower
MOWB-1 The commenter addresses a specific building in Hermosa Beach (Prospect
Avenue School on 6th Street) and its condition and potential historic
significance. The property (Assessor’s Parcel No. 4160-026-900) was omitted from
the initial screening of properties greater than 45 years old due to incomplete
information provided through Los Angeles County Assessor’s tax rolls and parcel
data, which did not include a built date or indicate the structure on the
property. The City’s cultural resources consultant has conducted a records
search and site evaluation for the property and determined, based on the
structure’s age and architecture, that it may be eligible for local listing. The
property has been assigned a California Historical Resource Code of 5S3,
meaning it appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation
through survey evaluation, and has been added to Table 4.4-1 in the Final EIR.
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Jens Palsberg
PALJ-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
Ken Sarno
SARK-1 The commenter suggests that the presence of refineries in nearby cities should
be considered in the air quality section of the plan and that the City should
measure and analyze air quality impacts independently. The presence of
refineries in surrounding cities is clearly stated on page 136 in PLAN Hermosa and
in Appendix C-4 of the Draft EIR, which notes that the South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD) regulates air emissions from refinery emissions
through its permitting process.
The City of Hermosa Beach does not have any regulatory authority over the
refineries or air quality emissions outside of the City’s jurisdiction. Further, the
purpose of the PLAN Hermosa Draft EIR is to evaluate and analyze the potential
physical impacts that the implementation of PLAN Hermosa might have on the
environment, rather than evaluating the environmental effects that existing uses
may have in Hermosa Beach.
SARK-2 The commenter suggests that the City should incorporate additional air quality
and monitoring policies. The specific suggestions do not address the adequacy
of the EIR and do not require further response for purposes of the EIR’s evaluation
of air quality impacts. However, these suggestions are provided in a separate
document for consideration by the City Council and Planning Commission in
their review and adoption of PLAN Hermosa.
Heather Schneider
SCHH-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
Pam Tatreau
TATP1-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
TATP2-1 The commenter expresses an opinion about the City’s carbon neutral goal. The
comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
Coco Tuttle
TUTC-1 This comment is directed to the policies of PLAN Hermosa and not the Draft EIR.
Accessibility is addressed in PLAN Hermosa. For example, Policy 3.10 (page 125)
requires that all public rights-of-way be designed per Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) standards by incorporating crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian
signals, and other components to provide ease of access for disabled persons.
Policy 2.4 (page 205) directs the City to consider innovative funding strategies,
such as cost-sharing, ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to
improve the overall condition, safety, and accessibility of sidewalks. As future
public or private projects are proposed, the City will be responsible for ensuring
projects are constructed in compliance with ADA standards.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
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Hermosa Beach 11.21.16 Planning Commission Study Session
Public Comments on the PLAN Hermosa Draft EIR
1
Planning Commission Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing – PLAN
Hermosa Draft Environmental Impact Report
Speaker: David Grethen, Hermosa Beach
Summary:
Most comments are in the area of carbon neutrality.
·In regards to local energy projects, it would be helpful to have a scenario which looks at
how much solar would be needed to meet the entire energy usage of the city, both for
the municipal and community scale, and how much area that might take up, and to
compare that with available rooftop area we have for businesses and residences and
whether we’d have to take up open space to satisfy that goal.
·Would like to know more about the stated amount of electric vehicle usage and the
amount of kWh used for electric vehicles. Would also like to know the rate of vehicle
conversion and how much room we would need in town for charging station
infrastructure.
·The character retention alternative looks potentially appealing, the carbon neutral by
2030 less so. On the carbon neutrality alternative, it is a little bit unfortunate that we are
lumping together the acceleration to 2030 and the lack of offsets because then it makes
it hard to distinguish the effects of the two factors. that I gather that the bulk of the
impact is due to the offsets and not the 2030 goal. It would be really nice if there was a
better way to sort out the difference between 2030 and 2040.
·Why does state legislation need to be augmented by local policy in order to meet state
goals. And is there something unique about Hermosa that does not get us to the state
goals.
Transcription:
I will be submitting written comments, and most of them are in the area of carbon neutrality. So
you’ll be getting those and you’ll look forward to getting those I hope. So I’ll try to touch on
some of the highlights just while I have the verbal opportunity to do so. One area where I’m
looking for more information is where it talks about local energy projects and a statement about
certain unknowns where it’s hard to really tell if there’s an impact. Something I’ve always been
curious about is if we did a scenario where we looked at all solar to meet the entire energy
usage of the city, both for the municipal and the community wide goals and to do some rough
order of magnitude calculation to see the solar panel area and equipment area would be
needed just to get a feel of the order of magnitude we are talking about. I’d also be interested
then in comparing hat with how much available rooftop area we have for businesses and
residences and if we’d have to go to the point of starting to take up open space to satisfy that
goal.
Another area is talk about a stated amount of electric vehicle usage and a stated amount of
kWh used. Would like to know more about the assumed amount of vehicle conversion of what
PUBM-1
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2
assumed amount we would go to among all the residents around town. And it would be
interesting to see how that would affect how much room we would need in town for the
charging station infrastructure.
A quick comment in looking at the alternatives that the character retention alternative looks
potentially appealing, the carbon neutral by 2030 alternative does not look so appealing to me.
On the carbon neutrality alternative, it is a little bit unfortunate that we are lumping together the
acceleration to 2030 and the lack of offsets because then it makes it hard to distinguish the
effects of the two factors. I will point out there’s a table that shows where we are receiving
about 30% of the reduction from community solar, and then the other scenario where we are
receiving about 30% from offsets and from that I gather that the bulk of the impact is due to the
offsets and not the 2030 goal. It would be really nice if there was a better way to sort out the
difference between 2030 and 2040.
I also noticed something really interesting about the bar graph that helps explain, I’d like to see
more discussion about that graph, and there’s something that stuck out to me. My question is,
why does state legislation need to be augmented by local policy in order to meet state goals.
And is there something unique about Hermosa that does not get us to the state goals. I think the
better we understood that, we might be able to better meet the goals.
In general, when we talk about local energy, what really sticks out is what we do locally vs what
we do remotely. And I think that aspect should really be emphasized.
Speaker: Tracy Hopkins, Hermosa Beach
Summary:
·A resolution from the Republican National Committee was read that discusses the UN
Sustainable Development Agenda.
·Suggested that our local communities are in peril because of a small group that seeks to
convince us that unless we surrender our property and freedoms, and unless we subsume
our individual rights to the good of the community that the planet will not survive.
·For over 200 years, Americans have protected our planet and our nation and our liberties
and as communities we can pull together to create our own plans to improve the
environment without the control of international groups and the seductive lure of easy
federal grants.
Transcription:
I just want to read this statement about a resolution exposing the UN Sustainable Development
Agenda since this document is full with sustainable development policies. Whereas the United
Nations Sustainable Development is a comprehensive plan of extreme environmentalism, social
engineering, and global political control that was initiated at the United Nations Conference on
Environmental Development held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 1992, and whereas the United
Nations Sustainable Development is being covertly pushed into local communities throughout
the United States of America through the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives
PUBM-1
cont.
PUBM-2
PUBM-3
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(ICLEI) through local sustainable development policies such as smart growth, resilient cities,
regional visioning projects through green or alternative development projects, and whereas the
United States through radical sustainable development goals, so called sustainable
development, views American private property ownership, single-family homes, private care
ownership, and individual travel choices, and privately owned farms, all as destructive to the
environment, and whereas according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Policy
social justice is described as the right and opportunity of all people to benefit equally from
resources afforded us by society and the environment which would be accomplished by
socialist/communist redistribution of wealth, whereas according to the United Nations
Sustainable Development Policy where national sovereignty is deemed a social injustice, now
therefore be resolved the Republic National Committee recognizes the destructive and insidious
nature of the United Nations Sustainable Development and hereby exposes to the public and
public policy makers the dangerous intent of the plan, and therefore be it further resolved that
the US Government and no state or local government is legally bound by the UN Sustainable
Development Treaty and that it has never been endorsed by the US Government, and therefore
be it further resolved that the Federal and State and local governments across the country be
well-informed of the underlying harmful implications of implementation of the United Nations
Sustainable Development destructive strategies for sustainable development and we hereby
endorse rejection of its radical policies and rejection of any grant monies attached to it.
I would like to finish by suggesting that our local communities are in peril because of a small
group that seeks to convince us that unless we surrender our property and freedoms, and unless
we subsume our individual rights to the good of the community that the planet will not survive,
yet this is a false choice. For over 200 years, Americans have protected our planet and our
nation and our liberties and as communities we can pull together to create our own plans to
improve the environment without the control of international groups and the seductive lure of
easy federal grants. Together we can respect our environment and keep our rights and
freedoms working together. That is the real choice.
Speaker: Mark Hopkins, Hermosa Beach
Summary:
·The January 5th date seems like it’s not really far out enough as we are starting
Thanksgiving right now and going through the holidays and I just don’t think people are
going to get enough time.
·Made reference to a survey of the American Meteorological Society Survey that was
done this year.
·The survey received responses from 3,761 members and the question was asked, “Which
of the following best describes the local effects of climate change over the next 50
years?” Among the responses, 47% said that the impacts will be primarily harmful, and
another 3% said that they will be exclusively harmful which is just 50%.
PUBM-3
cont.
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4
Transcription:
The January 5th date seems like it’s not really far out enough as we are starting Thanksgiving right
now and going through the holidays and I just don’t think people are going to get enough time
to address that.
Just wanted to point out, and I pulled this up online is a survey of the American Meteorological
Society Survey that was done this year. Basically it was given to thousands of members and this
particular portion was 3,761 members who responded where the question was asked, “Which of
the following best describes the local effects of climate change over the next 50 years?” And
there are some bar graphs here and 47% said that the impacts will be primarily harmful, and
another 3% said that they will be exclusively harmful so that’s 50%. My point here is that we keep
talking about the carbon neutrality here and in reality only half of the American Meteorological
Society says that it’s going to be harmful in the next 50 years. Anybody can look this up, it’s not
my survey, it’s theirs. So I’m concerned that we keep working on the policies in this city, when yet
the science is far from being solid.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2016/03/24/96-of-american-meteorological-
society-members-think-climate-change-is-happening-says-new-report/#2b3975803935
PUBM-4
PUBM-5
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING (NOVEMBER 21, 2016)
Comment # Response
PUBM-1 See responses GRED1-1 and GRED1-2, which address the written
comments submitted by the commenter concerning solar energy and
electric vehicle usage, respectively.
PUBM-2 See responses GRED1-4 and GRED1-5, which address the written
comments submitted by the commenter concerning Character Retention
Alternative 3 evaluated in the Draft EIR and the need for augmenting
state legislation by local policy to meet state goals, respectively.
PUBM-3 The commenter expresses an opinion about sustainable development, in
general. The comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical
analysis or conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
PUBM-4 The commenter’s opinion about the close of the comment period ending
on January 5, 2017, for the Draft EIR is noted. CEQA Guidelines Section
15105 requires a minimum 45-day review period for public review of a
Draft EIR. The comment period for the PLAN Hermosa Draft EIR began
October 26, 2016. The City has provided a review period of 72 days, which
exceeds the 45-day requirement. No additional response is required.
PUBM-5 The commenter expresses an opinion about carbon neutrality, in general.
The comment is not directed to the adequacy of the technical analysis or
conclusions in the Draft EIR. No additional response is required.
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-1
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This section includes minor revisions to the Draft EIR. These modifications resulted from responses to
comments received during the Draft EIR public review period as well as staff-initiated changes.
Changes are provided in revision marks (underline for new text and strikeout for deleted text).
Revisions herein do not result in new significant environmental impacts, do not constitute
significant new information, and do not alter the conclusions of the environmental analysis.
3.2 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages iv-vi, list of appendices, revised as follows to include additional documents:
Appendix C: Technical Background Report
C-1. Introduction
C-2. Aesthetics
C-3. Agricultural Resources
C-4. Air Quality
C-5. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
C-6. Biological Resources
C-7. Cultural Resources
C-8. Energy
C-9. Geology and Soils
C-10. Hazards and Hazardous Material
C-11. Hydrology and Water Quality
C-12. Land Use and Planning
C-13. Mineral Resources
C-14. Population and Housing
C-15. Noise
C-16. Public Services and Utilities, and Recreation
C-17. Transportation
C-18. References
Appendix A1 Hermosa Beach Market Analysis
Appendix A2 Vulnerability and Adaptation to Sea Level Rise
Appendix B1 Natural Resources
Appendix B2 Special Status Species
Appendix B6 Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Assessment
Appendix B7 City of Hermosa Beach 2013-2021 Housing Element
Appendix D: Air Quality Assessment
Appendix E: Greenhouse Gas Assessment
E-1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Assumptions
E-2. City of Hermosa Beach GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Target Setting Report
E-3. Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool and User Guide
Appendix F: Noise Assessment
F-1. Noise Measurements
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-2
F-2. Traffic Model
Appendix G: Transportation Assessment
G-1. Lane Configurations
G-2. Traffic Counts
G-3. Peak Hour Turning Movement Traffic Volumes
G-4. LOS Worksheets
G-5. Traffic Methodology
G-6. VMT Reduction Methods and TDM+ Tool Outputs
Appendix H: Tribal Consultation
Pages v and vi, list of tables (excerpt), revised as follows:
Table 4.3-1 Acreages of Vegetative Communities within the Coastal and
Inland Zones ......................................................................................................... 4.3-2
Table 4.3-2 Special-Status Plant Species with Potential to Occur Within and
Surrounding the Planning Area ........................................................................ 4.3-6
Table 4.3-3 Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur Within and
Surrounding the Planning Area ........................................................................ 4.3-8
Table 4.6-1 Potential Statewide Impacts from Climate Change ................................... 4.6-2
Table 4.6-2 Hermosa Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector,
2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 ........................................................................................ 4.6-6
Table 4.6-3 Hermosa Beach Baseline (2005), Forecast (2040) Emissions, and
Target Level (2040) ............................................................................................ 4.6-18
Table 4.6-4 California Policies Reducing Emissions Locally ............................................ 4.6-19
Table 4.6-5 Comparison of BAU and Adjusted BAU Emissions (2040) .......................... 4.6-20
Table 4.6-6 Summary of Annual Emissions Reductions by Sector in 2040 ................... 4.6-23
Table 4.6-7 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals and Achievements ........................... 4.6-28
Page viii, list of figures (excerpt), revised as follows:
Figure 3.0-10 Proposed Safe Routes to School Network… ................................................ 3.0-20
Figure 3.0-11 Parks and Public Facilities ................................................................................ 3.0-23
Figure 4.3-1 Vegetative Communities .................................................................................. 4.3-4
Figure 4.3-2 Previously Recorded Occurrences of Special-Status Species ................... 4.3-5
Figure 4.4-1 Potentially Eligible Historic Resources (Windshield Survey) ......................... 4.4-4
Figure 4.5-1 Regional Faults..................................................................................................... 4.5-4
SECTION 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Project Description has been updated based on changes to PLAN Hermosa recommended
by the Planning Commission and a clean version is provided at the end of this attachment.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-3
SECTION 4.1 (AESTHETIC AND VISUAL RESOURCES)
Update Figure 4.1-1 Character Areas with modified map from PLAN Hermosa.
Update Figure 4.1-2 Prominent Public Viewpoints with modified map from PLAN Hermosa.
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Page 4.1-14, Impact 4.1-1 has been revised as follows:
IMPACT 4.1-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Adverse Effects on Scenic Vistas and
Viewsheds? Future actions under PLAN Hermosa have the potential to
encroach on views from prominent public viewpoints. Future actions also
have the potential to degrade the visual quality of scenic vistas, through
the introduction of incongruous features to the viewshed. However, PLAN
Hermosa also includes policies and implementation actions that direct
future discretionary projects to identify, evaluate, and to the extent
feasible avoid the substantial obstruction, interference or degradation of
scenic vistas through the offering of exceptions to development
standards that will allow for siting the project in a manner that avoids
impacting scenic vistas. This impact would be less than significant
because development under PLAN Hermosa would comply with the
evaluation and design process to avoid adverse effects on scenic vistas.
Page 4.1-14, paragraph 2 under Impact 4.1-1 discussion has been revised as follows:
PLAN Hermosa outlines the community’s vision for proposed development in each of the
city’s distinctive zones and identifies policies and actions to reduce impacts to these public
view corridors. For example, implementation actions PARKS-10 and 11, and 12 require
discretionary design review for new development and public works projects based on
specific criteria to be established in the Zoning Ordinance to evaluate protect scenic
vistas. As such, utilities would be located underground when possible, and fences and
walls would not block views from designated viewpoints, scenic roads, or other public
viewing areas. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 5.1 states the intent to identify protect
scenic vistas. Public vistas would also be protected through proposed implementation
actions, as listed above.
Page 4.1-14, paragraph 4 under Impact 4.1-1 discussion has been revised as follows:
However, neither current City standards nor PLAN Hermosa policies or actions include
specific provisions to protect public view corridors. Therefore adverse effects on scenic
vistas and viewsheds would be potentially significant and mitigation measure MM 4.1-1
would be required. Due to the built-out nature of Hermosa Beach, the limited reach of the
views, and the small amount of new development, 50 feet is an appropriate distance for
the protection of public views. This metric is based on similar project experience and
conversations with the City about its goals for protecting scenic vistas. The policies and
actions as revised related to public views are designed to provide more specificity on the
expectation and process for identifying, evaluating, and addressing potential impacts to
scenic vistas in a manner that is consistent with the Coastal Act and the California
Environmental Quality Act. The greater level of specificity contained within the policies
and implementation actions further helps to appropriately guide City staff and decision
makers in the future to objectively and consistently and reasonably evaluate and mitigate
impacts to scenic vistas, and provide the opportunity for setback, open space,
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-4
landscaping or other relief to properties that may otherwise substantially obstruct, interrupt,
or detract from a scenic vista. This allows the property owner to minimize the impact to a
public view while providing the owner the same development privileges enjoyed by other
similar properties in the vicinity (similar to a variance). The specific exception to be applied
to each project will be evaluated on a project level to determine its appropriateness and
compatibility with the neighborhood and the list of available exceptions will be specified
in the zoning ordinance.
Through the public hearing process, the community and commissioners have had an
opportunity to synthesize PLAN Hermosa Figure 5.3, which shows the proposed Prominent
Public Views and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas. Based on community and commissioner
input, the Figure has been revised to remove two sites that do not meet the criteria for
Prominent Public Views. The two views deleted include 8th Street at Loma Drive and El
Oeste Drive. The 8th/Loma location can be deleted because the view is already
surrounded by properties that have been developed close to or at the maximum extent
allowed and therefore, future development during the life of the plan will not further
impact the view beyond the existing development. The El Oeste viewpoint can be deleted
because, while it presents a highly intact uninterrupted view, it does not meet the
prominent viewpoint criteria of having a large number of public viewers. This location is at
the end of a dead end residential street where the general public does not typically
access, pass or congregate. Therefore, it would be unlikely to have a large number of
public viewers.
The language incorporated into the policies and actions has been changed such that
properties adjacent to, rather than within 50 feet of, the Prominent Public Views and
Uninterrupted Viewing Areas will be required to evaluate and reasonably mitigate any
substantial impact to a public view. Additionally, portions of Implementation Action PARKS-
12 have been removed because of their specificity to appropriate colors and textures and
the portions of the actions pertaining to public works projects have been incorporated into
PARKS-11. To specify appropriate colors or textures to private property owners would go
against a long-standing community policy against judging or dictating design. These
language changes are also appropriate because the 50 foot requirement, as well as the
requirements for specific screening methods or use of certain materials may not be
appropriate in all situations and do not allow for any site specific flexibility. Additionally, the
language was too precise for policy language and implementation actions (and for the
originally proposed mitigation measure). These types of details are better worked out
through the implementation process and development of the ordinance. In some cases
50 feet may be too far, and in others it may not be far enough. There are site specific
conditions like width of the road, setback requirements, and building height limits (vary
from 25-35 feet) that may require variation in the distance needed to analyze impacts to
views. It is further noted that the changes to the policies and implementation actions
related to public views achieve the same purpose as proposed Mitigation Measure MM
4.1-1, that the potential impact to scenic vistas is adequately mitigated to a level that is
less than significant, and that no new significant impacts to Aesthetics have been
identified based on these changes.
Page 4.1-15, Mitigation Measures has been revised as follows:
None Required.
MM 4.1-1 Projects located within 50 feet and within the directional arrow of a
prominent public viewpoint, or within the uninterrupted viewing areas,
as identified in Figure 4.1-2, shall demonstrate that existing public views
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-5
of scenic resources along the view corridors identified in Draft EIR Figure
4.1-2 are, at a minimum, maintained in their current condition and that
no features are added in the viewshed that substantially obstruct or
detract from the public views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes
Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los Angeles Basin and
the San Gabriel Mountains. This requirement shall be incorporated into
the review process for precise development plans under Chapter 17.58
of the Zoning Ordinance.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measure MM 4.1-1 would ensure that existing view corridors
which offer views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Santa Monica
Mountains, and the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains are maintained.
Therefore, this impact would be reduced to less than significant.
Page 4.1-15, Impact 4.1-2 has been revised as follows:
IMPACT 4.1-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Have Adverse Effects on Scenic Resources within a State
Scenic Highway? There are no designated state scenic highways in or near
Hermosa Beach. However, PLAN Hermosa directs the City to protect
beautify and enhance Pacific Coast Highway as a potentially scenic
highway and would guide development and reuse projects in a manner
that is consistent with the existing visual character of Pacific Coast
Highway so that it may be designated as a scenic highway at some point
in the future. Therefore PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant
impact.
Scenic resources can include man-made or natural features, viewpoints, or viewsheds.
They can include visually significant features such as rocks, trees, and historic buildings,
particularly if those features are within a state scenic highway. There are no designated
state scenic highways in or near Hermosa Beach. However, proposed Parks + Open Space
Element Policy 5.5 directs the City to protect Pacific Coast Highway as a locally designated
scenic highway and important view corridor. This policy is the basis for future planning
decisions that enhance the local stretch of PCH as a scenic resource. In its current state,
Pacific Coast Highway’s only significance as a scenic resource is its public views to the
Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. As noted in the discussion above,
significant public vistas from Pacific Coast Highway would be protected through proposed
Policy 5.1 and implementation actions PARKS-10 and 11. in combination with mitigation
measure MM 4.1-1.
Page 4.1-18, description of Cypress District has been revised as follows:
Cypress District
The Cypress District currently includes a range of
professional design, light manufacturing, and
warehousing uses and is home to many of the
locally renowned surfboard shapers. The City
operations yard occupies a large portion of this
area.
The intent is to transform both the building design
and orientation as well as the public realm and
streetscape within the Cypress District. This area is
the creative, production, and light industrial center
of Hermosa Beach where ideas, spaces, and
creativity are easily shared. The Cypress District
includes a variety of flexible use spaces, co-working
offices, and creative or “maker” industries.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-6
Page 4.1-21, fourth paragraph has been revised as follows:
Land Use + Design Element Policies 1.6, 1.8, and 2.7 would also require new developments
to be compatible with surrounding development, as well as enhance existing character
and be sensitive to context. Similarly, Land Use + Design Element Policy 10.6 requires
attention to preservation of designated landmarks, potentially historic resources, and older
buildings. Implementation action LAND USE-2 directs the City to develop building design
guidelines update the development standards within the Zoning Code to illustrate and
articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each established
character area in accordance with those key features and characteristics to ensure that
the overall visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts is preserved. This
action would apply to individual neighborhoods and character areas as identified in
Figure 4.1-1 and in Table 4.1-1, as it would apply citywide. The proposed implementation
action establishes the appropriate mechanism for developing zoning standards design
guidelines that would prevent significant degradation of the built environment’s visual
character. As such, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and programs would
reduce the impacts associated with visual character and visual sensitivity to a less than
significant level because the City would implement design review standards that require
attention to and consistency with the surrounding area neighboring structures in form, line,
massing, and color and existing visual character and identity. Therefore, the impact would
be less than significant.
SECTION 4.2 (AIR QUALITY)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Page 4.2-13, last paragraph has been modified as follows:
A number of PLAN Hermosa policies, along with required SCAQMD rules and regulations,
would help reduce short-term construction emissions. All construction projects in the city
would be subject to SCAQMD Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust) to minimize fugitive particulate
matter (PM) dust emissions during construction. In addition, Sustainability + Conservation
Element Policy 7.2 would require future projects to minimize PM10 and PM2.5 emissions by
promoting best practices for controlling fugitive dust. Implementation actions
SUSTAINABILITY-16 and 17, and 18 aim to control soil erosion during grading and other
construction activities. Furthermore, Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 2.7 would
require all discretionary projects to substantially mitigate all feasible greenhouse gas
emissions, which would also affect the emissions of ozone precursors, PM10, and PM2.5 in the
city.
SECTION 4.3 (BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-7
SECTION 4.4 (CULTURAL RESOURCES)
Page 4.4-2, first paragraph, has been revised as follows:
Hermosa Beach has not been surveyed previously; therefore, a citywide windshield survey
was conducted by certified architectural historians to examine existing conditions and
identify examples of potentially eligible property types, styles, and methods of construction
that represent key periods of development in Hermosa Beach. which included locating
potential individual historical resources and concentrations or groups of intact resources
that appear to be eligible as potential historic districts based on their age, architecture,
and integrity. There are approximately 3,600 parcels with improvements over 45 years old
in Hermosa Beach. A total of 218 improved parcels were identified as potentially eligible
for local listing and were assigned California Historical Resource (CHR) status codes of 5S3,
“appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey
evaluation.” In addition, the survey identified two groupings of single-family residences
that appear potentially eligible as beach cottage districts and were assigned CHR status
codes of 5D3, “appears to be a contributor to a district that appears eligible for local listing
or designation through survey evaluation.” Figure 4.4-1 (Potentially Eligible Historic
Resources [Windshield Survey]) identifies the 218 parcels that have been identified as
potentially eligible for local listing. An architectural overview, complete inventory list, and
California Department of Parks and Recreation primary survey forms are provided in
Appendix C-7.
Page 4.4-4, Figure 4.4-1, Potentially Eligible Historic Resources Map, has been removed and is
replaced with a narrative describing the general history and time periods of development in
Hermosa Beach as provided in the Existing Conditions Report.
Attachment 1B
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4.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.4-4
FIGURE 4.4-1
POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE HISTORIC RESOURCES (WINDSHIELD SURVEY)
Source: PCR Services 2014
[DELETED]Attachment 1BAttachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-9
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Page 4.4-11, last paragraph is modified as follows:
Implementation action LAND USE-2321 would require archaeological investigations, as
necessary, by a qualified archaeologist for projects subject to CEQA involving ground-
disturbing activities for areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive
for cultural resources and would require preparation and implementation of a treatment
plan if buried resources would be affected by a proposed project. For example, an initial
archaeological study (Phase I Assessment), at a minimum, would consist of the following
tasks to identify known archaeological resources in a given project site: a cultural resources
records search through the South Central Coastal Information Center of the California
Historical Resources Information System, a pedestrian survey of the project site, a review of
the land use history, and coordination with knowledgeable organizations or individuals
(e.g., Hermosa Beach Historical Society, Native American tribes). If warranted, additional
analyses such as archaeological test excavations and/or remote sensing methods would
be implemented to identify resources.
Page 4.4-12, first paragraph is modified as follows:
To identify if a project requires archaeological investigations, the City would review
available geotechnical studies to determine whether excavation activities would impact
native soils. If a geotechnical study is not available for review, then the City would need to
make a determination based on a review of recent aerial photography of the project
location, available data from adjacent or nearby sites, and professional judgement. Thus,
with implementation action LAND USE-2321, future development and reuse projects under
PLAN Hermosa would implement the appropriate treatment and/or preservation of
resources if encountered. Therefore, potentially significant impacts on archaeological
resources would be less than significant.
Page 4.4-14, last paragraph, and 4.14-15 first paragraph are modified as follows:
The City does not have a comprehensive list of potentially eligible historic properties over
45 years old. During the preparation of the City’s General Plan Land Use Element in 1994,
28 historical resources and two historic districts were identified as potentially eligible;
however, some of these potential resources have been demolished or substantially
altered. Furthermore, this list is now over 20 years old and many additional properties now
meet the age threshold for consideration that would have not been considered in 1994. A
new windshield survey was conducted to examine existing conditions and identify
examples of property types, styles, and methods of construction that represent key periods
of development in Hermosa Beach. As described in Appendix C-7, PCR conducted a
windshield survey to identify potentially eligible individual historic resources and
concentrations or groups of historic resources that appeared to be eligible as potential
districts. Of the approximately 3,600 parcels over 45 years old in Hermosa Beach, 218
parcels are potentially eligible for local listing (5S3) and two potentially eligible groupings
of single-family residences that appear to be eligible as beach cottage districts (5D3). The
evaluation of historic resources during the windshield survey was based on architecture,
and a more intensive survey could be conducted in the future to consider patterns of
history, events, and significant persons.
Attachment 1B
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Approximately 60 percent of the potentially eligible resources are single-family, one-story
residential properties constructed between 1906 and 1930 located in the Walk Street, Sand
Section, North End, and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. There are also two groupings of
residences located in the Walk Street and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. The remaining 40
percent of potentially eligible properties include a variety of property types and styles,
such as commercial and industrial buildings, institutional buildings, landscape architectural
features, churches, parkettes, and greenbelts. These potential historical resources are
located in the Downtown, Civic Center, and Cypress districts and along the Pacific Coast
Highway corridor.
Page 4.4-15, paragraph five and six, and Page 4.14-16, first paragraph are modified as follows:
Provisions of the City’s current preservation ordinance (Municipal Code Section 17.53)
would not prevent the demolition or impairment of a historic building or structures that are
not formally designated as a landmark under the City’s preservation ordinance or listed
on the City’s potential historical resources list, but that meet the definition of historical
resource for the purpose of CEQA. Demolition of such a historical resource would be a
significant impact under CEQA. Furthermore, it is possible that some structures that have
not yet been surveyed could be eligible historical resources. Implementation actions LAND
USE-3 and LAND USE-15 attempt to lessen impacts due to infill development adjacent to
historical resources by recommending the preparation of design guidelines to ensure new
development would not sharply contrast with nearby historic resources and the use of the
Secretary of Interior’s Standards to evaluate impacts of alterations or new development
to historical resources.
Policies 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.6 would encourage the voluntary designation of
potentially eligible historic resources as landmarks or historic districts, prohibit and
discourage the inappropriate alteration or demolition of designated landmarks, require
the evaluation of potentially eligible historic resources associated with discretionary
projects prior to demolition, and provide incentives for preservation of historic resources.
The implementation actions set forth in PLAN Hermosa recommend a number of programs
to support the goals and policies described above.
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions requiring the identification and
protection of historic resources, along with adherence to existing federal, state, and City
regulations, would provide greater protections to locally designated and potential
historical resources. Other implementation actions address amending CEQA
documentation and the initial study program to ensure historic resources are adequately
addressed (LAND USE-13) and the establishment of design review procedures and
guidelines (LAND USE-18). However, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not prevent
the demolition of or substantial adverse change to potentially eligible historic buildings and
structures that qualify as historical resources pursuant to CEQA, but have not been formally
designated under the City’s preservation ordinance or listed on the City’s potential
landmark list. Therefore, this impact would be potentially significant.
Page 4.4-16, Mitigation Measures have been revised as follows:
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.4-4a The City shall establish an updated list of potential historic resources to be
maintained by the Community Development Director. The list shall be
updated every 10 years, at a minimum, to identify as-yet-unknown
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-11
historical resources (as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5) as
potential resources are identified through citywide surveys and on a
project-by-project basis.
MM 4.4-4ba The City shall require project applicants of discretionary projects to
conduct historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports on
a project-by-project basis, when a project proposes to alter, demolish,
or degrade a designated landmark or a potential historic resource
landmark as defined by Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 17.53.
MM 4.4-4cb The City shall maintain the “Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach”
guide, and shall update the guide so that it is informed by current
resource data and its goals and policies are consistent with the Land
Use + Design Element.
MM 4.4-4dc The City shall develop procedures and nomination applications to
facilitate and streamline the designation of local historic sites and
historic districts.
MM 4.4-4ed Historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports shall be
performed by persons who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s
Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology and Historic
Preservation (48 CFR 44716).
MM 4.4-4f For historical resources that may be adversely impacted, conformance with
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties and application of the State Historical Building Code shall be
required to protect significant character-defining features and protect
the eligibility of potential historical resources.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-4fd would reduce
impacts on historical resources to the extent feasible. However, impacts on potentially
eligible historic structures could occur depending on the proposed uses, the cost of
rehabilitation, and safety considerations. Thus, it may not be feasible in all circumstances
to rehabilitate a structure and retain its historic significance. If a project applicant proposes
to demolish an eligible structure, the City would consider the project’s impacts prior to
approval. Given this uncertainty, this impact would be significant and unavoidable.
Discussions under Impacts 4.4-5, 4.4-6 have been updated to reference LAND USE-21
implementation action.
Discussions under Impact 4.4-8 has been updated to reflect new mitigation measures identified in
4.4-4 to reference MM4.4-4a – MM4.4-4d.
SECTION 4.5 (GEOLOGY AND SOILS)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-12
SECTION 4.6 (GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft
Page 4.6-9, second paragraph, last sentence, is revised as follows:
The Carbon Planning Tool includes the links and sources used for each data point and
assumptions used to calculate emissions reductions. Appendix E-1 (PLAN Hermosa
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Assumptions) details the sources and assumptions used in the
Carbon Planning Tool to estimate the potential emissions reductions from each strategy.
The analysis relies on assumptions based on current technology (e.g., the average
electrical output of 1 kilowatt [kW] of solar in Hermosa Beach is currently 1,488 kilowatt
hours [kWh] annually) unless regulation or peer-reviewed research can reasonably project
the effect that future technology would have on reducing GHG emissions (e.g., state and
federal fuel efficiency standards for light-duty passenger vehicles mandate that the
average fuel efficiency of a vehicle fleet will increase from 34 miles per gallon in 2016 to
55 miles per gallon by 2025).
Page 4.6-23, first and second paragraphs are modified as follows:
Finally, PLAN Hermosa also includes several policies to support the reduction of GHG
emissions that are not specific to a certain activity or sector. For instance, Sustainability +
Conservation Element Policy 2.1 states that Hermosa Beach will reduce its GHG emissions
in alignment with state targets and goals and will also achieve carbon neutrality no later
than 2040. Implementation action SUSTAINABILITY-1 will establish a GHG impact fee for all
future discretionary development projects to offset their fair share of GHG contribution
above established thresholds, and SUSTAINABILITY-5 requires the City to regularly monitor
and evaluate Hermosa Beach’s progress toward community-wide carbon neutrality.
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 2.5 directs the City to purchase carbon offsets
when necessary to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality goals. The emissions
reductions achieved from the purchase of carbon offsets or implementation of projects
outside of Hermosa Beach to achieve carbon neutrality are included in the emissions
reductions calculations to demonstrate achievement toward carbon neutrality, but they are
excluded from demonstrating the community’s ability to achieve the greenhouse gas
reduction targets by 2040 consistent with long-term state goals. While offsets are included to
achieve a carbon neutral goal, the degree to which they can be relied upon to
demonstrate consistency with state goals is limited at this time. While the California Air
Resources Board has developed guidance for organizations or operators subject to cap-
and-trade regulation on how to select, verify, and register offset projects counted toward
cap-and-trade compliance, this guidance has not yet been approved for use or to
demonstrate compliance by organizations or jurisdictions that are excluded from cap-and-
trade regulation.
Table 4.6-6, on Page 4.6-23, is modified as follows:
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-13
TABLE 4.6-6
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BY SECTOR IN 2040
Share of Carbon
Reductions (%)
Annual Carbon
Reduction (MTCO2e)
Baseline 2005 Emissions 137,160
2012 Emissions -7.7% 126,610
BAU Emissions (2040) +5.0% 133,430
State Programs (2040) -27.7% 38,010
Local Remaining Emissions to Be Reduced 95,420
Building Efficiency
New Construction Residential Efficiency -1.3% 1,810
Existing Buildings Residential Efficiency -4.4% 6,100
New Construction Nonresidential Efficiency -2.0% 2,810
Existing Buildings Nonresidential Efficiency -2.0% 2,770
Subtotal -9.8% 13,490
Renewable Energy Generation
Rooftop Solar -5.9% 8,100
Community Solar -0.4% 550
Renewable Energy Procurement -7.3% 10,010
Purchased Renewables (Green Rate) -0.0% 0
Subtotal -13.6% 18,660
Transportation + Land Use
Land Use & Transportation Alternatives -4.0% 5,500
Additional Transportation Strategies -1.9% 2,560
Electric Vehicles -7.4% 10,100
Subtotal -13.0% 18,160
Other Sectors + Offsets
Waste + Recycling -2.5% 3,480
Water + Wastewater -0.2% 330
Purchase Offsets -30.1% 41,310
Subtotal -2.7% 3,810
TOTAL -69.9% 54,110
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2016
Page 4.6-28, under Impact 4.6-2, a new paragraph and table are inserted as follows:
A numeric summary of the relevant GHG emissions reduction goals articulated through
state legislation or executive orders and locally adopted planning documents, along with
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-14
the level of GHG reductions that are anticipated to be achieved through the
implementation of policies in PLAN Hermosa (with and without offsets), is presented in
Table 4.6-7.
TABLE 4.6-7 (NEW TABLE ADDED TO EIR)
GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Percent Emissions Reduction Below 2005 Levels
GHG Emissions Reduction Goals
Goal Origination 2020 2030 2040 2050
State Legislation (adopted) 15% (AB 32) 49% (SB 32)
State Executive Order 83% (E.O. S-3-05)
Local Plans (Adopted) 15% (Sustainability
Plan)
Trajectory Needed to Meet Goals 15% 49% 66% 83%
PLAN Hermosa
PLAN Hermosa (without offsets) 66%
PLAN Hermosa (with offsets) 100%
PLAN Hermosa EIR Alternative 2 (without
offsets) 100%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach, 2016.
SECTION 4.7 (HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
SECTION 4.8 (HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
SECTION 4.9 (LAND USE AND PLANNING)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Replace Figure 4.9-1 with updated Land Use Designation Maps from PLAN Hermosa.
SECTION 4.10 (MINERAL RESOURCES)
No changes.
SECTION 4.11 (NOISE AND VIBRATION)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
3.0-15
SECTION 4.12 (POPULATION AND HOUSING)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
SECTION 4.13 (PUBLIC SERVICES, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
Update Figure 4.13-1 Parks and Public Facilities with modified map from PLAN Hermosa.
Update Table 4.13-2 Parks and Community Facilities in Hermosa Beach with modified table form
PLAN Hermosa.
Page 4.13-32, second to last sentence in the second paragraph under the Wastewater
subheading is revised as follows:
The LACSD trunk lines flow to the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP), located in
Carson. The JWPCP is one of the largest wastewater plants in the world and is the largest
of the LACSD wastewater treatment plants. The facility provides both primary and
secondary treatment and has a total permitted capacity of 400 million gallons per day
(mgd).3 The plant serves a population of approximately 3.5 million people throughout Los
Angeles County. Treated discharge from the plant is transported to the Pacific Ocean
through a network of outfalls, which extend 1.5 miles off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, to a
depth of 200 feet (LACSD 2013). The JWPCP currently processes an average flow of 263.1
mgd (LACSD 2015; LACSD 2017). The projected flow to the JWPCP in its service area for
2050 is 359 mgd.4
Page 4.13-39, first paragraph in the discussion of Impact 4.13.7-1 is revised as follows:
The increased population resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa could generate
additional wastewater flows that would be treated by the Joint Water Pollution Control
Plant located in Carson. The LACSD has estimated wastewater flows generated by the
additional 300 residential units and 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development to
be approximately 251,680 gallons per day (or 0.252 mgd) of wastewater (LACSD 2015).6
Currently, the JWPCP treats an average of 263.1 254.1 mgd, which includes flows from
Hermosa Beach. The addition of flows from PLAN Hermosa (0.252 mgd) would increase
treated flows to approximately 263.4 254.4 mgd, which would not exceed the current 280-
mgd primary and secondary treatment capacity or the 400-mgd permitted capacity of
the JWPCP. PLAN Hermosa’s additional flows would represent less than an approximately
0.1 percent contribution to flows.
Page 4.13-62, two new sentences have been added to the end of the second paragraph under
the “Automotive Fuel Consumption” subheading as follows:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s proposed policies and implementation actions that
are designed to promote pedestrian, bicycle, and transit forms of transportation would
further reduce dependency on fossil fuels. As shown in Table 4.13-7, under PLAN Hermosa,
the amount of transportation fuels consumed would be reduced to approximately 1.4
million gallons or almost 77 percent when compared to existing (2015) conditions, but
would also increase electricity consumption due to the increase in use of electric vehicles.
The reduction of transportation fuel consumed by 2040 compared to 2015 (77 percent) is
a result of greater fuel efficiency from conventionally fueled vehicles, a reduction in overall
vehicle miles traveled through land use changes, and a greater shift to electric vehicles or
Attachment 1B
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3.0 REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT EIR
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-16
fossil-free vehicles. By 2040 it is estimated that approximately 75 percent of new vehicles in
Hermosa Beach will be electric or fossil-free vehicles, compared to approximately 5
percent in 2015. This information, along with all other assumptions associated with the
calculation of energy or fuel use and greenhouse gas reductions, is presented in Appendix
E-1.
Page 4.13-62, a new paragraph has been added immediately following Table 4.13-7 as follows:
The data in Table 4.13-7 have been developed using the same assumptions used for the
greenhouse gas emissions analysis in Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which
concludes that PLAN Hermosa will reduce emissions locally by at least 66 percent by 2040.
Page 4.13-67, a new reference is added as follows:
LACSD (Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County). 2012. Clearwater Program Final Master
Facilities Plan.
———. 2013. Wastewater Facilities.
http://www.lacsd.org/wastewater/wwfacilities/default.asp#map.
———. 2015. Plan Hermosa: City of Hermosa Beach General Plan and Local Coastal
Program Update [comment letter on Notice of Preparation dated September 8, 2015,
included in Appendix B]
———. 2017. Response to DEIR for the PLAN Hermosa: City of Hermosa Beach General
Plan and Local Coastal Program Update [comment letter on Draft EIR dated January 5,
2017, included in Section 2.0, Responses to Comments, in the Final EIR].
SECTION 4.14 (TRANSPORTATION)
Replace Policies and Implementation Actions from PLAN Hermosa with modified policies from
Planning Commission Recommended Draft.
APPENDIX C
Appendix C-7 is modified to delete Figure 7.2: Potential Historic Resources
Appendix C is modified to include the following appendices prepared as part of the Technical
Background Report (appendices numbered as they appear in the Technical Background
Report). These appendices are included on CD at the back of this Final EIR.
Appendix A1 Hermosa Beach Market Analysis
Appendix A2 Vulnerability and Adaptation to Sea Level Rise
Appendix B1 Natural Resources
Appendix B2 Special Status Species
Appendix B6 Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Assessment
Appendix B7 City of Hermosa Beach 2013-2021 Housing Element
APPENDIX H (NEW)
A new Appendix H (Tribal Consultation) has been added to document the Tribal Consultation
process completed by the City for this project in compliance with AB 52 and SB 18. The documents
in Appendix H are confidential to comply with AB 52 and protect the confidential information
provided by California Native American Tribes. They are included in the administrative record for
the EIR and are on file with the City of Hermosa Beach.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-1
3.0.1 REGIONAL SETTING
Hermosa Beach is located in southwest Los Angeles County and encompasses 1.4 square miles,
or 979 acres, with 1.8 miles of coastline along Santa Monica Bay. Manhattan Beach borders
Hermosa Beach to the north and northeast, and Redondo Beach is located to the south and east
(see Figure 3.0-1, Regional Location Map). Pacific Coast Highway runs north/south through the
entirety of Hermosa Beach. Roughly half of the city is located within the Coastal Zone.
FIGURE 3.0-1 REGIONAL LOCATION MAP
3.0.2 HERMOSA BEACH
The proposed project area, shown in Figure 3.0-2 (Hermosa Beach Corporate Boundary), includes
the entire corporate limits of the City of Hermosa Beach and the City’s Coastal Zone. Existing land
uses in the city include residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and open space as shown
in Figure 3.0-3 (Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses) and Table 3.0-1 (Hermosa Beach Existing Land
Uses).
Residential uses comprise over 67 percent of the city’s land area, with approximately 10,000
housing units encompassing 455 acres of the city. Residential uses include single-family residential,
multi-family, mobile homes, and mixed-use property (with both residential and commercial).
Single-family land uses are found throughout the city, with neighborhoods in the northeast, east,
and southeast that are predominantly single-family uses. Multi-family housing units are
predominantly found in the southwest area of Hermosa Beach, with additional multi-family
housing found in the northwest and southeast portions of the city. The northwest portion of the city
and The Strand have a mix of single-family and multi-family housing options. There are two mobile
home areas—one located north of Pier Avenue, between Loma Drive and Valley Drive, which is
a resident-owned park, and the other along 10th Street between Ardmore Avenue and Pacific
Coast Highway, which also serves recreational vehicles.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-2
Existing commercial uses comprise approximately 7 percent of the city’s total land area including
retail, restaurant, office, and other uses that provide goods or services. These uses can be found
primarily along the city’s corridors and in Downtown, with pockets of small-scale commercial
found in residential neighborhoods. Commercial uses along Hermosa Avenue or Manhattan
Avenue primarily consist of restaurants, stores, and services to serve the neighborhood and nearby
beachgoers.
Light industrial or manufacturing uses in Hermosa Beach account for approximately 4 percent of
the city’s total land area and are generally located in a 4-acre industrial area near Cypress
Avenue, including light manufacturing, warehouses, construction supply, surfboard
manufacturing, auto shops, and air conditioning and heating manufacturing uses.
FIGURE 3.0-2 HERMOSA BEACH CORPORATE BOUNDARY
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-3
FIGURE 3.0-3 HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING LAND USES
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-4
Institutional land uses account for 147 acres or 22 percent of the total land area. Institutional land
uses include schools, government-owned facilities, parks, the beach and open space, and
essential operations areas such as parking, utility buildings, the City maintenance yard and other
facilities, or utility easements.
TABLE 3.0-1
HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING LAND USES
Use Number of
Parcels
Total
Acres
Percentage of
Land Area
Residential Uses
Single-Family 3,261 263.0 39.1%
Multi-Family 1,898 186.3 27.6%
Mobile Homes 3 4.6 0.7%
Mixed Residential and Commercial 17 1.5 0.2%
Residential Subtotal 5,179 455.4 67.6%
Commercial and Light Industrial Uses
Commercial and Services 274 57.6 8.5%
General Office 40 7.9 1.1%
Industrial 26 4.1 0.6%
Mixed Commercial and Industrial 1 0.2 <0.1%
Commercial and Industrial Subtotal 341 69.8 10.2%
Institutional and Other Uses
City Facilities 46 19.6 2.9%
Education 9 16.7 2.4%
Open Space and Recreation 52 104.5 15.5%
Transportation, Communication, and Utilities 8 4.2 0.6%
Vacant 33 2.6 0.4%
Institutional and Other Uses Subtotal 148 147.6 21.8%
Total 5,668 672.8 100%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-5
3.0.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15124(b) requires that a project’s
environmental impact report (EIR) include a written statement of objectives that should include
the underlying purpose of the project. The priorities underscored in PLAN Hermosa identified
through the community outreach process form the basis of the project objectives.
1) Preserve the city’s small beach town character through policies and design standards that
maintain buildings at an appropriate scale and size with existing ones (including potentially
historic buildings) and recognize the unique features of the city’s eclectic residential
neighborhoods.
2) Enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy through policies that
stimulate sustainable businesses and jobs, enhance safe and beautiful commercial
corridors, articulate clear and consistent standards for new businesses, and provide
convenient services to residents, employees, and visitors.
3) Promote healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation improvements
that enhance pedestrian, transit, and bike safety and access to a variety of destinations
in the city.
4) Provide a safe and clean natural environment—including clean air and water—and
stewardship of our ocean resources, open space, and other natural resources.
5) Achieve a low carbon future through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing fuel consumption, diverting solid waste from landfills, conserving water and
improving the efficiency of energy use and utilizing renewable energy sources.
3.0.4 PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
The project consists of two components: the General Plan and the Local Coastal Program,
collectively referred to as PLAN Hermosa. PLAN Hermosa’s stated purpose is to guide
development in the city for the next 25 years by balancing quality of life, economic prosperity,
and environmental sustainability. PLAN Hermosa defines long-term community goals, decision-
making policies, and implementation actions. PLAN Hermosa establishes an overall development
capacity for the city and represents the City’s policy for determining appropriate physical
development and character. Any decision by the City affecting land use and development must
be consistent with PLAN Hermosa. An action, program, or project would be considered consistent
if, considering all of its aspects, it would further the goals and policies set forth in PLAN Hermosa
and not obstruct their attainment.
PLAN Hermosa includes the subject matter required for the seven state-required elements, as well
as subjects required for the Coastal Land Use Plan.
Community Governance Parks + Open Space
Land Use + Design Public Safety
Mobility Infrastructure
Sustainability + Conservation
PLAN Hermosa also includes a Vision Statement, an Introduction chapter, and an Implementation
Plan that presents actions needed to achieve the vision.
The City’s Housing Element, which is also part of the General Plan, was last updated in 2013 and
has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development
through 2021; therefore, it is not part of the proposed project.
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-6
Community Governance Element
The Community Governance Element serves as the introduction to PLAN Hermosa. This element
details the leadership, decision-making process, development requirements, and regional
coordination necessary to achieve the proposed plan’s objectives through goals, policies, and
actions.
This element describes the system of governance and provides goals and policies for Hermosa
Beach. In addition, the element identifies ways to continue community involvement and
investment, while ensuring decision-making and leadership are conducted in an ethical,
transparent, and innovative manner that reflects community values.
Land Use + Design Element
The Land Use + Design Element guides future development in Hermosa Beach; identifies the
character-defining features of each neighborhood, corridor, or district; and provides policy
guidance that supports the intended character of each area. The element establishes land use
designations that provide direction to each individual property owner regarding allowed uses and
densities. More specifically, the Land Use + Design Element:
Defines a realistic long-term vision for the built form of Hermosa Beach through 2040.
Expresses the desires of Hermosa Beach residents regarding the physical, social, economic,
cultural, and environmental character of the community.
Serves as a comprehensive guide for making decisions about land use, urban design,
economic development, and other related topics, such as public facilities and services
and parks and open space.
Serves as the City’s framework for land use and development decisions and provides the
legal foundation for zoning, subdivisions, development plans, and facility plans.
The PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations Diagram (Figure 3.0-4) establishes the general pattern
of uses in the city and identifies minimum and maximum permitted land use densities and
intensities. These parameters can be used to identify the anticipated level of development in the
city between 2015 and 2040. As the density and intensity standards for each land use designation
are applied to future development projects and land use decisions, properties will gradually
transition from one use to another, and land uses and intensities will gradually shift to align with the
intent of PLAN Hermosa.
Table 3.0-2 (PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations) identifies the land use designations and
allowable densities. Table 3.0-3 (PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Projections) identifies
anticipated residential land use changes that would occur between 2015 and 2040 with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa, while Table 3.0-4 (PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development
Projections) identifies corresponding changes for nonresidential uses in the city. These projections
were calculated based on specific trends in the city, including:
Loss of housing units – Through demolition and reconstruction as single-family homes, the
city experienced a decrease in the overall number of housing units from 10,162 to 10,110
between 2010 and 2015. This is consistent with a recent local trend in which properties with
multi-family units are demolished and replaced with a single-family unit. This trend may be
expected to continue in the near term.
Growing size of households – Between 2008 and 2012, the city observed an increase in
average household size from 2.00 to 2.08. This number is indicative of a growing number of
Attachment 1B
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-7
families in Hermosa Beach, which affects the ratio of adult residents and subsequently the
trip generation of family versus nonfamily households.
While the residential land use designations have the ability to accommodate an additional 440
total residential units, only a portion of those parcels are likely to redevelop. The City’s residential
program estimates that approximately 300 residential units may be added in Hermosa Beach over
the next 25 years based on an analysis of vacant and underutilized parcels. In addition, Hermosa
Beach could accommodate an additional 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development
between 2015 and 2040 as shown in the tables below.
TABLE 3.0-2
PLAN HERMOSA LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land Use Designation Definition Density/Intensity
Low Density Residential Single-family residential (attached or detached) 2.0–13.0 DU/AC
Medium Density Residential Single-family residential and small-scale multi-family residential
(duplex, triplex, condominium) 13.1–25.0 DU/AC
High Density Residential Medium (8–20 unit buildings) and large-scale (20+ unit buildings)
multi-family residential 25.1–33.0 DU/AC
Mobile Home Mobile home parks, where two or more lots are rented or leased to
accommodate mobile homes for human habitation 2.0–13.0 DU/AC
Neighborhood Convenience stores, markets, eateries, laundromats, or similar uses
to primarily serve local walk-in traffic 0.5–1.0 FAR
Community Locally oriented uses including retail stores, restaurants, professional
and medical offices, and personal services 0.5–1.25 FAR
Recreational Coastal-related uses such as beach/bike rentals, restaurants, snack
shops, lodging accommodations, entertainment, and similar uses 1.0–1.75 FAR
Gateway Lower-floor community or regionally oriented commercial uses with
upper-floor high-visitor office or hotel uses 1.0–2.0 FAR
Service Home improvement stores, furniture stores, auto dealerships, and light
automotive service stations 0.25–0.5 FAR
Light Industrial Production uses for light manufacturing, creative art, or design
services with professional office as an allowed accessory use 0.25–1.0 FAR
Public Facility Civic-related offices, community centers, operational facilities, and
educational/institutional facilities 0.10–1.0 FAR
Open Space Passive and active park, recreational, open space uses, and
educational/institutional facilities 0.0–0.5 FAR
Beach Coastal-related recreational activities and essential public facilities
(lifeguard and restrooms) 0.0–0.05 FAR
DU/AC = dwelling units per acre; FAR = floor area ratio
Italicized designations indicate the new or altered land use designations introduced through PLAN Hermosa.
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FIGURE 3.0-4 PLAN HERMOSA LAND USE DESIGNATIONS DIAGRAM
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TABLE 3.0-3 PLAN HERMOSA RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTIONS
Land Use Designation Acres Existing Units
(2015)
New Units
(2015–2040)
Total Units
(2040)
Low Density Residential 240 3,214 20 3,234
Medium Density Residential 198 2,593 150 2,743
High Density Residential 100 4,085 100 4,185
Neighborhood Commercial 3 50 30 80
Community Commercial 38 104 — 104
Recreational Commercial 7 36 — 36
Gateway Commercial 24 11 — 11
Service Commercial 5 12 — 12
Light Industrial 6 4 — 4
Total 621 10,109 300 10,409
Note: This information is based on growth forecasts provided in the City’s letter with the subject: Hermosa Beach Response to
SCAG’s Integrated Growth Forecast to the Southern California Association of Governments. See Appendix A.
TABLE 3.0-4 PLAN HERMOSA NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTIONS
Land Use Designation Acres
Existing
Building Sq. Ft.
(2015)
New Building
Sq. Ft.
(2015–2040)
Total Building
Sq. Ft.
(2040)
Neighborhood Commercial 3 93,900 8,800 102,700
Community Commercial 38 976,200 154,500 1,130,700
Recreational Commercial 7 226,300 176,500 402,800
Gateway Commercial 24 595,200 231,700 826,900
Service Commercial 5 82,800 22,100 104,900
Light Industrial 6 132,000 36,800 168,800
Total 83 2,106,400 630,400 2,736,800
Note: This information is based on growth forecasts provided in the City’s letter with the subject: Hermosa Beach Response to
SCAG’s Integrated Growth Forecast to the Southern California Association of Governments. See Appendix A.
Goals presented in the Land Use + Design Element include the following:
Livable Urban Pattern – Create a sustainable urban form and land use pattern that supports
a robust and resilient economy and high quality of life for residents.
Complete and Diverse Neighborhoods – Neighborhoods provide for diverse needs of
residents of all ages, socioeconomic groups and abilities, and are organized to support
healthy and active lifestyles.
Unique and Vibrant Districts – A series of unique, destination-oriented districts throughout
Hermosa Beach.
Connected and Walkable Corridors – A variety of corridors throughout the city provide
opportunities for shopping, recreation, commerce, employment, and circulation.
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Quality Urban Design – Quality and authenticity in architecture and site design in all
construction and renovation of buildings.
Public Realm and Pedestrian-Scale Design – A pedestrian-focused urban form that creates
visual interest and a comfortable outdoor environment.
Educational and Community Facilities – Adequate space and appropriate integration of
community and school facilities that support physical activity, civic life, and social
connections for residents of all ages and interests.
Accommodations in the Coastal Zone – A range of coastal-dependent and visitor-serving
uses available to all income ranges and amenity desires.
Space for Renewable Energy – Local energy independence through renewable energy
generation.
Celebrated Examples of the City’s Rich History – A strong sense of cultural and architectural
heritage.
A Vibrant Artistic Community – A proud and visible identity as an arts and cultural
community.
Venues and Space for Artistic Expression – A mix of cultural facilities that support and
encourage the community’s vibrant range of art creation and presentation.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Land Use + Design Element and actions in the
Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation action is an update to the Zoning Ordinance and Local Coastal Implementation
Plan.
Character areas—split into neighborhoods, corridors, and districts and shown in Figure 3.0-5
(Character Areas)—have been defined and described to highlight the unique features or
characteristics of the different areas of Hermosa Beach. Each character area description includes
the intended future vision and proposed guidelines to help maintain, enhance, or transform the
building form and public realm of each area. A summary of each area is included in Table 3.0-5
(Character Areas and Future Visions).
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TABLE 3.0-5 CHARACTER AREAS AND FUTURE VISIONS Character
Area
Future Vision Neighborhoods North End To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form and scale and maintain neighborhood
connectivity and access to nearby commercial services.
Hermosa View To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form, orientation, or scale and retain the
unique streetscape with wide parkways and uninterrupted sidewalks.
Walk Street To achieve the intent, the City should maintain the high quality pedestrian connections
through the walk streets and retain the form, scale, and orientation of buildings in this area.
Sand Section To achieve the intent, the City should enhance multimodal connectivity and access while
preserving the building form, scale, and orientation in this neighborhood.
Valley To achieve the intent, the City should improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance
connectivity and access while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area.
Herondo To achieve the intent, the City should preserve the scale and building form of this
neighborhood and maintain connections and access to nearby amenities.
Greenbelt To achieve the intent, the City should maintain the building scale and form of this
neighborhood, while enhancing access to local neighborhood-serving commercial uses.
Hermosa Hills The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance connectivity and access
while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area.
Eastside To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form, orientation, and scale and retain the
quiet nature and unique streetscape of this area. Districts Downtown To achieve the intent, buildings should enhance form and orientation and maintain the
pedestrian realm along Pier Avenue while transforming the realm on Hermosa Avenue.
Civic Center To achieve the intent, buildings should transform the orientation and design in the Civic
Center, while enhancing the streetscape and circulation of all modes and users.
Cypress To achieve the intent, buildings should transform both the design and orientation as well as
the public realm and streetscape within the Cypress area. Corridors Aviation To achieve the intent, buildings should transform building design, form, and orientation
while enhancing the streetscape and access for pedestrians and bicycles in this area.
Pacific Coast
Highway
To achieve the intent, the City should enhance building design and form, and transform
streetscapes and gateways to serve pedestrians and improve vehicular circulation.
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FIGURE 3.0-5 CHARACTER AREAS
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Mobility Element
The Mobility Element identifies the proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, and
alternative transportation facilities necessary to support a multimodal transportation system. This
element is intended to facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout Hermosa Beach
by a variety of transportation modes. The element places a balanced emphasis on all modes
including: bicycle and pedestrian modes, alternative-fuel vehicle use, and parking management
in the Coastal Zone. The Mobility Element outlines a transportation system needed to support the
land uses outlined in the Land Use + Design Element and regional growth factors identified in
county-wide and region-wide plans.
The Mobility Element describes each component of the city’s transportation system and presents
future enhancements to the system that advance the following goals:
Complete Streets – Complete Streets that serve the diverse functions of mobility,
commerce, recreation, and community engagement for all users whether they travel by
walking, bicycling, transit, or driving.
Living Streets – A public realm that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel via foot,
bicycle, transit, and automobile and creates vibrant, people-oriented public spaces that
encourage active living.
Streets for Everyone – Public right-of-ways supporting a multimodal and people-oriented
transportation system that provides diversity and flexibility on how users choose to be
mobile.
Managed Parking – A parking system that meets the parking needs and demand of
residents, visitors, and employees in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Low-Carbon Sustainable Transport – A robust low-cost and low-carbon transportation
system that promotes the City’s environmental sustainability and stewardship goals in
support of social and economic objectives.
Local and Regional Connectivity – A regionally integrated transportation system that
provides local and regional connections to regional transit services, bicycle facilities, and
other intermodal facilities.
Vision Zero – A transportation system that results in zero transportation-related fatalities and
which minimizes injuries.
Efficient Commercial Goods Movement – Facilitates sustainable, effective, and safe
movement of goods and commercial vehicles.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Mobility Element and actions in the Implementation Plan
describing how the goals will be achieved. The key implementation actions for the Mobility
Element are organized around goals to improve safety, enhance access, and support greater
choice in transportation options.
Street Classifications
Streets are not equal in function or in their service of different travel modes. The Mobility Element’s
system of street classifications will inform future roadway improvements and performance
measurement for new and reconfigured streets to carry out mobility priorities more effectively and
to balance the needs of all travel modes. Definitions of street classifications consider surrounding
land uses and designate priority levels for different travel modes within each street type.
Combined, the types represent a hierarchical network linked to typical design standards and
anticipated traffic levels.
For each street type, the Mobility Element provides a definition and design guidelines that illustrate
how the street space is divided among roadway, sidewalk, parkway, and other modes. The street
classifications outline the rights-of-way required for each arterial and collector street to
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accommodate vehicle traffic, transit movement, bicycle system implementation, and pedestrian
circulation needs. The classifications also provide design guidance, priorities, and requirements for
each street type. These are considered general guidelines for street corridors. Each street
classification is defined in Table 3.0-6 (Proposed Transportation Network Descriptions) and
locations of each type of facility are illustrated in Figure 3.0-6 (Proposed Street Classifications),
Figure 3.0-7 (Proposed Pedestrian Network), Figure 3.0-8 (Proposed Bicycle and Multi-Use
Network), Figure 3.0-9 (Proposed Transportation Amenities), and Figure 3.0-10 (Proposed Safe
Routes to School Network).
Multimodal Transportation System
The Mobility Element places a priority on the development of a multimodal transportation system
in the city. The current street system comprises three functional systems: arterials, collectors, and
local streets with low walking and biking priority. The goals and policies identified in the Mobility
Element serve to encourage greater individual choice to move throughout the city by developing
multi-use path connections to key destinations in order to reduce auto dependency and improve
transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity. This would serve to decrease traffic, increase mobility
and access to jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the Hermosa Beach
community’s overall health, wellness, and quality of life.
Concepts identified in the Mobility Element include redesign of Pacific Coast Highway to improve
its local function as a community focal point and gathering place. Potential redesign for the
roadway could include wider sidewalks, sharrows, buffered and painted bicycle lanes, and
streetscape improvements such as benches and pedestrian-scale lighting. Enhancing a
multimodal transportation system and shifting travel patterns away from the automobile to
alternative modes of transportation, including public transit (both regional and local), walking,
and biking, would alleviate auto congestion throughout the city.
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TABLE 3.0-6
PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION NETWORK DESCRIPTIONS
Street Type Description
Alleyway Provide access to private properties, including parking spaces and garages.
Local Street Provide connections within and between neighborhoods. Local streets are not intended to serve
through vehicular traffic and are generally one lane in each direction with a lower volume of vehicles.
Arterial
(major + minor)
Carry the majority of vehicles entering, leaving, or traveling through the city. Major and minor
arterials are differentiated by the volume of vehicles using the street and width of the right-of-way.
Walk Street A street segment designed to exclude vehicular use, for pedestrians and non-motorized
transportation.
Local Sidewalk Provide contiguous and level walking space primarily on low-volume residential streets.
Wide Sidewalk Provide adequate space for a frontage zone, pedestrian zone, and buffer/greenspace zone on
commercial streets.
Priority Sidewalk Facilities essential to providing a safe, accessible, and well-connected pedestrian network.
Multi-Use Path A two-way facility separated from motor vehicles (adjacent to or independent of roadways) for use
by pedestrians, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists.
Shared Roadway A street segment that functions as a space for multiple users and intermittently as a gathering space,
without delineations for each mode.
Bike Lane Provide preferential or exclusive use of a portion of the roadway for bicyclists through striping or
markings.
Sharrows Combine bicycle stencils with chevrons placed in the center of the travel lane. Bring awareness to
drivers that bicycles share the lane and may use the full lane.
Bike Boulevard Allow bicyclists and motorists to share the same travel lanes to facilitate safe and convenient bicycle
travel. They are low-volume streets optimized for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Local Trolley A local electric or zero emissions trolley, in coordination with parking facilities, provides enhanced
access to the beach and downtown.
Electric Vehicle
and Bike Parking Electric vehicle and bike parking facilities support the use of alternative modes to key destinations.
Crossing Control Crossing control facilities (stop sign, signal, traffic circle) ensure efficient and safe intersections for
all travel modes.
Parking District District-based parking helps manage parking supply and more efficiently use space dedicated for
parking.
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FIGURE 3.0-6 PROPOSED STREET CLASSIFICATIONS
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FIGURE 3.0-7 PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
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FIGURE 3.0-8 PROPOSED BICYCLE AND MULTI-USE NETWORK
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FIGURE 3.0-9 PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION AMENITIES
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FIGURE 3.0-10 PROPOSED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL NETWORK
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Sustainability + Conservation
The Sustainability + Conservation Element includes goals and policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, promote improved air quality and water quality, and promote energy-efficient green
building practices. The element’s primary objective is to set Hermosa Beach on a path toward a
low- or no-carbon future, with stated goals of being a carbon-neutral municipal organization by
2020 and a carbon-neutral community by 2040.
The Sustainability + Conservation Element details measures to improve air quality in the city. This
element also addresses the use of green building practices to reduce energy use and preserve
the environment. Additionally, the element addresses the preservation of renewable and
nonrenewable natural resources; managed production of resources, such as energy and
groundwater; solid waste reduction and recycling; regional geology and soil erosion; provision of
beach nourishment programs; and mineral resources.
The goals addressing the conservation of natural resources targeting water conservation, energy
conservation, green building, air quality, and recycling and solid waste are as follows:
Carbon-Neutral Municipality – Carbon neutral municipal operations by 2020 and sustained
into the future.
A Low-Carbon Community – Hermosa Beach is a low-carbon community meeting State
greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2040.
Air Quality Improved – Improved air quality and reduced quantities of air pollution
emissions.
Energy Efficient Community – A leader in reducing energy consumption and renewable
energy production.
Leaders in Water Conservation – Water conservation practices, recycled water use, and
innovative water technologies support a low-carbon community.
Zero Waste to Landfills – Hermosa Beach is a zero-waste community with convenient and
effective options for recycling, composting, and diverting waste from landfills.
Retained Topsoil and Reduced Erosion – Essential topsoil is retained and erosion is
minimized.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Sustainability + Conservation Element and actions in the
Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation actions include a commitment to green building, energy conservation, and
renewable energy production to maintain valuable resources over the long term, cut utility costs
for businesses and residents, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Parks + Open Space Element
The Parks + Open Space Element includes coastal policies and actions for beach programming,
special events, the protection of scenic resources and views, and the preservation of natural
habitat and wildlife. The City provides a high rate of parks/open space per resident, more than
half of which is sandy beach. However, park space across the city is not evenly distributed among
neighborhoods, especially those east of Pacific Coast Highway. See Figure 3.0-11 (Parks and
Public Facilities).
The following goals are outlined in the Parks + Open Space Element:
Abundant Parks and Open Space – Abundant parks, open space, and recreational
facilities to serve the community.
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First-Class Facilities – First-class, well-maintained, and safe recreational facilities, parks, and
open spaces.
Parks as a Place for Social Interaction – Community parks and facilities encourage social
activity and interaction.
Direct and Accessible Routes to Parks – Direct and accessible routes and connections to
parks, recreational facilities, and open space.
Enhanced Protection of Scenic Views and Vistas – Scenic vistas, viewpoints, and resources
are maintained and enhanced.
Superior Access to the Coast – The coast and its recreational facilities are easily accessible
from many locations and by multiple transportation modes.
Balanced Management of the Beach – The beach offers high quality recreational
opportunities and amenities desired by the community.
Events for Everyone – Balanced level of special events to support community recreation
and economic development without restricting coastal access or impacting the
community.
Abundant Trees and Green Space – Abundant landscaping, trees, and green space
provided throughout the community.
Habitats and Wildlife Protected – Coastal and marine habitat resources and wildlife are
protected.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Parks + Open Space Element and actions in the
Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation actions include development of a beach management program and a network
of trails.
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FIGURE 3.0-11 PARKS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
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Public Safety Element
The Public Safety Element establishes goals and policies that through their implementation would
protect the community from risk associated with known natural and man-made hazards (e.g.,
geologic, flood, fire, and hazardous materials) and sets standards for emergency preparedness.
The element places specific focus on coastal hazards that would be made more severe with
anticipated sea level rise. This element also incorporates the State-required Noise Element,
identifying goals, policies, and actions addressing major noise sources, existing and future noise
levels, and the location and noise exposure of existing and proposed sensitive receptors. The
element describes implementation of noise reduction methods and measures that employ current
and innovative practices. The following Public Safety Element goals provide Hermosa Beach with
a framework for keeping residents, businesses, and visitors safe from natural and human hazards,
including excessive noise levels.
Minimize Hazard Risk – Injuries and loss of life are prevented, and property loss and
damage are minimized.
Consideration of Sea Level Rise – The anticipated effects of sea level rise are understood,
prepared for, and successfully mitigated.
Protection from Hazardous Materials – Hermosa Beach residents, businesses, and coastal
resources are protected from hazardous materials.
Community Capacity and Preparedness – Community capacity and preparedness for
unavoidable hazards.
Highly Responsive Emergency Response Services – High quality police and fire protection
services provided to residents and visitors.
A Resilient Community – Hermosa Beach is prepared for and recovers quickly from natural
disasters.
Noise Compatibility – Noise compatibility is considered in the land use planning and design
process.
Reduced Transportation Noise – Transportation noise sources are minimized.
In addition, the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is incorporated in the Public Safety Element by
reference. Each goal is supported by policies in the element and actions in the Implementation
Plan describing how the goals will be achieved.
Infrastructure Element
The Infrastructure Element outlines policies and guidelines to maintain and improve infrastructure
systems, including the water supply system, sewer system, storm drain system, and
telecommunications and utilities in the city. This element recommends new development
approaches that incorporate low-impact development standards to manage stormwater runoff
and identifies new and innovative technologies to be incorporated in new development. The
goals addressing the City’s provision of high quality infrastructure and maintenance of
infrastructure in a way that reduces ongoing costs include:
High Quality Infrastructure Systems – Infrastructure systems are functional, safe, and well
maintained.
Well-Maintained and Attractive Streets – Roadway infrastructure maintenance supports
convenient, attractive, and complete streets and associated amenities.
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Resilient Water Supply – Adequate water supplies from diverse sources provide for the
needs of current and future residents, businesses, and visitors.
Modernized Sewer System – The sewer system infrastructure is modernized and resilient.
Innovative Stormwater Management – The stormwater management system is safe,
sanitary, and environmentally and fiscally sustainable.
Reliable and Environmentally Sustainable Utility Services – Utility services are reliable,
affordable, and renewable.
Advanced Telecommunication Network – A reliable and efficient telecommunications
network available to every resident, business, and institution.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Infrastructure Element and actions in the Implementation
Plan describing how the goals will be achieved.
GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The Implementation Plan outlines actions that will guide the City’s elected officials, commission and
committee members, staff, and the public in the overall effort to implement PLAN Hermosa goals
and policies. Each outlined action is a procedure, program, or technique that requires the City to
act, either alone or in collaboration with non-City organizations or with federal and state agencies.
Some of the actions describe processes or procedures the City currently administers on a day-to-
day basis (such as review of development projects), while others require new programs or projects.
Completion of each of the identified actions is subject to funding availability.
Additionally, some implementation actions require physical improvements to existing infrastructure
and facilities. The PLAN Hermosa policies and the Implementation Plan were all studied in this EIR
at the programmatic level. However, some of the implementation actions listed in Table 3.0-7
(Implementation Actions with Direct Physical Changes) that will require direct physical changes
to the environment may require future project-level CEQA review when implemented, because it
is too speculative at this time to know the detail of the project (location, size, construction
methods, etc.).
TABLE 3.0-7
IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS WITH DIRECT PHYSICAL CHANGES
Mobility
MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to identify gaps, assess ADA
accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design standards for the construction or
maintenance of streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and parkways.
MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and regional bicycle routes, and
parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing meters and machines have been shown to cause
confusion for visitors.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
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MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus stop pullouts, bus parking
locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year
Capital Improvement Program.
Sustainability + Conservation
SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects utilizing the City’s carbon
reduction planning tools for community and municipal operations.
SUSTAINABILITY-15. In City-sponsored renovation or remodeling projects, contract with companies that offer salvage
services and maximize the use of such services.
Parks + Open Space
PARKS-5. Where appropriate, construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities at street ends as they
intersect with The Strand.
PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on
the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
PARKS-15. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the public to locate and use
coastal access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
PARKS-16. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit
visibility of public coastal access points.
Public Safety
SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong preference for beach
replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet established proactive time targets
and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
SAFETY-27. Review critical facilities proposed for development or expansion to ensure that hazardous conditions are
mitigated or hazard reduction features are incorporated to the satisfaction of the responsible agencies.
SAFETY-29. Incorporate or request from Caltrans the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen berms, or other acoustical
barriers as part of any roadway improvement project adjacent to a residential area, school, or other sensitive land
use, where necessary to mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
Infrastructure
INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water,
wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems.
Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as a basis for preparing the
infrastructure plan.
Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting
and enforcing discretionary development requirements.
Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to ensure it remains consistent
with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE-5. Require, as a part of development review, new development and redevelopment projects to
designate areas where public infrastructure must be accommodated and to require either a land dedication or
provision of the needed infrastructure by the project applicant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by establishing
and applying the following standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation
or relocation:
New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible with, critical habitat areas,
resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service constraints may not allow relocation away from or full
compatibility with such areas and resources.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Develop a policy for the installation of greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in
parks and community facilities, where appropriate and cost effective.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and business property best
practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public storm drains.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
Government Code Section 65400 dictates that the Implementation Plan will be used to prepare
the Annual Report to the City Council. The Annual Report will demonstrate the status of the City’s
progress in implementing the General Plan. Because many of the individual actions also act as
mitigation for environmental impacts resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the Annual
Report can also serve as a means of monitoring application of mitigation measures specified in
this EIR, in compliance with the requirements for Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs, as
specified by Public Resources Code Section 21081.6. Table 3.0-8 (Implementation Actions Used in
this EIR) outlines the implementation actions that are used in this EIR to support mitigation of
potential environmental impacts.
TABLE 3.0-8
IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS USED IN THIS EIR
Aesthetics
LAND USE-3. Include provisions within the Zoning Code to avoid significant shadow impacts from new structures
onto public recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places consistent with industry standards for
evaluating shade and shadow impacts.
PARKS-10. Develop and apply evaluation procedures for development projects that have the potential to substantially
obstruct, substantially interfere, or substantially degrade Prominent Public Viewpoints or Uninterrupted Viewing
Areas. Evaluation requirements, criteria, and provisions to allow exceptions to setback, open space, landscaping, or
other development standards for projects with the potential to substantially obstruct, interfere or degrade Prominent
Public Views and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas shall be incorporated into the review process for Precise Development
Plans under Chapter 17.58 of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
• Projects located adjacent to and within the directional arrow of a Prominent Public Viewpoint, or within the
Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, as identified in PLAN Hermosa Figure 5.3, shall be evaluated to determine the
potential to substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from Prominent Public Viewpoints, or the Uninterrupted
Viewing Areas.
• The evaluation will be based on quantitative criteria established and adopted by the City to evaluate potential
impacts to visual quality, landform quality, community character, and view quality.
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• Projects that are determined to substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from these public views shall be
designed to minimize the substantial obstruction, interruption or detraction to views from the Prominent Public
Viewpoints or Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, which may include an exception to setback, open space, landscaping,
or other development standards. The purpose of the exception would be to accommodate the bulk of the building
in a manner that minimizes the impact to the public view while providing the property owner the same
development privileges enjoyed by other similar properties in the vicinity.
• Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic quality of the coast from Prominent
Public Viewpoints.
PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying requirements for public
works and infrastructure projects such as:
Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen all other utilities to minimize
public visibility.
Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights where safe and appropriate.
Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from designated viewpoints, scenic roads,
parks, beaches, and other public viewing areas.
Hardscape elements such as retaining walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and culverts shall incorporate
veneers, texturing, and colors that blend with the surrounding earth materials or landscape.
PARKS-12. Minimize nighttime light pollution by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
Exterior lighting (except traffic lights, navigational lights, and other similar safety lighting) shall be minimized,
restricted to low intensity fixtures, shielded (full cutoff), and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal
plane of the fixture) concealed to the maximum feasible extent so that no light source is directly visible from
public viewing areas, there is no glare or spill beyond the property lines and the lamp bulb is not directly visible
from within any residential unit.
PARKS-13. Minimize the negative aesthetic impacts of signs by establishing or revising and applying the following
design requirements:
Enforce appropriate limits on height, size, design, and materials of signs.
Prohibit signs other than traffic or public safety signs that would obstruct views to the ocean, beach, parks, or
other scenic areas.
Enforce sign maintenance controls.
Continue restrictions on the use of lights and moving parts in signs, billboards, and rooftop signs.
Air Quality
LAND USE-12. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the
development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline permitting requirements and improve public
awareness.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
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MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant impact thresholds that are in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for
roadway segments and intersections.
SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for discretionary projects to provide an option to
offset greenhouse gas emissions generated above established thresholds, by providing funding for implementation
of local GHG reduction projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential
mitigation measures for non-exempt discretionary projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment
that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically update or amend Green Building
Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee waivers, or permit
streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy efficient, or water conservation equipment.
SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices to reduce
potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to reduce the need for site-
specific soil reports.
PARKS-19. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the proper disposal of toxic
materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and water resources from toxic materials contamination.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
Biological Resources
LAND USE-12. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the
development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline permitting requirements and improve public
awareness.
PARKS-21. Partner with local nonprofits such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission or the University of
California, Los Angeles, to conduct education demonstration projects or presentations on coastal and marine habitat
conservation.
PARKS-22. Evaluate existing beach conditions and identify areas that may be appropriate to restore vegetated dune
habitat. Pursue grant funding.
PARKS-23. Review and revise as needed, the City’s tree ordinance to ensure protection of existing parkway trees, and
update the master tree list.
PARKS-24. Complete and maintain a citywide public tree inventory, including quantity, species type, diameter,
condition, trimming strategies and geo-codes and recommendations.
PARKS-25. Maintain a list of approved plantings for trees and landscaping within City parkways.
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PARKS-26. Amend the Municipal Code to incorporate tree removal and replacement requirements in the public right
of way. If preservation of existing mature trees is not feasible, removed trees shall be replaced at a minimum 2:1 ratio
either on-site or elsewhere as prescribed by the City.
Cultural Resources
GOVERNANCE-5. Incorporate guidance related to Native American consultation and treatment of prehistoric and
Native American resources into local CEQA guidelines for Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-2. Establish development standards within the Zoning Code to establish any new land use designations
and modify existing development standards to articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each
established character area and the applicable density/intensity standards.
LAND USE-3. Include provisions within the Zoning Code to avoid significant shadow impacts from new structures
onto public recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places consistent with industry standards for
evaluating shade and shadow impacts.
LAND USE-13. Amend the CEQA documentation and initial study process to ensure cultural and historical resources
are studied in accordance with CEQA and any local historic preservation program
LAND USE-15. Review and update eligibility criteria to use in the designation of local historic sites or historic
districts.
LAND USE-16. Develop emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for cultural resources, including a
recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to be faced by the City following a major disaster,
including economic recovery, protocols for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral
for repair permits.
LAND USE-17. Create a program to provide for the voluntary installation of plaques and/or public art related to historic
buildings and sites in the city.
LAND USE-18. Research and develop innovative policies for preserving historic properties.
LAND USE-19. Work with community organizations to develop brochures, guides, walking tours, and other marketing
materials to highlight existing public art in Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-20. Develop historic preservation expertise among staff and decision makers on the Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation ordinances, the State Historical Building Code, environmental
review for historical resources, and tax credits and incentives.
LAND USE -21. All discretionary projects that include ground disturbance or excavation activities on previously
undisturbed land shall be required to conduct archaeological investigations in accordance with CEQA regulations to
determine if the project is sensitive for cultural resources. Additionally, as the Lead Agency for future discretionary
projects, the City is required under AB 52 to notify tribal organizations of proposed projects and offer to consult with
those tribal organizations that indicate interest. Following any tribal consultation or archaeological investigation, the
City shall weigh and consider available evidence to determine whether there is a potential risk for disturbing or
damaging any cultural or tribal resources and whether any precautionary measures can be required to reduce or
eliminate that risk. Those precautions may include requiring construction workers to complete training on
archaeological and tribal resources before any ground disturbance activity and/or requiring a qualified archaeologist
or tribal representative to monitor some or all of the ground disturbance activities. The City shall require the
preservation of discovered archaeologically significant resources (as determined based on city, state, and federal
standards by a qualified professional) in place if feasible or provide mitigation (avoidance, excavation, documentation,
curation, data recovery, or other appropriate measures) prior to further disturbance.
Geology and Soils
SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices to reduce
potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
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SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to reduce the need for site-
specific soil reports.
SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire
Code, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-2. Continue to inventory unreinforced brick masonry, soft-story, and other seismically vulnerable private
buildings. Identify potential funding sources to assist with seismic retrofits.
SAFETY-3. Enforce seismic design provisions of the current California Building Standards Code related to geologic,
seismic, and slope hazards, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-4. For properties identified as possibly containing acidic, expansive, or collapsible soils, require site-specific
soil condition reports and appropriate mitigation as a condition of new development.
SAFETY-6. Evaluate the landslide potential of a project site and require implementation of landslide mitigation
measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation, areas prone to landslide are found. Potential
landslide mitigation measures include, but are not limited to the following:
Avoidance: Developments should be built sufficiently far away from the threat that they will not be affected even
if a landslide does occur.
Reduction: Reduction of landslide hazards should be achieved by increasing the factor of safety of the landslide
area to an acceptable level, based on current engineering standards and practices. This can be accommodated
by eliminating slopes with active/inactive landslides, removing the unstable soil and rock materials, or applying
one or more appropriate slope stabilization methods (such as buttress fills, subdrains, soil nailing, crib walls, etc.)
SAFETY-7. Require projects located within the Liquefaction Areas identified in PLAN Hermosa to evaluate the
liquefaction potential and require implementation of mitigation measures when, during the course of a geotechnical
investigation, shallow groundwater (60 feet or less) and potentially liquefiable soils are found. Potential liquefaction
mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, soil densification or compaction, displacement or compaction
grouting, and use of post-tensioned slab foundations, piles, or caissons.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for discretionary projects to provide an option to
offset greenhouse gas emissions generated above established thresholds, by providing funding for implementation
of local GHG reduction projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential
mitigation measures for non-exempt discretionary projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects utilizing the City’s carbon
reduction planning tools for community and municipal operations.
SUSTAINABILITY-5. Regularly monitor and evaluate the City’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory and report on
progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
SAFETY-16. Include updated hazardous materials considerations in regular Emergency Operation Plan updates and
work with the County of Los Angeles to update local Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular basis.
SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the proper disposal of toxic
materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and water resources from toxic materials contamination.
SAFETY-18. Designate an emergency response team to monitor and respond to regional disasters such as oil spills
and other shoreline disasters. Such a team must maintain an emergency response plan that includes coordination
with other agencies and jurisdictions in the region on initial response, aid, and recovery.
SAFETY-24. Periodically update the emergency operations plan.
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Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-32
SAFETY-25. Periodically update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and concurrently amend the Public Safety Element
to maintain eligibility for maximum grant funding.
SAFETY-28. Identify hazard-specific evacuation routes and share with the public, businesses, and other government
agencies.
Hydrology and Water Quality
SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water
Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies
or practices to conserve water.
SAFETY-5. Evaluate tsunami preparation, evacuation, and response policies/practices to reflect current inundation
maps and design standards. Include updated information in the periodically updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
SAFETY-9. Continue working with regional partners to develop a local sea level rise model that evaluates erosion
potential, provides detailed inundation maps, and provides combined sea level rise and tsunami maps.
SAFETY-10. When the mean high water level exceeds 1 foot above the baseline level, partner with FEMA as a
cooperating technical partner to conduct a Hydrologic and Hydraulic Study, and facilitate necessary revisions to
applicable Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
SAFETY-11. Prepare for changing shoreline conditions by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
Require new development or redevelopment project proposals within the designated area subject to flooding,
inundation, or erosion due to sea level rise to describe and illustrate in site plans how the proposed project
considers and mitigates potential flood hazards during the economic lifespan of the structure. Potential flood
mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, flood proofing; increased ground floor elevation (a minimum
of 1-foot freeboard); ground-floor, flood-resistant exterior materials; and restricting fencing or yard enclosures
that cause water to pond.
Require new development or redevelopment projects to assure stability and structural integrity and neither create
nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the project site or surrounding area.
As local flood, erosion, and tsunami data becomes more precise, amend the General Plan and Zoning Code to
establish more specific development standards and conditions.
SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for structural development as
between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood
risk when properties subject to inundation or flooding are developed or redeveloped.
SAFETY-14. Continue to participate in regional sediment management planning.
SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong preference for beach
replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies, provide public information and
incentives for water conservation best practices.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Develop a policy for the installation of greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in
parks and community facilities, where appropriate and cost effective.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water plumbing hookups for
landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and major redevelopment projects
where recycled water is available or expected to be available based on adopted infrastructure plans.
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Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-33
INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan and any
implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of
water conservation rules.
INFRASTRUCTURE-18. Continue to implement and incorporate revisions to the Clean Bay Restaurant Program and
Grease Control Ordinance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-19. Update program requirements to integrate the latest available Best Management Practices into
the City Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance, Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance, and
Green Streets Policy and regularly monitor results.
INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and business property best
practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
INFRASTRUCTURE-21. Continue to require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate green street
BMPs that address stormwater runoff from the project area using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified
in Attachment A of the City’s Green Street Policy.
INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public storm drains.
Land Use and Planning
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and Zoning
Ordinance Zoning Districts and review development standards for non-conforming uses.
LAND USE-2. Establish development standards within the Zoning Code to establish any new land use designations
and modify existing development standards to articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each
established character area and the applicable density/intensity standards.
Noise and Vibration
SAFETY-29. Incorporate or request from Caltrans the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen berms, or other acoustical
barriers as part of any roadway improvement project adjacent to a residential area, school, or other sensitive land use,
where necessary to mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
SAFETY-30. Enforce and periodically evaluate truck and bus movements and routes to reduce impacts on sensitive
areas, and promote coordination between the Police Department and the California Highway Patrol to enforce the
State Motor Vehicle noise standards, to minimize or reduce noise impacts on residential and other sensitive land uses.
SAFETY-31. Apply the Noise Element standards of compatibility described in PLAN Hermosa to new development
proposals. Require the mitigation of extraordinary impacts through design features such as building orientation and
acoustical barriers, to ensure compatibility.
SAFETY-32. Require new multi-family development, single-family development, and condominium conversion
projects to meet the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24 of the California Administrative Code) for interior
and exterior noise levels.
SAFETY-33. Acoustical analysis reports prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant shall be required for new sensitive
land uses within noise impact areas (i.e., those areas where the existing or future CNEL exceeds 60 dB).
SAFETY-34. Adopt and enforce a quantitative Noise and Vibration Ordinance to reduce excessive noise and
vibration from site-specific sources such as construction activity, mechanical equipment, landscaping maintenance,
loud music, truck traffic, loading and unloading activities, and other sources.
SAFETY-35. Periodically review adopted noise standards, policies and regulations affecting noise in order to conform
to changes in legislation and/or technologies.
SAFETY-36. Comply with all state and federal OSHA noise standards, and all new equipment purchases shall comply
with state and federal noise standards.
Attachment 1B
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Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-34
Population and Housing
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and Zoning
Ordinance Zoning Districts and review development standards for non-conforming uses.
Public Services
LAND USE-5. Develop an inventory of underutilized or surplus property that may be appropriate for City or School
District use or purchase to serve community education and recreational needs in the future.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points,
a proposed network, education and enforcement programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School
Program.
SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically update or amend Green Building
Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee waivers, or permit
streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy efficient, or water conservation equipment.
SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water
Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies
or practices to conserve water.
SUSTAINABILITY-10-. Create and adopt a Zero Waste Action Plan to maximize waste diversion from landfills.
SUSTAINABILITY-11. Amend the Municipal Code to require that all commercial facilities make full-service recycling
available for both customer use and business use, placing attractive and convenient bins in clear locations.
SUSTAINABILITY-12. Consistent with State law, require that all multi-family residential uses provide an adequate
number of attractive and convenient recycling bins to serve the number of units in the complex.
SUSTAINABILITY-13. Require that all restaurants use compostable single-use items like takeout boxes.
SUSTAINABILITY-14. Create an informational packet to be distributed to development project applicants on the use
of recycled materials in new development and redevelopment projects.
PARKS-1. Conduct needs assessments and evaluate recreational program offerings to ensure community needs and
priorities are being met. Conduct regular updates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
PARKS-2. Conduct periodic assessments of public facilities and maintain a list of priority replacement or new facilities
projects.
PARKS-3. Establish parks level of service and level of access standards to prioritize the development, upgrade, and
renovation of parks and open space facilities.
PARKS-4. Update City standards and fees related to the provision of parks and open space and sustainable funding
source for providing high quality and well maintained facilities.
PARKS-5. Where appropriate, construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities at street ends as they
intersect with The Strand.
PARKS-6. Continue, renew, and expand as needed, joint use agreements with the School District to allow community
use of school fields and facilities.
Attachment 1B
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Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-35
PARKS-7. Partner with the School District, community groups, and neighboring communities to identify and apply for
grant opportunities to maintain, enhance, and expand park and recreational opportunities.
SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire
Code, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-8. Support community safety and fire protection standards by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements to be reviewed by HBFD and HBPD as appropriate:
New development and significant redevelopment projects shall coordinate with HBFD and Cal Water to provide
and maintain adequate peak flow rates for firefighting.
New development, significant redevelopment, and public improvement projects shall ensure that building
designs provide for adequate emergency access and that changes to the right-of-way do not impede access for
emergency responder’s apparatus or personnel.
SAFETY-20. Establish and meet EMS and Fire response time standard of 7 minutes or less for 90% of incidents.
SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police
resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet established proactive time targets
and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police
resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water,
wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems.
Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as a basis for preparing the
infrastructure plan.
Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting
and enforcing discretionary development requirements.
Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to ensure it remains consistent
with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by establishing
and applying the following standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation
or relocation:
New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible with, critical habitat areas,
resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service constraints may not allow relocation away from or full
compatibility with such areas and resources.
INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies, provide public information and
incentives for water conservation best practices.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Develop a policy for the installation of greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in
parks and community facilities, where appropriate and cost effective.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water plumbing hookups for
landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and major redevelopment projects
where recycled water is available or expected to be available based on adopted infrastructure plans.
INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan and any
implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of
water conservation rules.
Attachment 1B
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-36
INFRASTRUCTURE-14. Ensure adequate and resilient sewer system capacity by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
New development or redevelopment projects involving construction of 8-inch diameter or larger sewers that
connect directly or indirectly to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts' sewer system must prepare a sewer
plan identifying that the existing sewer collection and treatment systems have available capacity to support such
an increase, or provide for necessary system upgrades as part of the proposed project.
INFRASTRUCTURE-16. Implement a financing plan, including use of the adopted sewer fee and loans, to ensure that
resources are available for investment in annual rehabilitation projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes.
INFRASTRUCTURE-17. Prepare an annual report for City Council documenting sewer system operations, actions to
minimize overflows, incidents of overflows, and their impacts on receiving waters and public health and safety.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE-25. Survey all streetlights periodically for functionality and create a response protocol to respond
to reports of streetlight outages within a 24-hour time period.
Transportation
GOVERNANCE-4. Continue to participate and partner with neighboring cities and regional organizations to implement
projects and achieve goals that enhance the livability of Hermosa Beach.
MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to identify gaps, assess ADA
accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design standards for the construction or
maintenance of streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and parkways.
MOBILITY-3. Add definitions to the Municipal Code for street classifications, pedestrian facilities, bicycle and multi-
use facilities, and transportation amenities.
MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and regional bicycle routes, and
parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing meters and machines have been shown to cause
confusion for visitors.
MOBILITY-5. Evaluate operations in local neighborhood streets with considerations to speed management strategies
and traffic calming measures to increase safety for all people using the street.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-7. Work with commercial property owners to conduct an assessment for utilization of private parking supplies
to supplement private and public parking needs and evaluate the potential for shared use agreements or MOUs.
MOBILITY-8. Implement a contingency-based overflow parking plan to address seasonal and even- based parking
demands.
MOBILITY-9. Periodically conduct a city-wide parking study to analyze existing parking infrastructure in order to
effectively address and manage current and future parking needs.
MOBILITY-10. Set utilization and turnover rate goals and implement dynamically adjusted (demand-based) pricing
strategies for public parking supplies.
Attachment 1B
143
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-37
MOBILITY-11. Develop a smart technology street parking system in the Coastal Zone that includes but is not limited
to the following features:
Variable-cost parking linked to demand;
Smart phone application identifying available metered spaces; and
Parking pay-by-card and pay-by-phone programs.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus stop pullouts, bus parking
locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year
Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points,
a proposed network, education and enforcement programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School
Program.
MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant impact thresholds that are in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for
roadway segments and intersections.
SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment
that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
PARKS-8. Identify and evaluate the ADA compliance of parks, public facilities, and coastal public access points.
PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on
the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
PARKS-15. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the public to locate and use coastal
access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
PARKS-16. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit
visibility of public coastal access points.
PARKS-19. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
INFRASTRUCTURE-6. Aggressively seek regional, state, and federal funds to leverage local money earmarked for
projects listed in the CIP.
INFRASTRUCTURE-7. Periodically review, and if needed revise, the development fee schedule to ensure it is adequate
and reflective of proposed projects’ impacts and required services.
LOCAL COASTAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The proposed project covers the development of the City’s Coastal Implementation Plan, which
will provide development standards and regulations applicable in the Coastal Zone and will
outline an administrative process for the issuance of coastal development permits. The
Attachment 1B
144
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-38
Implementation Plan will include revisions to the City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code regarding
permitting procedures, visitor-serving accommodations, special events, transportation demand
management, coastal-dependent or coastal-related commercial uses, increased flood risk under
anticipated sea level rise scenarios, and water quality. While the Coastal Implementation Plan will
be approved at a later date, PLAN Hermosa includes a series of actions that detail the types of
changes to be made to the Hermosa Beach municipal code. The implementation actions,
identified in Table 3.0-9 (Actions Related to the Coastal Implementation Plan), provide sufficient
detail to evaluate the potential physical impacts of the Coastal Implementation Plan in
conjunction with PLAN Hermosa and are analyzed in this EIR.
TABLE 3.0-9
ACTIONS RELATED TO THE COASTAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and
Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts and review development standards for non-conforming uses.
LAND USE-6. Establish within the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan a method to define and classify existing
facilities and proposed projects providing overnight accommodations in the Coastal Zone as low, mid-range, or high
cost, and apply this method to the Coastal Development Permit review process. The method should compare hotel
room rates to the California statewide and regional averages, and should be updated as the City's fee schedule is
updated.
LAND USE-7. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan and Zoning Map to better accommodate coastal-
dependent and coastal-related uses, as follows:
Establish definitions for coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses consistent with the California Coastal Act.
For each, identify a list of priority uses that meets the definition.
Contract the C-2 (Downtown Commercial) zone district to match the Recreational Commercial land use
designation.
Modify the permitted use tables to allow specific coastal-dependent commercial uses in the C-1, C-2, and SPA
11 zone districts.
Modify the permitted use tables to allow coastal-dependent and coastal-related industrial uses in the M-1 zone
district.
LAND USE-8. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to require any proposal for visitor-serving
accommodations providing a majority of units at mid-range or high-cost levels to include public amenities such as
plazas and spaces, restaurants, retail units, garden viewing areas, or other day-use features that may be used by the
general public at no or relatively low cost. The quality and quantity of required amenities will be determined in the
Coastal Development Permit review process. This requirement does not prohibit the proposed project from charging
a user fee or resort fee for active amenities such as pool and spa access, recreation activities and equipment, or
organized group activities on the property.
LAND USE-9. Establish a visitor-serving accommodations fee program for new high-cost overnight accommodations.
Fee revenues may provide funding to support specific projects that preserve (first priority) or establish (second
priority) low- or mid-cost overnight visitor accommodations that improve access to the coast by providing visitors
with an affordable place to stay overnight. Collaborating with the Coastal Commission, the City shall prepare and
maintain a list of specific projects that fee revenues may be used to support.
Attachment 1B
145
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-39
LAND USE-10. Require new visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone to maintain or improve public
access to the coast by establishing and applying the following development review requirements in the Zoning
Code/Local Implementation Plan:
Where a new hotel or motel development project would consist entirely of high-cost overnight accommodations,
the development shall be required to provide mitigation as a condition of approval of a Coastal Development
Permit. Such mitigation may include, but is not limited to, a mitigation payment consistent with the City’s visitor-
serving accommodations fee program.
If a hotel or motel project proposes a certain number or percentage of on-site low or mid-range cost units, such
units shall remain available as low or mid-range cost units for the life of the project.
LAND USE-11. Protect existing visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone by establishing and applying
the following development review requirements in the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan:
Any development project that directly displaces existing low and mid-range cost accommodations in the Coastal
Zone shall provide an equivalent number of rooms or accommodations at an equivalent nightly rate in the Coastal
Zone, or elsewhere within the City of Hermosa Beach.
Replacement units must be subject to deed restrictions recorded against the title of the property so that they
mitigate the displacement of lower- and mid-range cost accommodations for the life of the project.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
PARKS-10. Develop and apply evaluation procedures for development projects that have the potential to substantially
obstruct, substantially interfere, or substantially degrade Prominent Public Viewpoints or Uninterrupted Viewing
Areas. Evaluation requirements, criteria, and provisions to allow exceptions to setback, open space, landscaping, or
other development standards for projects with the potential to substantially obstruct, interfere or degrade Prominent
Public Views and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas shall be incorporated into the review process for Precise Development
Plans under Chapter 17.58 of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Projects located adjacent to and within the directional arrow of a Prominent Public Viewpoint, or within the
Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, as identified in PLAN Hermosa Figure 5.3, shall be evaluated to determine the
potential to substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from Prominent Public Viewpoints, or the Uninterrupted
Viewing Areas.
The evaluation will be based on quantitative criteria established and adopted by the City to evaluate potential
impacts to visual quality, landform quality, community character, and view quality.
Projects that are determined to substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from these public views shall be
designed to minimize the substantial obstruction, interruption or detraction to views from the Prominent Public
Viewpoints or Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, which may include an exception to setback, open space, landscaping,
or other development standards. The purpose of the exception would be to accommodate the bulk of the
building in a manner that minimizes the impact to the public view while providing the property owner the same
development privileges enjoyed by other similar properties in the vicinity.
Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic quality of the coast from
Prominent Public Viewpoints.
PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying requirements for public works and
infrastructure projects such as:
Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen all other utilities to minimize
public visibility.
Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights where safe and appropriate.
Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from designated viewpoints, scenic roads,
parks, beaches, and other public viewing areas.
Attachment 1B
146
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-40
Hardscape elements such as retaining walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and culverts shall incorporate
veneers, texturing, and colors that blend with the surrounding earth materials or landscape.
PARKS-14. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to prohibit use of the public beach for private
commercial purposes without a Coastal Development Permit.
PARKS-17. Protect public access to the coast by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
Require a direct dedication of an easement for access in all new development projects that cause or contribute
to adverse impacts to existing public access points. Access ways shall be a sufficient size to accommodate two-
way pedestrian passage and landscape buffer.
Implement building design and siting regulations to protect public access through setbacks and other property
development regulations that control building placement.
New development and redevelopment projects shall protect public accessibility to walk streets and street ends
that provide access to the shoreline, the beach, and The Strand.
New or improved beach access facilities shall accommodate persons with physical disabilities.
PARKS-19. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for structural development as
between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood
risk when properties subject to inundation or flooding are developed or redeveloped.
3.0.5 PROJECT APPROVALS
Project approval requires the following actions by the Hermosa Beach City Council:
Certification of this EIR
Adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
The EIR will be used in the consideration of subsequent actions, including:
Certification of the City’s Coastal Local Implementation Plan
Zoning amendments
Subdivision maps
Community plans
Specific plans
Special planning districts
Special permits
Historic preservation actions
Planning actions
Infrastructure and public facilities siting and project approvals
Climate Action Plan
Other related actions
Attachment 1B
147
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-41
3.0.6 LEAD, RESPONSIBLE, AND TRUSTEE AGENCIES
LEAD AGENCY
In conformance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15050 and 15367, the City of Hermosa Beach is
the lead agency for preparation of the PLAN Hermosa environmental analysis. The City, as the
lead agency, is responsible for scoping the analysis, preparing the EIR, and responding to
comments received on the Draft EIR.
RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Responsible agencies are other state and local public agencies that have authority to carry out
or approve a project or that are required to approve a portion of the project for which a lead
agency is preparing or has prepared an EIR or initial study/negative declaration. Because the
proposed project is a General Plan, no agencies other than the City of Hermosa Beach have
approval or permitting authority for the plan’s adoption.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would involve many additional responsible agencies,
depending on the specifics of the nature of subsequent projects. The following are some of the
agencies that may be required to act as responsible agencies for subsequent projects:
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
California Coastal Commission
California Air Resources Board
California Department of Housing and Community Development
California Office of Historic Preservation
State Reclamation Board
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
State Lands Commission
California Department of Parks and Recreation
State Water Resources Control Board
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the County of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
TRUSTEE AGENCIES
Trustee agencies under CEQA are public agencies with legal jurisdiction over natural resources
that are held in trust for the people of California and that would be affected by a project, whether
the agencies have authority to approve or implement the project. The California Coastal
Commission is a trustee agency since it will approve the Local Coastal Program under its authority
through the California Coastal Act. Subsequent development under PLAN Hermosa would not
generally affect lands under the jurisdiction of a trustee agency; however, the trustee agencies
with jurisdiction that could be affected by subsequent projects include the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife, the State Lands Commission, and the California Department of Parks and
Recreation.
Attachment 1B
148
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
3.0-42
3.0.7 REFERENCES
City of Hermosa Beach. 2014. Existing Conditions Report (also referred to as the Technical
Background Report).
OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2003. General Plan Guidelines.
Attachment 1B
149
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
4.0-1
4.1 MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM
As the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Hermosa
Beach (City) is required to adopt a program for reporting or monitoring regarding the
implementation of mitigation measures for PLAN Hermosa, if it is approved, to ensure that the
adopted mitigation measures are implemented as defined in this environmental impact report
(EIR). This Lead Agency responsibility originates in Public Resources Code Section 21081.6(a)
(Findings) and the CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091(d) (Findings) and 15097 (Mitigation Monitoring
or Reporting).
4.2 MONITORING AUTHORITY AND ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
The purpose of a Mitigation Monitoring, and Reporting Program (MMRP) is to ensure that the
measures adopted to mitigate or avoid significant impacts are implemented. An MMRP can be
a working guide to facilitate not only the implementation of mitigation measures by the City
and/or future project applicants (as appropriate), but also the monitoring, compliance, and
reporting activities of the City and any monitors it may designate. The City may delegate duties
and responsibilities for monitoring to other environmental monitors or consultants as deemed
necessary. The City or its designee(s), however, will ensure that each person delegated any duties
or responsibilities is qualified to monitor compliance. Any mitigation measure study or plan that
requires the approval of the City must allow at least 60 days for adequate review time. When a
mitigation measure requires that a mitigation program be developed during the design phase of
a specific project, the applicant must submit the final program to City for review and approval for
at least 60 days before any construction activity begins. Other agencies and jurisdictions may
require additional review time. It is the responsibility of the environmental monitor to ensure that
appropriate agency reviews and approvals are obtained. The City or its designee will also ensure
that any deviation from the procedures identified under the monitoring program is approved by
the City. Any deviation and its correction shall be reported immediately to the City or its designee
by the environmental monitor.
The City is responsible for enforcing the procedures adopted for monitoring through the
environmental monitor. Any assigned environmental monitor shall note problems with monitoring,
notify appropriate agencies or individuals about any problems, and report the problems to the
City or its designee.
4.3 MITIGATION COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITY
The City and/or future project applicant, as applicable, is responsible for successfully
implementing the mitigation measures in the MMRP, and is responsible for assuring that these
requirements are met by all of its contractors and field personnel. Standards for successful
mitigation also are implicit in many mitigation measures that include such requirements as
coordination with a resource agency or avoiding a specific impact entirely. Other mitigation
measures include performance standards. Additional mitigation success thresholds will be
established by applicable agencies with jurisdiction through the permit process and through the
review and approval of plans for the implementation of mitigation measures.
4.4 GENERAL MONITORING PROCEDURES
Environmental Monitors. The City and the environmental monitor(s) are responsible for integrating
the mitigation monitoring procedures into the construction or operation process in coordination
with project applicants. To oversee the monitoring procedures and to ensure success, the
environmental monitor assigned to a project must be on-site during that portion of the
construction or operation that has the potential to create a significant environmental impact or
Attachment 1C
150
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
4.0-2
other impact for which mitigation is required. The environmental monitor is responsible for ensuring
that all procedures specified in the monitoring program are followed.
General Reporting Procedures. Site visits and specified monitoring procedures performed by other
individuals will be reported to the environmental monitor. A monitoring record form will be
submitted to the environmental monitor by the individual conducting the visit or procedure so that
details of the visit can be recorded and progress tracked by the environmental monitor. A
checklist will be developed and maintained by the environmental monitor to track all procedures
required for each mitigation measure and to ensure that the timing specified for the procedures
is adhered to. The environmental monitor will note any problems that may occur and take
appropriate action to rectify the problems.
Public Access to Records. The public is allowed access to records and reports used to track the
monitoring program. Monitoring records and reports will be made available for public inspection
by the City or its designee on request.
4.5 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING TABLE
Table 4.0-1 lists the monitoring and reporting plan requirements for the mitigation measures
identified in Section 4.1 through Section 4.14 of the Draft EIR for PLAN Hermosa. Table 4.0-1 provides
the following information, by column:
Mitigation Measure (description of the mitigation measure, listed in the order they appear
in the Draft EIR);
Compliance Verification (monitoring or plan requirements necessary to verify compliance
with the mitigation measure);
Responsible Party (this is the entity responsible for implementing the mitigation measure)
Timing (this identifies when the action needs to be taken on the mitigation measure)
Verification Method (this is how the agency responsible for ensuring the mitigation
measure has been implemented); and
Verification Responsibility (this is the agency that is responsible for assuring compliance
with the mitigation measure).
Attachment 1C
151
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
4.0-3
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
4.2 Air Quality
MM 4.2-2a Construction projects within the city shall demonstrate compliance with all
applicable standards of the Southern California Air Quality Management District,
including the following provisions of District Rule 403:
All unpaved demolition and construction areas shall be wetted at least twice
daily during excavation and construction, and temporary dust covers shall be
used to reduce dust emissions and meet SCAQMD Rule 403. Wetting could
reduce fugitive dust by as much as 50 percent.
The construction area shall be kept sufficiently dampened to control dust
caused by grading and hauling, and at all times provide reasonable control of
dust caused by wind.
All clearing, earth moving, or excavation activities shall be discontinued during
periods of high winds (i.e., greater than 15 mph), so as to prevent excessive
amounts of dust.
All dirt/soil loads shall be secured by trimming, watering, or other appropriate
means to prevent spillage and dust.
All dirt/soil materials transported off-site shall be required to cover their loads
as required by California Vehicle Code Section 23114 to prevent excessive
amount of dust.
General contractors shall maintain and operate construction equipment so as
to minimize exhaust emissions.
Trucks having no current hauling activity shall not idle but shall be turned off.
Project
applicant
During construction Verification
through site
inspection
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.2-2b In accordance with Section 2485 in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations,
the idling of all diesel-fueled commercial vehicles (weighing over 10,000 pounds)
during construction shall be limited to 5 minutes at any location.
Project
applicant
During construction Verification
through site
inspection
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.2-2c Construction projects within the city shall comply with South Coast Air Quality
Management District Rule 1113 limiting the volatile organic compound content of
architectural coatings.
Project
applicant
During construction Verification
through site
inspection
City of
Hermosa
Beach
Attachment 1C
152
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
4.0-4
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
MM 4.2-2d Construction projects within the city shall install odor-reducing equipment in
accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1138.
Project
applicant
During construction Verification
through site
inspection
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.2-2e Project applicants shall identify all measures to reduce air pollutant emissions
below SCAQMD thresholds prior to the issuance of building permits. Should
attainment of SCAQMD thresholds be determined to be infeasible, construction
contractors shall provide evidence of this to the City and will be encouraged to
apply for SCAQMD SOON funds.
Project
applicant
At least 60 days
prior to issuance of
construction
permits
Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
4.3 Biological Resources
MM 4.3-1 Construction of facilities on the beach that must occur between the months of
April and August (roosting season for snowy plovers) will require preconstruction
surveys to determine the presence of western snowy plovers or California least
terns. If these species are present, no construction may occur until the species
leave the roost based on review by a qualified biologist and consultation with the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS). If the project is within a Special Protection Zone, construction
activities will not be allowed until western snowy plovers are no longer present. If
the area is not within a Special Protection Zone, a qualified biologist will survey the
area for western snowy plovers using established protocols and in coordination
with the USFWS and CDFW to determine if plovers are present. If they are present,
no work will occur until after snowy plovers leave the roost site for the season. The
qualified biologist will also survey the area for California least terns using
established protocols and in coordination with the USFWS and CDFW to determine
if California least terns are present. If surveys are negative for western snowy
plovers or California least terns, work may proceed during the roosting period and
the biologist will be present to monitor the establishment of the beach landing
sites to ensure that no western snowy plovers or California least terns are injured
or killed, should they arrive in the area subsequent to work commencing. The
project will include fencing/walls that will prevent western snowy plovers or
California least terns from entering the work areas. The biologist will conduct
weekly site visits to ensure that fencing/walls are intact until construction activities
Project
applicant
Prior to construction Verify
preconstruction
surveys, agency
consultation,
and reporting
completed
City of
Hermosa
Beach
Attachment 1C
153
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
4.0-5
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
are finished at the sites and all equipment is removed from the beach. The results
of the preconstruction survey will be submitted to the City prior to the
establishment of beach landing sites. All biological monitoring efforts will be
documented in monthly compliance reports to the City.
4.4 Cultural Resources
MM 4.4-3 As a standard condition of approval for future development projects implemented
under PLAN Hermosa that involve ground disturbance or excavation:
For any project where earthmoving or ground disturbance activities are
proposed at depths that encounter older Quaternary terrace deposits, a
qualified paleontologist shall be present during excavation or earthmoving
activities.
If paleontological resources are discovered during earthmoving activities, the
construction crew shall immediately cease work in the vicinity of the find and
notify the City. The project applicant(s) shall retain a qualified paleontologist to
evaluate the resource and prepare a recovery plan in accordance with Society
of Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines (1996). The recovery plan may include,
but is not limited to, a field survey, construction monitoring, sampling and
data recovery procedures, museum storage coordination for any specimen
recovered, and a report of findings. Recommendations in the recovery plan
that are determined by the lead agency to be necessary and feasible shall be
implemented before construction activities can resume at the site where the
paleontological resources were discovered.
Project
applicant
During construction Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.4-4a The City shall require project applicants of discretionary projects to conduct
historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports on a project-by-project
basis, when a project proposes to alter, demolish, or degrade a designated landmark
or a potential historic landmark as defined by Hermosa Beach Municipal Code
Section 17.53.
Project
applicant
At least 60 days
prior to issuance of
construction permits
Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.4-4b The City shall maintain the “Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach” guide, and shall
update the guide so that it is informed by current resource data and its goals and
policies are consistent with the Land Use + Design Element.
City of Hermosa
Beach
Ongoing, and
reviewed every five
years at a minimum
Self-reporting City of
Hermosa
Beach
Attachment 1C
154
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
4.0-6
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
MM 4.4-4c The City shall develop procedures and nomination applications to facilitate and
streamline the designation of local historic sites and historic districts.
City of Hermosa
Beach
By 2020 and
revisited as the
potential historic
resources list is
updated
Self-reporting City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.4-4d Historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports shall be performed by
persons who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification
Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48 CFR 44716).
Project
applicant
At least 60 days
prior to issuance of
construction permits
Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
4.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
MM 4.6-1a The City of Hermosa Beach will utilize the climate action plan, under development
by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, or other appropriate tools to
research current data gaps, identify specific actions, and define the responsible
parties and time frames needed to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals
(monitoring milestones) identified in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b.
City of Hermosa
Beach
Ongoing Self-reporting City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.6-1b The City of Hermosa Beach will re-inventory community GHG emissions and
evaluate implementation progress of policies to reduce GHG emissions for the
calendar year of 2020 and a minimum of every five years thereafter. The interim
reduction goals to be achieved for consistency with long-term state goals include:
2020: 15 percent below 2005 levels
2025: 31 percent below 2005 levels
2030: 49 percent below 2005 levels
2035: 57 percent below 2005 levels
2040: 66 percent below 2005 levels
City of Hermosa
Beach
Beginning in 2020
and every five years
thereafter until 2040
Self-reporting City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.6-1c The City will revise PLAN Hermosa and/or the City’s Climate Action Plan when,
upon evaluation required in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b, the City determines
that Hermosa Beach is not on track to meet the applicable GHG reduction goals.
Revisions to PLAN Hermosa, the Climate Action Plan, or other City policies and
programs will include additional regulatory measures that provide a higher degree
City of Hermosa
Beach
Beginning in 2020
and every five years
thereafter until 2040
Self-reporting City of
Hermosa
Beach
Attachment 1C
155
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report
4.0-7
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
of certainty that emissions reduction targets will be met. Use of an adaptive
management approach would allow the City to evaluate progress by activity sector
(e.g., transportation, energy, water, waste) and prescribe additional policies or
programs to be implemented in the intervening five years for activity sectors that
are not on track to achieve the GHG reduction goals.
4.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
MM 4.7-2a For any development activities that would encroach upon or take place at the
City’s Maintenance Yard, the City shall require the preparation and implementation
of a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) and a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to
be approved by the appropriate agencies.
Project
applicant
Prior to issuance of
construction
permits
Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
MM 4.7-2b Future discretionary projects involving the use of hazardous materials that may be
accidentally released or encountered during construction shall be required to
implement the following procedures:
• Stop all work in the vicinity of any discovered contamination or release.
• Identify the scope and immediacy of the problem.
• Coordinate with responsible agencies (Department of Toxic Substances
Control, Regional Water Quality Control Board, or US Environmental
Protection Agency).
• Conduct the necessary investigation and remediation activities to resolve the
situation before continuing construction work as required by state and local
regulations.
Project
applicant
During construction Reporting to
City and
verification by
City
City of
Hermosa
Beach
4.11 Noise and Vibration
MM 4.11-2 For development located at a distance within which acceptable vibration standards
would be exceeded, the City shall require the applicant to have a structural
engineer prepare a report demonstrating the following:
• Vibration level limits based on building conditions, soil conditions, and
planned demolition and construction methods to ensure vibration levels
would not exceed acceptable levels where damage to structures using
vibration levels in Draft EIR Table 4.11-4 as standards.
Project
applicant
At least 60 days
prior to issuance of
construction
permits
Verification
during plan
review of
project
City of
Hermosa
Beach
Attachment 1C
156
4.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Final Environmental Impact Report Revised March 2017
4.0-8
TABLE 4.0-1
PLAN HERMOSA - MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation
Measure Mitigation Requirements
Compliance Verification
Responsibility
Party Timing Verification
Method
Verification
Responsibility
• Specific measures to be taken during construction to ensure the specified
vibration level limits are not exceeded.
• A monitoring plan to be implemented during demolition and construction
that includes post‐construction and post‐demolition surveys of existing
structures that would be impacted.
Examples of measures that may be specified for implementation during demolition
or construction include but are not limited to:
• Prohibition of certain types of impact equipment.
• Requirement for lighter tracked or wheeled equipment.
• Specifying demolition by non‐impact methods, such as sawing concrete.
• Phasing operations to avoid simultaneous vibration sources.
• Installation of vibration measuring devices to guide decision-making for
subsequent activities.
Attachment 1C
157
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
1
Hermosa Beach Planning Commission Project Findings and Statement
of Overriding Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN
Hermosa
The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission makes the following PLAN Hermosa Project
findings.
1.0 CEQA FINDINGS
Findings pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081 and the California
Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Sections 15090, 15091, 15092, 15162 and 15163.
1.1 CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) was presented to the Hermosa Beach
Planning Commission and all voting members of the Commission have reviewed and
considered the FEIR and associated appendices prior to making a recommendation on
the PLAN Hermosa. In addition, all voting members of the Planning Commission have
reviewed and considered testimony and additional information presented at or prior to
the public hearing on February 22, 2017. The FEIR reflects the independent judgment of
the Planning Commission and the City of Hermosa Beach and is adequate for this
proposal.
1.2 FULL DISCLOSURE
The Planning Commission finds and certifies that the FEIR constitutes a complete,
accurate, adequate and good faith effort at full disclosure under CEQA. The Planning
Commission further finds and certifies the FEIR has been completed in compliance with
CEQA and Tribal Consultation requirements implemented under Assembly Bill 52 (2014). The
omission of some detail or aspect of the Final EIR does not mean that it has been
rejected by the City.
1.3 LOCATION OF RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon
which this decision is based are in the custody of the City Clerk, City of Hermosa Beach,
1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
1.4 FINDINGS REGARDING THE DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA AND THE FINAL EIR
In response to comments from the public and other public agencies, the project has
incorporated changes subsequent to publication of the Draft EIR. All of the changes to
the Draft EIR are described in Chapter 3 of the Final EIR. Pursuant to CEQA, on the basis
of the review and consideration of the Final EIR, the City finds:
1. Factual corrections and minor changes have been set forth as clarifications
and modifications to the Draft EIR;
2. The factual corrections and minor changes to the Draft EIR are not substantial
changes in the Draft EIR that would deprive the public of a meaningful
opportunity to comment on a substantial adverse environmental effect of the
Proposed Project, a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect, or a
feasible project alternative;
Attachment 1D
158
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
2
3. The factual corrections and minor changes to the Draft EIR will not result in
new significant environmental effects or substantially increase the severity of
the previously identified significant effects disclosed in the Draft EIR;
4. The factual corrections and minor changes in the Draft EIR will not involve
mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from
those analyzed in the Draft EIR that would substantially reduce one or more
significant effect on the environment; and
5. The factual corrections and minor changes to the Draft EIR do not render the
Draft EIR so fundamentally inadequate and conclusory in nature that
meaningful public review and comment would be precluded.
Thus, none of the conditions set forth in CEQA requiring recirculation of a Draft EIR have
been met. Incorporation of the factual corrections and minor changes to the Draft EIR
into the Final EIR does not require the EIR be circulated again for public comment.
Since the release of the Public Review Draft PLAN Hermosa (December 2015) The
Planning Commission, Public Works Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and
Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission held public meetings to review the 2015
Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa between January 2016 and June 2016, and have
recommended modifications to the document. The Planning Commission held a study
session in November 2016 to review and take input on the Draft EIR. The Planning
Commission then held public hearings in February and March 2017, continued over four
meetings to hear from the community and go through the proposed plan line by line.
Through that process the Commission further refined the proposed policies and
implementation actions to reflect the community’s long-term vision for the City.
The changes to PLAN Hermosa that the Planning Commission recommends to the City
Council, incorporated into the Planning Commission Recommended Draft of PLAN
Hermosa, includes input from the Public Works Commission, Parks and Recreation
Commission, Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission, and the public and are
included as part of the Planning Commission’s recommendation for City Council
consideration.
The proposed changes to the project largely clarify and refine policy language without
changing the intent of the PLAN’s goals and objectives. A summary of the changes to
PLAN Hermosa and associated implementation actions are provided below by area of
environmental analysis:
Aesthetics and Visual Resources – The Planning Commission has recommended
modifications to policies and implementation actions that add greater specificity
and certainty to the process of evaluating future impacts to scenic vistas and
methods to avoid significant impacts by including a new map that establishes
prominent public viewpoints and uninterrupted scenic viewing areas to PLAN
Hermosa. The Planning Commission also recommended deletion of a policy that
would direct the City to explore designation of Pacific Coast Highway as a State
Scenic Highway, it is not currently designated as such and therefore would not
create a new significant impact. Additionally, while changes have been made
to policies and implementation actions used in the analysis of visual character
and shade/shadow impacts, the changes do not substantially alter the intent or
direction provided in the implementation action. The intent was to maintain the
Attachment 1D
159
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
3
public scenic vistas, and through the CEQA process the policies and
implementation actions have been improved to provide more certainty as to
how public scenic vistas will be maintained and considered when adjacent
development is proposed. Further discussion of the changes to Aesthetics
Mitigation Measures is provided in Section 1.5.
Air Quality – The Planning Commission has recommended modifications to
policies that are considered minor clarifications that do not alter the intent or
objective of the policies used in the analysis of impacts to air quality or create
new significant impacts because the policies and actions still address short-term
construction emissions. The Planning Commission also recommended deletion of
an implementation action related to grading and landform, however, the extent
to which significant amounts of grading may occur on already undisturbed land
in Hermosa Beach, because the community is largely built out, is limited and
would still be subject to rules and regulations enforced by the South Coast Air
Quality Management District. Therefore the removal of this implementation
action would not create a new or increased significant air quality impact.
Biological Resources – The Planning Commission has not recommended any
significant modifications to policies or implementation actions that are used in
the analysis of biological resources.
Cultural Resources – The Planning Commission has recommended modification
to one of the implementation actions associated with the analysis of
archaeological and paleontological resources in response to comments from
the Native American Heritage Commission and the Gabrieleño Band of Mission
Indians. The change to the implementation action associated with
archaeological and paleontological resources was made to add greater
specificity and certainty to the process of avoiding resources during ground
disturbance activities and would not create a new significant impact. The
Planning Commission has recommended the modification and removal of
policies and implementation actions related to historical resources to be clear
that the designation of historic landmarks is a voluntary program, however the
EIR already identified that the PLAN policies could result in a significant and
avoidable impact related to historic resources. Further discussion of the changes
to mitigation measures related to historic resources and findings that they are
infeasible is provided in Section 1.5.
Geology and Soils - The Planning Commission has recommended modifications
to policies that are considered minor clarifications that do not alter the intent or
objective of the policies used in the analysis of impacts to geology and soils that
would create new significant impacts. The Planning Commission also
recommended deletion of an implementation action related to grading and
landform, however, the extent to which significant amounts of grading may
occur on already undisturbed land in Hermosa Beach, because the community
is largely built out, is limited and would still be subject to development standards
and application requirements that address potential geology and soils hazards,
therefore the removal of this implementation action would not create a new or
increased significant geology and soils impact.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions – The Planning Commission has recommended
modifications to several policies associated with the analysis of impacts to
greenhouse gas emissions that are considered minor clarifications that do not
Attachment 1D
160
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
4
alter the intent or objective of the policy. The Planning Commission also
recommended the removal of policies associated with the purchase of carbon
offsets and to not pursue carbon neutrality, however the analysis presented in
Table 4.6-6 of the Draft EIR demonstrates that the “Purchase Offsets” line item,
representing 30.1% of the emissions reductions, could be eliminated and the
greenhouse gas thresholds to reduce emissions consistent with long-term State
greenhouse gas reduction goals (66% below 2005 levels by 2040) would still be
met with a reduction of approximately 69.9%. The analysis in the Draft EIR related
to greenhouse gas emissions specifically did not rely upon offsets to determine
whether or not State goals would be met through the implementation of policies
and therefore, the removal of policies related to offsets would not create a new
significant impact related to greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydrology and Water Quality - The Planning Commission has not recommended
any significant modifications to policies or implementation actions that are used
in the analysis of hydrology and water quality. The Planning Commission has
recommended the inclusion of new maps within PLAN Hermosa that more
clearly depict the range of potential scenarios associated with sea level rise,
however these updated maps do not present any greater flooding extent than
was previously identified by the maps included in the Draft EIR and therefore
would not create a new significant impact related to hydrology and water
quality.
Land Use and Planning - The Planning Commission has recommended
modifications to several policies and implementation actions associated with the
analysis of impacts to land use and planning. These changes are considered
minor clarifications that do not alter the intent or objective of the policies but
add greater specificity and certainty to how the City will achieve consistency
between the General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and future updates to the
Zoning Code. The Planning Commission has also recommended minor
refinements to the Land Use Designations Map that covers less than a dozen
parcels along PCH that had a Land Use Designation in the adopted General
Plan of commercial uses, but zoning that allowed for residential development
and over the course of the General Plan update have been redeveloped for
residential use. These changes represent less than a fraction of a percent of the
land area in Hermosa Beach and therefore would not create a new significant
impact to land use and planning.
Mineral Resources - The Planning Commission has not recommended any
modifications to policies or implementation actions that are used in the analysis
of mineral resources.
Noise and Vibration - The Planning Commission has not recommended any
significant modifications to policies or implementation actions that are used in
the analysis of noise and vibration.
Population and Housing - The Planning Commission has not recommended any
significant modifications to policies or implementation actions that are used in
the analysis of population and housing.
Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities - The Planning Commission has
recommended modifications to several policies and implementation actions
associated with the analysis of public services, community facilities, and utilities.
The Planning Commission did not propose changes to the policies or
Attachment 1D
161
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
5
implementation actions used in the analysis that would increase demand for: fire
protection and emergency medical services; law enforcement services; public
schools; library facilities; or water supply and service, wastewater service, storm
drainage. The Planning Commission has recommended changes to policies and
implementation actions associated with the analysis of impacts to parks and
recreation, solid waste disposal, and energy resources, but these changes are
considered minor clarifications that do not alter the intent or objective of the
policies that would create new significant impacts. The Planning Commission has
also recommended modifications to the map of parks, open space and public
facilities in Hermosa Beach to highlight some of the City’s existing facilities such
as the skate park that is located at the community center and to add smaller
parkettes that were not previously identified. These changes to the map do not
increase demand for parks and recreation, rather they highlight additional
facilities that are already available to meet current and future demand and
therefore would not create a new significant impact.
Transportation - The Planning Commission has recommended modifications to
several policies and implementation actions associated with the analysis of
impacts to transportation. These changes are considered minor clarifications that
do not alter the intent or objective of the policies but adds greater specificity
and certainty to how the City will achieve consistency between the General
Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and future updates to the Zoning Code. The
Planning Commission has also recommended minor refinements to the street
classifications, pedestrian network, and bicycle and multi-use network maps and
the addition of a proposed safe routes to school network to be incorporated into
PLAN Hermosa. These changes to the map do not increase demand for such
facilities, rather they highlight certain routes that may be ideal for various bike
and pedestrian improvements that would not affect level of service capacity,
but could help to improve safety and therefore would not create a new
significant impact.
Pursuant to Section 15088.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the changes would not result
in any new significant environmental impacts nor substantially increase the severity of
significant impacts described in the EIR. In reviewing the Implementation Actions, the
Commission reviewed which implementation actions were specifically used in the EIR
impact analysis to make sure that the changes would not alter the ultimate conclusions
or analysis in the EIR. These changes to the implementation action are provided in the
revised project description in Attachment 1B. The minor revisions/clarifications to the
policy language would not change any of the conclusions in the EIR. Substantial
revisions to the EIR are not necessary and, recirculation of the EIR is not required.
1.5 FINDINGS ADDRESSING THE ISSUES ANALYZED IN THE FEIR 1.5.1 FINDINGS THAT NATIVE AMERICAN CONSULTATION WAS CONDUCTED
In accordance with Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) and Government Code 69352.3, and
Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) and Government Code 21000, the City of Hermosa Beach
requested a list of Tribal Organization contacts from the Native American Heritage
Commission in April 2014. The City of Hermosa Beach sent notifications to the
Attachment 1D
162
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
6
appropriate tribal organizations in January 2015 in compliance with SB 18, and again in
August 2015 to comply with AB 52.
In response to these letters, the City received requests from the Soboba Band of Luiseño
Indians and the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians – Kizh Nation to conduct formal
consultation with the tribes. Both tribes requested that an experienced, trained, and
certified Native American monitor be present during ground disturbing activities related
to the project.
Following the initial request for consultation from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians,
the City pursued consultation. However, the Band has failed to provide comments to
the City, or otherwise failed to engage, in the consultation process. Therefore,
consultation with the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has concluded under Cal. Pub.
Res. Code § 21082.3(d)(2).
The City has engaged in lengthy consultation with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission
Indians – Kizh Nation, as noted in the Responses to Comment in the Final EIR NAHC 1
and GMBI-1-2. Since PLAN Hermosa is a program-level document that will not directly
result in physical changes to the environment, the City proposed policies and
implementation actions that take into consideration the tribal organization requests for
subsequent projects with ground disturbance activities that may occur through
implementation of PLAN Hermosa. To more explicitly address the Band’s request for a
Native American monitor to be present during ground disturbing activities, the City
proposes amending implementation action LAND USE-23 to explicitly require the City to
weigh and consider available evidence to determine whether there is a potential risk
for disturbing or damaging any cultural or tribal resources and whether any
precautionary measures can be required to reduce or eliminate that risk. Those
precautions may include requiring construction workers to complete a training on
archaeological and tribal resources before any ground disturbance activity and/or
requiring a qualified archaeologist or tribal representative to monitor some or all of the
ground disturbance activities.
This is an appropriate response for a Program-level analysis, since site specific impacts
cannot be detailed at this time and would be speculative. This implementation action,
as amended, would ensure the consultation requirements of AB 52 are followed by the
City as a Lead Agency, and that requirements for Native American monitors to be
present during ground-disturbing activities in which a tribe or archaeological
investigation indicate the potential for tribal resources to be found are clear.
Following multiple requests for feedback on the City’s proposed response, the Band has
not provided a formal response. The City has acted in good faith and has provided a
reasonable effort to respond to the Band’s request for monitors, but without a timely
response, the City is unable to reach a mutual agreement. Consultation is hereby
concluded.
1.5.2 FINDINGS THAT CERTAIN UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS ARE MITIGATED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT FEASIBLE
The FEIR for PLAN Hermosa identifies impacts in three resource areas – air quality,
cultural resources, and transportation-- that cannot be fully mitigated and are
therefore considered significant and unavoidable. The impact areas pertain to short-
Attachment 1D
163
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
7
term impacts to air quality; potential changes to the significance of historical
resources; and reductions to transportation and circulation Level of Service (LOS)
performance standards at three intersections and one roadway segment. To the
extent that the impacts remain significant and unavoidable such impacts are
acceptable when weighed against the overriding social, economic, legal, technical,
and other considerations, including the beneficial effects of the project to the existing
circulation and infrastructure, described in the Statement of Overriding Considerations
included herein. For each of these significant and unavoidable impacts identified by
the FEIR, feasible changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into,
the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect, as
discussed below:
a. 4.2-2 Violate Air Quality Standards – Short-Term Impacts
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development in the city
in a manner that could generate air pollutant emissions from short-term
construction. Although PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and enforcement
of current SCAQMD rules and regulations would help reduce short-term
emissions, construction emissions would result in a significant impact.
Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.2-2a Construction projects within the city shall demonstrate compliance with all applicable
standards of the Southern California Air Quality Management District, including the following provisions of District Rule 403:
All unpaved demolition and construction areas shall be wetted at least twice
daily during excavation and construction, and temporary dust covers shall be
used to reduce dust emissions and meet SCAQMD Rule 403. Wetting could reduce
fugitive dust by as much as 50 percent.
The construction area shall be kept sufficiently dampened to control dust caused
by grading and hauling, and at all times provide reasonable control of dust
caused by wind.
All clearing, earth moving, or excavation activities shall be discontinued during
periods of high winds (i.e., greater than 15 mph), so as to prevent excessive
amounts of dust.
All dirt/soil loads shall be secured by trimming, watering, or other appropriate
means to prevent spillage and dust.
All dirt/soil materials transported off-site shall be required to cover their loads as
required by California Vehicle Code Section 23114 to prevent excessive amount
of dust.
General contractors shall maintain and operate construction equipment so as to
minimize exhaust emissions.
Trucks having no current hauling activity shall not idle but shall be turned off.
MM 4.2-2b In accordance with Section 2485 in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, the
idling of all diesel-fueled commercial vehicles (weighing over 10,000 pounds) during
construction shall be limited to 5 minutes at any location.
MM 4.2-2c Construction projects within the city shall comply with South Coast Air Quality
Management District Rule 1113 limiting the volatile organic compound content of
architectural coatings.
MM 4.2-2d Construction projects within the city shall install odor-reducing equipment in
accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1138.
MM 4.2-2e Project applicants shall identify all measures to reduce air pollutant emissions below
SCAQMD thresholds prior to the issuance of building permits. Should attainment of
SCAQMD thresholds be determined to be infeasible, construction contractors shall
Attachment 1D
164
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
8
provide evidence of this to the City and will be encouraged to apply for SCAQMD
SOON funds.
Finding:
Even with the implementation of Mitigation Measures MM 4.2-1a through 4.2-
1e, SCAQMD Rule 403 and PLAN Hermosa policies, it is still anticipated that some
projects would have the potential to generate daily construction emissions that
exceed the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. Because the intensity and
schedule of construction activities cannot be determined at the time of
this program-level analysis, it would be speculative to conclude that any level of
mitigation would reduce daily construction emissions below the SCAQMD
thresholds of significance. Incentives could be provided for those construction
contractors who apply for SCAQMD “SOON” funds. The “SOON” program provides
funds to accelerate clean-up of off-road diesel vehicles, such as heavy duty
construction equipment. In many cases, because of the amount of construction
required for a project, even if all feasible mitigation is implemented, daily emissions
could still exceed the significance thresholds.
The Planning Commission finds that the impact as stated above is substantially
reduced by the identified mitigation measures and that all feasible mitigation
measures that are appropriate at the Program-level have been incorporated. The
Planning Commission further finds that although this impact would be significant
and unavoidable, the impact is acceptable when weighed against the overriding
social, economic, and other considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding
Considerations (Section 1.6 of these Findings).
b. 4.2-7 Cumulative Air Quality Impacts
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the South
Coast Air Basin would increase the amount of air quality emissions occurring within
the basin and could affect the region’s ability to attain ambient air quality
standards. This would result in a cumulatively considerable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
Implement mitigation measures MM 4.2-1a through MM 4.2.1e.
Finding:
Even with the implementation of Mitigation Measures MM 4.2-1a through 4.2-1e,
SCAQMD Rule 403 and PLAN Hermosa policies, it is still anticipated that future
construction projects, in combination with other construction in the SCAQMD area,
could have the potential to generate construction emissions that exceed the
SCAQMD thresholds of significance on a cumulative basis. While the City of
Hermosa Beach has the ability to reduce air quality impacts through the
implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.2-1a through MM 4.2.1e, when
combined with potential exceedances of SCAQMD thresholds of significance by
other projects in the SCAQMD region, the contribution of projects in Hermosa
Beach may be cumulatively considerable.
Attachment 1D
165
DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
9
The Planning Commission finds that the impact as stated above is substantially
reduced by the identified mitigation measures and that no other feasible mitigation
measures within the scope of the project are available, and the City of Hermosa
Beach jurisdiction to implement mitigation measures is limited to projects within
Hermosa Beach. The Planning Commission further finds that although this impact
would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is acceptable when weighed
against the overriding social, economic, and other considerations set forth in the
Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section 1.6 of these Findings).
c. 4.4-4 Historical Resources
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that could cause a substantial change in the
significance of a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5.
Although implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and actions would protect
historical resources, this would be a significant and unavoidable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.4-4a The City shall require project applicants of discretionary projects to conduct historical
resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports on a project-by-project basis, when a
project proposes to alter, demolish, or degrade a designated landmark or a potential
landmark as defined by Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 17.53.
MM 4.4-4b The City shall maintain the “Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach” guide, and shall
update the guide so that it is informed by current resource data and its goals and policies are consistent with the Land Use + Design Element.
MM 4.4-4c The City shall develop procedures and nomination applications to facilitate and
streamline the designation of local historic sites and historic districts.
MM 4.4-4d Historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports shall be performed by
persons who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48 CFR 44716).
Finding:
• The Final EIR included a Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-4a that upon further review
has been determined to be infeasible and the Planning Commission
recommends this mitigation measure be removed in its entirety. First, it is unclear
how this measure applies in Hermosa Beach, because the Municipal Code
definitions for resources and landmarks are not the same as under CEQA,
creating confusion as to what properties must be on a potential resource list.
Second, CEQA already requires that environmental analysis be completed for
any discretionary project that may impact an historic resource. CEQA applies
to discretionary projects regardless of whether the City maintains a list of
potential resources and by preparing a list of potential resources that identifies
specific properties, the list could be misconstrued as a list of designated
landmarks, which carry a different level of review and procedures established in
the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the Municipal Code. For this reason, the
proposed mitigation in infeasible.
• MM4.4-4b is amended to clarify that discretionary projects are required under
CEQA to conduct an historical assessment. The City does not have authority to
require studies for ministerial projects and those projectsonly require ministerial
building permits and do not receive any discretionary planning review. The
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
10
measure is also amended to reflect the definition of landmark, as that term is
used in the Hermosa Beach Historic Resource Preservation Ordinance.
• The Final EIR included a Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-4f that upon further review
has been determined to be infeasible and the Planning Commission
recommends this mitigation measure be removed in its entirety. While the intent
of MM 4.4-4f was to apply to designated historical landmarks, the wording could
be interpreted more broadly and would effectively prohibit any changes to
buildings considered to be potential historic resources and when modified to
only apply to designated historical landmarks, it becomes duplicative with
requirements under State Law regarding the treatment of designated historical
resources, and interpreted more broadly could impede the City’s greenhouse
gas reduction and sustainability goals by (for example) preventing upgrades to
structures to be more energy efficient.
Implementation of the remaining mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-
4d would reduce impacts on historical resources to the extent feasible. However,
impacts on potentially eligible historic structures could occur depending on the
proposed uses, the cost of rehabilitation, and safety and other considerations. Thus,
it may not be feasible in all circumstances to rehabilitate a structure and retain its
historic significance. If a project applicant proposes to demolish an eligible
structure, the City would consider the project’s impacts prior to approval.
The Planning Commission finds that the impact as stated above is substantially
reduced by the identified mitigation measures, that all feasible mitigation measures
that are appropriate at the Program-level have been incorporated, and that no
other feasible mitigation measures within the scope of the project are available.
The Final EIR included a Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-4f that upon further review has
been determined to be infeasible and that the Planning Commission recommends
this mitigation measure be removed in its entirety. While the intent of MM 4.4-4f was
to apply to designated historical landmarks, the wording could be interpreted more
broadly and would effectively prohibit any changes to buildings considered to be
potential historic resources and when modified to only apply to designated
historical landmarks, it becomes duplicative with requirements under State Law
regarding the treatment of designated historical resources, and interpreted more
broadly could impede the City’s greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals.
The Planning Commission further finds that although this impact would be
significant and unavoidable, the impact is acceptable when weighed against the
overriding social, economic, and other considerations set forth in the Statement of
Overriding Considerations (Section 1.6 of these Findings).
d. 4.4-8 Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development in
the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change in the
significance of a historical resource. The loss of some historical resources may be
prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and similar policies in
other communities. However, this would not ensure that these resources can be
protected and preserved. This impact would be cumulatively considerable.
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Mitigation Measures:
Implement mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-d.
Finding:
Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-4d would not
ensure that all historical resources would be protected and preserved within the
South Bay Cities COG planning area. As described in the analysis presented in
Impact 4.4-4, impacts on historic resources could still occur and the impact cannot
be reduced to less than significant.
The Planning Commission finds that the impact as stated above is substantially
reduced by the identified mitigation measures, that no other feasible mitigation
measures within the scope of the project are available, and the City of Hermosa
Beach jurisdiction to implement mitigation measures is limited to projects within
Hermosa Beach. The Planning Commission further finds that although this impact
would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is acceptable when weighed
against the overriding social, economic, and other considerations set forth in the
Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section 1.6 of these Findings).
e. 4.14-1a Intersections
Pacific Coast Hwy and Artesia Blvd
Impact:
The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard would be
significantly impacted by PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in both the morning and
evening peak periods. Opportunities for physical mitigations are limited by
Caltrans’s plan to remove a travel lane in each direction on Pacific Coast
Highway and alignment issues, as well as major change in roadway
characteristics, east to west from Artesia Boulevard to Gould Avenue.
Additionally, physical mitigations would conflict with the SBBMP Class III bicycle
facility planned for Gould Avenue, as well as PLAN Hermosa policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6,
7.2, 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations and PLAN
Hermosa and adopted plans, the significant transportation impacts on traffic
operations at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway & Artesia Boulevard
cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level; therefore this would be
a significant and unavoidable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
No feasible mitigation measures are available to address the significant
transportation and circulation impact.
Finding:
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection
approaches to add turn lanes, were investigated. The emphasis was to identify
physical improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain
consistency with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation measures were reviewed for
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compliance or conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as well as
adopted policies, plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or
pedestrian facilities. Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such
facilities were not considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to
significantly impacted locations at which a vehicular-capacity based mitigation
without creating a conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans.
The Planning Commission finds that there are no feasible mitigation measures
within the scope of the project available to address or lessen the impact without
conflicting with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies or decreasing the
performance or safety of the facility. The Planning Commission further finds that
although this impact would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is
acceptable when weighed against the overriding social, economic, and other
considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section
1.6 of these Findings).
Pacific Coast Hwy and Aviation Blvd
Impact:
The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard is significantly
impacted by PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in the morning peak period.
Opportunities for physical mitigations are limited by Caltrans’s plan to remove a
travel lane in each direction on Pacific Coast Highway and improvement plans
for the intersection included in the Aviation Boulevard Master Plan, including
enhanced crosswalks and repurposing of public right of way for parkettes,
pedestrian space, or a crossing refuge. Additionally, physical mitigations would
conflict with the SBBMP Class II bicycle facility planned for Aviation Boulevard, as
well as PLAN Hermosa policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations to improve
level of service and PLAN Hermosa and adopted plans, the significant
transportation impacts to traffic operations at the intersection of Pacific Coast
Highway & Aviation Boulevard cannot be mitigated to a less than significant
level; therefore this would be a significant and unavoidable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
No feasible mitigation measures are available to address the significant
transportation and circulation impact.
Finding:
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection
approaches to add turn lanes, were investigated. The emphasis was to identify
physical improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain
consistency with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation measures were reviewed for
compliance or conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as well as
adopted policies, plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or
pedestrian facilities. Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such
facilities were not considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to
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significantly impacted locations at which a vehicular-capacity based mitigation
without creating a conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans.
The Planning Commission finds that there are no feasible mitigation measures
within the scope of the project available to address or lessen the impact without
conflicting with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies or decreasing the
performance or safety of the facility. The Planning Commission further finds that
although this impact would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is
acceptable when weighed against the overriding social, economic, and other
considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section
1.6 of these Findings).
Manhattan Ave and 27th St
Impact:
The intersection at Manhattan Avenue & 27th Street is significantly impacted by
PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in the morning peak period. Opportunities for
physical mitigations are limited by existing narrow roadway widths. Additionally,
physical mitigations would conflict with the SBBMP Class III bicycle facility
planned for 27th Street, and PLAN Hermosa policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations to improve
level of service and PLAN Hermosa policies and adopted plans, the significant
transportation impacts to traffic operations at the intersection of Manhattan
Avenue & 27th Street cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level;
therefore this would be a significant and unavoidable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
No feasible mitigation measures are available to address the significant
transportation and circulation impact.
Finding:
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection
approaches to add turn lanes, were investigated. The emphasis was to identify
physical improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain
consistency with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation measures were reviewed for
compliance or conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as well as
adopted policies, plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or
pedestrian facilities. Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such
facilities were not considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to
significantly impacted locations at which a vehicular-capacity based mitigation
without creating a conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans.
The Planning Commission finds that there are no feasible mitigation measures
within the scope of the project available to address or lessen the impact without
conflicting with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies or decreasing the
performance or safety of the facility. The Planning Commission further finds that
although this impact would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is
acceptable when weighed against the overriding social, economic, and other
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considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section
1.6 of these Findings).
f. 4.14-1b Roadway Segments
Prospect Ave (Aviation Blvd to 2nd St)
Impact:
Through implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the roadway segment on Prospect
Avenue from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street would be degraded from its current
operation at an LOS C to an LOS D by 2040. While this is improved from the
projected LOS E that would be experienced under the 2040 scenario without
PLAN Hermosa, it still represents a significant impact. In other words, even
though the PLAN Hermosa policies will reduce the degree of impact from the
scenario where the PLAN is not adopted, the change in traffic still exceeds the
threshold of significance.
In order to reduce the projected LOS impacts along Prospect Avenue, the City
would need to consider expanding the roadway to accommodate additional
vehicles or consider policies that reduce the number of vehicles traveling along
the corridor. However, the opportunities for expanding Prospect Avenue to
reduce the impacts to LOS are limited by the narrow roadway widths and
presence of on-street parking. Additionally, physical mitigations to expand
roadway capacity along Prospect Avenue would conflict with the intent of SB
743 and many of the proposed PLAN Hermosa policies. Under SB 743 Section
21099(b)(2), vehicular capacity and traffic congestion would no longer be
eligible as considerations of significant impact under CEQA. Guidelines
established for the implementation of SB 743 further state that roadway capacity
expansions in a congested corridor are presumed to cause a significant impact
under CEQA due to their effects on induced travel. Physical mitigations would
also conflict with the SBBMP bicycle friendly street bicycle facility planned for
Prospect Avenue, and PLAN Hermosa policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, 7.5. Due to the
above-mentioned conflicts between capacity expansion mitigations and SB 743,
the SBBMP, and PLAN Hermosa policies, the significant transportation impact to
traffic operations along the segment of Prospect Avenue from Aviation
Boulevard to 2nd Street cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level;
therefore this would be a significant and unavoidable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
No feasible mitigation measures are available to address the significant
transportation and circulation impact.
Finding:
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection
approaches to add turn lanes, were investigated. The removal of on-street
parking along this roadway segment to accommodate an additional lane of
travel would create untenable conditions in Hermosa Beach where parking
supply is limited. Therefore it is not feasible. The emphasis was to identify physical
improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain consistency
with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation measures were reviewed for compliance or
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
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conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as well as adopted policies,
plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities.
Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such facilities were not
considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to significantly impacted
locations at which a vehicular-capacity based mitigation without creating a
conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans.
The Planning Commission finds that there are no feasible mitigation measures
within the scope of the project available to address or lessen the impact without
conflicting with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies or decreasing the
performance or safety of the facility. The Planning Commission further finds that
although this impact would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is
acceptable when weighed against the overriding social, economic, and other
considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section
1.6 of these Findings).
g. 4.14-7 Cumulative Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards
Impact:
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the City in a
manner that would not increase overall demand for travel within the city. Both the
City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards for intersections and
roadway segments would be maintained at the majority of intersections and
segments analyzed. Nonetheless, three intersections and one segment would
experience a cumulatively considerable impact.
Mitigation Measures:
No feasible mitigation measures are available to address the significant
transportation and circulation impact.
Finding:
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection
approaches to add turn lanes, were investigated. The emphasis was to identify
physical improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain
consistency with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation measures were reviewed for
compliance or conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as well as adopted
policies, plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian
facilities. Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such facilities were
not considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to significantly impacted
locations at which a vehicular-capacity based mitigation without creating a
conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans.
The Planning Commission finds that there are no feasible mitigation measures within
the scope of the project available to address or lessen the impact without
conflicting with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies or decreasing the performance
or safety of the facility. The Planning Commission further finds that although this
impact would be significant and unavoidable, the impact is acceptable when
weighed against the overriding social, economic, and other considerations set
forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Section 1.6 of these Findings).
Attachment 1D
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1.5.3 FINDINGS THAT CERTAIN IMPACTS ARE MITIGATED TO INSIGNIFICANCE
The FEIR identifies subject areas for which the project is considered to cause or
contribute to potentially significant environmental impacts. For each of these impacts
identified by the FEIR, feasible mitigation measures have been incorporated into the
project to reduce the environmental effect to a level that is less than significant, as
discussed below:
a. 4.1-1 Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds
Impact:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts are
substantially reduced by changes to the PLAN Hermosa Policies and
Implementation Actions to a level that is considered to be less than significant. The
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, as revised, would ensure that
existing view corridors that provide views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes
Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los Angeles Basin and the San
Gabriel Mountains are maintained by identifying prominent and uninterrupted
public views, specifying an evaluation process and offering development standard
exceptions to projects that may substantially impede one of the identified public
scenic vistas.
Finding:
The EIR reached the original impact conclusion (that mitigation was required) for
Impact 4.1-1 because the policies and implementation actions did not include
“specific provisions to protect public view corridors.” Thus, mitigation was required.
The proposed changes to the policies and actions related to public views are
designed to provide more specificity on the expectation and process for
identifying, evaluating, and addressing potential impacts to scenic vistas in a
manner that is consistent with the Coastal Act and the California Environmental
Quality Act. The greater level of specificity contained within the policies and
implementation actions further helps to appropriately guide City staff and decision
makers in the future to objectively and consistently and reasonably evaluate and
mitigate impacts to scenic vistas, and provide the opportunity for setback, open
space, landscaping or other relief to properties that may otherwise substantially
obstruct, interrupt, or detract from a scenic vista. This allows the property owner to
minimize the impact to a public view while providing the owner the same
development privileges enjoyed by other similar properties in the vicinity (similar to
a variance). The specific exception to be applied to each project will be
evaluated on a project level to determine its appropriateness and compatibility
with the neighborhood and the list of available exceptions will be specified in the
zoning ordinance.
Through the public hearing process, the community and commissioners have had
an opportunity to synthesize PLAN Hermosa Figure 5.3, which shows the proposed
Prominent Public Views and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas. Based on community
and commissioner input, the Figure has been revised to remove two sites that do
not meet the criteria for Prominent Public Views. The two views deleted include 8th
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Street at Loma Drive and El Oeste Drive. The 8th/Loma location can be deleted
because the view is already surrounded by properties that have been developed
close to or at the maximum extent allowed and therefore, future development
during the life of the plan will not further impact the view beyond the existing
development. The El Oeste viewpoint can be deleted because, while it presents a
highly intact uninterrupted view, it does not meet the prominent viewpoint criteria
of having a large number of public viewers. This location is at the end of a dead
end residential street where the general public does not typically access, pass or
congregate. Therefore, it would be unlikely to have a large number of public
viewers.
The language incorporated into the policies and actions has been changed such
that properties adjacent to, rather than within 50 feet of, the Prominent Public
Views and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas will be required to evaluate and
reasonably mitigate any substantial impact to a public view. Additionally, portions
of Implementation Action PARKS-12 have been removed because of their
specificity to appropriate colors and textures and the portions of the actions
pertaining to public works projects have been incorporated into PARKS-11. To
specify appropriate colors or textures to private property owners would go against
a long-standing community policy against judging or dictating design. These
language changes are also appropriate because the 50 foot requirement, as well
as the requirements for specific screening methods or use of certain materials may
not be appropriate in all situations and does not allow for any site specific flexibility.
Additionally, the language was too precise for policy language and
implementation actions (and for the originally proposed mitigation measure). These
types of details are better worked out through the implementation process and
development of the ordinance. In some cases 50 feet may be too far, and in others
it may not be far enough. There are site specific conditions like width of the road,
setback requirements, and building height limits (vary from 25-35 feet) that may
require variation in the distance needed to analyze impacts to views. It is further
noted that the changes to the policies and implementation actions related to
public views achieve the same purpose as proposed Mitigation Measure MM 4.1-1,
that the potential impact to scenic vistas is adequately mitigated to a level that is
less than significant, and that no new significant impacts to Aesthetics have been
identified based on these changes. b. 4.3-1 Special-Status Species
Impact:
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in the development or expansion of beach-supporting
uses that could adversely affect western snowy plover and California least tern. This
would be a potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.3-1 Construction of facilities on the beach that must occur between the months of April and
August (roosting season for snowy plovers) will require preconstruction surveys to
determine the presence of western snowy plovers or California least terns. If these species
are present, no construction may occur until the species leave the roost based on review
by a qualified biologist and consultation with the California Department of Fish and
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Wildlife (CDFW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). If the project is within a
Special Protection Zone, construction activities will not be allowed until western snowy
plovers are no longer present. If the area is not within a Special Protection Zone, a
qualified biologist will survey the area for western snowy plovers using established
protocols and in coordination with the USFWS and CDFW to determine if plovers are
present. If they are present, no work will occur until after snowy plovers leave the roost site
for the season. The qualified biologist will also survey the area for California least terns
using established protocols and in coordination with the USFWS and CDFW to determine if
California least terns are present. If surveys are negative for western snowy plovers or
California least terns, work may proceed during the roosting period and the biologist will
be present to monitor the establishment of the beach landing sites to ensure that no
western snowy plovers or California least terns are injured or killed, should they arrive in
the area subsequent to work commencing. The project will include fencing/walls that will
prevent western snowy plovers or California least terns from entering the work areas. The
biologist will conduct weekly site visits to ensure that fencing/walls are intact until
construction activities are finished at the sites and all equipment is removed from the
beach. The results of the preconstruction survey will be submitted to the City prior to the
establishment of beach landing sites. All biological monitoring efforts will be documented
in monthly compliance reports to the City.
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Implementation of mitigation
measure MM 4.3-1 would specifically require that western snowy plovers or
California least terns that roost on the beach are protected if they occur in an area
proposed for beach-supporting facilities. c. 4.4-3 Paleontological Resources, Site, or Geologic Feature
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that could damage previously unknown unique
paleontological resources, sites, or unique geologic features. This impact would
be potentially significant.
Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.4-3 As a standard condition of approval for future development projects implemented under
PLAN Hermosa that involve ground disturbance or excavation:
For any project where earthmoving or ground disturbance activities are proposed at
depths that encounter older Quaternary terrace deposits, a qualified paleontologist
shall be present during excavation or earthmoving activities.
If paleontological resources are discovered during earthmoving activities, the construction crew shall immediately cease work in the vicinity of the find and notify
the City. The project applicant(s) shall retain a qualified paleontologist to evaluate
the resource and prepare a recovery plan in accordance with Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines (1996). The recovery plan may include, but is not
limited to, a field survey, construction monitoring, sampling and data recovery
procedures, museum storage coordination for any specimen recovered, and a
report of findings. Recommendations in the recovery plan that are determined by
the lead agency to be necessary and feasible shall be implemented before
construction activities can resume at the site where the paleontological resources
were discovered.
Finding:
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The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Implementation of mitigation
measure MM 4.4-3 would provide for the appropriate treatment and/or
preservation of paleontological resources, if encountered. For instance, a
paleontological resource evaluation would consist of a paleontological resources
records search through the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, a
pedestrian survey of the project site (if applicable), a review of the land use history,
and a review of geologic mapping and/or geotechnical reports. At that point,
appropriate project- specific mitigation would be developed and implemented to
mitigate impacts on the paleontological resource before construction activities
can resume. d. 4.4-7 Cumulative Effects on Paleontological Resources
Impact:
Ground disturbance, earthmoving, and excavation activities associated with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa combined with construction activities in the
South Bay Cities COG planning area could damage previously unknown unique
paleontological resources. This impact would be cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures:
Implement mitigation measure MM 4.4-3.
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Ground disturbance, earthmoving,
and excavation activities would occur under PLAN Hermosa and in the South Bay
Cities COG planning area. Implementation of Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-3 would
reduce impacts on paleontological resources by requiring that fossil specimens be
recovered and recorded and undergo appropriate curation, in the event that
resources are encountered during construction activities in Hermosa Beach. Thus,
the city will not be contributing to any cumulative impact in the South Bay planning
area. e. 4.6-1 Generate GHG Emissions
Impact:
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in additional greenhouse gas emissions generated.
However, the plan also includes numerous policies and actions to reduce or
eliminate GHG emissions from both new and existing development through
incentives and voluntary actions that will meet or exceed the long-term
greenhouse gas reduction goals to reduce emissions at least 66 percent below
2005 levels by 2040 (see discussion on page 4.6-22) through direct and local
programs. However, since the City is relying on incentive-based or voluntary actions
to achieve GHG reduction goals, there is a lower degree of certainty that the
emissions reductions thresholds would be met compared to regulatory or
mandatory actions. This impact would be potentially significant.
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Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.6-1a The City of Hermosa Beach will utilize the climate action plan, under development by the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments, or other appropriate tools to research current
data gaps, identify specific actions, and define the responsible parties and time frames
needed to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals (monitoring milestones)
identified in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b.
MM 4.6-1b The City of Hermosa Beach will re-inventory community GHG emissions and evaluate
implementation progress of policies to reduce GHG emissions for the calendar year of
2020 and a minimum of every five years thereafter. The interim reduction goals to be
achieved for consistency with long-term state goals include:
2020: 15 percent below 2005 levels
2025: 31 percent below 2005 levels
2030: 49 percent below 2005 levels
2035: 57 percent below 2005 levels
2040: 66 percent below 2005 levels
MM 4.6-1c The City will revise PLAN Hermosa and/or the City’s Climate Action Plan when, upon
evaluation required in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b, the City determines that Hermosa
Beach is not on track to meet the applicable GHG reduction goals. Revisions to PLAN
Hermosa, the Climate Action Plan, or other City policies and programs will include
additional regulatory measures that provide a higher degree of certainty that emissions
reduction targets will be met. Use of an adaptive management approach would allow
the City to evaluate progress by activity sector (e.g., transportation, energy, water, waste) and prescribe additional policies or programs to be implemented in the
intervening five years for activity sectors that are not on track to achieve the GHG
reduction goals.
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Implementation of Mitigation
Measures 4.6-1 a through c, commits the City of Hermosa Beach to achieving
specific emissions reduction targets within every five-year time period and
modifying policies and programs, including the addition of new policies or
modification of existing policies to become mandatory, to achieve greater levels of
emissions reductions if the City falls short of meeting the established targets in MM
4.6-1b. The implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, in conjunction with mitigation measures MM 4.6-1a through MM 4.6-1c,
will add the degree of certainty needed to determine that PLAN Hermosa would
have a less than significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions and would not be
cumulatively considerable.
f. 4.7-2 Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials
Impact:
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development in the city in a
manner that could lead to accidental release of hazardous materials into the
environment. Compliance with existing federal and state regulations and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce risks associated with the
accidental release of hazardous materials. However, development of the City’s
Maintenance Yard or other sites in the city could release known or unknown
hazardous materials which would be potentially significant.
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Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.7-2a For any development activities that would encroach upon or take place at the City’s
Maintenance Yard, the City shall require the preparation and implementation of a Human
Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) and a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to be approved by the
appropriate agencies.
MM 4.7-2b Future discretionary projects involving the use of hazardous materials that may be
accidentally released or encountered during construction shall be required to implement
the following procedures:
Stop all work in the vicinity of any discovered contamination or release.
Identify the scope and immediacy of the problem.
Coordinate with responsible agencies (Department of Toxic Substances Control,
Regional Water Quality Control Board, or US Environmental Protection Agency).
Conduct the necessary investigation and remediation activities to resolve the
situation before continuing construction work as required by state and local
regulations.
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Implementation of Mitigation
Measures MM 4.7-2a and MM 4.7-2b would ensure that accidental release of
hazardous materials into the environment, either from redevelopment at the City
Yard of from unknown contamination, would be remediated in accordance with
state and local regulations in a manner that would protect public health during
construction activities and later use of the site. g. 4.11-2 Groundborne Vibrations or Groundborne Noise Levels
Impact:
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that may expose persons to or generate excessive groundborne vibration
or groundborne noise levels. This is a potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures:
MM 4.11-2 For development located at a distance within which acceptable vibration standards
would be exceeded, the City shall require the applicant to have a structural engineer
prepare a report demonstrating the following:
Vibration level limits based on building conditions, soil conditions, and planned
demolition and construction methods to ensure vibration levels would not exceed
acceptable levels where damage to structures using vibration levels in Draft EIR Table
4.114 as standards.
Specific measures to be taken during construction to ensure the specified vibration
level limits are not exceeded.
A monitoring plan to be implemented during demolition and construction that
includes post‐construction and post‐demolition surveys of existing structures that
would be impacted.
Examples of measures that may be specified for implementation during demolition or
construction include but are not limited to:
Prohibition of certain types of impact equipment.
Requirement for lighter tracked or wheeled equipment.
Specifying demolition by non‐impact methods, such as sawing concrete.
Phasing operations to avoid simultaneous vibration sources.
Installation of vibration measuring devices to guide decision-making for subsequent
activities.
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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22
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that the potentially significant impacts, as stated
above, are substantially reduced by the identified mitigation measures to a level
that is considered to be less than significant. Implementation of mitigation measure
MM 4.11-2 would minimize impacts on sensitive structures from groundborne
vibration to acceptable levels.
1.5.4 FINDING THAT MITIGATION OF CERTAIN IMPACTS IS WITHIN THE
RESPONSIBILITY AND JURISDICTION OF ANOTHER PUBLIC AGENCY
No mitigation measures identified in the FEIR are within the responsibility or jurisdiction of
another public agency.
1.5.5 FINDINGS THAT IDENTIFIED PROJECT ALTERNATIVES OR MITIGATION
MEASURES ARE NOT FEASIBLE
All mitigation measures discussed herein are feasible. Where potential mitigation has
been deemed infeasible, it is discussed in the DEIR and above sections. All feasible
mitigation has been recommended and incorporated into the Mitigation Monitoring
and Reporting Program for this project.
The FEIR examines three alternatives:
Alternative 1 – Retain Existing General Plan/ Coastal Land Use Plan
Alternative 2 – Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Alternative 3 – Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources
a. Alternative 1: Retain Existing General Plan/ Coastal Land Use Plan
Alternative:
This alternative assumes that PLAN Hermosa would not be implemented and that future
development would proceed as indicated in the existing General Plan and Coastal
Land Use Plan. Hermosa Beach would continue to grow and develop consistent with
currently allowable land uses according to the existing 1980 Land Use Element
(Figure 33); however, redevelopment patterns would be expected to be similar
to PLAN Hermosa because the same infill properties would be vacant or available for
redevelopment, resulting in increased intensity of development within an identical
development footprint as PLAN Hermosa. Table 6.0-2 provides an estimate of what
density or intensity of development is estimated to be allowed under the adopted
General Plan, compared to the proposed densities and intensities of PLAN
Hermosa. Note that the existing General Plan does not include Floor Area Ratios (FAR)
but has setback and height requirements which can be used to calculate an estimate
of FAR allowed based on recent approved or constructed projects.
Table 6.0-2
Comparison of Allowed/Estimated Density and Intensity
No Project
Alternative Proposed under
PLAN Hermosa
Allowed Density/Intensity
Comparison of No Project to PLAN
Hermosa
Land Use Designation Max Min Max
Low Density (du/ac) 13.0 2.0 13.0 Similar
Medium Density (du/ac) 25.0 13.1 25.0 Similar
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
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High Density (du/ac) 33.0 25.1 33.0 Similar
Mobile Home (du/ac) 13.0 2.0 13.0 Similar
Neighborhood Commercial (FAR) 1.0 0.5 1.0 Similar
Community Commercial (FAR) 1.75 0.5 1.25 Greater
Recreational Commercial (FAR) 2.5 1.0 1.75 Greater
Gateway Commercial(FAR) 1.5 1.0 2.0 Lesser
Service Commercial(FAR) 1.0 0.25 0.5 Greater
Light Industrial Creative (FAR) 0.75 0.25 1.0 Lesser
Public Facilities(FAR) n/a 0.1 1.0 Similar
Open Space (FAR) n/a 0.0 0.1 Similar
City Beach(FAR) n/a 0.0 0.05 Similar
Source: City of Hermosa Beach, 2015.
Italicized lines indicate new or altered land use designations introduced through PLAN
Hermosa.
This alternative is analyzed in this EIR, as it is required under CEQA Guidelines Section
15126.6(e). According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(e)(2), the “no project”
analysis shall discuss “what is reasonably expected to occur in the foreseeable future if
the project were not approved, based on current plans and consistent with available
infrastructure and community services.”
As shown in Table 6.0-2, the No Project Alternative would allow for similar levels of
residential development as PLAN Hermosa. For nonresidential development, the No
Project Alternative would allow for greater levels of development in the Community
Commercial, Recreational Commercial, Service Commercial designations, and lesser
levels of development in the Gateway Commercial and Light Industrial Creative
designation than is proposed under PLAN Hermosa. All other nonresidential or
institutional categories propose similar levels of allowed development intensity for both
PLAN Hermosa and the No Project Alternative.
Additionally, as shown in Table 6.0-3 (No Project/Existing General Plan Vehicle Miles
Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips Generated), Alternative 1 would result in 30,000
more VMT per day and 2,600 more daily vehicle trips compared to PLAN Hermosa.
Table 6.0-3 No Project/Existing General Plan Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle
Trips Generated
Scenario Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled Daily Vehicle Trips
2040No Project Alternative 356,000 37,200
2040 PLAN Hermosa 326,000 34,600
Source: City of Hermosa Beach Traffic Study 2015
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that:
Project Objectives
The No Project Alternative would only partially meet the project objectives
established for PLAN Hermosa. The existing General Plan and Coastal Land Use
Plan can reasonably achieve project objectives to enhance and support a
strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy (Objective 2) and provide a safe and
clean natural environment (Objective 4) by relying on the existing policies and
programs related to economic development and resource conservation.
Additionally, the existing General Plan contains an element on Urban
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
24
Design, however it fails to establish various character areas and identify the
unique characteristics of each area, making it difficult to effectively achieve
project Objective 1, to preserve the city’s small beach town character. Finally,
while the existing General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan contain policies and
programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled and expand alternative modes of
transportation, these documents do not identify promoting healthy and active
lifestyles (Objective 3) and achieving a low or no carbon future (Objective 5) as
the primary motivation for including such policies, nor do the mobility policies
and programs contained within the existing General Plan advance the reduction
in VMT enough to claim that they can effectively achieve Objectives 3 and 5.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
The No Project Alternative would not lessen any environmental impacts
compared to the proposed project, and instead would have greater impacts
to aesthetics and visual resources, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions,
hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise and vibration, public
services, community facilities, and utilities, and transportation.
Feasibility
Alternative 1 is infeasible as it would not meet the updated goals and policies
clearly expressed by the City of Hermosa Beach and set forth in the PLAN
Hermosa such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating a vibrant local
economy and a fostering a healthy and safe environment. The City is
committed to providing the community with a current, long-range planning
document that is reflective of the changing conditions and new state
requirements (i.e., AB 32 and SB 375), as well as consistent with current planning
trends, as proposed in the PLAN Hermosa. The existing General Plan does not
address current planning trends or new state requirements. Because of these
factors, the existing General Plan would not adequately address the economic,
environmental, and social needs of the community. Given that this alternative
would not achieve the project objectives and also would not lessen any
environmental impacts compared to the proposed project, the Planning
Commission finds that this alternative is infeasible.
b. Alternative 2: Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Alternative:
This alternative would be focused on achieving a community-wide goal of carbon
neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality is the state of achieving net zero carbon emissions,
generally by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent
amount sequestered or offset by the community. There are two primary differences
between this alternative and the proposed draft of PLAN Hermosa which currently
includes a goal to achieve carbon neutrality no later than the year 2040:
1. expediting achievement of a carbon neutral goal by ten years from 2040 to 2030
and
2. bypassing the use of carbon credits to offset carbon emissions that could not be
eliminated.
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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25
Changing these two parameters would have a number of effects on the proposed
project. While the total level of local reductions needed to achieve a carbon neutral
goal by 2030 or 2040 are virtually identical, the number of years to achieve the goal
would be reduced from 24 years to just 14. A 2030 goal would necessitate the
implementation of new policies and programs each year to reduce emissions at a rate
of 6,750 MTCO2e/yr, compared to annual reductions of 3,975 MTCO2e/yr for a 2040
goal.
To do this, the following steps would be taken to modify PLAN Hermosa to increase and
accelerate the rate of carbon emissions reductions from the energy, waste and
transportation sectors:
Require onsite renewable energy generation and Zero Net Energy as part of all new
construction and major building renovations.
Mandate retrofits to existing buildings to improve energy efficiency at time of sale,
through rental inspections, and prior to issuance of building permits.
Eliminate the use of natural gas within the city through the installation of biogas
technologies and electrification of heating and cooking appliances and fixtures
within the building stock.
Participate in a Community Choice Aggregation program or other similar program
and procure or generate renewable energy to account for 100% of the energy
portfolio by increasing the rate of installation for local renewable energy generation
sources or procuring long-term renewable energy contracts for sources outside of
the city.
Modify Land Use Designations to facilitate mixed-use development and increase
commercial and residential densities within the Community Commercial and
Gateway Commercial designations to facilitate shorter trips lengths and increase
the number of trips captured internally.
Mandate public and private clean fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure to
facilitate deployment of electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles and/or
clean fuel vehicles.
Modify parking standards and programs to disincentivize conventionally fueled
automobile use, and incentivize alternative modes of transportation and zero-
emission vehicle use through programs that include, but are not limited to: increases
in the cost of public-parking, elimination of parking minimums and establishment of
maximums for new development, elimination of practices to assign parking spaces
to particular uses, and changes to the preferential parking permit program.
Pursue regional transportation projects and infrastructure to facilitate carbon-free
regional travel options.
Mandate Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs for institutions and
businesses.
Accelerate the implementation of pedestrian and bicycle network investments,
electric vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure, programs to achieve zero waste,
and net zero energy requirements.
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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This Carbon Neutral by 2030 Alternative with the added or modified policies would result
in greater levels of emissions reductions compared to the policies and programs
proposed in PLAN Hermosa, as noted in Table 6.0-4.
Table 6.0-4
Comparison of Emissions Reduction Scenarios 2030 vs 2040
2030 Scenario 2040 Scenario
Share of
Carbon
Reductions
(%)
Annual Carbon
Reduction
(MTCO2e)
Share of
Carbon
Reductions
(%)
Annual Carbon
Reduction
(MTCO2e)
Baseline 2005 Emissions 137,160 137,160
2012 Emissions -7.7% 126,610 -7.7% 126,610
BAU Emissions (2040) +1.2% 128,290 +5.0% 133,430
State Programs (2040) -24.6% 33,750 -27.7% 38,010
Local Remaining Emissions to be Reduced 94,540 95,420
Building Efficiency
New Construction Residential Efficiency -0.8% 1,090 -1.3% 1,810
Existing Buildings Residential Efficiency -4.4% 6,100 -4.4% 6,100
New Construction Non-Residential Efficiency -1.2% 1,690 -2.0% 2,810
Existing Buildings Non-Residential Efficiency -2.0% 2,770 -2.0% 2,770
Sub Total -8.5% 11,650 -9.8% 13,490
Renewable Energy Generation
Rooftop Solar -5.8% 8,020 -5.9% 8,100
Community Solar -27.0% 36,990 -0.4% 550
Renewable Energy Procurement -7.5% 10,290 -7.3% 10,010
Purchased Renewables (Green Rate) -0.0% 0 -0.0% 0
Sub Total -40.3% 55,300 -13.6% 18,660
Transportation + Land Use
Land Use & Transportation Alternatives -8.1% 11,130 -4.0% 5,500
Additional Transportation Strategies -3.2% 4,450 -1.9% 2,560
Electric Vehicles -5.7% 7,750 -7.4% 10,100
Sub Total -17.0% 23,330 -13.0% 18,160
Other Sectors + Offsets
Waste + Recycling -2.5% 3,430 -2.5% 3,480
Water + Wastewater -0.6% 840 -0.2% 330
Purchase Offsets -0.0% 0 -30.1% 41,310
Sub Total -3.1% 4,270 -32.9% 45,120
TOTAL -100.0% 94,540 -100.0% 95,420
Source: City of Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool 2015.
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
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Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that:
Project Objectives
The Carbon Neutral by 2030 Alternative has the ability to substantially support
each of the project objectives identified. Implementation of this alternative
would prioritize the achievement of a low or no carbon future (Objective 5),
while also providing a safe and clean natural environment (Objective 4) and
promoting healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation
investments (Objective 3) by reducing air quality and transportation impacts
compared to the proposed project. This alternative would also meet Objective 2,
enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy, as many of
the land use and transportation policies that reduce vehicle miles traveled do so
by providing a greater range of daily services and employment opportunities
within closer proximity so that residents may reasonably choose to utilize
alternative modes of transportation.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
This alternative could pose greater impacts to aesthetics and biological
resources due to increased use of renewable energy systems such as solar, wind,
or ocean-based renewable energy sources, and greater impacts to cultural
resources due to greater alteration or demolition of designated or potentially
eligible historic resources to construct high energy performance buildings. While
the impacts to aesthetics, biological resources, and cultural resources may be
greater than the proposed project, it is unknown whether they would rise to the
level of being considered a significant impact, because the specific design and
location of additional renewable energy projects cannot be determined at this
time.
This alternative would also have far reaching environmental benefits for Hermosa
Beach by decreasing impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions,
noise and vibration, and transportation. Air pollutants associated with the
burning of fuel for building energy and transportation uses would be reduced.
Noise levels would likely be somewhat better as the primary source of noise in
Hermosa Beach is automobile use. Reduced automobile use and an increase in
electric vehicles, which are quieter than gasoline and diesel powered vehicles,
would reduce noise levels. Transportation impacts would also likely be
decreased as this alternative would result in a reduction in vehicle trips and
vehicle miles traveled.
Feasibility
Alternative 2 is infeasible because this alternative could pose greater
environmental impacts compared to the proposed project to aesthetics and
visual resources, biological resources, and cultural resources. Additionally, it
could be cost prohibitive, with mandates that are overly-burdensome on
residents if they are carried out to require upgrades prior to the end of useful life
of vehicles, equipment or other building materials. It is also unrealistic and
burdensome to limit natural gas from homes, restaurants and hotels. Further, the
proposal far exceeds the state requirements, while the costs and burden could
far exceed the global benefits since Hermosa represents only a minor source of
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
28
GHG emissions when looking at the entire contribution of GHG emissions in the
State of California.
c. Alternative 3: Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources
Alternative:
This alternative would focus on implementing additional policies or implementation
actions that would facilitate greater retention of visual and cultural resources in
Hermosa Beach. While PLAN Hermosa includes several goals and policies to address
community character, historic buildings, and scenic views, they largely do so in a
manner that encourages rather than mandates the protection of these resources. To
facilitate greater retention of the existing visual and cultural resources in Hermosa
Beach the steps taken to modify PLAN Hermosa would include:
Reduction in density or establishment of Floor Area Ratios (FAR) for Medium and
High Density Residential (reduce capacity to encourage retention of existing
buildings that contribute to the character of residential neighborhoods).
Establishment of an overall cap or reduction in development intensity for the
Community Commercial and Recreational Commercial land use designations to
limit the scale and amount of additional development or increased redevelopment
within those areas.
Addition of mixed use designation to allow limited residential development, in
conjunction with commercial uses, accommodating the projected population
growth reduced through changes to medium and high-density designations.
Development of design standards (as opposed to guidelines) to
address the compatibility of building scale, design aesthetics, and community
character for residential and commercial neighborhoods.
Addition of historic resource protection policies, including City initiation of historic
landmark designation of potentially eligible historic resources.
Achievement as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the California Office of
Historic Preservation, including establishment of an historic preservation commission.
Development of a historic preservation plan, historic context statement, and/or
historic preservation element of the General Plan.
Establishment of view protection ordinances and development standards to
physically depict building form/massing in the evaluation of a project’s impact on
views.
Change the issuance of a demolition permit from a ministerial action to a
discretionary action for those properties that have been identified as a potentially
eligible historic resource.
This Character Retention Alternative, with the added or modified policies, would result
in greater levels of certainty that cultural and visual resources would be retained,
compared to the policies and programs proposed in PLAN Hermosa. However, the
policies in this alternative may also discourage the redevelopment, reuse, or
renovation of existing buildings and structures which will be necessary to improve
energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Finding:
The Planning Commission finds that:
Project Objectives
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
29
The Character Retention Alternative prioritizes achievement of Objective 1,
preserve the city’s small beach town character, and Objective 2, to enhance
and support a strong, diverse and vibrant local economy through safe and
beautiful commercial corridors, but would not conflict or prevent the
achievement of the other project objectives. This alternative would provide
similar policies and implementation actions to PLAN Hermosa related to the
mobility network, transportation enhancements, and resource conservation,
meaning it would equally achieve project Objective 3 to promote healthy and
active lifestyles and project Objective 4 to provide a safe and clean
environment including clean air and water.
While this alternative may have a slightly greater impact on greenhouse gas
emissions, it would carry forward similar policies to PLAN Hermosa related to
reducing emissions from transportation sources, water conservation, and
diverting solid waste from landfills to support a reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions partially consistent with Project Objective 5, to achieve a low or no
carbon future. However, reductions in the amount of new development allowed
could mean limited opportunities to realize certain sustainability programs.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
This Character Retention Alternative would pose greater impacts to greenhouse
gas emissions compared to PLAN Hermosa. The challenge of renovating or
constructing high energy performance buildings in a manner that does not
diminish the significance of a historical resource or cause potentially eligible
historic resources to become ineligible due to alterations that are inconsistent
with standards for the treatment of historical resources is presented in this
alternative.
This alternative would also reduce impacts associated with aesthetics and visual
resources, air quality, and cultural resources, where both construction related air
quality impacts and significance of a historical resource are both considered
significant and unavoidable impacts under implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
However, it is unknown whether this alternative would lessen these impacts to
levels that are considered less than significant.
Feasibility
The Final EIR included an Alternative focused on Greater Retention of Character
(Alternative 3). Alternative 3 is not feasible because it would potentially cause greater
impacts to one category, greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the City does not
have the staff or expertise to establish a historic preservation commission. Throughout
the years, the community has opposed design restrictions (often referred to as art juries)
in favor of allowing individual property owners to design as they please within the
confines of development standards. To do otherwise would go against a long-standing
community policy. The community has also consistently rejected the idea of a private
view protection ordinance, because a view protection ordinance favors the views of
those who have already built to the height limit over those properties that have not yet
built up. Rather, the community values a more fair system, whereby each property can
build to a set height limit that applies universally to the entire zone.
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
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30
Environmentally Superior Alternative:
CEQA requires a lead agency to identify the “environmentally superior alternative”.
Based on the alternative analysis, both the Carbon Neutral by 2030 and Character
Retention Alternatives would reduce several of the categories listed as Potentially
Significant or Significant and Unavoidable under the proposed project. The No Project
Alternative would have potentially greater impacts to several categories, including:
aesthetics and visual resources, air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions,
hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise and vibration, public
services, and transportation. The Carbon Neutrality by 2030 Alternative would also have
potentially greater impacts to aesthetics and visual resources, biological resources, and
cultural resources, while the Character Retention Alternative would only cause
potentially greater impacts to one category, greenhouse gas emissions. [Feasibility of
Alternatives to be filled in following Planning Commission discussion.]
1.6 STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
Pursuant to CEQA Section 21081(b) and the CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, the City
has balanced the benefits of the proposed PLAN Hermosa against the unavoidable
adverse impacts associated with the proposed project and has adopted all feasible
mitigation measures. The City has also examined alternatives to the proposed project,
and has determined that adoption and implementation of the proposed project is the
most desirable, feasible, and appropriate action.
1.6.1 SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS
The proposed project would result in the following unavoidable significant adverse
impacts after mitigation:
1. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development in the city in
a manner that could generate air pollutant emissions from short-term
construction. Although PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and enforcement
of current SCAQMD rules and regulations would help reduce short-term
emissions, construction emissions would result in a significant impact.
2. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the South
Coast Air Basin would increase the amount of air quality emissions occurring
within the basin and affect the region’s ability to attain ambient air quality
standards. This would result in a cumulatively considerable impact.
3. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and
reuse projects in the city in a manner that could cause a substantial change in
the significance of a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.5. Although implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and actions would
protect historical resources, this would be a potentially significant impact.
4. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development
in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change in
the significance of a historical resource. The loss of some historical resources may
be prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and similar
policies in other communities. However, this would not ensure that these
resources can be protected and preserved. This impact would be cumulatively
considerable.
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
Revised March 2017
31
5. The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard would be
significantly impacted by PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in both the morning and
evening peak periods.
6. The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard is significantly
impacted by PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in the morning peak period.
7. The intersection at Manhattan Avenue & 27th Street is significantly impacted by
PLAN Hermosa-related traffic in the morning peak period.
8. Through implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the roadway segment on Prospect
Avenue from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street would be degraded from its
current operation at an LOS C to an LOS D by 2040. While this is improved from
the projected LOS E that would be experienced under the 2040 scenario without
PLAN Hermosa, it still represents a significant impact.
9. PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the City in
a manner that would not increase overall demand for travel within the city. Both
the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards for intersections and
roadway segments would be maintained at the majority of intersections and
segments analyzed. Nonetheless, three intersections and one segment would
experience a cumulatively considerable impact.
1.6.2 PROJECT BENEFITS
The City has balanced the proposed project’s benefits against its significant and
unavoidable impacts. The City finds that the proposed project’s benefits outweigh the
significant and unavoidable impacts and, therefore, that those impacts are
acceptable in light of the proposed project’s benefits. The City finds that each of the
following benefits is an overriding consideration, independent of the other benefits, that
warrants approval of the proposed project notwithstanding the proposed project’s
significant and unavoidable impacts related to air quality, cultural resources, and
transportation. The proposed project would provide several public benefits as
described below:
1. Provides a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan, last adopted in
1979, and the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan, certified by the Coastal Commission
in 1982, to reflect the community’s values and vision for the City, provides
updated policy directives to guide development in the City over the next 25
years, and addresses topics that have emerged as important priorities since the
last update including greenhouse gas emissions, sea level rise, complete streets,
infrastructure.
2. The proposed PLAN is more focused and user-friendly, comprehensively
addresses recent changing conditions in the City, and would implement smart
growth principles, concepts of sustainable development and resource
management, and environmental protection.
3. Preserves the city’s small beach town character through policies and design
standards that maintain buildings at an appropriate scale and size with existing
ones and recognizes the unique features of the city’s eclectic residential
neighborhoods.
4. Enhances and supports a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy through
policies that stimulate sustainable businesses and jobs, enhance safe and
Attachment 1D
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DRAFT PROJECT FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
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Revised March 2017
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beautiful commercial corridors, articulate clear and consistent standards for new
businesses, and provide convenient services to residents, employees, and visitors.
5. Promotes healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation
improvements that enhance pedestrian, transit, and bike safety and access to a
variety of destinations in the city.
6. Provide a safe and clean natural environment – including clean air and water -
and stewardship of our ocean resources, open space, and other natural
resources.
7. Will help the City achieve a low-carbon future through the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing fuel consumption, diverting solid waste
from landfills, conserving water and improving the efficiency of energy use and
utilizing renewable energy sources, benefitting the local and global environment.
8. The transportation system in the PLAN strategically links land use and
transportation to make efficient use of the existing roadway capacity through
the promotion of a multi-modal circulation system, including improvements to
the pedestrian, transit, and bicycling environment in the City of Hermosa Beach.
9. Through its sustainability policies, the PLAN would help promote energy
efficiency, the conservation of water resources, and encourage the reduction of
waste through recycling, providing a local, statewide, national and ultimately
global benefit.
Finding:
The proposed project represents a balance between several competing objectives in
the City of Hermosa Beach. After balancing the specific economic, legal, social, and
technological, and other benefits of the proposed project, the Planning Commission
has determined that the unavoidable adverse environmental impacts identified may
be considered acceptable due to the specific considerations listed above which offset
the unavoidable, adverse environmental impacts that will be caused by
implementation of the project.
Based on the foregoing findings and the information contained in the record it is hereby
determined that:
All significant Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Noise and Vibration, and Transportation effects on
the environment due to approval of the project have been eliminated or
substantially lessened where feasible; and
Any remaining significant Air Quality, Cultural Resources, and Transportation
effects on the environment found to be unavoidable are acceptable due to the
factors described in the Statement of Overriding Considerations above.
1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING AND MONITORING PROGRAM
Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(d)
require the City to adopt a reporting or monitoring program for the changes to
the project that it has adopted or made a condition of approval in order to avoid or
substantially lessen significant effects on the environment. The monitoring program is
hereby adopted for the project. The monitoring program is designed to ensure
compliance with required mitigation measures.
Attachment 1D
189
city of hermosa beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report
SCH# 2015081009 • October 2016
PLAN Hermosa...........................................................................
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C ITY OF H ERMOSA B EACH
PLAN H ERMOSA
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
SCH #2015081009
Prepared for:
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
1315 VALLEY DRIVE
HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254
Prepared by:
MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
1 KAISER PLAZA, SUITE 1150
OAKLAND, CA 94612
OCTOBER 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.0.1 Project Under Review .................................................................................................................. 1.0-1
1.0.2 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...................................................................... 1.0-1
1.0.3 Alternatives to the Project .......................................................................................................... 1.0-2
1.0.4 Potential Areas of Controversy .................................................................................................. 1.0-3
1.0.5 Summary Table.............................................................................................................................. 1.0-3
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0.1 Project Background ..................................................................................................................... 2.0-1
2.0.2 Legislative Background ............................................................................................................... 2.0-1
2.0.3 Environmental Setting/Definition of the Baseline and EIR Assumptions ............................ 2.0-2
2.0.4 Purpose of the Program Environmental Impact Report ........................................................ 2.0-4
2.0.5 Public Review of Draft EIR and Lead Agency Contact ........................................................ 2.0-6
2.0.6 Scope of This Draft EIR.................................................................................................................. 2.0-7
2.0.7 How to Use This Report ................................................................................................................. 2.0-7
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.0.1 Regional Setting ............................................................................................................................ 3.0-1
3.0.2 Hermosa Beach ............................................................................................................................ 3.0-1
3.0.3 Project Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 3.0-6
3.0.4 Project Characteristics................................................................................................................. 3.0-6
3.0.5 Project Approvals ....................................................................................................................... 3.0-39
3.0.6 Lead, Responsible, and Trustee Agencies ............................................................................. 3.0-39
3.0.7 References ................................................................................................................................... 3.0-41
4.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANALYSIS
4.0.1 Baseline Existing Conditions Assumed in the Analysis ............................................................ 4.0-1
4.0.2 Document Structure ..................................................................................................................... 4.0-1
4.0.3 Format of Impacts and Mitigation Measures .......................................................................... 4.0-2
4.1 AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES
4.1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.1-1
4.1.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.1-1
4.1.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.1-9
4.1.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................... 4.1-11
4.1.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.1-24
4.2 AIR QUALITY
4.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.2-1
4.2.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.2-1
4.2.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.2-2
4.2.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.2-3
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4.2.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.2-25
4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
4.3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.3-1
4.3.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.3-1
4.3.3 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................................... 4.3-11
4.3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................... 4.3-12
4.3.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.3-20
4.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES
4.4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.4-1
4.4.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.4-2
4.4.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................ 4.4-5
4.4.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.4-7
4.4.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.4-20
4.5 GEOLOGY AND SOILS
4.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.5-1
4.5.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.5-1
4.5.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.5-7
4.5.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.5-8
4.5.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.5-15
4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
4.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.6-1
4.6.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.6-1
4.6.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.6-6
4.6.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.6-8
4.6.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.6-30
4.7 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
4.7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.7-1
4.7.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.7-1
4.7.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.7-2
4.7.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.7-4
4.7.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.7-12
4.8. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
4.8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.8-1
4.8.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.8-1
4.8.3 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................................................ 4.8-8
4.8.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................... 4.8-14
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4.8.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.8-34
4.9 LAND USE AND PLANNING
4.9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4.9-1
4.9.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 4.9-1
4.9.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................ 4.9-3
4.9.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 4.9-5
4.9.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.9-27
4.10 MINERAL RESOURCES
4.10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4.10-1
4.10.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................................ 4.10-1
4.10.3 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................................... 4.10-1
4.10.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................... 4.10-3
4.10.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 4.10-4
4.11 NOISE AND VIBRATION
4.11.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4.11-1
4.11.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................................ 4.11-1
4.11.3 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................................... 4.11-10
4.11.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................... 4.11-12
4.11.5 References ................................................................................................................................. 4.11-29
4.12 POPULATION AND HOUSING
4.12.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4.12-1
4.12.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................................ 4.12-1
4.12.3 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................................... 4.12-5
4.12.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................... 4.12-6
4.12.5 References ................................................................................................................................. 4.12-11
4.13 PUBLIC SERVICES, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES
4.13.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4.13-1
4.13.2 Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services ............................................................... 4.13-4
4.13.3 Law Enforcement Services ........................................................................................................ 4.13-9
4.13.4 Public Schools ............................................................................................................................ 4.13-13
4.13.5 Parks and Recreation .............................................................................................................. 4.13-18
4.13.6 Library Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 4.13-28
4.13.7 Water Supply and Service; Wastewater Service; Storm Drainage ................................. 4.13-30
4.13.8 Solid Waste ................................................................................................................................. 4.13-45
4.13.9 Energy ......................................................................................................................................... 4.13-50
4.13.10 References ................................................................................................................................. 4.13-65
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4.14 TRANSPORTATION
4.14.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4.14-1
4.14.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................................ 4.14-1
4.14.3 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................................... 4.14-19
4.14.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................... 4.14-28
4.14.5 References ................................................................................................................................. 4.14-48
5.0 OTHER CEQA-REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS
5.0.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 5.0-1
5.0.2 Significant and Unavoidable Impacts ...................................................................................... 5.0-1
5.0.3 Significant Irreversible Environmental Effects .......................................................................... 5.0-2
5.0.4 Growth-Inducing Impacts ........................................................................................................... 5.0-3
6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
6.0.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 6.0-1
6.0.2 Alternatives Evaluated ................................................................................................................ 6.0-2
6.0.3 Impacts of Each Alternative ..................................................................................................... 6.0-12
6.0.4 Summary of Impacts of Each Alternative Compared to PLAN Hermosa........................ 6.0-27
6.0.5 Environmentally Superior Alternative ...................................................................................... 6.0-36
6.0.6 References ................................................................................................................................... 6.0-38
7.0 REPORT PREPARERS
APPENDICES
Appendix A: PLAN Hermosa Public Review Draft December 2015
Appendix B: Notice of Preparation and Comment Letters
B-1. Notice of Preparation
B-2. Comment Letters
Appendix C: Technical Background Report
C-1. Introduction
C-2. Aesthetics
C-3. Agricultural Resources
C-4. Air Quality
C-5. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
C-6. Biological Resources
C-7. Cultural Resources
C-8. Energy
C-9. Geology and Soils
C-10. Hazards and Hazardous Material
C-11. Hydrology and Water Quality
C-12. Land Use and Planning
C-13. Mineral Resources
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C-14. Population and Housing
C-15. Noise
C-16. Public Services and Utilities, and Recreation
C-17. Transportation
C-18. References
Appendix D: Air Quality Assessment
Appendix E: Greenhouse Gas Assessment
E-1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Assumptions
E-2. City of Hermosa Beach GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Target Setting Report
E-3. Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool and User Guide
Appendix F: Noise Assessment
F-1. Noise Measurements
F-2. Traffic Model
Appendix G: Transportation Assessment
G-1. Lane Configurations
G-2. Traffic Counts
G-3. Peak Hour Turning Movement Traffic Volumes
G-4. LOS Worksheets
G-5. Traffic Methodology
G-6. VMT Reduction Methods and TDM+ Tool Outputs
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.0-1 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures .......................................................... 1.0-4
Table 2.0-1 Summary of NOP Comments ......................................................................................... 2.0-2
Table 3.0-1 Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses ............................................................................... 3.0-5
Table 3.0-2 PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations ......................................................................... 3.0-8
Table 3.0-3 PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Projections ............................................. 3.0-10
Table 3.0-4 PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development Projections ...................................... 3.0-10
Table 3.0-5 Character Areas and Future Visions ........................................................................... 3.0-13
Table 3.0-6 Proposed Transportation Network Descriptions ........................................................ 3.0-15
Table 3.0-6 Implementation Actions with Direct Physical Changes .......................................... 3.0-24
Table 3.0-7 Implementation Actions Used in this EIR..................................................................... 3.0-26
Table 3.0-8 Actions Related to the Coastal Implementation Plan ............................................ 3.0-36
Table 4.2-1 Mass Daily Thresholds ................................................................................................. 3.0-4.2-4
Table 4.2-2 Summary of Modeled Operational Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and
Precursors ......................................................................................................................... 4.2-16
Table 4.3-1 Acreages of Vegetative Communities within the Coastal and Inland Zones ...... 4.3-2
Table 4.3-2 Special-Status Plant Species with Potential to Occur Within and Surrounding the
Planning Area .................................................................................................................... 4.3-6
Table 4.3-3 Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur Within and Surrounding the Planning Area .................................................................................................................... 4.3-8
Table 4.6-1 Potential Statewide Impacts from Climate Change ................................................. 4.6-2
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Table 4.6-2 Hermosa Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 .. 4.6-6
Table 4.6-3 Hermosa Beach Baseline (2005), Forecast (2040) Emissions, and Target Level
(2040) ................................................................................................................................ 4.6-18
Table 4.6-4 California Policies Reducing Emissions Locally .......................................................... 4.6-19
Table 4.6-5 Comparison of BAU and Adjusted BAU Emissions (2040) ........................................ 4.6-20
Table 4.6-6 Summary of Annual Emissions Reductions by Sector in 2040 ................................. 4.6-23
Table 4.9-1 Hermosa Beach General Plan Land Use Designations ............................................. 4.9-2
Table 4.9-2 Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses ............................................................................... 4.9-3
Table 4.9-3 Comparison of Land Use Densities and Floor Area Ratios ...................................... 4.9-13
Table 4.9-4 Coastal Act Consistency ............................................................................................... 4.9-17
Table 4.9-5 Compatibility of PLAN Hermosa with the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS ............................... 4.9-21
Table 4.11-1 Summary of Noise Measurement Results ................................................................... 4.11-4
Table 4.11-2 Comparison of Noise Measurement Results with City’s Policies ............................ 4.11-5
Table 4.11-3 Distance to Existing Unmitigated CNEL Contour Lines ............................................ 4.11-6
Table 4.11-4 Damage to Buildings for Continuous or Frequent Intermittent
Vibration Levels ............................................................................................................. 4.11-10
Table 4-11-5 Hermosa Beach Maximum Ambient Noise Levels ................................................. 4.11-11
Table 4.11-6 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards [Table 6.3 in PLAN Hermosa] .................... 4.11-14
Table 4.11-7 Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix [Table 6.4 in PLAN Hermosa] .................... 4.11-15
Table 4.11-8 Existing and Future Traffic Noise Levels at the Nearest Sensitive Receptors ..... 4.11-18
Table 4.11-9 Future Noise Impact Zones Adjacent to Roadways .............................................. 4.11-19
Table 4.11-10 Typical Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment .............................. 4.11-22
Table 4.11-11 Estimated Changes in Traffic Noise Levels Compared to Existing Conditions .. 4.11-24
Table 4.11-12 Estimated Changes in Traffic Noise Levels Compared to Future Without Project Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 4.11-25
Table 4.12-1 Existing Population and Housing Conditions ............................................................. 4.12-1
Table 4.12-2 Hermosa Beach Resident Employment by Industry, 2011 ...................................... 4.12-2
Table 4.12-3 Jobs by Industry, 2002–2011 .......................................................................................... 4.12-3
Table 4.12-4 Percentage of Jobs by Sector, 2007–2013 ................................................................ 4.12-4
Table 4.12-5 SCAG 2016 Draft RTP Forecasts for 2040 .................................................................... 4.12-5
Table 4.12-6 PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Capacity ............................................... 4.12-7
Table 4.12-7 PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development Capacity ......................................... 4.12-8
Table 4.12-8 PLAN Hermosa Forecast for 2040 ................................................................................. 4.12-8
Table 4.13-1 Hermosa Beach City School District Enrollment, 2014–2015 ................................. 4.13-13
Table 4.13-2 Parks and Community Facilities in Hermosa Beach ............................................... 4.13-21
Table 4.13-3 Hermosa-Redondo District Supply and Demand, 2010 through 2040 (Acre-Feet Per year) ................................................................................................................................ 4.13-31
Table 4.13-4 Energy Use by Sector and Fuel Type - 2015 ............................................................. 4.13-51
Table 4.13-5 Historic Energy Consumption...................................................................................... 4.13-61
Table 4.13-6 Energy Consumption Associated with the Future Development Potential under
Plan Hermosa ................................................................................................................ 4.13-61
Table 4.13-7 Fuel Consumption Associated with the Future Development Potential under Plan
Hermosa ......................................................................................................................... 4.13-62
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Table 4.13-8 Plan Hermosa Energy Consumption Plus Cumulative Conditions ....................... 4.13-63
Table 4.14-1 Hermosa Beach Roadway Functional Classifications ............................................. 4.14-2
Table 4.14-2 Hermosa Beach Roadways .......................................................................................... 4.14-4
Table 4.14-3 Beach Cities Transit Routes ........................................................................................... 4.14-4
Table 4.14-4 Los Angeles County Metro Transit Services ................................................................ 4.14-6
Table 4.14-5 Los Angeles Department of Transportation Transit Services ................................... 4.14-6
Table 4.14-6 Hermosa Beach Bicycle Facilities ................................................................................ 4.14-7
Table 4.14-7 Level of Service Definitions ........................................................................................... 4.14-9
Table 4.14-8 Study Intersections .......................................................................................................... 4.14-9
Table 4.14-9 Study Roadway Segments .......................................................................................... 4.14-10
Table 4.14-10 Level of Service Thresholds ......................................................................................... 4.14-13
Table 4.14-11 Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service: City of Hermosa Beach ................ 4.14-14
Table 4.14-12 Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service: Caltrans ........................................... 4.14-16
Table 4.14-13 Existing (2015) Roadway Segment Level of Service............................................... 4.14-17
Table 4.14-14 Planned Hermosa Beach Bicycle Facilities .............................................................. 4.14-30
Table 4.14-15 Daily Citywide Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips (VT) Generated ................................................................................................................... 4.14-32
Table 4.14-16 Hermosa Beach Signalized Intersection Impact Criteria ...................................... 4.14-33
Table 4.14-17 Hermosa Beach Unsignalized Intersection Impact Criteria .................................. 4.14-33
Table 4.14-18 Hermosa Beach Roadway Segment Impact Criteria ........................................... 4.14-33
Table 4.14-19 Caltrans Signalized Intersection Impact Criteria .................................................... 4.14-34
Table 4.14-20 Congestion Management Program Impact Criteria ............................................ 4.14-34
Table 4.14-21 Future (2040) Intersection Level of Service: City of Hermosa Beach .................. 4.14-35
Table 4.14-22 Future (2040) Intersection Level of Service: Caltrans ............................................. 4.14-37
Table 4.14-23 Future (2040) Roadway Segment Level of Service ................................................ 4.14-38
Table 6.0-1 Potentially Significant Adverse Effects of PLAN Hermosa ......................................... 6.0-2
Table 6.0-2 Comparison of Allowed/Estimated Density and Intensity ........................................ 6.0-8
Table 6.0-3 No Project/Existing General Plan Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips Generated.................................................................................................. 6.0-9
Table 6.0-4 Comparison of Emissions Reduction Scenarios 2030 vs. 2040 ................................ 6.0-11
Table 6.0-5 Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Alternatives to PLAN Hermosa.......... 6.0-28
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3.0-1 Regional Location Map ................................................................................................. 3.0-1
Figure 3.0-2 Hermosa Beach Corporate Boundary ........................................................................ 3.0-3
Figure 3.0-3 Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses ............................................................................. 3.0-4
Figure 3.0-4 PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations Diagram ...................................................... 3.0-9
Figure 3.0-5 Character Areas ........................................................................................................... 3.0-12
Figure 3.0-6 Proposed Street Classifications .................................................................................. 3.0-16
Figure 3.0-7 Proposed Pedestrian Network .................................................................................... 3.0-17
Figure 3.0-8 Proposed Bicycle and Multi-Use Network ................................................................ 3.0-18
Figure 3.0-9 Proposed Transportation Amenities........................................................................... 3.0-19
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Figure 3.0-10 Parks and Public Facilities ............................................................................................ 3.0-22
Figure 4.3-1 Vegetative Communities .............................................................................................. 4.3-4
Figure 4.3-2 Previously Recorded Occurrences of Special-Status Species ............................... 4.3-5
Figure 4.4-1 Potentially Eligible Historic Resources (Windshield Survey) ..................................... 4.4-4
Figure 4.5-1 Regional Faults ................................................................................................................ 4.5-4
Figure 4.5-2 Landslide and Liquefaction Zones ............................................................................... 4.5-6
Figure 4.6-1 California Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2014 ............................................ 4.6-4
Figure 4.6-2 California Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2000–2014 .................................................... 4.6-5
Figure 4.6-3 Emissions Reductions Needed to Meet State and Local Targets ........................ 4.6-20
Figure 4.8-1 Stormwater Drainage Map ........................................................................................... 4.8-5
Figure 4.8-2 FEMA Flood Zone Map ................................................................................................... 4.8-6
Figure 4.8-3 Tsunami Inundation Zone .............................................................................................. 4.8-7
Figure 4.9-1 PLAN Hermosa Proposed Changes to Land Use Designations ............................ 4.9-11
Figure 4.11-1 Existing Noise Contours in Hermosa Beach .............................................................. 4.11-7
Figure 4.11-2 Future (2040) Noise Contours with Implementation of PLAN Hermosa ............ 4.11-21
Figure 4.13-1 Parks and Public Facilities .......................................................................................... 4.13-20
Figure 4.14-1 Hermosa Beach Street Classification ........................................................................ 4.14-3
Figure 4.14-2 Existing Transit Network................................................................................................. 4.14-5
Figure 4.14-3 Existing Bicycle Network ............................................................................................... 4.14-8
Figure 4.14-4 Study Intersections ...................................................................................................... 4.14-11
Figure 4.14-5 Study Roadway Segments ........................................................................................ 4.14-12
Figure 4.14-6 Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service ........................................................... 4.14-15
Figure 4.14-7 Existing (2015) Roadway Segment Level of Service ............................................. 4.14-18
Figure 4.14-8 PLAN Hermosa (2040) Intersection Level of Service ............................................. 4.14-36
Figure 4.14-9 PLAN Hermosa (2040) Roadway Segment Level of Service ............................... 4.14-41
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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ABBREVIATIONS
AB Assembly Bill
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT average daily traffic
afy acre-feet per year
AQMP Air Quality Management Plan
BAU business as usual
CAAQS California ambient air quality standards
CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model
Cal/EPA California Environmental Protection Agency
Cal Fire California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Cal/OSHA California Department of Occupational Safety and Health
CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
Cal Water California Water Service Company
CAPCOA California Air Pollution Control Officers Association
CARB California Air Resources Board
CBC California Building Code
CCR California Code of Regulations
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CESA California Endangered Species Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CGS California Geological Survey
CH4 methane
CHR California Historical Resource
CIP Capital Improvement Program
CLUP Coastal Land Use Plan
CMP Congestion Management Program
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database
CNPS California Native Plant Society
CO carbon monoxide
COG Council of Governments
CO2 carbon dioxide
CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
x
CUPA Certified Unified Program Agency
CWA Clean Water Act
dB decibel
dBA A-weighted decibel
DOC California Department of Conservation
DOF California Department of Finance
DTSC California Department of Toxic Substances Control
DU/AC dwelling units per acre
EIR environmental impact report
EMS emergency medical services
EO Executive Order
EPA US Environmental Protection Agency
ESA Endangered Species Act
ESHA Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area
EWMP Enhanced Watershed Management Program
FAR floor area ratio
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
FTA Federal Transit Administration
GHG greenhouse gas
GWh gigawatt-hour
HBCSD Hermosa Beach City School District
HBFD Hermosa Beach Fire Department
HBPD Hermosa Beach Police Department
HCM Highway Capacity Manual
HVAC heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
ICU Intersection Capacity Utilization
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
JWPCP Joint Water Pollution Control Plant
kV kilovolt
kWh kilowatt-hour
LACDPW Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
LACFCD Los Angeles County Flood Control District
LACFD Los Angeles County Fire Department
LACSD Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
LADOT Los Angeles Department of Transportation
LARA Los Angeles Regional Agency
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
xi
lbs/day pounds per day
LCFS Low Carbon Fuel Standard
LCP Local Coastal Program
LID low impact development
LOS level of service
LST localized significance threshold
LUST leaking underground storage tank
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
MBUSD Manhattan Beach Unified School District
MCL maximum contaminant level
MEP maximum extent practicable
Metro Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
mgd million gallons per day
MMTCO2e million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents
MRZ mineral resource zone
MS4 municipal separate storm sewer system
MTCO2e metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents
MW megawatt
MWD Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
MWh megawatt-hour
NAAQS national ambient air quality standards
NAHC Native American Heritage Commission
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NHMLAC Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOP Notice of Preparation
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOx oxides of nitrogen
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
N2O nitrous oxide
OPR Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
PCB polychlorinated biphenyl
PCH Pacific Coast Highway
PM particulate matter
ppm parts per million
PRC Public Resources Code
PV photovoltaic
RBUSD Redondo Beach Unified School District
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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RCC Regional Call Center
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RHNA Regional Housing Needs Allocation
ROG reactive organic gas
RPS Renewables Portfolio Standard
RTP/SCS Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
SB Senate Bill
SBBMP South Bay Bicycle Master Plan
SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SCCIC South Central Coastal Information Center
SCE Southern California Edison
SCH State Clearinghouse
SMARA Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
SMBRP Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project
SMGB State Mining and Geology Board
SoCalGas Southern California Gas Company
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SR State Route
SSMP sewer system management plan
STIP State Transportation Improvement Program
SWMP stormwater management plan
SWPPP stormwater pollution prevention plan
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TAC toxic air contaminant
T-BACT Toxic Best Available Control Technology
TBR Technical Background Report
TDM transportation demand management
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TPH total petroleum hydrocarbon
USACE US Army Corps of Engineers
USC United States Code
USDOT US Department of Transportation
USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Services
USGS US Geological Survey
UWMP urban water management plan
V/C volume-to-capacity [ratio]
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
xiii
VMT vehicle miles traveled
VTD vehicle trips per day
WBMWD West Basin Municipal Water District
WDR waste discharge requirement
WMG Watershed Management Group
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-1
1.0.1 PROJECT UNDER REVIEW
This Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) considers the environmental impacts likely to
occur with adoption and implementation of the City of Hermosa Beach’s General Plan and Local
Coastal Program (PLAN Hermosa). Together, these planning documents constitute the proposed project. This EIR is designed to inform decision-makers in Hermosa Beach, other responsible and
trustee agencies, and the general public of the potential environmental effects of approval and
implementation of the proposed project. A detailed description of the proposed project is
provided in Chapter 3.0, Project Description. The City of Hermosa Beach (City) is the lead agency for environmental review of the proposed project.
PLAN Hermosa defines long-term community goals, decision-making policies, and implementation
actions. The plan establishes several land use designations that include residential, commercial,
creative, institutional, and public facilities uses. PLAN Hermosa establishes policies to accommodate a total of 10,409 dwelling units and 2,736,800 square feet of nonresidential uses in
2040. The environmental impact analysis in this Draft EIR is defined primarily by the change
between existing conditions and those associated with future land uses proposed in PLAN Hermosa.
To ensure maximum public access to the coast and public recreation areas, the Coastal Act
directs each local government in the Coastal Zone to prepare a Local Coastal Program (LCP)
consistent with Section 30501 of the California Coastal Act, in consultation with the Coastal Commission and with public participation. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) 2003 General Plan Guidelines suggest integration of the general plan and local coastal program
into a “coherent and internally consistent local general plan.” As such, the City has decided to
update both the General Plan and the LCP together as an integrated document. The General Plan and LCP update addresses land use; mobility; parks, recreation, and open space; coastal
access; coastal hazards; water quality; air quality and climate change; noise; and other issues
that are important to the community. In order to achieve certification from the Coastal
Commission and receive local control over the issuance of Coastal Development Permits, Hermosa Beach must update the Coastal Land Use Plan and prepare and adopt a Local
Implementation Program that collectively consider and address emerging coastal issues such as
beach management, parking, water quality, sea level rise, and climate change.
1.0.2 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
As shown in Table 1.0-1 (Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures), a number of project
impacts identified in the EIR were found to be less than significant, requiring no mitigation
measures. These impacts are found in the following sections: Aesthetics and Visual Resources; Air Quality; Biological Resources; Cultural Resources; Geology and Soils; Greenhouse Gas Emissions;
Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Hydrology and Water Quality; Land
Use and Planning; Mineral Resources; Noise; Population, Housing, and Employment; Public
Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities; and Transportation. In addition, it was determined that numerous other identified impacts could be reduced to a less than significant level with
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures described in Chapter 4.0 of this EIR.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a significant effect on the environment is defined as a substantial or potentially substantial adverse change in any of the physical conditions
in the area affected by the project, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient
noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance (CEQA Guidelines Section 15382). Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in significant impacts on some of these resources,
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-2
which are analyzed in Sections 4.1 through 4.14 of this document and summarized in Table 1.0-1 (provided at the end of this chapter).
SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS
Air Quality
Impact 4.2-2 Short-Term Construction Emissions. PLAN Hermosa would guide future development
and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would generate air pollutant emissions from short-
term construction.
Impact 4.2-7 Cumulative Construction and Operational Emissions. PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the South Coast Air Basin would increase the amount of construction-
related air pollutant emissions occurring within the basin, thereby affecting the region’s ability to
attain ambient air quality standards.
Cultural Resources
Impact 4.4-4 Substantial Change in the Significance of a Historical Resource. PLAN Hermosa would
provide for future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could cause a
substantial change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064.5.
Impact 4.4-8 Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources. PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated
future development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change
in the significance of a historical resource.
Transportation
Impact 4.14-1 Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not increase overall demand
for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards
for intersections and roadway segments would be maintained at the majority of intersections and segments analyzed, except at three intersections and on one roadway segment.
Impact 4.14-7 Cumulative Contribution to Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not increase overall demand for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards for intersections and roadway segments would be maintained
at the majority of intersections and segments analyzed, with the exception of three intersections
and one roadway segment.
1.0.3 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT
Chapter 6.0, Alternatives to the Proposed Project, contains a full description and analysis of three
alternatives to the proposed project that are analyzed in this Draft EIR. The alternatives are:
• Alternative 1 – Retain Existing General Plan/Local Coastal Land Use Plan (No Project Alternative): This alternative assumes that PLAN Hermosa would not be implemented and
that future development in the city would proceed as indicated in the existing General
Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan.
• Alternative 2 – Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030: This alternative would be focused on achieving a community-wide goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality is the
state of achieving net zero carbon emissions, generally by balancing a measured amount
of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset by the community.
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-3
There are two primary differences between this alternative and the proposed draft of PLAN Hermosa, which currently includes a goal to achieve carbon neutrality no later than the
year 2040:
1) Expediting achievement of a carbon neutral goal by 10 years from 2040 to 2030.
2) Bypassing the use of carbon credits to offset carbon emissions that could not be eliminated.
• Alternative 3 – Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources: This alternative would
focus on implementing additional policies or implementation actions that would facilitate greater retention of visual and cultural resources in Hermosa Beach. While PLAN Hermosa includes several goals and policies to address community character, historic buildings, and
scenic views, they largely do so in a manner that encourages rather than mandates the
protection of these resources. This alternative, with the added or modified policies, would result in greater levels of certainty that cultural and visual resources would be retained,
compared to the policies and programs proposed in PLAN Hermosa.
1.0.4 POTENTIAL AREAS OF CONTROVERSY
This EIR is a comprehensive document that evaluates each environmental topic that could be applicable to PLAN Hermosa. The environmental topics covered, as potential areas of
controversy, include impacts on public services, potential air quality effects, and sea level rise.
The City published and circulated a Notice of Preparation (NOP) from August 7, 2015, through September 8, 2015, which was distributed to local, regional, and state agencies and posted on the City’s website at http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=767. The NOP and written
comments received on the NOP are included in Appendix B.
1.0.5 SUMMARY TABLE
Information in Table 1.0-1 has been organized to correspond with the environmental issues
discussed in Chapter 4.0. The table is arranged in four columns:
• Environmental Impacts
• Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
• Mitigation Measure(s)
• Level of Significance After Mitigation
If an impact is determined to be significant or potentially significant after implementation of proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, mitigation measures are identified, where appropriate and feasible. More than one mitigation measure may be required to reduce
the impact to a less than significant level. This EIR assumes that all applicable plans, policies, and
regulations would be implemented, including but not necessarily limited to proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, as well as the laws and requirements or
recommendations of the City of Hermosa Beach. Applicable plans, policies, and regulations are
identified and described in the Regulatory Setting subsection of each resource section and in the
relevant impact analysis. Further description of both the existing environmental setting and the existing regulatory setting in 2015 can be found in the Technical Background Report (TBR)
prepared for PLAN Hermosa, which is provided as Appendix C to the EIR. A description of the
organization of the environmental analysis, as well as key foundational assumptions regarding the
approach to the analysis, is included in Chapter 4.0, Introduction to the Analysis.
For a complete description of potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures, please
refer to the specific resource sections in Chapter 4.0.
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-4
TABLE 1.0-1
SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources
4.1-1 Effects on Scenic Vistas. Future actions under PLAN Hermosa
have the potential to encroach on views from prominent
public viewpoints. Future actions also have the potential to
degrade the visual quality of scenic vistas, through the
introduction of incongruous features to the viewshed.
PS MM 4.1-1 Projects located within 50 feet and within the
directional arrow of a prominent public viewpoint, or
within the uninterrupted viewing areas, as identified in
Figure 4.1-2, shall demonstrate that existing public views
of scenic resources along the view corridors identified in
Draft EIR Figure 4.1-2 are, at a minimum, maintained in
their current condition and that no features are added in
the viewshed that substantially obstruct or detract from the
public views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes
Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los
Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains. This
requirement shall be incorporated into the review process
for precise development plans under Chapter 17.58 of the
Zoning Ordinance.
LTS
4.1-2 Effects on Scenic Resources within a State Scenic Highway.
There are no designated state scenic highways in or near
Hermosa Beach. However, PLAN Hermosa directs the City to
protect Pacific Coast Highway as a potentially scenic highway
and would guide development and reuse projects in a manner
that is consistent with the existing visual character of Pacific
Coast Highway so that it may be designated as a scenic
highway at some point in the future.
LTS None required. N/A
4.1-3 Degradation of Existing Visual Character. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that would not adversely alter the existing land
use pattern or visual character of the city.
LTS None required. N/A
4.1-4 New Shade or Shadow That Substantially Affects Outdoor
Recreation. PLAN Hermosa would allow development or
reuse projects in a manner where new sources of shade or
shadow may reach outdoor recreation facilities or public
gathering areas. However, the voter-approved height limits
effectively restrict the number of areas in which shade or
LTS None required. N/A
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-5
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
shadow may have an adverse effect but do not eliminate all
potential sources.
4.1-5 New Sources of Light or Glare. PLAN Hermosa would guide
development and reuse projects in a manner that could create
new sources of glare, skyglow, and spillover lighting.
However, PLAN Hermosa also includes specific policies and
implementation actions that minimize adverse effects related
to new sources of light and glare.
LTS None required. N/A
4.1-6 Cumulative Adverse Effects Related to Visual Resources. Of
the categories of potential visual impacts addressed, only the
impact of artificial lighting to the night sky (skyglow impact) is
potentially cumulative in nature. All other impacts (to scenic
vistas, scenic resources, visual character, shade and shadow
effects, and lighting impacts of glare and spillover) are
localized and confined within the city limits of Hermosa
Beach.
LCC None required. N/A
4.2 Air Quality
4.2-1 Conflict with or Obstruct Implementation of the Applicable
Air Quality Plan. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development in the city in a manner that could
result in air pollution emissions. Compliance with existing
federal and state regulations and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies would reduce conflicts with air quality
plans.
LTS None required. N/A
4.2-2 Short-Term Construction Emissions. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development in the city in a
manner that could generate air pollutant emissions from short-
term construction. Although PLAN Hermosa policies and
programs and enforcement of current SCAQMD rules and
regulations would help reduce short-term emissions,
construction emissions would result in a potentially significant
impact.
PS MM 4.4-2a Construction projects within the city shall
demonstrate compliance with all applicable standards of
the Southern California Air Quality Management District,
including the following provisions of District Rule 403:
• All unpaved demolition and construction areas
shall be wetted at least twice daily during
excavation and construction, and temporary dust
covers shall be used to reduce dust emissions and
meet SCAQMD Rule 403. Wetting could reduce
fugitive dust by as much as 50 percent.
• The construction area shall be kept sufficiently
dampened to control dust caused by grading and
SU
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-6
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
hauling, and at all times provide reasonable control
of dust caused by wind.
• All clearing, earth moving, or excavation activities
shall be discontinued during periods of high winds
(i.e., greater than 15 mph), so as to prevent
excessive amounts of dust.
• All dirt/soil loads shall be secured by trimming,
watering, or other appropriate means to prevent
spillage and dust.
• All dirt/soil materials transported off-site shall be
required to cover their loads as required by
California Vehicle Code Section 23114 to prevent
excessive amount of dust.
• General contractors shall maintain and operate
construction equipment so as to minimize exhaust
emissions.
• Trucks having no current hauling activity shall not
idle but shall be turned off.
MM 4.4-2b In accordance with Section 2485 in Title 13 of
the California Code of Regulations, the idling of all diesel-
fueled commercial vehicles (weighing over 10,000
pounds) during construction shall be limited to 5 minutes
at any location.
MM 4.4-2c Construction projects within the city shall
comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District
Rule 1113 limiting the volatile organic compound content
of architectural coatings.
MM 4.4-2d Construction projects within the city shall
install odor-reducing equipment in accordance with South
Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1138.
MM 4.4-2e Project applicants shall identify all measures to
reduce air pollutant emissions below SCAQMD thresholds
prior to the issuance of building permits. Should
attainment of SCAQMD thresholds be determined to be
infeasible, construction contractors shall provide evidence
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-7
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
of this to the City and will be encouraged to apply for
SCAQMD SOON funds.
4.2-3 Long-Term Operational Emissions. Subsequent development
associated with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa could
generate air pollutant emissions from long-term operation.
PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and enforcement of
current SCAQMD rules and regulations would help reduce
long-term emissions.
LTS None required. N/A
4.2-4 CO Hot Spots. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that would reduce vehicle traffic to existing roadways,
which could reduce the potential for CO hot spots. Traffic
volumes anticipated at intersections throughout the city with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not be large enough
to cause a CO hot spot.
LTS None required. N/A
4.2-5 Expose Sensitive Receptors to Substantial Pollutant
Concentrations. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in Hermosa
Beach in a manner that would potentially generate additional
diesel vehicle traffic and diesel stationary sources within the
city.
LTS None required. N/A
4.2-6 Odors. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
could generate odors or expose existing receptors to odors.
However, PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and
compliance with SCAQMD rules and regulations would result
in a less than significant impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.2-7 Cumulative Air Quality Impacts. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the South Coast
Air Basin would increase the amount of air quality emissions
occurring within the basin and affect the region’s ability to
attain ambient air quality standards.
CC Implement mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM
4.2-2e.
CC/SU
4.3 Biological Resources
4.3-1 Impacts to Special-Status Species. PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in the development or expansion of
PS MM 4.3-1 Construction of facilities on the beach that must
occur between the months of April and August (roosting
season for snowy plovers) will require preconstruction
LTS
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-8
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
beach-supporting uses that could adversely affect western
snowy plover and California least tern.
surveys to determine the presence of western snowy
plovers or California least terns. If these species are
present, no construction may occur until the species leave
the roost based on review by a qualified biologist and
consultation with the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (CDFW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS). If the project is within a Special Protection
Zone, construction activities will not be allowed until
western snowy plovers are no longer present. If the area is
not within a Special Protection Zone, a qualified biologist
will survey the area for western snowy plovers using
established protocols and in coordination with the USFWS
and CDFW to determine if plovers are present. If they are
present, no work will occur until after snowy plovers leave
the roost site for the season. The qualified biologist will
also survey the area for California least terns using
established protocols and in coordination with the USFWS
and CDFW to determine if California least terns are
present. If surveys are negative for western snowy plovers
or California least terns, work may proceed during the
roosting period and the biologist will be present to
monitor the establishment of the beach landing sites to
ensure that no western snowy plovers or California least
terns are injured or killed, should they arrive in the area
subsequent to work commencing. The project will include
fencing/walls that will prevent western snowy plovers or
California least terns from entering the work areas. The
biologist will conduct weekly site visits to ensure that
fencing/walls are intact until construction activities are
finished at the sites and all equipment is removed from the
beach. The results of the preconstruction survey will be
submitted to the City prior to the establishment of beach
landing sites. All biological monitoring efforts will be
documented in monthly compliance reports to the City.
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-9
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.3-2 Impacts to Sensitive Biological Communities or Riparian
Habitat. Hermosa Beach does not contain any sensitive
biological communities or riparian habitat that could be
impacted by implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
NI None required. N/A
4.3-3 Impacts to Federally Protected Wetlands. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that could indirectly impact jurisdictional waters
of the United States, particularly Santa Monica Bay. However,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions and enforcement of existing grading
and erosion regulations would result in a less than significant
impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.3-4 Impacts to the Movement of Native Resident or Migratory
Fish or Wildlife Species or Within an Established Migratory
Corridor. PLAN Hermosa would guide future development
and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could impede
wildlife movement in the planning area.
LTS None required. N/A
4.3-5 Conflict with Any Local Policies or Ordinances Protecting
Biological Resources, Such as a Tree Preservation Policy or
Ordinance. PLAN Hermosa would guide future development
and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not
result in a conflict with a local policy or ordinance protecting
biological resources, including but not limited to Chapter
12.36 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code protecting
certain trees.
LTS None required. N/A
4.3-6 Cumulative Impacts to Biological Resources. Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with existing, approved,
proposed, and reasonably foreseeable development in the
South Bay Cities COG planning area, could result in the
conversion of habitat and impact biological resources.
Biological impacts from PLAN Hermosa would be limited due
to the small size of potential projects and the focus on urban
infill sites, and PLAN Hermosa would not contribute to any
cumulative impacts.
LCC None required. N/A
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-10
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.4 Cultural Resources
4.4-1 Impact on Archaeological Resources. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa could provide for future development and
reuse projects on previously undisturbed land throughout the
city, which could cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource as defined in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.5. However, PLAN Hermosa
includes implementation actions that require archaeological
investigations for discretionary projects on previously
undisturbed lands determined sensitive for cultural resources,
and require the preservation of any discovered
archaeologically significant resources.
LTS None required. N/A
4.4-2 Disturb Human Remains. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that could disturb human remains.
LTS None required. N/A
4.4-3 Direct or Indirect Destruction of a Unique Paleontological
Resource, Site, or Geologic Feature Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could damage previously
unknown unique paleontological resources, sites, or unique
geologic features.
PS MM 4.4-3 As a standard condition of approval for future
development projects implemented under PLAN Hermosa
that involve ground disturbance or excavation:
• For any project where earthmoving or ground
disturbance activities are proposed at depths that
encounter older Quaternary terrace deposits, a
qualified paleontologist shall be present during
excavation or earthmoving activities.
• If paleontological resources are discovered during
earthmoving activities, the construction crew shall
immediately cease work in the vicinity of the find
and notify the City. The project applicant(s) shall
retain a qualified paleontologist to evaluate the
resource and prepare a recovery plan in accordance
with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines
(1996). The recovery plan may include, but is not
limited to, a field survey, construction monitoring,
sampling and data recovery procedures, museum
storage coordination for any specimen recovered,
and a report of findings. Recommendations in the
recovery plan that are determined by the lead
LTS
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-11
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
agency to be necessary and feasible shall be
implemented before construction activities can
resume at the site where the paleontological
resources were discovered.
4.4-4 Substantially Change a Historic Resource. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and
reuse projects in the city in a manner that could cause a
substantial change in the significance of a historical resource
as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5.
PS MM 4.4-4a The City shall establish an updated list of
potential historic resources to be maintained by the
Community Development Director. The list shall be
updated every 10 years, at a minimum, to identify as-yet-
unknown historical resources (as defined in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.5) as potential resources are
identified through citywide surveys and on a project-by-
project basis.
MM 4.4-4b The City shall require project applicants to
conduct historical resources studies, surveys, and
assessment reports on a project-by-project basis, when a
project proposes to alter, demolish, or degrade a designated
landmark or a potential historic resource.
MM 4.4-4c The City shall maintain the “Historical
Resources in Hermosa Beach” guide, and shall update the
guide so that it is informed by current resource data and its
goals and policies are consistent with the Land Use +
Design Element.
MM 4.4-4d The City shall develop procedures and
nomination applications to facilitate and streamline the
designation of local historic sites and historic districts.
MM 4.4-4e Historical resources studies, surveys, and
assessment reports shall be performed by persons who meet
the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification
Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48
CFR 44716).
MM 4.4-4f For historical resources that may be adversely
impacted, conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and
application of the State Historical Building Code shall be
required to protect significant character-defining features
and protect the eligibility of potential historical resources.
SU
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-12
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.4-5 Cumulative Impact on Archaeological Resources.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to future
development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area
could cause a substantial change in the significance of an
archaeological resource. The loss of some archaeological
resources may be prevented through implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies and similar policies in other communities.
PLAN Hermosa also includes implementation actions to
minimize impacts by requiring archaeological investigations
on previously undisturbed lands, and requiring the
preservation of any discovered archaeologically significant
resources. These implementation actions would ensure that
these resources can be protected and preserved.
LCC None required. N/A
4.4-6 Cumulative Impact on Human Remains. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development
in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could disturb
human remains, including those interred outside of formal
cemeteries. The loss of some human remains may be
prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies
and similar policies in other communities. Additionally, PLAN
Hermosa includes implementation actions to minimize
impacts by requiring archaeological investigations on
previously undisturbed lands, and requiring the preservation
of any discovered archaeologically significant resources.
These implementation actions would ensure that these
resources can be protected and preserved.
LCC None required. N/A
4.4-7 Cumulative Impact on Paleontological Resources. Ground
disturbance, earthmoving, and excavation activities associated
with implementation of PLAN Hermosa combined with
construction activities in the South Bay Cities COG planning
area could damage previously unknown unique
paleontological resources.
CC Implement mitigation measure MM 4.4-3. LS
4.4-8 Cumulative Impact on Historical Resources. Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future
development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area
could cause a substantial change in the significance of a
CC Implement mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM
4.4-f.
CC/SU
Attachment 1E
219
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-13
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
historical resource. The loss of some historical resources may
be prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and similar policies in other communities. However,
this would not ensure that these resources can be protected
and preserved.
4.5 Geology and Soils
4.5-1 Impacts Associated with Fault Rupture and Seismic Hazards.
PLAN Hermosa would provide for and regulate future
development and reuse projects in the city, including
buildings and structures that would potentially expose people
and structures to seismic hazards. Implementation of existing
laws, regulations, and policies, as outlined in the Regulatory
Setting subsection, and PLAN Hermosa policies would
minimize seismic hazards impacts to people and structures.
LTS None required. N/A
4.5-2 Soil Erosion or Loss of Topsoil. PLAN Hermosa would
provide for and regulate future development and reuse
projects in the city, which would entail ground-disturbing
activities that could lead to soil loss. Compliance with existing
policies regarding soil erosion and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies would minimize impacts associated with
erosion and loss of topsoil.
LTS None required. N/A
4.5-3 Unstable and Expansive Soils. PLAN Hermosa would provide
for and regulate future development and reuse projects in the
city. Because Hermosa Beach has a low potential for
expansive soils and PLAN Hermosa contains policies to
minimize development in areas with unstable or expansive
soils, this impact would be less than significant.
LTS None required. N/A
4.5-4 Cumulative Geologic and Soil Hazards. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa, in addition to other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
projects in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, may
result in cumulative soil erosion impacts. However,
compliance with existing regulations intended to reduce soil
erosion during construction would reduce this impact.
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
220
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-14
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
4.6-1 Generate Greenhouse Gas Emissions That May Have a
Significant Impact on the Environment and Inhibit the Goals
of Assembly Bill 32. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
could result in additional greenhouse gas emissions
generated. However, the plan also includes numerous policies
and actions to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions from both
new and existing development through incentives and
voluntary actions that will meet or exceed the long-term
greenhouse gas reduction goals to reduce emissions at least
66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040 (excluding offsets)
through direct and local programs. However, since the City is
relying on incentive-based or voluntary actions to achieve
GHG reduction goals, there is a lower degree of certainty that
the emissions reductions thresholds would be met compared
to regulatory or mandatory actions.
PS MM 4.6-1a The City of Hermosa Beach will utilize the
climate action plan, under development by the South Bay
Cities Council of Governments, or other appropriate tools
to research current data gaps, identify specific actions, and
define the responsible parties and time frames needed to
achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals (monitoring
milestones) identified in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b.
MM 4.6-1b The City of Hermosa Beach will re-inventory
community GHG emissions and evaluate implementation
progress of policies to reduce GHG emissions for the
calendar year of 2020 and a minimum of every five years
thereafter. The interim reduction goals to be achieved for
consistency with long-term state goals include:
• 2020: 15 percent below 2005 levels
• 2025: 31 percent below 2005 levels
• 2030: 49 percent below 2005 levels
• 2035: 57 percent below 2005 levels
• 2040: 66 percent below 2005 levels
MM 4.6-1c The City will revise PLAN Hermosa and/or the
City’s Climate Action Plan when, upon evaluation
required in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b, the City
determines that Hermosa Beach is not on track to meet
the applicable GHG reduction goals. Revisions to PLAN
Hermosa, the Climate Action Plan, or other City policies
and programs will include additional regulatory measures
that provide a higher degree of certainty that emissions
reduction targets will be met. Use of an adaptive
management approach would allow the City to evaluate
progress by activity sector (e.g., transportation, energy,
water, waste) and prescribe additional policies or
programs to be implemented in the intervening five years
for activity sectors that are not on track to achieve the
GHG reduction goals.
LCC
Attachment 1E
221
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-15
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.6-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation
Adopted for the Purpose of Reducing the Emissions of
Greenhouse Gases. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that is
consistent with state and local plans, policies, or regulations
adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The applicable
plans, policies, and regulations include the AB 32 Scoping
Plan, the City of Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan, and the
City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan. PLAN
Hermosa includes goals, policies, and actions that would
meet or exceed the goals established within each of these
applicable plans.
LTS None required. N/A
4.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
4.7-1 Transport, Use, or Disposal of Hazardous Materials.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development in the city in a manner that could result in the
public’s exposure to hazardous materials from increased
transport, use, or accidental release of hazardous materials.
Compliance with existing federal and state regulations and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce risks
of accidents associated with the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials.
LTS None required. N/A
4.7-2 Release of Hazardous Materials Into the Environment.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development in the city in a manner that could lead to
accidental release of hazardous materials into the
environment. Compliance with existing federal and state
regulations and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies
would reduce risks associated with the accidental release of
hazardous materials. However, development of the City’s
Maintenance Yard or other sites in the city could release
known or unknown hazardous materials.
PS MM 4.7-2a For any development activities that would
encroach upon or take place at the City’s Maintenance
Yard, the City shall require the preparation and
implementation of a Human Health Risk Assessment
(HHRA) and a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to be approved
by the appropriate agencies.
MM 4.7-2b Future discretionary projects involving the use
of hazardous materials that may be accidentally released
or encountered during construction shall be required to
implement the following procedures:
• Stop all work in the vicinity of any discovered
contamination or release.
• Identify the scope and immediacy of the problem.
LTS
Attachment 1E
222
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-16
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
• Coordinate with responsible agencies (Department
of Toxic Substances Control, Regional Water
Quality Control Board, or US Environmental
Protection Agency).
• Conduct the necessary investigation and
remediation activities to resolve the situation before
continuing construction work as required by state
and local regulations.
4.7-3 Emission or Handling of Hazardous or Acutely Hazardous
Materials, Substances, or Waste within One-Quarter Mile of
an Existing or Proposed School. PLAN Hermosa
implementation would guide future development in the city.
Such development, which could emit or handle hazardous
waste, could occur in the proximity of new or existing
schools. Compliance with existing regulations would reduce
the risk of emissions or the handling of hazardous materials
near schools.
LTS None required. N/A
4.7-4 Interference with an Adopted Emergency Response Plan.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
would ensure conformance with countywide emergency
response programs and continued cooperation with
emergency response service providers.
LTS None required. N/A
4.7-5 Cumulative Effect on Transport, Use, or Disposal of
Hazardous Materials. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa,
along with increased urban development in Los Angeles
County, would not result in cumulative hazards impacts.
LCC None required. N/A
4.8 Hydrology and Water Quality
4.8-1 Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge
Requirements. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
provide for future development and reuse projects that could
alter existing stormwater runoff and associated pollutants.
However, the potential for stormwater flows to affect water
quality would be controlled through implementation of
Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater and Urban Runoff
Pollution Control Regulations), which includes the City’s Low-
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
223
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-17
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
Impact Development (LID) Ordinance (Municipal Code
Section 8.44.095), and the City’s Green Street Policy.
Construction activities resulting from implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would also temporarily increase the amount of
sediments and pollutants in stormwater runoff. However,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions and enforcement of existing grading
and erosion regulations (Municipal Code Section 8.44.090
and NPDES Construction General Permit SWPPP
requirements) would result in a less than significant impact.
4.8-2 Depletion of Groundwater Supplies or Substantial
Interference with Groundwater Recharge. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and
reuse projects that would minimally affect groundwater
recharge because existing areas of open space would be
preserved, and implementation of the City’s LID Ordinance,
Green Street Policy, and PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would require permeable area in new
development, redevelopment, and infrastructure
improvements.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-3 Alteration of the Existing Drainage Pattern of the Site or Area
so as to Result in Substantial On- or Off-Site Erosion or
Siltation. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide
for future development and reuse projects that would
minimally alter drainage patterns and the amount of
stormwater runoff, which would minimize the potential for
erosion or siltation. Continued implementation and
enforcement of existing grading, erosion, and flood control
regulations, in combination with the City’s LID Ordinance,
Green Street Policy, and PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions, would result in a less than significant
impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-4 Substantial Alteration of the Existing Drainage Pattern of the
Site or Area so as to Result in On- or Off-Site Flooding.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future
development and reuse projects that would minimally alter
drainage patterns and the amount of stormwater runoff, which
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
224
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-18
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
would minimize the potential for on- and off-site flooding.
Continued implementation and enforcement of existing
grading, erosion, and flood control regulations, in
combination with the City’s LID Ordinance, Green Street
Policy, and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions, would result in a less than significant impact.
4.8-5 Create or Contribute Runoff Water Exceeding the Capacity
of Existing or Planned Stormwater Drainage Systems or
Providing Substantial Additional Sources of Polluted Runoff.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future
development and reuse projects that would generate
stormwater runoff that would be discharged to the storm drain
system and would contain urban pollutants. Continued
implementation and enforcement of existing grading and
erosion regulations, in combination with the City’s LID
Ordinance and Green Street Policy, the Beach Cities EWMP,
and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions,
would result in a less than significant impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-6 Substantial Degradation of Water Quality. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and
reuse projects that would not result in substantial degradation
of water quality with continued implementation of Municipal
Code Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution
Control Regulations), which includes the City’s Low-Impact
Design (LID) Ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.44.095),
the City’s Green Street Policy, existing grading and erosion
regulations (Municipal Code Section 8.44.090 and NPDES
Construction General Permit SWPPP requirements),
participation in the Beach Cities EWMP, and implementation
of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-7 Placement of Housing Within a 100-Year Flood Hazard Area.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not place housing
within a 100-year flood hazard area. Additionally, PLAN
Hermosa includes policies and implementation actions to
decrease exposure to and impacts from flood hazards
throughout the city.
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
225
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-19
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.8-8 Placement Within a 100-Year Flood Hazard Area Structures
That Would Impede or Redirect Flood Flows. Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa would allow development or expansion of
facilities to support coastal access in the 100-year flood
hazard area. However, adoption and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation actions and adherence
to development regulations specific to flood hazard areas
would result in a less than significant impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-9 Exposure of People or Structures to a Significant Risk of Loss,
Injury, or Death Involving Flooding. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would not allow habitable development in locations
currently designated as 100-year flood hazard areas, which
generally precludes loss, injury, or death from flooding,
including flooding from the failure of a dam or levee.
However, sea level rise is more likely than not to expand the
area exposed to flooding conditions in the future. Adoption
and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions that prepare the city for sea level rise
and adherence to development regulations specific to flood
hazard areas would result in a less than significant impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-10 Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow. Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and
reuse projects that would be in locations that may be subject
to inundation by tsunami or mudflow. However, adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would result in a less than significant
impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.8-11 Cumulative Effects on Water Quality Standards or Waste
Discharge Requirements. Anticipated regional growth in the
Santa Monica Bay Watershed could increase the amount of
impervious surface in the watershed, thereby potentially
increasing the total volume, peak discharge rate of stormwater
runoff, and associated pollutants. Additionally, construction
activities resulting from regional growth could increase the
amount of sediments and pollutants in stormwater runoff and
could lead to water quality degradation. PLAN Hermosa’s
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
226
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-20
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
contribution would be less than cumulatively considerable
because it would result in minimal changes in stormwater
flows and pollutants with implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions, the City’s LID Ordinance
and Green Street Policy, participation in regional plans such
as the Beach Cities EWMP, and compliance with existing
regulations.
4.8-12 Cumulative Effects on Groundwater Supply and Recharge.
Anticipated regional growth overlying the West Coast
subbasin of the Coastal Plain, Los Angeles Basin, could
increase the amount of impervious surface, thereby potentially
decreasing the area available for groundwater recharge. PLAN
Hermosa’s contribution would be less than cumulatively
considerable because new areas of impervious surface as a
result of implementing PLAN Hermosa would be minimal,
and new development, redevelopment, and infrastructure
improvements would be required to include more permeable
surfaces than under baseline conditions. With implementation
of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, the
City’s LID Ordinance and Green Street Policy, participation in
regional plans such as the Beach Cities EWMP, and
compliance with existing regulations, this impact would be
less than cumulatively considerable.
LCC None required. N/A
4.8-13 Cumulative Alteration of Stormwater Drainage Systems and
Patterns Resulting in Erosion. Anticipated regional growth
throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed could increase
the amount of impervious surface in the watershed, thereby
potentially increasing the total volume and peak discharge
rate of stormwater runoff and the potential for erosion and
sedimentation. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less
than cumulatively considerable because the planning area is
generally built out, which would result in minimal changes in
drainage patterns and therefore erosion potential with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions, the City’s LID Ordinance and Green
Street Policy, participation in regional plans such as the Beach
Cities EWMP, and compliance with existing regulations.
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
227
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-21
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.8-14 Cumulative Exposure of People or Structures to a Significant
Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding. Anticipated
regional growth throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed,
in combination with PLAN Hermosa, could result in
development in locations designated as 100-year flood hazard
areas, which could result in loss, injury, or death from
flooding, including flooding from the failure of a dam or
levee. Impacts would be site-specific and would generally not
combine to create a cumulative impact. However, with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions and compliance with existing
regulations, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than
cumulatively considerable.
LCC None required. N/A
4.8-15 Cumulative Impacts Related to Inundation by Seiche,
Tsunami, or Mudflow. Anticipated regional growth
throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, in combination
with PLAN Hermosa, could result in development in locations
that may be subject to inundation by tsunami or mudflow.
Impacts would be site-specific. PLAN Hermosa would not
place new land uses in locations that could be subject to
inundation by a tsunami, but existing uses could be at risk of
tsunami. However, with implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions and compliance with
existing regulations, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be
less than cumulatively considerable.
LCC None required. N/A
4.9 Land Use and Planning
4.9-1 Physically Divide an Established Community. PLAN Hermosa
includes limited land use changes and other improvements in
the city that would allow for an increase in residential and
nonresidential square footage. However, because the
proposed changes follow established land use patterns,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in a less than
significant impact.
LTS None required. N/A
4.9-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation.
PLAN Hermosa proposes limited land use changes and other
improvements in the city and numerous land use policies to
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
228
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-22
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
guide future development in Hermosa Beach. These changes
would be consistent with existing local and regional planning
documents.
4.9-3 Cumulative Impact on Dividing a Community of Conflicting
with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation. PLAN
Hermosa, in addition to anticipated regional growth within
the South Bay Cities Council of Governments planning area,
would not contribute to cumulative land use impacts
associated with the division of an established community or
conflicts with land use plans and regulations that provide
environmental protection.
LCC None required. N/A
4.10 Mineral Resources
4.10-1 Loss of Availability of Mineral Resources. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that would not result in the loss of availability of
a known mineral resource or of a locally important mineral
resource recovery site.
NI None required. N/A
4.11 Noise and Vibration
4.11-1 Exposure of Persons to or Generation of Noise Levels in
Excess of Standards. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
may expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of
the standards established in the General Plan, Zoning
Ordinance, or Noise Ordinance or in applicable standards of
other agencies. However, PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would reduce this impact to less than
significant.
LTS None required. N/A
4.11-2 Exposure of Persons to or Generation of Excessive
Groundborne Vibration or Groundborne Noise Levels. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that may expose persons to or generate
excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels.
PS MM 4.11-2 For development located at a distance within
which acceptable vibration standards would be exceeded,
the City shall require the applicant to have a structural
engineer prepare a report demonstrating the following:
• Vibration level limits based on building conditions,
soil conditions, and planned demolition and
construction methods to ensure vibration levels
would not exceed acceptable levels where damage to
LTS
Attachment 1E
229
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-23
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
structures using vibration levels in Draft EIR Table
4.11-4 as standards.
• Specific measures to be taken during construction to
ensure the specified vibration level limits are not
exceeded.
• A monitoring plan to be implemented during
demolition and construction that includes post‐
construction and post‐demolition surveys of existing
structures that would be impacted.
Examples of measures that may be specified for
implementation during demolition or construction include
but are not limited to:
• Prohibition of certain types of impact equipment.
• Requirement for lighter tracked or wheeled
equipment.
• Specifying demolition by non‐impact methods, such
as sawing concrete.
• Phasing operations to avoid simultaneous vibration
sources.
• Installation of vibration measuring devices to guide
decision-making for subsequent activities.
4.11-3 Substantial Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels.
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that would not create a
substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels above
existing levels.
LTS None required. N/A
4.11-4 Substantial Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient
Noise Levels. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects, as well as temporary events
on public property, in a manner that could create a substantial
temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels above
levels existing without the project. However, implementation
of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would
reduce this impact to less than significant.
LTS None required. N/A
4.11-5 Cumulative Effects of Noise Sources. PLAN Hermosa
implementation, in addition to anticipated growth in the
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
230
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-24
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
region, would result in additional construction activity, as well
as stationary and mobile noise sources throughout the city and
in adjacent jurisdictions, thereby increasing overall ambient
noise levels. Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions would reduce the effects
of increased noise levels on nearby sensitive receptors.
4.12 Population, Housing, and Employment
4.12-1 Induce Substantial Population Growth. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that would not substantially
increase population in Hermosa Beach. Since land use
designations and allowable residential densities are only
altered to bring consistency between the zoning and land use
maps, the total allowable development potential in the city
would not be changed with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa. Providing for the orderly growth of Hermosa Beach
is a basic purpose of PLAN Hermosa, which would direct
expected growth.
LTS None required. N/A
4.12-2 Displace People or Housing. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that would allow the construction of
new residential, commercial, and industrial uses, as well as
infrastructure, public service, and recreation improvements.
However, there would be no substantial changes to the
residential designated land use areas in the city that would
result in a large displacement of existing residences or
housing.
LTS None required. N/A
4.12-3 Cumulative Inducement of Population Growth.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s policies, in addition to
anticipated land use changes throughout the South Bay Cities
COG planning area, would increase population, both directly
and indirectly (through increased employment).
LCC None required. N/A
4.12-4 Cumulative Effects Displacing People or Housing. Adoption
and implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in addition to
anticipated changes throughout the South Bay Cities COG
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
231
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-25
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
planning area, could directly or indirectly displace people or
housing.
4.13 Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities
4.13.2-1 Increased Demand on Fire Protection Services. Subsequent
development associated with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa could increase demand for fire protection services.
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would
require that the City regularly update fire protection standards
and new development to provide adequate fire flow and
emergency access.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.2-2 Cumulative Demand on Fire Protection Services. PLAN
Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, could increase the
demand for fire protection and emergency medical services
and could require additional staffing, equipment, and related
facilities under cumulative conditions. PLAN Hermosa’s
contribution to the need for expanded fire protection and
emergency medical services, the construction and operation
of which could result in significant environmental impacts,
would be less than cumulatively considerable.
LCC None required. N/A
4.13.3-1 Increased Demand for Law Enforcement Services.
Subsequent development associated with implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that would result in an
increase in population in the planning area, but it would not
result in the need for additional and/or expanded police
protection facilities. PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would require the City to continue to
provide adequate staffing, facilities, equipment, and
technology to meet existing and projected service demands
and response times.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.3-2 Cumulative Demand for Law Enforcement Services. PLAN
Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the South Bay Cities COG service area, could increase the
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
232
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-26
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
demand for law enforcement services and could require
additional staffing, equipment, and facilities under cumulative
conditions. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the need for
expanded law enforcement services facilities, the construction
and operation of which could result in significant
environmental impacts, would be less than cumulatively
considerable.
4.13.4-1 Increased Demand for Additional School Facilities. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could result in an increase in
student enrollment in public schools. New or expanded
school high school facilities would not be required, but the
addition of K–8 students in the Hermosa Beach City School
District would contribute to existing and future overcrowding
in the district’s two schools. The HBCSD has identified
options for providing additional capacity to address existing
and future enrollment, which would be required regardless of
whether PLAN Hermosa is adopted and implemented.
Payment of applicable fees in accordance with SB 50 would
fully mitigate the impacts associated with the development of
additional school facilities.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.4-2 Cumulative Increased Demand for Schools. Population
growth associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in
combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the
Hermosa Beach City Unified School District, Manhattan
Beach Unified School District, and Redondo Beach Unified
School District, could result in a cumulative increase in
student enrollment, which could result in the need for new or
expanded public school facilities.
LCC None required. N/A
4.13.5-1 Increased Demand for Additional Park Facilities. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could increase demand for parks
and recreation services. Existing park acreage would continue
to meet the Quimby Act standard of 3 acres per 1,000
residents. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions would require the provision of new parks and
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
233
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-27
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
recreation facilities and ongoing parkland maintenance to
prevent deterioration of existing facilities.
4.13.5-2 Cumulative Increased Demand for Parks and Recreation
Facilities. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, along with
other existing, planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably
foreseeable development in the South Bay Cities COG
planning area, could increase the use of existing parks and
require additional park and recreation facilities in the
cumulative setting, the provision of which could have an
adverse physical effect on the environment. However, PLAN
Hermosa would continue to provide adequate parks and
recreation facilities within the city to accommodate existing
and future demand and would not result in the need to
construct new or expanded facilities.
LCC None required. N/A
4.13.6-1 Increased Demand for Additional Library Facilities. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could increase the demand for
library services. However, the City would not need to expand
or construct library facilities to meet recommended standards.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.6-2 Cumulative Increased Demand for Library Facilities.
Population growth associated with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the cumulative setting, would not result in a cumulative
increase in demand for library services.
LCC None required. N/A
4.13.7-1 Demand for Wastewater Treatment. PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could increase the amount of wastewater
conveyed to and treated by the Joint Water Pollution Control
Plant. However, the volume of flows would not cause the
plant’s permitted capacity to be exceeded, and the influent
flows would continue to be domestic sewage, which would
not change the quality of the influent compared to existing
conditions.
LTS
None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
234
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-28
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
4.13.7-2 Demand for New or Expanded Water or Wastewater
Treatment Facilities. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
could increase the demand for potable water and would
generate wastewater. However, the demand would not result
in the need for the construction or expansion of water or
wastewater treatment facilities that would result in significant
environmental effects because the demand is within existing
planned capacity projections of the utility providers.
LTS
None required. N/A
4.13.7-3 Demand for Stormwater Drainage Facilities. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could result in redevelopment in
the planning area but would generally not increase the
amount of impervious surface. PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would direct construction of
development projects to include on-site drainage
improvements, which would reduce the impact on existing
stormwater drainage facilities.
LTS
None required. N/A
4.13.7-4 Demand for Water Supplies. PLAN Hermosa would guide
future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner
that could increase the demand for potable water. However,
the demand is within the 2010 Urban Water Management
Plan supply-demand projections adopted by the Cal Water
Hermosa-Redondo District, and no new entitlements would
be needed.
LTS
None required. N/A
4.13.7-5 Capacity to Serve Wastewater Treatment. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that could result in the need for additional
wastewater treatment from increased flows. However, the
anticipated increase in wastewater generated would not
exceed the capacity of the JWPCP or result in the need for the
construction or expansion of wastewater treatment facilities.
LTS
None required. N/A
4.13.7-6 Cumulative Water Supply Impacts. Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District service area,
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
235
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-29
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
would increase the demand for water supply. However, PLAN
Hermosa water demand is within the district’s population-
based supply/demand assumptions, and additional supplies
would not be required.
4.13.7-7 Cumulative Wastewater Impacts. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the service area of the JWPCP, would increase the demand
for wastewater treatment. There is sufficient capacity at the
JWPCP for projected future demand, which includes flows
from Hermosa Beach, and new or expanded facilities would
not be required.
LCC None required. N/A
4.13.8-1 Demand for Solid Waste Disposal. PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in additional solid waste disposal
needs. Adequate capacity exists in the landfills receiving
waste generated in Hermosa Beach to accommodate these
additional needs.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.8-2 Compliance with Solid Waste Disposal Regulations. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that could result in additional solid
waste disposal needs. The City would continue current
programs and policies that result in a per capita disposal rate
is better than target amounts.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.8-3 Cumulative Solid Waste Impacts. Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
in the Los Angeles Integrated Solid Waste Management
Authority planning area, would increase the demand for solid
waste facilities.
LCC
None required. N/A
4.13.9-1 Increased Demand for Additional Energy Resources. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city that would not result in the use of fuel or energy in
a wasteful manner.
LTS None required. N/A
4.13.9-2 Cumulative Energy Consumption Impacts. Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing,
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
236
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-30
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable
development in Los Angeles County, would increase the
demand for energy resources.
4.14 Transportation
4.14-1 Exceedance of LOS Performance Standard. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that would not increase overall demand for travel
within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing
level of service standards for intersections and roadway
segments would be maintained at the majority of intersections
and segments analyzed. Three intersections and one segment
would experience a significant impact.
S None available. SU
4.14-2 Conflict with Los Angeles County Congestion Management
Program. Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would maintain the level of service standard for the
intersection located at Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia
Boulevard and comply with the CMP.
LTS None required. N/A
4.14-3 Air Traffic Patterns. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
would not modify the planning or operations of Los Angeles
International Airport or introduce land use patterns that may
cause substantial safety risks to or from air operations.
LTS None required. N/A
4.14-4 Roadway Design Hazards. PLAN Hermosa would guide
future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner
that would not increase hazards due to design or incompatible
uses.
LTS None required. N/A
4.14-5 Result in Inadequate Emergency Access. PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
that could result in inadequate emergency access. However,
PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce emergency access
program-level impacts to a less than significant level.
LTS None required. N/A
4.14-6 Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects
in the city in a manner that supports the maintenance and
LTS None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
237
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
1.0-31
Environmental Impacts Level of Significance
Prior to Mitigation Mitigation Measure(s)
Level of
Significance
After Mitigation
expansion of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities
consistent with adopted local and regional plans.
4.14-7 Cumulative Contribution to Exceedance of Level of Service
Performance Standard. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
would not increase overall demand for travel within Hermosa
Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service
standards for intersections and roadway segments would be
maintained at the majority of intersections and segments
analyzed. Nonetheless, three intersections and one segment
would experience a cumulatively considerable impact.
CC None feasible. SU
4.14-8 Contribution to Cumulatively Considerable Conflict with Los
Angeles County Congestion Management Program. Adoption
and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would maintain the
level of service standard for the intersection at Pacific Coast
Highway and Artesia Boulevard and would comply with the
CMP.
LCC None required. N/A
4.14-9 Cumulative Effect on Air Traffic Patterns. Adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated
cumulative growth in the region would not modify the
planning or operations of Los Angeles International Airport or
introduce land use patterns that may cause substantial safety
risks to or from air operations.
LCC None required. N/A
4.14-10 Cumulative Roadway Design Hazards. Adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated
regional growth would not increase hazards due to design or
incompatible uses.
LCC None required. N/A
4.16-11 Cumulative Contribution to Inadequate Emergency Access.
Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies in
addition to anticipated regional growth would not result in
inadequate emergency access.
LCC None required. N/A
4.14-12 Cumulative Contribution to Public Transit, Bicycle, and
Pedestrian Facilities. PLAN Hermosa supports the
maintenance and expansion of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian
facilities consistent with adopted local and regional plans.
LCC None required. N/A
Attachment 1E
238
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NI = No Impact LTS = Less Than Significant PS = Potentially Significant S = Significant SU = Significant and Unavoidable
LCC = Less Than Cumulatively Considerable CC = Cumulatively Considerable N/A = Not Applicable
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
1.0-32
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Attachment 1E
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2.0 INTRODUCTION
Attachment 1E
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Attachment 1E
241
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND
This Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) examines the potential effects of
PLAN Hermosa (proposed project). The term “proposed project,” as used in this Draft EIR, refers
to PLAN Hermosa (SCH No. 2015081009), which includes the implementation of a citywide General Plan and Local Coastal Program. The proposed project is described in detail in Chapter
3.0, Project Description, and included as Appendix A. The project background and the legal
basis for preparing a program EIR are described below.
2.0.2 LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
This Draft EIR considers the environmental impacts that could result from implementation of the
City of Hermosa Beach’s General Plan and Local Coastal Program (PLAN Hermosa; proposed
project).
GENERAL PLAN
State law (California Government Code Section 65300) requires that each California city and
county adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan to guide the physical development of the county or city. The following elements are required to be addressed as part of the general plan:
• Land Use • Circulation
• Housing • Conservation
• Open Space • Noise
• Safety
The City’s current General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1979, and the
accompanying Coastal Land Use Plan was certified in 1980. The City’s Housing Element, which is also part of the General Plan, was last updated in 2013 and has been certified by the California
Department of Housing and Community Development through 2021; therefore, it is not part of
the proposed project.
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
To ensure maximum public access to the coast and public recreation areas, the Coastal Act
directs each local government in the Coastal Zone to prepare a Local Coastal Program (LCP)
consistent with Section 30501 of the California Coastal Act, in consultation with the Coastal Commission and with public participation. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
(OPR) 2003 General Plan Guidelines suggest integration of the general plan and the local
coastal program into a “coherent and internally consistent local general plan.” As such, the City
of Hermosa Beach has decided to update both the General Plan and the LCP together as an integrated document. The General Plan and LCP update addresses land use; mobility; parks,
recreation, and open space; coastal access; coastal hazards; water quality; air quality and
climate change; noise; and other issues that are important to the community. The LCP addresses
portions of Hermosa Beach located in the Coastal Zone and consists of two parts:
• A Coastal Land Use Plan, which is presented as a component of the General Plan; and
• A Local Implementation Plan, which is presented as a component of the City’s Municipal
Code.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
2.0-1
Attachment 1E
242
2.0 INTRODUCTION
The Coastal Zone boundary is defined by the California Coastal Act as “extending seaward to the state’s outer limit of jurisdiction, including all offshore islands, and extending inland generally
1,000 yards from the mean high tide line of the sea” (Public Resources Code Section 30103). The
Coastal Zone in the city spans the entire length of the city from north to south and extends from the mean high tide line inland to roughly Ardmore Avenue with two exclusions—the area from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive between Longfellow Avenue and 31st Place, and the area east
of Park Avenue or Loma Drive between 25th Street and 16th Street. Figure 3.0-2 (Hermosa Beach Corporate Boundary) shows the extent of the Coastal Zone in the city.
In order to achieve certification from the Coastal Commission and attain local control over the issuance of Coastal Development Permits, Hermosa Beach must update the Coastal Land Use
Plan and prepare and adopt a Local Implementation Plan that collectively consider and
address emerging coastal issues such as beach management, parking, water quality, sea level rise, and climate change.
2.0.3 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING/DEFINITION OF THE BASELINE AND EIR ASSUMPTIONS
According to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15125, an EIR must
include a description of the existing physical environmental conditions in the project vicinity to
provide the “baseline condition” against which project-related impacts are compared.
Normally the baseline condition is the physical condition that exists when the Notice of
Preparation (NOP) is published. The NOP for the PLAN Hermosa EIR was published on August 7, 2015, and a public scoping meeting was held on August 18, 2015 (see Appendix B-1). Table 2.0-1 (Summary of NOP Comments) summarizes the NOP comment letters received (see Appendix B-2 for full comment letters).
TABLE 2.0-1
SUMMARY OF NOP COMMENTS
Commenter Date of Comment Summary of Comments
Scott Morgan, Acting Director
Governor’s Office of Planning and
Research (OPR)
August 6, 2015 The letter was sent to responsible agencies and requested
their comment on the NOP.
Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach
Resident
September 8, 2015 The commenter includes statistics for various crimes and
states that they are increasing in Hermosa Beach and that
crime rates are higher than in Manhattan Beach. Additionally,
the commenter states that neighborhoods with more alcohol
outlets tend to experience more violence and injury. Further,
the commenter is concerned that Hermosa Beach’s move
toward requiring fewer on-site parking spaces for downtown
restaurants will permit greater outlet density and bring
increased crime.
Adriana Raza, Customer Service
Specialist, Facilities Planning
Department
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles
County
September 8, 2015 Will-serve letter stating that the County will be able to
accommodate the increase in population associated with the
General Plan update. The commenter discusses the
wastewater conveyance system (i.e., how much waste the
conveyance system can accommodate). The commenter
states that no known deficiencies exist in the districts’
facilities that serve the city. The commenter further states that
the district will provide wastewater service up to the levels
that are legally permitted; however, the letter does not serve
as a guarantee of wastewater service.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
2.0-2
Attachment 1E
243
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Commenter Date of Comment Summary of Comments
Kevin Johnson, Acting Chief,
Forestry Division Prevention
Services Bureau
Los Angeles County Fire
Department
August 25, 2015 The commenter states that statutory responsibilities of the Los
Angeles County Fire Department include erosion control,
watershed management, rare and endangered species,
vegetation, fuel modification for Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones or Fire Zone 4, archaeological and cultural
resources, and the County Oak Tree Ordinance. The
commenter states that potential impacts to these issue areas
should be addressed.
Ping Chang, Program Manager II,
Land Use and Environmental
Planning
Southern California Association of
Governments
September 8, 2015 The commenting agency states that they review
environmental documents for consistency with the adopted
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities
Strategy (RTP/SCS) (2012). The commenter also states that the
goals in the RTP/SCS may be pertinent to the project and
should be reviewed. Strategies to achieve those goals are
included in the SCS chapter.
Dianna Watson, IGR/CEQA
Branch Chief
California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans),
District 7
September 3, 2015 The commenter states that modifications made to Pacific
Coast Highway will require a permit from Caltrans. The
commenter also states that the traffic impact analysis (TIA)
associated with the project should evaluate existing and long-
term impacts of future development plans on the roadway
system as well as active transportation facilities in the
planning area and adjacent jurisdictions. The TIA should also
include an evaluation of potential traffic impacts to the
regional transportation system including Interstate 405, as it
provides access to the city via the Artesia interchange.
Ken Chiang, Utilities Engineer,
Safety and Enforcement Division
California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC)
August 10, 2015 The project site includes active railroad tracks over which the
CPUC has jurisdiction. The commenter recommends
mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts associated
with new development.
Alan Benson, Resident August 18, 2015 The commenter requests that the City address an increase in
alcohol outlet density and the correlation with the increase in
the rate of violent crime and what changes to the General
Plan could address these in the future. The commenter
includes a report that examines the relationship between
alcohol outlet density by community and alcohol-related
harms.
Ian MacMillan, Planning and
Rules Manager
South Coast Air Quality
Management District
August 13, 2015 The commenter suggests that any potential adverse air quality
impacts that could occur from all phases of the project and all
air pollutant sources related to the project be analyzed.
Jeff Duclos, Resident August 18, 2015 The commenter discusses concerns over lack of discussion of
carbon neutrality and potential changes to land use/livable
streets in the EIR. Also would like to look to the future, for a
20-year model instead of focusing on existing standards—as
future residents will have different ideals from current
residents. The commenter identified concerns over the
planned residential development new units projected
between 2015 and 2040. The commenter thinks that such
projected growth is impossible to accommodate, “the
housing stock does not exist.”
Dency Nelson, Resident August 18, 2015 The commenter wants the City to review reports about sea
level rise and its effects on Hermosa Beach.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
2.0-3
Attachment 1E
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2.0 INTRODUCTION
Commenter Date of Comment Summary of Comments
George Schmeltzer, Resident August 18, 2015 The commenter asks if this EIR will prevent the need to do
future EIRs in the future. The commenter expresses concern
about other large development projects being covered under
the EIR. The commenter asks what the term “alternative”
means, and why the project is a project under CEQA. The
commenter then asks if the EIR would allow a 300 net
housing unit increase, and where that would take place.
Further, the commenter discusses the importance of livable
streets in Hermosa Beach and regulating building height.
Justin Massey, Resident August 18, 2015 The commenter is glad that a programmatic EIR was chosen
so that the City can tier off it in the future. The commenter
thinks that the alternatives are very important to discuss and
analyze. The commenter then says he is worried about the
viewshed from various parts of the city, air and water
pollution, how the plan will contribute to climate change,
and mobility and transportation. The commenter says he
doesn’t just want to see raw numbers on walkability/mobility
but is concerned with how it will affect the average
community member walking down the street. The
commenter says that the City must think about the quality of
life of residents as well as the environment. Finally, the
commenter wants to extend the period of comment beyond
45 days.
Source: Data compiled by Michael Baker International, 2015
For analytical purposes, impacts associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa are derived from the existing environmental setting in 2015. This baseline year (2015) is used throughout this EIR to determine impacts.
Evaluations in this EIR are based on reasonable assumptions of development activity anticipated
to occur over the next 25 years in the planning area, which consists of the existing city boundaries. To determine reasonable assumptions for the amount of new residential,
commercial, and population growth, the City assumed a range of factors, including the physical
capacity of the PLAN Hermosa Land Use Map, the projected growth assumed in the city and
the region, specific policy direction in PLAN Hermosa, and socioeconomic trends. This analysis includes forecasts of the number of new residences, amount of new employment, and increase in population anticipated to occur under PLAN Hermosa.
This EIR presents a conservative scenario based on the potential development from 2015 through
2040. As a practical matter, as illustrated under the current General Plan, actual development in any city or county is typically less than the theoretical limit of development. This is a result of
market forces, as well as building and zoning standards when applied to specific sites, which
often results in the construction of less than the maximum allowable development.
This EIR also evaluates the physical environmental impacts of the implementation of PLAN Hermosa policy provisions.
2.0.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
This EIR evaluates the impacts of PLAN Hermosa. It is a program EIR, as described in CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15000 et seq. [14 CCR
15000 et seq.).
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
2.0-4
Attachment 1E
245
2.0 INTRODUCTION
According to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15168(a), a state or local agency should prepare a program EIR, rather than a project EIR, when the lead agency proposes the following:
• A series of related actions that are linked geographically;
• Logical parts of a chain of contemplated events, rules, regulations, or plans that govern
the conduct of a continuing program; or
• Individual activities carried out under the same authorizing statutory or regulatory
authority and having generally similar environmental effects that can be mitigated in
similar ways.
A program EIR “may be prepared on a series of actions that can be characterized as one large project and are related...in connection with the issuance of rules, regulations, plans, or other
general criteria to govern the conduct of a continuing program” (CEQA Guidelines Section
15168[a][3]). This program EIR considers a series of actions related to implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
As a program EIR, this document focuses on the overall effect of PLAN Hermosa. The analyses in
this EIR do not examine the effects of site-specific projects that may occur under this plan in the
future. The nature of general plans is such that many proposed policies are intended to be general, with details to be worked out during implementation. This EIR does, however, quantify
impacts related to transportation, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and other topics,
making reasonable assumptions as to the amount, type, and character of land use change
anticipated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
TIERING AND STREAMLINING
The City will make use of existing streamlining provided by CEQA, emerging streamlining
techniques, such as those related to implementation of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Sustainable Communities Strategy (Public Resources Code [PRC] Section
21155), and other streamlining techniques that may become available in the future. The City has
invested substantial resources in PLAN Hermosa and its EIR, and wishes to promote fiscally
prudent use of this EIR, once it is certified, to accommodate development consistent with PLAN Hermosa.
Tiering refers to a multilevel approach to preparing environmental documents set forth in PRC
Section 21083.3 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15152. This program EIR’s analysis is considered the
first tier of environmental review upon which future, project-specific CEQA documents can build, as necessary. Environmental analysis for future projects consistent with PLAN Hermosa can be
streamlined to allow subsequent documents to focus on new or site-specific impacts (CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15168[d] and 15183).
These provisions of CEQA allow a lead agency to narrow the focus of project-level analysis to effects upon the environment that are peculiar to the parcel or project. The Public Resources
Code also limits the effects that can be considered peculiar in project-level analysis under the
program EIR.
Section 15152 of the CEQA Guidelines provides that where a first-tier EIR has “adequately addressed” the subject of cumulative impacts, such impacts need not be revisited in second-
and/or third-tier documents. According to Section 15152(f)(3), significant effects identified in a
first-tier EIR are adequately addressed, for purposes of later approvals, if the lead agency determines that such effects have been either:
• Mitigated or avoided as a result of the prior [EIR] and findings adopted in connection
with that prior [EIR]; or
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• Examined at a sufficient level of detail in the prior [EIR] to enable those effects to be mitigated or avoided by site-specific revisions, the imposition of conditions, or by other
means in connection with the approval of the later project.
The Public Resources Code provides streamlining coverage to the City of Hermosa Beach and other public agencies that have authority to implement PLAN Hermosa. Public agencies can use uniformly applied policies or standards to mitigate effects of future projects, avoiding the need
to analyze these effects, unless new information arises that changes the impact analysis (PRC
Section 21083.3[d]). For this reason, this EIR includes references to PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, where appropriate, to address environmental impacts. Future CEQA
documents can reference the same PLAN Hermosa policies and actions, where appropriate, to
demonstrate less than significant impacts. The City may consider specific plans, area plans,
corridor plans, downtown core area plans, or other documents to implement PLAN Hermosa in a smaller geographic area of the city.
The City acknowledges and intends to make best use of the advantages to the programmatic
approach to environmental analysis and reporting in this EIR. As noted in CEQA Guidelines
Section 15168(b):
Use of a program EIR can provide the following advantages. The program EIR can:
1) Provide an occasion for a more exhaustive consideration of effects and alternatives
than would be practical in an EIR on an individual action;
2) Ensure consideration of cumulative impacts that might be slighted in a case-by-case analysis;
3) Avoid duplicative reconsideration of basic policy considerations;
4) Allow the Lead Agency to consider broad policy alternatives and program wide
mitigation measures at an early time when the agency has greater flexibility to deal with basic problems or cumulative impacts; and
5) Allow reduction in paperwork.
2.0.5 PUBLIC REVIEW OF DRAFT EIR AND LEAD AGENCY CONTACT
City of Hermosa Beach
Community Development Department (Planning Division)
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 92054
The public review and comment period is 70 days from October 26, 2016 through January 5,
2017. Written public comments on the Draft EIR must be received no later than 6:00 PM on
January 5, 2017. Written comments or questions regarding the Draft EIR should be addressed to:
Ken Robertson City of Hermosa Beach Community Development Department (Planning Division)
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 92054 generalplan@hermosabch.org
Following the public review period, a Final EIR will be prepared. The Final EIR will respond to
written comments received during the public review period. The City Council will review and
consider the Final EIR prior to their decision to approve, revise, or reject the proposed project.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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2.0.6 SCOPE OF THIS DRAFT EIR
As lead agency, the City determined that this Draft EIR will address the following technical issue
areas:
• Aesthetics and Visual Resources • Hydrology and Water Quality
• Air Quality • Land Use and Planning
• Biological Resources • Mineral Resources
• Cultural Resources • Noise and Vibration
• Geology and Soils • Population and Housing
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Public Services, Community Facilities, and
Utilities
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials • Transportation
The specific topics evaluated are described in each of the resource sections presented in Chapter 4.0.
2.0.7 HOW TO USE THIS REPORT
This report includes the following principal parts: Executive Summary, Project Description, Environmental Analysis (Impacts and Mitigation Measures), Other CEQA-Required
Considerations, Alternatives, Abbreviations, Report Preparers, and Appendices.
• Executive Summary (Chapter 1.0) presents an overview of the results and conclusions of
the environmental evaluation. This chapter identifies impacts of the proposed project and available mitigation measures.
• Project Description (Chapter 3.0) describes the location of the project, existing conditions
in the planning area, and the nature and location of specific elements of the proposed
project.
• Environmental Analysis (Chapter 4.0) includes a topic-by-topic analysis of impacts that
would or may result from implementation of the proposed project or alternatives. The
analysis is organized into 14 resource sections, each of which is organized into two major
subsections: Environmental Setting and Regulatory Setting (a summary of existing conditions), and Impacts and Mitigation Measures. The Impacts and Mitigation Measures
subsection also describes cumulative impacts and mitigation measures. Appendix C, the
PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report, provides additional detail regarding the environmental and regulatory setting for each resource section.
• Other CEQA-Required Considerations (Chapter 5.0) discusses issues required by CEQA:
unavoidable adverse impacts, irreversible environmental changes, growth inducement,
and a summary of cumulative impacts.
• Alternatives to the Proposed Project (Chapter 6.0) includes a description of the project
alternatives. CEQA requires an EIR to provide adequate information for decision-makers
to make a reasonable choice between alternatives based on the environmental aspects
of the proposed project and alternatives. The impacts of the alternatives are qualitatively compared to those of the proposed project. This chapter also identifies the
environmentally superior alternative.
• Report Preparers (Chapter 7.0) includes a list of the preparers of the EIR.
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• The Appendices contain a number of reference items providing support and documentation of the analyses performed for this report. They are included on a CD
inserted in the back cover of the EIR.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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3.0.1 REGIONAL SETTING
Hermosa Beach is located in southwest Los Angeles County and encompasses 1.4 square miles,
or 979 acres, with 1.8 miles of coastline along Santa Monica Bay. Manhattan Beach borders
Hermosa Beach to the north and northeast, and Redondo Beach is located to the south and east (see Figure 3.0-1, Regional Location Map). Pacific Coast Highway runs north/south through the entirety of Hermosa Beach. Roughly half of the city is located within the Coastal Zone.
FIGURE 3.0-1 REGIONAL LOCATION MAP
3.0.2 HERMOSA BEACH
The proposed project area, shown in Figure 3.0-2 (Hermosa Beach Corporate Boundary),
includes the entire corporate limits of the City of Hermosa Beach and the City’s Coastal Zone. Existing land uses in the city include residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and open
space as shown in Figure 3.0-3 (Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses) and Table 3.0-1 (Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses).
Residential uses comprise over 67 percent of the city’s land area, with approximately 10,000 housing units encompassing 455 acres of the city. Residential uses include single-family
residential, multi-family, mobile homes, and mixed-use property (with both residential and
commercial). Single-family land uses are found throughout the city, with neighborhoods in the
northeast, east, and southeast that are predominantly single-family uses. Multi-family housing units are predominantly found in the southwest area of Hermosa Beach, with additional multi-
family housing found in the northwest and southeast portions of the city. The northwest portion of
the city and The Strand have a mix of single-family and multi-family housing options. There are
two mobile home areas—one located north of Pier Avenue, between Loma Drive and Valley Drive, which is a resident-owned park, and the other along 10th Street between Ardmore
Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, which also serves recreational vehicles.
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Existing commercial uses comprise approximately 7 percent of the city’s total land area including retail, restaurant, office, and other uses that provide goods or services. These uses can
be found primarily along the city’s corridors and in Downtown, with pockets of small-scale
commercial found in residential neighborhoods. Commercial uses along Hermosa Avenue or Manhattan Avenue primarily consist of restaurants, stores, and services to serve the neighborhood and nearby beachgoers.
Light industrial or manufacturing uses in Hermosa Beach account for approximately 4 percent of
the city’s total land area and are generally located in a 4-acre industrial area near Cypress Avenue, including light manufacturing, warehouses, construction supply, surfboard manufacturing, auto shops, and air conditioning and heating manufacturing uses.
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FIGURE 3.0-2 HERMOSA BEACH CORPORATE BOUNDARY
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FIGURE 3.0-3 HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING LAND USES
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Institutional land uses account for 147 acres or 22 percent of the total land area. Institutional land uses include schools, government-owned facilities, parks, the beach and open space, and
essential operations areas such as parking, utility buildings, the City maintenance yard and other
facilities, or utility easements.
TABLE 3.0-1
HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING LAND USES
Use Number of
Parcels
Total
Acres
Percentage of
Land Area
Residential Uses
Single-Family 3,261 263.0 39.1%
Multi-Family 1,898 186.3 27.6%
Mobile Homes 3 4.6 0.7%
Mixed Residential and Commercial 17 1.5 0.2%
Residential Subtotal 5,179 455.4 67.6%
Commercial and Light Industrial Uses
Commercial and Services 274 57.6 8.5%
General Office 40 7.9 1.1%
Industrial 26 4.1 0.6%
Mixed Commercial and Industrial 1 0.2 <0.1%
Commercial and Industrial Subtotal 341 69.8 10.2%
Institutional and Other Uses
City Facilities 46 19.6 2.9%
Education 9 16.7 2.4%
Open Space and Recreation 52 104.5 15.5%
Transportation, Communication, and Utilities 8 4.2 0.6%
Vacant 33 2.6 0.4%
Institutional and Other Uses Subtotal 148 147.6 21.8%
Total 5,668 672.8 100%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
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3.0.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15124(b) requires that a
project’s environmental impact report (EIR) include a written statement of objectives that should
include the underlying purpose of the project. The priorities underscored in PLAN Hermosa identified through the community outreach process form the basis of the project objectives.
1) Preserve the city’s small beach town character through policies and design standards
that maintain buildings at an appropriate scale and size with existing ones (including
potentially historic buildings) and recognize the unique features of the city’s eclectic residential neighborhoods.
2) Enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy through policies that
stimulate sustainable businesses and jobs, enhance safe and beautiful commercial
corridors, articulate clear and consistent standards for new businesses, and provide convenient services to residents, employees, and visitors.
3) Promote healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation improvements
that enhance pedestrian, transit, and bike safety and access to a variety of destinations in the city.
4) Provide a safe and clean natural environment—including clean air and water—and
stewardship of our ocean resources, open space, and other natural resources.
5) Achieve a low or no carbon future through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing fuel consumption, diverting solid waste from landfills, conserving water and
improving the efficiency of energy use and utilizing renewable energy sources.
3.0.4 PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
The project consists of two components: the General Plan and the Local Coastal Program, collectively referred to as PLAN Hermosa. PLAN Hermosa’s stated purpose is to guide
development in the city for the next 25 years by balancing quality of life, economic prosperity,
and environmental sustainability. PLAN Hermosa defines long-term community goals, decision-making policies, and implementation actions. PLAN Hermosa establishes an overall development capacity for the city and represents the City’s policy for determining appropriate
physical development and character. Any decision by the City affecting land use and
development must be consistent with PLAN Hermosa. An action, program, or project would be considered consistent if, considering all of its aspects, it would further the goals and policies set forth in PLAN Hermosa and not obstruct their attainment.
PLAN Hermosa includes the subject matter required for the seven state-required elements, as
well as subjects required for the Coastal Land Use Plan.
• Community Governance • Parks + Open Space
• Land Use + Design • Public Safety
• Mobility • Infrastructure
• Sustainability + Conservation
PLAN Hermosa also includes a Vision Statement, an Introduction chapter, and an Implementation Plan that presents actions needed to achieve the vision.
The City’s Housing Element, which is also part of the General Plan, was last updated in 2013 and
has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development through 2021; therefore, it is not part of the proposed project.
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Community Governance Element
The Community Governance Element serves as the introduction to PLAN Hermosa. This element
details the leadership, decision-making process, development requirements, and regional
coordination necessary to achieve the proposed plan’s objectives through goals, policies, and
actions.
This element describes the system of governance and provides goals and policies for Hermosa
Beach. In addition, the element identifies ways to continue community involvement and
investment, while ensuring decision-making and leadership are conducted in an ethical,
transparent, and innovative manner that reflects community values.
Land Use + Design Element
The Land Use + Design Element guides future development in Hermosa Beach; identifies the
character-defining features of each neighborhood, corridor, or district; and provides policy
guidance that supports the intended character of each area. The element establishes land use designations that provide direction to each individual property owner regarding allowed uses
and densities. More specifically, the Land Use + Design Element:
• Defines a realistic long-term vision for the built form of Hermosa Beach through 2040.
• Expresses the desires of Hermosa Beach residents regarding the physical, social, economic, cultural, and environmental character of the community.
• Serves as a comprehensive guide for making decisions about land use, urban design,
economic development, and other related topics, such as public facilities and services
and parks and open space.
• Serves as the City’s framework for land use and development decisions and provides the
legal foundation for zoning, subdivisions, development plans, and facility plans.
The PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations Diagram (Figure 3.0-4) establishes the general pattern of uses in the city and identifies minimum and maximum permitted land use densities and intensities. These parameters can be used to identify the anticipated level of development in the
city between 2015 and 2040. As the density and intensity standards for each land use
designation are applied to future development projects and land use decisions, properties will gradually transition from one use to another, and land uses and intensities will gradually shift to align with the intent of PLAN Hermosa.
Table 3.0-2 (PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations) identifies the land use designations and
allowable densities. Table 3.0-3 (PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Projections) identifies anticipated residential land use changes that would occur between 2015 and 2040 with
implementation of PLAN Hermosa, while Table 3.0-4 (PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development Projections) identifies corresponding changes for nonresidential uses in the city. These
projections were calculated based on specific trends in the city, including:
• Loss of housing units – Through demolition and reconstruction as single-family homes, the
city experienced a decrease in the overall number of housing units from 10,162 to 10,110
between 2010 and 2015. This is consistent with a recent local trend in which properties
with multi-family units are demolished and replaced with a single-family unit. This trend may be expected to continue in the near term.
• Growing size of households – Between 2008 and 2012, the city observed an increase in
average household size from 2.00 to 2.08. This number is indicative of a growing number of families in Hermosa Beach, which affects the ratio of adult residents and subsequently
the trip generation of family versus nonfamily households.
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While the residential land use designations have the ability to accommodate an additional 440 total residential units, only a portion of those parcels are likely to redevelop. The City’s residential
program estimates that approximately 300 residential units may be added in Hermosa Beach
over the next 25 years based on an analysis of vacant and underutilized parcels. In addition, Hermosa Beach could accommodate an additional 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development between 2015 and 2040 as shown in the tables below.
TABLE 3.0-2
PLAN HERMOSA LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land Use Designation Definition Density/Intensity
Low Density Residential Single-family residential (attached or detached) 2.0–13.0 DU/AC
Medium Density Residential Single-family residential and small-scale multi-family residential
(duplex, triplex, condominium) 13.1–25.0 DU/AC
High Density Residential Medium (8–20 unit buildings) and large-scale (20+ unit buildings)
multi-family residential 25.1–33.0 DU/AC
Mobile Home Mobile home parks, where two or more lots are rented or leased to
accommodate mobile homes for human habitation 2.0–13.1 DU/AC
Neighborhood Convenience stores, markets, eateries, laundromats, or similar uses to
primarily serve local walk-in traffic 0.5–1.0 FAR
Community Locally oriented uses including retail stores, restaurants, professional
and medical offices, and personal services 0.5–1.25 FAR
Recreational Coastal-related uses such as beach/bike rentals, restaurants, snack
shops, lodging accommodations, entertainment, and similar uses 1.0–1.75 FAR
Gateway Lower-floor community or regionally oriented commercial uses with
upper-floor high-visitor office or hotel uses 1.0–2.0 FAR
Service Home improvement stores, furniture stores, auto dealerships, and
light automotive service stations 0.25–0.5 FAR
Light Industrial Production uses for light manufacturing, creative art, or design
services with professional office as an allowed accessory use 0.25–1.0 FAR
Public Facility Civic-related offices, community centers, operational facilities, and
educational/institutional facilities 0.10–1.0 FAR
Open Space Passive and active park, recreational, and open space uses 0.0–0.1 FAR
Beach Coastal-related recreational activities and essential public facilities
(lifeguard and restrooms) 0.0–0.05 FAR
DU/AC = dwelling units per acre; FAR = floor area ratio
Italicized designations indicate the new or altered land use designations introduced through PLAN Hermosa.
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FIGURE 3.0-4 PLAN HERMOSA LAND USE DESIGNATIONS DIAGRAM
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TABLE 3.0-3
PLAN HERMOSA RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTIONS
Land Use Designation Acres Existing Units
(2015)
New Units
(2015–2040)
Total Units
(2040)
Low Density Residential 240 3,214 20 3,234
Medium Density Residential 198 2,593 150 2,743
High Density Residential 100 4,085 100 4,185
Neighborhood Commercial 3 50 30 80
Community Commercial 38 104 — 104
Recreational Commercial 7 36 — 36
Gateway Commercial 24 11 — 11
Service Commercial 5 12 — 12
Light Industrial 6 4 — 4
Total 621 10,109 300 10,409
Note: This information is based on growth forecasts provided in the City’s letter with the subject: Hermosa Beach Response to
SCAG’s Integrated Growth Forecast to the Southern California Association of Governments. See Appendix A.
TABLE 3.0-4
PLAN HERMOSA NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTIONS
Land Use Designation Acres
Existing Building
Sq. Ft.
(2015)
New Building
Sq. Ft.
(2015–2040)
Total Building
Sq. Ft.
(2040)
Neighborhood Commercial 3 93,900 8,800 102,700
Community Commercial 38 976,200 154,500 1,130,700
Recreational Commercial 7 226,300 176,500 402,800
Gateway Commercial 24 595,200 231,700 826,900
Service Commercial 5 82,800 22,100 104,900
Light Industrial 6 132,000 36,800 168,800
Total 83 2,106,400 630,400 2,736,800
Note: This information is based on growth forecasts provided in the City’s letter with the subject: Hermosa Beach Response to
SCAG’s Integrated Growth Forecast to the Southern California Association of Governments. See Appendix A.
Goals presented in the Land Use + Design Element include the following:
• Livable Urban Pattern – Create an urban form and land use pattern that supports a
robust and resilient economy and high quality of life for residents.
• Complete and Diverse Neighborhoods – Neighborhoods provide for diverse needs of
residents of all ages, socioeconomic groups and abilities, and are organized to support
healthy and active lifestyles.
• Unique and Vibrant Districts – A series of unique, destination-oriented districts throughout Hermosa Beach.
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• Connected and Walkable Corridors – A variety of mixed-use corridors throughout the city that provide opportunities for shopping, recreation, commerce, employment, and
circulation.
• Quality Urban Design – Quality and authenticity in architecture and site design in all construction and renovation of buildings.
• Public Realm and Pedestrian-Scale Design – A pedestrian-focused urban form that
creates visual interest and a comfortable outdoor environment.
• Educational and Community Facilities – Adequate space and appropriate integration of
community and school facilities that support physical activity, civic life, and social
connections for residents of all ages and interests.
• Accommodations in the Coastal Zone – A range of coastal-dependent and visitor-serving
uses available to all income ranges and amenity desires.
• Space for Renewable Energy – Local energy independence through renewable energy generation.
• Celebrated Examples of the City’s Rich History – A strong sense of cultural and
architectural heritage.
• A Vibrant Artistic Community – A proud and visible identity as an arts and cultural
community.
• Venues and Space for Artistic Expression – A mix of cultural facilities that support and
encourage the community’s vibrant range of art creation and presentation.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Land Use + Design Element and actions in the
Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation action is an update to the Zoning Ordinance and Local Coastal
Implementation Plan.
Character areas—split into neighborhoods, corridors, and districts and shown in Figure 3.0-5 (Character Areas)—have been defined and described to highlight the unique features or
characteristics of the different areas of Hermosa Beach. Each character area description
includes the intended future vision and proposed guidelines to help maintain, enhance, or transform the building form and public realm of each area. A summary of each area is included
in Table 3.0-5 (Character Areas and Future Visions).
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FIGURE 3.0-5 CHARACTER AREAS
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TABLE 3.0-5
CHARACTER AREAS AND FUTURE VISIONS Character Area Future Vision Neighborhoods North End To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form and scale and maintain neighborhood
connectivity and access to nearby commercial services.
Hermosa View To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form, orientation, or scale and retain the
unique streetscape with wide parkways and uninterrupted sidewalks.
Walk Street To achieve the intent, the City should maintain the high quality pedestrian connections
through the walk streets and retain the form, scale, and orientation of buildings in this area.
Sand Section To achieve the intent, the City should enhance multimodal connectivity and access while
preserving the building form, scale, and orientation in this neighborhood.
Valley To achieve the intent, the City should improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance
connectivity and access while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area.
Herondo To achieve the intent, the City should preserve the scale and building form of this
neighborhood and maintain connections and access to nearby amenities.
Greenbelt To achieve the intent, the City should maintain the building scale and form of this
neighborhood, while enhancing access to local neighborhood-serving commercial uses.
Hermosa Hills The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance connectivity and access
while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area.
Eastside To achieve the intent, buildings should preserve form, orientation, and scale and retain the
quiet nature and unique streetscape of this area. Districts Downtown To achieve the intent, buildings should enhance form and orientation and maintain the
pedestrian realm along Pier Avenue while transforming the realm on Hermosa Avenue.
Civic Center To achieve the intent, buildings should transform the orientation and design in the Civic
Center, while enhancing the streetscape and circulation of all modes and users.
Cypress To achieve the intent, buildings should transform both the design and orientation as well as
the public realm and streetscape within the Cypress area. Corridors Aviation To achieve the intent, buildings should transform building design, form, and orientation while
enhancing the streetscape and access for pedestrians and bicycles in this area.
Pacific Coast
Highway
To achieve the intent, the City should enhance building design and form, and transform
streetscapes and gateways to serve pedestrians and improve vehicular circulation.
Mobility Element
The Mobility Element identifies the proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, and alternative transportation facilities necessary to support a multimodal transportation system. This
element is intended to facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout Hermosa
Beach by a variety of transportation modes. The element places a balanced emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian modes, alternative-fuel vehicle use, and parking management in the
Coastal Zone. The Mobility Element outlines a transportation system needed to support the land
uses outlined in the Land Use + Design Element and regional growth factors identified in county-
wide and region-wide plans.
The Mobility Element describes each component of the city’s transportation system and presents future enhancements to the system that advance the following goals:
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• Complete Streets – Complete Streets that serve the diverse functions of mobility, commerce, recreation, and community engagement for all users whether they travel by
walking, bicycling, transit, or driving.
• Living Streets – A public realm that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel via foot, bicycle, transit, and automobile and creates vibrant, people-oriented public spaces that encourage active living.
• Streets for Everyone – Public right-of-ways supporting a multimodal and people-oriented
transportation system that provides diversity and flexibility on how users choose to be
mobile.
• Managed Parking – A parking system that meets the parking needs and demand of
residents, visitors, and employees in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
• Low-Carbon Sustainable Transport – A robust low-cost and low-carbon transportation system that promotes the City’s environmental sustainability and stewardship goals in support of social and economic objectives.
• Local and Regional Connectivity – A regionally integrated transportation system that
provides local and regional connections to regional transit services, bicycle facilities, and other intermodal facilities.
• Vision Zero – A transportation system that results in zero transportation-related fatalities
and which minimizes injuries.
• Efficient Commercial Goods Movement – Facilitates sustainable, effective, and safe movement of goods and commercial vehicles.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Mobility Element and actions in the Implementation
Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The key implementation actions for the Mobility
Element are organized around goals to improve safety, enhance access, and support greater choice in transportation options.
Street Classifications
Streets are not equal in function or in their service of different travel modes. The Mobility
Element’s system of street classifications will inform future roadway improvements and performance measurement for new and reconfigured streets to carry out mobility priorities more
effectively and to balance the needs of all travel modes. Definitions of street classifications
consider surrounding land uses and designate priority levels for different travel modes within
each street type. Combined, the types represent a hierarchical network linked to typical design standards and anticipated traffic levels.
For each street type, the Mobility Element provides a definition and design guidelines that
illustrate how the street space is divided among roadway, sidewalk, parkway, and other modes. The street classifications outline the rights-of-way required for each arterial and collector street to accommodate vehicle traffic, transit movement, bicycle system implementation, and
pedestrian circulation needs. The classifications also provide design guidance, priorities, and
requirements for each street type. These are considered general guidelines for street corridors. Each street classification is defined in Table 3.0-6 (Proposed Transportation Network Descriptions)
and locations of each type of facility are illustrated in Figure 3.0-6 (Proposed Street Classifications), Figure 3.0-7 (Proposed Pedestrian Network), Figure 3.0-8 (Proposed Bicycle and Multi-Use Network), and Figure 3.0-9 (Proposed Transportation Amenities).
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TABLE 3.0-6
PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION NETWORK DESCRIPTIONS
Street Type Description
Alleyway Provide access to private properties, including parking spaces and garages.
Local Street
Provide connections within and between neighborhoods. Local streets are not intended to serve
through vehicular traffic and are generally one lane in each direction with a lower volume of
vehicles.
Arterial
(major + minor)
Carry the majority of vehicles entering, leaving, or traveling through the city. Major and minor
arterials are differentiated by the volume of vehicles using the street and width of the right-of-way.
Walk Street A street segment designed to exclude vehicular use, for pedestrians and non-motorized
transportation.
Local Sidewalk Provide contiguous and level walking space primarily on low-volume residential streets.
Wide Sidewalk Provide adequate space for a frontage zone, pedestrian zone, and buffer/greenspace zone on
commercial streets.
Priority Sidewalk Facilities essential to providing a safe, accessible, and well-connected pedestrian network.
Multi-Use Path A two-way facility separated from motor vehicles (adjacent to or independent of roadways) for
use by pedestrians, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists.
Shared Roadway A street segment that functions as a space for multiple users and intermittently as a gathering
space, without delineations for each mode.
Bike Lane Provide preferential or exclusive use of a portion of the roadway for bicyclists through striping or
markings.
Sharrows Combine bicycle stencils with chevrons placed in the center of the travel lane. Bring awareness to
drivers that bicycles share the lane and may use the full lane.
Bike Boulevard Allow bicyclists and motorists to share the same travel lanes to facilitate safe and convenient
bicycle travel. They are low-volume streets optimized for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Local Trolley In coordination with parking facilities, provides enhanced access to the beach and downtown.
Electric Vehicle
and Bike Parking
Electric vehicle and bike parking facilities support the use of alternative modes to key
destinations.
Crossing Control Crossing control facilities (stop sign, signal, traffic circle) ensure efficient and safe intersections for
all travel modes.
Parking District District-based parking helps manage parking supply and more efficiently use space dedicated for
parking.
Multimodal Transportation System
The Mobility Element places a priority on the development of a multimodal transportation system
in the city. The current street system comprises three functional systems: arterials, collectors, and
local streets with low walking and biking priority. The goals and policies identified in the Mobility
Element serve to encourage greater individual choice to walk and bike throughout the city by developing multi-use path connections to key destinations in order to reduce auto dependency
and improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity. This would serve to decrease traffic,
increase mobility and access to jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the Hermosa Beach community’s overall health, wellness, and quality of life.
Concepts identified in the Mobility Element include redesign of Pacific Coast Highway to
improve its local function as a community focal point and gathering place. Potential redesign
for the roadway could include wider sidewalks, sharrows, buffered and painted bicycle lanes, and streetscape improvements such as benches and pedestrian-scale lighting. Enhancing a multimodal transportation system and shifting travel patterns away from the automobile to
alternative modes of transportation, including public transit (both regional and local), walking,
and biking, would alleviate auto congestion throughout the city.
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FIGURE 3.0-6 PROPOSED STREET CLASSIFICATIONS
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FIGURE 3.0-7 PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
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FIGURE 3.0-8 PROPOSED BICYCLE AND MULTI-USE NETWORK
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FIGURE 3.0-9 PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION AMENITIES
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Sustainability + Conservation
The Sustainability + Conservation Element includes goals and policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, promote improved air quality and water quality, and promote energy-efficient green
building practices. The element’s primary objective is to set Hermosa Beach on a path toward a
low- or no-carbon future, with stated goals of being a carbon-neutral municipal organization by 2020 and a carbon-neutral community by 2040.
The Sustainability + Conservation Element details measures to improve air quality in the city. This
element also addresses the use of green building practices to reduce energy use and preserve
the environment. Additionally, the element addresses the preservation of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources; managed production of resources, such as energy and
groundwater; solid waste reduction and recycling; regional geology and soil erosion; provision of
beach nourishment programs; and mineral resources.
The goals addressing the conservation of natural resources targeting water conservation, energy conservation, green building, air quality, and recycling and solid waste are as follows:
• Carbon-Neutral Municipality – Carbon neutral municipal operations by 2020 and
sustained into the future.
• A Carbon-Neutral Community – Hermosa Beach is a carbon-neutral community by 2040.
• Air Quality Improved – Improved air quality and reduced quantities of air pollution
emissions.
• Energy Efficient Community – A leader in reducing energy consumption and renewable energy production.
• Leaders in Water Conservation – Water conservation practices, recycled water use, and
innovative water technologies support a carbon-neutral community.
• Zero Waste to Landfills – Hermosa Beach is a zero-waste community with convenient and effective options for recycling, composting, and diverting waste from landfills.
• Retained Topsoil and Reduced Erosion – Essential topsoil is retained and erosion is
minimized.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Sustainability + Conservation Element and actions in the Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation actions include a commitment to green building, energy conservation, and
renewable energy production to maintain valuable resources over the long term, cut utility costs
for businesses and residents, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Parks + Open Space Element
The Parks + Open Space Element includes coastal policies and actions for beach programming,
special events, the protection of scenic resources and views, and the preservation of natural habitat and wildlife. The City provides a high rate of parks/open space per resident, more than half of which is sandy beach. However, park space across the city is not evenly distributed
among neighborhoods, especially those east of Pacific Coast Highway. See Figure 3.0-10 (Parks and Public Facilities).
The following goals are outlined in the Parks + Open Space Element:
• Abundant Parks and Open Space – Abundant parks, open space, and recreational
facilities to serve the community.
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• First-Class Facilities – First-class, well-maintained, and safe recreational facilities, parks, and open spaces.
• Parks as a Place for Social Interaction – Community parks and facilities encourage social
activity and interaction.
• Direct and Accessible Routes to Parks – Direct and accessible routes and connections to parks, recreational facilities, and open space.
• Enhanced Protection of Scenic Views and Vistas – Scenic vistas, viewpoints, and
resources are protected and enhanced.
• Superior Access to the Coast – The coast and its recreational facilities are easily
accessible from many locations and by multiple transportation modes.
• Balanced Management of the Beach – The beach offers high quality recreational
opportunities and amenities desired by the community.
• Events for Everyone – Balanced level of special events to support community recreation and economic development without restricting coastal access or impacting the
community.
• Abundant Trees and Green Space – Abundant landscaping, trees, and green space provided throughout the community.
• Habitats and Wildlife Protected – Coastal and marine habitat resources and wildlife are
protected.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Parks + Open Space Element and actions in the Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved. The element’s key
implementation actions include development of a beach management program and a
network of trails.
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FIGURE 3.0-10 PARKS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
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Public Safety Element
The Public Safety Element establishes goals and policies that through their implementation would
protect the community from risk associated with known natural and man-made hazards (e.g.,
geologic, flood, fire, and hazardous materials) and sets standards for emergency preparedness.
The element places specific focus on coastal hazards that would be made more severe with anticipated sea level rise. This element also incorporates the State-required Noise Element,
identifying goals, policies, and actions addressing major noise sources, existing and future noise
levels, and the location and noise exposure of existing and proposed sensitive receptors. The element describes implementation of noise reduction methods and measures that employ current and innovative practices. The following Public Safety Element goals provide Hermosa
Beach with a framework for keeping residents, businesses, and visitors safe from natural and
human hazards, including excessive noise levels.
• Minimize Hazard Risk – Injuries and loss of life are prevented, and property loss and damage are minimized.
• Consideration of Sea Level Rise – The anticipated effects of sea level rise are understood,
prepared for, and successfully mitigated.
• Protection from Hazardous Materials – Hermosa Beach residents, businesses, and coastal
resources are protected from hazardous materials.
• Community Capacity and Preparedness – Community capacity and preparedness for
unavoidable hazards.
• Highly Responsive Emergency Response Services – High quality police and fire protection
services provided to residents and visitors.
• A Resilient Community – Hermosa Beach is prepared for and recovers quickly from
natural disasters.
• Noise Compatibility – Noise compatibility is considered in the land use planning and
design process.
• Reduced Transportation Noise – Transportation noise sources are minimized.
In addition, the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is incorporated in the Public Safety Element by reference. Each goal is supported by policies in the element and actions in the Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved.
Infrastructure Element
The Infrastructure Element outlines policies and guidelines to maintain and improve infrastructure systems, including the water supply system, sewer system, storm drain system, and
telecommunications and utilities in the city. This element recommends new development
approaches that incorporate low-impact development standards to manage stormwater runoff
and identifies new and innovative technologies to be incorporated in new development. The goals addressing the City’s provision of high quality infrastructure and maintenance of
infrastructure in a way that reduces ongoing costs include:
• High Quality Infrastructure Systems – Infrastructure systems are functional, safe, and well maintained.
• Well-Maintained and Attractive Streets – Roadway infrastructure maintenance supports
convenient, attractive, and complete streets and associated amenities.
• Resilient Water Supply – Adequate water supplies from diverse sources provide for the
needs of current and future residents, businesses, and visitors.
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• Modernized Sewer System – The sewer system infrastructure is modernized and resilient.
• Innovative Stormwater Management – The stormwater management system is safe,
sanitary, and environmentally and fiscally sustainable.
• Reliable and Environmentally Sustainable Utility Services – Utility services are reliable, affordable, and renewable.
• Advanced Telecommunication Network – A reliable and efficient telecommunications
network available to every resident, business, and institution.
Each goal is supported by policies in the Infrastructure Element and actions in the
Implementation Plan describing how the goals will be achieved.
GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The Implementation Plan outlines actions that will guide the City’s elected officials, commission
and committee members, staff, and the public in the overall effort to implement PLAN Hermosa goals and policies. Each outlined action is a procedure, program, or technique that requires the
City to act, either alone or in collaboration with non-City organizations or with federal and state
agencies. Some of the actions describe processes or procedures the City currently administers on a day-to-day basis (such as review of development projects), while others require new programs or projects. Completion of each of the identified actions is subject to funding availability.
Additionally, some implementation actions require physical improvements to existing
infrastructure and facilities. The PLAN Hermosa policies and the Implementation Plan were all studied in this EIR at the programmatic level. However, some of the implementation actions listed in Table 3.0-6 (Implementation Actions with Direct Physical Changes) that will require direct
physical changes to the environment may require future project-level CEQA review when
implemented, because it is too speculative at this time to know the detail of the project (location, size, construction methods, etc.).
TABLE 3.0-6
IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS WITH DIRECT PHYSICAL CHANGES
Mobility
MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to identify gaps, assess ADA
accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design standards for the construction or
maintenance of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and parkways.
MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and regional bicycle routes, and
parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing meters and machines have been shown to cause
confusion for visitors.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
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MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus stop pullouts, bus parking
locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year
Capital Improvement Program.
Sustainability + Conservation
SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects utilizing the City’s carbon
reduction planning tools for community and municipal operations.
SUSTAINABILITY-15. In City-sponsored renovation or remodeling projects, contract with companies that offer salvage
services and maximize the use of such services.
SUSTAINABILITY-18. Where feasible, new development or redevelopment shall be sited and designed to minimize
alteration of natural landforms by conforming to the local topography; preventing substantial grading or reconfiguration
of the project site; requiring that man-made contours mimic natural contours; ensuring that graded slopes blend with
the existing terrain of the site and surrounding areas; and clustering structures to minimize site disturbance and to
minimize development area.
Parks + Open Space
PARKS-5. Construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities at street ends as they intersect with The Strand.
PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on the
aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
PARKS-16. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the public to locate and use coastal
access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
PARKS-17. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit
visibility of public coastal access points.
Public Safety
SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong preference for beach
replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet established proactive time targets
and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
SAFETY-28. Review critical facilities proposed for development or expansion to ensure that hazardous conditions are
mitigated or hazard reduction features are incorporated to the satisfaction of the responsible agencies.
Noise
NOISE-1. Incorporate or request the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen berms, or other acoustical barriers as part of any
roadway improvement project adjacent to a residential area, school, or other sensitive land use, where necessary to
mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
Infrastructure
INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water,
wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems.
• Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as a basis for preparing the
infrastructure plan.
• Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting
and enforcing discretionary development requirements.
• Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to ensure it remains consistent
with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE-5. Require, as a part of development review, new development and redevelopment projects to
designate areas where public infrastructure must be accommodated and to require either a land dedication or provision
of the needed infrastructure by the project applicant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by establishing
and applying the following standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation or
relocation:
• New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible with, critical habitat areas,
resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service constraints may not allow relocation away from or full
compatibility with such areas and resources.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Install greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and business property best
practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public storm drains.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
Government Code Section 65400 dictates that the Implementation Plan will be used to prepare
the Annual Report to the City Council. The Annual Report will demonstrate the status of the City’s
progress in implementing the General Plan. Because many of the individual actions also act as
mitigation for environmental impacts resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the Annual Report can also serve as a means of monitoring application of mitigation measures
specified in this EIR, in compliance with the requirements for Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Programs, as specified by Public Resources Code Section 21081.6. Table 3.0-7 (Implementation Actions Used in this EIR) outlines the implementation actions that are used in this EIR to support mitigation of potential environmental impacts.
TABLE 3.0-7
IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS USED IN THIS EIR
Aesthetics
LAND USE-3. Develop building design guidelines to illustrate and articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and
massing for each established character area. The Design Guidelines shall be tailored to:
• Identify and safeguard the prominent visual characteristics of each character area in accordance with those key
features and characteristics to ensure that the overall visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts is
preserved.
• Include provisions that ensure avoidance of significant shadow impacts from new structures onto public
recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.
PARKS-10. Develop and apply design standards and evaluation procedures for development projects that have the
potential to degrade regionally important views or interfere with prominent public viewpoints, as identified in PLAN
Hermosa.
PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
• Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen all other utilities to minimize
public visibility.
• Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights where safe and appropriate.
• Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from designated viewpoints, scenic roads,
parks, beaches, and other public viewing areas.
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PARKS-12. Protect visual and aesthetic resources through design review and by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
• New development in areas visible from prominent public viewpoints shall incorporate colors and exterior
materials that are compatible with the surrounding landscape.
• Public works projects adjacent to prominent public viewpoints that include hardscape elements such as retaining
walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and culverts shall incorporate veneers, texturing, and colors that blend
with the surrounding earth materials or landscape.
• Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic quality of the coast from prominent
public viewpoints.
PARKS-13. Minimize nighttime light pollution by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
• Exterior lighting (except traffic lights, navigational lights, and other similar safety lighting) shall be minimized,
restricted to low intensity fixtures, shielded (full cutoff), and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal
plane of the fixture) concealed to the maximum feasible extent so that no light source is directly visible from
public viewing areas, there is no glare or spill beyond the property lines and the lamp bulb is not directly visible
from within any residential unit.
PARKS-14. Minimize the negative aesthetic impacts of signs by establishing or revising and applying the following
design requirements:
• Enforce appropriate limits on height, size, design, and materials of signs.
• Prohibit signs other than traffic or public safety signs that would obstruct views to the ocean, beach, parks, or other
scenic areas.
• Enforce sign maintenance controls.
• Continue restrictions on the use of lights and moving parts in signs, billboards, and rooftop signs.
Air Quality
LAND USE-13. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the
development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline permitting requirements and improve public awareness.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant impact thresholds that are in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for
roadway segments and intersections.
SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for projects to offset their fair share of greenhouse gas
emissions generated, by providing funding for implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential mitigation
measures for both discretionary and ministerial actions.
SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment
that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically update or amend Green
Building Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
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SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee waivers, or permit
streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy efficient, or water conservation equipment.
SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices to reduce
potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to reduce the need for site-
specific soil reports.
SUSTAINABILITY-18. Where feasible, new development or redevelopment shall be sited and designed to minimize
alteration of natural landforms by conforming to the local topography; preventing substantial grading or reconfiguration
of the project site; requiring that man-made contours mimic natural contours; ensuring that graded slopes blend with
the existing terrain of the site and surrounding areas; and clustering structures to minimize site disturbance and to
minimize development area.
PARKS-22. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the proper disposal of toxic
materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and water resources from toxic materials contamination.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
Biological Resources
LAND USE-13. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the
development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline permitting requirements and improve public awareness.
PARKS-24. Partner with local nonprofits such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission or the University of
California, Los Angeles, to conduct education demonstration projects or presentations on coastal and marine habitat
conservation.
PARKS-25. Evaluate existing beach conditions and identify areas that may be appropriate to restore vegetated dune
habitat. Pursue grant funding.
PARKS-26. Review and revise as needed, the City’s tree ordinance to ensure protection of existing parkway trees, and
update the master tree list.
PARKS-27. Complete and maintain a citywide public tree inventory, including quantity, species type, diameter,
condition, trimming strategies and geo-codes and recommendations.
PARKS-28. Maintain a list of approved plantings for trees and landscaping within City parkways.
PARKS-29. Amend the Municipal Code to incorporate tree removal and replacement requirements. If preservation of
existing mature trees is not feasible, removed trees shall be replaced at a minimum 2:1 ratio either on-site or elsewhere
as prescribed by the City.
Cultural Resources
GOVERNANCE-5. Incorporate guidance related to Native American consultation and treatment of prehistoric and
Native American resources into local CEQA guidelines for Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-2. Establish development standards to correspond with any new land use designations with consideration
of neighborhood character areas.
LAND USE-3. Develop building design guidelines to illustrate and articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and
massing for each established character area. The Design Guidelines shall be tailored to:
• Identify and safeguard the prominent visual characteristics of each character area in accordance with those key features
and characteristics to ensure that the overall visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts is preserved.
• Include provisions that ensure avoidance of significant shadow impacts from new structures onto public
recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.
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LAND USE-14. Amend the CEQA documentation and initial study process to ensure cultural and historical resources
are studied in accordance with CEQA and any local historic preservation program
LAND USE-15. Develop eligibility criteria to use in the designation of local historic sites or historic districts.
LAND USE-16. Develop emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for cultural resources, including a
recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to be faced by the City following a major disaster,
including economic recovery, protocols for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral
for repair permits.
LAND USE-17. Create a program to provide for the voluntary installation of plaques and/or public art related to historic
buildings and sites in the city.
LAND USE-18. Establish design review procedures and establish effective means to protect architectural features that
have historical significance. Use the Secretary of Interior’s Standards to evaluate impacts of alterations or new
development on historical resources.
LAND USE-19. Prepare design guidelines that illustrate and highlight important historic design features of buildings.
LAND USE-20. Research and develop innovative policies for preserving historic properties.
LAND USE-21. Work with community organizations to develop brochures, guides, walking tours, and other marketing
materials to highlight existing public art in Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-22. Develop historic preservation expertise among staff and decision makers on the Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation ordinances, the State Historical Building Code, environmental
review for historical resources, and tax credits and incentives.
LAND USE -23. The City shall require archaeological investigations for all applicable discretionary projects, in
accordance with CEQA regulations, for areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural
resources. The City shall require the preservation of discovered archaeologically significant resources (as determined
based on city, state, and federal standards by a qualified professional) in place if feasible or provide mitigation
(avoidance, excavation, documentation, curation, data recovery, or other appropriate measures) prior to further
disturbance.
SAFETY-26. Develop a recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to be faced by the City following
a major disaster, including economic recovery, protocols for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures,
and fee deferral for repair permits.
Geology and Soils
SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices to reduce
potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to reduce the need for site-
specific soil reports.
SUSTAINABILITY-18. Where feasible, new development or redevelopment shall be sited and designed to minimize
alteration of natural landforms by conforming to the local topography; preventing substantial grading or reconfiguration
of the project site; requiring that man-made contours mimic natural contours; ensuring that graded slopes blend with
the existing terrain of the site and surrounding areas; and clustering structures to minimize site disturbance and to
minimize development area.
SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire
Code, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-2. Continue to inventory unreinforced brick masonry, soft-story, and other seismically vulnerable private
buildings. Identify potential funding sources to assist with seismic retrofits.
SAFETY-3. Enforce seismic design provisions of the current California Building Standards Code related to geologic,
seismic, and slope hazards, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-4. For properties identified as possibly containing acidic, expansive, or collapsible soils, require site-specific
soil condition reports and appropriate mitigation as a condition of new development.
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SAFETY-6. Evaluate the landslide potential of a project site and require implementation of landslide mitigation
measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation, areas prone to landslide are found. Potential
landslide mitigation measures include, but are not limited to the following:
• Avoidance: Developments should be built sufficiently far away from the threat that they will not be affected even
if a landslide does occur.
• Reduction: Reduction of landslide hazards should be achieved by increasing the factor of safety of the landslide
area to an acceptable level, based on current engineering standards and practices. This can be accommodated by
eliminating slopes with active/inactive landslides, removing the unstable soil and rock materials, or applying one
or more appropriate slope stabilization methods (such as buttress fills, subdrains, soil nailing, crib walls, etc.)
SAFETY-7. Require projects located within the Liquefaction Areas identified in PLAN Hermosa to evaluate the
liquefaction potential and require implementation of mitigation measures when, during the course of a geotechnical
investigation, shallow groundwater (60 feet or less) and potentially liquefiable soils are found. Potential liquefaction
mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, soil densification or compaction, displacement or compaction
grouting, and use of post-tensioned slab foundations, piles, or caissons.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for projects to offset their fair share of greenhouse gas
emissions generated, by providing funding for implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential mitigation
measures for both discretionary and ministerial actions.
SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects utilizing the City’s carbon
reduction planning tools for community and municipal operations.
SUSTAINABILITY-5. Regularly monitor and evaluate the City’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory and report on
progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
SAFETY-16. Include updated hazardous materials considerations in regular Emergency Operation Plan updates and
work with the County of Los Angeles to update local Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular basis.
SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the proper disposal of toxic
materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and water resources from toxic materials contamination.
SAFETY-18. Designate an emergency response team to monitor and respond to regional disasters such as oil spills and
other shoreline disasters. Such a team must maintain an emergency response plan that includes coordination with other
agencies and jurisdictions in the region on initial response, aid, and recovery.
SAFETY-24. Periodically update the emergency operations plan.
SAFETY-25. Periodically update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and concurrently amend the Public Safety Element to
maintain eligibility for maximum grant funding.
SAFETY-29. Identify hazard-specific evacuation routes and share with the public, businesses, and other government
agencies.
Hydrology and Water Quality
SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water
Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies
or practices to conserve water.
SAFETY-5. Evaluate tsunami preparation, evacuation, and response policies/practices to reflect current inundation maps
and design standards. Include updated information in the periodically updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
SAFETY-9. Continue working with regional partners to develop a local sea level rise model that evaluates erosion
potential, provides detailed inundation maps, and provides combined sea level rise and tsunami maps.
SAFETY-10. When the mean high water level exceeds 1 foot above the baseline level, partner with FEMA as a
cooperating technical partner to conduct a Hydrologic and Hydraulic Study, and facilitate necessary revisions to
applicable Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
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SAFETY-11. Prepare for changing shoreline conditions by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
• Require new development or redevelopment project proposals within the designated area subject to flooding,
inundation, or erosion due to sea level rise to describe and illustrate in site plans how the proposed project
considers and mitigates potential flood hazards during the economic lifespan of the structure. Potential flood
mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, flood proofing; increased ground floor elevation (a minimum
of 1-foot freeboard); ground-floor, flood-resistant exterior materials; and restricting fencing or yard enclosures that
cause water to pond.
• Require new development or redevelopment projects to assure stability and structural integrity and neither create
nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the project site or surrounding area.
• As local flood, erosion, and tsunami data becomes more precise, amend the General Plan and Zoning Code to
establish more specific development standards and conditions.
SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for structural development as
between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood
risk when properties subject to inundation or flooding are developed or redeveloped.
SAFETY-14. Continue to participate in regional sediment management planning.
SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong preference for beach
replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies, provide public information and
incentives for water conservation best practices.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Install greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water plumbing hookups for
landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and redevelopment projects where
recycled water is available or expected to be available.
INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan and any
implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of
water conservation rules.
INFRASTRUCTURE-18. Continue to implement and incorporate revisions to the Clean Bay Restaurant Program and
Grease Control Ordinance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-19. Update program requirements to integrate the latest available Best Management Practices into
the City Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance, Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance, and
Green Streets Policy and regularly monitor results.
INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and business property best
practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
INFRASTRUCTURE-21. Continue to require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate green street
BMPs that address stormwater runoff from the project area using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified
in Attachment A of the City’s Green Street Policy.
INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public storm drains.
Land Use and Planning
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and
Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts.
LAND USE-2. Establish development standards to correspond with any new land use designations with consideration
of neighborhood character areas.
Attachment 1E
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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Noise and Vibration
NOISE-1. Incorporate or request the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen berms, or other acoustical barriers as part of any
roadway improvement project adjacent to a residential area, school, or other sensitive land use, where necessary to
mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
NOISE-2. Enforce and periodically evaluate truck and bus movements and routes to reduce impacts on sensitive areas,
and promote coordination between the Police Department and the California Highway Patrol to enforce the State
Motor Vehicle noise standards, to minimize or reduce noise impacts on residential and other sensitive land uses.
NOISE-3. Apply the Noise Element standards of compatibility described in PLAN Hermosa to new development
proposals. Require the mitigation of anticipated impacts through design features such as building orientation and
acoustical barriers, to ensure compatibility.
NOISE-4. Require new multi-family development, single-family development, and condominium conversion projects
to meet the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24 of the California Administrative Code) for interior and
exterior noise levels.
NOISE-5. Acoustical analysis reports prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant shall be required for new sensitive
land uses within noise impact areas (i.e., those areas where the existing or future CNEL exceeds 60 dB).
NOISE-6. Adopt and enforce a quantitative Noise and Vibration Ordinance to reduce excessive noise and
vibration from site-specific sources such as construction activity, mechanical equipment, landscaping maintenance,
loud music, truck traffic, loading and unloading activities, and other sources.
NOISE-7. Periodically review adopted noise standards, policies and regulations affecting noise in order to conform to
changes in legislation and/or technologies.
NOISE-8. Comply with all state and federal OSHA noise standards, and all new equipment purchases shall comply
with state and federal noise standards.
Population and Housing
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and
Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts.
Public Services
LAND USE-6. Develop an inventory of underutilized or surplus property that may be appropriate for City or School
District use or purchase to serve community education and recreational needs in the future.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points,
a proposed network, education and enforcement programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School Program.
SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically update or amend Green
Building Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee waivers, or permit
streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy efficient, or water conservation equipment.
SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water
Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies
or practices to conserve water.
SUSTAINABILITY-10-. Create and adopt a Zero Waste Action Plan to reach 100% waste diversion from landfills.
SUSTAINABILITY-11. Amend the Municipal Code to require that all commercial facilities make full-service recycling
available for both customer use and business use, placing attractive and convenient bins in clear locations.
SUSTAINABILITY-12. Require that all multi-family residential uses provide an adequate number of attractive and
convenient recycling bins to serve the number of units in the complex.
Attachment 1E
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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SUSTAINABILITY-13. Require that all restaurants use compostable single-use items like takeout boxes.
SUSTAINABILITY-14. Create and update a standard requirement for the use of recycled materials in new development
and redevelopment projects.
PARKS-1. Conduct needs assessments and evaluate recreational program offerings to ensure community needs and
priorities are being met. Conduct regular updates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
PARKS-2. Conduct periodic assessments of public facilities and maintain a list of priority replacement or new facilities
projects.
PARKS-3. Establish parks level of service and level of access standards to prioritize the development, upgrade, and
renovation of parks and open space facilities.
PARKS-4. Update City standards and fees related to the provision of parks and open space and sustainable funding
source for providing high quality and well maintained facilities.
PARKS-5. Construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities at street ends as they intersect with The Strand.
PARKS-6. Continue, renew, and expand as needed, joint use agreements with the School District to allow community
use of school fields and facilities.
PARKS-7. Partner with the School District, community groups, and neighboring communities to identify and apply for
grant opportunities to maintain, enhance, and expand park and recreational opportunities.
SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire
Code, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-8. Support community safety and fire protection standards by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements to be reviewed by HBFD and HBPD as appropriate:
• New development and significant redevelopment projects shall coordinate with HBFD and Cal Water to provide
and maintain adequate peak flow rates for firefighting.
• New development, significant redevelopment, and public improvement projects shall ensure that building designs
provide for adequate emergency access and that changes to the right-of-way do not impede access for emergency
responder’s apparatus or personnel.
SAFETY-20. Establish and meet EMS and Fire response time standard of 7 minutes or less for 90% of incidents.
SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police
resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet established proactive time targets
and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police
resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water,
wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems.
• Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as a basis for preparing the
infrastructure plan.
• Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting
and enforcing discretionary development requirements.
• Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to ensure it remains consistent
with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by establishing
and applying the following standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation or
relocation:
• New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible with, critical habitat areas,
resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service constraints may not allow relocation away from or full
compatibility with such areas and resources.
Attachment 1E
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
3.0-34
INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies, provide public information and
incentives for water conservation best practices.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Install greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure
adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water plumbing hookups for
landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and redevelopment projects where
recycled water is available or expected to be available.
INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan and any
implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of
water conservation rules.
INFRASTRUCTURE-14. Ensure adequate and resilient sewer system capacity by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
• New development or redevelopment projects involving construction of 8-inch diameter or larger sewers that
connect directly or indirectly to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts' sewer system must prepare a sewer
plan identifying that the existing sewer collection and treatment systems have available capacity to support such
an increase, or provide for necessary system upgrades as part of the proposed project.
INFRASTRUCTURE-16. Implement a financing plan, including use of the adopted sewer fee and loans, to ensure that
resources are available for investment in annual rehabilitation projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes.
INFRASTRUCTURE-17. Prepare an annual report for City Council documenting sewer system operations, actions to
minimize overflows, incidents of overflows, and their impacts on receiving waters and public health and safety.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for alternative renewable energy
power generation facilities, and provide such information to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE-25. Survey all streetlights periodically for functionality and create a response protocol to respond
to reports of streetlight outages within a 24-hour time period.
Transportation
GOVERNANCE-4. Continue to participate and partner with neighboring cities and regional organizations to implement
projects and achieve goals that enhance the livability of Hermosa Beach.
MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to identify gaps, assess ADA
accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design standards for the construction or
maintenance of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and parkways.
MOBILITY-3. Add definitions to the Municipal Code for street classifications, pedestrian facilities, bicycle and multi-use
facilities, and transportation amenities.
MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and regional bicycle routes, and
parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing meters and machines have been shown to cause
confusion for visitors.
MOBILITY-5. Evaluate operations in local neighborhood streets with considerations to speed management strategies
and traffic calming measures to increase safety for all people using the street.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified and documented traffic
concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include
clearly marked and/or protected bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers, raised intersections, realigned
intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-7. Work with commercial property owners to conduct an assessment for utilization of private parking supplies
to supplement private and public parking needs and evaluate the potential for shared use agreements or MOUs.
Attachment 1E
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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MOBILITY-8. Implement a contingency-based overflow parking plan to address seasonal and even- based parking
demands.
MOBILITY-9. Periodically conduct a city-wide parking study to analyze existing parking infrastructure in order to
effectively address and manage current and future parking needs.
MOBILITY-10. Set utilization and turnover rate goals and implement dynamically adjusted (demand-based) pricing
strategies for public parking supplies.
MOBILITY-11. Develop a smart technology street parking system in the Coastal Zone that includes but is not limited to
the following features:
• Variable-cost parking linked to demand;
• Smart phone application identifying available metered spaces; and
• Parking pay-by-card and pay-by-phone programs.
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance with
activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging
stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus stop pullouts, bus parking
locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year
Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points,
a proposed network, education and enforcement programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School Program.
MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant impact thresholds that are in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for
roadway segments and intersections.
SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment
that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
PARKS-8. Identify and evaluate the ADA compliance of parks, public facilities, and coastal public access points.
PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on the
aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
PARKS-16. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the public to locate and use coastal
access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
PARKS-17. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit
visibility of public coastal access points.
PARKS-22. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
INFRASTRUCTURE-6. Aggressively seek regional, state, and federal funds to leverage local money earmarked for
projects listed in the CIP.
INFRASTRUCTURE-7. Periodically review, and if needed revise, the development fee schedule and impact fee process
to ensure they are adequate and reflective of proposed projects’ impacts and required services.
Attachment 1E
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3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
3.0-36
LOCAL COASTAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The proposed project covers the development of the City’s Coastal Implementation Plan, which
will provide development standards and regulations applicable in the Coastal Zone and will
outline an administrative process for the issuance of coastal development permits. The Implementation Plan will include revisions to the City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code
regarding permitting procedures, visitor-serving accommodations, special events, transportation
demand management, coastal-dependent or coastal-related commercial uses, increased
flood risk under anticipated sea level rise scenarios, and water quality. While the Coastal Implementation Plan will be approved at a later date, PLAN Hermosa includes a series of actions
that detail the types of changes to be made to the Hermosa Beach municipal code. The
implementation actions, identified in Table 3.0-8 (Actions Related to the Coastal Implementation Plan), provide sufficient detail to evaluate the potential physical impacts of the Coastal Implementation Plan in conjunction with PLAN Hermosa and are analyzed in this EIR.
TABLE 3.0-8
ACTIONS RELATED TO THE COASTAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations and
Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts.
LAND USE-7. Establish within the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan a method to define and classify existing
facilities and proposed projects providing overnight accommodations in the Coastal Zone as low, mid-range, or high
cost, and apply this method to the Coastal Development Permit review process. The method should compare hotel
room rates to the California statewide and regional averages, and should be updated as the City's fee schedule is
updated.
LAND USE-8. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan and Zoning Map to better accommodate coastal-
dependent and coastal-related uses, as follows:
• Establish definitions for coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses consistent with the California Coastal Act. For
each, identify a list of priority uses that meets the definition.
• Contract the C-2 (Downtown Commercial) zone district to match the Recreational Commercial land use
designation.
• Modify the permitted use tables to allow specific coastal-dependent commercial uses in the C-1, C-2, and SPA 11
zone districts.
• Modify the permitted use tables to allow coastal-dependent and coastal-related industrial uses in the M-1 zone
district.
LAND USE-9. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to require any proposal for visitor-serving
accommodations providing a majority of units at mid-range or high-cost levels to include public amenities such as
plazas and spaces, restaurants, retail units, garden viewing areas, or other day-use features that may be used by the
general public at no or relatively low cost. The quality and quantity of required amenities will be determined in the
Coastal Development Permit review process. This requirement does not prohibit the proposed project from charging a
user fee or resort fee for active amenities such as pool and spa access, recreation activities and equipment, or organized
group activities on the property.
LAND USE-10. Establish a visitor-serving accommodations fee program for new high-cost overnight accommodations.
Fee revenues may provide funding to support specific projects that preserve (first priority) or establish (second priority)
low- or mid-cost overnight visitor accommodations that improve access to the coast by providing visitors with an
affordable place to stay overnight. Collaborating with the Coastal Commission, the City shall prepare and maintain a list
of specific projects that fee revenues may be used to support.
Attachment 1E
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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LAND USE-11. Require new visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone to maintain or improve public
access to the coast by establishing and applying the following development review requirements in the Zoning
Code/Local Implementation Plan:
• Where a new hotel or motel development project would consist entirely of high-cost overnight accommodations,
the development shall be required to provide mitigation as a condition of approval of a Coastal Development
Permit. Such mitigation may include, but is not limited to, a mitigation payment consistent with the City’s visitor-
serving accommodations fee program.
• If a hotel or motel project proposes a certain number or percentage of on-site low or mid-range cost units, such
units shall remain available as low or mid-range cost units for the life of the project.
LAND USE-12. Protect existing visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone by establishing and applying
the following development review requirements in the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan:
• Any development project that directly displaces existing low and mid-range cost accommodations in the Coastal
Zone shall provide an equivalent number of rooms or accommodations at an equivalent nightly rate in the Coastal
Zone, or elsewhere within the City of Hermosa Beach.
• Replacement units must be subject to deed restrictions recorded against the title of the property so that they
mitigate the displacement of lower- and mid-range cost accommodations for the life of the project.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the beach, the Pier, and The
Strand.
PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
• Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen all other utilities to minimize
public visibility.
• Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights where safe and appropriate.
• Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from designated viewpoints, scenic roads,
parks, beaches, and other public viewing areas.
PARKS-12. Protect visual and aesthetic resources through design review and by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
• New development in areas visible from prominent public viewpoints shall incorporate colors and exterior materials
that are compatible with the surrounding landscape.
• Public works projects adjacent to prominent public viewpoints that include hardscape elements such as retaining
walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and culverts shall incorporate veneers, texturing, and colors that blend
with the surrounding earth materials or landscape.
• Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic quality of the coast from prominent
public viewpoints.
PARKS-15. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to prohibit use of the public beach for private
commercial purposes without a Coastal Development Permit.
PARKS-18. Protect public access to the coast by establishing and applying the following development review
requirements:
• Require a direct dedication of an easement for access in all new development projects that cause or contribute to
adverse public access impacts. Access ways shall be a sufficient size to accommodate two-way pedestrian passage
and landscape buffer.
• Implement building design and siting regulations to protect public access through setbacks and other property
development regulations that control building placement.
• New development and redevelopment projects shall protect public accessibility to walk streets and street ends that
provide access to the shoreline, the beach, and The Strand.
• New or improved beach access facilities shall accommodate persons with physical disabilities.
Attachment 1E
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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PARKS-20. Amend the Municipal Code to update administrative procedures for special events occurring in the Coastal
Zone. New administrative procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:
• The City will continue to utilize the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission for event
oversight.
• The Recreation and Community Resources Department will continue to administer the special event process, and
in coordination with the Community Development Department, will determine whether a proposed special event
requires a Coastal Development Permit.
• If required, a Coastal Development Permit application will be processed by the Community Resources Department.
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Advisory Commission will consider the application and make a
recommendation of the Coastal Development Permit to the City Council.
• The City Council will consider Coastal Development Permit applications following review by the Parks,
Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission and may grant the permit following a public hearing.
City Council actions related to Coastal Development Permits may be appealed to the Coastal Commission.
PARKS-21. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code requirements to implement the following provisions for
special events:
• Coastal Development Permits are not required for events that:
− are within the adopted days used by event standard,
− require fewer than 10 reserved parking spaces in the Coastal Zone on any setup or event day, and
− require payment of an admission fee for no more than 25% of scheduled event activities.
• Special Events not requiring a Coastal Development Permit are subject to prescriptive traffic, parking, resource,
access, and cleanup mitigation strategies identified in the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code. The City will
list each event and identify the number of event days used and dedicated parking spaces required on the annual
Master Events Calendar.
• A Coastal Development Permit is required for events that:
− exceed the adopted Days Used by Event (DUE) standard,
− require 10 or more reserved parking spaces in the Coastal Zone on any setup or event day, or
− require payment of an admission fee for 25% or more of scheduled event activities.
• Such events requiring a Coastal Development Permit shall incorporate event-specific mitigation strategies to be
specified in the Coastal Development Permit. The Coastal Development Permit may be recommended by the
Parks, Recreation, and Community Advisory Commission to the City Council for approval and may be appealed to
the Coastal Commission.
PARKS-22. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on
weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and
advertise predetermined shuttle services and bicycle corrals.
SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for structural development as
between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood
risk when properties subject to inundation or flooding are developed or redeveloped.
Attachment 1E
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
3.0-39
3.0.5 PROJECT APPROVALS
Project approval requires the following actions by the Hermosa Beach City Council:
• Certification of this EIR
• Adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
The EIR will be used in the consideration of subsequent actions, including:
• Certification of the City’s Coastal Local Implementation Plan
• Zoning amendments
• Subdivision maps
• Community plans
• Specific plans
• Special planning districts
• Special permits
• Historic preservation actions
• Planning actions
• Infrastructure and public facilities siting and project approvals
• Climate Action Plan
• Other related actions
3.0.6 LEAD, RESPONSIBLE, AND TRUSTEE AGENCIES
LEAD AGENCY
In conformance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15050 and 15367, the City of Hermosa Beach is
the lead agency for preparation of the PLAN Hermosa environmental analysis. The City, as the
lead agency, is responsible for scoping the analysis, preparing the EIR, and responding to comments received on the Draft EIR.
RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Responsible agencies are other state and local public agencies that have authority to carry out
or approve a project or that are required to approve a portion of the project for which a lead
agency is preparing or has prepared an EIR or initial study/negative declaration. Because the
proposed project is a General Plan, no agencies other than the City of Hermosa Beach have
approval or permitting authority for the plan’s adoption.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would involve many additional responsible agencies,
depending on the specifics of the nature of subsequent projects. The following are some of the
agencies that may be required to act as responsible agencies for subsequent projects:
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• California Coastal Commission
• California Air Resources Board
• California Department of Housing and Community Development
• California Office of Historic Preservation
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• State Reclamation Board
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• State Lands Commission
• California Department of Parks and Recreation
• State Water Resources Control Board
• South Coast Air Quality Management District
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the County of Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
TRUSTEE AGENCIES
Trustee agencies under CEQA are public agencies with legal jurisdiction over natural resources
that are held in trust for the people of California and that would be affected by a project,
whether the agencies have authority to approve or implement the project. The California Coastal Commission is a trustee agency since it will approve the Local Coastal Program under its
authority through the California Coastal Act. Subsequent development under PLAN Hermosa
would not generally affect lands under the jurisdiction of a trustee agency; however, the trustee agencies with jurisdiction that could be affected by subsequent projects include the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Lands Commission, and the California Department of
Parks and Recreation.
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3.0.7 REFERENCES
City of Hermosa Beach. 2014. Existing Conditions Report (also referred to as the Technical
Background Report).
OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2003. General Plan Guidelines.
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4.0.1 BASELINE EXISTING CONDITIONS ASSUMED IN THE ANALYSIS
Each resource section in this Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) (see Sections
4.1 through 4.14) summarizes the environmental setting specific to that resource topic. The
environmental setting summary is based on information from the Technical Background Reports included in Appendix C.
SCOPE
Sections 4.1 through 4.14 present the environmental impact analysis for the anticipated effects of implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Topics evaluated in these resource sections are described in Chapter 2.0, Introduction, and were identified in the Notice of Preparation (NOP) (Appendix B).
4.0.2 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE
Each resource section presents an evaluation of a particular environmental topic and includes a summary of existing conditions (both physical and regulatory), potential environmental impacts,
mitigation measures proposed to reduce significant environmental impacts (where necessary),
and a determination of the level of significance after mitigation measures are implemented.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
This subsection provides summary information about the existing physical environment related to
the resource topic. In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
Section 15125, the discussion of the physical environment describes existing conditions in the planning area at the time the NOP was filed in August 2015. The basis for the Environmental Setting
is information provided in the Technical Background Reports (Appendix C).
REGULATORY SETTING
This subsection summarizes federal, state, regional, and local plans, policies, laws, and regulations
that apply to the resource. A full description of the Regulatory Setting for each resource section is
included in the Technical Background Reports (Appendix C).
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The thresholds of significance that will serve as the basis for judging impact significance are
identified in each resource section. Thresholds of significance used for the evaluation of impacts
include those thresholds currently used by the City when reviewing individual projects. The City of Hermosa Beach considers these thresholds appropriate for evaluating the significance of impacts in the city that could occur with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
IMPACTS
The impacts discussion describes potential consequences to each resource that would result from implementation of PLAN Hermosa associated with development potential and implementation of
its policy provisions as compared to existing conditions. PLAN Hermosa does not entitle any
development project or require that the City meet the buildout projections identified in Tables 3.0-3 and 3.0-4. Subsequent implementation and projects under PLAN Hermosa would be
evaluated for consistency with the plan and in light of the environmental analysis provided in this
EIR. The reader is referred to Chapter 2.0, Introduction, regarding the programmatic analysis
provided in this EIR and its use for evaluation of subsequent projects. Potential environmental impacts have been classified in the following categories:
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• The term “no impact” is used when the environmental resource being discussed would not or may not be adversely affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. This impact level
does not require mitigation.
• A less than significant impact would or may cause a minor but acceptable adverse change in the physical environment. This impact level does not require mitigation, even if feasible, under CEQA.
• A significant impact would or may have a substantial adverse effect on the physical
environment, but could be reduced to a less than significant level with mitigation. Impacts
may also be considered potentially significant if the analysis cannot definitively conclude
that an impact would occur with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Under CEQA,
mitigation measures must be provided, where feasible, to reduce the magnitude of
significant or potentially significant impacts.
• A significant and unavoidable impact would or may cause a substantial adverse effect on
the environment, and no known feasible mitigation measures are available to reduce the
impact to a less than significant level, or implementation of feasible mitigation measures
would not reduce impacts to a less than significant level. Under CEQA, a project with significant and unavoidable impacts could proceed, but the City, as the lead agency,
would be required to prepare a statement of overriding considerations in accordance
with CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, explaining why the City would proceed with the
project despite potential for significant impacts.
MITIGATION MEASURES AND RESIDUAL IMPACTS
If impacts are considered significant and it is determined that implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies would not reduce impacts to a less than significant level, mitigation measures are proposed to reduce or avoid these impacts. This section also describes an impact’s level of
significance following mitigation. Impacts are then defined as either significant but mitigable or
as significant and unavoidable. Significant but mitigable impacts could be reduced to a less than
significant level with mitigation. Significant and unavoidable impacts would remain significant either because feasible mitigation to reduce impacts is unavailable or because proposed mitigation measures would not reduce impacts to a less than significant level.
4.0.3 FORMAT OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Throughout the discussion, impacts are identified numerically and sequentially. For example,
impacts discussed in Section 4.1 are identified as 4.1-1, 4.1-2, and so on. Mitigation measures,
where needed, are identified numerically to correspond to the number of the impact being
reduced by the measure. For example, mitigation measure MM 4.1-1 would mitigate Impact 4.1-1. The format used to present the evaluation of impacts and mitigation measures is as follows:
IMPACT 4.0-1 Impact Title. An impact summary heading appears before the impact discussion.
The heading contains the impact number and title. The impact statement briefly
summarizes the findings of the impact discussion below. The level of significance is included at the end of the summary heading. Levels of significance listed in this
EIR (as described above) are no impact, less than significant, potentially significant, or significant.
The impact discussion is contained in the paragraphs following the impact statement. The analysis compares implementation of PLAN Hermosa to existing conditions by:
• identifying federal, state, regional, and local regulations that would reduce or mitigate the
impact;
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• identifying PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation programs that would reduce or mitigate the impact; and
• describing the potential impact with implementation of applicable regulations and PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation programs.
MITIGATION MEASURES
After the impact discussion, if necessary, feasible mitigation measures are identified that would
reduce the impact. If no mitigation is necessary or feasible, this conclusion is stated.
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4.1.1 INTRODUCTION
This section evaluates the potential environmental impacts related to aesthetics from
implementation of PLAN Hermosa. As described in Chapter 2.0, Introduction, the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) evaluates physical environmental impacts. As such, the analysis in this EIR focuses on the visual resources and characteristics of the public visual
environment, that is, visual features, viewpoints, corridors, and other significant elements of the
visual landscape which are accessible from public areas such as streets, beaches, parks, and
plazas. The analysis provides an overview of public visual resources in the city, considers their relative significance to the visual environment, and identifies potential causes of adverse
impacts to those resources that might arise from implementation of PLAN Hermosa, as well as
the effectiveness of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions to avoid significant
impacts. Where warranted, the EIR includes measures to mitigate potential impacts.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing aesthetic resource concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments
provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
4.1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Visual character is the overall impression of a landscape created by its unique combination of
visual features such as landform, vegetation, water, and structures. Scenic quality is a measure
of degree to which these elements blend to create a landscape that is visually pleasing to a viewer. As such, viewer sensitivity informs the degree to which changes in visual quality may be
considered significant.
Generally, the key factors in determining the potential impacts on visual character and quality are based on overall visual change/contrast, dominance, and view blockage. An adverse visual impact may occur when a project (1) perceptibly and substantially changes the existing
physical features of the landscape that are characteristic of the region or locale; (2) introduces
new features to the physical landscape that are perceptibly uncharacteristic of the region or
locale or that become visually dominant from common viewpoints; or (3) blocks or completely
obscures scenic resources in the landscape. The degree of impact depends on how noticeable
the adverse change might be to sensitive viewer groups.
VISUAL CHARACTER OF THE REGION
Hermosa Beach’s visual character and visual resources reflect the community’s regional setting.
The city is located along the southern end of Santa Monica Bay. As such, it occupies a visible
edge between the extensive urban landscape of the South Bay subregion and the entire Los Angeles Basin, and its boundary with the Pacific Ocean. This edge defines the dominant visual character of Hermosa Beach’s environment.
The city’s position in the South Bay provides panoramic views of regionally significant visual
features: Santa Monica Bay itself (the ocean and the bay’s coastline), the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, and the more distant Santa Monica Mountains across the bay to the north. From the more inland and higher elevations of the city (in the Hermosa Hills and Eastside
neighborhoods east of Pacific Coast Highway), the Los Angeles Basin and San Gabriel
Mountains are visible. These easterly views, although less predominant than those along the coast, have regional significance and are among the valued visual resources in the community.
Public views to these vistas, including viewpoints and view corridors, are significant visual
resources and are discussed in greater detail below. In addition to these vistas, there is the edge
itself, Hermosa’s beach, which gives the city uninterrupted open space and visual expansiveness
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along its entire western boundary. The beach, with its unobstructed vistas, is the destination of and visual reward for Hermosa Beach visitors.
VISUAL CHARACTER OF THE CITY
Urban land uses that currently contribute to the visual character of the city’s built environment are primarily residential uses, which are distributed throughout the city, and commercial uses
that are mostly located along Pacific Coast Highway, Aviation Boulevard, and Pier Avenue.
Architecture styles of development in the city vary and most buildings are low in stature,
reflecting height restrictions that limit building heights to 25 to 35 feet, depending on zoning and location. The city’s prominent open space areas include the beach, Hermosa Valley Greenbelt,
and park and school sites such as South Park, Clark Stadium, Hermosa View School, Valley View
School, and Valley Park. There are 19 parks in the city, including many small parkettes.
The prevailing low-profile beach atmosphere and the availability of walking streets and small-scale east–west streets along the oceanfront provide a visual transparency experienced from
major public thoroughfares such as Hermosa Avenue, Manhattan Avenue, and Monterey
Boulevard. Visual transparency refers to the degree to which people can see or perceive what
lies beyond the edge of a street or public space. More specifically it refers to the degree to
which people can see or perceive human activity beyond the edge of a street or other public
spaces (Ewing 2013). This visual permeability in the community’s local urban landscape softens
the urban/ocean edge and contributes to the beach town character of the community.
While Hermosa Beach is well known for its sweeping views of natural resources, the area also
includes numerous structures and buildings that are considered scenic resources. Some of the
city’s historic landmark structures are regionally distinctive, such as the Bijou Theatre, the Bank of
America Building, and the Community Center. Historic resources in Hermosa Beach are discussed in greater detail in Section 4.4 Cultural Resources, of this EIR. Aside from individual
structures, scenic resources may also include a collection of buildings that are architecturally
distinctive or potentially historic, well-manicured streetscapes such as Pier Avenue, and
commercial corridors or districts. The areas identified as playing a key role in defining the city’s visual character are described below.
Downtown District
The Downtown District is located in an area along Pier
Avenue from Valley Drive to The Strand and on Hermosa Avenue. The district is predominantly characterized by
commercial and visitor-serving uses, with a small amount
of residential development. Street-oriented storefronts,
trees and landscaped spaces, varying architectural styles, and streetscape improvements contribute to the visual
character of this area. In general, buildings are one to two
stories tall and are located along the sidewalk with
stepbacks on the upper levels. The predominant architectural style is that of a California beach town, with
no officially designated styles. Most buildings are painted
in light colors to reflect the sun. The district’s landscaping
comprises palm trees and low native scrubs in street medians. Ornate streetlights in an old-fashioned style line
the major corridors, while on-street parking (both parallel
and angled) lines several streets, including Pier Avenue.
Landscaping, outdoor eating spaces, and
streetscape features add to the pedestrian-
oriented character of Pier Plaza in the
Downtown District.
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The Strand
This oceanfront boardwalk traverses the length of the city
from Herondo Street to 35th Street. Sandy beaches and the
shoreline dominate the scenic views to the west of the
boardwalk, while the area east of The Strand is characterized by one-, two-, and three-story residences as
well as the Downtown District. These residences are
designed and oriented to take advantage of the sweeping
ocean views. There is minimal landscaping along The Strand, and no predominant architectural style or color.
Most notable views are of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos
Verdes Peninsula, and the Santa Monica Mountains.
Hermosa Valley Greenbelt
The original Santa Fe Railway right-of-way was converted to
a recreational use trail in the 1980s (Hermosa Beach
Historical Society 2009). Today, this trail is known as the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt. It is one of the community’s most highly used public spaces, second only to the beach.
The landscaped trail extends the length of the city
between Ardmore Avenue and Valley Drive.
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
Pacific Coast Highway traverses the city in a north–south
direction and is located east (inland) of the Pacific Ocean
and the Downtown District. In Hermosa Beach, PCH offers views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula but does not provide any views of the Pacific Ocean except via small view
corridors at intersections. The highway is a major arterial
with two to three lanes of traffic in each direction, serving mainly as a transportation corridor for through traffic. Land use along Pacific Coast Highway
includes both commercial and residential, as well as some public facilities. Most buildings are
one to three stories tall. The overall visual aspect of PCH along this stretch is of an urbanized and
highly trafficked corridor.
Residential and Commercial Areas
Hermosa Beach consists of many distinct neighborhoods and commercial areas. PLAN Hermosa
identifies nine residential neighborhoods with more or less distinct characteristics and five
commercial corridors or districts (see Figure 4.1-1, Character Areas). The predominant land use in Hermosa Beach is residential, which accounts for approximately 67 percent of the city’s total
land area. The residential areas have no predominant architectural style, as many homes have
been rebuilt over time. Most homes have small front yards, if any, and landscaping varies from
grassy lawns to drought-tolerant xeriscapes. The architectural diversity of Hermosa Beach’s distinct neighborhoods contributes to the visual character of the community, which can be summarized as low-key, predominantly residential and diverse.
The city’s public spaces—its streets and streetscapes, parks, plazas, and public buildings—create
much of its urban form. Aside from parks and the beach, streets and sidewalks make up a large portion of the public realm in Hermosa Beach. In character and appearance, the streetscape
defines the experience for street users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Streetscape
amenities on Pier Avenue and the pedestrian mall of lower Pier Avenue are prominent features,
Lush landscaping and the jogging trail are the
primary visual characteristics of the Hermosa
Valley Greenbelt.
North-facing view from The Strand.
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along with other visually iconic structures and monuments such as the Hermosa Pier and the Bijou Theatre that also contribute to the city’s visual character.
FIGURE 4.1-1
CHARACTER AREAS
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SCENIC VISTAS/VIEW CORRIDORS
A scenic vista is a high quality view from which the public can experience one or more
significant visual features, a landscape, or an aesthetically pleasing viewshed. Scenic vistas are
often available from elevated vantage points that offer panoramic or expansive views. Hermosa Beach does not have officially designated scenic vistas. Nonetheless, prominent public
viewpoints and view corridors in the city provide long-range views of important scenic features:
Santa Monica Bay, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los
Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Pacific Ocean
Public views of the Pacific Ocean from within the city can be described according to three
general categories: (1) uninterrupted panoramic views; (2) major vistas or viewpoints; and
(3) intermittent views. Uninterrupted public views of the ocean are available along the entire length of The Strand, from the beach, and from Hermosa Pier. These view locations are
significant because of the high quality of the views (they are panoramic and include all of the
major visually significant coastal features—Santa Monica Bay, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and
the Santa Monica Mountains) and they are also locations of high public use. Major vistas of the ocean are also available from several public streets where the topography and surrounding
structures do not obstruct the line of sight. In some cases, these viewpoints are located at
relatively high elevations in the eastern half of the city; for example, the intersection of Prospect
Avenue and 6th Street.
Public views of the Pacific Ocean from north–south-trending streets in the city are generally
more limited because existing development along the street frontage obstructs views. However,
the ocean is visible at key points along major corridors including Pacific Coast Highway at
Longfellow Avenue and along Aviation Boulevard at key intersections. From within the coastal
half of the city, major public views of the ocean exist along Pier Avenue and on several east–
west-trending streets such as 8th, 14th, 22nd, and 27th streets.
For a typical viewer who is 5 to 6 feet in height, standing within 50 feet of a building that is 20 to 35 feet in height, the panoramic views that would qualify as scenic vistas or prominent
viewpoints could be obstructed by the existing buildings. Nevertheless, as mentioned previously,
the abundant small east–west streets, particularly between The Strand and Loma
Drive/Morningside Drive, along most of the coastal length of the city offer a series of intermittent views to the ocean as one travels parallel to the coast on north–south-trending streets (Hermosa
Avenue, Manhattan Avenue, and Monterey Boulevard). These east–west streets cumulatively
provide visual transparency from the public streets to the ocean, an effect that contributes to
the visual character of Hermosa Beach.
Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Monica Mountains
Public views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Santa Monica Mountains are unobstructed
from The Strand, the beach, and the pier. Views of the Santa Monica Mountains are available
from the extreme northwest corner of the city within the public right-of-way in the vicinity of Hermosa Avenue and 35th Street. Views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula are available along
Pacific Coast Highway (framed by urban development on both sides of the corridor), on
Aviation Boulevard, and from Prospect Avenue near 6th Street. Other locations offer intermittent
views of the Peninsula (for example, from several points along Pier Avenue), but the most significant of these might be the view from Cypress Avenue because of the unique character
and mix of activities and land use at this lower elevation in the city. Views of both the Peninsula
and the Santa Monica Mountains serve as backgrounds from many minor viewpoints in the city. Most of these views are fragmented by existing urban development.
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Los Angeles Basin and San Gabriel Mountains
Public views of the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains generally are from higher
elevations in the eastern part of the city along east–west-trending streets. The best views are
from Aviation Boulevard, the southern end of Prospect Avenue looking east, and 5th Street
looking northeast (though framed by existing development along the roadway). The Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains serve as backgrounds for the city. Most views of these
features are fragmented by existing urban development.
PROMINENT PUBLIC VIEWS
Figure 4.1-2, Prominent Public Viewpoints, identifies significant public viewpoints from which
these features can be viewed. The viewpoints identified in Figure 4.1-2 are considered
prominent based on four key criteria established by the City.
1) The view includes one or more of the five regionally significant features identified above.
2) The view is readily accessible to the public.
3) The view is panoramic, expansive, or a relatively unobstructed, high quality view.
4) The view contributes importantly to the visual environment of Hermosa Beach.
These criteria, and the viewpoints identified in Figure 4.1-2, are considered in the impact assessment in this section.
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FIGURE 4.1-2
PROMINENT PUBLIC VIEWPOINTS
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SHADE OR SHADOW
Prolonged periods of shade and shadow during the middle of the day can adversely affect
parks and other public gathering areas. Shade and shadow effects are limited in Hermosa
Beach because of building height limits enforced by the City. Since most buildings in the planning area are less than 35 feet tall, the most common sources of prolonged shadows are
natural topographic features and on a smaller scale, trees. Examples include shadows from the
ridgeline along Loma Drive in the Valley Drive or Greenbelt areas or from landscape features
and trees.
LIGHT AND GLARE
Artificial lighting can negatively affect the visual character of land uses, especially at night. Light
pollution from urban sources can also adversely affect views of the night sky. Although the night sky above the Los Angeles Basin is already impacted by the region’s expansive urban
development, a few relatively unpolluted locales still exist. The western portion of the Santa
Monica Mountains is a known dark sky viewing location that can be said to have regional
significance because of its accessibility to the Los Angeles Basin and the relative rarity of dark sky viewing locations in the region. Significant sources of light pollution in the greater Los Angeles
Basin that impact the night sky have the potential to contribute to the cumulative degradation
of night sky viewing.
Hermosa Beach contains various sources of light and glare that are typical of urban communities, such as streetlights along roadways and lights in parking lots, illuminated signs,
lighted recreation facilities, landscape lighting, and light emitted from the interiors of residential
and nonresidential buildings. Noncommercial sources of night lighting in Hermosa Beach include
lighted sports fields, notably Clark Field, which is lit most evenings of the year.
The greatest source of daytime glare in Hermosa Beach is specular reflection from the Pacific
Ocean. This is a natural source, of course, and a dominant element of the Southern California
coastal environment. On clear days, sunlight and its attendant glare saturates the sky
unobstructed by intervening buildings or structures above 35 feet in height. This natural condition
reflects the city’s position on the urban edge with the Pacific Ocean. If adverse sources of
daytime glare exist, they are localized and small-scale, and most likely result from singular
instances of highly reflective surfaces (e.g., windows and parked vehicles) present in the man-made environment. Because most buildings in the city are at or below 35 feet in height, glare effects from structures are limited to the immediate vicinity of the individual buildings.
SENSITIVE VIEWER GROUPS
Potentially impacted viewers can be categorized into groups of shared sensitivity to changes in the existing scenic quality of a landscape. Viewer sensitivity (or public concern) for the scenic
quality of a landscape or particular view is informed by the activity a user is engaged in at the
time something is visible. For example, commuting in heavy traffic can distract many viewers
from aspects of the visual environment, while activities such as pleasure driving can encourage viewers to look at view components more closely and for a longer period of time.
Viewer sensitivity considerations include the number of viewers, duration of exposure, and
degree of public interest in a particular view. In the city, highly sensitive viewers are generally assumed to include residents, tourists, and recreationists traveling through Hermosa Beach. Less
sensitive viewer groups are assumed to include commuters and viewers from commercial or
industrial-type land uses.
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Residents are considered to be the most sensitive viewer groups because of the duration of exposure and their degree of interest in the view. Their exposure is considered long term and
their interests in the view are considered to relate to both the visual quality and the character of
the area. Tourists also have high sensitivity, in that they generally visit the city to observe the views as well as to enjoy the city’s recreational opportunities.
Commuters and viewers from commercial or industrial-type land uses are considered less
sensitive viewer groups because of the short duration of the view and their trip purposes. Such
users usually pay less attention to visual quality and character and are exposed for short times to vistas and other visual characteristics.
4.1.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Several relevant state and local laws, regulations, and policies relate to visual resources. They
provide the regulatory framework for addressing visual impacts. The regulatory framework for aesthetics is fully discussed in detail in Appendix C-2. Key regulations applicable either directly or
indirectly to visual resources are presented below.
FEDERAL
No federal plans, policies, regulations, or laws related to visual resources apply to the planning
area.
STATE
• Caltrans Scenic Highway Program: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Scenic Highway Program protects and enhances the natural scenic beauty of
the state’s highways and corridors through special conservation treatment. There are no
officially designated scenic highways within the city boundaries (Caltrans 2011).
• California Coastal Act of 1976: The California Coastal Act of 1976 and the California
Coastal Commission, the state’s landmark coastal protection law and planning agency,
consider scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas as a protected resource of public
importance:
The scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas shall be considered and
protected as a resource of public importance. Permitted development shall be
sited and designed to protect views to and along the ocean and scenic coastal
areas, to minimize the alteration of natural land forms, to be visually compatible with the character of surrounding areas, and, where feasible, to restore and
enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas. New development in highly
scenic areas such as those designated in the California Coastline Preservation and Recreation Plan prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation and by local government shall be subordinate to the character of its setting.
(California Coastal Act Section 30251).
See Section 4.9, Land Use and Planning, of this EIR for a discussion of PLAN Hermosa and
consistency with the California Coastal Act.
REGIONAL AND LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach 1981 Local Coastal Program: The Hermosa Beach Coastal Land
Use Plan (CLUP) component addresses aesthetic considerations of design and development in the Coastal Zone. CLUP goals and objectives associated with coastal
recreational access and development and design include preserving and enhancing
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coastal overviews and key view point areas. Visual policies and programs in the Coastal Development and Design portion of the CLUP include the following:
• Height restrictions for residential and commercial uses (which are now contained
in the City’s Zoning Ordinance) to protect overview and viewshed qualities.
• Condominium project design consistent with the city’s character.
• Implementation of a design review process.
• Establishment of a Downtown Plan.
• Landscaping provisions for The Strand.
The Local Implementation Plan has not yet been certified; therefore, the Coastal
Commission retains authority to review and issue coastal development permits for
development in the Coastal Zone. PLAN Hermosa is intended to result in an adopted and
certified LCP.
• City of Hermosa 1979 General Plan: The current General Plan includes the following
policies and programs (summarized) that address visual resources:
− Conservation Element Policy 6 – No additional structures should be placed on the
beach (with the exception of restrooms).
− Urban Design Element Policy 1 – Maintain the present scale of the city.
• Program 2 – Development of visual design standards.
• Program 3 – Eliminate garish or degrading signs.
• Program 4 – Restore and maintain residential uses in older sections of city.
• City of Hermosa Beach Zoning Ordinance: The City’s Zoning Ordinance (Hermosa Beach
Municipal Code Title 17) addresses aesthetic considerations of development. While the
Zoning Ordinance sets development standards for parking, building heights (maximum 35
feet), setbacks, density, lot coverage, open space requirements, and signs which collectively contribute to the visual character of the community, the Municipal Code
does not include an explicit viewshed protection ordinance related to the protection of
private views. In addition, the Zoning Ordinance includes the following requirements:
• Requirements that condominium project design be in harmony and not a major disruption to established character of the neighborhood (Section 17.22.130).
• Commercial lighting standards to avoid lighting impacts (Section 17.26.050).
• Screening of outdoor storage and activities for commercial uses (Section 17.26.050).
• Landscaping and setback buffer standards for commercial projects that adjoin
residential areas (Section 17.28.030).
• Discretionary review and approval of precise development plans for development (except for single family and renovations less than 1,500 square in
size) (Chapter 17.58).
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4.1.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For purposes of this EIR, impacts on visual resources are considered significant if adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista.
2) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway.
3) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the city or its
surroundings.
4) Create new shade or shadow in a manner that substantially affects outdoor recreation
facilities or other public gathering areas.
5) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The discussion below addresses the potential for future changes to the public visual environment
to be significant and adverse, based on the preceding assessment of prominent visual
resources, current (baseline) conditions and the significance thresholds identified above. The
impact assessment that follows addresses each of the five significant impact thresholds in turn and considers potential impacts of the plan in its entirety, including its proposed new policies as well as the current General Plan policies and zoning regulations that would be carried forward
as part of PLAN Hermosa. The impact assessment also considers standard conditions of approval
and current regulations of other agencies that would be enforced during the implementation of PLAN Hermosa and that would reduce or avoid visual impacts.
PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address visual resources either directly or indirectly.
Policies
Land Use + Design Element
• 1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern
of existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing opportunities for enhancement or transformation of corridors and districts in order to improve
community activity and identity.
• 1.6 Scale and context. Consider the compatibility of new development within its urban
context to avoid abrupt changes in scale and massing.
• 1.8 Respond to unique characteristics. Enhance the unique character and identity of the
city’s neighborhoods, districts, and corridors through land use and design decisions. Allow
policies and programs to be focused on each unique character area of the city.
• 2.5 Neighborhood preservation. Preserve and enhance the quality of residential neighborhoods by avoiding or abating the intrusion of disruptive, nonconforming
buildings and uses.
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• 2.7 Context-sensitive design. Wherever feasible, orient residential buildings to address streets, public spaces, or shared private spaces and consider the physical characteristics
of its site, surrounding land uses, and available public infrastructure.
• 2.8 Neighborhood transitions. Encourage that new development provide appropriate transitions in scale, building type and density between different land use designations.
• 5.1 Scale and massing. Consider the scale of new development within its urban context
to avoid abrupt changes in scale and massing.
• 5.4 Locally appropriate materials. Require architectural designs, building materials and
landscape design to respect and relate to the local climate, topography, history, and
building practices.
• 5.7 Design guidelines and development standards. Seek to maintain and enhance
neighborhood character through design guidelines and development standards that articulate building form, orientation, and scale, but allow for eclectic and diverse architectural styles.
• 10.6 Incentives for preservation. Provide incentives for preservation of designated
landmarks, potentially historic resources, and older buildings.
Parks + Open Space Element
• 5.1 Protection of views. Identify and protect the public viewpoints, view corridors, and
viewsheds from which scenic vistas can be observed.
• 5.2 Visual character. Accommodate economic growth and new buildings in a way that preserves the visual character of the community.
• 5.3 Building sites and designs. Require that massing, height, and orientation of new
development be sited and designed to protect public coastal views to and along the
ocean and scenic areas.
• 5.4 Landscape design. Require new public and private landscape installations to
consider public views of vistas and encourage landscape design that protects or
enhances those views.
• 5.5 Pacific Coast Highway. Protect Pacific Coast Highway as a potentially scenic highway and important view corridor.
• 5.6 Signage and infrastructure. Ensure signage, infrastructure, and utilities do not block or
detract from views of scenic vistas.
• 5.7 Light pollution. Preserve skyward nighttime views and lessen glare by minimizing lighting levels along the shoreline.
• 5.8 Lifeguard structures and views. Limit the number, size, and spacing of lifeguard
structures to provide unobstructed views of the ocean from coastal access points while maintaining good safety practices.
• 7.4 Beach structures. Restrict buildings and structures on the beach with regard to size
and number consistent with current access, safety, and beach use.
• 7.6 Children’s recreational equipment. Limit children’s recreational equipment to slides,
swings, and climbing apparatus of a non-obstructive design. Locate near major or
primary entrances to the beach, at least 100 feet from the Strand wall.
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Infrastructure Element
• 1.7 Aesthetic and urban form. Require infrastructure and infrastructure improvements that
are aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the scenic character of the surrounding
area.
Implementation Actions
Land Use + Design Element
• LAND USE-3. Develop building design guidelines to illustrate and articulate the
appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each established character area. The
Design Guidelines shall be tailored to:
− Identify and safeguard the prominent visual characteristics of each character area in
accordance with those key features and characteristics to ensure that the overall
visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts is preserved.
− Include provisions that ensure avoidance of significant shadow impacts from new structures onto public recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places
during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.
Parks + Open Space Element
• PARKS-10. Develop and apply design standards and evaluation procedures for development projects that have the potential to degrade regionally important views or
interfere with prominent public viewpoints, as identified in PLAN Hermosa.
• PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying the
following development review requirements:
− Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen all
other utilities to minimize public visibility.
− Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights where
safe and appropriate.
− Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from designated
viewpoints, scenic roads, parks, beaches, and other public viewing areas.
• PARKS-12. Protect visual and aesthetic resources through design review and by
establishing and applying the following development review requirements:
− New development in areas visible from prominent public viewpoints shall incorporate
colors and exterior materials that are compatible with the surrounding landscape.
− Public works projects adjacent to prominent public viewpoints that include hardscape elements such as retaining walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and
culverts shall incorporate veneers, texturing, and colors that blend with the
surrounding earth materials or landscape.
− Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic quality of the coast from prominent public viewpoints.
• PARKS-13. Minimize nighttime light pollution by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
− Exterior lighting (except traffic lights, navigational lights, and other similar safety lighting) shall be minimized, restricted to low intensity fixtures, shielded (full cutoff),
and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture) concealed
to the maximum feasible extent so that no light source is directly visible from public
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viewing areas, there is no glare or spill beyond the property lines and the lamp bulb is not directly visible from within any residential unit.
• PARKS-14. Minimize the negative aesthetic impacts of signs by establishing or revising and
applying the following design requirements:
− Enforce appropriate limits on height, size, design, and materials of signs.
− Prohibit signs other than traffic or public safety signs that would obstruct views to the
ocean, beach, parks, or other scenic areas.
− Enforce sign maintenance controls.
− Continue restrictions on the use of lights and moving parts in signs, billboards, and
rooftop signs.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.1-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Adverse Effects on Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds? Future actions under PLAN Hermosa have the potential to encroach on views
from prominent public viewpoints. Future actions also have the potential to
degrade the visual quality of scenic vistas, through the introduction of incongruous features to the viewshed. This impact would be potentially significant because development under PLAN Hermosa could adversely affect
scenic vistas.
As indicated in Figure 4.1-1, multiple public view corridors in the city provide views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los Angeles Basin and
the San Gabriel Mountains. While PLAN Hermosa does not specifically propose or entitle any
development project or public project, it would provide for and apply to such projects
subsequent to the adoption of the plan. Subsequent projects under PLAN Hermosa could result in the alteration of these view corridors by partially blocking the public view and/or introducing
a new feature that dominates the view. Examples include building features such as awnings,
facades, walls, and similar items.
PLAN Hermosa outlines the community’s vision for proposed development in each of the city’s distinctive zones and identifies policies and actions to reduce impacts to these public view
corridors. For example, implementation actions PARKS-10, 11, and 12 require discretionary design
review for new development based on specific criteria to be established in the Zoning
Ordinance to protect scenic vistas. As such, utilities would be located underground when possible, and fences and walls would not block views from designated viewpoints, scenic roads,
or other public viewing areas. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 5.1 states the intent to protect
scenic vistas. Public vistas would also be protected through proposed implementation actions, as listed above.
In addition, the City’s Zoning Ordinance includes height restrictions that prohibit buildings from
exceeding 35 feet, require screening of commercial outdoor storage and activities from public
views (Section 17.26.050), and require development projects to be reviewed through the City’s precise development plan process (Chapter 17.58).
However, neither current City standards nor PLAN Hermosa policies or actions include specific
provisions to protect public view corridors. Therefore adverse effects on scenic vistas and
viewsheds would be potentially significant and mitigation measure MM 4.1-1 would be required. Due to the built-out nature of Hermosa Beach, the limited reach of the views, and the small
amount of new development, 50 feet is an appropriate distance for the protection of public
views. This metric is based on similar project experience and conversations with the City about its
goals for protecting scenic vistas.
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Mitigation Measures
MM 4.1-1 Projects located within 50 feet and within the directional arrow of a prominent
public viewpoint, or within the uninterrupted viewing areas, as identified in
Figure 4.1-2, shall demonstrate that existing public views of scenic resources
along the view corridors identified in Draft EIR Figure 4.1-2 are, at a minimum, maintained in their current condition and that no features are added in the
viewshed that substantially obstruct or detract from the public views of the
Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and
the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains. This requirement shall be incorporated into the review process for precise development plans under
Chapter 17.58 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measure MM 4.1-1 would ensure that existing view corridors which offer views of the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Santa Monica Mountains, and
the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Mountains are maintained. Therefore, this impact
would be reduced to less than significant.
IMPACT 4.1-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Have Adverse Effects on Scenic Resources within a State Scenic Highway? There are no designated state scenic highways in or near Hermosa
Beach. However, PLAN Hermosa directs the City to protect Pacific Coast
Highway as a potentially scenic highway and would guide development and
reuse projects in a manner that is consistent with the existing visual character of Pacific Coast Highway so that it may be designated as a scenic highway at some point in the future. Therefore PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant impact.
Scenic resources can include man-made or natural features, viewpoints, or viewsheds. They can include visually significant features such as rocks, trees, and historic buildings, particularly if those
features are within a state scenic highway. There are no designated state scenic highways in or
near Hermosa Beach. However, proposed Parks + Open Space Element Policy 5.5 directs the
City to protect Pacific Coast Highway as a locally designated scenic highway and important view corridor. This policy is the basis for future planning decisions that enhance the local stretch
of PCH as a scenic resource. In its current state, Pacific Coast Highway’s only significance as a
scenic resource is its public views to the Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. As noted
in the discussion above, significant public vistas from Pacific Coast Highway would be protected through proposed Policy 5.1 in combination with mitigation measure MM 4.1-1.
Potential impacts on other scenic vistas are also addressed in the discussion above. Impacts to
other scenic resources (such as iconic structures and visual permeability to the ocean) are
addressed in the discussion of Impact 4.1-3 below. Impacts to historic resources (which may contribute significantly to the visual character of the community) are addressed in Section 4.4,
Cultural Resources, of the EIR. With impacts on scenic vistas addressed by Impact 4.1-1 and on
cultural resources addressed in Section 4.4, PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant
impact on scenic resources within a state scenic highway.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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IMPACT 4.1-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Substantially Degrade the Existing Visual Character or Quality of the Site and Its Surroundings? PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not
adversely alter the existing land use pattern or visual character of the city. This would be a less than significant impact.
Hermosa Beach identifies itself as a small beach town, where visual character is defined by its
coastal location, diverse residential neighborhoods, and public open spaces, including lower
Pier Avenue, the beach, the pier, and The Strand. PLAN Hermosa outlines future visions for the city’s distinctive areas, which include neighborhoods, districts, and corridors, as outlined in Table 4.1-1 (City of Hermosa Beach Existing Visual Character and Future Vision).
TABLE 4.1-1
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING VISUAL CHARACTER AND FUTURE VISION
Existing Visual Character Future Vision
Neighborhoods
North End Neighborhood
The North End is a well-defined neighborhood with a
range of low- and medium-density residential
development with centralized neighborhood commercial
goods and services.
The intent is to preserve building form and scale and
maintain neighborhood connectivity and access to nearby
commercial services. Buildings should orient toward the
walk streets and preserve the street frontages from
driveways and curb cuts to maintain the walkable
qualities offered by this neighborhood’s compact grid
network and scale of building that is compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood.
Hermosa View Neighborhood
This neighborhood is perched high on a hill, with a
dramatic rise in slope moving north from Gould Avenue,
creating a separate, distinct single-family residential
enclave.
The intent is to preserve building form, orientation, and
scale and to retain the unique streetscape with wide
parkways and uninterrupted sidewalks. The low-density
residential development pattern of this neighborhood
should be maintained through the retention of larger lot
sizes, building orientation toward the street, and wider
setbacks that provide room for parkways and sidewalks.
Walk Street Neighborhood
The Walk Street neighborhood currently provides a range
of beachside residential development and neighborhood
commercial services within a linear street network. The
walk streets that provide beach access from Hermosa
Avenue out to The Strand are a feature unique to this
beachfront residential area.
The intent is to maintain the high quality pedestrian
connections through the walk streets and retain the form,
scale, and orientation of buildings in this area by
designing buildings that take advantage of the
opportunities for outdoor living.
Sand Section Neighborhood
Today, the Sand Section neighborhood accommodates a
range of residential development types, with
neighborhood commercial services. The abundance of
small, pedestrian-friendly blocks gives this area its charm
and intimate sense of community.
The intent is to enhance multimodal connectivity and
access while preserving the building form, scale, and
orientation in this neighborhood. Through new
multimodal connections, convenient access to community
parks and the Greenbelt is provided and helps to maintain
the compact urban format and highly connected street
network of this neighborhood.
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Existing Visual Character Future Vision
Valley Neighborhood
The Valley neighborhood includes low-density, single-
family homes between key community facilities. The
average density for this area is roughly 10 dwelling units
per acre, with parcel sizes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000
square feet. The Valley Greenbelt runs the length of this
area, and Valley School and Valley Park are beneficial
amenities to residents in this neighborhood.
The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares that
enhance connectivity and access while preserving the
single-family development pattern of this area. Buildings
should retain larger setbacks and lower scale and massing,
and new sidewalks should be added to contribute to a
complete pedestrian network.
Herondo Neighborhood
The Herondo neighborhood currently accommodates the
city’s higher-density and larger-format residential
development. Multiple connections to nearby
neighborhoods, community parks, and the Greenbelt are
provided throughout the neighborhood.
The intent is to preserve the scale and building form of
this neighborhood and maintain connections and access
to nearby amenities. To ensure a diverse range of housing
formats and building types, this area will be protected for
larger-format apartment complexes and townhouses.
Permeability through the large apartment blocks should
continue to be improved, allowing residents to walk to the
Greenbelt and the beach.
Greenbelt Neighborhood
The Greenbelt neighborhood offers a range of small-scale
residential development types and provides nearby
access to commercial services along PCH. Single-family
homes and duplexes currently coexist side by side.
The intent is to maintain the building scale and form of
this neighborhood, while enhancing access to local
neighborhood-serving commercial uses. Neighborhood
commercial uses and amenities should be added to serve
the needs of nearby residents.
Hermosa Hills Neighborhood
The Hermosa Hills area transitions from high- and
medium-density uses adjacent to PCH and lower-density
single-family uses closer to Prospect Avenue. House
forms are generally small in this area, with small to
moderate front and side setbacks, and many streets are
closed to through traffic next to PCH.
The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to
enhance connectivity and access while preserving the
single-family development pattern of this area. Many
streets in this neighborhood have been enhanced with
new sidewalks to create a complete pedestrian network.
Eastside Neighborhood
The Eastside neighborhood accommodates single-family
residential development types and includes Hermosa
View School and multiple neighborhood parks. In terms
of street activity levels, this neighborhood is one of the
quietest areas of the community.
The intent is to preserve building form, orientation, and
scale and to retain the quiet nature and unique streetscape
of this area. Many streets in this neighborhood have been
enhanced with new sidewalks to create a complete
pedestrian network.
Districts
Downtown District
The Downtown District is the heart of social and
commercial activity in Hermosa Beach, serving as a
centralized location for social gatherings and the
recreational activities of residents and visitors. Pier Plaza
serves as a popular venue for outdoor events and dining,
connecting Downtown to the beach, the pier, and The
Strand. The “pedestrian scramble” at the intersection of
Hermosa Avenue and Pier Avenue is a unique pedestrian
amenity that reinforces the pedestrian-oriented nature of
Downtown.
The intent is to enhance the building form and orientation
and to maintain the pedestrian realm along Pier Avenue
while transforming the realm on Hermosa Avenue. The
Downtown District will continue to offer an array of uses
for residents and visitors, and any new buildings should
pay close attention to and contribute to the high quality
pedestrian environment provided throughout Downtown.
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Existing Visual Character Future Vision
Civic Center District
At the physical center of town, the Civic Center area is
the civic hub of services and activities for the community.
The Civic Center provides efficient and accessible
services to the community, but is in need of
modernization, repairs, and additional space.
The intent is to transform the building orientation and
design in the Civic Center, while enhancing the
streetscape and circulation of all modes and users. The
Civic Center facilities will be modernized to
accommodate the range of functions and services
provided by the City, and will be expanded to provide
consolidated parking facilities in well-designed or
underground parking structures to serve commercial uses
both along Pacific Coast Highway and in Downtown.
Streetscape enhancements will provide an important
connection between the main thoroughfares of Pacific
Coast Highway, Downtown, and the residential
neighborhoods.
Cypress District
The Cypress District currently includes a range of
professional design, light manufacturing, and
warehousing uses and is home to many of the locally
renowned surfboard shapers. The City operations yard
occupies a large portion of this area.
The intent is to transform both the building design and
orientation as well as the public realm and streetscape
within the Cypress District. This area is the creative,
production, and light industrial center of Hermosa Beach
where ideas, spaces, and creativity are easily shared. The
Cypress District includes a variety of flexible use spaces,
co-working offices, and creative or “maker” industries.
The City Yard will be repurposed as an innovation center,
with incubator space, job training programs, and related
services to enhance the local economy.
Corridors
Aviation Corridor
The Aviation Boulevard Corridor serves as the primary
entry point into Hermosa Beach. There are currently a
variety of commercial retail, office, and auto-oriented
uses along the corridor.
The intent is to transform the building design, form, and
orientation while enhancing the streetscape and access for
pedestrians and bicyclists in this area. The area will be
transformed into a walkable, multi-use, active commercial
corridor with services and facilities to serve the daily
needs of residents east of PCH and providing artistic and
cultural services to the entire community. Enhanced
streetscapes with parkettes or outdoor space, paired with
new commercial uses, should help to activate the street.
PCH Corridor
The PCH corridor serves as the primary entry point into
Hermosa Beach, as well as a pass-through corridor
between Manhattan Beach and the Palos Verdes
Peninsula. There should be a variety of commercial retail,
office, residential, and auto-oriented uses along the
corridor.
The intent is to enhance building design and form and to
transform streetscapes and gateways to serve pedestrians
and improve vehicular circulation. The PCH corridor will
be a multi-use commercial corridor with key activity
nodes and iconic architecture to activate the entryways.
The corridor will connect the community with adjacent
neighborhoods and cities. A regular rhythm of storefronts
and streetscape enhancements should provide a
welcoming atmosphere that is enticing to shoppers and
pleasant to walk along. New gateway monuments and
signage should be added to promote Hermosa Beach’s
identity.
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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The potential for visual character to change significantly under PLAN Hermosa is largely a function of how changes to the built environment are regulated and shaped by future policies
to protect the community’s visual character. Protecting visual character does not prohibit
changes to the visual environment. However, the changes that occur would not significantly degrade or eliminate key elements that contribute to visual character, and new elements introduced into the built environment are not incongruous to the point of degrading the local
visual environment.
Visual Transparency
As described above in the Scenic Vistas/View Corridors subsection, visual access to the ocean is an important characteristic of much of Hermosa Beach, particularly in the portions of the city
west of Loma Drive/Morningside Drive. This visual access is made available to the public through
the visual transparency provided by many small and closely spaced east–west-trending streets
offering views of the ocean. Current zoning in this portion of the city consists of R-1, R-2, R-2B, R-3,
C-1, and C-2 designations. Within this range of residential and commercial zones, a minimum
front yard setback of 5 feet is required (or 10 percent of the lot depth, in an R-1 zone).
PLAN Hermosa does not propose changing the current setback requirement in these districts. Residential building heights are limited to 25 to 30 feet, with commercial building heights limited
to a maximum of 35 feet, provisions that would also remain unchanged under PLAN Hermosa.
Many of the commercial height limits were established through voter initiatives and would
require a citywide vote of the people to change the height limits. The continued regulation of land uses in accordance with these standards is a mechanism for preventing significant
encroachment and for the protection of minor view corridors present along east–west coastal
streets. Although future actions under PLAN Hermosa would include remodels and reuse
development projects, these key elements of the City’s current and future development standards in these zones would reduce impacts on the characteristic visual permeability that
currently exists. This protection would be reinforced by proposed Policy 5.3 of the Parks + Open
Space Element. Potential impacts of utilities and other public infrastructure projects are
addressed in implementation action PARKS-11.
The established development standards that would be carried forward with PLAN Hermosa,
along with proposed Policy 5.3 and implementation action PARKS-11, would avoid significant
adverse impacts on visual transparency in the coastal area of the city.
Visual Character of Neighborhoods, Corridors, and Districts
As outlined above, PLAN Hermosa’s intent is to maintain and enhance the city’s visual character
through appropriate building massing, scale, and size. Adoption and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would not substantially alter any of the residential neighborhoods or areas of the city,
but may alter certain areas near Downtown and The Strand, through new development and streetscape. PLAN Hermosa policies are meant to preserve the city’s character, including those
resources that are designated landmarks or architecturally distinctive. For example, Goal 5 is
intended to specifically retain the city’s character as a small beach town. Further, Land Use + Design Element Policy 1.6 would require the City to consider new development’s compatibility with the existing scale and context, and Parks + Open Space Element Policy 5.2 requires the
preservation of visual character in all development. None of the provisions of PLAN Hermosa
would alter current land use patterns, height restrictions, or compatibility and buffering requirements currently established in the Zoning Ordinance (e.g., Sections 17.22.130, 17.26.050,
and 17.28.030). PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions identified in this section
implement and expand current General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan policy provisions for the
protection of the city’s visual character identified above in subsection 4.1.3, Regulatory Setting.
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Future land uses consistent with PLAN Hermosa would only allow new development to occur within the city in a manner that enhances and preserves Hermosa Beach’s existing visual
character. While changes to and demolition of certain buildings may have an impact on the
cultural significance of a resource, it does not necessarily mean that these alterations would have an impact as an aesthetic resource. Provided that new structures are consistent with the visual character of the surrounding area based on the PLAN Hermosa policies and descriptions
of the character area, it is possible for future development projects to impact the significance of
a cultural resource but have a less than significant impact to aesthetic resources.
Additionally, future development projects would be evaluated for form, line, and massing in relation to the neighborhood or adjacent structures or background as part of the City’s design
review process and for compliance with the Municipal Code. Compliance with Municipal Code
Section 17.20.020, for instance, would ensure that the proposed structure’s style and pitch of the roof, mass and bulk, and architectural appearance (e.g., type, style, and shape of the structure
and the proposed exterior materials) match the neighborhood’s existing character. In addition,
Municipal Code Section 17.53.020(c) encourages proposed developments near historic
structures to incorporate complementary contemporary design and construction.
Land Use + Design Element Policies 1.6, 1.8, and 2.7 would also require new developments to be
compatible with surrounding development, as well as enhance existing character and be
sensitive to context. Similarly, Land Use + Design Element Policy 10.6 requires attention to
preservation of designated landmarks, potentially historic resources, and older buildings. Implementation action LAND USE-3 directs the City to develop building design guidelines to
illustrate and articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each established
character area in accordance with those key features and characteristics to ensure that the
overall visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts is preserved. This action would apply to individual neighborhoods and character areas as identified in Figure 4.1-1 and in Table 4.1-1, as it would apply citywide. The proposed implementation action establishes the
appropriate mechanism for developing design guidelines that would prevent significant degradation of the built environment’s visual character. As such, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and programs would reduce the impacts associated with visual character and
visual sensitivity to a less than significant level because the City would implement design review
standards that require attention to and consistency with neighboring structures in form, line, massing, and color and existing visual character and identity. Therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.1-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Create New Shade or Shadow in a Manner That Substantially Affects Outdoor Recreation Facilities or Other Public Gathering Areas? PLAN Hermosa would allow development or reuse projects in a manner
where new sources of shade or shadow may reach outdoor recreation facilities or public gathering areas. However, the voter-approved height limits effectively restrict the number of areas in which shade or shadow may have an adverse
effect but do not eliminate all potential sources. This impact would be less than significant.
The length and direction of shadows cast from buildings and other structures are a function of
building height and sun angle. Sun angle is, in turn, a function of latitude, season, and time of
day. In Hermosa Beach, because of its latitude in the northern hemisphere, the sun casts
shadows only on the north side of structures. Shadows move clockwise during the day, beginning in a northwesterly direction (as the sun rises in the southeast) and rotating to a
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northeasterly direction (as the sun sets in the southwest). Shadow length changes dramatically during the day, with its greatest lengths occurring just after dawn and just before dusk, with a
minimum at noon when the sun is nearly directly overhead. In the winter months, shadows are
longer, as the sun shifts south relative to the earth, culminating in the longest shadows on the winter solstice (December 21). The summer solstice (June 21) is the time of year when the sun’s shadow is shortest. In between the two solstices, the sun angle and its shadows range between
the two extremes of the winter and summer solstices. Examples of shadow lengths for Hermosa
Beach’s latitude and for a 35-foot-tall structure are presented in Table 4.1-2 (Shadow Lengths in Hermosa Beach).
TABLE 4.1-2
SHADOW LENGTHS IN HERMOSA BEACH
Shadow Lengths for 35-Foot Structure (in feet)
Time of Year 10 AM Noon 2 PM
March 20 (Spring Equinox) 49 26 26
June 21 (Summer Solstice) 29 10 11
September 22 (Autumn Equinox) 44 25 27
December 21 (Winter Solstice) 69 55 74
Source: suncalc.org 2016
Under current zoning, the maximum allowed building height in Hermosa Beach is 35 feet. The
shadow lengths in Table 4.1-2 therefore present seasonal and diurnal lengths for a worst-case
condition. The distances in the table suggest that a building of 35-foot height would cast a
shadow that would extend beyond the property limits of its parcel, given the relatively small size
of most parcels in Hermosa Beach. In residential areas where building setbacks are usually 5 feet
or less, a 35-foot building would likely cast a shadow onto one or more adjacent properties.
For purposes of this EIR, the City considers shadow impacts to be significant and adverse if they
intrude extensively into a public open space, such as a park, plaza, greenbelt, or walk street, for
a prolonged period of time. Other shadow effects, such as shadows that extend onto private
properties, may raise important planning or design considerations, but they do not relate to the public environment. The City’s Zoning Ordinance addresses potential shadow effects on private
properties for proposed structures above 30 feet in height in areas where the normally allowed
building height is 30 feet or less but adjacent structures that pre-date current zoning exceed the
current limit.
For a significant shadow impact to occur, a new structure would have to be sited at a location
that is adjacent to a public open space area. The adjacent open space would have to be
north of the proposed structure and the structure would have to be near enough to impact the
open space area significantly during the greater part of the sunlit day, that is, between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM. The representative shadow lengths shown in Table 4.1-2 suggest that the
adjacent open space would have to be within at least 40 feet of the proposed structure for a
significant shadow encroachment to occur. This assumes that the proposed structure is the
maximum allowed building height of 35 feet. There are very few locations in the city where these conditions might occur.
One such area is the neighborhood just south of Clark Field. Under current conditions, this
neighborhood is occupied by two- and three-story residential buildings, which likely cast a
shadow during the early morning and late afternoon hours onto some portion of the field,
although the effect would extend to cover less than 20 percent of the field area (Clark Field is
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approximately 450 feet in length) within the hours of peak park sunlight or of peak park use. PLAN Hermosa does not propose any changes to the current height limits. Implementation
action LAND USE-3 indicates that the City would develop design guidelines that would include
provisions that ensure avoidance of significant shadow impacts from new structures onto public recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.
Any future project that would be developed under PLAN Hermosa would be required to comply
with this regulation. Therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.1-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Create New Sources of Light or Glare? PLAN Hermosa
would guide development and reuse projects in a manner that could create
new sources of glare, skyglow, and spillover lighting. However, PLAN Hermosa also includes specific policies and implementation actions that minimize adverse effects related to new sources of light and glare. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
The city is primarily built out, with existing sources of daytime glare and nighttime light. Development and other future actions under PLAN Hermosa have the potential to introduce new sources of daytime glare and increase nighttime lighting and illumination levels through
intensification of development.
Lighting impacts can be identified according to three categories:
• Glare – Intense light that shines directly or is reflected from a surface into a person’s eyes.
• “Skyglow”/Nighttime Illumination – Artificial lighting from urbanized sources in sufficient
quantity to cause lighting of the nighttime sky and reduction of visibility of stars and other
astronomical features.
• “Spillover” Lighting – Artificial lighting that spills over onto adjacent properties, which
could interrupt sleeping patterns or cause other nuisances to neighboring residents.
The main source of introduced daytime glare is sunlight reflected from structures with reflective
surfaces such as windows or glass and metal used as building materials. The amount of glare depends on the intensity and direction of sunlight, which can be more acute at sunrise and
sunset because the angle of the sun is lower at these times. Glare impacts are best avoided
through careful selection of building materials and consideration of the site-specific context in
which new structures or remodels are proposed, relative to sun angles and surrounding uses. The likelihood of significant glare impacting public spaces (such as the plaza of lower Pier Avenue)
as a result of PLAN Hermosa and its policies and actions is low and can be addressed through
provisions of the design guidelines proposed under implementation action LAND USE-3.
Potential sources of new and increased nighttime lighting and illumination include, but are not
limited to, lighting associated with new development or remodels (of any land use type), lights
associated with vehicular travel (e.g., car headlights), street lighting, parking lot lights, and
security-related lighting. Increased nighttime lighting and illumination can result in adverse effects in the form of spillover onto adjacent properties and nighttime skyglow impacts. Subsequent development would be subject to existing City development and design standards
set forth in the City’s Municipal Code. Section 17.26.050 of the current Municipal Code requires
any lighting provided for commercial outdoor dining uses, unless exempted by a Conditional Use Permit, to be extinguished no later than 11:00 PM in the C-3 zone and by 10:00 PM in zones
that allow similar uses. It also requires that the lighting be high efficiency, the minimum intensity
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necessary, fully shielded (full cutoff) and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture), not create glare or spill beyond the property lines, and the lamp bulb not be
directly visible from within any residential unit. PLAN Hermosa does not propose to alter this
section of the code. These requirements would continue to apply to all C-3 uses.
PLAN Hermosa Parks + Open Space Element Policy 5.7 would require that new buildings preserve
nighttime views and minimize light levels along the shoreline. In addition, implementation action
PARKS-13 would require that new developments meet exterior lighting standards.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and compliance with Municipal Code Section 17.26.050 would reduce potential impacts of light or glare in the planning area by
ensuring that new developments’ designs, including outdoor lighting features and material
reflectivity, do not result in additional sources of light and glare. These provisions stipulate that
exterior lighting be fully shielded (full cutoff) and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture), and not create glare or spill beyond the property lines, and the
lamp bulb is not to be directly visible from within any residential unit. Therefore, the impact would
be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The geographic context for the analysis of cumulative aesthetics and visual resources impacts
includes Hermosa Beach and the communities of the South Bay subregion.
IMPACT 4.1-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Adverse Effects Related to Visual Resources? Of the categories of potential visual impacts addressed, only
the impact of artificial lighting to the night sky (skyglow impact) is potentially cumulative in nature. All other impacts (to scenic vistas, scenic resources, visual
character, shade and shadow effects, and lighting impacts of glare and
spillover) are localized and confined within the city limits of Hermosa Beach. This
is a less than cumulatively considerable impact.
Because this EIR addresses citywide impacts, cumulative effects of multiple projects that might
occur within the city during the lifetime of PLAN Hermosa are addressed as a part of this
assessment. The discussion of potential skyglow impacts under Impact 4.1-5 acknowledges the
cumulative nature of this impact and addresses the project’s potential contribution to cumulative skyglow effects. Therefore, this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.1.5 REFERENCES
California Coastal Commission. 2013. California Public Resources Code, Division 20: California
Coastal Act. Accessed February 18, 2014. http://www.coastal.ca.gov/coastact.pdf.
California Energy Commission. 1980. Solar Access: A Guidebook for California Communities, March.
Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). 2011. California Scenic Highway Mapping
System. Accessed May 5, 2016.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_highways/index.htm .
City of Hermosa Beach. 1981. Hermosa Beach Local Coastal Program, Coastal Land Use Plan.
http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=501
———. 2014a. Hermosa Beach Municipal Code.
http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=111.
———. 2014b. City Facts. http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=47.
———. 2014c. 2014–2019 Strategic Plan. http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=99.
———. 2014d. Community Dialogue Quality of Life and Decision Tool. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3764.
———. 2015. PLAN Hermosa.
Ewing, Reid. 2013. “Eight Qualities of Pedestrian- and Transit-Oriented Design.” Excerpts from
Pedestrian- & Transit-Oriented Design. http://urbanland.uli.org/infrastructure-transit/eight-qualities-of-pedestrian-and-transit-oriented-design/.
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). 1988. Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects.
Accessed February 24, 2016.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/ser/downloads/visual/FHWAVisualImpactAssmt.pdf.
Hermosa Beach Historical Society. 2009. The Greenbelt. Accessed February 24, 2014. http://www.hermosabeachhistoricalsociety.org/greenbeltpage.html.
USFS (US Forest Service). 1974. National Forest Landscape Management. Volume 2, Chapter 1.
The Visual Management System. Agriculture Handbook No. 462. Washington, D.C.
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4.2.1 INTRODUCTION
This section evaluates potential air quality effects associated with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa.
NOP Comments: In response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP), one comment relevant to air quality was received from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) (see Appendix B). The comment was focused on ensuring that the air quality analysis for PLAN
Hermosa uses region-specific and up-to-date air quality modeling methodologies to evaluate
the plan’s impact on air quality. These comments and the SCAQMD’s guidelines for analyzing air quality impacts have been incorporated in this analysis.
Reference Information: Information for this resource chapter is based on numerous sources,
including the Air Quality Technical Background Report (TBR), transportation analysis of existing conditions and modeling of future conditions, and other publicly available documents. The TBR is attached as Appendix C-4.
4.2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-4 describes the natural factors (i.e., topography, climate, and meteorology) that affect air quality in the region; current regional air quality conditions in the project area; and the
federal, state, and local air quality regulatory framework. A summary of that information is
included below.
NATURAL FACTORS
Hermosa Beach is a beachfront city located in the South Coast Air Basin, and the SCAQMD is
the air pollution control district responsible for comprehensive air pollution control in the basin.
The basin lies in the semi-permanent high-pressure zone of the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in a mild climate tempered by cool sea breezes with light average wind speeds. The usually mild
climatological pattern is interrupted occasionally by periods of extremely hot weather, winter
storms, or Santa Ana winds. Winds in the planning area are usually driven by the dominant
land/sea breeze circulation system. Vertical dispersion of air pollutants in the air basin is hampered by the presence of persistent temperature inversions, which restrict the vertical
dispersion of air pollutants released into the marine layer and, together with strong sunlight, can
produce worst-case conditions for the formation of photochemical smog.
CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
currently focus on the following criteria air pollutants as indicators of ambient air quality: ozone,
particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead.
Ozone is a photochemical oxidant and the primary component of smog. It is formed through
complex chemical reactions between precursor emissions of reactive organic gases (ROG) and
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. Elevated levels of ozone can cause irritation to lungs and breathing passages, as well as coughing and pain in the chest and throat, thereby
increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections and reducing the ability to exercise. Effects are
more severe in people with asthma and other respiratory ailments. Long-term exposure may
lead to scarring of lung tissue and may lower lung efficiency. Hermosa Beach is located in both a federal and state nonattainment area for ozone, as local air quality conditions exceed the
federal 8-hour ozone standard and the state 1-hour and 8-hour ozone standards.
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CURRENT REGIONAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS
Hermosa Beach is located in both a federal and state nonattainment area for PM2.5 and a state
nonattainment area for PM10. The human body naturally prevents the entry of larger particles
into the body. However, small particles, with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 10 microns (i.e., PM10) and even smaller particles with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less
than 2.5 microns (i.e., PM2.5), can enter the body and are trapped in the nose, throat, and upper
respiratory tract. These small particulates could potentially aggravate existing heart and lung
diseases, change the body’s defenses against inhaled materials, and damage lung tissue. The elderly, children, and those with chronic lung or heart disease are most sensitive to PM10 and
PM2.5. Lung impairment can persist for several weeks after exposure to high levels of particulate
matter. Some types of particulates could become toxic after inhalation due to the presence of
certain chemicals on or mixed with the particulates and the chemicals’ reaction with internal body fluids.
The city is located in an area that meets both federal and state CO standards as well as federal
and state SO2 standards. However, Hermosa Beach is located in a federal nonattainment area for NO2. Nitrogen dioxide acts as an acute irritant and, in equal concentrations, is more injurious than nitric oxide.
Diesel particulate matter (diesel PM) emissions are estimated to be 11,074 tons per year for the
South Coast Air Basin. In Los Angeles County, the estimated health risk from diesel PM was 951 excess cancer cases per million people in 2005. Sources of diesel PM in the planning area include freeways, arterial roadways, and railways, as well as minor sources such as off-road
construction equipment, portable and backup diesel generators and pumps, and other heavy-
and light-duty equipment. Other toxic air contaminant (TAC) sources in Hermosa Beach include gasoline stations, auto body shops, restaurants, dry cleaners, and some commercial and light
industrial uses. The city does not contain any major sources of air pollutants that will result in
unacceptable air quality impacts to residents.
The city does not contain any large sources of odors. Minor sources such as paint booths, auto body repair, and other light industrial sources may exist in Hermosa Beach. Other temporary sources of odors may include construction activities such as painting and asphalt paving.
4.2.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local plans, policies, laws, and regulations provide a framework for
addressing aspects of air quality that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
The regulatory setting for air quality is discussed in detail in Appendix C-4. A summary of that
information as it relates to the impact analysis is provided below.
• Fugitive Dust: The SCAQMD requires all projects in the air basin to implement Rule 403
(Fugitive Dust), Rule 401 (Visible Dust), and Rule 1113 (Architectural Coatings) during
construction activities.
• Nuisance: The SCAQMD requires all projects to comply with Rule 402 (Nuisance) during both construction and operational activities.
• CAAQS: The region is nonattainment for California ambient air quality standards (CAAQS)
for ozone, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns (PM10),
particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The region is nonattainment for national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS) for ozone, PM10, and PM2.5.
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• Land Use: CARB (2005) developed the Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective to guide the siting and design of new land uses in order
to avoid exposing sensitive receptors to toxic air contaminant emissions. Sensitive
receptors are people that have an increased sensitivity to air pollution or environmental contaminants. Sensitive receptor locations include schools, parks and playgrounds, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and residential dwelling unit(s).
4.2.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on air quality are considered significant if adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the regional air quality management plan.
2) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air
quality violation.
3) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the
project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone
precursors).
4) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial concentrations.
5) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people.
The City of Hermosa Beach uses significance criteria established by the SCAQMD to evaluate air
quality impacts. According to these criteria, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would be
considered significant if it would exceed any of thresholds shown in Table 4.2-1 (Mass Daily Thresholds).
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TABLE 4.2-1
MASS DAILY THRESHOLDS A
Pollutant Construction a Operation b
VOC 75 lbs/day 55 lbs/day
NOx 100 lbs/day 55 lbs/day
CO 550 lbs/day 550 lbs/day
SOx 150 lbs/day 150 lbs/day
PM10 150 lbs/day 150 lbs/day
PM2.5 55 lbs/day 55 lbs/day
Lead 3 lbs/day 3 lbs/day
Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) and Odor Thresholds
TACs
(including carcinogens
and noncarcinogens)
Maximum Incremental Cancer Risk
≥10 in 1 million
Cancer Burden >0.5 excess cancer cases (in areas ≥1 in 1 million)
Hazard Index ≥1.0 (project increment)
Odor Project creates an odor nuisance (defined as six or more complainants)
pursuant to SCAQMD Rule 402
Ambient Air Quality for Criteria Pollutants c
NO2
1-hour average
annual average
SCAQMD is in attainment; project is significant if it causes or
contributes to an exceedance of the following attainment standards:
0.18 ppm (state)
0.03 ppm (state)
PM10
24-hour average
annual average
10.4 µg/m3 (construction)d
& 2.5 µg/m3 (operation)
1.0 µg/m3
PM2.5
24-hour average
10.4 µg/m3 (construction)d
& 2.5 µg/m3 (operation)
Sulfate
24-hour average 1 µg/m3
CO
1-hour average
8-hour average
SCAQMD is in attainment; project is significant if it causes or
contributes to an exceedance of the following attainment standards:
20 ppm (state)
9.0 ppm (state/federal)
Source: SCAQMD 2015
Notes:
a. Construction thresholds apply to both the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley (Salton Sea Air Basin and Mojave Desert Air
Basin).
b. The mass daily thresholds for operation are the same as the construction thresholds. c. Ambient air quality thresholds for criteria pollutants are based on SCAQMD Rule 1303, Table A-2 unless otherwise stated.
d. Ambient air quality threshold is based on SCAQMD Rule 403.
e. lbs/day = pounds per day; ppm = parts per million; µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter; ≥ greater than or equal to
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of adoption and implementation of
PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions. The following analyses of impacts on air quality
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are both qualitative and quantitative and are based on available air quality information for the planning area along with a review of regional information. The analysis assumes that all future
and existing development in the planning area complies with applicable laws, regulations,
design standards, and plans. The cumulative impact analysis uses qualitative information for the planning area and the air basin. Operational emissions associated with future land uses anticipated by PLAN Hermosa were modeled using the California Emissions Estimator Model
(CalEEMod) Version 2013.2.2 and CARB’s on-road emissions inventory model, EMFAC2014. Model
inputs such as land use types and sizes, vehicle miles traveled, and speed bins were obtained from the traffic study prepared for PLAN Hermosa (Fehr & Peers 2015).
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa includes several elements, including Governance, Land Use + Design, Mobility,
Sustainability + Conservation, and Infrastructure. In these elements, policies and implementation actions that directly and indirectly relate to air quality include the following:
Policies
Governance Element
• 7.5 Evaluation and disclosure. Require an evaluation and disclosure (e.g., health checklists, health impact assessments) of health impacts or benefits for all discretionary
projects.
Land Use + Design Element
• 1.3 Access to daily activities. Strive to create development patterns such that the majority of residents are within one-half mile walking distance to a variety of
neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants, churches, cafes,
dry cleaners, laundromats, farmers markets, banks, personal services, pharmacies, and
similar uses.
• 1.7 Compatibility of uses. Ensure the placement of new uses does not create or
exacerbate nuisances between different types of land uses.
• 4.7 Access to transit. Support the location of transit stations and enhanced stops near the
intersection of Aviation Blvd. and PCH, and adjacent to Gateway Commercial uses to facilitate and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips and allow residents
without private vehicles to access services.
• 6.3 Green infrastructure network. Establish an interconnected green infrastructure network throughout Hermosa Beach that serves as a network for active transportation, recreation and scenic beauty and connects all areas of the city. In particular,
connections should be made between the beach, parks, the Downtown,
neighborhoods, and other destinations within the city. Consider the following
components when designing and implementing the green/open space network:
− Preserved open space areas such as the beach and the Greenbelt,
− Living streets with significant landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle amenities,
− Community and neighborhood parks, and schools.
• 6.7 Pedestrian oriented design. Eliminate urban form conditions that reduce walkability
by discouraging surface parking and parking structures along walkways, long blank walls
along walkways, and garage-dominated building facades.
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• 9.1 Ocean-based energy resources. Encourage and support research and responsible development of renewable ocean-based energy sources. Renewable energy sources
appropriate to Hermosa Beach shall be limited to wave, tidal, solar, and wind sources
that meet the region’s and state’s need for affordable sources of renewable energy.
• 9.2 Renewable energy facilities. To reduce or avoid conflicts, communicate and collaborate with affected ocean users; coastal residents and businesses; and applicants
seeking state or federal authorization for the siting, development, and operation of
renewable energy facilities.
• 9.4 Adaptive management. Require renewable energy facility operators to rectify or
mitigate adverse effects that occur during the lifetime of the project by monitoring and
taking appropriate corrective measures through adaptive management.
• 9.5 Reclamation. Require renewable energy facility operators to restore the natural characteristics of a site to the extent practicable when a project is decommissioned and
removed.
Mobility Element
• 3.1 Repurpose public right-of-ways. Require repurposing public right-of-ways enhancing connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit.
• 3.2 Invest in sidewalks. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a
complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances
pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
• 3.3 Active transportation. Require that all development or redevelopment projects
accommodate active transportation through providing necessary connections to
existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and incorporate people-oriented
design practices.
• 3.4 Access opportunities. Provide enhanced mobility and access opportunities for local
transportation and transit services in areas of the City with sufficient density and intensity
of uses, mix of appropriate uses, and supportive bicycle and pedestrian network
connections that can reduce vehicle trips within the City’s busiest corridors.
• 3.5 Incentivize other modes. Incentivize local shuttle/trolley services, rideshare and car
share programs, and developing infrastructure that support low speed, low carbon (e.g.
electric) vehicles.
• 3.6 Complete bicycle network. Provide a complete bicycle network along all designated roadways while creating connections to other modes of travel including walking and
transit.
• 4.5 Sufficient bicycle parking. Require a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be
provided in conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private developments.
• 4.6 Priority parking. Provide priority parking and charging stations to accommodate the
use of electric vehicles (EVs), including smaller short-distance neighborhood electric vehicles.
• 4.9 Encourage TDM strategies. Encourage use of transportation demand management
strategies and programs such as carpooling, ride hailing, and alternative transportation
modes as a way to reduce demand for additional parking supply.
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• 5.1 Prioritize development of infrastructure. Prioritize the development of roadway and parking infrastructure that accommodates and encourages private electric and other
low carbon vehicle ownership and use throughout the City.
• 5.2 Local transit system. Develop a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport of residents, hotel guests, and beachgoers between activity centers and to Downtown businesses and the beach.
• 5.3 Incentivize TDM strategies. Incentivize the use of Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) strategies as a cost effective method for maximizing existing
transportation infrastructure to accommodate mobility demands without significant
expansion to infrastructure.
• 5.4 Evaluate projects. Ensure the evaluation of projects for transportation and traffic
impacts under CEQA consider local and statewide goals related to infill development, the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles through active transportation, and the
reduction of greenhouse gases, in addition to traditional congestion management
impacts.
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use policies in development projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development
supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative
modes.
• 6.1 Regional network. Work with government agencies and private sector companies to develop a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network that connects
the community to surrounding cities.
• 6.2 Consider travel patterns. Require considering regional travel patterns when
collaborating on regional transit and transportation projects to ensure investments facilitate greater mobility and access for residents, businesses, and visitors to and from
Hermosa Beach.
• 6.3 Support programs. Facilitate greater local and regional mobility through access to
shared equipment or transportation options such as car sharing and bike sharing.
• 6.4 Coordinate with agencies. Coordinate with regional transportation agencies and
surrounding cities to improve local access and connections to region-wide public transit
services.
• 6.5 Coordinate with surrounding cities. Coordinate with surrounding cities to prioritize non-
motorized and pedestrian connections to regional facilities and surrounding cities.
• 6.6 Greater utilization. Consider exploring opportunities for greater utilization of the Beach
Cities Transit system for improved mobility along major corridors and as a potential means of improved regional transit connections.
• 8.1 Minimize truck impacts. Establish a system of truck routes on specified arterial streets
to minimize the negative impacts of trucking through the City.
• 8.2 Prohibit excessive idling. Discourage commercial vehicles from excessive idling during deliveries and while parked.
• 8.3 Reduce traffic conditions. Encourage businesses to provide commercial loading
zones in the public right-of-way at a time and in a manner that balances the needs of
businesses with the impact on traffic conditions.
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• 8.5 Utilize technology. Encourage operators of commercial vehicles doing business in Hermosa Beach to utilize technologies that minimize air pollution, fuel use, and
greenhouse gas emissions.
• 8.6 Prohibit mobile advertising. Consider prohibiting mobile advertising to avoid unnecessary traffic congestion and air pollution.
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation
investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
• 2.7 Discretionary projects. Require discretionary projects to substantially mitigate all
feasible greenhouse gas emissions, and offset the remainder of greenhouse gas
emissions produced to meet annual thresholds
• 3.1 Stationary and mobile sources. Seek to improve overall respiratory health for residents through regulation of stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, as feasible.
• 3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce
vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles.
• 3.3 Fuel efficient fleets. Promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as
construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide
cleaner fleets.
• 3.4 Two-stroke engines. Discourage the use of equipment with two-stroke engines and
publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.
• 3.5 Clean fuels. Support increased local access to cleaner fuels and cleaner energy by
encouraging fueling stations that provide cleaner fuels and energy to the community.
• 3.6 Healthy Air Hermosa. Maintain high quality outdoor and public spaces in Hermosa
Beach through the Healthy Air Hermosa program.
• 3.7 Regional air quality. When possible, collaborate with other agencies within the region
to improve air quality and meet or exceed state and federal air quality standards through regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, including trucks and
passenger vehicles.
• 4.1 Renewable energy generation. Require, promote, and facilitate the installation of
renewable energy projects on homes and businesses.
• 4.2 Building energy disclosure. Require large buildings to report their energy and water
use on a regular basis.
• 4.3 Retrofit program. Provide an energy retrofit program to assist home and building
owners to make efficiency improvements.
• 7.2 Soil erosion. Minimize soil erosion by ensuring best practices are used in grading and
construction.
Infrastructure Element
• 2.5 Active transportation dedications. Require new development and redevelopment projects to provide land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active
transportation, such as sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops.
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• 6.1 Utility maintenance permitting. Allow efficient and streamlined permitting for the maintenance, repair, improvement, and expansion of utility facilities and infrastructure.
• 6.2 Below ground utilities. Phase out and replace overhead electric lines with subsurface
lines to reduce visual blight and the need for utility poles which can impede sidewalk accessibility.
• 6.3 Environmental compatibility. Ensure that utility facilities and infrastructure cause
minimal damage to the environment and that utility service providers are responsible for
costs associated with damage caused to the environment and public right-of-way so
that providers will seek to minimize those costs.
• 6.4 Innovative and renewable technology. Encourage the exploration and establishment
of innovative and renewable utility service technologies. Allow the testing of new
alternative energy sources that are consistent with the goals and policies of PLAN Hermosa and comply with all relevant regulations.
• 6.5 Renewable energy facilities. Unless a renewable energy facility would cause an
unmitigatable impact to health or safety, allow them by right.
• 6.6 Community choice aggregation. Collaborate with nearby local and regional agencies to develop a community choice aggregation system that provides greater
renewable energy choices to the community.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-13. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline
permitting requirements and improve public awareness.
• MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified
and documented traffic concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or designee. Potential traffic calming applications include clearly marked and/or protected
bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers,
raised intersections, realigned intersections, and textured pavements, among other effective enhancements.
• MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Ordinance with activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new development.
• MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and
electric vehicle charging stations so that they are available at each commercial district
or corridor, park, and public facility.
• MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
• MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant
impact thresholds that are in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for roadway segments and intersections.
• SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for projects to offset their
fair share of greenhouse gas emissions generated, by providing funding for
implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
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• SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential mitigation measures for both discretionary and ministerial actions.
• SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease
of vehicles and equipment that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
• SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically
update or amend Green Building Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to
incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
• SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee
waivers, or permit streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy
efficient, or water conservation equipment.
• SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices to reduce potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
• SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to
reduce the need for site-specific soil reports.
• SUSTAINABILITY-18. Where feasible, new development or redevelopment shall be sited
and designed to minimize alteration of natural landforms by conforming to the local
topography; preventing substantial grading or reconfiguration of the project site;
requiring that man-made contours mimic natural contours; ensuring that graded slopes blend with the existing terrain of the site and surrounding areas; and clustering structures
to minimize site disturbance and to minimize development area.
• PARKS-22. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for
summer events occurring on weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and advertise predetermined shuttle
services and bicycle corrals.
• SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the
proper disposal of toxic materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and water resources from toxic materials contamination.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for
alternative renewable energy power generation facilities, and provide such information
to utility providers and potential developers.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City
facilities.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.2-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Conflict with or Obstruct Implementation of the
Applicable Air Quality Plan? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide
future development in the city in a manner that could result in air pollution emissions. Compliance with existing federal and state regulations and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce conflicts with air
quality plans to a less than significant level.
Regional air quality plans are developed to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. As summarized in the Environmental Setting subsection above and shown in Table 1 of Appendix C-4, the region is nonattainment for the state and federal ozone, PM10, and PM2.5 standards and
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is nonattainment for the state NO2 standard. As noted above, these pollutants cause public health issues involving asthma and other respiratory ailments as well as aggravate existing heart
and lung diseases. In order for the region to attain and maintain air quality standards and
protect public health, a concerted effort from all cities and counties in the air basin is required to reduce emissions from a variety of sources. Air quality plans model emission contributions from sources within the air basin (and outside the air basin for transport of emissions) using planned
land uses and reduction measure assumptions. This type of modeling demonstrates how the air
quality plan can or cannot attain air quality standards by certain dates. Therefore, if a city in the air basin would not be consistent with the assumptions and emission reduction strategies
contained in an air quality plan, this could conflict with or obstruct the region’s ability to attain
an ambient air quality standard.
By focusing planning and improvement efforts toward designing complete streets, promoting economic diversity, and enhancing communitywide mobility, PLAN Hermosa is anticipated to
reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) within the city. Mobility Element Goal 3 would encourage
multimodal and people-oriented transportation, which could minimize or eliminate certain
mobile vehicle trips (see Section 4.14, Transportation, of this EIR for an analysis of anticipated vehicle miles traveled under PLAN Hermosa). Land Use + Design Element Goal 1 would promote
a diverse mix of uses, which would reduce vehicle trips between residential uses and retail or
employment uses. Land Use + Design Element Goal 4 would increase the accessibility of public
transit to nearby residential uses, thus reducing vehicle miles traveled. Mobility Element Policy 5.5 encourages smart growth in land use policies to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and
multimodal development supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to
utilize alternative modes. Implementing these policies and programs would strengthen Hermosa
Beach’s efforts to reduce air quality emissions from VMT, area sources, construction, and other miscellaneous sources beyond that of the existing General Plan,1 which is the basis for the
existing regional air quality plan (i.e., 2012 Air Quality Management Plan [AQMP]).
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 3.1 seeks to improve overall respiratory health for
residents through regulation of stationary and mobile sources of air pollution. Policy 3.2 encourages support for land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled
and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles. Policy 3.3 would
promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide cleaner fleets. Policy 3.7 would ensure
that future projects consider impacts on regional air quality planning efforts. Policy 7.2 would
require construction projects to control emissions, particularly soil disturbance, which is a source
of PM10 and PM2.5 emissions.
As stated in the 2012 AQMP, the plan is aimed at controlling pollution from all man-made
sources, including stationary sources, on-road and off-road mobile sources, and area sources
(SCAQMD 2013). Therefore, the emission reductions that could be achieved through
implementation of PLAN Hermosa are anticipated to exceed those currently planned for in the regional air quality plan and would be consistent with the 2012 AQMP. Although the SCAQMD is
currently developing a 2016 Air Quality Management Plan, it is anticipated that the 2016 AQMP
would target the same types of emission sources and would require further reductions from all
jurisdictions because of the nonattainment status of the air basin with respect to state ozone,
1 The existing General Plan is identified as the No Project Alternative in Section 6.0, Alternatives to the Proposed Project,
of this EIR. Table 6-1 of Chapter 6 and Table 4-1 of Appendix C-4 to this EIR identify vehicle travel as the main contributor to ozone precursors (ROG and NOx).
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NOx, PM2.5, and PM10 standards. Both the 2012 adopted and 2016 proposed AQMPs rely on the growth projections and vehicle travel patterns modeled in the Southern California Association of
Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan (Section 4.9, Land Use and Planning, of this EIR
evaluates PLAN Hermosa’s consistency with the Regional Transportation Plan).
As discussed in Section 4.14, Transportation, many PLAN Hermosa goals and policies are aimed
at reducing VMT. Fehr & Peers used the TDM+ model to quantify potential reductions in trip
generation and VMT that could occur by 2040 with full buildout and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa. Fehr & Peers worked with the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) to develop the transportation section of the report titled Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. This report is now used as a set of guidelines for quantifying the
environmental benefits of mitigation measures. The CAPCOA guidelines were developed by
conducting a comprehensive literature review of studies documenting the effects of land use planning and transportation demand management (TDM) strategies on reducing VMT. Using the
results of this study, Fehr & Peers developed TDM+, a quick response tool that demonstrates trip
reductions from commonly used TDM strategies. The tool also accounts for the interaction
among different measures in various categories to avoid double counting. As described in Section 4.14, numerous PLAN Hermosa land use and mobility strategies were modeled to
demonstrate reductions in VMT, including but not limited to land use strategies such as
development of mixed-use and urban infill sites with transit proximity and a density, scale, and
design that can facilitate walking, biking, and other alternative travel options.
PLAN Hermosa policies include numerous measures that support transportation demand and
accessibility management. Specifically, Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 3.2 directs
the City to support land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and
emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles. Policy 3.7 directs the City to consult with other agencies to improve air quality through regional efforts to reduce air
pollution from mobile sources. PLAN Hermosa would promote land use and transportation
investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
These and other policies support region-wide traffic and air quality management strategies that
support achievement of AQMP goals. PLAN Hermosa would not conflict with or obstruct
implementation of the regional air quality plan; therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.2-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Generate Short-Term Construction Emissions That Would Violate Any Air Quality Standard or Contribute Substantially to an Existing or Projected Air Quality Violation? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development in the city in a manner that could generate air
pollutant emissions from short-term construction. Although PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and enforcement of current SCAQMD rules and
regulations would help reduce short-term emissions, construction emissions
would result in a potentially significant impact.
The SCAQMD has established quantitative daily thresholds of significance for construction emissions, as identified in Table 4.2-1. Development associated with the implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would result in construction emissions that would be evaluated using the SCAQMD
thresholds of significance on a project-by-project basis. However, at the program level, it would
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be speculative to accurately model construction emissions associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa because it is unknown at this time what projects specifically would be
constructed under the plan, what construction equipment would be used for each project, and
what each project’s construction phasing would be. Therefore, construction air quality impacts are evaluated qualitatively.
Construction of PLAN Hermosa’s proposed land uses would generate short-term criteria air
pollutant and ozone precursor emissions from sources such as heavy-duty construction
equipment, material delivery trucks, soil disturbance activities, construction worker vehicles, and architectural coatings, among other activities. The daily amounts of pollutants generated would vary depending on the intensity of the construction activities and types of construction
equipment used. Smaller projects with a more compact schedule, though they may involve less
overall development, could generate daily emissions that exceed those of a large project with a drawn-out schedule. CalEEMod is an emissions model developed by the South Coast Air Quality
Management District to calculate construction emissions for CEQA projects. Within CalEEMod,
smaller projects such as single-family residences or commercial or industrial uses which are less
than 150,000 square feet and that have minimal or no overlapping construction activities would not likely exceed the SCAQMD’s CEQA significance thresholds for construction. Most of the
development activity in the city is not expected to exceed 150,000 square feet given the city’s
developed condition and the limited number of large or contiguous parcels that are vacant
and underutilized and therefore more likely to redevelop. However, larger projects or projects which are more complex (large quantities of grading, accelerated schedule, overlapping
activities) may have the potential to exceed significance thresholds. Current examples of
projects that may be under 150,000 square feet, but involve grading or excavation, include the
proposed Skechers Design Center and Executive Office Project and the proposed Strand and Pier Hotel Project. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate construction emissions by simply evaluating
the number of units or square feet of space to be developed. However, there is potential that
construction of some future projects pursuant to PLAN Hermosa would generate short-term
construction emissions that could exceed the SCAQMD’s thresholds of significance.
A number of PLAN Hermosa policies, along with required SCAQMD rules and regulations, would
help reduce short-term construction emissions. All construction projects in the city would be
subject to SCAQMD Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust) to minimize fugitive particulate matter (PM) dust emissions during construction. In addition, Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 7.2 would
require future projects to minimize PM10 and PM2.5 emissions by promoting best practices for
controlling fugitive dust. Implementation actions SUSTAINABILITY-16, 17, and 18 aim to control soil
erosion during grading and other construction activities. Furthermore, Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 2.7 would require all discretionary projects to substantially mitigate
all feasible greenhouse gas emissions, which would also affect the emissions of ozone precursors,
PM10, and PM2.5 in the city.
Although the SCAQMD would require compliance with Rule 403, and implementation of multiple PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce construction emissions, there is potential that a number of
future projects will continue to generate emissions which exceed the SCAQMD construction
thresholds of significance.
Because most construction projects are performed by private parties, the City would have little control over construction equipment and truck emissions. However, EPA emissions standards
require strict emissions controls for construction equipment and trucks that are phased in over
time. As older construction equipment is phased out and replaced with newer equipment,
emissions from the average construction fleet would be lower. With time, the construction fleet would eventually meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards, which are currently the most stringent
standards. Construction-related impacts would be potentially significant. To reduce
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construction-related emissions, mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e would be required.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.2-2a Construction projects within the city shall demonstrate compliance with all
applicable standards of the Southern California Air Quality Management District, including the following provisions of District Rule 403:
• All unpaved demolition and construction areas shall be wetted at least
twice daily during excavation and construction, and temporary dust covers shall be used to reduce dust emissions and meet SCAQMD Rule
403. Wetting could reduce fugitive dust by as much as 50 percent.
• The construction area shall be kept sufficiently dampened to control dust
caused by grading and hauling, and at all times provide reasonable control of dust caused by wind.
• All clearing, earth moving, or excavation activities shall be discontinued
during periods of high winds (i.e., greater than 15 mph), so as to prevent
excessive amounts of dust.
• All dirt/soil loads shall be secured by trimming, watering, or other
appropriate means to prevent spillage and dust.
• All dirt/soil materials transported off-site shall be required to cover their loads as required by California Vehicle Code Section 23114 to prevent excessive amount of dust.
• General contractors shall maintain and operate construction equipment
so as to minimize exhaust emissions.
• Trucks having no current hauling activity shall not idle but shall be turned
off.
MM 4.2-2b In accordance with Section 2485 in Title 13 of the California Code of
Regulations, the idling of all diesel-fueled commercial vehicles (weighing over 10,000 pounds) during construction shall be limited to 5 minutes at any location.
MM 4.2-2c Construction projects within the city shall comply with South Coast Air Quality
Management District Rule 1113 limiting the volatile organic compound content of architectural coatings.
MM 4.2-2d Construction projects within the city shall install odor-reducing equipment in
accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1138.
MM 4.2-2e Project applicants shall identify all measures to reduce air pollutant emissions below SCAQMD thresholds prior to the issuance of building permits. Should
attainment of SCAQMD thresholds be determined to be infeasible,
construction contractors shall provide evidence of this to the City and will be
encouraged to apply for SCAQMD SOON funds.
Significance After Mitigation
Even with the implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e, SCAQMD
Rule 403, and PLAN Hermosa policies, it is still anticipated that some projects would have the
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potential to generate daily construction emissions that exceed the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. Because the intensity and schedule of construction activities cannot be
determined at the time of this program-level analysis, it would be speculative to conclude that
any level of mitigation would reduce daily construction emissions below the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. Incentives could be provided for those construction contractors who apply for SCAQMD SOON funds. The SOON program provides funds to accelerate cleanup of off-road
diesel vehicles, such as heavy-duty construction equipment.
In many cases, because of the amount of construction required for a project, even if all feasible mitigation is implemented, daily emissions could still exceed the significance thresholds. Therefore, this impact would be significant and unavoidable.
IMPACT 4.2-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Generate Long-Term Operational Emissions That Would Violate Any Air Quality Standard or Contribute Substantially to an Existing or Projected Air Quality Violation? Subsequent development associated with the
implementation of PLAN Hermosa could generate air pollutant emissions from
long-term operation. PLAN Hermosa policies and programs and enforcement
of current SCAQMD rules and regulations would help reduce long-term emissions. Daily operational emissions from long-term operation of PLAN Hermosa would result in a less than significant impact.
Long-term operational emissions are generated from stationary, area, and mobile sources. Table 4.2-2 (Summary of Modeled Operational Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursors) summarizes the daily long-term operational emissions of criteria air pollutants and precursors for
existing and new development that could occur under the full buildout potential by 2040. The
daily operational area, energy, and mobile source emissions were modeled using CalEEMod
(Version 2013.2.2) computer model EMFAC2014 and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data in the traffic study prepared by Fehr & Peers (2015).
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TABLE 4.2-2
SUMMARY OF MODELED OPERATIONAL EMISSIONS OF CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS AND PRECURSORS
Emissions (lbs/day)a
VOC NOX CO SOX PM10 PM2.5
Existing Conditions
Area Sources 1,128 18 1,674 <1 129 129
Energy 5 46 20 <1 4 4
Mobile Sources 157 472 1,933 5 309 87
Total 1,290 536 3,627 5 442 220
Development Potential Under PLAN Hermosa
Nonresidential
Area Sources 25 <1 25 <1 <1 <1
Energy 1 13 11 <1 1 1
Residential
Area Sources 17 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Energy 1 12 10 <1 <1 <1
Mobile Sources (15) (30) (123) (0) (3) (1)
Total Daily Operational Emissions – PLAN
Hermosa Development Potential 30 (5) (77) (0) (0) 1
Project-Based SCAQMD Significance Threshold 55 55 550 150 150 55
Exceeds Project Threshold? No No No No No No
Plan Hermosa Development Potential Plus
Existing Conditions 1,320 531 3,550 5 442 221
Source: Appendix D; existing conditions modeled by Michael Baker International 2016.
SCAQMD = South Coast Air Quality Management District; lbs/day = pounds per day; CO = carbon monoxide; NOx = oxides of
nitrogen; PM10 = particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter; PM2.5 = particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5
microns in diameter; ROG = reactive organic gases.
Emissions modeled using the CalEEMod (Version 2013.2.2) computer model and EMFAC2014, based on daily vehicle miles traveled,
daily trips, and land uses obtained from the traffic analysis prepared for this project, which estimates a reduction of 2,500 daily vehicle
trips under PLAN Hermosa as compared to existing conditions.
Note: The total emissions estimates shown are the highest values that would occur in the summer or winter season. Totals may not add
up to individual values since the highest emissions for a pollutant from both area and mobile sources may not occur in the same season.
Refer to Appendix D for detailed assumptions and modeling output files.
The SCAQMD’s thresholds are established for individual projects and are not readily applied to a 25-year program such as PLAN
Hermosa. Although the City will apply the SCAQMD’s thresholds to individual projects as they are brought forward, the total emissions
in the city and the planning area will still exceed these project-based thresholds.
As shown in Table 4.2-2, area sources contribute to most of the ROG, CO, and PM operational
emissions in the city. With regard to mobile source emissions, PLAN Hermosa policies would result in a reduction of vehicle miles traveled within the city. As a result, mobile source emissions would
be reduced compared to existing conditions. Heavy-commercial or industrial land uses are more
likely to involve stationary sources, while retail and residential land uses would involve more area
source emissions (e.g., natural gas water and space heating, consumer products, landscape maintenance). Similar to construction emissions, the SCAQMD has developed daily thresholds of
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significance for operational activities. Project-level analysis of future projects would evaluate daily emissions against the SCAQMD operational thresholds of significance.
PLAN Hermosa includes numerous goals, policies, and programs that would impact future
emissions associated with land use operations. Mobility Element Policies 3.6, 5.2, and 5.3 would
provide new and existing land uses with greater accessibility to alternate modes of
transportation and supporting amenities, some of which would be emissions-free (e.g., walking,
biking). Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide convenient alternatives to
driving and reduce trip distances through infill development in the city.
In addition, Mobility Element Policies 3.4 and 5.2 would use public transit to link employment and
residential centers to provide realistic alternatives to single-occupant vehicles for a variety of trip
types (e.g., home to work, home to shopping). Mobility Element Policies 3.2 and 3.3 would
require new development to add pedestrian infrastructure and provide necessary connections to transit and alternate transit modes, respectively. Mobility Element Policy 5.5 and Land Use +
Design Element Policy 1.3 would require that more compact, connected, and multimodal
development supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize
alternative modes and that safe and convenient complete streets (i.e., designed for all modes of transportation) be implemented throughout the city and connect residential and amenities for feasible day-to-day use.
Increasing bicycle mode share is a major goal to reduce mobile source emissions.
Implementation actions MOBILITY-6 and 14 would strategically expand the city’s bicycle infrastructure to provide practical and safe connections between land uses. Therefore, PLAN
Hermosa would supply alternative modes of transportation through city infrastructure as well as
provide incentives to maximize the effectiveness of these developments.
The PLAN Hermosa goals, programs, and policies discussed above would reduce mobile source operational emissions throughout the city. As a result, total emissions associated with daily
operational activities would remain below SCAQMD thresholds of significance, as shown in Table 4.2-2. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa’s operational emissions would be considered less than
significant. As discussed above, emissions presented in Table 4.2-2 take into account policies
which would reduce vehicle traffic and related emissions within the city. With regard to
stationary (non-mobile) sources, new projects would be required to comply with the California
Green Building Standards (CALGreen) Code, which would increase energy efficiency and reduce water usage. As a result, emissions resulting from energy and water usage would be reduced.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.2-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Create or Contribute to CO Hot Spots That Could Result in a Cumulatively Considerable Net Increase of Any Criteria Pollutant for Which the Region Is Nonattainment? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would reduce vehicle traffic to existing roadways, which could reduce the potential for CO hot spots. Traffic volumes anticipated at intersections
throughout the city with implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not be large
enough to cause a CO hot spot, resulting in a less than significant impact.
Carbon monoxide concentration is a direct function of motor vehicle activity (e.g., idling time
and traffic flow conditions), particularly during peak commute hours, and meteorological
conditions. Under specific meteorological conditions (e.g., stable conditions that result in poor
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dispersion), CO concentrations may reach unhealthy levels at local sensitive land uses such as residential areas, schools, and hospitals. As a result, the SCAQMD recommends analyzing
carbon monoxide emissions at a local as well as a regional level.
A CO hot spot is an area of localized carbon monoxide pollution that is caused by severe
vehicle congestion on major roadways, typically near intersections. The SCAQMD requires a
microscale CO hot-spot analysis against the 1-hour and 8-hour ambient air quality standards for
carbon monoxide when a project increases the volume-to-capacity ratio by 2 percent for any
intersection with an existing level of service (LOS) D or worse. The PLAN Hermosa traffic analysis (see Section 4.14, Transportation) indicates that one signalized intersection would operate at LOS E in 2040. Therefore, further investigation of potential CO impacts is warranted.
A detailed CO analysis was conducted during the preparation of the SCAQMD’s 2003 Air Quality
Management Plan. The locations selected for microscale modeling in the 2003 AQMP included high average daily traffic (ADT) intersections in the air basin, those which would be expected to
experience the highest CO concentrations. The highest CO concentration observed was at the
intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue on the west side of Los Angeles near
Interstate 405. The concentration of CO at this intersection was 4.6 parts per million (ppm), which is well below the 35-ppm 1-hour CO federal standard. The Wilshire Boulevard/Veteran Avenue intersection has an ADT of approximately 100,000 vehicles per day.
The PLAN Hermosa traffic analysis demonstrates that three of the studied intersections would
operate at LOS E in 2040. However, only one of these intersections is signalized. The highest total intersection ADT for any of these intersections would be about 35,700 vehicles at the intersection
of Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard, which is less than 100,000 vehicles per day.
Furthermore, due to stricter vehicle emissions standards in newer cars, new technology, and
increased fuel economy, CARB has indicated that future CO emission factors under future land use conditions (year 2040) would be lower than those under existing conditions. Thus, project-
generated local mobile-source CO emissions would not result in or substantially contribute to
concentrations that exceed the 1-hour or 8-hour ambient air quality standards for carbon
monoxide. Because the number of vehicles traveling through the Pacific Coast Highway/Aviation Boulevard intersection is less than 100,000 vehicles per day, local mobile-
source CO emissions would not exceed the 1-hour or 8-hour CO standard. As a result, this impact
would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.2-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose Sensitive Receptors to Substantial Pollutant Concentrations? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in Hermosa Beach in a manner that would potentially generate additional diesel vehicle traffic and diesel stationary sources within the city. This impact would be less than significant.
Subsequent land use activities associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa could potentially include short-term construction sources and long-term operational sources of TACs, including stationary and mobile sources.
Short-Term Construction Sources
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in the potential construction of a variety of projects. This construction would result in short-term emissions of diesel PM, which CARB identifies as a toxic air contaminant. Construction would result in the generation of diesel PM emissions
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from the use of off-road diesel equipment required for site grading and excavation, paving, and other construction activities. The amount to which the receptors are exposed (a function of
concentration and duration of exposure) is the primary factor used to determine health risk (i.e.,
potential exposure to TAC emission levels that exceed applicable standards). Health-related risks associated with diesel-exhaust emissions are primarily linked to long-term exposure and the associated risk of contracting cancer. The calculation of cancer risk associated with exposure to
TACs is typically based on a 70-year period of exposure. The use of diesel-powered construction
equipment, however, would be temporary and episodic and would occur over a relatively large area. For these reasons, diesel PM generated by construction activities, in and of itself, would not
be expected to create conditions where the probability of contracting cancer is greater than 10
in 1 million for nearby receptors.
Nevertheless, construction emissions are regulated by the SCAQMD, which has developed localized significance thresholds (LSTs) for several emissions generated at construction sites (see
subsection 4.2.2, Environmental Setting), including PM2.5, produced when diesel fuel is burned.
LSTs represent the maximum emissions at a construction site that are not expected to cause or
contribute to an exceedance of the most stringent national or state ambient air quality standards. LSTs are based on the ambient concentrations of that pollutant within the project
source receptor area (SRA), as demarcated by the SCAQMD, and the distance to the nearest
sensitive receptor. LST analysis for construction is applicable for all projects that disturb 5 acres of
land and less in a single day. Future construction activities under PLAN Hermosa would be required to meet SCAQMD thresholds or to implement mitigation. Examples of feasible mitigation
to address short-term construction sources of TACs include, but are not limited to, the
requirement to keep all construction equipment in proper tune in accordance with
manufacturers’ specifications, the use of late-model heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment during construction to the extent that it is readily available, the use of diesel-powered
equipment that has been retrofitted with after-treatment products (e.g., engine catalysts), and
the use of alternative-fuel construction equipment (i.e., compressed natural gas, liquid
petroleum gas, and unleaded gasoline) to the extent that the equipment is readily available.
Long-Term Mobile Sources
In April 2005, CARB released the Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health
Perspective, which offers guidance on siting sensitive land uses in proximity to sources of air
toxics. Sensitive land uses identified in the handbook include residential communities, schools and schoolyards, day-care centers, parks and playgrounds, hospitals, and medical facilities. In
terms of mobile source emissions of toxic air contaminants, CARB has provided guidelines to help
determine appropriate land uses near heavily traveled roadways. The CARB guidelines indicate that siting new sensitive land uses within 500 feet of a freeway, urban roads with 100,000 vehicle trips per day (VTD), or rural roads with 50,000 VTD should be avoided when possible. None of the
roadways in the city would exceed these daily vehicle trips. As shown in Table 4.14-13 in Section
4.14, Transportation, the roadway with the highest existing daily vehicle trips is Pacific Coast Highway at 51,437 VTD. In Hermosa Beach, Pacific Coast Highway is considered an urban
arterial roadway which, based on CARB guidelines, would need 100,000 VTD to exceed the TAC
threshold. In any case, new sources of toxic air contaminants and/or other criteria air pollutants
would be mitigated to the maximum extent possible. Governance Element Policy 7.5 requires the evaluation and disclosure (e.g., health checklists, health impact assessments) of health
impacts or benefits for all discretionary projects. Most of the pollutant emissions in the Hermosa
Beach area are attributable to mobile sources (construction and on-road) such as major
roadways like Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard located along the northern boundary.
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Furthermore, mobile sources of TACs in the city would be reduced through various PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element and Land Use + Design Element policies, including minimizing truck
impacts through the city (Mobility Element Policy 8.1), discouraging excessive idling by
commercial vehicles (Mobility Element Policy 8.2), and a consideration to prohibit mobile advertising (Mobility Element Policy 8.6). In addition, the policies described above in Impact 4.2-2 to reduce mobile source emissions and construction emissions would reduce diesel PM
emissions from PLAN Hermosa’s planned land uses. Furthermore, statewide efforts such as CARB’s
On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles (In Use) Regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks were required to be
retrofitted with particulate matter filters beginning January 1, 2012, and the State requires
replacement of older trucks, starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and
buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally owned diesel-fueled trucks and buses, as well as to privately and
publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000 pounds.
Because of these types of regulations, including additional EPA-mandated controls (cleaner
vehicles, cleaner fuels, and cleaner engines), mobile source air toxics (MSATs), which are the primary source of TACs, are now predicted by the Federal Highway Administration (2012) to decrease by 83 percent from 2010 to 2050 (2012).
Long-Term Stationary Sources
Based on the PLAN Hermosa Land Use Map, only two areas of the city, Creative Light Industrial and Service Commercial, are designated for uses that could contain new or expanded
stationary TAC sources, including gasoline dispensing stations. Gasoline dispensing stations are a
source of gasoline vapors, which include TACs such as benzene, methyl tertiary-butyl ether,
toluene, and xylene. Benzene is the primary TAC associated with gas stations. Gasoline vapors are released during the filling of stationary underground storage tanks and during the transfer from those underground tanks to individual vehicles.
The SCAQMD has stringent requirements for the control of gasoline vapor emissions from
gasoline-dispensing facilities. SCAQMD Rule 461 (Gasoline Transfer and Dispensing) limits emissions of organic compounds from gasoline dispensing facilities. Rule 461 prohibits the transfer
or allowance of the transfer of gasoline into stationary tanks at a gasoline dispensing facility
unless a CARB-certified Phase I vapor recovery system is used, and further prohibits the transfer or
allowance of the transfer of gasoline from stationary tanks into motor vehicle fuel tanks at a gasoline dispensing facility unless a CARB-certified Phase II vapor recovery system is used during
each transfer. Vapor recovery systems collect gasoline vapors that would otherwise escape into
the air during bulk fuel delivery (Phase I) or fuel storage and vehicle refueling (Phase II). Phase I vapor recovery system components include the couplers that connect tanker trucks to the underground tanks, spill containment drain valves, overfill prevention devices, and vent
pressure/vacuum valves. Phase II vapor recovery system components include gasoline
dispensers, nozzles, piping, breakaway hoses, faceplates, vapor processors, and system monitors. Rule 461 also requires fuel storage tanks to be equipped with a permanent submerged fill pipe
tank that prevents the escape of gasoline vapors. In addition, all gasoline must be stored
underground with valves installed on the tank vent pipes to further control gasoline emissions.
Gasoline dispensing facilities are also regulated by SCAQMD Rule 1401 (New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants), which provides for the review of TAC emissions in order to evaluate
potential public exposure and health risk, to mitigate potentially significant health risks resulting
from these exposures, and to provide net health risk benefits by improving the level of control
when existing sources are modified or replaced. Pursuant to SCAQMD Rule 1401, stationary sources having the potential to emit TACs, including gas stations, are required to obtain permits
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from the SCAQMD. Permits may be granted to these operations provided they are operated in accordance with applicable SCAQMD rules and regulations. The SCAQMD’s permitting
procedures require substantial control of emissions, and permits are not issued unless TAC risk
screening or TAC risk assessment can show that risks are not significant. The SCAQMD may impose limits on annual throughput to ensure risks are within acceptable limits. (In addition, California has statewide limits on the benzene content in gasoline, which greatly reduces the
toxic potential of gasoline emissions.) Under Rule 1401, the following requirements must be met
before a permit is granted to the proposed gasoline station component of a project:
• The cumulative increase from all TACs emitted from a single piece of equipment in maximum individual cancer risk (MICR) shall not exceed:
− One in one million (1 x 10-6 ) if Best Available Control Technology for Toxics (T-BACT) is
not used; or
− Ten in one million (10 x 10-6 ) if T-BACT is used.
• The cumulative cancer burden from all TACs emitted from a single piece of equipment
(increase in cancer cases in the population) shall not exceed 0.5.
• Neither the chronic hazard index (HIC), the 8-hour chronic hazard index (HIC8), nor the total acute hazard index (HIA) from all TACs emitted from a single piece of equipment
shall exceed 1.0 for any target organ system, or an alternate hazard index level deemed
to be safe.
According to the SCAQMD (2014), there are currently about 3,140 retail gasoline stations in the South Coast Air Basin. The SCAQMD has conducted an industry-wide health risk assessment for
these retail gasoline stations using dispersion modeling. According to this assessment, 91 percent
of the gasoline stations were demonstrated to generate a health risk within the acceptable
threshold and 9 percent of the stations have risks above the threshold. Approximately half of the 9 percent of gasoline stations in the South Coast Air Basin with risks above the health risk
threshold were established prior to SCAQMD Rule 1401, adopted in 1990, and thus were not
subject to the TAC limitations required by this rule (SCAQMD 2014).
The SCAQMD has developed screening health risk tables for a generic retail gasoline service
station. The modeled stations are assumed to have Phase I and Phase II vapor recovery systems
and calculate for cancer risk accounting for the meteorological conditions of different locations
throughout the South Coast Air Basin. Cancer risks from any future proposed gasoline service station in Hermosa Beach can be estimated from the SCAQMD screening tables.
The issuance of SCAQMD air quality permits and compliance with all SCAQMD, state, and
federal regulations regarding stationary TACs, including gasoline dispensing stations and other
stationary sources, reduce potential stationary sources of TAC emissions such that sensitive receptors in the city would not be exposed to substantial air pollutant concentrations. The
SCAQMD limits public exposure to toxic air contaminants through a number of programs. The
SCAQMD reviews the potential for TAC emissions from new and modified stationary sources
through the SCAQMD permitting process for stationary sources. TAC emissions from existing stationary sources are limited by:
1) SCAQMD Rule 1401, which requires that construction or reconstruction of a major
stationary source emitting hazardous air pollutants listed in Section 112(b) of the Clean Air
Act be constructed with Best Available Control Technology and comply with all other applicable requirements.
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2) Implementation of the Air Toxics “Hot Spot” (AB 2588) program as described in the Regulatory Setting subsection above.
3) Implementation of the federal Title III Toxics program.
Facilities and equipment that require permits from the SCAQMD are screened from risks from toxic emissions and can be required to install Toxic Best Available Control Technology (T-BACT) to reduce the risks to below significant if deemed necessary by the SCAQMD. T-BACTs are the most
up-to-date methods, systems, techniques, and production processes available to achieve the
greatest feasible emission reductions for toxic air contaminants.
In addition to these requirements, PLAN Hermosa contains several policies that protect city residents from toxic air pollution. Governance Element Policy 7.5 requires an evaluation and
disclosure (e.g., health checklists, health impact assessments) of health impacts or benefits for all
discretionary projects. Land Use and Design Element Policy 1.7 ensures the placement of new uses does not create or exacerbate nuisances between different types of land uses, and
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 3.1 seeks to improve overall respiratory health for
residents through regulation of stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, as feasible.
Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.2-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Create Objectionable Odors Affecting a Substantial Number of People? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could generate
odors or expose existing receptors to odors. However, PLAN Hermosa policies
and programs and compliance with SCAQMD rules and regulations would
result in a less than significant impact.
The occurrence and severity of odor impacts depends on numerous factors including the
nature, frequency, and intensity of the source; wind speed and direction; and the sensitivity of
the receptors. While offensive odors rarely cause physical harm, they can be very unpleasant,
leading to considerable distress among the public and often generating complaints to local governments and regulatory agencies. Projects with the potential to frequently expose
individuals to objectionable odors would be deemed to have a significant impact. Typical
facilities that generate odors include wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary landfills,
composting facilities, petroleum refineries, chemical manufacturing plants, and food processing facilities, among others. However, food service, retail, and/or or residential land uses could also
generate substantial odor sources from improper garbage disposal.
Hermosa Beach does not contain any large sources of odors. SCAQMD Rule 402 (Nuisance)
would prohibit any land use (except agricultural land uses) from generating odors that
“endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons of the public” (SCAQMD
1976). Agricultural land uses are not permitted within the incorporated city and therefore would
not generate substantial odors in Hermosa Beach. Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa and compliance with SCAQMD rules and regulations would ensure that a substantial number of receptors are not exposed to substantial odor emissions. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Although air quality emissions associated with PLAN Hermosa would be compared with
SCAQMD thresholds of significance on a project-by-project basis, these emissions also
cumulatively contribute to the air quality in the basin. Therefore, the cumulative context for air quality is the South Coast Air Basin. Certain localized pollutants such as CO, PM10, PM2.5, and
TACs have a cumulative context of the surrounding land uses and emission sources where they
would be emitted. The localized cumulative effect of these localized pollutants is important to
consider when evaluating impacts on sensitive receptors.
IMPACT 4.2-7 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Air Quality Impacts?
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the
South Coast Air Basin would increase the amount of air quality emissions
occurring within the basin and affect the region’s ability to attain ambient air quality standards. This would result in a cumulatively considerable impact.
Construction Emissions
As discussed previously, construction air quality emissions would result in a significant and
unavoidable impact. This, in combination with other new construction projects in the SCAQMD region, would add to a cumulative effect on air quality pollutant levels in the area. While
construction air quality emissions are generally short term, as they only occur during the
construction of a project, because the intensity and schedule of construction activities cannot
be determined, it would be speculative to conclude that any level of mitigation would reduce daily construction emissions below the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. Implementation of
mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e would reduce the potential for air quality
impacts. However, as stated previously, in many cases, because of the amount of construction required for a project, even if all feasible mitigation is implemented, daily emissions could still
exceed the significance thresholds. In addition, the City would not have control over projects
outside its boundaries and therefore could not require mitigation for air quality impacts for these
projects. Because it has been determined that implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e would not reduce construction-related air quality impacts to a less
than significant level, the various future projects would add to the cumulative air quality
emissions from construction in the SCAQMD region. As such, this impact would be cumulatively considerable and significant and unavoidable.
Operational Emissions
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would generate long-term operational emissions from a
variety of proposed land uses. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa Sustainability + Conservation
Element, Mobility Element, and Land Use + Design Element policies and programs would reduce mobile and area source emissions associated with operation of future land uses. Because these
policies and programs affect a wide range of land use and transportation factors (e.g.,
accessibility to transit, parking availability, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, distance from
residential to commercial and employment uses), mobile source emissions could be substantially reduced. Daily operational emissions associated with the proposed land uses would remain
below the SCAQMD’s operational thresholds of significance. As shown in Table 4.2-2, daily
operational emissions associated with PLAN Hermosa land uses would not exceed SCAQMD
thresholds of significance.
As discussed in Impact 4.2-4, the PLAN Hermosa traffic analysis (see Section 4.14, Transportation)
indicates that one signalized intersection in the city would operate at LOS E in 2040, and similar
conditions would be expected at other intersections throughout the region. No area in the
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SCAQMD region has exceeded the NAAQS for carbon monoxide since 2003 (City of Hermosa Beach 2014). Furthermore, emissions in the future would decrease due to the turnover in vehicle
fleets and emissions technology, which is documented in the CARB mobile source emissions
model EMFAC2014. Considering this information, it is not anticipated that implementation of PLAN Hermosa would cause a cumulatively considerable contribution to potential CO hot spots in the city or the region.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would contribute TAC emissions in the city from mobile, area,
and stationary sources associated with proposed land uses. PLAN Hermosa focuses on infill projects and siting residential and commercial land use in proximity to each other to allow non-motorized trips for shopping, work, and recreational trips. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa
Mobility Element Policies 8.1, 8.2, 8.5, and 8.6 would reduce TAC emissions from commercial
vehicles by limiting idling and consider a prohibition on mobile advertising while encouraging better fuel efficiency and the use of technology that reduces air pollution. As discussed in
Impact 4.2-5, CARB’s Air Quality and Land Use Handbook identifies acceptable distances at
which to place sensitive receptors from TAC sources. Therefore, implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would reduce future TAC emissions and avoid siting sensitive receptors near substantial TAC sources. For these reasons, it is not anticipated that PLAN Hermosa would cause a
cumulatively considerable contribution to the exposure of sensitive receptors to TAC emissions.
Therefore, impacts from operational air quality emissions would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
Implement mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e.
Significance After Mitigation
Even with the implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.2-2a through MM 4.2-2e, SCAQMD Rule 403, and PLAN Hermosa policies, it is still anticipated that future construction projects, in
combination with other construction in the SCAQMD area, would have the potential to
generate daily construction emissions that exceed the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. As
such, construction-related cumulative air quality impacts would be cumulatively considerable and significant and unavoidable.
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4.2.5 REFERENCES
CARB (California Air Resources Board). 2005. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community
Health Perspective. http://www.arb.ca.gov/ch/handbook.pdf.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2014. Proposed E&B Oil Production Project Final Environmental Impact Report. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=4289.
Federal Highway Administration. 2012. Interim Guidance on MSAT Analysis in NEPA.
Fehr & Peers. 2015. Draft Transportation Analysis Report: PLAN Hermosa General Plan.
SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District). 1976. Rule 402, Nuisance. Accessed March 27, 2012. http://aqmd.gov/rules/reg/reg04/r402.pdf.
———. 2007. Final 2007 Air Quality Management Plan: Executive Summary. Accessed May 31,
2012. http://aqmd.gov/aqmp/07aqmp/aqmp/Executive_Summary.pdf.
———. 2013. Final 2012 Air Quality Management Plan. http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/clean-air-plans/air-quality-mgt-plan/final-2012-air-
quality-management-plan.
———. 2014. Website: Retail Gasoline Dispensing Facilities. http://www.aqmd.gov/home/regulations/compliance/toxic-hot-spots-ab-2588/iws-facilities/iws-gas-station.
———. 2015. SCAQMD Air Quality Significance Thresholds. http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-
source/ceqa/handbook/scaqmd-air-quality-significance-thresholds.pdf?sfvrsn=2
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4.3.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to biological resources
associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis includes a review of special-status
species, sensitive habitats, wetlands, wildlife movement, and planning efforts associated with biological resources. Policies and implementation actions presented in the PLAN Hermosa Parks +
Open Space Element intend to protect coastal and marine habitat resources by protecting and
restoring these spaces that are fundamental components of Hermosa Beach’s environment.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) addressing biological resources concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments
provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous sources,
including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (TBR) and other publicly available documents. The TBR is included as Appendix C.
4.3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-6 describes the vegetation, habitat, and wildlife in the planning area, including special-status species, sensitive habitats, and wetlands. A summary of that information is
presented below.
Vegetative Communities: The vegetative communities in the city include urban/developed,
beach sand, and non-native/ornamental. Urban/developed land uses encompass the majority of the planning area.
Urban/developed communities are classified as areas that have been heavily modified by
humans, including roadways, existing buildings, and structures, as well as recreation fields, small
parks, lawns, and other landscaped vegetation.
Non-native/ornamental areas in the planning area include the Greenbelt, South Park, Valley Park,
and a hillside west of the Marineland Mobilehome Park that runs northward through several
residential parcels to 24th Street. These areas could be considered urban cover as they largely comprise non-native landscaped vegetation; however, CalVEG classifies them as non-native/ornamental. For the purposes of the TBR, they are separate from the urban/developed
cover type.
The entire length of the coastline in the planning area is characterized by sandy beach habitat, the beach sand habitat referenced above. This habitat is typically found between the intertidal zone and areas where vegetation becomes established, often forming dunes.
These communities are described below and shown in Figure 4.3-1 (Vegetative Communities). Table 4.3-1 (Acreages of Vegetative Communities within the Coastal and Inland Zones) summarizes the acreages of each vegetative community within the Coastal Zone and the inland portion of the city.
Special-Status Plants: Based on the results of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)
and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) database searches of sensitive natural resources, the presence of special-status plants is highly unlikely. This is due to the extirpation or high
modification of natural habitats in Hermosa Beach. The open space areas are routinely
landscaped and frequented by human traffic. The beach is extremely disturbed, and no
vegetated dune habitat remains. Figure 4.3-2 (Previously Recorded Occurrences of Special-Status Species) illustrates the special-status plants with the potential to occur in the planning area.
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TABLE 4.3-1
ACREAGES OF VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE COASTAL AND INLAND ZONES
Zone Vegetative Community Area (acres)
Coastal
Urban/Developed 343
Beach Sand 57
Non-Native/Ornamental 19
Total 419
Inland
Urban/Developed 479
Non-Native/Ornamental 18
Total 497
Source: City of Hermosa Beach
Special-Status Wildlife: Based on the database search results, two wildlife species have the
potential to occur within the planning area. The California least tern (Sterna antillarum-bowni) is a
federally endangered species and is state-listed as endangered. This species is a summer visitor
that breeds along the Southern California coast from April to September. California least terns nest
in colonies on beaches or islands cleared of vegetation (USFWS 2006). The nearest breeding
colonies to the planning area are in Venice Beach and at the Port of Los Angeles (USFWS 2006). There are no records of this species nesting in the planning area; however, California least terns likely forage offshore.
The western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) is a federally endangered species and a
California species of special concern. Western snowy plover habitat is known to occur in Hermosa Beach. The habitat subunit stretches roughly 0.5 mile from 11th Street southward to 1st Street and totals approximately 27 acres. This subunit supports wintering flocks of snowy plover (USFWS 2012).
Two special-status wildlife species (California least tern and western snowy plover) have the
potential to occur in the beach habitats in the planning area, as shown in Table 4.3-3 (Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur Within and Surrounding the Planning Area) and Figure 4.3-2.
Marine Wildlife: Offshore resources of Santa Monica Bay include a rich diversity of migratory and
resident species of mammals, birds, fishes, and invertebrates. Common coastal seabirds found foraging near the shore of Hermosa Beach include western (Aechmorphorus occidentalis) and
Clark’s grebes (A. clarkii), cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.), loons (Gavia spp.), California brown
pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), and gulls. Coastal birds are at their highest densities during the
winter months. Mammal species found in the area include various cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), and sea otters. All marine mammals are protected
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Beach Sand and Intertidal Zone: Sandy beach habitat is typically found between the intertidal zone, the area between the low tide and high tide marks, and the area where terrestrial vegetation cover is established. Sandy beach habitats can often form dunes, which are hills of
sand constructed either through aeolian (wind) or alluvial (water) transport. The beach habitat is
heavily used for recreation and primarily barren, except for man-made structures such as nearby lifeguard towers or volleyball courts. Occasionally kelp wrack collects on the beach, which is then
removed by tractor. Beached kelp wrack can provide a food source for invertebrates and
provides cover for numerous organisms that inhabit the sand of the intertidal zone. These
organisms in turn act as a food source for, and attract, various species of shorebirds such as sanderling (Calidris alba), western sandpiper (Calidris maudi), least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla),
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and willet (Tringa semipalmata), as well as various species of gull (Larus spp.). The beach may also provide habitat for special-status species. The state and federally listed western snowy plover is
known to winter on the shores of the city, though nesting within the city has not been recorded
since 1949. The nearest breeding colony to Hermosa Beach is located at Bolsa Chica in Orange County (City of Hermosa Beach 2015).
The intertidal zone plays an important role in coastal ecology, and sand beaches are among the
most extensive coastal habitats. Sand beaches and the organisms that utilize them are subjected
to a wide variety of physical instability, causing this habitat to generally be less diverse than other environments, but the beaches provide foraging and breeding habitat for a variety of species including shorebirds. Organisms occupying intertidal sand beaches are usually limited by abiotic
factors such as tidal height, exposure to wave action, and the composition of the sediment.
Dominant species include amphipods (Synchelidium spp.), polychaete worms (Nerine cirratulus and Euzonus mucronata), and isopods (Excirolana chiltoni). Zonation patterns for intertidal sand
beach assemblages are less distinct than rocky intertidal communities. Small beach hoppers
(Orchestoidea sp.) and kelp flies (Coelopa vanduzeei) are abundant in clumps of giant kelp
(Macrocystis pyrifera) cast up on the beach at the high tide line (City of Hermosa Beach 2015).
Dominant fishes that use the intertidal zone include small active plankton feeders such as northern
anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and topsmelt (Atherinops affinis), roving substrate feeders such as the
barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus), and flatfishes such as juvenile California halibut
(Paralichthys californicus). Other fishes that migrate through the surf zone include yellowfin croaker (Umbrina roncador) and spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii), and beach spawners such as
California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) are also expected to occur (City of Hermosa Beach 2015).
Sensitive Natural Communities: Two habitats (southern coastal bluff scrub and southern dune
scrub) located in the planning area were identified in the CNDDB query as locally sensitive habitats. Southern coastal bluff scrub occurs south of the planning area along the bluffs of the
Palos Verdes Peninsula. Southern dune scrub occurs north of the planning area in the El Segundo
dunes. Neither habitat is present in or located adjacent to the planning area.
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FIGURE 4.3-1
VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES
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FIGURE 4.3-2
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED OCCURRENCES OF SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES
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TABLE 4.3-2
SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES WITH POTENTIAL TO OCCUR WITHIN AND SURROUNDING THE PLANNING AREA
Species Status USFWS/
CDFW/CNPS Habitat and Blooming Time Potential for Occurrence
aphanisma
Aphanisma blitoides –/–/1B.2
Sandy soils in coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes, and
coastal scrub. Elev: 3-1,000 ft. (1-305 m.) Blooms:
March-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
Ventura Marsh milk-vetch
Astragalus pycnostachyus
var. lanosissimus
FE/SE/1B.1
Coastal dunes, coastal scrub, and the edges of coast salt
or brackish marshes and swamps. Elev: 3-115 ft. (1-35
m.) Blooms: June-Oct.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
alkali milk-vetch
Astragalus tener var. tener –/–/1B.2
Alkaline soils. Playas, valley and foothill grassland
(adobe clay), and vernal pools. Elev: 3-197 ft. (1-60 m.)
Blooms: March-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
South Coast saltscale
Atriplex pacifica –/–/1B.2 Playas, coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes, and coastal
scrub. Elev: 0-459 ft. (0-140 m.) Blooms: March-Oct.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
Parish’s brittlescale
Atriplex parishii –/–/1B.1 Alkaline soils in playas, vernal pools and chenopod
scrub. Elev: 82-6,233 ft. (25-1900 m.) Blooms: June-Oct.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
southern tarplant
Centromadia parryi ssp.
australis
–/–/1B.1
Vernally mesic valley and foothill grassland, vernal
pools, and the margins of marshes and swamps. Elev:
0-1,575 ft. (0-480 m.) Blooms: May-Nov.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
Orcutt’s pincushion
Chaenactis glabriuscula var.
orcuttiana
–/–/1B.1 Sandy coastal bluff scrub and coastal dunes. Elev: 0-328
ft. (0-100 m.) Blooms: Jan.-Aug.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
coastal goosefoot
Chenopodium littoreum –/–/1B.2 Coastal dunes. Elev: 33-98 ft. (10-30 m.) Blooms: April-
Aug.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
San Fernando Valley
spineflower
Chorizanthe parryi var.
fernandina
FC/SE/1B.1 Sandy coastal scrub, and valley and foothill grassland.
Elev: 492-4,003 ft. (150-1,220 m.) Blooms: April-July
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
beach spectaclepod
Dithyrea maritima –/ST/1B.1 Coastal dunes and sandy coastal scrub. Elev: 10-164 ft.
(3-50 m.) Blooms: March-May
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
many-stemmed dudleya
Dudleya multicaulis –/–/1B.2
Often on clay soil in chaparral, coastal scrub, and valley
and foothill grassland. Elev: 49-2,592 ft. (15-790 m.)
Blooms: April-July
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
island green dudleya
Dudleya virens ssp. insularis –/–/1B.2 Rocky substrates in coastal bluff scrub and coastal scrub.
Elev: 16-984 ft. (5-300 m.) Blooms: April-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
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4.3-7
Species Status USFWS/
CDFW/CNPS Habitat and Blooming Time Potential for Occurrence
island wallflower
Erysimum insulare –/–/1B.3 Coastal bluff scrub and coastal dunes. Elev: 0-984 ft.
(0-300 m.) Blooms: March-July
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
Coulter’s yellow goldfields
Lasthenia glabrata ssp.
coulteri
–/–/1B.1 Coastal salt marshes and swamps, playas and vernal
pools. Elev: 3-4,003 ft. (1-1,220 m.) Blooms: Feb.-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
sea dahlia
Leptosyne maritima –/–/2B.2 Coastal bluff scrub and coastal dunes. Elev: 16-492 ft.
(5-150 m.) Blooms: March-May
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
spreading navarettia
Navarretia fossalis FT/–/1B.1
Assorted shallow freshwater marshes and swamps, and
chenopod scrub, playas and vernal pools. Elev: 98-2,149
ft. (30-655 m.) Blooms: April-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
prostrate vernal pool
navarettia
Navarretia prostrata
–/–/1B.1
Mesic areas in coastal scrub, meadows and seeps, vernal
pools, and alkaline valley and foothill grasslands. Elev:
49-3,970 ft. (15-1,210 m.) Blooms: April-July
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
California Orcutt grass
Orcuttia californica FE/SE/1B.1 Vernal pools. Elev: 49-2,165 ft. (15-660 m.) Blooms:
April-Aug.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
Brand’s star phacelia
Phacelia stellaris FC/-/1B.1 Coastal dunes and coastal scrub. Elev: 3-1,312 ft. (1-400
m.) Blooms: March-June
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area. Sandy coastline is unvegetated and
routinely disturbed.
Ballona cinquefoil
Potentilla multijuga –/–/1A Brackish meadows and seeps. Elev: 0-6 ft. (0-2 m.)
Blooms: June-Aug.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
estuary seablight
Suaeda esteroa -/-/1B.2 Coastal salt marshes and swamps. Elev: 0-16 ft. (0-5 m.)
Blooms: May-Jan.
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present within
the planning area.
KEY
Federal & State Status CNPS Rare Plant Rank
(FE) Federal Endangered Rareness Ranks
(FT) Federal Threatened (1A) Presumed Extinct in California
(FC) Federal Candidate (1B) Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California or elsewhere
(SE) State Endangered (2) Rare, Threatened, or Endangered, but more common elsewhere
(ST) State Threatened Threat Ranks
(SSC) State Species of Special Concern Seriously threatened in California
Fairly threatened in California
Not very threatened in California
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TABLE 4.3-3
SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES WITH POTENTIAL TO OCCUR WITHIN AND SURROUNDING THE PLANNING AREA
Species Status
USFWS/CDFW Habitat Potential for Occurrence
Invertebrates
vernal pool fairy shrimp
Branchinecta lynchi FT/– Found only in vernal pools and vernal pool-like habitats
(USFWS 2005).
Not expected to occur: No vernal pool habitat is
present within the planning area.
San Diego fairy shrimp
Branchinecta
sandiegonensis
FE/–
Small, shallow vernal pools. Occasionally occur in ditches and
road ruts with suitable conditions. Have never been found in
permanent water bodies (USFWS 1998a).
Not expected to occur: No vernal pool habitat is
present within the planning area.
El Segundo blue butterfly
Euphilotes battoidea allyni FE/–
Known only from the El Segundo sand dunes. Dependent on
food plant, coast buckwheat (Eriogonum parvifolium) (USFWS
1998b).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area. Planning area is outside
species range.
Palos Verdes blue butterfly
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
palosverdesensis
FE/–
Require one of two larval host plants: coast locoweed
(Astragalus trichopodus lonchus) or deerweed (Acmispon
glaber). Found in coastal sage scrub habitat (USFWS 2014c).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area. Coastal sage scrub habitat has
been extirpated from the planning area.
Amphibians
California red-legged frog
Rana draytonii FT/SSC
Ponds/streams in humid forests, woodlands, grasslands, coastal
scrub, and streamsides with plant cover in lowlands or foothills.
Breeding habitat = permanent or ephemeral water sources;
lakes, ponds, reservoirs, slow streams, marshes, bogs, and
swamps. Ephemeral wetland habitats require animal burrows or
other moist refuges for estivation when the wetlands are dry.
From sea level to 5,000 ft. (1,525 m.) (Nafis 2014).
Not expected to occur: No suitable aquatic breeding
habitat is present within the planning area.
Reptiles
coast horned lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii –/SSC
Occur in valley-foothill hardwood, conifer and riparian habitats,
as well as in pine-cypress, juniper and annual grassland habitats.
Range up to 4,000 feet (1,219 m) in the Sierra Nevada foothills,
and up to 6,000 feet (1,800 m in the mountains of southern
California (CDFW 2014b).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area.
Birds
tricolored blackbird
Agelaius tricolor -/SSC
Dominant nest substrate species includes cattails, bulrushes,
Himalayan berry, agricultural silage. Dense vegetation is
preferred but heavily lodged cattails not burned in recent years
may preclude settlement. Need access to open water. Strips of
emergent vegetation along canals are avoided as nest sites
unless they are about 10 or more meters wide but in some
ponds, especially where associated with Himalayan
Not expected to occur: No wetland habitat is present
within the planning area.
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4.3-9
Species Status
USFWS/CDFW Habitat Potential for Occurrence
blackberries and deep water, settlement may be in narrower
fetches of cattails. If sites are hard for an observer to reach, the
site it is relatively suitable (Hamilton 2004).
western snowy plover
Charadrius nivosus ssp.
nivosus
FT/SSC
Barren to sparsely vegetated sand beaches, dry salt flats in
lagoons, dredge spoils deposited on beach or dune habitat,
levees and flats at salt-evaporation ponds, river bars, along
alkaline or saline lakes, reservoirs, and ponds (Cornell 2014).
Known to occur: Occupied designated critical habitat
subunit on Hermosa Beach. Beach is wintering habitat
however, no nesting birds have been recorded since
1949 (USFWS 2007).
southwestern willow
flycatcher
Empidonax traillii extimus
FE/SE Dense riparian forest and scrub habitats associated with rivers,
swamps, wetlands, lakes and reservoirs (USFWS 2002).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area.
California black rail
Laterallus jamaicensis
coturniculus
–/ST
Yearlong resident of saline, brackish, and fresh emergent
wetlands. Occurs most commonly in tidal emergent wetlands
dominated by pickleweed or in brackish marshes supporting
bulrushes, cattails and saltgrass (CDFW 2014b).
Not expected to occur: No wetland habitat is present
within the planning area.
coastal California
gnatcatcher
Polioptila californica
californica
FT/SSC
Scrub-dominated plant communities, strongly associated with
coastal scrub, sage scrub, and coastal succulent scrub
communities. Distribution ranges from southern Ventura
County down through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino, and San Diego counties (USFWS 2010).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area. Coastal sage scrub habitat has
been extirpated from the planning area.
light-footed clapper rail
Rallus longirostris levipes FE/SE
Coastal salt marshes, lagoons, and their maritime environs.
Require shallow water and mudflats for foraging, with adjacent
higher vegetation for cover during high tide (USFWS 2009).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area.
California least tern
Sternula antillarum browni FE/SE
Nest and roost in colonies on open beaches, forage near shore
ocean waters and in shallow estuaries and lagoons (USFWS
2006).
May occur: Suitable nesting habitat present on the
beach; however, no historical records of nesting in the
planning area. Nearest breeding colonies are at the Port
of Los Angeles and Venice Beach (USFWS 2006). May
forage in offshore waters.
least Bell’s vireo
Vireo bellii pusillus FE/SE Obligate riparian breeder. Cottonwood willow, oak woodlands,
and mule fat scrub along watercourses (Kus 2002).
Not expected to occur: No riparian habitat is present
within the planning area.
Mammals
western mastiff bat
Eumops perotis californicus -/SSC
Open, semi-arid to arid habitats, including conifer and
deciduous woodlands, coastal scrub, annual and perennial
grasslands, palm oases, chaparral, and desert scrub. Roosts in
crevices on vertical cliff faces, high buildings, trees, and tunnels
(CDFW 2014b).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area.
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4.3-10
Species Status
USFWS/CDFW Habitat Potential for Occurrence
Pacific pocket mouse
Perognathus longimembris
pacificus
FE/SSC
Found predominantly on sandy substrates in coastal sage scrub,
coastal strand, coastal dune, and river alluvium, on marine
terraces within 2.5 miles of the ocean (USFWS 1998c).
Not expected to occur: No suitable habitat is present
within the planning area. No records of this species in
Los Angeles County since 1938. Closest known
population is at Dana Point in Orange County (USFWS
1998c).
Key to State & Federal Status
(FE) Federal Endangered (SE) State Endangered
(FT) Federal Threaten (ST) State Threatened
(FC) Federal Candidate (SSC) State Candidate
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4.3.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to biological resources, including
special-status species and habitat, in the planning area. They provide the regulatory framework
to address all aspects of biological resources that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory setting for biological resources is discussed in detail in Appendix C-6.
FEDERAL
• Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended,
provides protective measures for federally listed threatened and endangered species,
including their habitats, from unlawful take (16 United States Code [USC] Sections 1531–
1544). The ESA defines “take” to mean “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” Title 50, Part 222, of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR Section 222) further defines “harm” to include “an
act which actually kills or injures fish or wildlife. Such acts may include habitat modification
or degradation where it actually kills or injures fish or wildlife by significantly impairing
essential behavioral patterns including feeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding, or sheltering.”
• Clean Water Act: The basis of the Clean Water Act (CWA) was established in 1948;
however, it was referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The act was
reorganized and expanded in 1972 (33 USC Section 1251), and at this time the Clean Water Act became the act’s commonly used name. The basis of the CWA is the regulation of
pollutant discharges into waters of the United States, as well as the establishment of surface
water quality standards.
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 (16 USC Sections 703–711). The MBTA makes it unlawful to take, possess,
buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird listed in 50 CFR Section 10, including
feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, or products, except as allowed by implementing
regulations (50 CFR Section 21). The majority of birds found in the vicinity of Hermosa Beach
would be protected under the MBTA.
• Marine Mammal Protection Act: Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the
Secretary of Commerce delegated the authority to protect all cetaceans and pinnipeds to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for
protecting sea otters and delegated this authority to the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS). The act established a moratorium on the taking of marine mammals in waters
under US jurisdiction. Under the act, “taking” includes hunting, capturing, and killing and attempting to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. “Harassment” is defined
as any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance that has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild.
• Coastal Zone Management Act: In accordance with the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, all federal activities must
be consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of each
affected state’s Coastal Zone Management program. The programs set forth policies and standards regarding public and private use of land and water in the Coastal Zone.
STATE
• California Endangered Species Act: The California Endangered Species Act (CESA)
mandates that state agencies should not approve projects that would jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species if reasonable and prudent
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alternatives are available. Take authorizations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are required for any unavoidable impact on state-listed species resulting
from proposed projects.
• Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission: The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
is an independent state organization devoted to restoring and protecting Santa Monica
Bay and its resources. The State of California and the US Environmental Protection Agency
established the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project (SMBRP) as a National Estuary
Program in December 1988. The SMBRP was formed to develop the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan to ensure the long-term health of the bay and its watershed. The primary mission of the SMBRP is to facilitate and oversee the implementation of the plan.
• California Coastal Act of 1976: The California Coastal Act of 1976 and the California
Coastal Commission, the state’s coastal protection act and planning agency, were established by voter initiative in 1972 to plan for and regulate new development and to
protect public access to and along the shoreline. The Coastal Act contains policies to
guide local and state decision-makers in the management of coastal and marine
resources. To provide maximum public access to the coast and public recreation areas, the Coastal Act directs each local government located within the Coastal Zone to
prepare a Local Coastal Program (LCP) consistent with Section 30501 of the Coastal Act,
in consultation with the Coastal Commission and with public participation.
LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach General Plan: The City’s General Plan was last adopted in October
1979. Policies that relate to natural resources are included in the Conservation and Open
Space elements of the existing General Plan. Policies address preserving and enhancing open space areas, including the beach; prohibiting oil drilling on the beach or by offshore
platform; and minimizing the effects of water runoff.
• City of Hermosa Beach Local Coastal Program (LCP): An LCP consists of the Coastal Land
Use Plan (general plan–level policies and maps) and a Local Implementation Program (coastal zoning code, zoning maps, and implementing ordinances). The City does not
have a certified LCP. The Coastal Land Use Plan component, adopted by the City and
certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1981, as amended, does not include
policies or programs specifically related to biological resources.
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: Chapter 8.44 of the Municipal Code ensures the
future health, safety, and general welfare of citizens of the city and the water quality of
the receiving waters of the surrounding coastal areas. The chapter prohibits illicit
discharges and connections, littering, disposal of landscape debris, non-stormwater discharges, and any discharges in violation of the Municipal National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Chapter 12.36 strives to preserve and protect trees in
the public right-of-way (parkway). The chapter prohibits the planting, maintenance, damage, destruction, or removal of parkway trees. Chapter 12.36 also states that a permit is necessary for the removal of a parkway tree. Additionally, during construction projects,
the project proponent must take all necessary precautions to protect parkway trees.
4.3.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, the impact analysis provided below is based on the following California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Appendix G thresholds of significance and impacts
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on biological resources are considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any
species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional
plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFW or the USFWS.
2) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations or by the CDFW or
the USFWS.
3) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section
404 of the CWA (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through
direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means.
4) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites.
5) Conflict with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, including but not
limited to Chapter 12.36 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code protecting certain trees.
6) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat conservation plan, natural community conservation plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan.
There are no habitat conservation plans, natural community conservation plans, or other related
plans for lands in the planning area. Therefore, there would be no impact related to conflict with provisions of such a plan, and this threshold is not discussed further in this resource section.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions. The following analysis of impacts on biological
resources is qualitative and based on available habitat, limited field review, and species
occurrence information for the planning area, along with a review of regional information. A
significant impact would occur if a substantial degradation in the quality of the environment or reduction of habitat would occur that would eliminate or reduce the population of a sensitive
species in the planning area. The analysis assumes that all future and existing development in the
planning area complies with all applicable laws, regulations, design standards, and plans. An
analysis of cumulative impacts uses qualitative information for the planning area and the region.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address biological resources include the
following:
Policies
Parks + Open Space Element
• 9.1 Protect critical habitats. Preserve, protect, and improve remaining open space areas
to the greatest extent possible to improve on existing limited habitats and prevent further
extirpation of species.
• 9.2 Beach maintenance. Consider species and habitat impacts and potential
improvements when implementing beach maintenance activities.
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• 9.3 Beach habitat. Ensure beaches can function as a quality habitat for permanent and migratory species.
• 9.4 Coordinated habitat protection. Enhance information sharing and research regarding
habitat and wildlife with resource agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to ensure coordinated decision-making and management.
• 9.5 Minimal activity impacts to habitat. Protect coastal and marine habitats from impacts
from maintenance, construction, recreation, and industrial activities.
• 9.6 Tree protection. Protect existing trees and tree copses that may provide temporary or
permanent bird habitat and encourage replacement with specimen trees whenever they are lost or removed.
• 10.1 Urban forest. Expand the urban forest and green spaces citywide on public and
private property.
• 10.2 Native landscapes. Require the planting of native, non-invasive landscaping and
trees, and encourage the planting of edible landscapes and fruit trees.
• 10.3 Green space co-benefits. Recognize the many positive qualities provided by
landscaping, trees, and green space including reduced heat gain, controlled stormwater runoff, absorbed noise, reduced soil erosion, improved aesthetic character, and
absorption of air pollution.
• 10.4 Scenic features. Ensure landscaping, trees, and green spaces on public and private
property are designed to conserve scenic and natural features of Hermosa Beach.
• 10.5 Park landscaping. Landscaping in parks located within the Coastal Zone shall consist
of non-invasive, native, drought-tolerant plants.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-13. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal requirements for the development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline
permitting requirements and improve public awareness.
• PARKS-24. Partner with local nonprofits such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Commission or the University of California, Los Angeles, to conduct education demonstration projects or presentations on coastal and marine habitat conservation.
• PARKS-25. Evaluate existing beach conditions and identify areas that may be appropriate
to restore vegetated dune habitat. Pursue grant funding.
• PARKS-26. Review and revise as needed, the City’s tree ordinance to ensure protection of
existing parkway trees, and update the master tree list.
• PARKS-27. Complete and maintain a citywide public tree inventory, including quantity,
species type, diameter, condition, trimming strategies and geo-codes and recommendations.
• PARKS-28. Maintain a list of approved plantings for trees and landscaping within City
parkways.
• PARKS-29. Amend the municipal code to incorporate tree removal and replacement
requirements. If preservation of existing mature trees is not feasible, removed trees shall be
replaced at a minimum 2:1 ratio either on-site, or elsewhere as prescribed by the City.
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IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.3-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Have a Substantial Adverse Effect on Any Special-Status Species? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in
the city in a manner that could result in the development or expansion of beach-supporting uses that could adversely affect western snowy plover and California least tern. This impact would be potentially significant.
The city is largely built out with urban uses and does not support habitat suitable for special-status
plant species, as shown in Table 4.3-2 and Figure 4.3-1. Additionally, PLAN Hermosa does not propose any land use changes that would convert existing open space areas to developed uses.
Special-status plant species are not expected to occur because of the extirpation or modification
of natural habitats in the planning area. In addition, beach areas are highly disturbed and no
vegetated dune habitat remains. Therefore, no impacts on special-status plants species would occur.
Two special-status wildlife species (California least tern and western snowy plover) have the
potential to occur in the beach habitats in the planning area, as shown in Table 4.3-3 and Figure 4.3-2. Based on current and anticipated future extent of beach activity in the city (e.g., routine grooming, recreation, and patrolling), these species are expected to have a low potential of
nesting. There are documented observations of the western snowy plover roosting at the beach
during the winter adjacent to 19th and 22nd streets as well as from 26th to 28th streets (City of Hermosa Beach 2015). PLAN Hermosa would limit uses on the beach to structures that are essential
to the safe operation and enjoyment of the beach (e.g., restrooms, playgrounds, stormwater
facilities).
The Parks + Open Space Element includes several policies that would assist in the protection of these species. In particular, Policies 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 would protect coastal and marine habitats
from construction impacts and would protect trees and beaches so they can function as a quality
habitat for permanent and migratory species. For instance, under Policy 9.4, the City would
enhance information sharing and research regarding habitat and wildlife with resource agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to ensure coordinated decision-making and management.
Further, the Parks + Open Space Element would support restoring potentially suitable habitat for
special-status species by pursuing grant funding to initiate a process to restore vegetated dune
habitat in appropriate areas of the beach.
However, the potential for impacts to these species is considered significant.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.3-1 Construction of facilities on the beach that must occur between the months of
April and August (roosting season for snowy plovers) will require preconstruction surveys to determine the presence of western snowy plovers or California least
terns. If these species are present, no construction may occur until the species
leave the roost based on review by a qualified biologist and consultation with
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). If the project is within a Special Protection Zone,
construction activities will not be allowed until western snowy plovers are no
longer present. If the area is not within a Special Protection Zone, a qualified
biologist will survey the area for western snowy plovers using established protocols and in coordination with the USFWS and CDFW to determine if plovers
are present. If they are present, no work will occur until after snowy plovers
leave the roost site for the season. The qualified biologist will also survey the area for California least terns using established protocols and in coordination
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with the USFWS and CDFW to determine if California least terns are present. If surveys are negative for western snowy plovers or California least terns, work
may proceed during the roosting period and the biologist will be present to
monitor the establishment of the beach landing sites to ensure that no western snowy plovers or California least terns are injured or killed, should they arrive in the area subsequent to work commencing. The project will include
fencing/walls that will prevent western snowy plovers or California least terns
from entering the work areas. The biologist will conduct weekly site visits to ensure that fencing/walls are intact until construction activities are finished at
the sites and all equipment is removed from the beach. The results of the
preconstruction survey will be submitted to the City prior to the establishment
of beach landing sites. All biological monitoring efforts will be documented in monthly compliance reports to the City.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measure MM 4.3-1 would specifically require that western snowy
plovers or California least terns which roost on the beach are protected if they occur in an area proposed for beach-supporting facilities. Implementation of this mitigation measure would reduce this impact to less than significant.
IMPACT 4.3-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Have a Substantial Adverse Effect on Sensitive Biological Communities or Riparian Habitat? Hermosa Beach does not contain any sensitive
biological communities or riparian habitat that could be impacted by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. No impact would occur.
Numerous federal regulations include protections for endangered species, coastal and marine
areas and wildlife, and surface water resources. Additional California regulations, including the California Endangered Species Act and the Coastal Act, protect certain special-status species
and important habitat areas, including Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs). In its plans,
the City must comply with state and federal requirements to protect special-status species, native
plants, beach areas, and the watershed. No ESHAs are present in Hermosa Beach.
PLAN Hermosa does not propose land use changes that would convert existing open space areas
containing native vegetation or habitat to developed uses. Therefore, future development would
not result in loss or degradation of riparian habitat or sensitive natural communities. Additionally,
policies in the Parks + Open Space Element would protect sensitive habitat (Policies 9.3, 9.4, and 9.5 protect beach, coastal, and marine habitats). Policy 9.1 would require protection and
preservation of critical habitats to prevent further extirpation of species.
The PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions discussed above would ensure that potential impacts on sensitive natural communities are reduced or avoided if those communities are later identified in the planning area. In addition, projects must comply with state laws that
would reduce impacts on sensitive natural communities. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.3-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Have a Substantial Adverse Effect on Federally Protected Wetlands as Defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act? PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could indirectly impact jurisdictional waters of the United States, particularly Santa Monica Bay. However, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
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implementation actions and enforcement of existing grading and erosion regulations would result in a less than significant impact.
There are no federally protected wetlands or water bodies considered waters of the United States
within the city boundaries.
However, Santa Monica Bay is a jurisdictional water of the United States and could be indirectly impacted by development in Hermosa Beach. The potential for stormwater flows to affect water
quality would be controlled through implementation of Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater
and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Regulations), which includes the City’s Low-Impact Design Ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.44.095) and the City’s Green Street Policy. Construction
activities resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa would also temporarily increase the
amount of sediments and pollutants in stormwater runoff. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions and enforcement of existing grading and erosion regulations (Municipal Code Section 8.44.090 and NPDES Construction General Permit stormwater pollution
prevention plan requirements) would result in a less than significant impact. See Impact 4.8-1, in
Section 4.8, Hydrology and Water Quality, of this EIR for a more complete discussion of this impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.3-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Interfere Substantially with the Movement of Native Resident or Migratory Fish or Wildlife Species or Within an Established Migratory Corridor? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in
the city in a manner that could impede wildlife movement in the planning area.
However, PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would result in a less than significant impact.
Wildlife movement is affected when physical constraints impede the ability of wildlife to search for
food, water, shelter, and mates. In addition, when urban development fragments open space or
creates obstacles or distractions, it compromises the quality of wildlife corridors and further hinders wildlife movement. Hermosa Beach is an urbanized community. Open space and areas not
disturbed or heavily used by humans are scarce and are generally located at the beach along
the coastline, the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt, the hillside along Loma Drive, and the Valley
neighborhood. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in any actions that would substantially alter these areas.
Although no established migratory routes have been identified in the city, several migratory
wildlife species are found along the city’s coastline. Common coastal seabirds found foraging
near the shore of Hermosa Beach include western and Clark’s grebes, cormorants, loons, California brown pelicans, and gulls. Coastal birds are at their highest densities during the winter
months. Mammal species found in the area include various cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and
porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), and sea otters. All marine mammals are protected
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Additionally, several invertebrate species, such as crustaceans and worms, live in the sand of the intertidal zone. These invertebrates attract
shorebirds such as sanderling, western sandpiper, least sandpiper, willet), and various species of
gull. Western snowy plover, a special-status species, is known to winter on the shores of Hermosa
Beach.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in further protection for existing open spaces and
wildlife corridors. PLAN Hermosa does not propose land use changes that would convert existing
open space areas containing native vegetation or habitat to developed uses. However, future development, including infrastructure improvements, could potentially result in loss or degradation of wildlife corridors. Parks + Open Space Element Policies 9.3 and 9.5 would protect
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habitats and wildlife movement corridors from construction, recreation, and industrial activities while also ensuring the beaches function as high quality habitat for migratory species. Subsequent
discretionary projects in the city would be required to demonstrate compliance with these policies
and provide site-specific measures to address any potential impacts to migratory species.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would ensure that habitats used by migratory species
would be protected from impacts associated with construction, recreation, and industrial
activities. Therefore, impacts on wildlife corridors and wildlife movement would be minimized, and
the impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.3-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Conflict with Any Local Policies or Ordinances Protecting Biological Resources, Such as a Tree Preservation Policy or Ordinance? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that would not result in a conflict with a local policy or ordinance
protecting biological resources, including but not limited to Chapter 12.36 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code protecting certain trees. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Chapter 12.36, Trees, protects biological resources by preserving
and protecting trees in the public right-of-way (parkway). Additionally, several Parks + Open Space Element policies recognize the importance of and seek to protect green spaces and urban
forests citywide on public and private property. For example, Policy 10.1 promotes expansion of
urban forests and green spaces. Policy 10.2 requires planting of native, non-invasive landscaping and trees and encourages the planting of edible landscapes and fruit trees. Additionally, implementation actions PARKS-26 and PARKS-27 require that a citywide tree inventory be
completed and maintained and that the tree ordinance be reviewed and revised as needed to
ensure protection of existing trees. Development projects would be required to minimize the removal of natural vegetation and replace any existing mature trees removed at a minimum of 2:1 ratio either on-site or elsewhere as prescribed by the City.
Future projects proposed under PLAN Hermosa would be required to comply with applicable local
ordinances. Regulatory processes to ensure compliance are already in place and would not be affected by the plan. In addition, PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would ensure the protection of existing trees in the city. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative setting associated with PLAN Hermosa is the Southern California Bight, which is a
region that consists of a large and gradual bend in the California coastline that is adjacent to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and contains a diverse range of habitats and marine life. This region is impacted by the existing urban conditions in the region as well as from recreational
activities, urban runoff, and related impacts of urban uses. This cumulative setting also includes
approved, proposed, planned, and other reasonably foreseeable projects and development in
Hermosa Beach and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG) planning area.
Developments and planned land uses, including PLAN Hermosa, would contribute to impacts on
biological resources in the region.
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IMPACT 4.3-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Biological Resources? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with existing, approved,
proposed, and reasonably foreseeable development in the South Bay Cities
COG planning area, could result in the conversion of habitat and impact biological resources. Biological impacts from PLAN Hermosa would be limited due to the small size of potential projects and the focus on urban infill sites, and
PLAN Hermosa would not contribute to any cumulative impacts. This would be a less than cumulatively considerable impact.
PLAN Hermosa does not propose land use changes that would affect open space in the city. However, cumulative changes, including land use changes, could affect wildlife movement either
directly or indirectly due to factors discussed in Impacts 4.3-1 and 4.3-4 above and are limited to
the city and not regional biological conditions or wildlife movement. PLAN Hermosa does not propose land use changes that would convert existing open space areas to developed uses.
Furthermore, the policies and implementation actions described in Impact 4.3-4 would reduce
PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative effects. Because PLAN Hermosa would not convert
existing open space areas to developed uses and would implement these policies and implementation actions, the plan’s contribution to cumulative effects would not be considerable.
The impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.3.5 REFERENCES
CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2014a. California Natural Diversity Database –
February 4, 2014, update. Sacramento: CDFW Biogeographic Data Branch.
———. 2014b. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System Life History Accounts and Range Maps (online edition). Sacramento: CDFW Biogeographic Data Branch. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/cawildlife.aspx.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2015. Transpacific Submarine Fiber Optic Cable Draft EIR.
CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2014. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-01a). Sacramento: CNPS.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2014. All About Birds.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189.
Goudey, Charles B., and Scott R. Miles. 1998. Ecological Subregions of California: Section & Subsection Descriptions. Major contributions by Earl B. Alexander and John O. Sawyer.
UDSA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region.
Hamilton, W. J. 2004. “Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor).” In The Riparian Bird Conservation
Plan: A strategy for reversing the decline of riparian-associated birds in California. California Partners in Flight.
Kus, B. 2002. “Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus).” In The Riparian Bird Conservation Plan: a
strategy for reversing the decline of riparian-associated birds in California. California
Partners in Flight.
McNab, W. H., D. T. Cleland, J. A. Freeouf, J. E. Keys Jr., G. J. Nowacki, C.A. Carpenter, compilers.
2007. Description of ecological subregions: sections of the conterminous United States.
General Technical Report WO-76B. Washington, DC: USDA, Forest Service.
Nafis, Gary. 2014. California Herps: A Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of California. Accessed February 26, 2014. http://www.californiaherps.com/.
USFS (US Forest Service). 2014. Vegetation Classification & Mapping.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5347192.
USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service). 1998a. Vernal Pools of Southern California Recovery Plan.
Portland, OR: USFWS.
———. 1998b. Recovery Plan for the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. Portland, OR: USFWS.
———. 1998c. Recovery Plan for the Pacific Pocket Mouse. Portland, OR: USFWS.
———. 2002. Final Recovery Plan Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empinodax traillii extimus).
Albuquerque, NM: USFWS.
———. 2005. Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California.
———. 2006. California Least Tern 5-Year Review. Carlsbad, CA: USFWS.
———. 2007. Recovery Plan for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover
(Charadrius alexandrius nivosus). Sacramento: USFWS.
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———. 2009. Light-footed Clapper Rail (Ralluss longirostris levipes) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Carlsbad, CA: USFWS.
———. 2010. Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) 5-year Review:
Summary and Evaluation. Carlsbad, CA: USFWS.
———. 2012. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover. Final rule. Federal
Register 77(118): 36728–36869.
———. 2014a. Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaC).
———. 2014b. Critical Habitat Portal. Accessed February 2014.
———. 2014c. 5-Year Review for Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly. Carlsbad, CA: USFWS.
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4.4.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to cultural resources
(i.e., archaeological, paleontological, and historical resources) associated with implementation
of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis includes an overview of archaeological, paleontological, and historical resources in Hermosa Beach, a discussion of federal, state, and local regulations
pertaining to the management of these resources, and a discussion of the type of these resources
likely to be encountered in the planning area. PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element, Land Use +
Design Element, Parks + Open Space Element, and Sustainability + Conservation Element policies and implementation actions both pose potential threats to historical resources and promote the
identification, protection, and maintenance of cultural resources to reduce potential threats.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing cultural resource concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this section is based on a technical report titled
Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Assessment and Historic Resources Existing
Conditions Report to support PLAN Hermosa, prepared by PCR Services Corporation and
attached to this document as Appendix C-7. The scope of work included an archaeological
resources records search through the California Historical Resources Information System, South
Central Coastal Information Center (CHRIS-SCCIC), a Sacred Lands File search through the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), a paleontological resources records search through the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), review of City
Planning Division and Building and Safety Division property files, and a citywide windshield survey
of all buildings over 45 years old. All cultural resources investigations were conducted by staff who meet and exceed the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in History, Architectural History, Archaeology, and Historic Preservation.
Definitions: Cultural resources are defined as physical evidence or place of past human activity:
site, object, landscape, or structure; or a site, structure, landscape, object, or natural feature of significance to a group of people traditionally associated with it.
Archaeology is the recovery and study of material evidence of human life and culture of past
ages. Over time, this material evidence becomes buried, fragmented or scattered, or otherwise
hidden from view. In urban areas such as Hermosa Beach and environs, archaeological resources may include both prehistoric remains (before 1769 A.D.) and remains dating to the historical
period (1769 to 1950 A.D.). Prehistoric (or Native American) resources can include village sites,
temporary camps, lithic (stone tool) scatters, rock art, roasting pits/hearths, milling features, rock
features, and burials. Historic archaeological resources can include refuse heaps, bottle dumps, ceramic scatters, privies, foundations, and burials and are generally associated in California with
the Spanish Mission Period (after A.D. 1769) to the mid-twentieth century of the American Period
(1950s).
Paleontology is a branch of geology that studies the life forms of the past, especially prehistoric
life forms, through the study of plant and animal fossils. Paleontological resources represent a
limited, nonrenewable, and impact-sensitive scientific and educational resource. Fossil remains
such as bones, teeth, shells, and leaves are found in the geologic deposits (rock formations) where they were originally buried. Paleontological resources include not only the actual fossil remains but also the collecting localities and the geologic formations containing those localities.
Historical resource is a term encompassing prehistoric/historic archaeological sites and/or the built
environment, which includes historic sites, buildings, structures, objects, districts, and landscapes.
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4.4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-7 includes a prehistoric and historic overview of Hermosa Beach and the surrounding
areas, describes methods of identifying known cultural resources in the planning area, and
discusses themes and property types in the city. It also includes a regulatory setting pertaining to cultural resources located in the planning area. Key findings from the environmental setting are summarized below by resource type.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES
No known archaeological sites or isolates have been recorded in the city, based on information
in the SCCIC database. However, one archaeological site (CA-LAN-1872) has been recorded
immediately adjacent and south of the city’s southern boundaries, along Herondo Street. CA-
LAN-1872 is a historic and prehistoric archaeological site believed to represent a portion of the Gabrielino village of Engva, which was located along the edges of the Old Salt Lake. The Old Salt
Lake is also known to have been located immediately outside and in very close proximity to the
city’s southern boundaries. The Old Salt Lake has been designated as State Historic Landmark No.
373 and is also listed in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register). These resources are known to have been destroyed by modern development (e.g., construction of an
apartment complex, expansion of the Redondo Beach Generating Station, and road expansion),
and the Old Salt Lake was known to have been filled in with concentrated chloride brine in the
early 1900s.
The results of the paleontological resources records search conducted at the Natural History
Museum of Los Angeles County indicated that three fossil localities of the same sedimentary
deposits (older Quaternary terrace deposits) which occur within the city limits have been found
nearby. These localities have yielded fossils of horses, a marine whale, and a mammoth at depths between 15 to 35 feet below the surface. Other research indicated that adjacent to the city limits
(at the Redondo Beach Generating Station), a Rancholabrean-age tooth of an extinct llama was
found at a depth of approximately 30 feet below the surface. A fossil horse tooth was also found near the Redondo Beach Generating Station at a depth of about 35 feet below the surface. Paleontological resources are discussed further in Appendix C-7.
HISTORICAL RESOURCES
There are 28 previously identified individual historical resources and two potential districts in Hermosa Beach which are included in the City’s current General Plan Land Use Element (Historic
Preservation) that could be materially or visually impacted by PLAN Hermosa as the result of
alteration of these resources or their immediate surroundings. A description and map identifying
existing historic resources in the city are included in Appendix C-7.
• Two properties are designated local landmarks and are listed on the California Register:
the Bijou Theater at 1229–1235 Hermosa Avenue and the Community Center at 710 Pier
Avenue.
• One property, the Clark Building at 861Valley Drive, is listed on the California Register.
• Two properties have been designated by the City (2011) as “potential landmarks that
warrant further study by Section 17.53.040(B) of the Historic Preservation ordinance (per
Planning Commission Resolution No. 98-65)”: the Bank of America Building at 90 Pier Avenue and the Hermosa Hotel at 20–26 Pier Avenue.
• Two potential districts have been identified by the City: a residential neighborhood
bounded by 16th Street, The Strand, and 20th Street, and the Hermosa Avenue and Strand
Houses north of 26th Street.
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Hermosa Beach has not been surveyed previously; therefore, a citywide windshield survey was conducted to examine existing conditions and identify examples of potentially eligible property
types, styles, and methods of construction, which included locating potential individual historical
resources and concentrations or groups of intact resources that appear to be eligible as potential historic districts based on their age, architecture, and integrity. There are approximately 3,600 parcels with improvements over 45 years old in Hermosa Beach. A total of 218 improved parcels
were identified as potentially eligible for local listing and were assigned California Historical
Resource (CHR) status codes of 5S3, “appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.” In addition, the survey identified two groupings of single-
family residences that appear potentially eligible as beach cottage districts and were assigned
CHR status codes of 5D3, “appears to be a contributor to a district that appears eligible for local
listing or designation through survey evaluation.” Figure 4.4-1 (Potentially Eligible Historic Resources [Windshield Survey]) identifies the 218 parcels that have been identified as potentially
eligible for local listing. An architectural overview, complete inventory list, and California
Department of Parks and Recreation primary survey forms are provided in Appendix C-7.
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FIGURE 4.4-1
POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE HISTORIC RESOURCES (WINDSHIELD SURVEY)
Source: PCR Services 2014
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4.4.3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to cultural resources in the planning
area. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing all aspects of cultural resources that
would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory framework for cultural resources is discussed in detail in Appendix C-7. Key regulations used to reduce environmental impacts are summarized below.
FEDERAL
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act: Section 106 requires federal agencies,
or those they fund or permit, to consider the effects of their actions on properties that are
listed in or are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register).
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): NEPA directs federal agencies to prepare a detailed statement of the environmental impacts of any “major federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment.” The human environment consists of
many aspects, including what NEPA terms cultural resources. Cultural resources also
include the cultural use of the physical and natural environment, social institutions, lifeways, religious practices, and other cultural institutions.
STATE
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): CEQA specifically defines a historical resource and explicitly defines when an action would have a substantial adverse change
in the significance of a historical resource. CEQA includes provisions that specifically
address the protection of cultural resources by requiring consideration of impacts of a
project on unique archaeological resources, historical resources, and paleontological resources.
• Senate Bill (SB) 18: SB 18 requires that cities and counties contact and consult with
California Native American tribes before adopting or amending general plans and
specific plans, or when designating land as open space.
• Assembly Bill (AB) 52: AB 52 amends CEQA by requiring that lead agencies consult with
Native American groups or individuals regarding the identification, evaluation, and
treatment of tribal cultural resources prior to the release of an environmental document.
The City requested consultation with Native American tribes under AB 52 in August 2015. In accordance with AB 52 and SB 18, the City notified all of the relevant tribal organizations
identified by the Native American Heritage Commission for the City of Hermosa Beach. To
date, none of the tribal organizations have requested formal consultation through the
General Plan update or EIR process. However the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation have requested that an experienced,
trained, and certified Native American monitor be on site during any ground-disturbing
activities related to subsequent projects.
• California Health and Safety Code Section 7050: This code section states that if human remains are uncovered during ground-disturbing activities, the contractor or the project
proponent must immediately halt potentially damaging excavation in the area of the
burial and notify the county coroner to determine the nature of the remains.
• California Register of Historical Resources: The California Register includes resources that
are listed in or are formally determined eligible for listing on the National Register, as well
as some California State Landmarks and Points of Historical Interest. The eligibility criteria
for listing in the California Register are similar to those for National Register listing, but focus on the importance of the resources to California history and heritage.
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• California State Historical Landmarks: California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places that have been determined to have statewide historical
significance and meet specific criteria. The resource must also be approved for
designation by the county or local jurisdiction, be recommended by the State Historical Resources Commission, and be officially designated by California State Parks. California Historical Landmarks are automatically listed in the California Register.
• California Points of Historical Interest: California Points of Historical Interest are sites,
buildings, features, or events that are of local (city or county) significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific, technical,
religious, experimental, or other value.
LOCAL
• Hermosa Beach Municipal Code (Section 17.53, Historic Resources Preservation): See discussion below under “Criteria for Eligibility.”
Criteria for Eligibility
Cultural resources fall within the jurisdiction of several levels of government. Federal laws provide
the framework for the identification and in certain instances, protection of historic resources. The National Historic Preservation Act, enacted in 1966, established the National Register program
under the Secretary of the Interior. Additionally, state and local jurisdictions play active roles in the
identification, documentation, and protection of such resources within their communities. Enacted in 1992, the California Register program is administered by the State Office of Historic Preservation and the State Historical Resources Commission. The City of Hermosa Beach adopted
a preservation ordinance in 1998 (Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 17.53, Ordinance
98-1186). A summary of the regulatory setting as it relates to the impact analysis is included below.
To be eligible for listing in the National Register, a resource must be significant in American history,
architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Four criteria for evaluation have been
established to determine the significance of a resource:
1) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
2) It is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
3) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or
that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
4) It yields, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
The criteria for eligibility for the California Register are based on National Register criteria. Certain
resources are determined by the statute to be automatically included in the California Register by operation of law, including California properties formally determined eligible for or listed in the
National Register. To be eligible for the California Register, a historic resource must be significant
at the local, state, or national level, under one or more of the following four criteria:
1) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage.
2) It is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.
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3) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high
artistic values.
4) It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Under the City’s current policies and preservation ordinance, only resources that are designated as federal, state, or local landmarks are protected from alterations, degradation, or demolition.
Designated landmarks are required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of
Hermosa Beach prior to making alterations. When proposed alteration or demolition to other potentially historic resources requires a discretionary review, a thorough analysis of the potential
impact on the cultural significance of the building will be studied under CEQA before the decision
to alter or demolish the project can be made.
A historic resource may be designated a local landmark, pursuant to City Municipal Code Sections 17.53.070 through 17.53.120, if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
1) It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political,
aesthetic, engineering, or architectural history.
2) It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history.
3) It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.
4) It is representative of the notable work of a builder, designer, or architect.
5) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic(s) represents an established and familiar visual feature or landmark of a neighborhood, community, or the city.
Nomination of a historic resource as a landmark is made by the City, or by application of the
property owner or property owners representing a majority or controlling interest in the property
on which the resource is located. To be eligible for consideration as a landmark, a historic resource must be at least 50 years old; with the exception that a historic resource of at least 30 years old
may be eligible if the City Council determines that the resource is exceptional, or that it is
threatened by demolition, removal, relocation, or inappropriate alteration.
4.4.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on historical resources are considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5.
2) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature.
3) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries.
4) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined
in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5.
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ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of implementation of PLAN Hermosa,
compared to existing conditions of cultural resources within the city. It is assumed that all future
and existing development in the city would comply with applicable laws, regulations, design standards, and plans. Presented below are the applicable policies and implementation actions outlined in PLAN Hermosa that would affect cultural resources.
Subsequent public and private projects that include construction excavations (e.g.,
grubbing/clearing, demolition grading, trenching, and boring) are activities that have potential to impact or cause a substantial adverse change to archaeological and historic resources,
paleontological resources, and human remains. Subsequent projects that do not require
excavation activities would cause no direct impacts on archaeological and paleontological
resources, and human remains; therefore, no additional analysis or mitigation is necessary for these specific types of activities. Other development activities that would excavate heavily
disturbed soils or artificial fill would also cause no impact on intact and significant
archaeological resources, paleontological resources, or human remains since they have likely been displaced by previous disturbances (such as the original construction of a condominium complex) and there would be very limited to no potential to encounter intact and significant
resources in artificial fill soils.
PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address cultural resources are listed
below. If implemented in the future, these particular policies and actions may reduce or avoid
adverse material impacts on historical resources either directly or indirectly.
Policies
Land Use + Design Element
• 5.6 Preservation and adaptive reuse. Encourage the preservation or adaptive reuse of
historic structures, iconic landmarks, and older buildings.
• 5.7 Design guidelines and development standards. Seek to maintain and enhance neighborhood character through design guidelines and development standards that
articulate building form, orientation, and scale, but allow for eclectic and diverse
architectural styles.
• 7.1 Re-purposing surplus property. Promote the reuse of surplus publicly-owned property for other uses that benefit the community.
• 7.3 School modernization upgrades. Support HBCSD plans to renovate and modernize
school facilities to meet growing capacity needs in a manner that minimizes burdens to
adjacent neighborhoods.
• 10.1 Historic landmarks and districts. Encourage the voluntary designation of potentially
historic resources as landmarks or historic districts.
• 10.2 Public and institutional facilities. Initiate the designation of potentially historic public
or institutional resources under threat of demolition or deterioration.
• 10.3 Protect designated landmarks. Prohibit the demolition, degradation, and
inappropriate alteration of designated landmarks.
• 10.4 Treatment of potentially historic resources. Discourage the demolition, degradation, and inappropriate alteration of potentially historic resources.
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• 10.5 Evaluation prior to demolition. Require evaluation and documentation of potentially historic resources prior to demolition.
• 10.6 Incentives for preservation. Provide incentives for preservation of designated
landmarks, potentially historic resources, and older buildings.
• 10.7 Historic resources as cultural tourism. Promote historic places and cultural tourism as an economic development strategy.
• 10.8 Adaptive reuse and sustainable development. Promote historic preservation as
sustainable development and encourage adaptive reuse of historic or older properties.
• 10.9 History and cultural heritage. Support and encourage efforts to document and share
the cultural heritage and history of Hermosa Beach.
• 10.10 Culturally inclusive planning. Ensure that historic preservation planning is culturally
inclusive and reflective of the unique background and diversity of neighborhoods in the city.
• 10.11 Incentives and technical assistance. Provide expert technical assistance to owners of historic properties with tools and incentives to maintain historic resources.
• 10.12 Salvage architectural features or materials. Encourage salvaging of architectural
features that would otherwise be transported to landfills as a result of demolition.
• 10.13 Archaeological and paleontological resources. Recognize the prehistory and history
of the city and strive to identify, protect, and preserve archaeological and
paleontological resources.
Public Safety Element
• 1.9 Facilitate retrofits. Encourage and facilitate retrofits of seismically high-risk buildings.
Implementation Actions
• GOVERNANCE-5. Incorporate guidance related to Native American consultation and
treatment of prehistoric and Native American resources into local CEQA guidelines for Hermosa Beach.
• LAND USE-2. Establish development standards to correspond with any new land use
designations with consideration of neighborhood character areas.
• LAND USE-3. Develop building design guidelines to illustrate and articulate the appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each established character area. The Design
Guidelines shall be tailored to:
− Identify and safeguard the prominent visual characteristics of each character area in
accordance with those key features and characteristics to ensure that the overall visual character of the neighborhoods, centers, and districts.
− Include provisions that ensure avoidance of significant shadow impacts from new
structures onto public recreational areas, parks or other public gathering places during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.
• LAND USE-14. Amend the CEQA documentation and initial study process to ensure cultural
and historical resources are studied in accordance with CEQA and any local historic
preservation programs.
• LAND USE-15. Develop eligibility criteria to use in the designation of local historic sites or historic districts.
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• LAND USE-16. Develop emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for cultural resources, including a recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to
be faced by the City following a major disaster, including economic recovery, protocols
for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral for repair permits.
• LAND USE-17. Create a program to provide for the voluntary installation of plaques and/or
public art related to historic buildings and sites in the city.
• LAND USE-18. Establish design review procedures and establish effective means to protect
architectural features that have historical significance. Use the Secretary of Interior’s
Standards to evaluate impacts of alterations or new development on historical resources.
• LAND USE-19. Prepare design guidelines that illustrate and highlight important historic
design features of buildings.
• LAND USE-20. Research and develop innovative policies for preserving historic properties.
• LAND USE-21. Work with community organizations to develop brochures, guides, walking
tours, and other marketing materials to highlight existing public art in Hermosa Beach.
• LAND USE-22. Develop historic preservation expertise among staff and decision makers on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation ordinances, the
State Historical Building Code, environmental review for historical resources, and tax credits
and incentives.
• LAND USE-23. The City shall require archaeological investigations for all applicable discretionary projects, in accordance with CEQA regulations, for areas not previously
surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural resources. The City shall require
the preservation of discovered archaeologically significant resources (as determined
based on city, state, and federal standards by a qualified professional) in place if feasible or provide mitigation (avoidance, excavation, documentation, curation, data recovery,
or other appropriate measures) prior to further disturbance.
• SAFETY-26. Develop a recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to
be faced by the City following a major disaster, including economic recovery, protocols for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral for repair
permits.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.4-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause a Substantial Adverse Change in the Significance of an Archaeological Resource? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa could provide
for future development and reuse projects on previously undisturbed land
throughout the city, which could cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064.5. However, PLAN Hermosa includes implementation actions that
require archaeological investigations for discretionary projects on previously undisturbed lands determined sensitive for cultural resources, and require the preservation of any discovered archaeologically significant resources. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Subsequent public and private projects under PLAN Hermosa that include excavation (e.g., grubbing/clearing, grading, trenching, and boring) into native soil could have the potential to
impact or cause a substantial adverse change to undiscovered archaeological resources,
paleontological resources, and human remains. Future development that does not require
excavation activities would cause no impacts on archaeological resources, paleontological
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resources, and human remains; therefore, no additional analysis or mitigation is necessary for these specific types of activities. Other development that would excavate heavily disturbed soils
or artificial fill would cause no impact on intact and significant archaeological resources,
paleontological resources, or human remains since such resources have likely been displaced by previous disturbances and there would be very limited to no potential to encounter intact and significant resources in artificial fill soils.
No known archaeological resources (historic or prehistoric) from the SCCIC’s database have been
recorded within the city. These findings, however, do not preclude the possibility of encountering undiscovered archaeological resources during construction, given the proven prehistoric and historic occupation of the region (as described in Appendix C-7), the identification of surface and
subsurface archaeological resources near the PLAN Hermosa planning area (e.g., Old Salt Lake
and CA-LAN-1872), and the favorable natural conditions (e.g., Pacific Ocean) that would have attracted prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area. The archaeological monitoring of
numerous construction projects throughout the region in recent decades has demonstrated the
existence of deeply buried archaeological deposits, especially in locations of rapid Holocene
deposition such as alluvial fans.
The lack of known archaeological resources identified in the planning area may be because
projects were constructed prior to cultural resources protection laws and because parcels were
not surveyed prior to construction. It is also possible that buried archaeological resources that
were not visible to previous archaeological surveyors have now been brought to the surface as a result of disturbance (e.g., clearing, grading) or natural processes (e.g., erosion, wind, floods).
Development in Hermosa Beach could result in damage to prehistoric- and historic-period
archaeological resources located at or near previously undisturbed ground surfaces as the result
of construction. In addition, infrastructure and other improvements requiring ground disturbance could result in damage to or destruction of archaeological resources buried below the ground
surface. Archaeological sites have the potential to contain intact deposits of artifacts, associated
features, and dietary remains that could contribute to the regional prehistoric or historic record or
may be of cultural or religious importance to Native American groups.
Land Use + Design Element Policy 10.13 directs the City to recognize the prehistory and history of
Hermosa Beach and strive to identify, protect, and preserve the city’s archaeological resources.
The direction to recognize archaeological resources would be accomplished through archaeological investigations, as appropriate, which would include research, Native American consultation (implementation action GOVERNANCE-5), pedestrian surveys, and testing during the
CEQA planning process (i.e., prior to construction), as well as monitoring during ground-disturbing
activities (i.e., during construction). The proper handling of discovered resources and enforcement of applicable state and federal laws and regulations would qualify as the directed maintenance
of archaeological resources. Much of the planning area is built out, and most new development
pursuant to PLAN Hermosa would therefore take place aboveground on previously disturbed
land, thereby minimizing the potential to disturb archaeological resources. However, ground-disturbing activities on previously undisturbed land could affect the integrity of an as-yet-unknown
archaeological resource, thereby causing a substantial change in the significance of the
resource. Although efforts would be made to identify and mitigate impacts on potential
archaeological resources prior to ground disturbance, there is no way to know if significant archaeological resources occur below undisturbed ground surfaces.
Implementation action LAND USE-23 would require archaeological investigations, as necessary,
by a qualified archaeologist for projects subject to CEQA involving ground-disturbing activities for
areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural resources and would require preparation and implementation of a treatment plan if buried resources would be
affected by a proposed project. For example, an initial archaeological study (Phase I Assessment),
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at a minimum, would consist of the following tasks to identify known archaeological resources in a given project site: a cultural resources records search through the South Central Coastal
Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System, a pedestrian survey
of the project site, a review of the land use history, and coordination with knowledgeable organizations or individuals (e.g., Hermosa Beach Historical Society, Native American tribes). If warranted, additional analyses such as archaeological test excavations and/or remote sensing
methods would be implemented to identify resources.
To identify if a project requires archaeological investigations, the City would review available geotechnical studies to determine whether excavation activities would impact native soils. If a geotechnical study is not available for review, then the City would need to make a determination
based on a review of recent aerial photography of the project location, available data from
adjacent or nearby sites, and professional judgement. Thus, with implementation action LAND USE-23, future development and reuse projects under PLAN Hermosa would implement the
appropriate treatment and/or preservation of resources if encountered. Therefore, potentially
significant impacts on archaeological resources would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.4-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Disturbance of Any Human Remains?
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that could disturb human remains. With implementation of existing policies and procedures, this impact would be less than significant.
As discussed in Appendix C-7, no known human remains were identified from the SCCIC records
in the PLAN Hermosa planning area. However, these findings do not preclude the existence of previously unknown human remains located below the ground surface that may be encountered
during construction excavations associated with subsequent projects in the city. The discovery of
Native American human remains, including cases of multiple burials, is not uncommon in the
region (e.g., Malaga Cove). Similar to the discussion regarding archaeological resources above, it is also possible to encounter buried human remains during construction given the proven
prehistoric and historic occupation of the region, the identification of multiple surface and
subsurface archaeological resources in the PLAN Hermosa planning area, and the favorable
natural conditions that would have attracted prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area.
Subsequent projects in Hermosa Beach could result in damage to human remains located at or
near previously undisturbed ground surfaces as the result of construction involving ground
disturbance. In addition, infrastructure and other improvements requiring ground disturbance could result in damage to or destruction of human remains buried below the ground surface. Human remains have the potential to contribute to the regional prehistoric or historic record or
may be of cultural or religious importance to Native American groups.
However, if human remains are discovered as part of project construction or other ground-disturbing activities, the project applicant and/or contractor would notify the City and immediately halt work at the site. The county coroner would be notified according to California
Public Resources Code Section 5097.98 and California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5. If
the remains are determined to be Native American, the coroner would notify the Native American Heritage Commission and the procedures outlined in CEQA Section 15064.5(d) and (e) would be
followed. Additionally, the City requires the presence of an on-site monitor for discretionary
projects involving ground disturbance or excavation of soil. Therefore, because of compliance
with state laws, this impact would be less than significant.
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Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.4-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Directly or Indirectly Destroy a Unique Paleontological Resource, Site, or Geologic Feature? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could damage previously unknown unique paleontological resources, sites, or unique geologic features. This impact would be potentially significant.
As described in Appendix C-7, no known fossil localities have been recorded within the city in the
NHMLAC database. However, three fossil localities of the same sedimentary deposits (older Quaternary terrace deposits) that currently underlie the entire city have been found nearby. These
localities have yielded fossils of horses, a marine whale, and a mammoth at depths between 15
to 35 feet below surface. Previous research also indicated that a Rancholabrean-age tooth of an extinct llama was found at the Redondo Beach Generating Station (located adjacent to but outside of the planning area) at a depth of approximately 30 feet below surface. A fossil horse
tooth was also found near the Redondo Beach Generating Station at a depth of about 35 feet
below surface.
Subsequent projects in Hermosa Beach could result in damage to paleontological resources located at or near previously undisturbed ground surfaces as a result of construction. In addition,
infrastructure and other improvements requiring ground disturbance could result in damage to or
destruction of paleontological resources buried below the ground surface. Paleontological resources have the potential to contribute to the regional geological and paleontological record of the region and may be of scientific importance to researchers.
Land Use + Design Element Policy 10.13 directs the City to recognize the prehistory and history of
Hermosa Beach and strive to identify, protect, and preserve paleontological resources. The proper handling of discovered resources and enforcement of applicable state and federal laws and regulations would qualify as the directed maintenance of paleontological resources.
Much of the planning area is built out, and most new development pursuant to PLAN Hermosa
would therefore take place above ground on previously disturbed land, thereby minimizing the potential to disturb paleontological resources. Very little land in Hermosa is undisturbed, and even
less of that land would be available for redevelopment since it is currently designated as open
space, beach, or other public amenity and would not be built on. Although efforts would be
made to identify and mitigate impacts to potential paleontological resources prior to ground disturbance, there is no way to know if significant paleontological resources occur below
undisturbed ground surfaces. Therefore, this impact would be potentially significant.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.4-3 As a standard condition of approval for future development projects implemented under PLAN Hermosa that involve ground disturbance or
excavation:
• For any project where earthmoving or ground disturbance activities are
proposed at depths that encounter older Quaternary terrace deposits, a
qualified paleontologist shall be present during excavation or earthmoving
activities.
• If paleontological resources are discovered during earthmoving activities, the construction crew shall immediately cease work in the vicinity of the find and notify the City. The project applicant(s) shall retain a qualified
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paleontologist to evaluate the resource and prepare a recovery plan in accordance with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines (1996). The
recovery plan may include, but is not limited to, a field survey, construction
monitoring, sampling and data recovery procedures, museum storage coordination for any specimen recovered, and a report of findings. Recommendations in the recovery plan that are determined by the lead
agency to be necessary and feasible shall be implemented before
construction activities can resume at the site where the paleontological resources were discovered.
Significance After Mitigation
With implementation mitigation measure MM 4.4-3, PLAN Hermosa would provide for the
appropriate treatment and/or preservation of paleontological resources, if encountered. For
instance, a paleontological resource evaluation would consist of a paleontological resources
records search through the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, a pedestrian survey of
the project site (if applicable), a review of the land use history, and a review of geologic mapping
and/or geotechnical reports. At that point, appropriate mitigation would be developed and implemented to mitigate impacts on the paleontological resource. Therefore, potentially significant impacts on paleontological resources would be reduced to less than significant.
IMPACT 4.4-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause a Substantial Change in the Significance of a Historical Resource? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could cause a
substantial change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.5. Although implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies
and actions would protect historical resources, this would be a potentially significant impact.
The City of Hermosa Beach adopted a preservation ordinance in 1998, which outlines the
landmark designation criteria, the nomination and application requirements for local landmarks,
and the certificate of appropriateness requirements. Under the City’s current policies and preservation ordinance, only resources that are officially listed federal, state, or local landmarks
are protected. In Hermosa Beach, local landmarks can only be nominated by the City Council or
the property owner; a landmark cannot be nominated by members of the community. The City
does not have a dedicated historic preservation commission. Instead, the City Council carries out the duties of a historic preservation commission by designating landmarks and conducting
preservation design review. Since adoption of the preservation ordinance, only one historical
resource has been formally designated as a local landmark, the Bijou Building. Also, the historic preservation code identifies two additional buildings, the Bank of America Building (90 Pier Avenue) and the Hermosa Hotel (20–26 Pier Avenue), which require preservation design review
for any proposed alterations. Any alterations to city landmarks or potential landmarks on a list of
historic resources established by the City must first apply for a certificate of appropriateness.
The City does not have a comprehensive list of potentially eligible historic properties over 45 years old. During the preparation of the City’s General Plan Land Use Element in 1994, 28 historical
resources and two historic districts were identified as potentially eligible; however, some of these
potential resources have been demolished or substantially altered. Furthermore, this list is now over 20 years old and many additional properties now meet the age threshold for consideration that
would have not been considered in 1994. As described in Appendix C-7, PCR conducted a
windshield survey to identify potentially eligible individual historic resources and concentrations or
groups of historic resources that appeared to be eligible as potential districts. Of the approximately 3,600 parcels over 45 years old in Hermosa Beach, 218 parcels are potentially
eligible for local listing (5S3) and two potentially eligible groupings of single-family residences that
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appear to be eligible as beach cottage districts (5D3). The evaluation of historic resources during the windshield survey was based on architecture, and a more intensive survey could be
conducted in the future to consider patterns of history, events, and significant persons.
Approximately 60 percent of the potentially eligible resources are single-family, one-story
residential properties constructed between 1906 and 1930 located in the Walk Street, Sand
Section, North End, and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. There are also two groupings of residences
located in the Walk Street and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. The remaining 40 percent of
potentially eligible properties include a variety of property types and styles, such as commercial and industrial buildings, institutional buildings, landscape architectural features, churches, parkettes, and greenbelts. These potential historical resources are located in the Downtown, Civic
Center, and Cypress districts and along the Pacific Coast Highway corridor.
Subsequent public and private projects under PLAN Hermosa could lead to the demolition of historic or potentially eligible historic buildings and structures. PLAN Hermosa states that
approximately 67 percent of the city’s total land area is improved with residential uses, with the
remaining land uses defined by commercial (7 percent), light industrial (4 percent), institutional
(22 percent), and vacant land (0.5 percent). As such, the greatest concentration of historical resources (60 percent), as described above, is located in the residential use areas and is subject
to redevelopment pressures. In regard to the Walk Street, Sand Section, North End, and Hermosa
Hills neighborhoods, PLAN Hermosa describes the future vision of these neighborhoods as
preserving building form and scale, maintaining neighborhood connectivity, orienting buildings toward the street or walk streets, and enhancing multimodal connectivity and access.
Additionally, development in commercial, industrial, and civic center areas of Hermosa Beach
could result in damage to or demolition of other historical resources. The Civic Center Complex
was surveyed as potentially eligible at the local level during the windshield survey; however, PLAN Hermosa describes a transformation of the building orientation and design, the modernization of
facilities, and construction of parking facilities in the Civic Center District. The light industrial area
named the Cypress District is proposed to be re-envisioned, with emphasis placed on the
transformation of the building design and orientation and the public realm and streetscape in the area. PLAN Hermosa’s vision of the Downtown District along Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue
appears to be the retention of the buildings that are “iconic and historic in nature, and new
buildings are carefully integrated to retain the town’s eclectic charm.”
Provisions of the City’s current preservation ordinance (Municipal Code Section 17.53) would not prevent the demolition or impairment of a historic building or structures that are not formally
designated as a landmark under the City’s preservation ordinance or listed on the City’s potential
historical resources list, but that meet the definition of historical resource for the purpose of CEQA. Demolition of such a historical resource would be a significant impact under CEQA. Furthermore,
it is possible that some structures that have not yet been surveyed could be eligible historical
resources. Implementation actions LAND USE-3 and LAND USE-15 attempt to lessen impacts due
to infill development adjacent to historical resources by recommending the preparation of design guidelines to ensure new development would not sharply contrast with nearby historic resources
and the use of the Secretary of Interior’s Standards to evaluate impacts of alterations or new
development to historical resources.
The Land Use + Design Element of PLAN Hermosa lists a number of policies to encourage and strengthen historic preservation in the city, including Policies 10.1 through 10.12. PLAN Hermosa
Policies 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.6 would encourage the voluntary designation of potentially
eligible historic resources as landmarks or historic districts, prohibit and discourage the
inappropriate alteration or demolition of designated landmarks, require the evaluation of potentially eligible historic resources prior to demolition, and provide incentives for preservation of
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historic resources. The implementation actions set forth in PLAN Hermosa recommend a number of programs to support the goals and policies described above.
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions requiring the identification and protection of
historic resources, along with adherence to existing federal, state, and City regulations, would
provide greater protections to locally designated and potential historical resources. Other
implementation actions address amending CEQA documentation and the initial study program
to ensure historic resources are adequately addressed (LAND USE-14) and the establishment of
design review procedures and guidelines (LAND USE-18). However, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not prevent the demolition of or substantial adverse change to potentially eligible historic buildings and structures that qualify as historical resources pursuant to CEQA, but have not
been formally designated under the City’s preservation ordinance or listed on the City’s potential
landmark list. Therefore, this impact would be potentially significant.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.4-4a The City shall establish an updated list of potential historic resources to be
maintained by the Community Development Director. The list shall be updated
every 10 years, at a minimum, to identify as-yet-unknown historical resources (as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5) as potential resources are identified through citywide surveys and on a project-by-project basis.
MM 4.4-4b The City shall require project applicants to conduct historical resources studies,
surveys, and assessment reports on a project-by-project basis, when a project proposes to alter, demolish, or degrade a designated landmark or a potential historic resource.
MM 4.4-4c The City shall maintain the “Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach” guide, and
shall update the guide so that it is informed by current resource data and its goals and policies are consistent with the Land Use + Design Element.
MM 4.4-4d The City shall develop procedures and nomination applications to facilitate
and streamline the designation of local historic sites and historic districts.
MM 4.4-4e Historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports shall be performed by persons who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification
Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48 CFR 44716).
MM 4.4-4f For historical resources that may be adversely impacted, conformance with
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and application of the State Historical Building Code shall be required to
protect significant character-defining features and protect the eligibility of
potential historical resources.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-4f would reduce impacts on
historical resources to the extent feasible. However, impacts on potentially eligible historic
structures could occur depending on the proposed uses, the cost of rehabilitation, and safety considerations. Thus, it may not be feasible in all circumstances to rehabilitate a structure and retain its historic significance. If a project applicant proposes to demolish an eligible structure, the
City would consider the project’s impacts prior to approval. Given this uncertainty, this impact
would be significant and unavoidable.
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CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The geographic context for cumulative impacts on archaeological resources, human remains,
paleontological resources, and cultural resources is future development in Hermosa Beach and
the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG) planning area. Many of these locations are in the PLAN Hermosa planning area and share common historic, archaeological, and paleontological characteristics.
IMPACT 4.4-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Archaeological Resources? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to future development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change in
the significance of an archaeological resource. The loss of some archaeological
resources may be prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies
and similar policies in other communities. PLAN Hermosa also includes implementation actions to minimize impacts by requiring archaeological
investigations on previously undisturbed lands, and requiring the preservation of
any discovered archaeologically significant resources. These implementation actions would ensure that these resources can be protected and preserved. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Future development could include ground-disturbing activities on previously undisturbed land that
could affect archaeological resources. The cumulative effect would be the loss of prehistoric cultural resources. Future development would increase the likelihood that archaeological resources could be discovered. However, implementation action LAND USE-23 would require
archaeological investigations, as necessary, by a qualified archaeologist for projects subject to
CEQA involving ground-disturbing activities for areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural resources and would require preparation and implementation of a treatment plan if buried resources would be affected by a proposed project.
Therefore, cumulative development would not result in the demolition or destruction of
archaeological resources, which could contribute to the erosion of the prehistoric record of the planning area and the region and this would be less than cumulatively considerable impact.
Mitigation Measure
None required.
IMPACT 4.4-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Human Remains? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development
in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could disturb human remains,
including those interred outside of formal cemeteries. The loss of some human
remains may be prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and similar policies in other communities. Additionally, PLAN Hermosa includes
implementation actions to minimize impacts by requiring archaeological
investigations on previously undisturbed lands, and requiring the preservation of
any discovered archaeologically significant resources. These implementation actions would ensure that these resources can be protected and preserved. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Future development could include ground-disturbing activities on previously undisturbed land that
could potentially affect human remains. The cumulative effect would be the loss of human remains. Future development would increase the likelihood that human remains could be
discovered.
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However, implementation action LAND USE-23 would require archaeological investigations, as necessary, by a qualified archaeologist for projects subject to CEQA involving ground-disturbing
activities for areas not previously surveyed and/or that are determined sensitive for cultural
resources and would require preparation and implementation of a treatment plan if buried resources would be affected by a proposed project. Therefore, cumulative development would not result in the demolition or destruction of human remains, which could contribute to the erosion
of the prehistoric record of the planning area and the region. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.4-7 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Paleontological Resources? Ground disturbance, earthmoving, and excavation activities
associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa combined with construction activities in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could damage previously
unknown unique paleontological resources. This impact would be cumulatively considerable.
Portions of the city are underlain by potentially fossil-bearing Pleistocene non-marine sediment and Holocene alluvium. Significant fossils, including unique specimens and vertebrate remains,
have been discovered in Pleistocene and Holocene sediments throughout the Los Angeles area,
ranging from finds at the La Brea Tar Pits to mastodon and other fossils discovered in western Riverside County during the construction of Diamond Valley Lake. Excavations and ground-
disturbing activities on these sediments throughout the region would disturb significant
paleontological resources. This cumulative impact would be cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
Implement mitigation measure MM 4.4-3.
Significance After Mitigation
Ground disturbance, earthmoving, and excavation activities would occur under PLAN Hermosa
and in the South Bay Cities COG planning area. As discussed above, mitigation measure MM 4.4-3 would reduce impacts on paleontological resources by requiring that fossil specimens be
recovered and recorded and undergo appropriate curation, in the event that resources are
encountered during construction activities in Hermosa Beach. With implementation of mitigation
measure MM 4.4-3, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to significant cumulative paleontological resources impacts would be offset and would result in a less than cumulatively considerable
impact.
IMPACT 4.4-8 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources?
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change in
the significance of a historical resource. The loss of some historical resources may
be prevented through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and similar
policies in other communities. However, this would not ensure that these resources can be protected and preserved. This impact would be cumulatively considerable.
Cumulative impacts on historical resources may occur under PLAN Hermosa when one or more
goals or policies has the potential to impact several historical resources and would erode the historical character and significance of the built environment in Hermosa Beach such that the
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character of these resources would be compromised and no longer able to convey the resources’ significant historical or architectural associations, resulting in a cumulatively significant impact.
Additionally, the lack of strong historic preservation standards regionally could further result in the
loss of specific architectural styles, such as the beach bungalow, that are representative of the historical character in the beach cities area. This impact would be cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
Implement mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-f.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.4-4a through MM 4.4-4f would not ensure that historical resources would be protected and preserved. As described in the analysis presented in
Impact 4.4-4, impacts on historic resources cannot be reduced to less than significant. Therefore,
this impact would remain cumulatively considerable and significant and unavoidable.
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4.4.5 REFERENCES
California Office of Historic Preservation. 1995. Instructions for Recording Historical Resources.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2011. Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach.
http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1351.
National Park Service. 1985. National Register Bulletin 24: Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for
Preservation Planning. https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/pdfs/nrb24.pdf.
———. 1990. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for
Evaluation. https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/pdfs/nrb15.pdf.
———. 1997. National Register Bulletin 16: How to Complete the National Register Registration
Form. https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/pdfs/nrb16a.pdf.
———. n.d. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties Website.
https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm.
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4.5.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to geology and soils
from implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis includes a review of regional geology,
seismicity and faulting, and soils.
Issues regarding water quality impacts from soil erosion are discussed in Chapter 4.8, Hydrology
and Water Quality. PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies and implementation actions
presented in the implementation plan guide development and infrastructure practices designed
to protect residents and structures from seismic-related hazards.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing the geology and soils analysis. Comments included written letters and oral comments
provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource chapter is based on numerous sources, including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (TBR) and other publicly available
documents. The TBR prepared for the project is attached to this document as Appendix C.
4.5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-9 describes the regional and local conditions related to geology and soils. Key
findings of the environmental setting are presented below.
GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY
Hermosa Beach is located along the southwestern margin of the Los Angeles Basin and Coastal Plain. The Los Angeles Basin is an alluvial-filled basin bounded to the north and east by the Santa
Monica, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana mountains and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean
and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The planning area is underlain by Holocene-age dune sands located west of the adjacent older
alluvial deposits of the Los Angeles Basin. Beneath the surficial dune sands is the Pleistocene-age
San Pedro Formation, consisting of unconsolidated and semi-consolidated stratified sands with
some clays, silts, and gravels. The late Pliocene-age Pico Formation, consisting of marine siltstones and sandstones, sits beneath the San Pedro Formation. Beneath the Pico Formation is the early
Pliocene-age Repetto Formation, consisting of siltstones with layers of sandstones and
conglomerates. Beneath the Repetto Formation is the Miocene-age Puente Formation, which
contains the primary oil reservoir in the planning area (City of Hermosa Beach 2014).
Hermosa Beach sits at the southwest end of Santa Monica Bay and ranges in elevation from sea
level in the west to about 200 feet above sea level at inland locations (USGS 1981).
SEISMIC HAZARDS
The primary seismic hazards in the city are fault ground ruptures and ground shaking. Secondary
seismic hazards include liquefaction, lateral spreading, differential settlement, landslide-induced
earthquakes, and subsidence.
Seismic Ground Shaking and Fault Rupture
Earthquakes can cause strong ground shaking that may damage property and infrastructure. The
strength of an earthquake is generally expressed in two ways: magnitude and intensity. The
magnitude is a measure that depends on the seismic energy radiated by the earthquake as
recorded on seismographs. The intensity at a specific location is a measure that depends on the
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effects of the earthquake on people or buildings and is used to express the severity of ground shaking.
The most commonly used scale to measure earthquake intensities (ground shaking and damage)
is the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, which measures the intensity of an earthquake’s
effects in a given locality and is based on observations of earthquake effects at specific places.
On the MMI Scale, values range from I to XII (see Table 4.5-1). While an earthquake has only one
magnitude, it can have various intensities, which decrease with distance from the epicenter and
vary depending on the underlying soil conditions (CGS 2002). Table 4.5-1 provides descriptions of the effects of ground shaking intensities along with a general range of moment magnitudes that are often associated with those intensities.
TABLE 4.5-1
EFFECTS OF RICHTER MAGNITUDE AND MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY
Mw Modified
Mercalli Scale Effects of Intensity
1.0–3.0 I I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.
3.0–3.9 II–III
II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings. Delicately
suspended objects may swing.
III. Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many
people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly.
Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.
4.0–4.9 IV–V
IV. Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened.
Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy
truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone, many awakened. Some dishes, windows, etc., broken; a few
instances of cracked plaster; unstable objects overturned. Disturbances of trees, poles,
and other tall objects sometimes noticed. Pendulum clocks may stop.
5.0–5.9 VI–VII
VI. Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen
plaster. Damage slight.
VII. Everybody runs outdoors. Damage negligible in building of good design and
construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable in
poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken. Noticed by persons
driving motor cars.
6.0–6.9 VIII–IX
VIII. Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary substantial
buildings, with partial collapse; great in poorly built structures. Panel walls thrown out
of frame structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls.
Heavy furniture overturned. Sand and mud ejected in small amounts. Changes in well
water. Persons driving motor cars disturbed.
IX. Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures
thrown out of plumb; great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings
shifted off foundations. Ground cracked conspicuously. Underground pipes broken.
7.0 and
higher X or higher
X. Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures
destroyed with foundations; ground badly cracked. Rails bent. Landslides considerable
from river banks and steep slopes. Shifted sand and mud. Water splashed (slopped)
over banks.
XI. Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed. Broad fissures in
ground. Underground pipelines completely out of service. Earth slumps and land slips
in soft ground. Rails bent greatly.
XII. Damage total. Practically all works of construction are damaged greatly or destroyed.
Waves seen on ground surface. Lines of sight and level are distorted. Objects are
thrown upward into the air.
Source: CGS 2002
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Faults are classified as “active” and “potentially active.” An active fault is one that has had surface displacement within Holocene time (about the last 11,000 years), while a potentially active
fault is one that has been active during Quaternary time (last 1,600,000 years). These definitions
are used in delineating Special Studies Zones as mandated by the 1994 Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act.1 A fault rupture is the sudden release of elastic energy that results from the sliding of one part of the earth’s crust past another. The resulting fracture is known as a fault, while the
sliding movement of earth on either side of a fault is called fault rupture.
The planning area is not located in a fault-rupture hazard zone, as defined by the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (CGS 2010). Based on information from the California Geological Survey (2010), no known major active faults are located in the planning area. The closest active
faults are the Newport-Inglewood fault, approximately 5 miles to the east, and the Palos Verdes
fault, approximately 2 miles to the west (CGS 2010). An inactive offshore fault, named Offshore Fault 103, is approximately 1.4 miles west of the planning area (City of Hermosa Beach 2014). Figure 4.5-1 (Regional Faults) shows the location of the planning area relative to mapped active
and potentially active faults in Southern California.
Historic records indicate that the planning area has experienced seismic ground shaking from a number of seismic events over the last century and a half. For example, the 1933 Long Beach
earthquake, which occurred on the nearby Newport-Inglewood fault, caused serious damage to
weak masonry structures and killed 115 people throughout the region. The earthquake had an
estimated moment magnitude of M6.4 on the Richter scale (City of Hermosa Beach 2014; USGS 2013b; Southern California Earthquake Data Center 2014).
1 The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires the California State Geologist to establish regulatory
zones now known as Earthquake Fault Zones; prior to January 1, 1994, these zones were known as Special
Studies Zones.
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FIGURE 4.5-1
REGIONAL FAULTS
Source: CGS 2010
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Landslides
A landslide is the downhill movement of masses of earth material under the force of gravity.
Factors contributing to landslide potential include steep slopes, unstable terrain, and proximity to
earthquake faults. This process typically involves surface soil and an upper portion of underlying
bedrock. Movement may be very rapid or so slow that a change of position can be noted only over a period of weeks or years. The size of a landslide can range from several square feet to
several square miles. There are several landslide zones in Hermosa Beach, as shown on Figure 4.5-2 (Landslide and Liquefaction Zones). These zones have a potential for permanent ground displacement, based on previous landslide movement or local topographic, geological, geotechnical, or subsurface water conditions. They are identified as follows: one near South Park,
east of Monterey Boulevard between 2nd Street and 6th Street; one on the city’s southern border
at the intersection of Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue; one to the north of Gould Avenue
between Ardmore Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway (State Route [SR] 1); and one on the
western border of the city between 8th Street and 6th Street. An additional landslide zone is
located just east of the city limits between Havemeyer Lane and Haynes Lane in Redondo Beach
(DOC 1999). Future development in these zones requires mitigation of potential landslide hazards.
Liquefaction
Liquefaction is the loss of soil strength caused by a sudden increase in pore water pressure during
shaking and is one of the most destructive secondary effects of seismic shaking. Liquefaction
occurs primarily in saturated and loose, fine- to medium-grained soils. Liquefaction occurs most often where groundwater lies within 30 feet of the surface, but it may also occur in areas where groundwater is up to 50 feet beneath the surface.
In general, the entire planning area west of Hermosa Avenue may include potentially liquefiable
layers, as shown on Figure 4.5-2. A liquefaction zone is also identified in the southern portion of the planning area near the northeast corner of Monterey Boulevard and Herondo Street.
If groundwater levels in these areas rise to within 30 to 50 feet of the ground surface, the sediments
would have a moderate to high susceptibility for liquefaction. The highest water levels recorded
in Hermosa Beach are measured at 10 feet deep along the coast (DOC 1998). The type of soil present along the city’s coastal area indicates the potential for large liquefiable areas. This area
could become larger as the sea level rises and causes groundwater tables to rise as well. For more
information on sea level rise, please refer to Section 4.8, Hydrology and Water Quality.
Lateral Spreading
Lateral spreading occurs as a result of liquefaction in which a subsurface layer becomes a
liquefied mass, and gravitational and inertial forces cause the mass to move downslope.
Development within landslide or liquefaction zones generally requires additional design
considerations of different construction methods. This type of secondary seismic hazard is not expected to occur, as most of the liquefaction areas in the city are located in relatively flat areas
(City of Hermosa Beach 2014).
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FIGURE 4.5-2
LANDSLIDE AND LIQUEFACTION ZONES
Source: CGS 2010
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Differential Settlement
Differential settlement is a process whereby soils settle non-uniformly, potentially resulting in stress
and damage to structures. Native earth materials in Hermosa Beach are relatively dense and
therefore not prone to seismically induced settlement (City of Hermosa Beach 2014).
SOILS
The California Department of Conservation (DOC) prepared soil maps for the state of California
by US Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle; the planning area lies within the Redondo Beach
quadrangle. The oldest Quaternary geologic unit mapped in the Redondo Beach quadrangle is the Pleistocene San Pedro Formation. The only identified soil substrate mapped in the planning area is Quaternary Older Alluvium (DOC 1998).
Erosion
Soil erosion is a process whereby soil materials are worn away and transported to another area by either wind or water. Rates of erosion can vary depending on the soil material and structure,
placement, and human activity. In the planning area, opportunities for accelerated erosion
include the steepening of slopes, removing ground cover, and other human-induced activities
associated with construction and landscaping.
Expansive Soils
Expansive soils consist largely of clays, which greatly increase in volume when saturated with water
and shrink when dried. It does not appear that expansive clays or soils exhibiting shrink-swell
characteristics underlie the planning area. However, since no citywide soil report exists, expansive and collapsible soils are analyzed on a project-by-project basis.
4.5.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to geology and soils in the planning area. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing aspects of geology and soils that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory framework for geology
and soils is discussed in detail in Appendix C-9. The following summarizes key regulations used to
reduce potential environmental impacts of implementing PLAN Hermosa.
FEDERAL
• Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act: US Congress passed the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act in 1977 to reduce the risks to life and property from future earthquakes in
the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake
hazards reduction program. To accomplish this goal, the act established the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. This program was substantially amended in
November 1990 by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Act, which refined the description of agency responsibilities, program goals, and objectives.
STATE
• Alquist-Priolo Act: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was created to prohibit
the location of structures designed for human occupancy across the traces of active faults (lines of surface rupture), thereby reducing the loss of life and property from an
earthquake. The planning area does not contain Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones
(CGS 2010).
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• Seismic Hazards Mapping Act: The 1990 Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (Public Resources Code Sections 2690–2699.6) addresses hazards such as strong ground shaking,
earthquake-induced landslides, and, in some areas, zones of amplified shaking. The act
established a mapping program for areas that have the potential for liquefaction, landslide, strong ground shaking, or other earthquake and geologic hazards. The California Geological Survey (CGS) is the primary state agency charged with
implementing the act and provides local jurisdictions with the seismic hazard zone maps
that identify areas susceptible to liquefaction, earthquake-induced landslides, and amplified shaking.
• California Building Code (CBC): The California Building Standards Commission is
responsible for coordinating, managing, adopting, and approving building codes in
California. The 2013 CBC became effective on January 1, 2014, and updated all the subsequent codes under the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24 (24 CCR), which
provides minimum standards for building design. The State requires local governments to
adopt Title 24 on a triennial basis. Where no other building codes apply, Chapters 16, 17,
18, 20, and 21 of the 2010 CBC regulate excavation, foundations, and retaining walls.
• California Coastal Act: The California Coastal Act of 1972 created the California Coastal
Commission to enact policies and standards in its coastal development permit decisions.
Among many issues, the Coastal Commission and the coastal development permit
program protect against loss of life and property in the Coastal Zone from coastal hazards, including geologic hazards (Section 30006.5, Public Resources Code, Division 20, California
Coastal Act). Section 30262(5) of the act also provides that “development will not cause
or contribute to subsidence hazards unless it is determined that adequate measures will
be undertaken to prevent damage from such subsidence.”
LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: Chapter 15.36 of the Municipal Code promotes
public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings. The
provisions of the chapter require existing seismically unreinforced buildings to be retrofitted
and provide minimum seismic reinforcement standards for new buildings.
• City of Hermosa Beach Building Requirements: The City requires developers to submit a geotechnical report before starting construction on new buildings. As mentioned above,
groundwater levels under sites located west of Hermosa Avenue can be as shallow as 10
feet from the surface. The geotechnical reports ensure that new developments
appropriately consider and design geological, soil, and seismic safety conditions for each project site.
4.5.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on geology and soils are considered significant if adoption
and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death, involving:
a) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on
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other substantial evidence of a known fault. Refer to California Geological Survey (formerly Division of Mines and Geology) Special Publication 42.
b) Strong seismic ground shaking.
c) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction.
d) Landslides.
2) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil.
3) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a
result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse.
4) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial risks to life or property.
5) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater.
The City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code does not include provisions for new development
with on-site septic systems and there are no existing individual septic systems within the city. Therefore, there would be no impact related to the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. This topic will not be discussed further in this EIR.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The impact analysis of PLAN Hermosa implementation evaluates geological hazards and their
potential to affect future development. The following impact analysis is based on a review of
published information, surveys, and reports regarding regional geology and soils. Information was
obtained from private and governmental agencies and Internet websites, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the California Geological Survey, and the US Geological Survey.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that reduce potential geology and soils impacts include the following:
Policies
Public Safety Element
• 1.1 Evaluate risks. New buildings and infrastructure will evaluate seismic, fire, flood, and coastal storm hazard risks and comply with California Building Code standards to minimize
risk.
• 1.2 Prepare geotechnical reports. Geotechnical reports will be prepared for new
development projects in areas with the potential for liquefaction or landslide.
• 1.9 Facilitate retrofits. Encourage and facilitate retrofits of seismically high-risk buildings.
• 1.10 Consider site-specific soil conditions. Require new structures to consider site-specific
soil conditions.
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Implementation Actions
• SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-date
practices to reduce potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the effects
of grading on the loss of topsoil.
• SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to reduce the need for site-specific soil reports.
• SUSTAINABILITY-18. Where feasible, new development or redevelopment shall be sited and
designed to minimize alteration of natural landforms by conforming to the local
topography; preventing substantial grading or reconfiguration of the project site; requiring that man-made contours mimic natural contours; ensuring that graded slopes blend with
the existing terrain of the site and surrounding areas; and clustering structures to minimize
site disturbance and to minimize development area.
• SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire Code, with appropriate local amendments.
• SAFETY-2. Continue to inventory unreinforced brick masonry, soft-story, and other
seismically vulnerable private buildings. Identify potential funding sources to assist with seismic retrofits.
• SAFETY-3. Enforce seismic design provisions of the current California Building Standards
Code related to geologic, seismic, and slope hazards, with appropriate local
amendments.
• SAFETY-4. For properties identified as possibly containing acidic, expansive, or collapsible
soils, require site-specific soil condition reports and appropriate mitigation as a condition
of new development.
• SAFETY-6. Evaluate the landslide potential of a project site and require implementation of landslide mitigation measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation,
areas prone to landslide are found. Potential landslide mitigation measures include, but
are not limited to the following:
• Avoidance: Developments should be built sufficiently far away from the threat that they will not be affected even if a landslide does occur.
• Reduction: Reduction of landslide hazards should be achieved by increasing the
factor of safety of the landslide area to an acceptable level, based on current
engineering standards and practices. This can be accommodated by eliminating slopes with active/inactive landslides, removing the unstable soil and rock materials, or
applying one or more appropriate slope stabilization methods (such as buttress fills,
subdrains, soil nailing, crib walls, etc.).
• SAFETY-7. Require projects located within the Liquefaction Areas identified in PLAN Hermosa to evaluate the liquefaction potential and require implementation of mitigation
measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation, shallow groundwater
(60 feet or less) and potentially liquefiable soils are found. Potential liquefaction mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, soil densification or compaction, displacement or compaction grouting, and use of post-tensioned slab foundations, piles, or caissons.
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IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.5-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose People or Structures to Substantial Adverse Effects Associated with Fault Rupture and Seismic Hazards? PLAN Hermosa would
provide for and regulate future development and reuse projects in the city, including buildings and structures that would potentially expose people and
structures to seismic hazards. Implementation of existing laws, regulations, and
policies, as outlined in the Regulatory Setting subsection, and PLAN Hermosa
policies would minimize seismic hazards impacts to people and structures to a less than significant level.
As previously discussed, the planning area is located in a seismically active area and could
experience seismic ground shaking and seismic-related ground failure (i.e., liquefaction and
landslides) from earthquakes on active faults. The city is already developed, and people and structures in Hermosa Beach are subject to both existing primary and secondary geological
hazards. To prevent loss of life and property, the City of Hermosa Beach adopted the California
Building Code as outlined in Title 15, Buildings and Construction, of the City’s Municipal Code.
The current adopted CBC includes design criteria for seismic loading and other geologic hazards,
including design criteria for geologically induced loading from geological hazards. While shaking
impacts could be potentially damaging, they would also be reduced in their impacts due to CBC
criteria that recognize this potential. The CBC includes provisions for buildings to structurally survive an earthquake without collapsing and includes measures such as anchoring to the foundation and structural frame design. Additionally, Chapter 15.36 of the City’s Municipal Code requires
existing seismically unreinforced buildings to be retrofitted. This requirement would apply to infill
development or redevelopment that would reuse existing buildings considered “high risk buildings” (as defined in Municipal Code Section 15.36.030) that have at least one unreinforced masonry bearing wall (Section 15.36.020).
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would further protect people and structures
from risks associated with seismic-related hazards. For instance, Public Safety Element Policy 1.1 would require that all new buildings and infrastructure be evaluated for seismic hazard risks, while
Policy 1.2 requires geotechnical reports be prepared for new development projects in areas with
the potential for liquefaction or landslides. Additionally, implementation actions SAFETY-6 and
SAFETY-7 require that future project sites be evaluated for landslide and liquefaction potential. The site-specific geotechnical investigations and actions SAFETY-6 and SAFETY-7 would ensure that
proposed buildings developed under PLAN Hermosa are properly designed to address these
constraints.
Thus, while PLAN Hermosa would result in the exposure of people to dangers associated with earthquakes, applicable building standards and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would minimize these dangers. The plan would not increase the potential
for seismic activity or the inherent risks that come with living in a seismically active region. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.5-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Result in Substantial Soil Erosion or Loss of Topsoil? PLAN
Hermosa would provide for and regulate future development and reuse projects in the city, which would entail ground-disturbing activities that could lead to soil
loss. Compliance with existing policies regarding soil erosion and implementation
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of PLAN Hermosa policies would minimize impacts associated with erosion and loss of topsoil. This impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa implementation could result in actions that would require soil-disturbing activities
such as grading, hillside construction, and other activities that could accelerate soil erosion and
expose topsoil. Landscaping activities could also result in soil exposure and limited soil erosion.
However, all construction activities would be required to comply with CBC Chapter 70 standards,
which would ensure implementation of appropriate measures during soil-disturbing activities to
reduce erosion. Project construction would also comply with City Municipal Code grading and erosion standards, as outlined in Chapter 8.44, Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Regulations.
PLAN Hermosa implementation actions SUSTAINABILITY-16 and SAFETY-1 would further reduce
erosion associated with future construction by requiring the City to update both the Municipal
Code and the building code to reflect the most up-to-date practices for soil erosion prevention.
Additionally, development involving clearing, grading, or excavation that causes soil disturbance
of 1 or more acres, or a project involving less than 1 acre that is part of a larger development plan
and includes clearing, grading, or excavation, is subject to provisions of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) State General Permit (Order No. 2009-0009), as discussed in Section 4.8, Hydrology and Water Quality. Any development of this size in the planning area would
be required to prepare and comply with an approved stormwater pollution prevention plan
(SWPPP). The SWPPP considers the full range of erosion control best management practices,
including any additional site-specific and seasonal conditions. Such existing requirements would significantly reduce the potential for substantial erosion or topsoil loss to occur in association with
new development.
Since erosion impacts are often dependent on the type of development, intensity of
development, and amount of lot coverage of a particular project site, impacts can vary. However, compliance with existing standards and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would
minimize the potential for soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.5-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Locate Structures on Unstable and Expansive Soils? PLAN
Hermosa would provide for and regulate future development and reuse projects
in the city. Because Hermosa Beach has a low potential for expansive soils and PLAN Hermosa contains policies to minimize development in areas with unstable or expansive soils, this impact would be less than significant.
As discussed above, it does not appear that expansive clays or soils exhibiting shrink-swell
characteristics are present in the planning area. As such, the potential for exposure to these types of hazards from implementation of PLAN Hermosa would be low.
Additionally, the CBC and other related construction standards apply seismic requirements and
address certain grading activities. The CBC includes common engineering practices requiring special design and construction methods that reduce or eliminate potential expansive soil-related
impacts. These methods can include overexcavation of foundations, import of more stable
material, positive drainage systems, or changes in structure design to mitigate for unstable soils.
Compliance with CBC regulations would ensure the adequate design and construction of building foundations to resist soil movement.
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PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element implementation action SUSTAINABILITY-17 would require the City to develop a citywide screening tool to identify areas in which site-specific soil conditions
reports may be needed. Such reports also include specific engineering design methods for
construction in areas with these types of soils if necessary. Further, implementation action SAFETY-4 requires new structures to consider site-specific soil conditions. These measures would further reduce the potential for loss of life from development on expansive or unstable soils.
Development under PLAN Hermosa would be designed and constructed in accordance with
applicable engineering standards and local policies that address soil stability. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Site-specific topography, soil conditions, and surrounding development determine geological
and soil-related impacts, which generally are not considered cumulative in nature. For example,
seismic events may damage or destroy a building, but the development of a new building would
not cause other areas to be more susceptible to seismic hazards. However, erosion and sediment deposition can be cumulative in nature, depending on the type and amount of development
proposed in a given geographical area. The cumulative setting for soil erosion consists of existing,
planned, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable land use conditions in Hermosa Beach and the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG) planning area.
IMPACT 4.5-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Geologic and Soil Hazards Impacts? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in addition to other existing,
planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development
projects in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, may result in cumulative soil
erosion impacts. However, compliance with existing regulations intended to
reduce soil erosion during construction would reduce this impact to less than cumulatively considerable.
PLAN Hermosa’s intent is to minimize soil erosion through implementation of new policies and
continued strengthening of existing policies. As discussed above, adoption and implementation
of PLAN Hermosa would not lead to substantial soil erosion or topsoil loss. It would also not result in
any changes to existing federal, state, and city policies and standards regulating soil erosion. As such, compliance with existing City policies and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would offset Hermosa Beach’s contribution to cumulative soil erosion impacts.
Further, new development in the region would have to abide by CBC regulations. Additionally,
and as described above, all development involving clearing, grading, or excavation that causes soil disturbance of 1 or more acres, or any project involving less than 1 acre that is part of a larger
development plan and includes clearing, grading, or excavation, would be subject to the State
General Permit and would be required to prepare and implement an approved SWPPP
containing erosion control measures.
Because policies and programs included in PLAN Hermosa and existing federal and state
regulations would reduce the potential for soil erosion and loss of topsoil, cumulative impacts
would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.5.5 REFERENCES
Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services). 2013. 2013 State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Accessed February 2014.
http://hazardmitigation.calema.ca.gov/docs/SHMP_Final_2013.pdf.
CGS (California Geological Survey). 1978. Fault Evaluation Report FER-43.
———. 1998. Seismic Hazard Report for the Redondo Beach 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Los Angeles
County, California.
———. 2002. Note 32, How Earthquakes and Their Effects Are Measured. Sacramento: CGS.
———. 2010. Online Website Fault Maps and Special Publication 42, Alquist-Priolo Earthquake
Fault Zones. Accessed November 2015.
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/sp/Sp42.pdf.
———. 2015. Regulatory Maps. Accessed November 2015. http://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/informationwarehouse/index.html?map=regulatory
maps.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2014. E&B Oil Drilling & Production Project Final Environmental Impact
Report. http://www.hermosabch.org/ftp/oil_docs/FEIR%20Hermosa%20beach%20Oil%20Project_
All%20Sections.pdf.
DOC (California Department of Conservation). 1998. Seismic Hazard Zone Report for the
Redondo Beach 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Los Angeles County, California. Accessed
February 2014.
http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/download/quad/REDONDO_BEACH/reports/redob_ev
al.pdf.
———. 1999. State of California Seismic Hazard Zones Redondo Beach Quadrangle Official Map.
Accessed February 2014.
http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/download/quad/REDONDO_BEACH/maps/ozn_redob.
pdf.
Los Angeles RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region). 1995. Water
Quality Control Plan, Los Angeles Region. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb4
/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/electronics_documents/bp1_introduction.pdf.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. 2014. Significant Earthquakes and Faults, Chronological Earthquake Index, Long Beach Earthquake. Accessed February 2014.
http://www.data.scec.org/significant/longbeach1933.html.
USGS (US Geological Survey). 1981. Redondo Beach Quadrangle Topographic Map. Accessed January 2014. http://www.archive.org/download/usgs_drg_ca_33118_g4/o33118g4.tif.
———. 2013a. Earthquake Hazards Program, Banded Deaggregations. Accessed January 2014.
http://eqint.cr.usgs.gov/deaggband/2002/index.php.
———. 2013b. Magnitude Intensity Comparison. Accessed January 2014. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php.
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4.6.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section discusses PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and the associated effects of climate change. Policies contained in the Land Use + Design,
Mobility, Sustainability + Conservation, Parks + Open Space, and Infrastructure elements of PLAN Hermosa are intended to reduce the contribution of GHG emissions in Hermosa Beach from both
community activities and municipal operations. The reader is referred to Section 4.2, Air Quality,
for a discussion of project impacts associated with air quality.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) related to GHG emissions. Comments included written letters and oral comments provided at the
NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource chapter is based on numerous sources, including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (TBR), the Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan, the Hermosa Beach Carbon Neutral Scoping Plan, the 2015 City of Hermosa
Beach GHG Inventory, Forecasting, Target-Setting Report for an Energy Efficiency Climate Action
Plan, the Community Carbon Planning Tool, and other publicly available documents. The TBR is
attached as Appendix C-5.
4.6.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Various gases in the earth’s atmosphere, classified as atmospheric GHGs, play a critical role in
determining the earth’s surface temperature. Solar radiation enters the earth’s atmosphere from space and a portion of the radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface. The earth emits this
radiation back toward space, but the properties of the radiation change from high-frequency
solar radiation to lower-frequency infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases, which are transparent to solar radiation, are effective in absorbing infrared radiation. As a result, the radiation that otherwise would have escaped back into space is now retained, resulting in a warming of the
atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect. Among the prominent GHGs contributing to
the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Each GHG differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere based on the lifetime, or persistence, of the gas molecule in the atmosphere. Methane traps over 21 times more heat per
molecule than CO2, and N2O absorbs 310 times more heat per molecule than CO2. Often,
estimates of GHG emissions are presented in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), which weigh each gas by its global warming potential. Expressing GHG emissions in CO2e takes the contribution
of all GHG emissions to the greenhouse effect and converts them to a single unit equivalent to
the effect that would occur if only CO2 were being emitted.
According to the California Association of Environmental Professionals (2015) Beyond 2020 whitepaper, scientific studies have demonstrated a causative relation between increasing man-
made GHG emissions and a long-term trend in increasing global average temperatures. This
conclusion is the consensus of the vast majority of climate scientists who publish in the field. The
effects of past increases in temperature on the climate and the earth’s resources are well documented in the scientific literature, which is best summarized in the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change’s (IPCC) periodic reports, the latest of which is the Fifth Assessment Report,
released in 2014.
The IPCC’s work to model and evaluate future climatic conditions indicates that if GHG emissions to continue to increase at current rates, there will be substantial adverse effects to both humans
and the natural environment. Many scientific bodies around the world have concluded that
avoiding the most severe outcomes of climate change will require keeping global average temperatures to rising no more than two degrees Celsius by the end of the century and limiting
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carbon dioxide emissions to below 450 parts per million (IPCC 2014). In order to limit global temperature increases to two degrees Celsius, the IPCC and organizations like the Union of
Concerned Scientists have indicated that the United States and other developed countries would
need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions anywhere from 78 to 95 percent below 1990 levels, with most organizations identifying an approximately 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050 to provide stabilization at the two degree Celsius threshold (IPCC 2014).
Although the State of California has taken action through legislation and executive orders to curb
the generation or release of additional greenhouse gas emissions, the state still faces intensifying impacts of climate change in coming decades, as a result of emissions already released into the atmosphere (CNRA 2009a). The California Climate Adaptation Strategy indicates that California
should expect overall hotter and drier conditions, with a continued reduction in winter snow (with
concurrent increases in winter rains), as well as increased average temperatures and accelerating sea level rise. In addition to changes in average temperatures, sea level, and precipitation patterns, the intensity of extreme weather events is also changing (CNRA 2009a).
Climate change temperature projections identified in the 2009 California Climate Adaptation
Strategy suggest the following:
• Average temperature increase is expected to be more pronounced in the summer than
in the winter season.
• Inland areas are likely to experience more pronounced warming than coastal regions.
• Heat waves are expected to increase in frequency, with individual heat waves also showing a tendency toward becoming longer and extending over a larger area, thus
more likely to encompass multiple population centers in California at the same time.
• Because GHGs remain in the atmosphere for decades, temperature changes over the
next 30 to 40 years are already largely determined by past emissions. By 2050, temperatures are projected to increase by an additional 1.8 to 5.4°F [degrees Fahrenheit]
(an increase one to three times as large as that which occurred over the entire twentieth
century).
• By 2100, the models project temperature increases between 3.6 and 9°F. (CNRA 2009a)
According to the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, the impacts of climate change in
California have the potential to include but are not limited to the areas discussed in Table 4.6-1 (Potential Statewide Impacts from Climate Change).
TABLE 4.6-1
POTENTIAL STATEWIDE IMPACTS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE
Potential
Statewide Impact Description
Public Health
Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in ambient (i.e., outdoor) average air
temperature, with greater increases expected in summer. Larger temperature increases are
anticipated in inland communities as compared to the California coast. The potential health
impacts from sustained and significantly higher than average temperatures include heat stroke,
heat exhaustion, and the exacerbation of existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular
and respiratory diseases, diabetes, nervous system disorders, emphysema, and epilepsy.
Numerous studies have indicated that there are generally more deaths during periods of
sustained higher temperatures. The elderly, infants, and socially isolated people with pre-
existing illnesses who lack access to air conditioning or cooling spaces are among the most at
risk during heat waves.
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Potential
Statewide Impact Description
Floods and Droughts
The impacts of flooding may include population displacement, severe psychosocial stress with
resulting mental health impacts, exacerbation of pre-existing chronic conditions, and infectious
disease. Additionally, impacts can range from a loss of personal belongings, and the emotional
ramifications from such loss, to direct injury and/or mortality.
Drinking water contamination outbreaks in the United States are associated with extreme
precipitation events. Runoff from rainfall is also associated with coastal contamination that can
lead to contamination of shellfish and contribute to food-borne illness. Floodwaters may
contain household, industrial, and agricultural chemicals, as well as sewage and animal waste.
Flooding and heavy rainfall events can wash pathogens and chemicals from contaminated
soils, farms, and streets into drinking water supplies. Flooding may also overload storm and
wastewater systems, or flood septic systems, also leading to possible contamination of drinking
water systems.
Drought impacts develop more slowly over time. Risks to public health that Californians may
face from drought include impacts on water supply and quality, food production (both
agricultural and commercial fisheries), and risks of waterborne illness. As surface water
supplies are reduced as a result of drought conditions, the amount of groundwater pumping is
expected to increase to make up for the water shortfall. The increase in groundwater pumping
has the potential to lower the water tables and cause land subsidence. Communities that utilize
well water will be adversely affected by drops in water tables or through changes in water
quality. Groundwater supplies have higher levels of total dissolved solids compared to surface
waters. This introduces a set of effects for consumers, such as repair and maintenance costs
associated with mineral deposits in water heaters and other plumbing fixtures, and on public
water system infrastructure designed for lower salinity surface water supplies. Drought may
also lead to increased concentration of contaminants in drinking water supplies.
Water Resources
The state’s water supply system already faces challenges to provide water for California’s
growing population. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these challenges through
increased temperatures and possible changes in precipitation patterns. The trends of the last
century, especially increases in hydrologic variability, will likely intensify in this century. The
state can expect to experience more frequent and larger floods and deeper droughts. Rising
sea level will threaten the Delta water conveyance system and increase salinity in near-coastal
groundwater supplies.
Forests and
Landscapes
Global climate change has the potential to intensify the current threat to forests and landscapes
by increasing the risk of wildfire and altering the distribution and character of natural
vegetation. If temperatures rise into the medium warming range, wildfire occurrence statewide
could increase from 57 to 169 percent by 2085. However, since wildfire risk is determined by
a combination of factors, including precipitation, winds, temperature, and landscape and
vegetation conditions, future risks will not be uniform throughout the state.
Source: CNRA 2009a
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Global and US Emissions
Global emissions have continued to increase nearly every year since 2000, reaching 34.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) in 2012. The six largest emitting
countries/regions were China (29 percent), the United States (15 percent), the European Union
(11 percent), India (6 percent), the Russian Federation (5 percent), and Japan (2 percent) (PBL
Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 2013).
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in March 2015 the
monthly global average carbon dioxide concentration surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for
the first time since tracking was initiated (NOAA 2015). This is considered a significant milestone, as
it shows that humans burning fossil fuels have caused global carbon dioxide concentrations to rise
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more than 120 ppm since pre-industrial times around the year 1800 (NOAA 2015). Half of this rise has occurred since 1980. By February 2016, the monthly average had risen to 404.02 ppm (NOAA
2016).
Recent assessments annual GHG emissions in the United States indicate that in 2014 emissions
increased approximately 1 percent since 2013 to 6.8 billion MTCO2e. While the 1 percent increase
is attributed to increased fuel use and miles traveled, it still represents an approximately 9 percent
decrease in emissions from 2005 levels (EPA 2016).
California Emissions
California produced 441 million metric tons of CO2e (MMTCO2e) in 2014 (CARB 2016), representing nearly 7 percent of all US emissions and 2 percent of global emissions. In 2014, the consumption of
fossil fuels in the transportation sector was the single largest source of GHG emissions in California,
accounting for 37 percent of total GHG emissions in the state (CARB 2016). This category was followed by the industrial sector (24 percent) and the electric power sector, including both in-state and out-of-state sources (20 percent) (CARB 2016).
FIGURE 4.6-1
CALIFORNIA GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SECTOR, 2014
Source: CARB 2015
In 2014, total greenhouse gas emissions were 441.5 MMTCO2e, representing an overall decrease
of 9.4 percent since peak levels in 2004. During the 2000 to 2014 period, per capita GHG emissions in California continued to drop from a peak in 2001 of 13.9 MTCO2e per person to 11.4 MTCO2e
per person in 2014, an 18 percent decrease (CARB 2016). To curb statewide emissions, the State
of California has taken numerous legislative actions, described in the Regulatory Setting
subsection, and implemented several incentive-based programs to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions over the last 10 years.
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FIGURE 4.6-2
CALIFORNIA GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, 2000–2014
Source: CARB 2014a
The City of Hermosa Beach, working in conjunction with the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments, prepared greenhouse gas inventories for 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012 (City of Hermosa Beach 2015a). The inventories estimate emissions for on-road transportation, off-road
equipment, residential and commercial energy use, solid waste generation, and water and
wastewater emissions. The inventories were prepared consistent with industry protocols including
the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the Local Government Operations Protocol, and the California Association of Environmental Professionals whitepapers on inventorying, forecasting, and setting targets for GHG emissions.
Transportation sector emissions are the result of gasoline and diesel combustion in vehicles
traveling to, from, or within Hermosa Beach, but exclude emissions associated with vehicles that pass through the city without stopping (City of Hermosa Beach 2015b). Residential and
commercial energy use calculates the emissions generated by electricity and natural gas
consumed by residences and commercial businesses within Hermosa Beach, while solid waste
emissions are based on the amount of waste disposed in landfills, where it decomposes and generates methane. Finally, water and wastewater emissions are calculated by determining the
energy needed to extract, transport, treat, and dispose of the water resources consumed by the
community.
Table 4.6-2 (Hermosa Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012) illustrates Hermosa Beach’s GHG inventory for the years 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012. In 2005,
Hermosa Beach generated approximately 137,160 metric tons of CO2e. On-road transportation,
at 73,567 metric tons of CO2e, represented the largest share of emissions at 54 percent. In 2007, the city generated approximately 132,768 metric tons of CO2e, a 3.2 percent decrease from the total emissions in 2005. This decrease was attributed to fewer emissions from all emission categories.
By 2012, the city had a reduction in emissions of 7.7 percent from the 2005 inventory, with emissions
decreasing in most sectors. Between 2005 and 2012, the wastewater sector observed a small increase in emissions and the residential energy sector saw a nearly 5 percent increase in emissions.
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TABLE 4.6-2
HERMOSA BEACH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SECTOR, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012
Sector 2005
(MTCO2e)
% of
Total
2007
(MTCO2e)
% of
Total
2010
(MTCO2e)
% of
Total
2012
(MTCO2e)
% of
Total
On-Road Transportation 73,567 54% 71,863 54% 70,277 55% 68,235 54%
Residential Energy 32,293 24% 31,964 24% 32,700 26% 33,808 27%
Commercial Energy 20,280 15% 19,792 15% 18,372 14% 17,830 14%
Solid Waste 6,015 4% 4,584 3% 3,510 3% 3,334 3%
Water 4,065 3% 3,942 3% 2,552 2% 2,600 2%
Off-road Sources 888 1% 588 <1% 419 <1% 745 <1%
Wastewater 52 <1% 35 <1% 59 <1% 59 <1%
Total 137,160 132,768 127,889 126,611
Change from 2005 -3.2% -6.8% -7.7%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015b
On a per capita basis, the Hermosa Beach community generated 6.4 MTCO2e per year per resident in 2012, based on California Department of Finance estimates of 19,699 residents in 2012.
The per capita estimates are lower than the California average of 11.9 MTCO2e per resident in
2014.
4.6.3 REGULATORY SETTING
State and local laws, regulations, and policies provide a regulatory framework for addressing GHG
emissions under PLAN Hermosa. Key laws, regulations, and policies helping to reduce local
emissions are summarized below.
STATE
• The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill [AB] 32 and Senate Bill [SB] 32): AB 32 is the primary legislation that has driven GHG regulation and analysis in California between 2006 and 2016, by instructing the California Air Resource Board (CARB)
to develop and enforce regulations for the reporting and verifying of statewide GHG
emissions. The heart of the bill is the requirement that statewide GHG emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. Based on CARB’s calculations of emissions levels, California must reduce GHG emissions by approximately 15 percent below 2005 levels to achieve this
goal. In September 2016, the Governor signed SB 32, which builds upon the statewide
targets for 2020 by establishing a longer-term target so that “statewide greenhouse gas
emissions are reduced to 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030.” The bill further
authorized CARB to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible
and cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
• California Executive Orders S-3-05 (2005) and B-30-15 (2015): These two executive orders highlight longer-term GHG emissions reduction targets for the state, though such targets have not yet been adopted by the legislature and signed into law. Specifically, Executive
Order (EO) S-3-05 seeks to achieve a reduction of GHG emissions of 80 percent below 1990
levels by 2050, consistent with the scientific consensus that developed regions will need to reduce emissions at least 80 percent below 1990 levels to limit global warming to two
degrees Celsius. Executive Order B-30-15 seeks to establish an interim target, between the
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2020 target established through AB 32 and the long-term targets in EO S-3-05, to achieve a reduction of GHG emissions of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
• CEQA and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Senate Bill 97): In 2007, the Natural Resources
Agency was directed by the legislature to prepare amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, providing direction to lead agencies on how to analyze and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Governor’s
Office of Planning and Research, the amendments adopted in 2009 to the CEQA
Guidelines helped to clarify the following:
1) Lead agencies must analyze the greenhouse gas emissions of proposed projects and
must reach a conclusion regarding the significance of those emissions. (See CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.4.)
2) When a project’s greenhouse gas emissions may be significant, lead agencies must consider a range of potential mitigation measures to reduce those emissions. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(c).)
3) Lead agencies must analyze potentially significant impacts associated with placing
projects in hazardous locations, including locations potentially affected by climate change. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(a).)
4) Lead agencies may significantly streamline the analysis of greenhouse gases on a
project level by using a programmatic greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan
meeting certain criteria. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b).)
5) CEQA mandates analysis of a proposed project’s potential energy use (including
transportation-related energy), sources of energy supply, and ways to reduce energy
demand, including through the use of efficient transportation alternatives. (See CEQA
Guidelines Appendix F.)
These amendments essentially provided two pathways for lead agencies to conduct GHG
emissions analysis: (1) individually analyze and mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions generated
by any project subject to CEQA, or (2) develop, at the programmatic level, a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy and require each project to demonstrate that the project is consistent with the strategy. The amendments to the CEQA Guidelines additionally outlined the components
required for a public agency’s GHG emissions reduction strategy in order to be deemed qualified.
The requirements for a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy should:
• Quantify greenhouse gas emissions, both existing and projected over a specified time
period, resulting from activities within a defined geographic area.
• Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable.
• Identify and analyze the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from specific actions or
categories of actions anticipated within the geographic area.
• Specify measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project-by-project basis, would
collectively achieve the specified emissions level.
• Establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’s progress toward achieving the level and to
require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels.
• Be adopted in a public process following environmental review.
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Rather than a state or regional agency determining whether a public agency’s GHG reduction plan meets the requirements to be deemed qualified, to date, the responsibility has remained
with each individual agency to demonstrate how its GHG reduction plan fulfills each component
of the requirements. The City of Hermosa Beach anticipates that PLAN Hermosa, in conjunction with this Environmental Impact Report, is designed to meet the intent of a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy and will elaborate how these documents are consistent with each
component of the CEQA Guidelines under the discussion related to Impact 4.6-2.
LOCAL
• South Coast Air Management District (SCAQMD). To provide guidance to local lead
agencies on determining the significance of greenhouse gas emissions in CEQA
documents, SCAQMD staff is in the process of developing significance thresholds for
criteria air pollutants and GHGs relative to general plans. A SCAQMD Working Group has proposed several possible thresholds, including thresholds for analysis of general plan
impacts. On September 28, 2010, SCAQMD Working Group Meeting #15 considered use
of a metric ton per service population metric as a threshold for plan-level analysis, though it has not adopted any thresholds for the land use sector to date. The first threshold corresponds to a 2020 service population metric of 6.6 metric tons of CO2e per service
population (residents plus employees) per year. The second proposed threshold is a 2035
service population metric of 4.1 metric tons of CO2e per service population per year. These
efficiency thresholds were developed based on the statewide GHG inventory and
statewide emission reduction goals of AB 32.
• Hermosa Beach 2011 Sustainability Plan. The City is involved in a number of efforts to
reduce GHG emissions. The City Council adopted the first Sustainability Plan for Hermosa Beach in 2011. The Sustainability Plan describes community and municipal GHG emissions,
compares future emissions to the AB 32 emissions reduction target (15 percent below 2005
levels), and outlines a series of strategies and actions to reduce GHG emissions. The
strategies address emissions from building energy (commercial, residential, and municipal), transportation, solid waste, and water consumption, determining that the suite
of programs could reasonably reduce emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels. Although
the Sustainability Plan qualitatively compared future emissions to the AB 32 emissions
reduction target, it did not adopt targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
• Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan. In 2015, the City of Hermosa Beach codified a local goal
to become a carbon neutral municipal organization no later than 2020 through adoption
of the Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan. This plan sets the City up to demonstrate
environmental leadership at the municipal level and identifies carbon reduction programs and initiatives to achieve the carbon neutral goal. By setting an aggressive municipal goal,
the City hopes to set an example to the Hermosa Beach community and to other
communities in the region to take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the degree of catastrophic impacts that climate change could have in the future.
4.6.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions. This analysis uses the information provided in the
2015 City of Hermosa Beach GHG Inventory, Forecasting, Target-Setting Report for an Energy
Efficiency Climate Action Plan (2015 GHG Inventory Report) and the local growth projections determined based on available land capacity (see Chapter 3.0, Project Description) as the basis
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
for projecting future GHG emissions in the city, as well as the Carbon Planning Tool developed to evaluate the GHG reduction potential of various policies.
As mentioned in the Environmental Setting subsection, the inventories were prepared consistent
with industry protocols, including the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the Local Government Operations Protocol, and the California
Association of Environmental Professionals whitepapers on inventorying, forecasting, and setting
targets for GHG emissions.
The Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool is an Excel-based tool built to estimate the effectiveness of implementing various programs on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the
associated costs and benefits from implementing measures. The tool includes data and
information specific to Hermosa Beach regarding energy consumption, travel patterns, and
building stock and relies on best practices such as the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures to outline the
assumptions and methods for calculating the greenhouse gas reduction potential of various
implementation measures. The Carbon Planning Tool includes the links and sources used for each
data point and assumptions used to calculate emissions reductions.
Draft PLAN Hermosa Policies and Implementation Actions
Understanding that over 50 percent of the community’s GHG emissions come from transportation,
the City proposes a land use plan that allows for more office space (more professional jobs in
town) to reduce commute dependence, more community-serving retail dispersed more evenly throughout the community to reduce the length of trips or dependence on automobiles for local
trips, a wide variety of transportation system improvements to provide safe walking, bicycling, and
transit, and green infrastructure options. Additionally, the City proposes to reduce the carbon
intensity from energy consumption by increasing the amount of renewable energy generated and by implementing efficiency and conservation programs to reduce the amount of energy
consumed. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that reduce potential GHG-
related impacts include the following:
Policies
Transportation
Governance Element
• 4.4 Regional transportation and infrastructure decisions. Actively support regional
transportation and infrastructure projects and investment decisions that benefit the City and the region.
• 6.4 Jobs-housing balance. Strive to improve the jobs-housing balance in the city by
actively pursuing employment uses that match the skill and educational levels of existing
and future residents.
Land Use + Design Element
• Land Use Designations – The range and diversity of uses allowed within each land use
designation plays a role in the number of trips a use generates and the mode of
transportation chosen to make that trip. The more diversity in uses (between commercial, office/professional, residential, etc.) in a given area, combined with a safe transportation
network, results in shorter trips that can be made by driving, walking, biking, or transit.
• 1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern of
existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing for enhancement
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and transformation of corridors and districts in order to improve community activity and identity.
• 1.2 Focused infill potential. Proposals for new development should be directed toward the
city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive land use mixes.
• 1.3 Access to daily activities. Strive to create sustainable development patterns such that the majority of residents are within one-half mile walking distance to a variety of
neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants, churches, cafes, dry
cleaners, laundry mats, farmers’ markets, banks, personal services, pharmacies and similar
uses.
• 1.4 Diverse commercial areas. Promote the development of diversified and unique
commercial districts with locally owned businesses and job- or revenue-generating uses.
• 4.2 Employment centers. Encourage the development and co-location of additional office space and employment centers along corridors.
• 4.7 Access to transit. Support the location of transit stations and enhanced stops near the
intersection of Aviation Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway, and adjacent to Gateway
Commercial uses to facilitate and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips and allow residents without private vehicles to access services.
• 4.10 Pedestrian access. For all new development, encourage pedestrian access, and
create strong building entries that are primarily oriented to the street.
• 6.2 Streetscaping. Proactively beautify existing streetscapes with street trees, landscaping and pedestrian-scaled lighting.
• 6.3 Green infrastructure network. Establish an interconnected green infrastructure network
throughout Hermosa Beach that serves as a network for active transportation, recreation
and scenic beauty and connects all areas of the city. In particular, connections should be made between the beach, parks, the Downtown, neighborhoods, and other destinations
within the city. Consider the following components when designing and implementing the
green/open space network:
− Preserved open space areas such as the beach and the Greenbelt;
− Living streets with significant landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle amenities; and
− Community and neighborhood parks, and schools.
• 6.5 Provision of sidewalks. Encourage pedestrian-friendly sidewalks on both sides of streets
in neighborhoods.
• 6.7 Pedestrian-oriented design. Eliminate urban form conditions that reduce walkability by
discouraging surface parking and parking structures along walkways, long blank walls
along walkways, and garage-dominated building facades.
• 6.8 Balance pedestrian/vehicular circulation. Require vehicle parking design to consider pedestrian circulation. Require the following of all new development along corridors:
− Where parking lots front the street, the City will work with existing property owners to
add landscaping between the parking lot and the street.
− Parking lots should be landscaped to create an attractive pedestrian environment and
reduce the impact of heat islands.
− The number of curb cuts and other intrusions of vehicles across sidewalks should be
minimized.
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− When shared parking supply options are not available, encourage connections between parking lots on adjacent sites.
− Above-ground parking structures should be designed according to the same urban
design principles as other buildings.
− Encourage the use of systems to increase parking lot efficiency, such as mechanical lift systems or occupancy sensors.
• 9.1 Ocean-based energy resources. Encourage and support research and responsible
development of renewable ocean-based energy sources. Renewable energy sources appropriate to Hermosa Beach shall be limited to wave, tidal, solar, and wind sources that
meet the region’s and state’s need for affordable sources of renewable energy.
• 9.2 Renewable energy facilities. To reduce or avoid conflicts, communicate and
collaborate with affected ocean users, coastal residents and businesses, and applicants seeking state or federal authorization for the siting, development, and operation of
renewable energy facilities.
• 9.3 Ecosystem preservation. Ensure that any future proposed offshore facilities do not have
unacceptable adverse effects on the integrity, stability, and complexity of the marine ecosystem, important marine habitat, and areas important to fisheries, navigation,
recreation, and aesthetic enjoyment.
• 9.5 Reclamation. Require renewable energy facility operations to restore the natural
characteristics of a site to the extent practicable when a project is decommissioned and removed.
• 13.3 Fresh food offerings. Encourage the continuation and expansion of fresh food
offerings including farmers’ markets, community gardens, and edible landscapes in
Hermosa Beach.
Mobility Element
• 1.1 Consider all modes. Require the planning, design, and construction of all new and
existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe,
livable and inviting environments for all users of the system.
• 1.5 Require improvements. Require new development to provide or pay its share of
transportation and infrastructure improvements including any sidewalk improvements,
landscaping, bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming, and public realm improvements.
• 2.5 Require sustainable practices. Incorporate environmental sustainability practices into designs and strategic management of road space and public right-of-ways, prioritizing
practices that can serve dual infrastructure purposes.
• 3.2 Invest in sidewalks. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a
complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
• 3.3 Active transportation. Require that all development or redevelopment projects
accommodate active transportation through providing on-site amenities, necessary connections to existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks, and incorporate people-oriented design practices.
• 3.4 Access opportunities. Provide enhanced mobility and access opportunities for local
transportation and transit services in areas of the city with sufficient density and intensity of uses, mix of appropriate uses, and supportive bicycle and pedestrian network connections
that can reduce vehicle trips within the city’s busiest corridors.
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• 3.5 Incentivize other modes. Incentivize local shuttle/trolley services, rideshare and car share programs, and developing infrastructure that support low speed, low carbon (e.g.
electric) vehicles.
• 3.6 Complete bicycle network. Provide a complete bicycle network along all designated roadways while creating connections to other modes of travel including walking and transit.
• 4.1 Shared parking. Facilitate park-once and shared parking policies among private
developments that contribute to a shared parking supply and interconnect with adjacent
parking facilities.
• 4.4 Provision of subsidized parking. Ensure the provision of subsidized on-street residential
parking is limited to residences which cannot provide adequate parking on-site.
• 4.5 Sufficient bicycle parking. Require a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be provided in conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private developments.
• 4.6 Priority parking. Provide priority parking and charging stations to accommodate the
use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including smaller short-distance neighborhood electric vehicles.
• 4.9 Encourage TDM strategies. Encourage use of Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) strategies and programs such as carpooling, ride hailing, and alternative
transportation modes as a way to reduce demand for additional parking supply.
• 5.1 Prioritize development of infrastructure. Prioritize the development of roadway and
parking infrastructure that encourages private electric and other low carbon vehicle
ownership and use throughout the city.
• 5.2 Local transit system. Develop a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport of residents, hotel guests, and beachgoers between activity centers, and to Downtown
businesses and the beach.
• 5.3 Incentivize TDM strategies. Incentivize the use of Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) strategies as a cost effective method for maximizing existing transportation infrastructure to accommodate mobility demands without significant expansion to
infrastructure.
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use features in development
projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development that
supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative
modes.
• 6.1 Regional network. Work with government agencies and private sector companies to develop a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network that connects the community to surrounding cities.
• 6.3 Support programs. Facilitate greater local and regional mobility through programs for
shared equipment or transportation options such as car sharing and bike sharing.
• 6.6 Greater utilization. Consider exploring opportunities for greater utilization of the Beach
Cities Transit system for improved mobility along major corridors and as a potential means
of improved regional transit connections.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation
investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic
opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
• 3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger
vehicles.
• 3.3 Fuel efficient fleets. Promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as
construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide cleaner fleets.
Parks + Open Space Element
• 4.2 Enhanced access points. Increase and enhance access to parks and open space,
particularly access points that promote physical activity such as pedestrian- and bike-oriented access points.
• 4.3 Safe and efficient trail network. Develop a network of safe and efficient trails, streets,
and paths that connect residents, visitors, and neighboring communities to the beach, parks, and activity centers.
• 6.4 Transit access. Coordinate with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to
improve regional and local transit access to beach access points.
• 6.5 Bicycle and pedestrian access. Maximize bicycle and pedestrian access and safety
getting to and around the Coastal Zone through infrastructure and wayfinding
improvements.
• 6.12 Complete South Bay Bike Master Plan. Prioritize completion of proposed South Bay
Bike Master Plan improvements in the Coastal Zone that connect to other bike routes and paths throughout the city and to the surrounding region.
Infrastructure Element
• 2.4 Sidewalk improvements. Consider innovative funding strategies, such as cost-sharing,
ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to improve the overall condition, safety, and accessibility of sidewalks.
• 2.5 Active transportation dedications. Require new development and redevelopment
projects to provide land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active
transportation, such as sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops.
• 2.6 Traffic signal coordination. Maintain and operate the traffic signal system with
advanced technologies to manage traffic operations and maintain traffic signal
infrastructure.
Energy Consumption
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 4.1 Renewable energy generation. Require, promote, and facilitate the installation of
renewable energy projects on homes and businesses.
• 4.2 Building energy disclosure. Require large buildings to report their energy and water use on a regular basis.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
• 4.3 Retrofit program. Provide an energy retrofit program to assist home and building owners to make efficiency improvements.
• 4.4 Rental efficiency. Adopt a financing program to incentivize rental efficiency retrofits,
such as green leasing.
• 4.5 Municipal facilities. Continue to work toward achieving carbon neutral municipal facilities by 2020.
• 4.6 Sustainable building standards. Use sustainable building checklists to minimize or
eliminate waste and maximize recycling in building design, demolition, and construction
activities.
Infrastructure Element
• 6.4 Innovative and renewable technology. Encourage the exploration and establishment
of innovative and renewable utility service technologies.
• 6.5 Renewable energy facilities. Unless a renewable energy facility would cause an
unmitigatable impact to health or safety, allow them by right.
• 6.6 Community choice aggregation. Collaborate with nearby local and regional agencies
to develop a community choice aggregation system that provides greater renewable energy choices to the community.
Water Conservation
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 5.1 Recycled water facilities. Enhance the availability of recycled water supply and
distribution facilities are available throughout the city.
• 5.3 Water conservation programs. Update and improve water conservation and efficiency
programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis.
• 5.5 Greywater. Encourage the installation of greywater irrigation or disposal systems.
Infrastructure Element
• 3.2 Alternative water supplies. Pursue expansion of recycled water infrastructure and other
alternative water supplies to meet water demands of the community that cannot be offset
through conservation measures.
• 3.3 Recycled water infrastructure. Require the use of recycled water in areas currently served by infrastructure, and encourage integration of recycled water into new buildings
which may be served by appropriate infrastructure in the future.
• 3.6 Water infrastructure. Support the development of water storage, recycling, greywater
treatment, and necessary transmission facilities.
Waste + Recycling
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 6.1 Franchise agreements. Ensure waste franchise agreements and program offerings
provide progressively higher rates of waste diversion.
• 6.2 Food waste collection. Ensure food waste collection is available and convenient for all
residents, businesses, and organizations.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
• 6.3 Multi-family and commercial recycling. Require the provision of convenient recycling options in multi-family residential and commercial uses.
• 6.6 Composting programs. Provide composting equipment at community facilities and
events and encourage home and commercial composting.
• 6.9 Building salvage. Maximize building salvage and deconstruction in remodeling or building demolition projects.
Construction Equipment
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 3.4 Two-stroke engines. Discourage the use of equipment with two-stroke engines and publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.
• 3.5 Clean fuels. Support increased local access to cleaner fuels and cleaner energy by
encouraging fueling stations that provide cleaner fuels and energy to the community.
Other Sectors/Supportive Policies
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 1.2 Highest return on investment. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction
projects that simultaneously reduce ongoing operational costs to the City.
• 1.4 Carbon offsets as needed. When necessary, purchase carbon offsets to achieve municipal carbon neutral goal.
• 1.6 Demonstration and pilot projects. Utilize demonstration and pilot projects as a means
to evaluate the greenhouse gas reduction potential and cost effectiveness of projects.
• 2.1 State targets and goals. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with State targets and goals, and achieve carbon neutrality as a community no later than 2040.
• 2.2 Triple bottom line projects. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction
projects that simultaneously provide the greatest economic and health benefits to the
community.
• 2.3 Diversify GHG reduction strategies. Pursue a diverse mixture of greenhouse gas
reduction strategies across the transportation, energy, waste sectors, commensurate with
their share of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• 2.5 Carbon offsets as needed. When necessary, purchase carbon offsets to achieve community carbon neutral goal.
• 2.7 Discretionary projects. Require discretionary projects to substantially mitigate all
feasible greenhouse gas emissions, and offset the remainder of greenhouse gas emissions
produced to meet annual thresholds.
• 2.8 Ministerial projects. Encourage ministerial projects to directly offset potential
greenhouse gas emissions generated.
Parks + Open Space Element
• 2.4 Low-maintenance design. Promote environmentally sustainable and low maintenance
design principles in the renovation, addition, or maintenance of parks and recreation
facilities.
• 3.6 Community gardens. Increase available space and necessary infrastructure to incorporate community garden plots at parks.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
• 8.10 Sustainable events. Improve sustainability and environmental protection associated with special events.
• 10.1 Urban forest. Expand the urban forest and green spaces citywide on public and
private property.
• 10.2 Native landscapes. Require the planting of native, non-invasive, and drought-tolerant landscaping and trees, and encourage the planting of edible landscapes and fruit trees.
Infrastructure Element
• 1.5 New technologies. When feasible, utilize emerging technologies and funding strategies
that improve infrastructure efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency.
Implementation Actions
• SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for projects to offset their
fair share of greenhouse gas emissions generated, by providing funding for implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
• SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and
standardize potential mitigation measures for both discretionary and ministerial actions.
• SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects
utilizing the City’s carbon reduction planning tools for community and municipal operations.
• SUSTAINABILITY-5. Regularly monitor and evaluate the City’s greenhouse gas emissions
inventory and report on progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Thresholds of Significance
The impact analysis provided below is based on the application of the following CEQA Guidelines
Appendix G thresholds of significance. Greenhouse gas–related impacts are considered
significant if implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment.
2) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing
the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Subsequent development allowed under PLAN Hermosa would result in the generation of GHG
emissions associated with future construction activities, consisting primarily of emissions from
equipment use and construction worker transportation, as well as long-term operations, consisting
primarily of new stationary source emissions such as natural gas used for heating, transportation emissions, and indirect source emissions such as electricity usage for lighting.
Addressing GHG generation impacts requires an agency to make a determination as to what
constitutes a significant impact. The amendments to the CEQA Guidelines (Section 15064.4)
specifically allow lead agencies to determine thresholds of significance that illustrate the extent of an impact and are a basis from which to apply mitigation measures. This means that each
agency is left to determine whether a project’s GHG emissions will have a “significant” impact on
the environment. The guidelines direct that agencies are to use “careful judgment” and “make a
good-faith effort, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data, to describe, calculate or estimate” the project’s GHG emissions (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR]
Section 15064.4(a)).
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
A number of regulatory agencies throughout the state have drafted or adopted varying threshold approaches and guidelines for analyzing greenhouse gas emissions in CEQA documents. The
different thresholds include compliance with a qualified GHG reduction strategy, performance-
based reductions, numeric “bright‐line” thresholds, and efficiency‐based thresholds.
The California Supreme Court decision in the Centers for Biological Diversity et al. vs. California
Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Newhall Land and Farming Company (November 30, 2015,
Case No. S217763) confirmed that when an “agency chooses to rely completely on a single
quantitative method to justify a no-significance finding, CEQA demands the agency research and document the quantitative parameters essential to that method.”
While the calculation of an efficiency metric is useful to evaluate new development within the
context of a long-term goal, the proposed PLAN Hermosa buildout time frame of 2040 extends
beyond the time horizon identified in the metrics proposed by the SCAQMD (2020, 2035). Additionally, because PLAN Hermosa includes policies to reduce GHG emissions comprehensively
from both new and existing development, it is more appropriate to utilize the State’s long-term
GHG reduction goals and scientific consensus to determine whether PLAN Hermosa includes
policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is considered less than significant.
In order to align with or be on a trajectory to meet the State’s long-term greenhouse gas reduction
goals and the scientific consensus of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to
two degrees Celsius, the City of Hermosa Beach would need to reduce emissions equivalent to the following levels:
• To 1990 levels by 2020 (equivalent to 15 percent below 2005 levels) – consistent with AB 32
• To 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (equivalent to 49 percent below 2005 levels) – consistent with SB 32 and EO B-30-15
• To 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 (equivalent to 83 percent below 2005 levels) –
consistent with EO S-3-05
Since PLAN Hermosa has a buildout time horizon of 2040, the minimum equivalent GHG reduction
needed to be consistent with long-term state targets would be 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2040, which equates to 66 percent below 2005 levels.
Additionally, since the City of Hermosa Beach has adopted and codified a GHG reduction goal
for municipal operations, PLAN Hermosa would be considered significant if it conflicted with the City’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality in municipal operations by 2020.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.6-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Generate Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Either Directly or Indirectly, That May Have a Significant Impact on the Environment? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in additional greenhouse gas emissions generated.
However, the plan also includes numerous policies and actions to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions from both new and existing development through incentives and voluntary actions that will meet or exceed the long-term
greenhouse gas reduction goals to reduce emissions at least 66 percent below
2005 levels by 2040 (excluding offsets—see discussion on page 4.6-22) through direct and local programs. However, since the City is relying on incentive-based
or voluntary actions to achieve GHG reduction goals, there is a lower degree of
certainty that the emissions reductions thresholds would be met compared to
regulatory or mandatory actions. This impact would be potentially significant.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
GHG emissions contribute, on a cumulative basis, to the significant adverse environmental impacts of global climate change. No single land use project could generate enough GHG emissions to
noticeably change the global average temperature. The combination of GHG emissions from past,
present, and future projects contributes substantially to global climate change and its associated environmental impacts and as such is addressed only as a cumulative impact.
Emissions Forecast and Local Target
The City’s GHG inventory report assessed baseline/current emissions levels in Hermosa Beach. The
inventory relied on standardized protocols including the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting
and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Association of Environmental Professionals Supplement to the Protocol for California to calculate the estimated emissions generated by
activities in Hermosa Beach. In 2005, Hermosa Beach generated approximately 137,160 MTCO2e
annually from activities related to transportation, electricity use, natural gas use, waste disposal, and water/wastewater activities. Between 2005 and 2012, emissions in Hermosa Beach decreased to 126,611 MTCO2e, which represents a 7.7 percent decrease in emissions or an average decrease
in emissions of 1.1 percent per year (City of Hermosa Beach 2015a).
Annual emissions generated vary from year to year based on a variety of factors, but often
increase as the number of people living or working in a given area increases. The 2015 GHG
inventory report forecast emissions levels for Hermosa Beach in 2035 if population, housing, and
employment forecasts reached the levels projected by the Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG) in the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan and no new programs to reduce emissions were implemented, referred to as a business-as-usual or BAU forecast. Since the 2015
report was prepared, the City of Hermosa Beach provided more locally relevant information to
SCAG on population, housing, and employment forecasts that were incorporated into the 2040
Regional Transportation Plan. Subsequently, the City of Hermosa Beach developed an updated BAU forecast for the year 2040 using the local projections adopted by SCAG and the Carbon
Planning Tool developed by the City. It should be noted that 2040 emissions are projected to be
lower than 2005 emissions due to the decreases achieved between 2005 and 2012, and the limited
increase in the number of additional residents, employees, and housing units expected between 2012 and 2040.
Table 4.6-3 (Hermosa Beach Baseline (2005), Forecast (2040) Emissions, and Target Level (2040))
depicts the baseline emissions in 2005, the BAU forecast for 2040, and the emissions levels needed to be on a similar trajectory to long-term state targets by 2040.
TABLE 4.6-3
HERMOSA BEACH BASELINE (2005), FORECAST (2040) EMISSIONS, AND TARGET LEVEL (2040)
Time Frame/Target Emissions Levels (MTCO2e)
Baseline Emissions (2005) 137,160
Business-as-Usual Forecast Emissions (2040) 133,430
Emissions Levels to Meet State Target (2040)/66% below 2005 levels 46,630
Reductions Needed to Achieve 2040 Target -86,800
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2016
State Programs to Reduce Emissions Locally
Legislation, such as AB 1493 and the Advanced Clean Cars Program, the Low Carbon Fuel
Standard, the Renewables Portfolio Standard, and the California Building Energy Efficiency
Standards and Green Building Standards, described in Table 4.6-4 (California Policies Reducing
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Emissions Locally), is geared toward reducing GHG emissions on a statewide level. However, these legislative actions will help to reduce GHG emissions locally, as residents and businesses purchase
additional fuel-efficient and electric vehicles or consume electricity consume energy produced
with greater amounts of renewable energy.
TABLE 4.6-4
CALIFORNIA POLICIES REDUCING EMISSIONS LOCALLY
Legislation Description
Assembly Bill 1493
and Advanced Clean
Cars Program
AB 1493 (the Pavley Standard) (Health and Safety Code Sections 42823 and 43018.5) aims to
reduce GHG emissions from noncommercial passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks of model
years 2009–2016. By 2025, when all rules will be fully implemented, new automobiles will emit
up to 24 percent fewer CO2e emissions and 75 percent fewer smog-forming emissions.
Low Carbon Fuel
Standard (LCFS)
EO S-01-07 (2007) requires a 10 percent or greater reduction in the average fuel carbon intensity
for transportation fuels in California. The regulation took effect in 2010 and is codified at Title
17, California Code of Regulations Sections 95480–95490. The LCFS will reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in California by at least
10 percent by 2020.
Renewables Portfolio
Standard
(Senate Bill X12 &
Senate Bill 350)
The Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires retail sellers of electric services to increase
procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 33 percent of total retail sales by 2020.
The 33 percent standard is consistent with the RPS goal established in the Scoping Plan. The
passage of Senate Bill 350 in 2015 updates the RPS to require the amount of electricity generated
and sold to retail customers per year from eligible renewable energy resources to be increased to
50 percent by December 31, 2030. The bill would make other revisions to the RPS program and
to certain other requirements on public utilities and publicly owned electric utilities.
California Building
Energy Efficiency
Standards
In general, the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards require the design of building
shells and building components to conserve energy. The California Energy Commission adopted
changes to the 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards contained in the California Code of
Regulations, Title 24, Part 6 (also known as the California Energy Code) and associated
administrative regulations in Part 1. The amended standards took effect in the summer of 2014.
The 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards are 25 percent more efficient than previous
standards for residential construction and 30 percent better for nonresidential construction. The
standards offer builders better windows, insulation, lighting, ventilation systems, and other
features that reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses. Energy-efficient buildings
require less electricity, and increased energy efficiency reduces fossil fuel consumption and
decreases GHG emissions.
California Green
Building Standards
The California Green Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11),
commonly referred to as the CALGreen Code, is a statewide mandatory construction code that
was developed and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission and the
Department of Housing and Community Development. The CALGreen standards require new
residential and commercial buildings to comply with mandatory measures under the topics of
planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency/conservation, material conservation and
resource efficiency, and environmental quality. CALGreen also provides voluntary tiers and
measures that local governments may adopt that encourage or require additional measures in the
five green building topics. The most recent update to the CALGreen Code went into effect July
1, 2014.
* Senate Bill 375 is codified at Government Code Sections 65080, 65400, 65583, 65584.01, 65584.02, 65584.04, 65587, 65588, 14522.1,
14522.2, and 65080.01, as well as at Public Resources Code Sections 21061.3 and 21159.28 and Chapter 4.2.
These actions require limited local action and are accounted for in the City’s emissions forecasts
to provide a more accurate picture of future emissions and the remaining gap to be filled with
local policies and programs to reduce emissions to levels consistent with state recommendations.
This forecast is called the adjusted BAU forecast. Table 4.6-5 (Comparison of BAU and Adjusted BAU Emissions (2040)) summarizes the projected community GHG emissions for the city through
2040. Through 2020, the implementation of state programs and regulations is expected to reduce
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
local emissions approximately 23 percent below baseline emissions, exceeding the State-recommended goal of 15 percent below baseline emissions by approximately 8 percent (City of
Hermosa Beach 2016).
TABLE 4.6-5
COMPARISON OF BAU AND ADJUSTED BAU EMISSIONS (2040)
Sector BAU ABAU Percentage
Reduction
On-Road Transportation 64,560 43,320 33%
Off-Road Sources 1,090 730 33%
Nonresidential Energy 24,120 16,460 32%
Residential Energy 37,400 29,800 20%
Solid Waste 3,480 3,480 0%
Water & Wastewater 2,780 1,630 41%
Total Emissions 133,430 95,420 28%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2016
As shown, the city’s adjusted BAU emissions are estimated to be approximately 95,420 MTCO2e in 2040. This change represents a 28 percent reduction from BAU levels in 2040 or approximately
38,000 MTCO2e reduced annually from implementation of state legislation.
As depicted in Figure 4.6-3 (Emissions Reductions Needed to Meet State and Local Targets), the impact of state legislation on local emissions in 2040 would leave a remaining gap of 48,800
MTCO2e to be reduced by local policy to achieve state goals and a remaining gap of 95,420
MTCO2e to achieve a carbon neutral goal by 2040 as proposed in the draft of PLAN Hermosa.
FIGURE 4.6-3
EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS NEEDED TO MEET STATE AND LOCAL TARGETS
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
2005 2012 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
ABAU Forecast
Reductions Needed to Meet
State Goals
Reductions Needed to Meet
Local Goals
Local Goal
BAU Forecast
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
PLAN Hermosa Emissions Reductions
As noted previously, numerous policies and implementation actions are included in PLAN Hermosa
that are intended to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from both existing and
future activities. The applicable policies and implementation actions can be found in every
element of PLAN Hermosa and are intended to reduce emissions associated with transportation and travel patterns, related to energy consumption from residential and commercial uses, from
the disposal of solid waste in landfills, and from the energy needed to transport and treat the water
consumed and the wastewater produced in Hermosa Beach.
Building Efficiency
PLAN Hermosa seeks to improve the efficiency of both existing and future buildings and associated
activities by reducing the amount of energy needed to operate heating and cooling equipment,
lighting, and household appliances, thereby reducing GHG emissions. Goals and policies contained in the Sustainability + Conservation Element are intended to reduce energy-related emissions from buildings that already exist today by requiring disclosure of energy use (Sustainability + Conservation
Element Policy 4.2) and by offering incentives, financing options, and retrofit programs (Sustainability
+ Conservation Element Policies 4.3 and 4.4), while Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 4.6
aims to minimize energy consumption from new buildings.
Renewable Energy Generation
While building efficiency policies and programs can help to reduce energy demand, energy
consumption can almost never be completely eliminated. However, GHG emissions from energy
used by residential, commercial, and other uses in Hermosa Beach can be further reduced by switching from traditional fossil fuel–based energy sources to cleaner and renewable sources of
energy production. Policies in the Sustainability + Conservation Element aiming to increase
renewable energy projects include Policy 4.1 to require, promote, and facilitate the installation of renewable energy projects on homes and businesses and Policy 4.5 to achieve carbon neutral municipal facilities. Additionally, policies in the Land Use + Design Element speak to identifying
locations appropriate for additional renewable energy technologies (Policy 9.1), ensuring they
are compatible with surrounding uses and protect ocean resources (Policies 9.2 and 9.3), and that sites with renewable energy systems are returned to the natural characteristics of a site at the end
of their useful life (Policy 9.5). Finally, policies in the Infrastructure Element speak to encouraging
the exploration and establishment of innovative and renewable utility service technologies (Policy
6.4), to allow renewable energy facilities by right when they would not cause an unmitigatable impact on health or safety (Policy 6.5), and to collaborate with nearby local and regional
agencies to develop a community choice aggregation system that provides greater renewable
energy choices (Policy 6.6).
Transportation and Land Use
PLAN Hermosa seeks to reduce the environmental impact (including GHG emissions) of land
development by increasing the viability of walking, biking, and transit and by reducing reliance
on the automobile through cohesive land use patterns, thus reducing GHG emissions. This
reduction is due to the sustainability-related aspects of the proposed policy provisions of the Land Use + Design Element, Mobility Element, and Sustainability + Conservation Element. Mobility
Element Policy 5.5 seeks to encourage smart growth land use features in development projects to
ensure that more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development supports reduced
trip generation, reduced trip lengths, and a greater ability to utilize alternative modes. In addition, Land Use + Design Element Policy 1.2 states that proposals for new development should be
directed toward the city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive
land use mixes. Land Use + Design Element Policy 4.10 requires all new development to consider
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pedestrian access. Mobility Element Policy 3.2 would prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that
enhances pedestrian safety, access opportunities, and connectivity to destinations. Mobility
Element Policy 4.5 requires a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be provided in conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private developments.
Section 4.14, Transportation, identifies the effects of PLAN Hermosa’s policy provisions on traffic
generation, vehicle miles traveled, and thus mobile source GHG emissions, which are the
predominant source of GHG emissions in the city. As described in Section 4.14, daily traffic trips and the daily rate of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are projected to decrease under PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions by approximately 12.9 percent. This reduction in VMT would
roughly equate to 2,600 fewer daily vehicle trips and 30,000 less vehicle miles traveled per day,
due to the mobility-related policy provisions described above. An expanded discussion of the PLAN Hermosa policies reducing VMT is provided in Section 4.14 and Appendix G-2.
Other Sectors and Offsets
There are also policies within PLAN Hermosa for reducing GHG emissions from waste disposal and
the transport/treatment of water and wastewater. Sustainability + Conservation Element Policies 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.6, and 6.9 identify methods to achieve the zero waste goal, which include food
waste collection, multi-family and commercial recycling, composting programs, and greater use
of recycled or salvaged materials. Policies under Sustainability + Conservation Element Goal 5
identify policies to facilitate greater use of greywater, recycled water, and rainwater.
Finally, PLAN Hermosa also includes several policies to support the reduction of GHG emissions
that are not specific to a certain activity or sector. For instance, Sustainability + Conservation
Element Policy 2.1 states that Hermosa Beach will reduce its GHG emissions in alignment with state
targets and goals and will also achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2040. Implementation action SUSTAINABILITY-1 will establish a GHG impact fee for all future development projects to
offset their fair share of GHG contribution, and SUSTAINABILITY-5 requires the City to regularly
monitor and evaluate Hermosa Beach’s progress toward community-wide carbon neutrality.
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 2.5 directs the City to purchase carbon offsets when necessary to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality goals. The emissions reductions achieved
from the purchase of carbon offsets or implementation of projects outside of Hermosa Beach to
achieve carbon neutrality are included in the emissions reductions calculations to demonstrate
achievement toward carbon neutrality, but they are excluded from demonstrating the community’s ability to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2040 consistent with long-
term state goals. While offsets are included to achieve a carbon neutral goal, the degree to which
they can be relied upon to demonstrate consistency with state goals is limited at this time. While the California Air Resources Board has developed guidance for organizations or operators subject to cap-and-trade regulation on how to select, verify, and register offset projects counted toward cap-
and-trade compliance, this guidance has not yet been approved for use or to demonstrate
compliance by organizations or jurisdictions that are excluded from cap-and-trade regulation.
Summary of Greenhouse Gas Reductions
As noted in the Thresholds of Significance discussion above, PLAN Hermosa needs to demonstrate
an ability to achieve long-term statewide goals by reducing community GHG emissions by
approximately 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040 to be considered a less than significant impact. Full implementation of the policies and actions in PLAN Hermosa has the potential to
reduce emissions through local projects by at least 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040 and up
to 100 percent by 2040 through the purchase of additional offsets. Additional emissions reductions
to achieve the community carbon neutral goal contained in the Sustainability + Conservation
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Element would come from emissions reduction projects outside of Hermosa Beach or through the purchase of carbon offsets or credits. Table 4.6-6 (Summary of Annual Emissions Reductions by Sector in 2040) illustrates the range of activities and the estimated level of emissions reductions to
be achieved by 2040. The assumptions and data used to calculate the estimated reductions in GHG emissions are documented in Appendix E of this EIR.
TABLE 4.6-6
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BY SECTOR IN 2040
Share of Carbon
Reductions (%)
Annual Carbon
Reduction (MTCO2e)
Baseline 2005 Emissions 137,160
2012 Emissions -7.7% 126,610
BAU Emissions (2040) +5.0% 133,430
State Programs (2040) -27.7% 38,010
Local Remaining Emissions to Be Reduced 95,420
Building Efficiency
New Construction Residential Efficiency -1.3% 1,810
Existing Buildings Residential Efficiency -4.4% 6,100
New Construction Nonresidential Efficiency -2.0% 2,810
Existing Buildings Nonresidential Efficiency -2.0% 2,770
Subtotal -9.8% 13,490
Renewable Energy Generation
Rooftop Solar -5.9% 8,100
Community Solar -0.4% 550
Community Choice Aggregation -7.3% 10,010
Purchased Renewables (Green Rate) -0.0% 0
Subtotal -13.6% 18,660
Transportation + Land Use
Land Use & Transportation Alternatives -4.0% 5,500
Additional Transportation Strategies -1.9% 2,560
Electric Vehicles -7.4% 10,100
Subtotal -13.0% 18,160
Other Sectors + Offsets
Waste + Recycling -2.5% 3,480
Water + Wastewater -0.2% 330
Purchase Offsets -30.1% 41,310
Subtotal -32.9% 45,120
TOTAL -100.0% 95,420
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2016
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
As shown in Table 4.6-6, full implementation of the policies and actions in PLAN Hermosa has the potential to achieve emissions reduction targets consistent with the State’s long-term emissions
reduction goals. However, the degree of certainty at which the city can meet GHG targets
beyond 2020 is limited since attainment would at least be partially reliant on implementation of statewide programs and because some of the policies included in PLAN Hermosa are reliant on voluntary or incentive-based actions. Because the implementation of PLAN Hermosa is partially
reliant on voluntary or incentive-based policies and actions, as well as state regulations to be
implemented in the future, the impact would be considered potentially significant and cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.6-1a The City of Hermosa Beach will utilize the climate action plan, under
development by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, or other appropriate tools to research current data gaps, identify specific actions, and define the responsible parties and time frames needed to achieve the
greenhouse gas reduction goals (monitoring milestones) identified in mitigation
measure MM 4.6-1b.
MM 4.6-1b The City of Hermosa Beach will re-inventory community GHG emissions and
evaluate implementation progress of policies to reduce GHG emissions for the
calendar year of 2020 and a minimum of every five years thereafter. The interim
reduction goals to be achieved for consistency with long-term state goals include:
• 2020: 15 percent below 2005 levels
• 2025: 31 percent below 2005 levels
• 2030: 49 percent below 2005 levels
• 2035: 57 percent below 2005 levels
• 2040: 66 percent below 2005 levels
MM 4.6-1c The City will revise PLAN Hermosa and/or the City’s Climate Action Plan when,
upon evaluation required in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b, the City determines that Hermosa Beach is not on track to meet the applicable GHG reduction
goals. Revisions to PLAN Hermosa, the Climate Action Plan, or other City policies
and programs will include additional regulatory measures that provide a higher
degree of certainty that emissions reduction targets will be met. Use of an adaptive management approach would allow the City to evaluate progress
by activity sector (e.g., transportation, energy, water, waste) and prescribe
additional policies or programs to be implemented in the intervening five years
for activity sectors that are not on track to achieve the GHG reduction goals.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
With the addition of mitigation measures MM 4.6-1 a through MM 4.6-1c, the City of Hermosa
Beach is committing to achieving specific emissions reduction targets within every five-year time
period and modifying policies and programs, including the addition of new policies or
modification of existing policies to become mandatory, to achieve greater levels of emissions
reductions if the City falls short of meeting the established targets in mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b.
The implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in conjunction with mitigation measures MM 4.6-1a through MM 4.6-1c, will add the degree of certainty needed
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to determine that PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions and would not be cumulatively considerable.
CEQA GUIDELINES FOR A QUALIFIED GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION STRATEGY
This section is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to serve as an analysis in determining levels of significance for PLAN Hermosa. Instead, the following description is meant to
demonstrate how PLAN Hermosa meets the criteria for a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy and
that future projects may streamline environmental analysis, and determine the project has a less
than significant impact for greenhouse gas emissions, by demonstrating their consistency with PLAN Hermosa as a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy.
As previously stated, the California Natural Resources Agency and the Governor’s Office of
Planning and Research have identified the necessary components of a greenhouse gas reduction strategy that should be incorporated to be deemed a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy. PLAN Hermosa is designed to serve as the City of Hermosa Beach’s Qualified Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Strategy, and this EIR elaborates how each of the required components for such a
strategy are met. The discussion below is a summary of how PLAN Hermosa meets the intent of
each component, with more details and explanation included earlier in this section.
• Quantify greenhouse gas emissions, both existing and projected over a specified time
period, resulting from activities within a defined geographic area.
The City of Hermosa Beach, in collaboration with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, used actual activity data and emissions factors to estimate the contribution
of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxide (N2O), from existing activities within the geographic boundaries of Hermosa Beach
for the calendar years 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012. These emissions inventories relied upon standardized protocols including the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and
Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Association of Environmental Professionals
Supplement to the Protocol for California to calculate the estimated emissions generated
by activities in Hermosa Beach. In 2005, Hermosa Beach generated approximately 137,160 MTCO2e annually from activities related to transportation, electricity use, natural gas use, waste disposal, and water/wastewater activities.
To project emissions over the time horizon of PLAN Hermosa (2040), the City of Hermosa
Beach used the population, housing, and employment forecasts that were incorporated into the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan to develop a business-as-usual forecast for the
year 2040 using the Carbon Planning Tool developed by the City. BAU emissions in 2040
are projected to be lower than 2005 emissions due to the decreases achieved between
2005 and 2012, and the limited increase in the number of additional residents, employees, and housing units expected between 2012 and 2040. Additionally, the projections
considered the effect that legislation and regulation at the state level would have on
reducing emissions locally by developing an adjusted BAU forecast for 2040.
• Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively
considerable.
In order to limit global temperature increases to two degrees Celsius and prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change, the IPCC and organizations like the Union of Concerned Scientists have indicated that the United States and other developed
countries would need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions anywhere from 78 to 95
percent below 1990 levels, with most organizations identifying an approximately 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050 to provide stabilization at the two degree
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Celsius threshold (IPCC 2014). California has taken early action and efforts to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change by establishing aggressive statewide
greenhouse gas reduction goals through legislation and executive orders (AB 32, SB 32, EO
B-30-15, EO S-3-05).
In order to align with or be on a trajectory to meet the State’s long-term greenhouse gas
reduction goals and the scientific consensus of the emissions reductions needed to limit
global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, the City of Hermosa Beach would need to reduce
emissions equivalent to the following levels:
• To 1990 levels by 2020 (equivalent to 15 percent below 2005 levels) – consistent with AB 32
• To 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (equivalent to 49 percent below 2005 levels) –
consistent with SB 32 and EO B-30-15
• To 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 (equivalent to 83 percent below 2005 levels) – consistent with EO S-3-05
Since PLAN Hermosa has a buildout time horizon of 2040, the minimum equivalent GHG
reduction needed to be consistent with long-term state targets and determine that the
cumulative activities in Hermosa Beach as less than cumulatively considerable would be a target to reduce emissions 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2040, which equates to 66 percent below 2005 levels.
• Identify and analyze the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from specific actions or
categories of actions anticipated within the geographic area.
The goals, policies, and actions to reduce GHG emissions in Hermosa Beach included in
PLAN Hermosa, and detailed earlier in this section, are designed to meet or exceed the
GHG reduction target of 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040 when fully implemented.
The potential emissions reductions were quantified for the year 2040 using the Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool. The Carbon Planning Tool is an Excel-based tool built to
estimate the effectiveness of implementing various programs on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, as well as the associated costs and benefits from implementing measures. The
tool includes data and information specific to Hermosa Beach regarding energy consumption, travel patterns, and building stock and relies on best practices such as the
CAPCOA Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures to outline the assumptions
and methods for calculating the greenhouse gas reduction potential of various implementation measures. The Carbon Planning Tool includes the links and sources used
for each data point and assumptions used to calculate emissions reductions and is
provided in Appendix E.
The GHG reduction strategies included in PLAN Hermosa are organized by goal or topic area to correspond with the sectors and sources of GHG emissions as follows:
• Building Efficiency
• Renewable Energy Generation
• Transportation and Land Use
• Other Sectors and Offsets
The measures included in PLAN Hermosa are a diverse mix of regulatory, educational, and
incentive-based programs. The reduction measures are intended to reduce GHG
emissions from each source to avoid reliance on any one strategy or sector to achieve the target. In total, existing actions, state programs, and the goals, policies, and actions of
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
PLAN Hermosa, along with mitigation measures MM 4.6-1a, MM 4.6-1b, and MM 4.6-1c, will reduce GHG emissions in Hermosa Beach at least 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040.
• Specify measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that
substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project-by-project basis, would
collectively achieve the specified emissions level.
To facilitate individual project consistency and keep Hermosa Beach on track to
collectively achieve the specified emissions level, implementation actions in PLAN Hermosa
direct the City to:
• SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for projects to offset their
fair share of greenhouse gas emissions generated, by providing funding for
implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
• SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and standardize potential mitigation measures for both discretionary and ministerial actions.
By establishing a greenhouse gas impact fee and standardizing potential measures for
individual projects to implement, the City will have the tools necessary to ensure individual
projects are minimizing the levels of greenhouse gas emissions generated, while offering projects multiple pathways to compliance.
• Establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’s progress toward achieving the level and to
require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels.
The estimated emissions reduction potential from implementation of PLAN Hermosa exceeds the trajectory of the State’s long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals (66
percent below 2005 levels by 2040). However, the degree of certainty at which the city
can meet GHG targets beyond 2020 is limited since attainment would at least be partially
reliant on implementation of statewide programs and because some of the policies included in PLAN Hermosa are reliant on voluntary or incentive-based actions taken by the
community. To address this uncertainty, PLAN Hermosa includes implementation action
SUSTAINABILITY-5 to “Regularly monitor and evaluate the City’s greenhouse gas emissions
inventory and progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals.” This EIR further strengthens that implementation action by incorporating specific metrics to be achieved
for each five-year time increment through mitigation measure MM 4.6-1b.
The combination of implementation actions and mitigation measures intended to regularly evaluate progress and institute a mechanism to amend PLAN Hermosa when emissions reduction goals are not met will ensure the City is consistently making progress toward the
long-term state goals and local targets.
• Be adopted in a public process following environmental review.
As the City's integrated General Plan and Local Coastal Program, PLAN Hermosa is legally
required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and the Planning Commission must
hold at least one public hearing before providing a recommendation to the City Council
pursuant to California Government Code Section 65353(a). Any amendment to a general plan is also further obligated to undergo environmental review prior to approval or
adoption. Prior to holding public hearings at which the City Council will consider adoption,
the City of Hermosa Beach will complete the environmental review process for PLAN
Hermosa, which will include a 60-day public review period on the Draft EIR, preparation of response to comments, and a Final EIR.
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Beyond the obligations of state law to adopt PLAN Hermosa through a public process following environmental review, the community engagement and opportunities for the
community to provide feedback during this process to date have included:
• Five community workshops or walking tours
• A three-part educational series
• An online portal, in addition to email and in-person opportunities to submit comments,
questions, and feedback
• A 15-member community working group (which met on more than a dozen occasions)
• Twenty study sessions with the Planning Commission, City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Emergency Preparedness Commission, and Public Works Commission
• Numerous informal opportunities to present PLAN Hermosa to community groups and
local organizations at their standing meetings
This extensive level of community engagement over a three-year period has helped to
raise the community’s awareness in the need to address greenhouse gas emissions and
participate in the identification of potential opportunities to achieve the long-term goals.
IMPACT 4.6-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation
Adopted for the Purpose of Reducing the Emissions of Greenhouse Gases? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that is consistent with state and local plans, policies, or regulations
adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The applicable plans, policies, and regulations include the AB 32 Scoping Plan, the City of Hermosa Beach
Sustainability Plan, and the City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Carbon Neutral
Plan. PLAN Hermosa includes goals, policies, and actions that would meet or
exceed the goals established within each of these applicable plans; therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa’s consistency with the AB 32 Scoping Plan, Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan, and
Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan is evaluated below.
AB 32 and Climate Change Scoping Plan
AB 32 is the primary legislation that has driven GHG regulation and analysis in California. Under
AB 32, the legislature directed CARB to develop and periodically update the AB 32 Climate
Change Scoping Plan document to detail the latest scientific understanding of climate change,
describe California’s motivations to address climate change and preserve the California lifestyle, evaluate accomplishments and next steps for reducing emissions, and describe the role of
regional and local governments in achieving the State’s emissions reduction goals. While AB 32
does not mandate or prescribe local governments to achieve certain emissions reduction targets, the AB 32 Scoping Plan recognizes that local governments are essential partners to achieving statewide goals given that local jurisdictions have a higher degree of influence and authority over
significant sources of GHG emissions.
The first AB 32 Scoping Plan, developed in 2007, suggested that local governments should aim to reduce emissions 15 percent below current levels (2005–2008) by 2020 and assist with meeting
regional vehicle miles traveled (VMT) targets mandated by SB 375. PLAN Hermosa is consistent
with the AB 32 Scoping Plan and fulfills the recommended role of local governments in achieving
statewide goals by reducing emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by meeting VMT targets established for the Southern California Association of Governments and detailed in the
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) (see Section 4.9, Land Use and Planning, for discussion of consistency with the RTP/SCS).
Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan
The Sustainability Plan adopted by the City of Hermosa Beach in 2011 describes community and
municipal GHG emissions, compares future emissions to the AB 32 emissions reduction target (15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020), and outlines a series of strategies and actions to reduce GHG
emissions. The strategies address emissions from building energy (commercial, residential, and
municipal), transportation, solid waste, and water consumption, determining that the suite of
programs could reasonably reduce emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels. As described previously, the City of Hermosa Beach is likely to reduce emissions 23 percent below 2005 levels by
2020 through implementation of state and local measures. PLAN Hermosa supports and is
consistent with the Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan by incorporating and further developing policy to reduce emissions from building energy, transportation, solid waste, and water consumption sources. The specific policies included in PLAN Hermosa to reduce emissions from
each sector are further described under the discussion of Impact 4.6-1.
Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan
In 2015, the City of Hermosa Beach adopted a local goal to become a carbon neutral municipal organization no later than 2020 through adoption of the Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan. This plan
sets the City up to demonstrate environmental leadership at the municipal level and identifies
carbon reduction programs and initiatives to achieve the carbon neutral goal. PLAN Hermosa includes Sustainability + Conservation Element Goal 1 (carbon neutral municipal facilities and
operations by 2020 and sustained into the future), which is consistent with the goal adopted in
2015 to be a carbon neutral municipal organization by 2020. To further support the goal, Policies
1.1 through 1.7 speak to prioritizing projects that provide the highest return on investment, aligning projects to reduce emissions with the current sources of emissions, using pilot or demonstration
projects, and purchasing carbon offsets when necessary to reach the goal. The policies included
in PLAN Hermosa mirror the Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan recommendations to pursue a diverse
mixture of emissions reduction projects, to utilize offsets, and to evaluate the costs and savings/benefits of various projects prior to implementing.
Conclusion
A core objective in the development of PLAN Hermosa has been to identify policies to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and set Hermosa Beach on a path to a low- or no-carbon future. As described above, PLAN Hermosa is consistent with the goals of AB 32 and the Climate Change
Scoping Plan, the Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan, and the Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. PLAN Hermosa has further been developed to serve as the City
of Hermosa Beach’s Qualified Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy, as defined by the CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, the impact of PLAN Hermosa would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.6.5 REFERENCES
California Association of Environmental Professionals. 2015. Beyond 2020: The Challenge of
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Planning by Local Governments in California.
http://califaep.org/images/climate-change/AEP_White_Paper_Beyond_2020.pdf.
California State Legislature. 2016. Senate Bill 32: The California Global Warming Solutions Act:
Emissions Limit (2016).
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB32.
CAPCOA (California Air Pollution Control Officers). 2010. Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. http://www.capcoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CAPCOA-Quantification-Report-9-14-Final.pdf.
CARB (California Air Resources Board). 2014a. California Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm; and https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/graph/bar/bar_2014_scopingplan.png.
———. 2014b. First Update to the AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/updatedscopingplan2013.htm.
———. 2015. Cap-and-Trade Offset Verification Program. http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/offsets/verification/verification.htm.
———. 2016. California Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Trends 2000–2014.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/pubs/reports/2000_2014/ghg_inventory_trends_00-14_20160617.pdf.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2011. Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan.
http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=334.
———. 2015a. City of Hermosa Beach GHG Inventory, Forecasting, Target-Setting Report for an Energy Efficiency Climate Action Plan. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=5718.
———. 2015b. Hermosa Beach Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan.
https://docs.google.com/gview?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhermosabeach.legistar1.com%2Fhermosabeach%2Fmeetings%2F2015%2F2%2F908_A_City_Council_15-02-24_Meeting_Agenda.pdf&embedded=true.
———. 2016. City of Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool.
https://hermosabeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2281885&GUID=5192A329-FBB9-46E4-AF0E-4FBE5BC73A58.
———. n.d. Hermosa Beach Carbon Neutral Scoping Plan.
http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3379.
CNRA (California Natural Resources Agency). 2009a. 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy. http://resources.ca.gov/docs/climate/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy.pdf.
———. 2009b. Notice of Public Hearings and Notice of Proposed Amendment of Regulations
Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act. http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/docs/Adopted_and_Transmitted_Text_of_SB97_CEQA_Guidelines_Amendments.pdf.
DOF (California Department of Finance). 2015. Table E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for
Cities, Counties, and the State, January 1, 2011–2015, with a 2010 Benchmark.
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4.6 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). 2016. US Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report 1990–2014. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/us-greenhouse-gas-inventory-report-1990-2014.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 2014. Fifth Assessment Report.
http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/http://www.ipcc.ch/repo
rt/ar5/http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 2015. Greenhouse Gas Benchmark
Reached.
http://research.noaa.gov/News/NewsArchive/LatestNews/TabId/684/ArtMID/1768/ArticleID/11153/Greenhouse-gas-benchmark-reached-.aspx.
———. 2016. Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. 2016.
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/.
OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2011. CEQA and Climate Change. https://www.opr.ca.gov/s_ceqaandclimatechange.php.
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 2013. Trends in Global CO2 Emissions, 2013
Annual Report. http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/news_docs/pbl-2013-trends-in-global-co2-
emissions-2013-report-1148.pdf.
SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments). 2015. Profile of the City of Hermosa Beach. https://www.scag.ca.gov/Documents/HermosaBeach.pdf.
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4.7 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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4.7.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to hazards and
hazardous materials from implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Natural hazards related to flooding,
tsunamis, and sea level rise are addressed in Section 4.8, Hydrology and Water Quality, seismic and other geotechnical hazards are addressed in Section 4.5, Geology and Soils, and hazards
related to climate change are addressed in Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The analysis
includes a review of state hazardous materials databases, hazards related to schools, and
emergency response procedures related to hazardous materials. PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies and implementation actions ensure new development, businesses, and public
safety are prepared for emergencies and the potential release of hazards or hazardous materials
in the planning area.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) addressing hazards or hazardous materials. Comments included written letters and oral comments
provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this chapter is based on numerous sources, including the
PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report and other publicly available documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is attached to this EIR as Appendix C.
4.7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-10 describes the regional and local conditions related to hazards and hazardous materials. Key findings of the environmental setting are presented below.
HAZARDOUS SITES
A hazardous material is any material that, due to its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and
safety or to the environment if released. Hazardous materials include but are not limited to
hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and any material that a business or local implementing
agency has a reasonable basis to believe would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or would be harmful to the environment if released.
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) maintains the GeoTracker database, which
provides information to easily identify the location of a hazardous waste site and details regarding
the type of contamination and remediation action. In 2014, when the Technical Background Report included in Appendix C was compiled, GeoTracker reported one leaking underground
storage tank (LUST) site in the planning area (SWRCB 2014). As of 2015, GeoTracker identified the
site’s status as “completed – case closed,” meaning there are no active LUST sites in the planning
area (SWRCB 2015). Including the site mentioned above, GeoTracker identifies 15 LUST sites that have completed cleanup and monitoring activities (SWRCB 2015).
In addition to the information sources listed above, the E&B Oil Drilling and Production Project Final
Environmental Impact Report certified in 2014 identifies the City Maintenance Yard at 555 6th
Street as contaminated from historical uses, with existing lead and total petroleum hydrocarbon
(TPH) contamination in the northeast corner of the yard and extending onto the property to the
immediate north. Ten of the 73 soil samples taken at the site exceeded Regional Water Quality
Control Board guidelines for TPH. Six of the samples exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Industrial Regional Screening Levels for lead. In addition, a series of groundwater borings conducted in 2013 found the presence of TPH, lead, barium, and arsenic in
the groundwater below the yard that exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels established
for drinking water by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (City of Hermosa Beach 2014).
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SCHOOLS
Please refer to Section 4.13, Public Services, Community Services, and Utilities, for additional
information regarding schools in the planning area.
AIRPORT HAZARDS
No airports are located in the city. The nearest airports are Torrance Airport 5.4 miles to the
southeast, Los Angeles International Airport 5.5 miles to the north, and Hawthorne Municipal
Airport 5.9 miles to the northeast.
TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) provides a summary of all registered
routes for transportation of hazardous material in the state. As of February 2014, there were no
registered routes in Hermosa Beach (DTSC 2015). However, the City has designated truck routes that can be used for transportation of hazardous materials. Such major transportation include
Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) and portions of Pier Avenue, Valley Drive, Herondo Street,
and Artesia Boulevard. When acutely toxic hazardous materials are transported, the California Highway Patrol must be notified; the Hermosa Beach Police Department and the Hermosa Beach Fire Department must also be notified if city streets are used. The City does not designate specific
haul routes for hazardous materials.
FIRE HAZARDS
Public Resources Code Sections 4201–4204 and Government Code Sections 51175–51189 require
identification of fire hazard severity zones in California. Fire hazard severity zones are modeled
based on vegetation, topography, weather, fuel load type, and ember production and movement within the area in question. Fire hazard severity zones are defined as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal
Fire). Fire prevention areas considered to be under state jurisdiction are referred to as state
responsibility areas, while areas under local jurisdiction are called local responsibility areas.” Cal Fire (2007) has not identified any fire hazard severity zones in the planning area.
4.7.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to hazards and hazardous
materials in the planning area. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing all aspects of hazards and hazardous materials that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
The regulatory setting for hazards and hazardous materials is discussed in detail in Appendix C-10.
Key regulations used to reduce potential impacts of the proposed project are summarized below.
FEDERAL
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: At the federal level, the principal agency
regulating the generation, transport, and disposal of hazardous substances is the EPA,
under the authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The RCRA established an all-encompassing federal regulatory program for hazardous substances
that is administered by the EPA. Under the act, the EPA regulates the generation,
transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances.
• Hazardous Materials Transport Regulations: The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates transportation of hazardous materials between states. The USDOT Federal
Railroad Administration enforces the Hazardous Materials Regulations, which are
promulgated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for rail
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transportation. These regulations include requirements that railroads and other transporters of hazardous materials, as well as shippers, have and adhere to security plans and also
train employees involved in offering, accepting, or transporting hazardous materials on
both safety and security matters.
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act,
commonly known as Superfund, in 1980. The act established prohibitions and requirements
concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites; provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at these sites; and established a trust fund to
provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified
• Regulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Lead-Based Paint: The Toxic Substances
Control Act of 1976 (Title 15, United States Code, Section 2605) banned the manufacture, processing, distribution, and use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in enclosed systems.
The EPA Region 9 PCB Program regulates remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls in
several states, including California. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction
Act of 1992 amended the Toxic Substances Control Act to include Title IV, Lead Exposure Reduction. The EPA regulates renovation activities that could create lead-based paint
hazards in target housing and child-occupied facilities and has established standards for
lead-based paint hazards and lead dust cleanup levels in most pre-1978 housing and
child-occupied facilities.
STATE
• California Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Law: The California
Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Law of 1985 (Business Plan Act) requires hazardous materials business plans to be prepared and inventories of hazardous
materials to be disclosed, including an inventory of the hazardous materials handled,
facility floor plans showing where hazardous materials are stored, an emergency response
plan, and provisions for employee safety and emergency response training (California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Article 1).
• Hazardous Waste Control Act: The Hazardous Waste Control Act is codified in California
Code of Regulations Title 26, which describes requirements for the proper management of
hazardous wastes. The act created the state’s hazardous waste management program, which is similar to but more stringent than the federal RCRA program.
• Government Code Section 65962.5 (Cortese List): The provisions of Government Code
Section 65962.5 are commonly referred to as the Cortese List. The Cortese List is a planning
document used by the state and local agencies to provide information about hazardous materials release sites. Government Code Section 65962.5 requires the California
Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) to develop an updated Cortese List annually,
at minimum. The DTSC is responsible for a portion of the information contained in the Cortese List. Other state and local government agencies are required to provide additional hazardous material release information for the list.
• California Emergency Response Plan: California has developed an emergency response
plan to coordinate emergency services provided by federal, state, and local governments and private agencies. Response to hazardous material incidents is one part of this plan.
The plan is managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, which
coordinates the responses of other agencies, including Cal/EPA, the California Highway
Patrol, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Los Angeles County Emergency Services Program.
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• California Coastal Act: The California Coastal Act of 1972 created the California Coastal Commission to enact policies and standards in its coastal development permit decisions.
Among many issues, the California Coastal Commission and the coastal development
permit program protect against oil and hazardous substance spills and regulate the disposal of hazardous substances at sea.
LOCAL
• Certified Uniform Program Agency: The Los Angeles County Fire Department Health
Hazardous Materials Division is the designated Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for Hermosa Beach. The CUPA was created by the California legislature to minimize the
number of business inspections and fees imposed on businesses.
• City of Hermosa Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan, last updated in 2005, meets the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The act requires local governments to prepare plans that identify hazards and risks within
a community, and create appropriate mitigation. The purpose of the plan is to integrate
hazard mitigation strategies into the City’s daily activities and programs.
• City of Hermosa Beach Emergency Operations Plan: The City’s Emergency Operations Plan addresses Hermosa Beach’s planned response to emergencies associated with natural
disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies (City of Hermosa
Beach 2011). It provides an overview of operational concepts, identifies components of the City’s emergency management organization in the Standardized Emergency
Management System and National Incident Management System, and describes the
overall responsibilities of the federal, state, and county entities and the City for protecting
life and property and ensuring the overall well-being of the population.
4.7.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of the EIR, impacts on hazards and hazardous materials would be considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport,
use, or disposal of hazardous materials.
2) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and/or accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials
into the environment.
3) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances,
or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school.
4) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, create a significant hazard
to the public or the environment
5) For a project located within an airport land use plan, result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area.
6) For a project locate within 2 miles of a private airstrip, result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area.
7) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
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8) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires.
No sites in Hermosa Beach are included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant
to Government Code Section 65962.5. There is no airport located in the planning area, and the
city is not in a fire hazard severity zone as identified by Cal Fire; therefore, the EIR does not evaluate impacts 4, 5, and 6.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The impact analysis is based on the likely consequences of PLAN Hermosa implementation compared to existing conditions. The following analysis of impacts on hazards and hazardous
materials is qualitative and based on available hazards and hazardous materials information for
the planning area. The analysis assumes that all future and existing development in the planning area would comply with applicable laws, regulations, design standards, and plans.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address potential hazards and
hazardous materials include the following:
Policies
Governance Element
• 7.5 Evaluation and disclosure. Require an evaluation and disclosure (e.g. Health checklists,
Health Impact Assessments) of environmental and health impacts or benefits for major discretionary projects.
Public Safety Element
• 3.1 Hazardous material setbacks. Restrict the storage and transport of hazardous materials
only to areas where risks to residents are adequately minimized through setbacks or other measures.
• 3.2 Hazardous material incident response. Coordinate with allied agencies to prepare for
and respond to hazardous materials incidents.
• 3.3 Use, storage, and transport. Require businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous materials to ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect public health and safety.
• 3.4 Hazardous materials in coastal zone. Restrict the siting of new uses involving hazardous
materials in the Coastal Zone to coastal-related industrial uses in the Cypress District.
• 3.5 Safe disposal practices. Maintain City’s website and other outlets with information regarding the safe handling and disposal of household chemicals.
• 4.1 Public awareness. Increase public awareness of hazards, emergency response, and
recovery through updated evacuation routes and informational signage.
• 4.2 Promote community-based programs. Promote community-based programs in fire safety and emergency preparedness, including neighborhood-level programs and
programs with businesses.
• 4.3 SEMS and NIMS training. Increase City employee capacity through the Standardized
Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant training and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) drills to identify
hazards, and assist in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
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• 4.4 Utilize City media resources. Establish communication protocols and utilize City media resources to provide information prior to, during, or after events posing risk to community
health, safety, and welfare.
• 4.5 Responsive neighborhood groups. Encourage neighborhood groups to identify, consider, and prepare for the needs of neighbors with access and functional needs to adequately respond to disasters.
• 4.6 Vulnerable populations. Establish an emergency plan to take care of vulnerable
populations, such as children, the elderly, and tourists during hazardous events.
Implementation Actions
• SAFETY-16. Include updated hazardous materials considerations in regular Emergency
Operation Plan updates and work with the County of Los Angeles to update local
Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular basis.
• SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the
proper disposal of toxic materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and
water resources from toxic materials contamination.
• SAFETY-18. Designate an emergency response team to monitor and respond to regional disasters such as oil spills and other shoreline disasters. Such a team must maintain an emergency response plan that includes coordination with other agencies and jurisdictions
in the region on initial response, aid, and recovery.
• SAFETY-24. Periodically update the emergency operations plan.
• SAFETY-25. Periodically update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and concurrently amend
the Public Safety Element to maintain eligibility for maximum grant funding.
• SAFETY-29. Identify hazard-specific evacuation routes and share with the public,
businesses, and other government agencies.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.7-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Create a Significant Hazard to the Public and Environment Through the Transport, Use, or Disposal of Hazardous Materials? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development in the city in a manner that
could result in the public’s exposure to hazardous materials from increased
transport, use, or accidental release of hazardous materials. Compliance with
existing federal and state regulations and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce risks of accidents associated with the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials to a less than significant level.
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city. New development
could result in increased transport, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in the planning area. Of particular concern are facilities that would handle hazardous materials such as
light industrial uses, gas stations, automotive repair shops, and dry cleaners. Facilities developed
consistent with PLAN Hermosa that would use hazardous materials on-site would be required to
obtain permits and comply with appropriate regulatory agency standards designed to avoid hazardous waste releases and protect public health.
The transport, use, and storage of hazardous materials would be required to comply with all
applicable local, state, and federal regulations as noted above. Facilities that use hazardous
materials are required to obtain permits and comply with appropriate regulatory agency standards designed to avoid hazardous waste releases. Federally, the Resource Conservation and Recovery
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Act gives the EPA the authority to control the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.
Additionally, the City will continue to enforce disclosure laws that require users, producers, and
transporters of hazardous materials and wastes to clearly identify the materials that they store, use,
or transport, and to notify the appropriate agencies in the event of a violation. By recognizing
these hazards and ensuring that an educated public is able to work with City officials to minimize
risks associated with hazardous materials in the urban environment, safe conditions would be
maintained throughout the planning area.
The amount of hazardous materials transported through the planning area on roadways, local
routes, and Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) may increase as a result of PLAN Hermosa
implementation. The US Department of Transportation governs the transportation of hazardous
materials. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues regulations concerning highway routing of hazardous materials, including hazardous materials endorsements for a commercial
driver’s license, highway hazardous material safety permits, and financial responsibility
requirements for motor carriers of hazardous materials.
The following PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies recognize and account for potential risks associated with hazardous materials and support compliance with and enforcement of state
and federal hazardous materials regulations. Policy 3.1 ensures that the storage and transport of
hazardous materials is restricted only to areas where risks to residents are adequately minimized.
Policy 3.2 directs the City to coordinate with allied agencies to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents. Policy 3.3 requires businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous
materials to ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect public health and safety. Policy
3.4 directs the City to restrict the siting of new uses involving hazardous materials in the Coastal
Zone to coastal-related industrial uses in the Cypress District. Policy 3.5 directs the City to maintain its website and other outlets with information regarding the safe handling and disposal of
household chemicals. Policy 4.1 directs the City to increase awareness of hazards, emergency
response, and recovery. Finally, implementation action SAFETY-16 directs the City to work with the
County of Los Angeles to update local Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular basis.
Continued compliance with and enforcement of existing federal, state, and local regulations
concerning the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials, supported by
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, would reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.7-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Create a Significant Hazard to the Public or Environment
Through Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials into the Environment?
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development in the city in
a manner that could lead to accidental release of hazardous materials into the
environment. Compliance with existing federal and state regulations and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce risks associated with the accidental release of hazardous materials. However, development of the City’s
Maintenance Yard or other sites in the city could release known or unknown
hazardous materials, which would be potentially significant.
Known Contamination
As described above there is only one location of known contamination in Hermosa Beach, the
City’s Maintenance Yard. The contaminated site is currently operational and is not included in the
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GeoTracker database. Given the history of the site, which has been used in a similar capacity since the late nineteenth century, potential contamination could come from a number of
activities related to the function of the site, including oil changes and fleet maintenance, storage
of materials such as paint or cleaning materials, and collection of waste or debris from sites throughout the city. These are common activities at maintenance yards, and it is not uncommon for these sites to be further evaluated for potential contamination. According to PLAN Hermosa,
land uses allowed on and around the City Maintenance Yard would be light industrial.
Nonetheless, any construction on the site that would entail uses for commercial or residential purposes would require remediation and cleanup activities be implemented as outlined in 40 CFR
Part 260, Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements. Because development
could potentially take place on the existing City Maintenance Yard site, impacts would be potentially significant.
Unknown Contamination
Future development that would take place in the city under PLAN Hermosa could encounter
unknown hazardous materials contamination. PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies
recognize and account for potential risks associated with accidental release of hazardous materials into the environment. Policy 3.5 directs the City to maintain its website and other outlets
with information regarding the safe handling and disposal of household chemicals, while Policy
4.1 directs the City to increase awareness of hazards, emergency response, and recovery. Policy
4.4 would establish communication protocols and utilize City media resources to provide information prior to, during, or after events posing risk to community health safety, and welfare,
such as exposure to unknown contaminants. Implementation action SAFETY-16 directs the City to
work with the County of Los Angeles to update local Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular
basis. Implementation action SAFETY-18 designates an emergency response team to monitor and respond to regional disasters such as oil spills and other shoreline disasters.
Compliance with existing regulations concerning the upset and/or accidental release of
hazardous materials, supported by implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies, would ensure that
the general public would not be exposed to any unusual or excessive risks related to accidental upset and/or release of hazardous materials into the environment. Nonetheless, unknown
contamination during construction activities could be discovered and this impact is potentially significant.
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.7-2a For any development activities that would encroach upon or take place at the
City’s Maintenance Yard, the City shall require the preparation and
implementation of a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) and a Remedial
Action Plan (RAP) to be approved by the appropriate agencies.
MM 4.7-2b Future discretionary projects involving the use of hazardous materials that may
be accidentally released or encountered during construction shall be required
to implement the following procedures:
• Stop all work in the vicinity of any discovered contamination or release.
• Identify the scope and immediacy of the problem.
• Coordinate with responsible agencies (Department of Toxic Substances
Control, Regional Water Quality Control Board, or US Environmental Protection Agency).
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• Conduct the necessary investigation and remediation activities to resolve the situation before continuing construction work as required by state and
local regulations.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.7-2a and MM 4.7-2b would ensure that accidental release of hazardous materials into the environment, either from redevelopment at the City
Maintenance Yard or from unknown contamination, would be remediated in accordance with
state and local regulations in a manner that would protect public health during construction
activities and later use of the site. Project impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level.
IMPACT 4.7-3 Emission or Handling of Hazardous or Acutely Hazardous Materials, Substances, or Waste within One-Quarter Mile of an Existing or Proposed School. PLAN
Hermosa implementation would guide future development in the city. Such development, which could emit or handle hazardous waste, could occur in the
proximity of new or existing schools. Compliance with existing regulations would
reduce the risk of emissions or the handling of hazardous materials near schools to a less than significant level.
PLAN Hermosa implementation could lead to development that would emit or handle hazardous
materials within a quarter mile of a school. Schools located in the city are mostly surrounded by
residential development, and future development under PLAN Hermosa concentrates on both residential and nonresidential development. Hazardous materials handled in residential
neighborhoods are typical of household hazardous materials like cleaners and yard maintenance
materials, and are usually in small quantities that do not pose threats to school uses.
The California Department of Education enforces school siting requirements through its School Site Selection and Approval Guide, and based on these requirements, new school facilities would not
be constructed within one-quarter mile of facilities emitting or handling materials. CEQA
Guidelines Section 15186, School Facilities, requires that school projects, as well as projects
proposed to be located near schools, examine potential health impacts resulting from exposure to hazardous materials, wastes, and substances. Furthermore, permitting requirements for
individual hazardous material handlers or emitters, including enforcement of Public Resources
Code Section 21151.4, would require evaluation and notification where potential hazardous
materials handling and emissions could occur in proximity to existing schools.
Compliance with existing regulations for both known and unknown contamination as well as
handling of hazardous materials, as outlined above in the Regulatory Setting subsection, would
minimize impacts from implementation of PLAN Hermosa to a less than significant level.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.7-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Interference with an Adopted Emergency Response Plan? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and
reuse projects in the city in a manner that would ensure conformance with
countywide emergency response programs and continued cooperation with
emergency response service providers. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
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PLAN Hermosa implementation could generate additional peak traffic conditions that could interfere with emergency response and evacuation plans, while new development could create
new hazards in the city that would require emergency response personnel in case of a man-made
or natural disaster.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) Health Hazardous Materials Division is the
Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for the City of Hermosa Beach, with the Hermosa Beach
Fire Department (HBFD) authorized as a participating agency. The LACFD and the HBFD work
together to implement the City’s Emergency Operations Plan that addresses Hermosa Beach’s planned response to emergencies.
The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan includes mitigation measures to ensure emergency
response in the city is done in a coordinated manner. For example, the plan includes measures to
continually assess emergency response operations, gather data regarding hazards in the city to enhance emergency response plans, and continue local mutual aid agreements for emergency
response with other jurisdictions. Additionally, the City maintains an Emergency Preparedness
Advisory Commission and operates a Community Emergency Response Team to educate and
prepare the public to respond and survive in case of natural or man-made disasters.
PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies and actions support implementation of the City’s
Emergency Operations Plan and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. For example, Policy 4.1 directs the
City to increase public awareness of hazards, emergency response, and recovery, while Policy 4.2
promotes community-based programs in fire safety and emergency preparedness, including neighborhood-level programs and programs with businesses. Policy 4.3 increases City employee
capacity through SEMS- and NIMS-compliant training and EOC drills to identify hazards and assist
in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Policy 4.4 would establish communication
protocols and utilize City media resources to provide information prior to, during, or after events posing risk to community health safety, and welfare. Policy 4.5 encourages neighborhood groups
to identify, consider, and prepare for the needs of neighbors with access and functional needs to
adequately respond to disasters. Implementation action SAFETY-29 directs the City to identify
hazard-specific evacuation routes and share them with the public, businesses, and other government agencies.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and programs as outlined above and compliance with
existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations would minimize impacts on emergency response and evacuation plans from new development. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa implementation would result in less than significant impacts related to emergency access.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative setting for hazards and human health risks associated with PLAN Hermosa includes
Hermosa Beach, surrounding cities, and the surrounding areas in Los Angeles County. Most
hazardous materials, human health, and safety impacts are site-specific and not cumulative in nature.
IMPACT 4.7-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to a Cumulative Impact on the Transport, Use, or Disposal of Hazardous Materials? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, along with
increased urban development in Los Angeles County, would not result in cumulative hazards impacts. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
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Potential exposure to or generation of hazardous conditions in the city is site-specific rather than associated with the combination of other hazards in the region resulting in a significant effect. As
described in Impacts 4.7-1 and 4.7-2, adherence to existing federal, state, and local regulations
regarding the handling, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials, as well as implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies, would minimize potential risks associated with accidental release and exposure to hazardous materials. Therefore, this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.7.5 REFERENCES
Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2005. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
———. 2011. City of Hermosa Beach Emergency Operations Plan. Accessed January 2014. http://hermosabeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1452&meta_id
=90083.
———. 2014. E&B Oil Drilling & Production Project Final Environmental Impact Report.
http://www.hermosabch.org/ftp/oil_docs/FEIR%20Hermosa%20beach%20Oil%20Project_All%20Sections.pdf.
DTSC (California Department of Toxic Substances Control). 2015. Registered Hazardous Waste
Transporter Database. Accessed February 2014 and November 2015.
https://dtsc.ca.gov/database/Transporters/index.cfm.
SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board). 2014. GeoTracker. Accessed January 2014.
http://geotracker.swrcb.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress= hermosabeach.
———. 2015. GeoTracker. Accessed January 2015. http://geotracker.swrcb.ca.gov/map
/?CMD=runreport&myaddress= hermosabeach.
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4.8.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to hydrology and
water quality associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis includes a review of
the watershed, surface water, groundwater, flooding, tsunami, wave run-up, sea level rise, stormwater, and surface water and groundwater quality. Water supply and wastewater treatment
are discussed in Section 4.13, Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities. Topics including
erosion and sedimentation are discussed in Section 4.5, Geology and Soils. Issues regarding
wetlands and waters of the United States are discussed in Section 4.3, Biological Resources, and contamination from hazardous materials is discussed in Section 4.7, Hazards and Hazardous
Materials. Policies and implementation actions from the PLAN Hermosa Infrastructure Element,
Sustainability + Conservation Element, and Public Safety Element guide development and
infrastructure practices to protect surface water and groundwater from degradation associated with runoff and pollution, reduce water consumption, and protect against flooding hazards.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing hydrology and water quality concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous sources,
including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report and other publicly available
documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is attached to this EIR as Appendix C-11.
4.8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-11 describes in detail the regional and local hydrology as well as the groundwater
hydrology of the planning area. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones are described and mapped. Surface water and groundwater quality are also discussed. Key
findings from the Technical Background Report are summarized below.
HYDROLOGY
• Watershed: The planning area is located in the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, which
overlies the West Coast subbasin of the Coastal Plain of the Los Angeles Basin. The West
Coast subbasin is adjudicated and commonly referred to as the West Coast Basin. It is
bounded on the north by the Ballona Escarpment, an abandoned erosional channel from the Los Angeles River. It is bounded on the east by the Newport-Inglewood fault zone and
on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean and consolidated rocks of the Palos Verdes
Hills (DWR 1999). The Los Angeles River crosses the southern surface of the subbasin through the Dominguez Gap, and the San Gabriel River crosses the subbasin through the Alamitos Gap. Both rivers then flow into San Pedro Bay (DWR 2004). Major hydrologic inputs to the
basin include precipitation and flows from the South Lahontan Region and the Colorado
River Region. The Santa Monica Bay Watershed flows into the Pacific Ocean. The
watershed has an annual discharge of more than 30 billion gallons of stormwater and
urban runoff each year through 200 outlets. Urban runoff is caused by precipitation falling
on impermeable pavement.
• Surface Water: No freshwater waterways or surface water bodies are located in the city. Approximately 1.8 miles of the western edge of the planning area abuts the south end of Santa Monica Bay. This area includes a 400-foot-wide sandy beach between the Pacific
Ocean and urban development. Urban runoff (stormwater) flows from inland locations
through the city to the Pacific Ocean through a network of drainage lines identified in Figure 11-1 in Appendix C-11, and included below as Figure 4.8-1 (Stormwater Drainage
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Map). The network is a mix of County-owned and City-owned lines that generally run east to west along major roads, including 16th Street, Pier Avenue, and 2nd Street. The lines
generally terminate through one of 11 outfalls at the west end of the city on the beach or
in the Pacific Ocean.
• Groundwater: The planning area is in the West Coast subbasin of the Coastal Plain of the
Los Angeles Basin. The water in underlying aquifers is confined throughout most of the basin. Table 11-1 in Appendix C-11 identifies the principal aquifers in the West Coast subbasin. The Silverado aquifer is confined, underlies most of the basin, and is the most
productive aquifer in the basin. It ranges from 100 to 500 feet thick and yields 80 to 90
percent of the groundwater extracted annually from the basin. The storage capacity of the Silverado aquifer is estimated to be 6.5 million acre-feet (DWR 1961). Groundwater
recharge in the planning area is limited because Hermosa Beach is generally built out with
urban development, with the exception of open space areas such as parks, the Hermosa
Valley Greenbelt, and the beach.
• Floodplain: Figure 11-2 in Appendix C-11, included below as Figure 4.8-2 (FEMA Flood Zone Map), illustrates FEMA’s (2008) 100-year flood zone areas for Hermosa Beach. The entirety of the city’s sandy beaches (extending from offshore waters to The Strand) are identified
as a 100-year flood zone with the designation of Zone A, which means no base flood
elevations were determined. The remainder of the city is outside of the 100-year flood
zone. Because of projected sea level rise, the area inundated by 100-year floods is expected to increase through the planning horizon; however, no regulatory maps
currently identify floodplains under projected conditions.
• Tsunami: The probability of a tsunami in the planning area is low. However, if a tsunami
should occur, the consequences would be great (City of Hermosa Beach 2005). As
illustrated in Figure 11-3 in Appendix C-11, included below as Figure 4.8-3 (Tsunami Inundation Zone), the tsunami inundation line runs parallel with Hermosa Avenue, except in the northern part of the planning area where it extends eastward as much as one city
block.
• Wave Run-Up: The Hermosa Beach coastline is exposed to waves generated by winter and
summer storms originating in the Pacific Ocean. It is not uncommon for these storms to
cause 15-foot swells. The occurrence of such a storm event, in combination with high astronomical tides and strong winds, can cause a wave run-up and allow storm waves to
come in higher than at normal elevations along the coastline. Hermosa Beach has large
areas along the beachfront that are less than 15 feet above sea level. Normally, the very
wide beach will buffer these areas from the surf. During heavy storm seasons, the beach can be eroded to such an extent that properties may be subject to wave run-up. This has
occurred during past El Niño events and during astronomical high tides. Resulting damage
has been primarily to private property, although the extent of the damage has not been
documented (City of Hermosa Beach 2005).
• Sea Level Rise: For the Los Angeles region, sea level rise is expected with an increase of 0.3
inches to 2.0 feet from 2000 to 2050 and 1.3 to 5.6 feet from 2000 to 2100 (NRC 2012; Grifman et al. 2013). As noted above, coastal flooding is exacerbated by storm surge and
high tides. Although there is variability in sea level rise projections, even a minor increase
in sea level could lead to substantial increases in coastal flooding severity and frequency.
These conditions could affect coastal infrastructure and increase the effect of flooding from coastal-related events in the planning area. The City is conducting a project to
forecast how coastal shallow groundwater elevation and salinity may respond to project
increases in sea level rise in the sandy, low-lying coastal soils to evaluate the vulnerability
of existing storm drain outfalls that could be inundated at high tide and cause localized flooding.
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WATER QUALITY
Surface Water
• There are no potable surface water resources in the city. However, Hermosa Beach and
Santa Monica Bay are designated as “water quality–limited” for impairments under federal Clean Water Act Section 303(d), indicating that these water bodies are not reasonably
expected to attain or maintain water quality standards due to impairments without
additional regulation. Impairment is measured by Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), the
maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. Table 11-2 in the Technical Background Report (see Appendix C-11)
identifies the listing category, pollutant, and pollutant type for Hermosa Beach and Santa
Monica Bay.
• The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed two TMDLs for Hermosa Beach: the Santa
Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL and the Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Wet Weather
TMDL (Los Angeles RWQCB 2002a, 2002b). The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather
TMDL (Resolution No. 02-004, Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan–Los Angeles Region) notes that elevated bacterial indicator densities were causing impairment of
water contact recreation beneficial uses at many Santa Monica Bay beaches. Dry
weather bacteriological objectives identified in the Los Angeles Region Basin Plan include
limits for total coliform density, fecal coliform density, and enterococcus density. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL sets the number of days that can be in
exceedance of the limits identified in the basin plan. Weekly shoreline monitoring is
conducted at seven sites under the Coordinated Shoreline Monitoring Plan for the Santa Monica Bay beaches bacteria TMDL.
• The City of Hermosa Beach is not aware of any significant water quality degradation in the
watershed during the latest reporting year (2014–15). Two shoreline monitoring sites
predominantly influenced by runoff from the city have maintained consistently better water quality than the reference beach site monitoring location.1 An open beach
shoreline monitoring location at the extension of 26th Street in Hermosa Beach has
historically exhibited a lower rate of exceedence than the reference beach. The nearest
storm drain outfall ends approximately 300 feet from the shoreline. TMDL bacteria objectives for this site were not exceeded during the 2014–15 reporting year.
• The City has implemented several projects to reduce and minimize pollutants in stormwater
runoff generated by land uses in the city to help protect water quality. The Hermosa Strand
Infiltration Trench is a subsurface trench approximately 1,000 feet long along The Strand and diverts dry weather flows year-round from the 36-acre area of the Pier Avenue storm
drain. Monitoring shows that the system effectively removes bacteria load from runoff
diverted to the trench. The Pier Avenue Improvement Project is a “green” multi-benefit
streetscape improvement that retrofitted the city’s main street to capture and treat stormwater/urban runoff from residential areas and commercial development in the
downtown corridor (36-acre drainage area). The project has reduced dry weather flows
and wet weather low flows through infiltration in both subwatersheds. The City’s Public
Works Department implements green streets retrofits whenever the opportunity arises as part of capital improvement projects through installation of infiltration boxes within the
public right-of-way. A section of Hermosa Avenue has been retrofitted with this system. The
1 The reference beach is Leo Carillo Beach at the outlet of Arroyo Sequit Canyon, a freshwater creek draining 12 square miles of almost entirely undeveloped open space.
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City has also installed trash filter/capture inserts on several catch basins. As part of the infrastructure vulnerability assessment noted above, the City is assessing how projected
increases in sea level rise could affect existing and planned stormwater infiltration systems
and low-flow diversions designed to meet stormwater quality standards.
• Two additional TMDLs were approved by the Los Angeles RWQCB and the EPA after the 303(d) list: Santa Monica Bay Total Maximum Daily Loads for DDTs and PCBs (2012) and
Santa Monica Bay Nearshore and Offshore Debris TMDL (2010). As a co-permittee to the
Los Angeles MS4 NPDES Permit (see below), the City of Hermosa Beach is responsible for meeting water quality–based effluent limitations that allow Santa Monica Bay to meet
TMDL targets identified in the Santa Monica Bay Total Daily Maximum Loads for DDTs and
PCBs and the Santa Monica Bay Nearshore and Offshore Debris TMDL.
• Stormwater runoff into Santa Monica Bay is regulated primarily through four National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits:
− The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) NPDES permit issued to the
municipalities in the urbanized area of Los Angeles County, except the City of Long
Beach, which has its own MS4 NPDES permit.
− A separate statewide stormwater permit specifically for the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans)
− The statewide Construction Activities Stormwater General Permit
− The statewide Industrial Activities Stormwater General Permit
The Los Angeles MS4 permit was first issued in 1990 and includes 85 co-permittees, including
Los Angeles County and the City of Hermosa Beach. The latest revision of the permit (Order
No. R4-2012-0175) was issued on November 8, 2012, and amended by the State Water
Resources Control Board (Order No. WQ 2015-0075) on June 16, 2015.
Groundwater
• In the Silverado zone, the character of water varies considerably. In the coastal region,
the water is calcium chloride in character, transitioning into sodium bicarbonate moving
inland. Data from 45 public supply wells shows average total dissolved solids content of 720 milligrams per liter and a range of 170 to 5,510 milligrams per liter (DWR 2004).
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FIGURE 4.8-1
STORMWATER DRAINAGE MAP
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FIGURE 4.8-2
FEMA FLOOD ZONE MAP
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FIGURE 4.8-3
TSUNAMI INUNDATION ZONE
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4.8.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to hydrology and water quality in
the planning area. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing all aspects of hydrology
and water quality that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory setting for hydrology and water quality is discussed in detail in Appendix C-11. Key regulations used to reduce potential impacts of the proposed project are summarized below.
FEDERAL
• Clean Water Act: The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 is the primary federal law that
governs and authorizes the EPA and the states to implement activities to control water
quality. The following sections outline the various water quality elements of the CWA that
apply to PLAN Hermosa.
− Water Quality Criteria and Standards. The EPA is the federal agency with primary
authority for implementing regulations adopted under the Clean Water Act. The EPA
has delegated to the State of California the authority to implement and oversee most
of the programs authorized or adopted for CWA compliance through the State’s Porter-Cologne Act, described below. Under federal law, the EPA has published water
quality regulations under Volume 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Section 303
of the CWA requires states to adopt water quality standards for all surface waters of
the United States. As defined by the CWA, water quality standards consist of the designated beneficial uses of the water body in question and criteria that protect the
designated uses. Section 304(a) requires the EPA to publish advisory water quality
criteria that accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge on the kind and extent
of all effects on health and welfare that may be expected from the presence of pollutants in water. Where multiple uses exist, water quality standards must protect the
most sensitive use.
− National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program. The CWA established
the NPDES permit program to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States. A discharge from any point source is unlawful unless the
discharge is in compliance with an NPDES permit. Federal NPDES permit regulations
have been established for broad categories of point source discharges including industrial wastewater, municipal wastewater, and point sources of stormwater runoff,
including municipal separate storm sewer systems and industrial stormwater which
includes construction sites. NPDES permits generally establish effluent and receiving
water limits on allowable concentrations and/or mass emissions of pollutants contained in the discharge, prohibitions on discharges not specifically allowed under
the permit, and provisions that describe required actions by the discharger, including
industrial pretreatment, pollution prevention, self-monitoring, and other activities. The
City is regulated because its stormwater is managed as part of a large, interconnected flood control system operated by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Construction sites in the planning area that disturb 1 acre or more must obtain
coverage under the statewide NPDES Construction General Permit. Currently there are
no industrial facilities in the planning area that are subject to the statewide NPDES Industrial General Permit. The RWQCBs implement the NPDES permit system (see
additional information under the State subsection below). The planning area is within
the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles RWQCB.
− Section 401 Water Quality Certification or Waiver. Under Section 401 of the CWA, an applicant for a Section 404 permit (to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of
the United States) must first obtain a certificate from the appropriate state agency
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indicating that the fill is consistent with the state’s water quality standards and criteria. In California, the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards have the authority to
grant water quality certification or waive requirements.
− Section 303(d) Impaired Waters List. Section 303(d) of the CWA requires states to develop lists of water bodies that would not attain water quality objectives after implementation of required levels of treatment by point-source dischargers
(municipalities and industries). Section 303(d) requires that the state develop a TMDL
for each of the listed pollutants. As noted previously, the TMDL is the amount of loading that the water body can receive and still be in compliance with water quality
objectives. The TMDL can also act as a plan to reduce loading of a specific pollutant
from various sources to achieve compliance with water quality objectives. The state-
prepared TMDL must include an allocation of allowable loadings to point and nonpoint sources, with consideration of background loadings (sources of naturally occurring
pollutants) and a margin of safety. The TMDL must also include an analysis that shows
links between loading reductions and the attainment of water quality objectives.
NPDES permit limits for listed pollutants must be consistent with the waste load allocation prescribed in the TMDL. After implementation of a TMDL, it is intended that
the problems which led to placement of a given pollutant on the Section 303(d) list
would be remediated.
• National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program to provide subsidized flood insurance to communities that comply with FEMA
regulations limiting development in floodplains. FEMA also issues Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) that identify which land areas are subject to flooding. These maps provide
flood information and identify flood hazard zones in communities. FEMA established the design standard for flood protection in areas covered by FIRMs, with the minimum level of
flood protection for new development determined to be a 1-in-100 probability of annual
exceedance (i.e., the 100-year flood event). As developments are proposed and
constructed, FEMA is also responsible for issuing revisions to FIRMs, such as Conditional Letters of Map Revision and Letters of Map Revision through the local agencies that work
with the National Flood Insurance Program.
• US Army Corps of Engineers: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for issuing permits for the placement of fill or discharge of material into waters of the United
States. These permits are required under Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404. Water
supply projects that involve stream construction, such as dams or other types of diversion
structures, trigger the need for these permits and related environmental reviews by the USACE. The USACE also is responsible for flood control planning and assisting state and
local agencies with the design and funding of local flood control projects.
STATE
• California Coastal Act of 1976: The California Coastal Act of 1976 and the California Coastal Commission, the state’s coastal protection and planning agency, were
established by voter initiative in 1972 to plan for and regulate new development and to
protect public access to and along the shoreline. The Coastal Act considers water quality and water-related public safety concerns as issues of public importance.
• State Water Resources Control Board: In California, the State Water Resources Control
Board (SWRCB) has broad authority over issues related to controlling water quality for the
state. The SWRCB is responsible for developing statewide water quality policy and exercises the powers delegated to the state by the federal government under the Clean Water Act.
Regional authority for planning, permitting, and enforcement is delegated to the nine
Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs). The regional boards are required to
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formulate and adopt basin plans for all areas in the region and establish water quality objectives in the plans. California water quality objectives (or “criteria” under the CWA)
are found in the basin plans adopted by the SWRCB and each of the nine regional boards.
The Los Angeles RWQCB is responsible for the Hermosa Beach planning area and the surrounding region. In 2006, the SWRCB adopted Order Number 2006-003 establishing General Waste Discharge Requirements for all publicly owned or operated sanitary sewer
systems in California. The Waste Discharge Requirements require owners and operators of
sewer collection systems to report sanitary sewer overflows using the California Integrated Water Quality System and to develop and implement a Sewer System Management Plan.
The Hermosa Beach Sanitary Sewer Master Plan, adopted in 2009 and updated in 2011,
details sewer collection system operations, maintenance, repair, and funding. Section
4.13, Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities, of this EIR addresses wastewater treatment issues and the state regulations that apply to the demonstration of adequate
water supply for the future water demands caused by implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
• Title 22 Standards: California’s drinking water quality standards are contained in Title 22 of
the California Code of Regulations. Water quality standards are enforceable limits composed of two parts: the designated beneficial uses of water and criteria (i.e., numeric
or narrative limits) to protect those beneficial uses. Municipal and domestic supply is
among the “beneficial uses” defined in Section 13050(f) of the Porter-Cologne Act as uses
of surface water and groundwater that must be protected against water quality degradation. Drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) directly apply to water
supply systems “at the tap” (i.e., at the point of use by consumers in, for example, their
home and office) and are enforceable by the State and the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health. When fully health-protective, MCLs may also be used to interpret narrative water quality objectives prohibiting toxicity to humans in water
designated as a source of drinking water in the basin plan.
• Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act: The Porter-Cologne Act is California’s statutory
authority for the protection of water quality. Under the act, the State must adopt water quality policies, plans, and objectives that protect the state’s waters for the use and
enjoyment of the people. The act sets forth the obligations of the SWRCB and the RWQCBs
to adopt and periodically update basin plans. Basin plans are the regional water quality control plans required by both the Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Act in which
beneficial uses, water quality objectives, and implementation programs are established
for each of the nine regions in California. The act also requires waste dischargers to notify
the RWQCBs of their activities through the filing of reports of waste discharge and authorizes the SWRCB and the RWQCBs to issue and enforce waste discharge
requirements (WDR), NPDES permits, Section 401 water quality certifications, or other
approvals. The RWQCBs also have authority to issue waivers to reports of waste discharge
and/or WDRs for broad categories of “low threat” discharge activities that have minimal potential for adverse water quality effects when implemented according to prescribed
terms and conditions.
• Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan: The planning area is in the
jurisdiction of the Los Angeles RWQCB, which is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the water quality control plan for the Los Angeles region (Los Angeles
RWQCB 1995). The basin plan defines the beneficial uses, water quality objectives,
implementation programs, and surveillance and monitoring programs for waters of the
coastal drainages in the Los Angeles region between Rincon Point on the coast of western Ventura County and the eastern Los Angeles County line. The basin plan contains specific
numeric water quality objectives that apply to certain water bodies or portions of water
bodies. Objectives have been established for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, pH, pesticides,
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electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature, turbidity, and trace elements. Numerous narrative water quality objectives have also been established.
• California Ocean Plan: Section 13170.2 of the California Water Code directs the SWRCB to
formulate and adopt a water quality control plan for California’s ocean waters. The SWRCB first adopted this plan, known as the California Ocean Plan, in 1972. The California Water Code also requires a review of the California Ocean Plan at least every three years
to guarantee that current standards are adequate and are not allowing degradation to
indigenous marine species or posing a threat to human health. The current iteration of the California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2012) establishes water quality objectives for California’s
ocean waters and provides the basis for regulation of wastes discharged into the state’s
coastal waters.
• California State Nondegradation Policy: In 1968, the SWRCB adopted a nondegradation policy aimed at maintaining high quality for waters in California. The nondegradation
policy states that the disposal of wastes into state waters shall be regulated to achieve the
highest water quality consistent with maximum benefit to the people of the state and to
promote the peace, health, safety, and welfare of the people of California. The policy provides as follows:
− Where the existing quality of water is better than required under existing water quality
control plans, such quality would be maintained until it has been demonstrated that
any change would be consistent with maximum benefit to the people of the state and would not unreasonably affect present and anticipated beneficial uses of such water.
− Any activity which produces waste or increases the volume or concentration of waste
and which discharges to existing high-quality waters would be required to meet waste
discharge requirements, which would ensure (1) pollution or nuisance would not occur and (2) the highest water quality consistent with the maximum benefit to the people
of the state would be maintained.
• NPDES Permit System and Waste Discharge Requirements for Construction: The SWRCB and
the Los Angeles RWQCB have adopted specific NPDES permits for a variety of activities that have potential to discharge wastes to waters of the State. The SWRCB General Permit
for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities
(Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended by Order No. 2010-0014-DWQ and Order No. 2012-0006-DWQ) applies to all land-disturbing construction activities that would affect
1 acre or more. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has issued a general
NPDES permit and general WDRs governing construction-related dewatering discharges in
the Los Angeles RWQCB’s jurisdictional area (Los Angeles RWQCB Order No. R4-2003-0111; NPDES No. CAG994004). The Los Angeles RWQCB may also issue site-specific WDRs, or
waivers to WDRs, for certain waste discharges to land or waters of the State. Activities
subject to the NPDES general permit for construction activity must develop and implement
a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP includes a site map and description of construction activities and identifies the best management practices that
will be employed to prevent soil erosion and discharge of other construction-related
pollutants, such as petroleum products, solvents, paints, and cement that could
contaminate nearby water resources.
• Municipal Stormwater Permit Program: The SWRCB Municipal Storm Water Permitting
Program regulates stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems
(MS4s). The current MS4 permit (Order No. R4-2012-0175 [NPDES Permit No. CAS004001,
Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System [MS4] Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles County], as amended by Order
No. WQ 2015-0075) requires the discharger to develop and implement a stormwater
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management plan/program with the goal of reducing the discharge of pollutants in stormwater to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). The MEP is the performance
standard specified in federal Clean Water Act Section 402(p). The management programs
specify what best management practices will be used to address certain program areas. The permit establishes new performance criteria for new development and redevelopment projects in the Coastal Zone, including low impact development (LID). The
City of Hermosa Beach is a co-permittee under the MS4 permit. As a co-permittee, the City
is required to maintain adequate legal authority within its respective jurisdiction to control pollutant discharges and to require the use of control measures to prevent or reduce the
discharge of pollutants into the MS4 to achieve water quality standards.
• Recycled Wastewater Requirements: Wastewater recycling in California is regulated under
California Code of Regulations Title 22, Division 4, under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Public Health. The intent of these regulations is to ensure protection of
public health associated with the use of recycled water. The regulations establish
acceptable levels of constituents in recycled water for a range of uses and prescribe
means for ensuring reliability in the production of recycled water. Using recycled water for nonpotable uses is common throughout the state and is an effective means of maximizing
use of water resources. The Los Angeles RWQCB establishes water reclamation
requirements under the Title 22 regulations and is responsible for implementing wastewater
recycling projects.
REGIONAL
• Enhanced Watershed Management Plan for Beach Cities: Following adoption of the MS4
permit, the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance, together with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD), collectively referred
to as the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group (Beach Cities WMG) agreed to
collaborate on the development of an Enhanced Watershed Management Program
(EWMP) for the Santa Monica Bay and Dominguez Channel Watershed areas within their jurisdictions (referred to as the Beach Cities EWMP Area). Under Part IV.C of the MS4 permit
(Watershed Management Program), the permittees are afforded the flexibility to develop
watershed management programs to implement the requirements of the permit on a
watershed scale through customized strategies, control measures, and best management practices. The Beach Cities EWMP summarizes watershed-specific water quality priorities
identified by the Beach Cities WMG; outlines the program plan, including specific
strategies, control measures, and best management practices to achieve water quality
targets; and describes the quantitative analysis completed to support target achievement and permit compliance. A reasonable assurance analysis was prepared in conjunction
with the EWMP to demonstrate on a quantitative basis that the EWMP will achieve the
requirements of the MS4 permit for the members of the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group. A timeline, estimated costs, and potential funding sources are also described in the EWMP.
Currently, regional best management practices have been constructed within the Beach
Cities EWMP planning area, including two in Hermosa Beach (Pier Avenue Improvement project and Hermosa Strand Infiltration Trench project). Future projects proposed in
Hermosa Beach are the Hermosa Beach Infiltration Beach project, the Hermosa Beach
Greenbelt Infiltration project, and two green street projects. The projects in Hermosa Beach
have not been funded, and a schedule for implementation has not yet been developed.
The Beach Cities EWMP was approved by the Los Angeles RWQCB on April 18, 2016, under
its authority to administer the MS4 permit. The EWMP does not establish policies or
regulations that the participating cities must impose on new development or
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redevelopment, nor does the program require the construction of the specific features identified in the EWMP. However, the approach described in the EWMP, in combination
with the required LID-based best management practices that each participating city must
impose on development, is anticipated to protect and potentially improve water quality in Santa Monica Bay from pollutants in stormwater runoff.
LOCAL
• Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Regulations: Chapter 8.44 of the Hermosa
Beach Municipal Code ensures consistency with the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and acts
amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, applicable implementing regulations, and
the Municipal NPDES Permit, and any amendment, revision, or reissuance thereof.
• Low Impact Development Ordinance: The City has been requiring LID best management practices for certain residential and commercial projects since 2015, when it adopted a
customized amendment to the California Green Building Code. As required by the current
MS4 permit, Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 8.44.095 (LID Ordinance) sets forth low impact development requirements for new development and redevelopment (Ordinance No. 15-1351). All new development or new building construction in Hermosa
Beach will be required to comply with the LID requirements regardless of the area of
impervious surface or acreage disturbed, which exceeds the minimum applicability requirements of the MS4 permit. Consistent with the MS4 permit, redevelopment projects
of any type that add or replace more than 5,000 square feet of impervious surface area
will also be required to comply with the LID requirements, with the further proviso that
redevelopment projects located directly adjacent to a significant ecological area will be subject to LID requirements if they propose addition or replacement of more than 2,500
square feet of impervious surface area.2 The City has been implementing the LID
Ordinance requirements since 2015.
• Green Street Policy: The City adopted a policy (Resolution No. 15-0013) in 2015 to implement green street best management practices as elements of street and roadway
projects, including public works capital improvement projects, to the maximum extent
practicable. This policy is intended to demonstrate compliance with the MS4 permit. Water
quality improvement and groundwater replenishment benefits are achieved through designs that minimize impervious area and incorporate bioretention elements (e.g.,
vegetated swales) to facilitate natural pollutant removal while allowing stormwater
retention and/or infiltration.
• Floodplain Management Regulations: Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.52 regulates development in floodplains to minimize public and private losses due to flood
conditions through provisions designed to protect human life and health; minimize
expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public; minimize prolonged business interruptions; and minimize damage to public
facilities and utilities. To accomplish these purposes, this chapter includes regulations to
restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or
velocities; require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses,
be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; control the
alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which
2 The complete text of the LID Ordinance may be found at: http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/HermosaBeach/#!/hermosabeach08/HermosaBeach0844.html#8.44.095
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help accommodate or channel floodwaters; control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and prevent or regulate the
construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may
increase flood hazards in other areas.
4.8.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on hydrology and water quality are considered significant if implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements.
2) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would
drop to a level that would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits
have been granted).
3) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial
on- or off-site erosion or siltation.
4) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in on- or off-site flooding.
5) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff.
6) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality.
7) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map.
8) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures that would impede or redirect flood flows.
9) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving flooding,
including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam.
10) Result in inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of implementation of PLAN Hermosa
compared to existing conditions. The following analysis of impacts on hydrology and water quality
is qualitative and based on available hydrologic and water quality information for the planning area, along with a review of regional information. The analysis assumes that all future and existing
development in the planning area complies with applicable laws, regulations, and plans. An
analysis of cumulative impacts uses qualitative information for the planning area, Santa Monica Bay, and the West Coast subbasin of the Coastal Plain of the Los Angeles Basin.
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DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address hydrology and water quality
include the following:
Policies
Public Safety Element
• 1.1 Evaluate risks. New buildings and infrastructure will evaluate seismic, fire, flood, and
coastal storm hazard risks and comply with California Building Code standards to minimize
risk.
• 1.3 Tsunami Playbook. Utilize the Los Angeles County Tsunami Playbook in the evaluation
and response of tsunami risk.
• 1.5 Minimize coastal flooding. Natural interventions, green infrastructure, and infiltration
systems will be utilized to minimize damage from coastal flooding.
• 1.6 Minimize coastal hazards. Injuries and loss of life are prevented, and property loss and damage from coastal hazards are minimized.
• 1.7 Reduce flood vulnerability. Encourage existing structures, critical facilities, and
infrastructure to reduce flood vulnerability.
• 1.8 Reduce stormwater runoff. Reduce stormwater runoff consistent with local stormwater
permits.
• 1.11 Secure funds. Establish centralized internal procedures to coordinate efforts for
securing funds that support risk reduction measures.
• 2.1 Integrate resilience. Integrate resilience to anticipated sea level rise impacts into
project designs when repairing and replacing aging infrastructure.
• 2.2 Mitigate impacts. Require new development and redevelopment projects to consider
and mitigate relevant sea level rise impacts.
• 2.3 Enhance awareness. Enhance local understanding of sea level rise and keep decision-
makers and the community aware of potential impacts based on best available science.
• 2.4 Provide public information. Provide public information describing new flooding risks under a 55-inch sea level rise scenario in areas previously not affected by flooding.
• 2.5 Maintain beach widths. Current beach widths are maintained under changing sea
level conditions.
• 2.6 Consider sea level rise. Consider the combined effects of sea level rise when
evaluating potential tsunami and storm surge impacts.
• 2.7 Support regional approaches. Support regional approaches to sediment
management, beach replenishment, and adaptive shoreline protection to allow Hermosa
Beach to voice its needs, allow for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, and identify creative finance mechanisms to continue the replenishment program.
• 2.8 Identify erosion problems. Continue to monitor beach width and elevations to identify
potential erosion problems.
• 4.1 Public awareness. Increase public awareness of hazards, emergency response, and recovery.
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• 4.2 Promote community-based programs. Promote community-based programs in fire safety and emergency preparedness, including neighborhood-level programs and
programs with businesses.
• 4.3 SEMS and NIMS training. Increase City employee capacity through the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant training and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) drills to identify
hazards, and assist in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
• 4.4 Utilize City media resources. Establish communication protocols and utilize City media
resources to provide information prior to, during, or after events posing risk to community
health safety, and welfare.
• 4.5 Responsive neighborhood groups. Encourage neighborhood groups to identify,
consider, and prepare for the needs of neighbors with access and functional needs to adequately respond to disasters.
• 4.6 Vulnerable populations. Establish an emergency plan to take care of vulnerable
populations such as children, the elderly, and tourists during hazardous events.
• 6.1 Regularly update plans. Regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
• 6.2 Coastal incidents. Collaborate and maintain communication between the City, LA
County Lifeguards, and the United States Coast Guard concerning incidents on or near
the coast.
• 6.3 Invest in critical facilities. Invest in public and critical facilities to make them more
resilient to the potential impacts of natural disasters.
Infrastructure Element
• 4.8 Holistic systems planning. Develop a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems,
stormwater systems, and increased conservation awareness.
• 5.1 Integration of stormwater best practices. Integrate stormwater infiltration best practices
when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects.
• 5.2 Green infrastructure. Naturalize flood channels that enhance flood protection
capacity before employing other management solutions.
• 5.3 Natural features. Integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees,
into the design of streets and rights-of-way.
• 5.4 Conservation behavior. Encourage community behavior changes to reduce urban
runoff pollution.
• 5.5 Stormwater system maintenance. Maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the City’s
stormwater infrastructure.
• 5.6 Stormwater system repairs. Ensure that stormwater system repairs are included in
maintenance plans for other City infrastructure and that repairs and maintenance are
completed in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs.
• 5.7 Stormwater permits. Strictly implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 NPDES Permit requirements through stormwater ordinances.
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• 5.8 Low impact development. Require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate low impact development (LID) techniques in project designs, including but
not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture and
clean stormwater runoff.
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 5.2 Rainwater collection. Encourage innovative water recycling techniques such as
rainwater capture, use of cisterns, and installation of greywater.
• 7.1 Permeable pavement. Require the use of permeable pavement in parking lots,
sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas.
• 7.2 Soil erosion. Minimize soil erosion by ensuring best practices are used in grading and
construction.
Implementation Actions
• SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the
Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies or practices to conserve water.
• SAFETY-5. Evaluate tsunami preparation, evacuation, and response policies/practices to reflect current inundation maps and design standards. Include updated information in the periodically updated hazard mitigation plan.
• SAFETY-9. Continue working with regional partners to develop a local sea level rise model
that evaluates erosion potential, provides detailed inundation maps, and provides
combined sea level rise and tsunami maps.
• SAFETY-10. When the mean high water level exceeds 1 foot above the baseline level,
partner with FEMA as a cooperating technical partner to conduct a Hydrologic and
Hydraulic Study, and facilitate necessary revisions to applicable Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
• SAFETY-11. Prepare for changing shoreline conditions by establishing and applying the
following development review requirements:
− Require new development or redevelopment project proposals within the designated area subject to flooding, inundation, or erosion due to sea level rise to describe and
illustrate in site plans how the proposed project considers and mitigates potential flood
hazards during the economic lifespan of the structure. Potential flood mitigation
measures include, but are not limited to, flood proofing; increased ground floor elevation (a minimum of 1-foot freeboard); ground-floor, flood-resistant exterior
materials; and restricting fencing or yard enclosures that cause water to pond.
− Require new development or redevelopment projects to assure stability and structural
integrity and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the project site or surrounding area.
− As local flood, erosion, and tsunami data becomes more precise, amend the General
Plan and Zoning Code to establish more specific development standards and conditions.
• SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for
structural development as between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and
provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
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• SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood risk when properties subject to inundation or flooding
are developed or redeveloped.
• SAFETY-14. Continue to participate in regional sediment management planning.
• SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong preference for beach replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan
integrating roadway, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility
infrastructure systems.
− Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as
a basis for preparing the infrastructure plan.
− Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting and enforcing discretionary development
requirements.
− Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to
ensure it remains consistent with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies,
provide public information and incentives for water conservation best practices.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Install greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community facilities.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and
storage facilities to ensure adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water plumbing hookups for landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new
development and redevelopment projects where recycled water is available or expected
to be available.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan and any implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and
other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of water conservation rules.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-18. Continue to implement and incorporate revisions to the Clean Bay
Restaurant Program and Grease Control Ordinance.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-19. Update program requirements to integrate the latest available Best
Management Practices into the City Stormwater Management and Discharge Control
Ordinance, Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance, and Green Street Policy and regularly monitor results.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and
business property best practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-21. Continue to require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate green street BMPs that address stormwater runoff from the project area
using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified in Attachment A of the City’s
Green Street Policy.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public storm drains.
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IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.8-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Adversely Affect Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge Requirements? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for
future development and reuse projects that could alter existing stormwater runoff and associated pollutants. However, the potential for stormwater flows to affect
water quality would be controlled through implementation of Municipal Code
Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Regulations), which
includes the City’s Low-Impact Development (LID) Ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.44.095), and the City’s Green Street Policy. Construction activities
resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa would also temporarily increase
the amount of sediments and pollutants in stormwater runoff. However,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions and enforcement of existing grading and erosion regulations (Municipal Code
Section 8.44.090 and NPDES Construction General Permit SWPPP requirements)
would result in a less than significant impact.
Water quality standards and waste discharge requirements that are applicable to PLAN Hermosa are set forth in the Basin Plan and various NPDES permits, which are described in the Regulatory
Setting subsection. From a hydrologic perspective, the primary way in which PLAN Hermosa would
result in water quality impacts is a function of pollutants contained in stormwater runoff, which could occur during construction and/or occupancy of projects. Hermosa Beach is generally built
out with urban development, with the exception of open space areas such as parks, vacant
parcels, the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt, and the beach. Urbanized land in Hermosa Beach is not
anticipated to substantially increase with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa because the city is largely built out, with new development limited to infill and redevelopment where existing
impervious surfaces and developed conditions already exist. Therefore, the potential for future
development and reuse projects consistent with PLAN Hermosa to result in a substantial alteration
in existing city water quality impacts is limited.
Construction activities such as grading, excavation, and trenching may result from development
associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. These types of land-disturbing construction
activities result in the potential for increased soil erosion and sedimentation in stormwater runoff.
In addition, general construction activities would contribute pollutants such as construction waste, diesel and oil from equipment, solvents, and lubricants. Sediment and contaminants could enter
the stormwater drainage system and eventually enter Santa Monica Bay. The potential increase
in soil erosion, siltation, and construction-related pollutants could degrade downstream surface water or groundwater. However, future projects would be required to comply with NPDES requirements. Construction activities disturbing 1 acre or more would be subject to the NPDES
Construction Activities Stormwater General Permit and would be required to eliminate or reduce
non-stormwater discharges to storm sewer systems and other waters and consider the use of post-
construction permanent best management practices. Projects over 1 acre would also be required
to develop and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan with best management
practices that would be employed to prevent soil erosion and discharge of other construction
related pollutants, as well as a monitoring program to ensure that best management practices are implemented appropriately and are effective at controlling discharges of pollutants related to stormwater. Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 8.44, Section 8.44.090 describes
requirements for sediment and erosion control best management practices and SWPPPs. Best
management practices may consist of a wide variety of measures appropriate to reduce pollutants in stormwater.
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PLAN Hermosa includes several policies and implementing actions that would apply to new development and redevelopment. Public Safety Element Policy 1.8 directs the City to reduce
stormwater runoff consistent with local stormwater permits. Infrastructure Element Policy 4.8 directs
the City to develop a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems, stormwater systems, and increased conservation awareness.
The Infrastructure Element contains Policies 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 that would further
reduce impacts to water quality. Policy 5.1 integrates stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects. Policy 5.3 directs the City to integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees, into the design of
streets and rights-of-way. Policy 5.4 encourages community behavior changes to reduce urban
runoff pollution. Policy 5.5 directs the City to maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the city’s stormwater infrastructure. Policy 5.6 ensures that stormwater system repairs are included in
maintenance plans for other city infrastructure and that repairs and maintenance are completed
in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs. Policy 5.7 directs the City to strictly
implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 NPDES permit requirements. Policy 5.8 requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate LID techniques in project designs,
including but not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture
and clean stormwater runoff.
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 5.2 encourages innovative water recycling techniques such as rainwater capture, use of cisterns, and installation of greywater systems.
Additionally, Policy 7.1 requires the use of permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas,
and other low-intensity paved areas, while Policy 7.2 would seek to minimize soil erosion by
ensuring best practices are used in grading and construction.
Infrastructure Element implementation action INFRASTRUCTURE-12 would amend the Municipal
Code to require the installation of dual plumbing to facilitate use of recycled water for
landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and
redevelopment projects where recycled water is available or expected to be available. INFRASTRUCTURE-18 directs the City to continue to fully implement and expand the Clean Bay
Restaurant Program and the Grease Control Ordinance. INFRASTRUCTURE-1 directs the City to
incorporate stormwater infrastructure improvements in a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan. INFRASTRUCTURE-19 updates program requirements in the City’s Storm Water
Management and Discharge Control Ordinance and regularly monitors results. INFRASTRUCTURE-
20 directs the City to continue to implement the Low Impact Development Ordinance and
monitor ordinance effectiveness. INFRASTRUCTURE-21 requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate green street best management practices that address
stormwater runoff from the project area using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified
in Attachment A of the City’s Green Street Policy.
Implementation of these policies, in combination with continued implementation of Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Regulations), Municipal Code
Section 8.44.095 (Low-Impact Development (LID) Ordinance), and the City’s Green Street Policy
would ensure projects developed under PLAN Hermosa would be in compliance with applicable
water quality standards (e.g., the Basin Plan) and waste discharge requirements (e.g., NPDES MS4 permit) and would offset any new development impacts to water quality. Since 2010, the City has
required LID best management practices in certain projects, and beginning in 2015–16, all projects
have been required to comply with the City’s LID Ordinance, which provides greater stormwater
protection than required by the MS4 permit by requiring projects to maintain stormwater runoff on-site, among other requirements. The City also has implemented several projects to control
pollutants in stormwater runoff that have been demonstrated to provide effective pollutant
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removal and meet water quality objectives and has identified additional projects in the Beach Cities EWMP to help further improve water quality. This EWMP is based on a Reasonable Assurance
Analysis to ensure the requirements of the MS4 permit will be met, and will be implemented during
the life of the PLAN Hermosa. The proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions related to hydrology and water quality are consistent with and support applicable plans and regulations. Therefore, adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not violate water
quality standards or waste discharge requirements, and impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Deplete Groundwater Supplies or Substantially Interfere with Groundwater Recharge? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide
for future development and reuse projects that would minimally affect groundwater recharge because existing areas of open space would be preserved, and implementation of the City’s LID Ordinance, Green Street Policy,
and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would require
permeable area in new development, redevelopment, and infrastructure improvements, resulting in a less than significant impact.
Hermosa Beach is generally built out with urban land uses and has minimal areas of vacant,
developable permeable land. Proposed PLAN Hermosa land use policies promote the
redevelopment of existing urbanized areas, and the overall net area of urbanized land is not anticipated to substantially increase. Redevelopment would generally occur in underutilized
areas that are currently covered with impervious surfaces. Site redevelopment may provide
opportunities to create new permeable surfaces through new landscaping and use of porous
pavements, potentially reducing the amount of runoff and associated pollutants. Thus, very small amounts of new impervious surface would result from development associated with
implementation of the plan, which would not significantly affect infiltration of water into the
ground. With incorporation of the LID requirements, development that occurs as the result of PLAN
Hermosa would have lower runoff and higher permeability than observed in baseline conditions.
The potential for groundwater recharge impacts would be further reduced through
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies. Infrastructure Element contains policies Policy 5.1, 5.2,
5.3, 5.8, that would address potential impacts to groundwater recharge. Policy 5.1 that integrates
stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects. Policy 5.2 directs the City to naturalize flood channels that enhance flood
protection capacity before employing other management solutions. Policy 5.3 directs the City to
integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees, into the design of streets and rights-of-way. Policy 5.8 requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate low impact development techniques in project designs, including but not limited to on-site
drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture and clean stormwater runoff.
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 5.2 encourages innovative water recycling techniques such as rainwater capture, use of cisterns, and installation of greywater systems. Policy
7.1 requires the use of permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-
intensity paved areas. Each of these policies individually and in combination would maintain and
possibly improve recharge opportunities in the subbasin.
In addition to the policies listed above, Infrastructure Element Policy 4.8 directs the City to develop
a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with
potable and recycled water systems, stormwater systems, and increased conservation
awareness. PLAN Hermosa also contains implementation actions intended to increase groundwater recharge over baseline conditions. INFRASTRUCTURE-19 directs the City to continue
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to implement the Low Impact Development Ordinance and to monitor ordinance effectiveness. INFRASTRUCTURE-21 requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate
green street best management practices that address stormwater runoff from the project area
using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified in Attachment A of the City’s Green Street Policy.
Because of the minimal amount of new impervious surface that would result with implementation
of PLAN Hermosa, the rate of infiltration needed to support groundwater recharge would not be
substantially decreased. Additionally, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and actions, in combination with the City’s LID Ordinance, Green Street Policy, and projects anticipated in the Beach Cities EWMP, would help maintain and protect groundwater recharge resources by
ensuring infiltration potential is not reduced and that pollutants as specified in the management
plan are removed to the maximum extent practicable. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Alter the Existing Drainage Pattern of the Site or Area so as to Result in Substantial On- or Off-Site Erosion or Siltation? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and reuse projects that would
minimally alter drainage patterns and the amount of stormwater runoff, which
would minimize the potential for erosion or siltation. Continued implementation and enforcement of existing grading, erosion, and flood control regulations, in
combination with the City’s LID Ordinance, Green Street Policy, and PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation actions, would result in a less than significant impact.
As described above in Impact 4.8-1, Hermosa Beach is generally built out with urban development
and has minimal areas of vacant permeable land, with the exception of parkland, the Hermosa
Valley Greenbelt, and the beach. The city has no natural drainage features. With only a few
vacant parcels that are small and generally not contiguous, new development would not be of such scale that drainage patterns would be substantially altered, which would limit the potential
for increased erosion or sedimentation. For example, most recent development in the city has
included demolition and reconstruction of single-family homes, small commercial redevelopment,
or two-unit condominium projects. Development along shoreline areas, which could be susceptible to erosion from wave and tidal action and/or sea level rise effects, would be limited
under PLAN Hermosa.
The potential for erosion or siltation impacts would be further reduced through implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions. Public Safety Element Policy 1.5 directs the City to use natural interventions, green infrastructure, and infiltration systems to minimize damage
from coastal flooding. Policy 1.8 reduces stormwater runoff consistent with local stormwater
permits. Policy 2.8 directs the City to continue to monitor beach width and elevations to identify potential erosion problems. Infrastructure Element Policy 4.8 directs the City to develop a
comprehensive approach to water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with
potable and recycled water systems, stormwater systems, and increased conservation
awareness. Policy 5.1 integrates stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects. Policy 5.2 directs the City to naturalize
flood channels that enhance flood protection capacity before employing other management
solutions. Policy 5.3 directs the City to integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage,
and trees, into the design of streets and rights-of-way. Policy 5.5 directs the City to maintain, fund, and regularly monitor stormwater infrastructure. Policy 5.8 requires new development and
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redevelopment projects to incorporate LID techniques in project designs, including but not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture and clean stormwater
runoff. Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 7.1 requires the use of permeable pavement
in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas. Policy 7.2 would minimize soil erosion by ensuring best practices are used in grading and construction.
PLAN Hermosa contains implementation actions intended to mitigate erosion and sedimentation
impacts. INFRASTRUCTURE-1 incorporates stormwater infrastructure improvements in a
comprehensive, long-range infrastructure plan. INFRASTRUCTURE-19 updates program requirements in the City’s Storm Water Management and Discharge Control Ordinance and directs the City to regularly monitor results, as well as directs the City to continue to implement the
LID Ordinance and monitor its effectiveness, which is also required under the applicable NPDES
Permit. INFRASTRUCTURE-21 requires new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate green street best management practices that address stormwater runoff from the
project area using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified in Attachment A of the
City’s Green Street Policy.
Existing requirements and regulations, as well as PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, would reduce the amount of surface water runoff in the planning area through measures
such as compliance with the NPDES permit requirements, flood control measures, water
conservation measures, and maintenance of pervious surfaces and through implementation of
the Enhanced Watershed Management Program. Compliance with these regulations and the minimal amount of new surface runoff that would result from implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would minimize the potential for existing drainage patterns to be altered in a manner that could
cause increased erosion or sedimentation. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Substantially Alter the Existing Drainage Pattern of the Site or Area so as to Result in On- or Off-Site Flooding? Implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would provide for future development and reuse projects that would minimally alter drainage patterns and the amount of stormwater runoff, which
would minimize the potential for on- and off-site flooding. Continued
implementation and enforcement of existing grading, erosion, and flood control
regulations, in combination with the City’s LID Ordinance, Green Street Policy, and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, would result in a less than significant impact.
Impact 4.8-3 described the potential for PLAN Hermosa to alter drainage systems or patterns. The area’s drainage systems and patterns are not anticipated to be substantially altered due to the existing built-out conditions of the city, plans for new development to focus on infill locations, and
programs to require on-site retention and infiltration of stormwater. Because drainage patterns
would be minimally affected and the rate and amount of stormwater would be controlled through implementation of LID requirements (see Impact 4.8-1), surface runoff would not substantially add to an increased risk of flooding.
Existing requirements and regulations, as well as PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions described in Impact 4.8-3, would reduce the amount of surface water runoff through measures such as compliance with the NPDES permit requirements, flood control measures, LID
development standards, retention and infiltration-focused infrastructure improvements, water
conservation measures, and maintenance of pervious surfaces. Compliance with these
regulations and the minimal amount of new surface runoff that would result from implementation
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of PLAN Hermosa would minimize the potential for existing drainage patterns to be altered in a manner that could cause increased on- or off-site flooding. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Create or Contribute Runoff Water Exceeding the Capacity of Existing or Planned Stormwater Drainage Systems or Providing Substantial Additional Sources of Polluted Runoff? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
provide for future development and reuse projects that would generate stormwater runoff that would be discharged to the storm drain system and would
contain urban pollutants. Continued implementation and enforcement of
existing grading and erosion regulations, in combination with the City’s LID Ordinance and Green Street Policy, the Beach Cities EWMP, and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, would result in a less than significant
impact.
Given the built-out nature of the planning area, most new development that would occur as the result of PLAN Hermosa would be redevelopment. As a conservative estimate, assuming 33 acres of vacant land are entirely converted to urban uses with impervious surfaces, the increase in newly
developed land would be approximately 5 percent. With a small change in impervious surface,
the rate and amount of stormwater runoff generated would not be expected to increase to levels that would affect the capacity of storm drainage systems (see Impact 4.13.6-3 in Section 4.13, Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities, of this EIR).
The potential for storm drainage capacity impacts would be further reduced through
implementation of several PLAN Hermosa policies. Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 7.1 would require the use of permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-
intensity paved areas. Infrastructure Element Policy 4.8 would develop a comprehensive
approach to water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with potable and
recycled water systems, stormwater systems, and increased conservation awareness. Policy 5.1 would integrate stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment
or public facility improvement projects. Policy 5.3 would integrate natural features, such as
topography, drainage, and trees, into the design of streets and rights-of-way. Policy 5.4 would
encourage community behavior changes to reduce urban runoff pollution. Policy 5.5 would maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the city’s stormwater infrastructure. Policy 5.6 would ensure
that stormwater system repairs are included in maintenance plans for other city infrastructure and
that repairs and maintenance are completed in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs. Policy 5.7 would strictly implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 NPDES Permit requirements. Policy 5.8 would require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate low
impact development techniques in project designs, including but not limited to on-site drainage
improvements using native vegetation to capture and clean stormwater runoff.
Construction activities may result from development associated with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa and generate the potential for increased pollutants in runoff or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted runoff, as described in Impact 4.8-1. However, adherence to the
regulatory requirements described in Impact 4.8-1 would serve to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and pollutants generated during construction. Specifically, projects would be
required to comply with NPDES requirements, prepare a stormwater pollution prevention plan,
and comply with Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 8.44.090. Mandatory compliance with
these requirements would control construction activities and minimize, to the greatest extent practicable, the degradation of water quality. These requirements would include best
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management practices appropriate to reduce the overall discharge volume and amount of pollutants in stormwater.
There would not be a substantial increase in pollutants in stormwater runoff as a result of PLAN
Hermosa. This would be primarily accomplished through the City’s LID Ordinance. The LID
Ordinance requires new development and redevelopment projects to control pollutants and
runoff volume from the project site by minimizing the impervious surface area through effective
design and use of water-permeable surfaces to the extent technically feasible on not less than 50
percent of exterior surface areas, excluding building footprints, and controlling runoff through infiltration, bioretention, and/or rainfall harvest and use. A stormwater management plan (SWMP) that includes necessary best management practices to control pollution would be required for
each project. Prior to issuing a discretionary permit, the City must ensure the project plans include
LID features and other design requirements, and prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy, the City must verify that the features have been constructed. The LID Ordinance also requires projects
to have an operation and maintenance plan. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions listed in Impact 4.8-1 above, which also address water quality, would
further reduce impacts on stormwater runoff. On a citywide scale, the City would continue to implement its Green Street Policy and further its efforts toward implementing the improvements
proposed in the Beach Cities EWMP, which would help reduce pollutant loads in stormwater.
Because only small areas of new impervious surface would result from development associated
with implementation of the plan, the increased volumes or rates of discharge and associated pollutants in runoff would be minimal. Additionally, adherence to applicable water quality
regulations and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would
minimize the potential to create or contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of
existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Substantially Degrade Water Quality? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and reuse projects that
would not result in substantial degradation of water quality with continued
implementation of Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 (Stormwater and Urban Runoff
Pollution Control Regulations), which includes the City’s Low-Impact Design (LID) Ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.44.095), the City’s Green Street Policy,
existing grading and erosion regulations (Municipal Code Section 8.44.090 and
NPDES Construction General Permit SWPPP requirements), participation in the Beach Cities EWMP, and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions. This would be a less than significant impact.
Impacts 4.8-1, 4.8-3, and 4.8-5 analyze in detail the potential water quality impacts and applicable
permits, regulations, plans, and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that would ensure no significant adverse water quality impacts would occur as a result of the plan. No
additional water quality impacts beyond those described in Impacts 4.8-1, 4.8-3, and 4.8-5 have
been identified. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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IMPACT 4.8-7 Would PLAN Hermosa Place Housing Within a 100-Year Flood Hazard Area? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not place housing within a 100-year
flood hazard area. Additionally, PLAN Hermosa includes policies and
implementation actions to decrease exposure to and impacts from flood hazards throughout the city. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Though most surface water is controlled by storm drainage infrastructure in the city, flooding may
occur in Hermosa Beach as a result of excessive precipitation, storm runoff, coastal flooding, or
inadequate, undersized, or unmaintained storm drainage infrastructure. As identified in Figure 4.8-2, the delineated 100-year flood hazard area is limited to the beach on the city’s western edge and does not include any housing, nor does PLAN Hermosa allow housing to be placed on
the beach.
Flooding can occur outside of delineated flood zones, typically as the result of combined heavy precipitation, storm surge, and high tide events. PLAN Hermosa does not allow development,
residential or otherwise, in an existing 100-year flood hazard area. However, PLAN Hermosa does
include numerous policies and implementation actions to mitigate the impacts of flooding, in
addition to the stormwater management policies and programs mentioned above. Public Safety Element Policy 1.1 requires new buildings and infrastructure to evaluate seismic, fire, flood, and
coastal storm hazard risks and comply with California Building Code standards to minimize risk.
Policy 1.5 directs the City to use natural interventions, green infrastructure, and infiltration systems
to minimize damage from coastal flooding. Policy 1.7 encourages existing structures, critical facilities, and infrastructure to reduce flood vulnerability. Policy 2.8 directs the City to continue to
monitor beach width and elevations to identify potential erosion problems. Policy 6.3 directs the
City to invest in public and critical facilities to make them more resilient to the potential impacts
of natural disasters.
Because Hermosa Beach is a built-out community and PLAN Hermosa land use policies would not
place areas of residential development in flood hazard areas, and because all future
development would be required to comply with flood hazard development regulations and
requirements, the plan would not create risk due to the placement of housing in flood hazard areas. Additionally, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would
minimize flooding potential and flood hazards throughout the city. Therefore, this impact would
be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-8 Would PLAN Hermosa Place Within a 100-Year Flood Hazard Area Structures That Would Impede or Redirect Flood Flows? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would
allow development or expansion of facilities to support coastal access in the 100-year flood hazard area. However, adoption and implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation actions and adherence to development
regulations specific to flood hazard areas would result in a less than significant
impact.
As identified in Figure 4.8-2, the delineated 100-year flood hazard area is limited to the beach on
the city’s western edge. Existing development in this area is limited to coastal recreational
buildings and enhancements including the pier, restrooms, and playgrounds.
Policies and implementation actions in PLAN Hermosa could lead to the development of new or
enhanced coastal facilities, including accessible walkways onto the beach. As noted in the Land
Use + Design Element, infrastructure or amenities such as restrooms, playgrounds, and stormwater
drainages are allowed, provided they do not create visual obstructions or impede recreational
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activities. New or enhanced infrastructure or amenities could impede or redirect flood flows. However, the uses allowed by PLAN Hermosa are consistent with existing land uses and are not
expected to significantly increase the number or size of structures in the 100-year flood hazard area.
Because PLAN Hermosa would continue existing land use patterns and any new development
would be required to comply with flood hazard development regulations and requirements,
implementation of the plan would not substantially redirect or impede flood flows due to
placement of structures in flood hazard areas. Additionally, PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions would minimize flooding potential and flood hazards. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-9 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose People or Structures to a Significant Risk of Loss,
Injury, or Death Involving Flooding? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not
allow habitable development in locations currently designated as 100-year flood
hazard areas, which generally precludes loss, injury, or death from flooding,
including flooding from the failure of a dam or levee. However, sea level rise is more likely than not to expand the area exposed to flooding conditions in the future. Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and
implementation actions that prepare the city for sea level rise and adherence to
development regulations specific to flood hazard areas would result in a less than significant impact.
As described in Impact 4.8-7, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not allow habitable
development in flood hazard areas, although, as previously mentioned, coastal recreational
supportive structures would continue to be allowed in the 100-year flood hazard area, which could expose people or structures to the risk of loss, injury, or death involving flooding. However,
these potential impacts were found to be less than significant. Because PLAN Hermosa continues
existing land use allowances, any new development would be required to comply with applicable
regulations and building standards in flood hazard areas. Flooding hazards and risks are also minimized through PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, as previously described in
Impact 4.8-7. Thus, increased exposure to flooding hazards that might result in significant loss,
injury, or death would be minimal with implementation of the plan.
The analysis above focuses on flood exposure under current conditions. However, sea level rise will likely expand the area of the city exposed to flooding through the planning horizon and
beyond. In Hermosa Beach, the area where a 100-year flood could cause inundation is projected
to increase by about 300 percent under a scenario of 55 inches of sea level rise (from 0.034 square miles at present to 0.1 square miles). The projected flood zone extends beyond the sandy beach into developed portions of the Coastal Zone (see PLAN Hermosa Figure 6.4). PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions could result in development that is in a 100-year flood zone
under likely future climate conditions, which means the risk of loss, injury, or death is possible in expanded areas of the city. However, in addition to general flood mitigation regulations,
development standards, policies, and implementation actions mentioned in Impacts 4.8-7 and
4.8-8, PLAN Hermosa contains policies and implementation actions to assess, prepare for, and
respond to the risk of loss, injury, or death involving flooding related to sea level rise. Public Safety Element Policy 2.1 directs the City to integrate resilience to anticipated sea level rise impacts into
project designs when repairing and replacing aging infrastructure. Policy 2.2 requires new
development and redevelopment projects to consider and mitigate relevant sea level rise
impacts. Policy 2.3 directs the City to enhance local understanding of sea level rise and keep decision-makers and the community aware of potential impacts based on best available science.
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Policy 2.4 directs the City to provide public information describing new flooding risks under a 55-inch sea level rise scenario in areas previously not affected by flooding. Policy 2.5 directs the City
to maintain current beach widths under changing sea level conditions. Policy 2.6 directs the City
to consider the combined effects of sea level rise when evaluating potential tsunami and storm surge impacts. Policy 2.7 directs the City to support regional approaches to sediment management, beach replenishment, and adaptive shoreline protection to allow Hermosa Beach
to voice its needs, allow for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, and identify creative
finance mechanisms to continue the replenishment program. Policy 2.8 directs the City to continue to monitor beach width and elevations to identify potential erosion problems.
Implementation action SAFETY-13 directs the City to amend the Municipal Code to require flood
risk disclosure and active acknowledgment of expanded flood risk in property
purchases/turnovers. SAFETY-11 directs the City to prepare for changing shoreline conditions by establishing and applying specific development review listed in the implementation action.
Hermosa Beach is not in a location that could be subject to flood hazards resulting from the
structural failure of a levee or dam and therefore has no risk of loss, injury, or death involving
flooding as a result of such a structure.
Adherence to applicable development requirements and regulations in flood hazard areas and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies related to stormwater management, flood hazard
mitigation, and sea level rise would reduce the potential for loss, injury, or death from flooding.
Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-10 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose People or Structures to Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would provide for future
development and reuse projects that would be in locations that may be subject
to inundation by tsunami or mudflow. However, adoption and implementation
of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would result in a less than significant impact.
Some areas of California are exposed to seismically induced waves known as seiches that can
overtop dams and cause flooding. Because the city does not contain any surface waters, other
than the Pacific Ocean, Hermosa Beach would not be subject to inundation from a seiche.
Coastal areas of California are subject to seismically induced ocean waves known as tsunamis. Figure 4.8-3 displays the tsunami inundation zones in the city. PLAN Hermosa would continue to
provide for development in locations that may be subject to inundation by tsunami. As mentioned
in Impacts 4.8-7, 4.8-8, and 4.8-9, development that would occur as the result of PLAN Hermosa
would be subject to building and development standards intended to mitigate general flood
hazards. Also mentioned above, PLAN Hermosa includes numerous policies and implementation
actions that would reduce or mitigate flood impacts. In addition, PLAN Hermosa includes policies
and actions related to tsunamis. Public Safety Element Policy 1.3 directs the City to utilize the Los Angeles County Tsunami Playbook in the evaluation of and response to tsunami risk. Policy 2.6 directs the City to consider the combined effects of sea level rise when evaluating potential
tsunami and storm surge impacts. Implementation action SAFETY-5 directs the City to evaluate
tsunami preparation, evacuation, and response policies/practices to reflect current inundation maps and design standards and include updated information in the periodically updated hazard mitigation plan.
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A mudflow can develop when water accumulates in the ground during periods of heavy rainfall and results in a flowing river of mud, rock, and other materials. There is no known risk of mudflow
in Hermosa Beach.
PLAN Hermosa would continue to allow development in tsunami inundation zones, which could
lead to inundation. Because PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions provide a
comprehensive framework for addressing inundation, including preparation for and response to
a tsunami, and because all future development would be required to comply with flood hazard
development regulations and requirements, the risk of inundation above baseline conditions as a result of adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa is less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Water quality and hydrology are not confined by jurisdictional boundaries; rather, they are
dependent on the regional watershed and hydrologic conditions in surrounding areas. As
described in the Environmental Setting subsection, the planning area is located in the Santa
Monica Bay Watershed and the West Coast subbasin of the Coastal Plain, Los Angeles Basin. When analyzing cumulative impacts to water quality and hydrology, it is necessary to consider upstream
and downstream areas and water bodies that could influence or be influenced by actions within
the planning area. Thus, the watershed and the subbasin are the general areas of influence used
in analysis of cumulative impacts for this topic.
IMPACT 4.8-11 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Water Quality, Water Quality Standards, or Waste Discharge Requirements? Anticipated regional
growth in the Santa Monica Bay Watershed could increase the amount of
impervious surface in the watershed, thereby potentially increasing the total
volume, peak discharge rate of stormwater runoff, and associated pollutants.
Additionally, construction activities resulting from regional growth could increase
the amount of sediments and pollutants in stormwater runoff and could lead to water quality degradation. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than
cumulatively considerable because it would result in minimal changes in
stormwater flows and pollutants with implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies
and implementation actions, the City’s LID Ordinance and Green Street Policy, participation in regional plans such as the Beach Cities EWMP, and compliance with existing regulations. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Planned development or redevelopment under PLAN Hermosa, in addition to other cumulative development in the watershed, could result in an increase in the amount of impervious surfaces
and increased runoff. Surface water runoff could carry increased levels of sediment and urban
contaminants from both construction and long-term operation that could affect receiving water
quality in Santa Monica Bay and other receiving water bodies. Additionally, construction and operational activities in the region could result in impacts to water quality, water quality standards,
and waste discharge requirements.
Development in all jurisdictions whose stormwater flows to Santa Monica Bay is subject to policies
and regulations to improve water quality and minimize potential to degrade water quality, as described in the Regulatory Setting subsection above. Federal, state, and local laws, regulations,
and permitting processes, such as the Clean Water Act, NPDES permitting requirements, and the
Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, apply to all development within the watershed. Various
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programs and requirements are specific to the maintenance and improvement of regional water quality, including the Los Angeles RWQCB Basin Plan, the NPDES General Permits administered by
the SWRCB and the Los Angeles RWQCB, and the Los Angeles County Standard Urban Stormwater
Mitigation Plan. These regulations apply to all development that would take place in the city as well as in neighboring jurisdictions.
Additionally, the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance,
together with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, collectively referred to as the Beach
Cities WMG, agreed to collaborate on the development of an Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP) for the Santa Monica Bay and Dominguez Channel Watershed areas within their jurisdictions (referred to as the Beach Cities EWMP Area). The Beach Cities EWMP
summarizes watershed-specific water quality priorities identified by the Beach Cities WMG; outlines
the program plan, including specific strategies, control measures, and best management practices to achieve water quality targets; and describes the quantitative analysis completed to
support target achievement and permit compliance. The approach described in the EWMP, in
combination with the required LID-based best management practices that each participating
city must impose on development, is anticipated to protect and potentially improve water quality in Santa Monica Bay from pollutants in stormwater runoff.
Because development projects whose stormwater would flow into Santa Monica Bay must comply
with federal, state, and local regulations and requirements, the cumulative potential for increased
pollutants or runoff would be minimized. Additionally, implementation of PLAN Hermosa is anticipated to result in minimal, and potentially positive, effects to water quality or wastewater
discharge, as described in Impacts 4.8-1, 4.8-5, and 4.8-6. Policies and implementation actions in
the plan have been developed to improve overall water quality in Hermosa Beach. For these
reasons, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative water quality violations or waste discharge requirements would not be considerable, and the impact is considered less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-12 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects on Groundwater Supply and Recharge? Anticipated regional growth overlying the West Coast subbasin
of the Coastal Plain, Los Angeles Basin, could increase the amount of impervious
surface, thereby potentially decreasing the area available for groundwater recharge. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than cumulatively
considerable because new areas of impervious surface as a result of
implementing PLAN Hermosa would be minimal, and new development, redevelopment, and infrastructure improvements would be required to include more permeable surfaces than under baseline conditions. With implementation
of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, the City’s LID Ordinance
and Green Street Policy, participation in regional plans such as the Beach Cities EWMP, and compliance with existing regulations, this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Per the California Department of Water Resources, natural replenishment of the West Coast Basin’s
groundwater supply is largely limited to underflow from the Central Basin through and over the Newport-Inglewood fault zone. Water spread in the Central Basin percolates into aquifers there,
and eventually some crosses the Newport-Inglewood fault to supplement the groundwater supply
in the West Coast Basin. The West Coast Basin covers approximately 140 square miles and is
bounded on the north by the Baldwin Hills and the Ballona Escarpment (a bluff just south of the Ballona Creek), on the east by the Newport-Inglewood fault zone, to the south by San Pedro Bay
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and the Palos Verdes Hills, and to the west by Santa Monica Bay. Aquifers in the West Coast Basin are generally confined and receive the majority of their natural recharge from adjacent
groundwater basins or from the Pacific Ocean (seawater intrusion) (WRD 2005). As such,
groundwater recharge opportunities are minimal in Hermosa Beach and surrounding jurisdictions.
Proposed development or redevelopment under PLAN Hermosa, in addition to other cumulative
development in the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, could increase the amount of impervious
surfaces and result in less pervious surface to serve as groundwater recharge areas. Nonetheless,
most of the watershed is highly urbanized. Development that would take place under PLAN Hermosa would generally be small and located on infill sites, similar to the jurisdictions surrounding the city. As such, future development in the watershed would likely be in existing urbanized areas,
with only small areas of infringement into currently undeveloped lands.
As described under Impact 4.8-2, implementation of PLAN Hermosa is not anticipated to create substantial new areas of impervious surfaces, as the city is mostly built out. PLAN Hermosa policies
and implementation actions described in the discussion of Impact 4.8-2 would minimize the
amount of new impervious surface in the planning area, direct the use of more natural pervious
drainage features to absorb stormwater, and implement water conservation measures to reduce water consumption. For these reasons, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative groundwater
recharge or supply impacts would not be considerable. The impact is considered less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-13 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Alteration of Stormwater Drainage Systems and Patterns Resulting in Erosion and Flooding? Anticipated
regional growth throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed could increase the amount of impervious surface in the watershed, thereby potentially increasing
the total volume and peak discharge rate of stormwater runoff and the potential
for erosion and sedimentation. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than
cumulatively considerable because the planning area is generally built out, which would result in minimal changes in drainage patterns and therefore erosion
potential with implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions, the City’s LID Ordinance and Green Street Policy, participation in
regional plans such as the Beach Cities EWMP, and compliance with existing regulations. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
As described in Impact 4.8-1, Hermosa Beach is generally built out with urban land uses. The Santa
Monica Bay Watershed area is generally built out and mirrors Hermosa Beach in terms of available developable land. Drainages are formalized in the watershed via culverts, stormwater drains, gutters, channels, etc. Additionally, there is a countywide drainage system, which, due to the built-
out nature of the county and the watershed area, would not be greatly modified by new
development. Because of the developed nature of the area, new development would be mainly infill and would be already served by adequate drainage facilities. Drainage modifications would include increased capacity and new connections if needed.
Cumulative development in the Santa Monica Bay Watershed would be subject to regulatory
requirements designed to minimize potential erosion and flooding that may result during construction and operational conditions. Compliance with best management practices as part
of the NPDES permit process, SWPPP and SWMP requirements (as applicable), any site-specific
waste discharge requirements issued by the Los Angeles RWQCB, and compliance with the Los
Angeles Region Basin Plan would minimize cumulative stormwater drainage effects. These
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requirements are applicable to all jurisdictions in the watershed. Additionally, as discussed above, the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group has an adopted and approved Enhanced
Watershed Management Program that would further reduce runoff, thus minimizing the possibility
of erosion and flooding from modification of drainage patterns.
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would reduce the amount of surface water
runoff through measures such as compliance with NPDES permit requirements, flood control
measures, and water conservation measures. These measures would minimize the potential for
erosion and flooding from modification of drainage patterns. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative impacts related to alteration of stormwater drainage that could result in increased erosion or flooding would not be considerable. The impact is less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.8-14 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Exposure of People or Structures to a Significant Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding? Anticipated
regional growth throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, in combination with PLAN Hermosa, could result in development in locations designated as 100-
year flood hazard areas, which could result in loss, injury, or death from flooding,
including flooding from the failure of a dam or levee. Impacts would be site-
specific and would generally not combine to create a cumulative impact. However, with implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions and compliance with existing regulations, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution
would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Flooding may occur throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed when streams and channels overflow as a result of excessive precipitation, storm runoff, or inadequate, undersized, or
unmaintained storm drainage infrastructure. As described previously, FEMA mapping delineates
areas located in flood hazard zones. New development in the watershed could potentially result
in housing located within 100-year flood hazard areas, or new or redeveloped housing may continue to be allowed in flood hazard areas in other jurisdictions. Future development throughout
the watershed could place structures that would impede or redirect flood flows within a 100-year
flood hazard area. Generally, development is not possible in a major flood control channel; however, development could occur in other locations designated as 100-year flood hazard areas that may carry surface water flows during flood conditions.
However, all future projects, regardless of jurisdiction, would be required to comply with regulatory
requirements related to floodplain development. FEMA has established the design standard for flood protection in areas covered by Flood Insurance Rate Maps, with the minimum level of flood protection for new development determined to be within a 100-year flood hazard area. The
California Building Code also contains requirements for constructing structures in flood hazard
zones. Required compliance with these regulations and building codes would minimize risk due to the placement of housing in flood hazard zones, thereby reducing the potential cumulative impact.
Additionally, as described under Impact 4.8-7, PLAN Hermosa does not allow residential
development in an existing 100-year flood hazard area. Multiple PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would minimize flooding potential and reduce hazards associated with
flooding, and future development would be required to comply with flood hazard development
regulations and requirements. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative impacts
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related to the placement of housing in flood hazard areas would not be considerable, and the impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required
IMPACT 4.8-15 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Impacts Related to Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow? Anticipated regional growth throughout the Santa
Monica Bay Watershed, in combination with PLAN Hermosa, could result in
development in locations that may be subject to inundation by tsunami or
mudflow. Impacts would be site-specific. PLAN Hermosa would not place new land uses in locations that could be subject to inundation by a tsunami, but
existing uses could be at risk of tsunami. However, with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation actions and compliance with existing regulations, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Impact 4.8-10 discusses the potential for a seismically induced wave, known as a seiche, that can
overtop a dam and cause flooding. Coastal areas of California are subject to seismically induced ocean waves known as tsunamis. In the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, all coastal communities could be exposed to a tsunami. Mudflows can develop when water accumulates in the ground
during periods of heavy rainfall and results in a flowing river of mud, rock, and other materials. The
risk of mudflow inundation is a relatively site-specific impact and is generally dependent on the immediate development in the area and on the specific hillside. Regional growth anticipated in the watershed could increase inundation risk associated with seiches, tsunamis, and mudflows.
However, Hermosa Beach is not located adjacent to any surface water bodies that could
experience a seiche and has no known mudslide hazards. As described above, Hermosa Beach is exposed to tsunamis, but the land use pattern promoted by PLAN Hermosa would not place
new land uses in locations that could be subject to inundation by a tsunami. PLAN Hermosa
includes policies and implementation actions to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to tsunami-
related inundation. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative inundation impacts from seiches, tsunamis, and mudflows would not be considerable, and the impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.8.5 REFERENCES
Beach Cities Watershed Management Group. 2016. Enhanced Watershed Management Program
for the Beach Cities Watershed Management Area (Santa Monica Bay and Dominguez
Channel Watersheds). Submitted to Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/losangeles/water_issues/programs/stormwater/municipal/watershed_management/beach_cities/BeachCities_EWMP_February2016.pdf.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2005. Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
———. 2011. City of Hermosa Beach Sanitary Sewer Master Plan. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1765.
DWR (California Department of Water Resources). 1961. Planned Utilization of the Ground Water
Basins of the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles County. Bulletin No. 104.
———. 1999. Watermaster Service in the West Coast Basin, Los Angeles County, July 1, 1998–June 30, 1999.
———. 2004. “Coastal Plain of Los Angeles County Groundwater Basin West Coast Subbasin.”
California’s Groundwater Bulletin 118. Accessed January 2014.
http://www.water.ca.gov/pubs/groundwater/bulletin_118/basindescriptions/4-11.03.pdf.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2008. Flood Insurance Map: Los Angeles
County California and Incorporated Areas. Map number 06037C1907F. Accessed January
2014. https://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet /MapSearchResult?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&panelIDs=06037C1907F$&Type=pbp&nonprinted=&unmapped.
Grifman, P. M., J. F. Hart, J. Ladwig, A. G. Newton Mann, and M. Schulhof. 2013. Sea Level Rise
Vulnerability Study for the City of Los Angeles. USCSG-TR-05-2013. Accessed February 2014. https://www.usc.edu/org/seagrant/research/SeaLevelRise_docs/hires_pdfs/City%20of%2
0LA%20SLR%20Vulnerability%20Study%20FINAL%20Summary%20Report%20Online%20Hype
rlinks.pdf.
Los Angeles RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board). 1995. Water Quality Control Plan, Los Angeles Region. Accessed February 2014.
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb4/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/electronics
_documents/bp1_introduction.pdf.
———. 2002a. Attachment A to Resolution No. 02-004: Proposed Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan – Los Angeles Region to Incorporate the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria
TMDL. Accessed February 2014. http://63.199.216.6/larwqcb_new/bpa/docs/2002-
004/2002-004_RB_BPA.pdf.
———. 2002b. Attachment A to Resolution No. 2002-022: Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan – Los Angeles Region to Incorporate Implementation Provisions for the
Region’s Bacteria Objectives and to Incorporate the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Wet-
Weather Bacteria TMDL. Accessed February 2014. http://63.199.216.6/larwqcb_new/bpa/docs/2002-022/2002-022_RB_BPA.pdf.
———. 2012. MS4 Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles County.
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/losangeles/water_issues/programs/stormwater/municipal/la_
ms4/2012/Order%20R4-2012-0175%20-%20A%20Final%20Order%20revised.pdf.
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NRC (National Research Council). 2012. Sea-Level Rise for the Coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington: Past, Present, and Future. Accessed January 2014.
www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13389.
SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board). 2012. California Ocean Plan.
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/cop2012.pdf.
WRD (Water Replenishment District of Southern California). 2005. Technical Bulletin Volume 4,
Summer 2005. Accessed August 2016. http://www.wrd.org/engineering/introduction-
groundwater-basins-los-angeles.php.
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4.9.1 INTRODUCTION
This section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to land use and planning from
implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis includes a review of PLAN Hermosa and existing
land use regulations, like the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Comprehensive Plan and Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).
NOP Comments: In response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP), one comment from SCAG
indicated that PLAN Hermosa is regionally significant and should address consistency with the SCAG 2012–2035 RTP/SCS. The consistency comparison with the SCAG 2012–2035 RTP/SCS is
included in this resource section.
Reference Information: Information for this chapter is based on numerous sources, including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report and other publicly available documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is attached to this EIR as Appendix C.
4.9.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-12 describes the existing land use conditions in Hermosa Beach, including regulations, and key issues in the inland and Coastal Zone areas. Key findings related to the environmental
setting are presented below.
Hermosa Beach is located in southwest Los Angeles County and encompasses 1.4 square miles,
or 979 acres, with 1.8 miles of coastline along Santa Monica Bay. Manhattan Beach borders Hermosa Beach to the north and northeast, and Redondo Beach is located to the south and east.
Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) runs north/south through the entirety of Hermosa Beach.
Approximately half of the city, 43 percent, lies within the Coastal Zone. The Coastal Zone boundary
is defined by the California Coastal Act. The Coastal Zone boundary spans the entire length of the city from north to south and extends from the mean high tide line inland to roughly Ardmore
Avenue with two exclusions—the area from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive between Longfellow
Avenue and 31st Place; and the area east of Park Avenue or Loma Drive between 25th Street and 16th Street. See Figure 3.0-4 (Hermosa Beach Coastal Zone).
EXISTING GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATIONS
The Land Use Element of the current Hermosa Beach General Plan establishes the distribution of
land uses, intensity of commercial and other development, and provision of other public facilities. In addition to the land use designations and map, the Land Use Element establishes and describes
the goals, policies, and programs necessary to provide sufficient land for community needs while
preserving the environment and quality of life for Hermosa Beach residents. The General Plan Land
Use designations are identified for each parcel in Figure 3.0-4 (Hermosa Beach General Plan Designations). Additionally, Table 4.9-1 (Hermosa Beach General Plan Land Use Designations)
identifies the number of assessor’s parcels and the area of land within each land use designation.
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TABLE 4.9-1
HERMOSA BEACH GENERAL PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
General Plan
Land Use Designation
Citywide Inland (Excluding
Coastal Zone) Coastal Zone
Number of
Parcels
Area
(acres)
Number of
Parcels
Area
(acres)
Number of
Parcels
Area
(acres)
Residential Land Uses
LD Low Density Residential 2,615 232.2 2,190 198.9 425 33.3
MD Medium Density Residential 1,381 118.3 500 63.5 881 54.8
HD High Density Residential 1,086 97.9 62 17.9 1,024 80.0
MHP Mobile Home Park 2 4.2 0 0.0 2 4.2
Commercial and Industrial Land Uses
NC Neighborhood Commercial 38 2.9 0 0.0 38 2.9
GC General Commercial 278 48.2 144 31.4 134 16.8
CC Commercial Corridor 132 30.4 132 30.4 0 0.0
IND Industrial 38 6.8 0 0.0 38 6.8
Institutional and Other Uses
OS Open Space 50 66.8 35 34.2 15 32.6
CR Commercial Recreation 10 0.9 0 0.0 10 0.9
SPA Specific Plan Area 10 1.1 10 1.1 0 0.0
Beach 11 63.1 0 0 11 63.1
Total 5,651 672.8 3,073 377.4 2,578 295.4
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014. Parcels = Assessor’s Parcels.
The current development pattern in the city is one of single-family and multi-family residential, with
commercial and industrial uses, as shown in Table 4.9-2 (Hermosa Beach Existing Land Uses) and
described below.
• Single-Family Residential: Single-family land uses are found throughout the city, with some blocks and neighborhoods in the northeast, east, and southeast areas of Hermosa Beach
exclusively or predominantly filled with single-family uses.
• Multi-Family Residential: Multi-family housing units are predominantly found in the
southwest area of Hermosa Beach, with other multi-family housing found in the northwest and southeast portions of the city.
• Mobile Homes: There are two mobile home areas: one located north of Pier Avenue,
between Loma Drive and Valley Drive, and the other along 10th Street between Ardmore
Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.
• Mixed Residential and Commercial: These uses are located primarily in commercial
districts.
• Commercial Uses: Commercial uses include retail stores or shopping centers, lodging
accommodations, restaurants, professional office space, auto-related uses, entertainment uses, and personal services (salons, art studios, dry cleaning, photocopying
services, fitness studios, etc.). Commercial uses in Hermosa Beach are primarily focused
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along the city’s major street corridors: Pacific Coast Highway, Pier Avenue, Hermosa Avenue, Aviation Boulevard, and Artesia Boulevard or within neighborhood commercial
areas along Hermosa Avenue and Manhattan Avenue and elsewhere throughout the city.
• Industrial Uses: Light industrial or manufacturing uses are generally located in a 4-acre industrial area near Cypress Avenue and include light manufacturing, warehouses, construction supply, a surfboard manufacturer, auto shops, and air conditioning and
heating manufacturing uses. One other industrial use parcel is located on Valley Drive,
adjacent to Hermosa Valley School, occupied by a telecommunications company.
• Institutional and Other Uses: Institutional land uses include schools, government-owned
facilities, parks, the beach and open space, and essential operations areas such as
parking, utility buildings, the City maintenance yard and other facilities, or utility
easements.
TABLE 4.9-2
HERMOSA BEACH EXISTING LAND USES
Use Number of Parcels Total Acres Percentage
of Land Area
Residential Uses
Single-Family 3,261 263.0 39.1%
Multi-Family 1,898 186.3 27.6%
Mobile Homes 3 4.6 0.7%
Mixed Residential and Commercial 17 1.5 0.2%
Residential Subtotal 5,179 455.4 67.6%
Commercial and Light Industrial Uses
Commercial and Services 274 57.6 8.5%
General Office 40 7.9 1.1%
Industrial 26 4.1 0.6%
Mixed Commercial and Industrial 1 0.2 <0.1%
Commercial and Industrial Subtotal 341 69.8 10.2%
Institutional and Other Uses
City Facilities 46 19.6 2.9%
Education 9 16.7 2.4%
Open Space and Recreation 52 104.5 15.5%
Transportation, Communication, and Utilities 8 4.2 0.6%
Vacant 33 2.6 0.4%
Institutional and Other Subtotal 148 147.6 21.8%
Total 5,668 672.8 100%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
4.9.3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
State, regional, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to land use and planning,
including general plans, specific plans, and zoning ordinances. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing aspects of land use planning that would be affected by implementation
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of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory setting for land use is discussed in Appendix C-12. Key regulations used to reduce environmental impacts are summarized below.
STATE
• Planning Law and Guidelines: California planning law requires cities and counties to prepare and adopt a “comprehensive, long-range general plan” to guide development
(Government Code Section 65300). State law also specifies the content of general plans.
Current law requires seven mandated elements: land use, circulation, housing,
conservation, open space, noise, and safety.
• California Coastal Act of 1976: The California Coastal Act of 1976 and the California
Coastal Commission, the State’s landmark coastal protection law and planning agency,
were established by voter initiative in 1972 to plan for and regulate new development and
to protect public access to and along the shoreline. The Coastal Act considers scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas as a protected resource of public importance.
REGIONAL
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG): On April 4, 2012, SCAG adopted the 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy: Towards a
Sustainable Future (RTP/SCS). SCAG has placed a greater emphasis than ever on
sustainability and integrated planning in the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS, and its vision
encompasses three principles that collectively work as the key to the region’s future: mobility, economy, and sustainability. The 2012–2035 RTP/SCS includes a strong
commitment to reduce emissions from transportation sources to comply with Senate Bill
(SB) 375,1 improve public health, and meet the national ambient air quality standards set
by the federal Clean Air Act. The 2012–2035 RTP/SCS provides a blueprint for improving quality of life for residents by providing more choices for where they will live, work, and play
and how they will move around (SCAG 2012).
• South Coast Air Quality Management District Air Quality Management Plan: The purpose
of the 2012 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is to establish a comprehensive and integrated program that will bring the South Coast Air Basin into compliance with the
federal 24-hour air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and to provide an
update to commitments toward meeting the federal 8-hour ozone standards. The plan also includes specific measures to further implement the ozone strategy in the 2007 AQMP
to assist attaining the 8-hour ozone standard by 2023.
• Beach Cities Livability Plan: The Beach Cities Livability Plan focuses on how to improve
livability and well-being in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach—the “beach cities”—through land use and transportation systems that better support active
living. The plan aims to identify and prioritize efforts that will not only improve walking and
biking in the beach cities, but when fully implemented will also improve air quality, reduce
congestion, and reduce overall travel time by automobiles along corridors. Three strategies focused around adoption of policies, building staff for implementation, and
education and outreach for community members (Walkable and Livable Communities
Institute 2011).
• Sustainable South Bay: An Integrated Land Use and Transportation Strategy: The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG) with funding from regional agencies such as SCAG,
developed the Sustainable South Bay Land Use and Transportation Strategy, to study how
1 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (Sustainable Communities Act, SB 375, Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008).
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the subregion uses are distributed, what its unique and not so unique characteristics are, and suggest possible land use strategies to promote communities and improve the quality
of life. The studies have assessed the needs of the South Bay in terms of infrastructure to
support certain land uses, the economics of the area, and how to address smart growth concepts without a robust transit system. The summary and policy document for what was learned is the Sustainable South Bay Land Use and Transportation Strategy (South Bay Cities
COG 2009).
LOCAL
• Hermosa Beach General Plan: The Land Use Element of the adopted Hermosa Beach
General Plan establishes the quality and character of the city’s built environment by
defining the distribution of land uses, the intensity of commercial and other development,
and the provision of other public facilities. In addition to the land use designations and map, the Land Use Element establishes and describes the goals, policies, and programs
necessary to provide sufficient land for community needs while preserving the
environment and quality of life for Hermosa Beach residents.
• Local Coastal Program: The City does not have a certified Local Coastal Program, which is required to have both a Coastal Land Use Plan and a Local Implementation Program.
The Hermosa Beach Coastal Land Use Plan (including a land use map) was adopted by
the City and certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1981 and has been amended several times since that time. Primary goals are to (1) preserve parking and
increase where feasible, residential, commercial, and general public parking in the
Coastal Zone; (2) maintain diversified housing environment and provide policies dealing
with the replacement and protection of existing housing; (3) maintain high level of recreational access and facilities; and (4) provide and protect the community of Hermosa
Beach as a coastal resource for the people of California. The City has not adopted a Local
Implementation Plan to date.
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) implements the General Plan, particularly the Land Use Element. While the General Plan designations are
more generalized in nature, the Zoning Ordinance and the zoning districts provide specific
controls on land use, density or intensity of development, and development standards to
implement the City’s goals and policies expressed in the General Plan. Other parts of the Municipal Code, including Title 10, Vehicles and Traffic, Title 12, Street, Sidewalks, and
Public Places, Title 15, Buildings and Construction, and Title 16, Subdivisions, are also
instrumental in carrying out policy or programs in the General Plan.
• City of Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan: The Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan aims to increase sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and addresses water
conservation, waste reduction, energy use, transportation, the marine environment, and
public involvement. The Sustainability Plan is also Hermosa Beach’s response to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill [AB] 32), SB 375, and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ Cool Cities program.
4.9.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of the EIR, impacts on land use and planning are considered significant if
adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Physically divide an established community.
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2) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The impact analysis of PLAN Hermosa implementation is based on the allowed 2040 development
capacity for the planning area compared to current conditions. The analysis assumes that all
future and existing development in the planning area complies with PLAN Hermosa and the Land
Use Designation Map. An analysis of cumulative impacts uses qualitative information for the planning area.
The focus of this impact analysis is whether project implementation would result in significant
physical environmental impacts associated with land use, or conflict with applicable land use
plans, policies, or regulations adopted to avoid or mitigate such impacts.
As stated in CEQA Guidelines Section 15358(b), “effects analyzed under CEQA must be related to
a physical change.” CEQA Guidelines Section 15125(d) states that EIRs shall discuss any
inconsistencies between the proposed project and applicable general plans in the setting section of the document.
Further, Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines (Environmental Checklist Form) makes explicit the
focus on environmental policies and plans, asking if the project would “conflict with any
applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation…adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.” Even a response in the affirmative, however, does not necessarily
indicate the project would have a significant effect, unless a physical change would occur. To
the extent that physical impacts may result from such conflicts, such physical impacts are
analyzed elsewhere in this Draft EIR. As such, specific impacts and issues associated with population and housing, hazards, geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, aesthetics,
recreation, cultural resources, biological resources, and public services and utilities are addressed
in each technical section, and the reader is referred to other EIR sections for detailed analyses of
other relevant environmental effects.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that affect potential land use include the
following:
Policies
Governance Element
• 4.1 Regional governance. Play an active role in the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments, the Southern California Association of Governments and other regional
agencies to protect and promote the interests of the City.
• 4.3 Collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions. Maintain strong collaborative relationships
with adjacent jurisdictions and work together on projects of mutual interest and concern.
• 5.1 Residential and commercial compatibility. Provide a balance between residential and commercial uses and strive to ensure their compatibility.
• 5.6 Revitalization incentives. Develop and provide incentives to assist developers in
revitalization and rehabilitation of existing structures, uses and properties.
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• 5.7 Visitor and resident balance. Recognize the desire and need to balance visitor-serving and local-serving uses as a key to preserving character and the economic vitality of the
community.
• 6.4 Jobs-housing balance. Strive to improve the jobs-housing balance in the city by actively pursuing employment uses that match the skill and educational levels of existing and future residents.
Land Use + Design Element
• 1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern of
existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing opportunities for enhancement or transformation of corridors and districts in order to improve community
activity and identity.
• 1.2 Focused infill potential. Proposals for new development should be directed toward the
city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive land use mixes.
• 1.3 Access to daily activities. Strive to create sustainable development patterns such that
the majority of residents are within one-half mile walking distance to a variety of
neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants, churches, cafes, dry cleaners, laundromats, farmers’ markets, banks, personal services, pharmacies and similar uses.
• 1.5 Balance resident and visitor needs. Ensure land uses and businesses provide for the
needs of residents as well as visitors.
• 1.7 Compatibility of uses. Ensure the placement of new uses does not create or
exacerbate nuisances between different types of land uses.
• 1.8 Respond to unique characteristics. Enhance the unique character and identity of the
city’s neighborhoods, districts and corridors through land use and design decisions. Allow policies and programs to be focused on each unique character area of the city.
• 1.9 Retain commercial land area. Discourage the conversion of commercial land to
exclusively residential uses.
• 1.10 Transition between uses. Encourage new projects in non-residential areas to employ architectural transitions to adjoining residential properties to ensure compatibility of scale
and a sense of privacy for existing residences. Such transitions could include setbacks,
gradations and transitions in building height and appropriate landscaping.
• 2.2 Variety of types of neighborhoods. Encourage preservation of existing single density neighborhoods within the city and ensure that neighborhood types are dispersed
throughout the city.
• 2.3 Balanced neighborhoods. Within the allowed densities and housing types, promote a
range of housing to accommodate diverse ages and incomes.
• 3.1 Unique districts. Encourage the development of local and city-wide districts and
centers that address different community needs and market sectors and complement
surrounding neighborhoods.
• 3.2 Compatibility of districts. Require new development within the city’s creative industrial district to be designed for compatibility with surrounding uses to minimize impact and
cultivate connectivity with each district.
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• 4.8 Neighborhood buffer. Encourage all commercial property owners bordering residential areas to mitigate impacts and use appropriate landscaping and buffering of residential
neighborhoods.
• 5.7 Design guidelines and development standards. Seek to maintain and enhance neighborhood character through design guidelines and development standards that articulate building form, orientation, and scale, but allow for eclectic and diverse
architectural styles.
• 8.1 Coastal-dependent uses. Prioritize coastal-dependent uses over non-dependent
developments near the shoreline, unless future demand for such facilities is already
adequately provided for in the area.
• 8.2 Coastal-related uses. Accommodate coastal-related uses within reasonable proximity
to the coastal-dependent uses they support.
• 8.3 Land use regulations. Encourage coastal-dependent and coastal-related commercial uses in the Recreational Commercial and Community Commercial land use designations.
Prioritize such uses in the Recreational Commercial designation. Provide for and prioritize
coastal-related industrial uses in the Creative Industrial land use designation.
• 8.7 Amenities. Require new higher cost hotel and motel development projects to
incorporate non-overnight facilities and amenities as a component of the development
that are generally available for passive public use.
• 13.1 Restrict health-harming uses. Prohibit new land uses that harm the physical health and well being of the community.
• 13.5 Improved livability. Encourage and set aside funding for the provision of a high level
of neighborhood and community amenities and design features as a way of balancing
increased density, recognizing the desire for a very high quality, amenity-rich, livable community.
Mobility Element
• 1.1 Consider all modes. Require the planning, design, and construction of all new and
existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe, livable and inviting environments for all users of the system.
• 2.1 Prioritize public right-of-ways. Prioritize improvements of public right-of-ways that
provide heightened levels of safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-
motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation.
• 3.1 Repurpose public right-of-ways. Require repurposing public right-of-ways enhancing
connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit.
• 4.2 Encourage coastal access. Ensure parking facilities and costs of such facilities are not
a barrier to beach access by the public.
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use features in development
projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development
supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative modes.
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 1.6 Demonstration and pilot projects. Utilize demonstration and pilot projects as a means
to evaluate the greenhouse gas reduction potential and cost effectiveness of projects.
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• 2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic
opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
• 3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles.
• 3.7 Regional air quality. When possible, collaborate with other agencies within the region
to improve air quality and meet or exceed State and Federal air quality standards through regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, including trucks and passenger vehicles.
Parks + Open Space Element
• 6.1 Visible access points. Enhance visibility of existing public access points to and along beaches, coastal parks, and trails.
• 6.6 Universal access. Provide resources that improve accessibility to the beach for all
visitors.
• 6.7 Minimal impact to access. Require new development and substantial redevelopment
projects to minimize impacts to existing public access to and along the shoreline.
• 7.3 Recreational asset. Consider and treat the beach as a recreational asset and never as
a commercial enterprise.
• 8.7 Public access. Ensure that special events do not impede public access to the beach, the Pier, and The Strand.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land
Use Designations and Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts.
• LAND USE-2. Establish development standards to correspond with any new land use designations with consideration of neighborhood character areas.
• LAND USE-11. Require new visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone to
maintain or improve public access to the coast by establishing and applying the following development review requirements in the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan:
− Where a new hotel or motel development project would consist entirely of high-cost
overnight accommodations, the development shall be required to provide mitigation
as a condition of approval of a Coastal Development Permit. Such mitigation may include, but is not limited to, a mitigation payment consistent with the City’s visitor-serving accommodations fee program.
− If a hotel or motel project proposes a certain number or percentage of on-site low or
mid-range cost units, such units shall remain available as low or mid-range cost units for the life of the project.
• PARKS-18. Protect public access to the coast by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
− Require a direct dedication of an easement for access in all new development projects that cause or contribute to adverse public access impacts. Access ways shall
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be a sufficient size to accommodate two-way pedestrian passage and landscape buffer.
− Implement building design and siting regulations to protect public access through
setbacks and other property development regulations that control building
placement.
− New development and redevelopment projects shall protect public accessibility to
walk streets and street ends that provide access to the shoreline, the beach, and The
Strand.
− New or improved beach access facilities shall accommodate persons with physical disabilities.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.9-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Physically Divide an Established Community? PLAN Hermosa includes limited land use changes and other improvements in the city
that would allow for an increase in residential and nonresidential square footage.
However, because the proposed changes follow established land use patterns, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in a less than significant impact.
Hermosa Beach is primarily built out, with a limited inventory of vacant and underutilized land.
Land use policies proposed in PLAN Hermosa are based on long-established land use patterns
and would allow for incremental intensification through the redevelopment of existing uses (see Table 3.0-2 (PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations) for existing and proposed land use designations). Such incremental growth would reinforce historical patterns while accommodating
future economic and residential growth in the city. Under PLAN Hermosa, properties will gradually
transition from one use to another, and land uses and intensities will gradually shift to align with the intent of PLAN Hermosa. Figure 4.9-1 (PLAN Hermosa Proposed Changes to Land Use Designations) shows the proposed changes in land use patterns.
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FIGURE 4.9-1
PLAN HERMOSA PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
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PLAN Hermosa establishes an overall development capacity for the city and represents the City’s policy for determining appropriate physical development and character. Table 3.0-3 (PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Projections) identifies anticipated residential land use changes
compared to existing conditions that would occur between 2015 and 2040 with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, while Table 3.0-4 (PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development Projections) identifies corresponding changes for nonresidential uses in the city. Table 4.9-3 (Comparison of Land Use Densities and Floor Area Ratios) shows the difference between the existing land use
densities and floor area ratios (FAR) and the PLAN Hermosa densities and FARs.
TABLE 4.9-3
COMPARISON OF LAND USE DENSITIES AND FLOOR AREA RATIOS
Land Use Designation
Estimate of Current
General Plan Proposed PLAN Hermosa
Maximum Minimum Maximum
Low Density 13.0 2.0 13.0
Medium Density 25.0 13.1 25.0
High Density 33.0 25.1 33.0
Mobile Home 13.0 2.0 13.1
Neighborhood Commercial 1.0 0.5 1.0
Community Commercial 1.75 0.5 1.25
Recreational Commercial 2.5 1.0 1.75
Gateway Commercial 1.5 1.0 2.0
Service Commercial 1 0.25 0.5
Light Industrial Creative 0.75 0.25 1.0
Public Facilities n/a 0.1 1.0
Open Space n/a 0.0 0.1
City Beach n/a 0.0 0.05
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
Based on the allowed density/intensity for each designation, Hermosa Beach could
accommodate an additional 300 dwelling units and 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development between 2015 and 2040.2 As described in Chapter 3.0, Project Description, these projections were calculated based on specific trends in the city, including a loss of housing units
between 2010 and 2015 and the growing size of households between 2008 and 2012, among
other factors. These trends are further described in Appendix A.
Overall, this incremental redevelopment represents a relatively modest increase in the number of dwelling units and population for the planning area. Development projections from PLAN Hermosa
implementation, as described in Chapter 3.0, Project Description, would result in an increase of
approximately 300 dwelling units (3.0 percent growth), a net population increase of approximately 661 (3.3 percent growth), and an increase of 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development (29.9 percent growth) between 2015 and 2040.
2 This information is based on growth forecasts provided in the City’s letter Subject: Hermosa Beach Response to SCAG’s Integrated Growth Forecast to the Southern California Association of Governments. See Appendix A.
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Policies in both the Land Use + Design Element and the Mobility Element focus on increasing connectivity and maintaining the integrity of the community’s character and existing land use
designations. For example, Land Use + Design Element Policy 1.1 would maintain the fundamental
pattern of existing land uses and preserve existing residential neighborhoods while providing opportunities for transformation of corridors and districts to improve community identity. Policy 1.8 would promote development that would enhance the unique character and identity of the city’s
neighborhoods, districts, and corridors through land use and design decisions. Policy 1.9 would
discourage the conversion of commercial land into exclusively residential uses, while Policy 2.2 would encourage preservation of existing single-density neighborhoods within the city and ensure
that neighborhood types are dispersed throughout Hermosa Beach. Policy 5.7 would maintain
and enhance neighborhood character through design guidelines and development standards.
Additionally, implementation action LAND USE-1 requires that the City’s Zoning Map be updated to make proposed land use designations and zoning districts consistent. LAND USE-2 establishes
zoning districts and development standards to correspond with land use designations and
character areas.
The Land Use + Design Element and Mobility Element policies and implementation actions listed above guide future development in Hermosa Beach; identify the character-defining features of
each neighborhood, corridor, or district; and provide policy guidance that supports the intended
character of each area. Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa supports and enhances
existing land use and circulation patterns and would not divide a community. This impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.9-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation? PLAN Hermosa proposes limited land use changes and other improvements in
the city and numerous land use policies to guide future development in Hermosa
Beach. These changes would be consistent with existing local and regional
planning documents. Therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa would establish new General Plan land use categories by refining existing
categories and establishing new designations. The proposed land use designation and allowed
density are shown in Table 3.0-2 (PLAN Hermosa Land Use Designations). In addition, PLAN Hermosa identifies numerous land use policies to guide development in the city for the next 25 years by balancing quality of life, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. The
policy direction of PLAN Hermosa is generally described in Chapter 3.0, Project Description.
Specific policies that affect land use planning are listed in the subsection titled “Draft PLAN
Hermosa Policies and Implementation Actions” above.
Consistency with applicable regional and local plans is described below.
City of Hermosa Beach Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code Title 17)
Title 17 of the City’s Municipal Code will be the primary means of implementing PLAN Hermosa.
PLAN Hermosa includes policies and programs to amend the Zoning Ordinance to establish zoning districts and development standards to correspond with land use designations and character
areas, as well as to better accommodate coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses. With
implementation of actions LAND USE-1 and LAND USE-2, the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map will be consistent with PLAN Hermosa land use goals and policies.
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California Coastal Act
PLAN Hermosa has been prepared in accordance with the requirements and intent set forth in
California Government Code Section 30603. The Hermosa Beach Coastal Land Use Plan (including
a land use map) was adopted by the City and certified by the California Coastal Commission in
1981. PLAN Hermosa includes an update to the City’s Land Use Plan and Local Implementation Plan, providing development standards and regulations applicable in the Coastal Zone, and
outlining an administrative process for the issuance of coastal development permits. To implement
the Coastal Land Use Plan components of PLAN Hermosa, the City has developed a series of implementing ordinances that articulate the intent of the California Coastal Act with consideration of local context and needs. Table 4.9-4 (Coastal Act Consistency) analyzes PLAN
Hermosa’s consistency with the California Coastal Act.
The policies and programs of PLAN Hermosa implement Coastal Act requirements; therefore, the proposed project is consistent with the California Coastal Act.
Southern California Association of Governments 2012–2035 Regional Transportation
Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy: Towards a Sustainable Future
SCAG has placed a greater emphasis than ever before on sustainability and integrated planning
in the 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), The RTP/SCS vision encompasses three principles that collectively work as the key to the region’s future:
mobility, economy, and sustainability. The RTP/SCS contains a number of policies applicable to
PLAN Hermosa. The City considered SCAG goals and policies in the formulation of PLAN Hermosa.
SCAG policies and their consistency with PLAN Hermosa are evaluated in Table 4.9-5 (Compatibility of PLAN Hermosa with the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS).
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TABLE 4.9-4
COASTAL ACT CONSISTENCY
Section Policy Project Compliance with Policy
Public Access
30211 Development shall not interfere with the public's right of access to the sea where acquired through use or
legislative authorization, including, but not limited to, the use of dry sand and rocky coastal beaches to the first
line of terrestrial vegetation.
Consistent: Within the city, access to the beach is provided by 22 walk streets that run perpendicular to and connect with Hermosa Avenue. PLAN Hermosa
includes a number of policies and implementation actions that focus on public beach access. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 6.6 directs the City to provide
resources that improve accessibility to the beach for all visitors. Implementation action LAND USE-11 would require new visitor-serving accommodations in
the Coastal Zone to maintain or improve public access to the coast. Implementation action PARKS-18 includes measures that would protect public access to
the coast by requiring direct dedication of access easements, and site design to ensure that the coast remains accessible with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
30212 Public access from the nearest public roadway to the shoreline and along the coast shall be provided in new
development projects except where: (1) it is inconsistent with public safety, military security needs, or the
protection of fragile coastal resources, (2) adequate access exists nearby, or (3) agriculture would be adversely
affected.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa provides for public beach access. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 6.6 directs the City to provide resources that improve
accessibility to the beach for all visitors. Implementation action LAND USE-11 would require new visitor-serving accommodations in the Coastal Zone to
maintain or improve public access to the coast. Implementation action PARKS-18 includes measures that would protect public access to the coast by requiring
direct dedication of access easements, and site design to ensure that the coast remains accessible with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
30212.5 Wherever appropriate and feasible, public facilities, including parking areas or facilities, shall be distributed
throughout an area so as to mitigate against the impacts, social and otherwise, of overcrowding or overuse by
the public of any single area.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa promotes adequate parking and a balance use of land adjacent to the shoreline. Mobility Element Policy 4.2 ensures that parking
facilities and costs of such facilities are not a barrier to beach access by the public. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 7.3 requires that the City treat the
beach as a recreational asset and never as a commercial enterprise. Land Use + Design Element Policy 1.1 strives to maintain the fundamental pattern of
existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing opportunities for enhancement or transformation of corridors and districts to improve
community activity and identity.
30213 Lower cost visitor and recreational facilities shall be protected, encouraged, and, where feasible, provided.
Developments providing public recreational opportunities are preferred.
Consistent: Implementation action LAND USE-11 requires that if a hotel or motel project proposes a certain number or percentage of on-site low or mid-range
cost units, such units shall remain available as low or mid-range cost units for the life of the project.
Recreation
30221 Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall be protected for recreational use and development unless
present and foreseeable future demand for public or commercial recreational activities that could be
accommodated on the property is already adequately provided for in the area.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa promotes public recreational use of oceanfront lands on the public beach. Parks + Open Space Policy 6.9 directs the City to create
additional parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities. Policy 7.3 directs the City to consider and treat the beach as a recreational asset and never as a
commercial enterprise. Policy 7.5 directs the City to consider devoting certain portions of the beach to different preferred recreational uses while providing
access for all users and meeting the recreation needs of visitors and residents.
30222 The use of private lands suitable for visitor-serving commercial recreational facilities designed to enhance public
opportunities for coastal recreation shall have priority over private residential, general industrial, or general
commercial development, but not over agriculture or coastal-dependent industry.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa land use designations provide for visitor-serving commercial recreational land uses on private property within the Coastal Zone.
Land Use + Design Element Policy 8.1 prioritizes coastal-dependent uses over non-dependent developments near the shoreline, unless future demand for such
facilities is already adequately provided for in the area. Policy 8.2 accommodates coastal-related uses within reasonable proximity to the coastal-dependent
uses they support. Policy 8.3 encourages coastal-dependent and coastal-related commercial uses to be located in the Recreational Commercial and Community
Commercial land use designations, and prioritizes such uses in the Recreational Commercial designation. The policy also provides for and prioritizes coastal-
related industrial uses in the Creative Industrial land use designation. Policy 8.9 directs the City to prioritize use of private lands suitable for visitor-serving
commercial recreational facilities that enhance public coastal access over private local-serving residential or commercial development or industrial
development, but not over coastal-dependent uses within the commercial core.
30222.5 Oceanfront land that is suitable for coastal dependent aquaculture shall be protected for that use, and proposals
for aquaculture facilities located on those sites shall be given priority, except over other coastal dependent
developments or uses.
Not applicable: No vacant land suitable for aquaculture has been identified within the city.
30223 Upland areas necessary to support coastal recreational uses shall be reserved for such uses, where feasible. Consistent: PLAN Hermosa identifies existing coastal-related uses. Proposed land use designations would not limit those uses.
30224 Increased recreational boating use of coastal waters shall be encouraged, in accordance with this division, by
developing dry storage areas, increasing public launching facilities, providing additional berthing space in
existing harbors, limiting non-water-dependent land uses that congest access corridors and preclude boating
support facilities, providing harbors of refuge, and by providing for new boating facilities in natural harbors,
new protected water areas, and in areas dredged from dry land.
Not applicable: Hermosa Beach does not have boat launching facilities, boat storage, or a harbor/protected area that would accommodate such facilities.
Marine Environment
30230 Marine resources shall be maintained, enhanced, and where feasible, restored. Special protection shall be given
to areas and species of special biological or economic significance. Uses of the marine environment shall be
carried out in a manner that will sustain the biological productivity of coastal waters and that will maintain
healthy populations of all species of marine organisms adequate for long-term commercial, recreational,
scientific, and educational purposes.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa includes policies that protect the existing marine environment. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 9.1 calls for the preservation,
protection, and improvement of remaining open space areas to the greatest extent possible to improve on existing limited habitats and prevent further extirpation
of species. Policy 9.2 requires the consideration of species and habitat impacts and potential improvements when implementing beach maintenance activities.
Policy 9.3 was designed to ensure that beaches can function as a quality habitat for permanent and migratory species. Policy 9.4 promotes information sharing
and research regarding habitat and wildlife with resource agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to ensure coordinated decision-making and management.
Policy 9.5 requires the protection of coastal and marine habitats from impacts from maintenance, construction, recreation, and industrial activities.
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Section Policy Project Compliance with Policy
30231 The biological productivity and the quality of coastal waters, streams, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes appropriate
to maintain optimum populations of marine organisms and for the protection of human health shall be
maintained and, where feasible, restored through, among other means, minimizing adverse effects of waste
water discharges and entrainment, controlling runoff, preventing depletion of ground water supplies and
substantial interference with surface waterflow, encouraging waste water reclamation, maintaining natural
vegetation buffer areas that protect riparian habitats, and minimizing alteration of natural streams.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa includes policies that protect the existing marine environment through the use of water use and water quality protection.
Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 5.1 calls for the availability of recycled water supply and distribution facilities are available throughout the city.
Policy 5.3 requires the update of water conservation and efficiency programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis. Policy 7.1 requires the use of
permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas. Policy 7.2 requires the minimization of soil erosion by ensuring
best management practices are used in grading and construction.
30232 Protection against the spillage of crude oil, gas, petroleum products, or hazardous substances shall be provided
in relation to any development or transportation of such materials. Effective containment and cleanup facilities
and procedures shall be provided for accidental spills that do occur.
Consistent: The use and transportation of hazardous materials are governed by federal and state regulations. PLAN Hermosa further requires compliance with
policies in the plan that reduce the potential for accidental hazardous materials spills. Public Safety Element Policy 3.2 directs the City to coordinate with allied
agencies to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents. Policy 3.3 requires businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous materials to ensure
that adequate measures are taken to protect public health and safety. Policy 3.4 directs the City to restrict the siting of new uses involving hazardous materials
in the Coastal Zone to coastal-related industrial uses in the Cypress District.
30233 The diking, filling, or dredging of open coastal waters, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes shall be permitted in
accordance with other applicable provisions of this division, where there is no feasible less environmentally
damaging alternative, and where feasible mitigation measures have been provided to minimize adverse
environmental effects, and shall be limited to those identified in Section 30233 [added].
Not applicable: Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in the diking, filling, or dredging of open coastal waters, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes.
30234 Facilities serving the commercial fishing and recreational boating industries shall be protected and, where
feasible, upgraded. Existing commercial fishing and recreational boating harbor space shall not be reduced
unless the demand for those facilities no longer exists or adequate substitute space has been provided. Proposed
recreational boating facilities shall, where feasible, be designed and located in such a fashion as not to interfere
with the needs of the commercial fishing industry.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa does not include any policies or implementation actions that would reduce existing facilities.
30235 Revetments, breakwaters, groins, harbor channels, seawalls, cliff retaining walls, and other such construction
that alters natural shoreline processes shall be permitted when required to serve coastal-dependent uses or to
protect existing structures or public beaches in danger from erosion, and when designed to eliminate or mitigate
adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply. Existing marine structures causing water stagnation contributing
to pollution problems and fish kills should be phased out or upgraded where feasible.
Not applicable: PLAN Hermosa does not include any policies or implementation actions that would limit the use of revetments, breakwaters, groins, harbor
channels, seawalls, or cliff retaining walls constructed to protect existing structures.
30236 Channelizations, dams, or other substantial alterations of rivers and streams shall incorporate the best mitigation
measures feasible, and be limited to (l) necessary water supply projects, (2) flood control projects where no
other method for protecting existing structures in the flood plain is feasible and where such protection is
necessary for public safety or to protect existing development, or (3) developments where the primary function
is the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.
Not applicable. PLAN Hermosa does not propose any channelizations, dams, or other substantial alterations of rivers or streams.
Land Resources
30240 (a) Environmentally sensitive habitat areas shall be protected against any significant disruption of habitat values,
and only uses dependent on those resources shall be allowed within those areas.
(b) Development in areas adjacent to environmentally sensitive habitat areas and parks and recreation areas
shall be sited and designed to prevent impacts which would significantly degrade those areas, and shall be
compatible with the continuance of those habitat and recreation areas.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa includes policies that protect the existing sensitive habitat areas. Parks + Open Space Element Policy 9.1 calls for the preservation,
protection, and improvement of remaining open space areas to the greatest extent possible to improve on existing habitats and prevent further extirpation of
species. Policy 9.2 requires the consideration of species and habitat impacts and potential improvements when implementing beach maintenance activities.
Policy 9.3 is designed to ensure that beaches can function as a quality habitat for permanent and migratory species. Policy 9.4 promotes information sharing
and research regarding habitat and wildlife with resource agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to ensure coordinated decision-making and management.
Policy 9.5 requires the protection of coastal and marine habitats from impacts from maintenance, construction, recreation, and industrial activities.
30241 The maximum amount of prime agricultural land shall be maintained in agricultural production to assure the
protection of the areas’ agricultural economy, and conflicts shall be minimized between agricultural and urban
land uses through all of those listed in Section 30241 [added].
Not applicable: Hermosa Beach is a fully developed urban area. No agricultural lands exist within the city.
30242 All other lands suitable for agricultural use shall not be converted to nonagricultural uses unless (1) continued
or renewed agricultural use is not feasible, or (2) such conversion would preserve prime agricultural land or
concentrate development consistent with Section 30250. Any such permitted conversion shall be compatible
with continued agricultural use on surrounding lands.
Not applicable: Hermosa Beach is a fully developed urban area. No agricultural lands exist within the city.
30243 The long-term productivity of soils and timberlands shall be protected, and conversions of coastal commercial
timberlands in units of commercial size to other uses or their division into units of noncommercial size shall be
limited to providing for necessary timber processing and related facilities.
Not applicable: Hermosa Beach is a fully developed urban area. No timber production lands exist within the city.
30244 Where development would adversely impact archaeological or paleontological resources as identified by the
State Historic Preservation Officer, reasonable mitigation measures shall be required.
Consistent: Certification of the EIR would require the adoption of mitigation measure MM 4.4.3, which is specifically designed to protect paleontological
resources.
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Section Policy Project Compliance with Policy
Development
30250 (a) New residential, commercial, or industrial development, except as otherwise provided in this division, shall
be located within, contiguous with, or in close proximity to, existing developed areas able to accommodate it
or, where such areas are not able to accommodate it, in other areas with adequate public services and where it
will not have significant adverse effects, either individually or cumulatively, on coastal resources. In addition,
land divisions, other than leases for agricultural uses, outside existing developed areas shall be permitted only
where 50 percent of the usable parcels in the area have been developed and the created parcels would be no
smaller than the average size of surrounding parcels.
(b) Where feasible, new hazardous industrial development shall be located away from existing developed areas.
(c) Visitor-serving facilities that cannot feasibly be located in existing developed areas shall be located in existing
isolated developments or at selected points of attraction for visitors.
Consistent: All future development in the city would have availability of adequate public services.
30251 The scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas shall be considered and protected as a resource of public
importance. Permitted development shall be sited and designed to protect views to and along the ocean and
scenic coastal areas, to minimize the alteration of natural land forms, to be visually compatible with the character
of surrounding areas, and, where feasible, to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas. New
development in highly scenic areas such as those designated in the California Coastline Preservation and
Recreation Plan prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation and by local government shall be
subordinate to the character of its setting.
Consistent: Parks + Open Space Element Policy 6.1 calls for enhancing visibility of existing public access points to and along beaches and coastal parks and
trails. Land Use + Design Element Policy 1.8 calls for the enhancement of the unique character of the city’s neighborhoods, districts and corridors through
land use and design decisions.
30252 The location and amount of new development should maintain and enhance public access to the coast by
(1) facilitating the provision or extension of transit service, (2) providing commercial facilities within or adjoining
residential development or in other areas that will minimize the use of coastal access roads, (3) providing
nonautomobile circulation within the development, (4) providing adequate parking facilities or providing
substitute means of serving the development with public transportation, (5) assuring the potential for public
transit for high intensity uses such as high-rise office buildings, and by (6) assuring that the recreational needs of
new residents will not overload nearby coastal recreation areas by correlating the amount of development with
local park acquisition and development plans with the provision of onsite recreational facilities to serve the new
development.
Consistent: Land Use + Design Element Policy 8.1 prioritizes coastal-dependent uses over nondependent developments near the shoreline, while Policy 8.2
guides development that accommodates coastal-related uses in proximity to the coastal-dependent uses that are supportive of such uses. Mobility Element
Policy 1.1 requires the planning, design, and construction of all new and existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create
safe, livable and inviting environments for all users of the system. Policy 2.1 prioritizes improvements of public rights-of-way that provide heightened levels of
safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation. Policy 3.1 requires
the repurposing public rights-of-way enhancing connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit. Policy 4.2 ensures parking facilities and costs of such
facilities are not a barrier to beach access by the public. Policy 5.5 encourages smart growth land use features in development projects to ensure more compact,
mixed, connected, and multimodal development supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative modes.
30253 New development shall do all of the following:
(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.
(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic
instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective
devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.41
(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board
as to each particular development.
(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled.
(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique
characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa includes policies designed to reduce risks to life and property, reduce air quality emissions and vehicle miles traveled, reduce
energy consumption, and protect the individual neighborhoods in the city. Public Safety Element Policy 1.1 requires the evaluation of new buildings and
infrastructure for potential for seismic, fire, flood, and coastal storm hazard risks and comply with California Building Code standards to minimize risk. Policy
1.2 requires the preparation of geotechnical reports for new development projects in areas with the potential for liquefaction or landslide. Conservation +
Sustainability Element Policy 3.7 requires collaboration with other agencies within the region to improve air quality and meet or exceed state and federal air
quality standards through regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, including trucks and passenger vehicles. Land Use + Design Element
Policy 1.8 directs the City to enhance the unique character and identity of the city’s neighborhoods, districts and corridors through land use and design
decisions. Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 3.2 requires the support of land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and
emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles.
30254 New or expanded public works facilities shall be designed and limited to accommodate needs generated by
development or uses permitted consistent with the provisions of this division; provided, however, that it is the
intent of the Legislature that State Highway Route 1 in rural areas of the coastal zone remain a scenic two-lane
road. Special districts shall not be formed or expanded except where assessment for, and provision of, the service
would not induce new development inconsistent with this division. Where existing or planned public works
facilities can accommodate only a limited amount of new development, services to coastal dependent land use,
essential public services and basic industries vital to the economic health of the region, state, or nation, public
recreation, commercial recreation, and visitor-serving land uses shall not be precluded by other development.
Consistent: Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not require the expansion of existing water, wastewater, or storm drainage facilities. In addition,
Infrastructure Element Policy 1.6 requires that new infrastructure is sited in a manner to minimize negative impacts to the community and prioritize projects to
address the greatest deficiencies.
30255 Coastal-dependent developments shall have priority over other developments on or near the shoreline. Except
as provided elsewhere in this division, coastal-dependent developments shall not be sited in a wetland. When
appropriate, coastal-related developments should be accommodated within reasonable proximity to the coastal-
dependent uses they support.
Consistent: Land Use + Design Element Policy 8.1 prioritizes coastal-dependent uses over nondependent developments near the shoreline, while Policy 8.2
guides development that accommodates coastal-related uses in proximity to the coastal-dependent uses that are supportive of such uses.
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Section Policy Project Compliance with Policy
Industrial Development
30260 Coastal-dependent industrial facilities shall be encouraged to locate or expand within existing sites and shall be
permitted reasonable long-term growth where consistent with this division.
Consistent: Hermosa Beach does not have any vacant industrial sites within the Coastal Zone area. The existing light industrial sites are currently developed.
Hermosa Beach does not have any uses identified as heavy industrial.
30261 Multicompany use of existing and new tanker facilities shall be encouraged to the maximum extent feasible and
legally permissible, except where to do so would result in increased tanker operations and associated onshore
development incompatible with the land use and environmental goals for the area.
Not applicable: Hermosa Beach does not have any facilities that would include tanker operations.
30262 Oil and gas development shall be permitted in accordance with Section 30260, if the conditions identified in
Section 30262 [added] are met.
Not Applicable: Hermosa Beach does not have any areas identified for oil and gas development.
30263 New or expanded refineries or petrochemical facilities not otherwise consistent with the provisions of this
division shall be permitted if the conditions are met as identified in Section 30263(a) [added].
Not Applicable: Hermosa Beach does not have any areas identified for refineries or petrochemical facilities development.
30264 Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, except subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 30413, new or
expanded thermal electric generating plants may be constructed in the coastal zone if the proposed coastal site
has been determined by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to have greater
relative merit pursuant to the provisions of Section 25516.1 than available alternative sites and related facilities
for an applicant's service area which have been determined to be acceptable pursuant to the provisions of
Section 25516.
Not Applicable: PLAN Hermosa does not include any areas for thermal electric generating plants.
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TABLE 4.9-5
COMPATIBILITY OF PLAN HERMOSA WITH THE 2012–2035 RTP/SCS
SCAG RTP/
SCS Goal SCAG Goal Project Compliance with Goal
Goal 1 Align the plan investments and
policies with improving
regional economic
development and
competitiveness.
Not Applicable: This goal is specific to SCAG’s funding sources and investments and is therefore not applicable at the
local level.
Goal 2 Maximize mobility and
accessibility for all people and
goods in the region.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa maintains the existing roadway network and provides mechanisms to meet the needs of
local and regional transportation and to ensure efficient mobility and accessibility. A number of regional and local
programs have informed the policies and implementation actions that would ensure a balance of local and regional
needs in the design and operation of the transportation corridors, including:
• LA Metro First Last Mile Strategic Plan
• Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program
• Los Angeles County Long Range Transportation Plan
• SCAG RTP/SCS
• South Bay Bicycle Master Plan
• Beach Cities Livability Plan
• Aviation Boulevard Master Plan
• Pacific Coast Highway Streetscape Master Plan
The Mobility Element is a comprehensive transportation management strategy that addresses infrastructure capacity. The
Land Use + Design Element and the Mobility Element of PLAN Hermosa both contain policies that provide specific
guidance on how to improve mobility in the city. Refer to Section 4.14, Transportation, of this EIR, which addresses
local and regional transportation, traffic, circulation, and mobility in more detail.
Goal 3 Ensure travel safety and
reliability for all people and
goods in the region.
Consistent: All modes (motorized and non-motorized) of public and commercial transit throughout the city would be
required to follow safety standards established by corresponding state, regional, and local regulatory documents,
standards, and regulations. For example, pedestrian walkways and bicycle routes must follow safety precautions and
standards established by local (e.g., City of Hermosa Beach, County of Los Angeles) and regional (e.g., SCAG, Caltrans)
agencies. Additionally, pedestrian circulation systems are required to be designed and constructed for the adaptation
and use of people with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state requirements.
With the city encompassing approximately 1.4 square miles, active and non-motorized transportation options for local
mobility are becoming increasingly convenient and cost-effective travel choices among residents and visitors. As such,
the PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element encourages design and construction plans that improve sidewalk infrastructure to
safely accommodate high levels of pedestrian activity. Through implementation of the plan, the majority of arterials and
local streets throughout the city will provide sidewalks to accommodate a moderate level of pedestrian activities. There
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SCAG RTP/
SCS Goal SCAG Goal Project Compliance with Goal
are 22 east–west walk streets that connect pedestrians between the beach and surrounding neighborhoods, while the
Hermosa Valley Greenbelt and the Strand provide north–south pedestrian connections throughout the length of the city.
Mobility Element Policy 3.2 prioritizes investment in the development of a complete network of sidewalks and
pedestrian-friendly amenities. As a means of prioritizing pedestrian safety, Mobility Element policies prioritize the
development of safe, comfortable, and attractive public spaces and encourage traffic calming strategies that will reduce
vehicle speeds and reduce cut-through traffic on residential streets. Thus, PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce design
hazards and conflicts between incompatible land uses and between all transportation network users.
Goal 4 Preserve and ensure a
sustainable regional
transportation system.
Consistent: All roadway improvements to the existing transportation networks would be assessed to determine how new
development would impact traffic conditions. PLAN Hermosa seeks to concentrate new and infill development in areas
that would reduce vehicle miles traveled. This will be done by focusing on corridors that provide commercial, service,
and office uses in a cohesive and organized manner. This land use network is supported by a connected walkable
environment to easily serve local and regional retail needs while providing efficient travel pathways and circulation.
These land use policies would serve to enhance the regional transportation system by providing land uses in a format
that supports transit thereby alleviating roadway traffic on a regional basis. The Mobility Element seeks to implement a
multimodal system consistent with SB 375, SB 743, and the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS. Additionally, the regional plans
mentioned in the analysis for RTP/SCS Goal G2 would be applicable to the design and development of the regional
roadway network in and around the city.
PLAN Hermosa encourages regional coordination of transportation issues and incorporates guidance and policies that
help preserve and ensure a sustainable regional transportation system.
Goal 5 Maximize the productivity of
our transportation system.
Consistent: The local and regional transportation system would be improved and maintained to maximize efficiency
and productivity through implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The City’s Public Works Department oversees the
improvement and maintenance of the city’s public rights-of-way on a routine basis.
Future development in Hermosa Beach under PLAN Hermosa would occur through infill and redevelopment activities
primarily in the Downtown core, the Cypress Avenue District, the Coastal Zone including The Strand, and along Pacific
Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard. Such infill and redevelopment would increase overall demand for transit,
bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. The City strives to maximize productivity of the region’s public transportation system
(i.e., bus and bicycle) for residents, visitors, and workers coming into and going out of Hermosa Beach. Existing transit
facilities in Hermosa Beach are supported by local and regional transportation authorities, providing local mobility and
access to major regional transit facilities in nearby municipalities. PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element policies promote
transit opportunities in the city and provide opportunities to connect to regional infrastructure.
PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element policies support and reinforce the policies of the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan by
promoting bicycle facilities and parking throughout the city to facilitate a higher level of connectivity and access for
bicycles. The City provides ample opportunities for bicycling via a network of bikeways, bicycle parking, links to transit,
and other accommodations. PLAN Hermosa policies directly support the expansion of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit
facilities and support the City’s goal of being a multimodal community. Mobility Element and Land Use + Design
Element policies also support the goals and policies of the Los Angeles County Long Range Transportation Plan and the
South Bay Bicycle Master Plan.
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SCAG RTP/
SCS Goal SCAG Goal Project Compliance with Goal
Goal 6 Protect the environment and
health of our residents by
improving air quality and
encouraging active
transportation (non-motorized
transportation, such as
bicycling and walking).
Consistent: Goals, policies, and implementation actions are proposed in the PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element to require
that all development or redevelopment projects accommodate active transportation by providing connections to existing
and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and incorporating pedestrian-oriented design practices and that
developments provide facilities for non-motorized transportation; improve transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian
connections; and preserve opportunities to maintain or expand bicycle, pedestrian, and transit systems. The Mobility
Element requires expanding the bicycle network, integrating bicycle and transit facilities and connections, and requiring
new development to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Goal 7 Actively encourage and create
incentives for energy
efficiency, where possible.
Consistent: Policies and implementation actions are proposed in PLAN Hermosa’s Sustainability + Conservation
Element that encourage the reduction of energy usage and conservation. Policies would require and facilitate the
installation of renewable energy projects on homes and businesses and provide a retrofit program to assist home and
building owners to make efficiency improvements. PLAN Hermosa would require that large buildings regularly report
their energy use and create a sustainable building checklist to minimize waste and maximize energy efficiency.
Goal 8 Encourage land use and
growth patterns that facilitate
transit and non-motorized
transportation.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element goals, policies, and implementation actions ensure that future land uses
can be adequately served by the planned transportation system. The Mobility Element contains a policy to improve
Hermosa Beach’s alternative transportation access to local and regional destinations through land use decisions that
support multimodal transportation. In addition, PLAN Hermosa Land Use + Design Element contains policies to
accommodate a mix of residential and commercial land uses that enable residents to walk to work, shopping, and transit,
reduce auto use, and promote transit-oriented development and increased density near transit opportunities.
Goal 9 Maximize the security of the
regional transportation system
through improved system
monitoring, rapid recovery
planning, and coordination
with other security agencies.
Consistent: PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element goals, policies, and implementation actions strive to provide local transit
service is reliable and safe for all users. PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element goals, policies, and implementation actions
prioritize disaster preparedness, coordination of services with other cities, and technology improvements for managing
safety information and response, and reducing hazards by reviewing the needs of critical facilities, which includes roads.
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PLAN Hermosa encourages development in a more compact way with an emphasis on redevelopment and reuse. The project would allow additional housing and jobs to accommodate
the projected population and employment growth in the area and in the city. Further, the project
would guide growth in a sustainable manner that would emphasize a multimodal transportation system to serve city needs. As such, PLAN Hermosa is considered to be consistent with the basic principles identified in the RTP/SCS.
South Coast Air Quality Management District Basin Air Quality Plan
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for clean air planning
in the South Coast Air Basin. The SCAQMD adopted its latest Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) in 2012. The 2012 AQMP mandates a variety of measures to reduce traffic congestion and improve
air quality. Local governments are responsible for developing and implementing the AQMP’s
transportation and control measures. For informational purposes, the SCAQMD is in the process of developing its 2016 AQMP, which will develop integrated strategies and measures to meet 8-hour ozone (75 ppb) by 2032 and annual PM2.5 (12 µg/m3) by 2021–2025 national ambient air quality
standards goals, among other goals.
As discussed in Section 4.14, Transportation, PLAN Hermosa goals and policies are aimed at
reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association’s
(CAPCOA) report Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures was used as a set of
guidelines for quantifying the environmental benefits of mitigation measures. The CAPCOA
guidelines were developed by conducting a comprehensive literature review of studies documenting the effects of land use planning and transportation demand management (TDM)
strategies on reducing VMT. Using the results of this study, Fehr & Peers, the City’s transportation
consultant, developed TDM+, a quick response tool that demonstrates trip reductions from
commonly used TDM strategies. The tool also accounts for the interaction among different measures in various categories to avoid double counting. The TDM+ model was used to quantify
potential reductions in trip generation and VMT that could occur by 2040 with full buildout and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa. As described in Section 4.14, numerous PLAN Hermosa land use
and mobility strategies were modeled to demonstrate reductions in VMT, including but not limited to land use strategies such as development of urban infill sites with transit proximity and a density,
scale, and design that can facilitate walking, biking, and other alternative travel options.
PLAN Hermosa policies include numerous measures that support transportation demand and accessibility management. Specifically, Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 3.2 directs the City to support land use and transportation strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and
emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles. Policy 3.7 directs the City
to consult with local, regional, and state agencies to improve air quality and limit greenhouse gas
emissions through regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources. PLAN Hermosa
would promote land use and transportation investments that support greater transportation
choice and greater local economic opportunity, and reduce the number and length of auto trips.
These and other policies support region-wide traffic and air quality management strategies that support achievement of AQMP goals. As such, PLAN Hermosa is considered consistent with the Air
Quality Management Plan. Additional consistency analysis with the AQMP is addressed in Section
4.2, Air Quality.
Existing General Plan
PLAN Hermosa would replace the City’s existing General Plan. Nonetheless, PLAN Hermosa
policies build on existing land use patterns and policies currently encouraged by the existing
General Plan.
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Beach Cities Livability Plan
The Beach Cities Livability Plan was developed to improve livability and well-being in Los Angeles
County beach cities. It includes a section that provides specific recommendations for Hermosa
Beach. The plan strives to support active living by enhancing both land use and transportation
systems throughout the beach cities. In order to achieve this goal, the plan highlights ways to encourage community members to become more active in their communities. This includes a
complete network of streets and public spaces to support active living; safe, natural, and
enjoyable walking and biking conditions; and sustainable transportation choices. Strategies to achieve this goal of healthier, happier people in the city include adopting Complete Streets policies and incorporating Complete Streets policy language into all beach cities’ planning
documents, creating and adopting street design guidelines, developing a regional pedestrian
master plan, increasing enforcement for pedestrian safety, and increasing enforcement for
pedestrian safety.
PLAN Hermosa policies are intended to improve mobility in the city and promote programs to
enhance livability and the health of the community. PLAN Hermosa policies are aimed at reducing
vehicle miles traveled and thus reducing congestion and improving travel times. Specifically, Land Use + Design Element Policy 13.5 directs the City to encourage and set aside funding for the
provision of a high level of neighborhood and community amenities and design features as a way
of balancing increased density, recognizing the desire for a very high quality, amenity-rich, livable
community. Furthermore, PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element policies set forth Complete Streets policies and numerous strategies to support pedestrian safety. As such, PLAN Hermosa is consistent with the Beach Cities Livability Plan.
As described above, adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would be consistent with
applicable regional and local plans, resulting in a less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative setting for land use includes existing, approved, proposed, and reasonably
foreseeable development in Hermosa Beach and the South Bay Cities COG planning area. Land
use impacts are typically isolated to a jurisdiction, except where land uses may interact or conflict
with adjacent jurisdictions.
IMPACT 4.9-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to a Cumulative Impact on Dividing a Community or Conflicting with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation? PLAN
Hermosa, in addition to anticipated regional growth within the South Bay Cities
Council of Governments planning area, would not contribute to cumulative land use impacts associated with the division of an established community or conflicts
with land use plans and regulations that provide environmental protection. This
impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Expected population and employment growth in the South Bay Cities COG planning area would result in land use changes at the subregional level. However, new development that would occur
in Hermosa Beach as a result of PLAN Hermosa would be generally consistent with the RTP/SCS, in
that growth would be focused in areas that are already urbanized, are located in close proximity
to transit, and can accommodate additional residential and employee populations without adversely affecting sensitive natural resources. As described in Impact 4.9-1 above,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in the division of any communities within
Hermosa Beach or in adjacent cities. As identified in Governance Element Policy 4.1, the City
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would play an active role in the South Bay Cities COG, SCAG, and other regional agencies to protect and promote the interests of the City; and as identified in Policy 4.3, the City would
maintain strong collaborative relationships with adjacent jurisdictions and work together on
projects of mutual interest and concern.
As identified in the discussion of Impact 4.9-2 above, PLAN Hermosa would not conflict with land
use plans, policies, or regulations adopted to reduce environmental impacts. PLAN Hermosa is
consistent with the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the
California Coastal Act, and the 2012 South Coast Air Quality Management Plan. PLAN Hermosa would complement the general plans of surrounding jurisdictions, as the proposed plan strives for a regional approach to land use and transportation planning in the city and to the improvement
of regional connections. Thus, PLAN Hermosa would have a less than cumulatively considerable
contribution to regional land use impacts.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.9.5 REFERENCES
City of Hermosa Beach. 1981. Hermosa Beach Local Coastal Program, Coastal Land Use Plan.
http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=501.
———. 2014. Existing Conditions Report (also referred to as the Technical Background Report).
———. 2015. PLAN Hermosa.
———. 2016. Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, Title 17, Zoning
http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=395.
SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments). 2012. 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS): Towards a Sustainable Future.
http://www.scagrtp.net/download.
South Bay Cities COG (Council of Governments) 2009. Sustainable South Bay – An Integrated Land
Use and Transportation Strategy. http://www.southbaycities.org/programs/land-use/south-bay-sustainable-strategy-integrated-land-use-and-transportation-strategy.
Walkable and Livable Communities Institute. 2011. Healthways | Blue Zones Vitality City: Beach
Cities Livability Plan. https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.vitalitycity.com/docs/community
/Vitality%20City%20Livability%20Report.pdf.
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4.10 MINERAL RESOURCES
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4.10 MINERAL RESOURCES
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.10-1
4.10.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to mineral resources
associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. There are no applicable PLAN Hermosa
policies or implementation actions that address mineral resources. Further, non-fuel mineral resources are protected in California by the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), and no known non-fuel mineral resources exist in the city.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing mineral resource concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this section is based on numerous sources, including the
PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report and other publicly available documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is attached to this Draft EIR as Appendix C-13.
4.10.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) last updated the Southern California Mineral Resource Zone (MRZ) maps in 1994. As mapped by the SMGB, the majority of Hermosa Beach is in
the San Fernando Valley Production-Consumption Region in Los Angeles County. A small portion
of Hermosa Beach south of 2nd Street is in the San Gabriel Valley Production-Consumption Region.
A review of the Generalized Mineral Land Classification Map of Los Angeles County – South Half (DOC 1994) shows that the entire planning area is designated as MRZ-3 land. The MRZ-3
classification indicates areas of undetermined mineral resource significance. Although mineral
resources may be present, the presence or absence of resources is considered speculative because of a lack of available data.
Although mineral resources may be present, the classification of this MRZ-3 area was not broken
down to the more detailed MRZ-3a or MRZ-3b categories because no mining has occurred in the
area. Additionally, the urbanized nature of Hermosa Beach effectively precludes mining activities in the planning area.
4.10.3 REGULATORY SETTING
State regulations and policies provide a regulatory framework to protect mineral resources that
would be affected by implementation of a local government’s general plan. Because mining is effectively precluded in the planning area, PLAN Hermosa would not affect state mineral
resources. Therefore, this section includes the federal, state, and local mineral resources regulatory
framework for informational purposes.
FEDERAL
No federal plans, policies, regulations, or laws related to mineral resources apply to Hermosa
Beach.
STATE
• Surface Mining and Reclamation Act: The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA)
of 1975 (Public Resources Code, Division 2, Chapter 9, Section 2710 et seq.) mandated the
classification of mineral lands throughout the state to help identify and protect mineral resources in areas subject to urban expansion or other irreversible land uses that would
preclude mineral extraction. Since 1975, the SMGB has mapped areas in California that
contain regionally significant mineral resources. Deposits of construction aggregate
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resources (sand, gravel, or crushed stone) were the initial commodity targeted for classification by the SMGB because of their importance to the state. Once areas are
mapped, the SMGB is required to designate for future use those areas that contain
aggregate deposits which are of prime importance to meeting the region’s future need for construction quality aggregates.
The key objective of mineral lands classification under SMARA is for each jurisdiction to
develop policies that will conserve important mineral resources, if feasible, when such
resources are needed. SMARA requires that once policies are adopted, land use decisions by the local agency must be in accordance with that local agency’s management
policies for mineral resources. These decisions must also balance the mineral value of the
resource to the market region as a whole, not just their importance to the local jurisdiction.
The State Geologist developed the California Mineral Land Classification System to assist in the implementation of SMARA. The system identifies the following types of MRZs for
mapping and reporting purposes (DOC 2010):
− MRZ-1: Areas where adequate geologic information indicates that no significant
mineral deposits are present or where it is judged that little likelihood exists for their presence.
− MRZ-2a: Areas underlain by mineral deposits where geologic data show that significant
measured or indicated resources are present. Areas classified MRZ-2a contain
discovered mineral deposits that are either measured or indicated reserves as determined by such evidence as drilling records, sample analysis, surface exposure,
and mine information. Land included in the MRZ-2a category is of prime importance
because it contains known economic mineral deposits.
− MRZ-2b: Areas underlain by mineral deposits where geologic information indicates that significant inferred resources are present. Areas classified MRZ-2b contain discovered
deposits that are either inferred reserves or deposits that are presently sub-economic
as determined by limited sample analysis, exposure, and past mining history.
− MRZ-3a: Areas containing known mineral deposits that may qualify as mineral resources, which could be considered hypothetical resources. MRZ-3a areas are
considered to have a moderate potential for the discovery of economic mineral
deposits.
− MRZ-3b: Areas containing inferred mineral deposits that may qualify as mineral resources, which could be considered speculative resources. Land classified MRZ-3b
represents areas in geologic settings which appear to be favorable environments for
the occurrence of specific mineral deposits.
− MRZ-4: Areas where geologic information does not rule out either the presence or
absence of mineral resources. The distinction between the MRZ-1 and MRZ-4
categories is important for land use considerations. It must be emphasized that the
MRZ-4 classification does not imply that there is little likelihood for the presence of mineral resources, but rather that there is a lack of knowledge regarding mineral occurrence.
LOCAL
• Measure O: Oil drilling is currently banned in Hermosa Beach. A vote of the people would
be required to lift the existing ban. A recent ballot measure, Measure O, proposed to lift
the existing ban, but failed at a ratio of four to one. Thus, the likelihood of new oil
extractions taking place in the city is low.
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4.10.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this Draft EIR, impacts on mineral resources are considered significant if
adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the
region and the residents of the state.
2) Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of adoption and implementation of
PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa does not include policies or implementation actions addressing mineral resources.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.10-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Result in the Loss of Availability of Mineral Resources? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource or of a locally important mineral resource recovery site. Therefore, the project would have no impact.
The entirety of Hermosa Beach is classified as Mineral Resource Zone 3 (MRZ-3) under the California
Mineral Land Classification System. In MRZ-3 areas, mineral resources are present, but the significance of the resource is considered speculative because no mining has historically occurred
in the area. Additionally, since most of the area has been developed with residential and
commercial uses, and the development pattern is relatively compact with limited areas
appropriate for industrial uses, mining activities would not likely be feasible in the city. Subsurface oil deposits are also present in Hermosa Beach; nonetheless, oil drilling is not allowed within the
city and PLAN Hermosa would not impact such deposits.
Mining activities are classified as an industrial use, and the Light Industrial land use designation in
PLAN Hermosa identifies the range of allowable light industrial uses as follows: “production uses for light manufacturing, creative art, or design services with professional office as an allowed
accessory use.” Mining and oil extraction, due to the associated equipment and potential
nuisances, would not be considered a light industrial use. Therefore, there would be virtually no locations under PLAN Hermosa in which mining activities would be allowed. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in the direct or indirect loss of availability of a known or locally
important mineral resource, because of the urbanization in the MRZ-3 area and limited areas in
which industrial activities would be allowed. Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would have no impact on mineral resources.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.10 MINERAL RESOURCES
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.10-4
4.10.5 REFERENCES
DOC (California Department of Conservation). 1994. Generalized Mineral Land Classification Map
of Los Angeles County – South Half. Accessed January 2014.
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/ofr/OFR_94-14/OFR_94-14_Plate1B.pdf.
———. 2010. Guidelines for Classification and Designation of Mineral Lands. State Mining and
Geology Board. Accessed July 2014. http://www.conservation
.ca.gov/smgb/Guidelines/Pages/guidelines.aspx.
Attachment 1E
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4.11 NOISE AND VIBRATION
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4.11 NOISE AND VIBRATION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.11-1
4.11.1 INTRODUCTION
This section discusses existing noise conditions in Hermosa Beach, noise standards relevant to
PLAN Hermosa, and potential noise impacts associated with buildout of the city in accordance
with the proposed Land Use Map.
NOP Comments: No comments were received in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)
addressing noise and vibration concerns. Comments included written letters and oral comments
provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous sources, including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (TBR) and other publicly available
documents. The TBR is attached to this document as Appendix C. Appendix F to this EIR provides
the noise modeling data used to complete this analysis.
4.11.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-15 describes the basic science of acoustics and specific acoustic practices related
to environmental noise and vibration, summarizes how noise affects humans in the built
environment, and includes information on noise levels and descriptions of the existing noise sources and sensitive receptors in the city.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE
Sound is technically described in terms of amplitude (loudness) and frequency (pitch). The standard unit of sound amplitude measurement is the decibel (dB). The decibel scale is a logarithmic scale that describes the physical intensity of the pressure vibrations which make up
any sound. The pitch of the sound is related to the frequency of the pressure vibration. Because
the human ear is not equally sensitive to a given sound level at all frequencies, a special frequency-dependent rating scale has been devised to relate noise to human sensitivity. The
A-weighted decibel (dBA) scale compensates by discriminating against frequencies in a
manner approximating the sensitivity of the human ear.
Noise, on the other hand, is typically defined as unwanted sound because of its potential to disrupt sleep, to interfere with speech communication, and to damage hearing. A typical noise
environment consists of a base of steady “background” noise that is the sum of many distant
and indistinguishable noise sources. Superimposed on this background noise is the sound from
individual local sources, which can vary from an occasional aircraft or train passing by to virtually continuous noise from, for example, traffic on a major highway.
AMPLITUDE
Amplitude is the difference between ambient air pressure and the peak pressure of the sound wave. Amplitude is measured in decibels on a logarithmic scale. Laboratory measurements
correlate a 10 dB increase in amplitude with a perceived doubling of loudness and establish a
3 dB change in amplitude as the minimum audible difference perceptible to the average
person.
FREQUENCY
Frequency is the number of fluctuations of the pressure wave per second. The unit of frequency
is the Hertz. One Hertz equals one cycle per second. To approximate this sensitivity, environmental sound is usually measured in A-weighted decibels. On this scale, the normal
range of human hearing extends from about 10 dBA to about 140 dBA. Common community
noise sources and associated noise levels, in dBA, are shown in Appendix C-15.
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Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-2
ADDITION OF DECIBELS
Because decibels are logarithmic units, sound levels cannot be added or subtracted through
ordinary arithmetic. Under the decibel scale, a doubling of sound energy corresponds to a 3 dB
increase. In other words, when two identical sources are each producing sound of the same loudness, the resulting sound level at a given distance would be 3 dB higher than one source under the same conditions. Under the decibel scale, three sources of equal loudness together
would produce an increase of 5 dB.
SOUND PROPAGATION AND ATTENUATION
Sound spreads (propagates) uniformly outward in a spherical pattern, and the sound level
decreases (attenuates) at a rate of approximately 6 dB for each doubling of distance from
stationary or point source. Sound from a line source, such as a highway, propagates outward in a cylindrical pattern, often referred to as cylindrical spreading. Sound levels attenuate at a rate
of approximately 3 dB for each doubling of distance from a line source, such as a roadway,
depending on ground surface characteristics. No excess attenuation is assumed for hard
surfaces like a parking lot or a body of water. Soft surfaces, such soft dirt or grass, can absorb sound, so an excess ground-attenuation value of 1.5 dB per doubling of distance is normally
assumed. For line sources, an overall attenuation rate of 3 dB per doubling of distance is
assumed.
Noise levels may also be reduced by intervening structures; generally, a single row of buildings between the receptor and the noise source reduces the noise level by about 5 dBA, while a
solid wall or berm reduces noise levels by 5 to 10 dBA. The manner in which older homes in
California were constructed generally provides a reduction of exterior-to-interior noise levels of
about 20 to 25 dBA with closed windows. The exterior-to-interior reduction of newer residential units is generally 30 dBA or more.
NOISE DESCRIPTORS
The decibel scale alone does not adequately characterize how humans perceive noise. The dominant frequencies of a sound have a substantial effect on the human response to that
sound. Several rating scales have been developed to analyze the adverse effect of community
noise on people. Because environmental noise fluctuates over time, these scales consider that
the effect of noise on people is largely dependent on the total acoustical energy content of the noise, as well as the time of day when the noise occurs. The Leq is a measure of ambient noise,
while the Ldn and CNEL are measures of community noise. Each is applicable to this analysis and
defined below.
• Leq, the equivalent energy noise level, is the average acoustic energy content of noise for a stated period of time. Thus, the Leq of a time-varying noise and that of a steady
noise are the same if they deliver the same acoustic energy to the ear during exposure.
For evaluating community impacts, this rating scale does not vary, regardless of whether
the noise occurs during the day or the night.
• Ldn, the Day-Night Average Level, is a 24-hour average Leq with a 10 dBA “weighting”
added to noise during the hours of 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM to account for noise sensitivity in
the nighttime. The logarithmic effect of these additions is that a 60 dBA 24-hour Leq would result in a measurement of 66.4 dBA Ldn.
• CNEL, the Community Noise Equivalent Level, is a 24-hour average Leq with a 5 dBA
“weighting” during the hours of 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM and a 10 dBA “weighting” added to
noise during the hours of 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM to account for noise sensitivity in the
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4.11-3
evening and nighttime, respectively. The logarithmic effect of these additions is that a 60 dBA 24-hour Leq would result in a measurement of 66.7 dBA CNEL.
• Lmin is the minimum instantaneous noise level experienced during a given period of time.
• Lmax is the maximum instantaneous noise level experienced during a given period of time.
• Percentile Noise Level (Ln) is the noise level exceeded for a given percentage of the measurement time. For example, L10 is the noise level exceeded for 10 percent of the
measurement duration, and L50 is the noise level exceeded for 50 percent of the
measurement duration.
HUMAN RESPONSE TO NOISE
The human response to environmental noise is subjective and varies considerably from individual
to individual. Noise in the community has often been cited as a health problem, not in terms of
actual physiological damage, such as hearing impairment, but in terms of inhibiting general well-being and contributing to undue stress and annoyance. The health effects of noise in the
community arise from interference with human activities, including sleep, speech, recreation,
and tasks that demand concentration or coordination. Hearing loss can occur at the highest noise intensity levels.
Noise environments and consequences of human activities are usually well represented by
median noise levels during the day or night, or over a 24-hour period. Environmental noise levels
are generally considered low when the CNEL is below 60 dBA, moderate in the 60 to 70 dBA range, and high above 70 dBA. Examples of low daytime levels are isolated, natural settings that
can provide noise levels as low as 20 dBA and quiet, suburban, residential streets that can
provide noise levels around 40 dBA. Noise levels above 45 dBA at night can disrupt sleep.
Examples of moderate-level noise environments are urban residential or semi-commercial areas (typically 55 to 60 dBA) and commercial locations (typically 60 dBA). People may consider
louder environments adverse, but most will accept the higher levels associated with more noisy
urban residential or residential-commercial areas (60 to 75 dBA) or dense urban or industrial
areas (65 to 80 dBA). Regarding increases in A-weighted noise levels (dBA), the following relationships should be noted for understanding this analysis:
• Except in carefully controlled laboratory experiments, a change of 1 dB cannot be
perceived by humans.
• Outside of the laboratory, a 3 dB change is considered a just-perceivable difference.
• A change in level of at least 5 dB is required before any noticeable change in
community response would be expected. An increase of 5 dB is typically considered
substantial.
• A 10 dB change is subjectively heard as an approximate doubling in loudness and would almost certainly cause an adverse change in community response.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Noise-Sensitive Receptors
Noise-sensitive land uses are those that may be subject to stress and/or interference from
excessive noise. Noise-sensitive land uses include schools, hospitals, churches, and museums.
Typically, residential uses are also considered noise-sensitive receptors. Industrial and
commercial land uses are generally not considered sensitive to noise. In Hermosa Beach, noise-sensitive residential uses, schools, and other institutional uses are located throughout the city,
occupying approximately 67 percent of the city’s total land area.
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4.11 NOISE AND VIBRATION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-4
The city has a number of noise sources that are common to urbanized communities, including traffic on local streets, commercial/industrial activities, construction/demolition activities, refuse
collection, bars and restaurants, and public and private events and parties. Construction and
demolition operations are the only significant sources of groundborne vibration in the city, although heavy trucks traveling over potholes or other discontinuities in the pavement can cause vibration at sufficient levels to generate complaints from nearby residents.
A community noise survey was conducted in August 2014 to document the existing noise
environment at noise-sensitive receptors in the city. During the survey, average ambient hourly noise levels ranged from 56.2 dBA to 72.3 dBA (Leq), 24-hour ambient noise levels ranged from 68.7 dB to 71.3 dB CNEL, and maximum noise levels ranged from 65.0 dBA to 93.5 dBA maximum
noise level (Lmax). Maximum noise levels were attributable to backup alarms, car horns, large
trucks, and motorcycles.
Traffic Noise
Traffic noise is the dominant noise source in the city, originating from major roads such as
Aviation Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. To document the existing traffic noise conditions,
measurements were obtained at 10 locations in the city, including along Hermosa Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, and Pier Avenue, to obtain a representative sample of existing noise
conditions in the city. The measurements were taken during the summer months to account for
increased visitor traffic over a continuous 24-hour period. The results of the noise measurements
are summarized in Table 4.11-1 (Summary of Noise Measurement Results).
TABLE 4.11-1
SUMMARY OF NOISE MEASUREMENT RESULTS
Location # Location Description Measurement Period Average Noise
Level, dBA CNEL, dB
1 2703 El Oeste Dr. 12:21 PM to 12:46 PM 67.1 Not measured
2 2491 Valley Dr. 11:36 AM to 12:00 PM 63.5 Not measured
3 1838 Hermosa Ave. 4:27 PM to 4:47 PM 63.6 Not measured
4 1901 Pacific Coast Hwy. 24 hours 56.2–72.3 71.3
5 237 Pier Ave. 10:59 AM to 11:21 AM 56.3 Not measured
6 1021 Bonnie Brae St. 10:18 AM to 10:40 AM 66.0 Not measured
7 420 Ardmore Ave. 1:07 PM to 1:38 PM 56.2 Not measured
8 104 Hermosa Ave. 3:52 PM to 4:14 PM 63.2 Not measured
9 540 1st St. 3:00 PM to 3:25 PM 62.7 Not measured
10 117 Prospect Ave. 24 hours 58.2–65.7 68.7
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
As shown in Table 4.11-2 (Comparison of Noise Measurement Results with City’s Policies), the
measured ambient noise levels are well above the City’s existing policy for maximum traffic
noise levels.
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4.11-5
TABLE 4.11-2
COMPARISON OF NOISE MEASUREMENT RESULTS WITH CITY’S POLICIES
Location # Location Description Zone Measured Noise
Level, dBA
City’s Policy for Maximum
Traffic Noise Level, dBA1
1 2703 El Oeste Dr. R-1 67.1 50 or below
2 2491 Valley Dr. R-1A 63.5 50 or below
3 1838 Hermosa Ave. R-2 63.6 55 or below
4 1901 Pacific Coast Hwy. R-3 56.2–72.3 60 or below
5 237 Pier Ave. SPA-11 (used as R-1) 56.3 50 or below
6 1021 Bonnie Brae St. C-3 (used as R-1) 66.0 50 or below
7 420 Ardmore Ave. M-1(used as R-1) 56.2 50 or below
8 104 Hermosa Ave. R-3 63.2 60 or below
9 540 1st St. SPA-4 (used as R-2 or R-3) 62.7 55-60 or below
10 117 Prospect Ave. R-1 58.2–65.7 50 or below
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
Note: The City’s current General Plan states that maximum traffic noise levels should be restricted in residential areas to no more than 5
dBA above ambient standard levels. The ambient standard levels are 45 dBA or below for R-1 zones, 50 dBA or below for R-2 zones,
and 55 dBA or below for R-3 zones.
The results of the noise measurements, together with data provided by the City's traffic consultant on observed traffic counts modeled on peak traffic volumes, were used to analyze
the existing traffic noise environment in Hermosa Beach. Table 4.11-3 (Distance to Existing Unmitigated CNEL Contour Lines) summarizes the results of the analysis. The results are presented in terms of an unmitigated CNEL at the distance of the nearest existing receptor from the centerline of the roadway. Also provided in the table are the distances from the roadway
centerlines to the unmitigated 60 dB, 65 dB, and 70 dB noise contour lines.
The California Building Code standards require that all multi-family residential dwellings be designed to achieve a CNEL of 45 dB within the interior of all habitable spaces. The City of
Hermosa Beach extends this requirement to include all single-family residential dwellings.
Typically, residential construction in California provides about 20 dB of noise reduction with all
windows and doors closed. Therefore, it may be reasonably assumed that all residential dwellings located in an area where the exterior CNEL is 65 dB or less will be exposed to an interior
CNEL of 45 dB or less, complying with both the State’s standard and the City’s policies. The
existing CNEL is estimated to be 65 dB or less at the exterior of all residential dwellings adjacent
to the analyzed street segments, with the following exceptions: adjacent to Aviation Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue, and adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway
between Artesia Boulevard and 2nd Street. At these locations, ambient noise levels are above
established City noise standards.
In compliance with California Government Code Section 65302(f), Figure 4.11-1 (Existing Noise Contours in Hermosa Beach) shows the CNEL contours for the existing traffic noise environment in
Hermosa Beach. The CNEL contours on the map range from 60 dB to 70 dB in 5 dB increments.
The CNEL contours were developed utilizing SoundPLAN version 7.3 software, which uses the prediction algorithms developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its Traffic Noise Model.
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-6
TABLE 4.11-3
DISTANCE TO EXISTING UNMITIGATED CNEL CONTOUR LINES
Arterial/Segment CNEL at Nearest
Sensitive Receptor
Distance to Unmitigated CNEL Contours
from Roadway Centerline
60 dB 65 dB 70 dB
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
57 dB
47 dB
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
58 dB
57 dB
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect 65 dB 429’ 157’ 52’
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect 70 dB 358’ 126’ 40’
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH 64 dB 79’ R/W R/W
Hermosa Avenue
27th to 22nd
22nd to 16th
16th to 8th
8th to Herondo
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
71’
65’
76’
76’
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley 65 dB 156’ 50’ R/W
Pacific Coast Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
72 dB
67 dB
68 dB
557’
419’
484’
214’
152’
180’
67’
48’
57’
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
62 dB
65 dB
91’
147’
R/W
46’
R/W
R/W
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
59 dB
63 dB
R/W
62’
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
Valley Drive
Gould to Pier
Pier to 8th
59 dB
60 dB
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
R/W
Note: R/W signifies that the noise contour falls within the right-of-way of the street.
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.11-7
FIGURE 4.11-1
EXISTING NOISE CONTOURS IN HERMOSA BEACH
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2014
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4.11-8
Bar and Restaurant Noise
Noise from bars and restaurants is a frequent source of complaints in Hermosa Beach. The noise
level produced by a bar or restaurant varies widely, depending on a number of factors.
Measurements indicate that average noise levels within the building can range from 75
A-weighted decibels (dBA) (with low background music or no music at all) to over 95 dBA (with entertainment). Maximum noise levels can be up to 20 dBA higher than these average levels.
Typical building construction will reduce these noise levels by about 10 dB with windows and
doors open, or by about 20 dB with windows and doors closed. Outdoor dining areas can produce average noise levels of 65 dBA to 70 dBA and maximum noise levels of 85 dBA to 90 dBA at a distance of 20 feet from the center of the dining area. The City of Hermosa Beach does
not have quantitative standards by which to assess the impact of noise from bars and
restaurants.
Public and Private Event and Party Noise
Hermosa Beach plays host to a number of public and private events throughout the year, as
many as 75 days of events during the summer in recent years. For the most part, the public
events take place at the beach or around the pier, with occasional events held Downtown or in a park. Some of these public events (for example, the summer concerts at the beach) can generate significant levels of noise that can be heard throughout much of the city. To identify
typical noise levels that can be generated by a summer concert, a measurement was obtained
on The Strand in front of the closest residence to the pier. The results of the measurement indicated an average noise level of 73.6 dBA and a maximum noise level of 81.8 dBA.
Commercial/Industrial Activity Noise
In Hermosa Beach, industrial uses are generally concentrated along Cypress Avenue between
8th Street and South Park. These sites are occupied by various light manufacturing facilities, warehouses, construction supply sites, a surfboard manufacturing use, auto shops, air
conditioning and heating manufacturing uses, and the City’s maintenance yard. Surrounding
these industrial properties are various residential properties, commercial properties, and South
Park.
Another industrial site is located on Valley Drive adjacent to a mobile home park and Hermosa
Valley School. Commercial properties are generally concentrated along Pacific Coast Highway,
Pier Avenue, Hermosa Avenue, Aviation Boulevard, and Artesia Boulevard. Noise-sensitive
residential properties are typically located adjacent to these commercial properties.
The primary complaints associated with commercial/industrial properties relate to noise
generated by trucks and heavy equipment, loading dock operations, trucks entering and
leaving the area, and mechanical equipment located both inside and outside the buildings.
Commercial/industrial noise impacts primarily result when activities occur during noise-sensitive times of the day (early morning, evening, or nighttime hours) or the activities occur in areas
immediately adjoining noise-sensitive land uses. The City identifies “noise tolerance standards”
for various types of land uses in the city, ranging from 45 dBA or below for R-1 zones (including
schools, hospitals, nurseries, and rest homes) to 65 dBA or below for M zones. It is likely that the City’s General Plan noise tolerance standards are currently being exceeded at many residential
properties.
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Construction/Demolition Activity Noise
Construction activities generate considerable amounts of noise, especially during the demolition
phase and during the construction of project infrastructure when heavy equipment is used.
Noise levels resulting from construction depend on the number and types of construction
equipment being used and the timing and duration of noise-generating activities. The highest maximum noise levels generated by project construction would typically range from about 90 to
105 dBA at a distance of 50 feet from the noise source. Typical hourly average construction-
generated noise levels are about 81 to 89 dBA measured at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the site during busy construction periods, such as when earth-moving equipment and impact tools are being used.
Construction noise impacts primarily result when construction activities occur during noise-
sensitive times of the day (early morning, evening, or nighttime hours), when construction occurs
in areas immediately adjoining noise-sensitive land uses, or when construction durations last over
extended periods of time. The City of Hermosa Beach regulates noise by limiting the hours when
construction can occur. Municipal Code Section 8.24.050 limits construction activity to between
8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday (except national holidays), and between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturdays. Construction activity is prohibited at all other hours and on Sundays and national holidays.
Refuse Collection Noise
Trash pickup and compacting vehicles typically use hydraulic equipment to raise and lower the
trash bins and to compact their contents. Typical noise levels range from 80 to 85 dBA at 50 feet
during raising, lowering, and compacting operations. A typical trash pickup takes approximately
3 minutes, with the higher noise levels occurring during about half of the operation. While noise
associated with refuse collection is not explicitly regulated by the City of Hermosa Beach, the City’s Municipal Code regulates the times in which refuse may be collected. Refuse may not be
collected between the hours of 6:00 PM and 7:00 AM, and may not be collected in residential
areas on Saturdays or Sundays.
Construction/Demolition Vibration
The only significant vibration source in Hermosa Beach is construction equipment. Construction
activities may include demolition of existing structures, site preparation work, excavation of
below-grade levels, foundation work, pile driving, and framing. Depending on the proximity of
existing structures to each construction site, the structural soundness of the existing buildings, and the methods of construction used, vibration levels caused by pile driving or other impact work
may be high enough to damage existing structures. Other construction activities, such as
caisson drilling, the use of jackhammers, rock drills, and other high-power or vibratory tools, and
rolling stock equipment (tracked vehicles, compactors, etc.), may also generate substantial vibration in the immediate vicinity of the site.
Table 4.11-4 (Damage to Buildings for Continuous or Frequent Intermittent Vibration Levels)
displays reactions of people and the effects on buildings that continuous vibration levels
produce.
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Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-10
TABLE 4.11-4
DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS FOR CONTINUOUS OR FREQUENT INTERMITTENT VIBRATION LEVELS
Velocity Level,
PPV (in/sec) Human Reaction Effects on Buildings
0.01 Barely perceptible No effect
0.04 Distinctly perceptible Vibration unlikely to cause damage of any type to
any structure
0.08 Distinctly perceptible to strongly perceptible Recommended upper level of the vibration to which
runs and ancient monuments should be subjected
0.01 Strongly perceptible Virtually no risk of damage to normal buildings
0.3 Strongly perceptible to severe
Threshold at which there is a risk of damage to
older residential dwellings such as plastered walls
or ceilings
0.5 Severe – Vibrations considered unpleasant Threshold at which there is a risk of damage to
newer residential structures
Source: Caltrans 2004
4.11.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies regulate noise in the planning area. They
provide the regulatory framework for addressing all aspects of noise that would be affected by
implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory setting for noise is discussed in detail in Appendix C-15. While federal and state guidelines outline noise requirements, specific noise policies are enacted at the local level.
LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach General Plan Noise Element: The current Noise Element of the
City’s General Plan was adopted in October 1979 and has the following stated goals:
• Reduce transportation noise to a level that does not jeopardize health and welfare.
• Minimize noise levels of future transportation facilities.
• Establish compatible land use adjacent to transportation facilities.
• Allocate noise mitigation costs among those who produce the noise.
• Alert the public regarding the potential impact of transportation noise.
• Protect areas that are presently quiet from future noise impact.
To achieve these goals, the existing Noise Element identifies a number of policies and
implementation programs to guide the City’s actions. The existing Noise Element further states
that “City policy should be geared to the following maximum ambient noise levels.”
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TABLE 4-11-5
HERMOSA BEACH MAXIMUM AMBIENT NOISE LEVELS
Zoning Maximum Ambient Noise Levels
R-1 45 or below (also schools, hospitals, nurseries and rest homes)
R-2 50 or below (also parks and playgrounds)
R-3 55 or below
C-1 55 or below
C-2/C-3 60 or below
M 65 or below
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1979
Maximum traffic noise should be restricted to no more than 5dBA above the ambient standard levels in residential areas, and to no more than 10 dBA above the ambient
standard levels in commercial and manufacturing areas.
The Noise Element also includes a program that extends the acoustical requirements of the California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2, of the California Code of Regulations) to include single-family dwellings. This extension requires all single-family residential dwellings
exposed to a CNEL of 60 dB or greater to have an acoustical study performed that shows
how an interior CNEL of 45 dB or less will be achieved in habitable rooms.
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The City’s Municipal Code does not provide any
quantitative noise standards. However, Municipal Code Chapter 8.24 establishes the
City’s policy toward noise. The chapter’s stated purpose is “to strike a balance between
normal, everyday noises that are unavoidable in an urban environment and those noises that are so excessive and annoying that they must be curtailed in order to protect the
comfort and tranquility of all persons who live and work in the city.” Chapter 8.24 uses the
following methods to achieve its purpose: (1) establishing general standards by which to
determine whether a noise is annoying and unreasonable; (2) placing limits on the audibility of certain noise sources or on the hours during which certain noise sources may
be audible; (3) restricting the hours during which certain activities can produce noise;
(4) prohibiting the use of leaf blowers; and (5) requiring that doors and windows at
businesses on Pier Plaza be closed when amplified music is being played.
Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 establishes the City’s policies regarding parties, events,
and gatherings on private property. With regard to noise, an event may not produce a
noise level that exceeds 95 dBA at the property line at any time. Such events may only
take place on weekends (from 5:00 PM on Fridays through 10:00 PM on Sundays).
Municipal Code Section 17.42.150(D)(5) states that amplified entertainment at temporary
minor special events shall be limited to the hours of 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and may not last
more than four hours in any day. Noise levels may not exceed 80 dBA at the property line
and may not constitute a nuisance or violate the requirements of Chapter 8.24.
Additionally, the chapter states that amplified music and live entertainment shall be
permitted notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 8.24 for a maximum duration of four
hours (start to finish) and shall cease no later than 11:45 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, and 9:45 PM on Sundays. The event shall conclude not later than 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, and 10:00 PM on Sundays.
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4.11.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, a significant impact would occur if implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would:
1) Expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of the standards established in the
City’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Noise Ordinance, or applicable standards of
other agencies.
2) Expose persons or structures to or generate excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels.
3) Create a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing without the project.
4) Create a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project.
5) Expose people residing or working in the project vicinity to excessive noise levels
associated with public and private aircraft operations.
There are no airports located within 5 miles of the city; therefore, impacts associated with
exposure of persons to excessive aircraft noise will not be evaluated.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
This analysis of the existing and future noise environments is based on noise prediction modeling and empirical observations. The residential uses in the project vicinity are considered noise-
sensitive receptors, while the commercial land uses are not.
Short-Term Construction Noise
Predicted noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive land uses were calculated using typical noise levels and usage rates associated with construction equipment, derived from representative
data obtained from similar projects. Construction noise levels were predicted assuming an
average noise attenuation rate of 6 dB per doubling of distance from the source.
Groundborne Vibration
Groundborne vibration levels associated with potential construction-related activities as well as
operations were evaluated using typical groundborne vibration levels associated with
construction equipment and heavy-duty trucks, obtained from the Caltrans 2004 guidelines (Caltrans 2004). Potential groundborne vibration impacts were evaluated taking into account
the distance from construction activities to nearby structures and typically applied criteria for
structural damage.
Long-Term Traffic Noise
The project’s potential to permanently increase traffic noise is addressed under the following
scenarios: the existing plus project and the cumulative plus project. The analysis of future traffic
noise levels in Hermosa Beach was conducted using data developed by Fehr & Peers for PLAN
Hermosa. Two future (Year 2040) traffic scenarios were analyzed. The first scenario assumes that the city continues to develop based on the policies identified in the current General Plan
(October 1979), while the second scenario assumes that the city develops in the future based on
the objectives, goals, and policies outlined in PLAN Hermosa. The analysis used SoundPLAN
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version 7.3 software, which uses the traffic noise prediction algorithms developed by the Federal Highway Administration for its Traffic Noise Model.
Long-Term Operational Stationary-Source Noise
Predicted noise levels associated with on-site stationary noise sources were calculated based on
representative data obtained from existing literature and noise assessments prepared for development projects with land uses similar to those that could be development under PLAN
Hermosa. Operational noise levels were predicted assuming an average noise attenuation rate
of 6 dB per doubling of distance from the source. Expected operational were used for
comparison to the City’s noise standards.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, all from the Public Safety Element, that
address noise and vibration impacts include the following:
Policies
Public Safety Element
• 7.1 Noise standards. Adopt, maintain, and enforce planning guidelines that establish the
acceptable noise standards identified in Table 6.3 [shown in Table 4.11-6 below].
• 7.2 Noise compatibility. Utilize the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix shown in Table 6.4
[shown in Table 4.11-7 below] as a guide for future planning and development decisions.
• 7.3 Noise analysis and mitigation. Require all proposed development projects and
modifications to existing developments are compatible with the existing and future noise levels by using the Land Use/Noise Compatibility matrix shown in Table 6.4. Where
proposed projects are not located in an area that is “clearly compatible,” the City will
require that an acoustical study be prepared as a condition of building permit approval
demonstrating compliance with the noise standards shown in Table 6.3.
• 7.4 Condominium conversions. Require conversion projects from existing apartments into
condominiums submit an acoustical analysis demonstrating compliance with the State of
California Noise Insulation Standards.
• 7.4 Transportation facility compatibility. The City will periodically review County, regional, and local plans for transportation facilities and new developments to minimize or avoid
land use/noise conflicts prior to project approval.
• 7.5 Noise ordinance. Establish a quantitative noise ordinance based on Chapter 12.08 of
the Los Angeles County Code.
• 8.1 Alternative modes of transportation. Reduce noise impacts by encouraging the use of
walking, biking, carpooling, use of public transit, and other alternative modes of
transportation.
• 8.2 Traffic calming. Where roadway noise levels exceed the “normally compatible” range shown in the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix (Figure 3), consider the
implementation of traffic calming measures such as reduced speed limits or roadway
design features to reduce noise levels through reduced vehicle speeds and/or diversion of vehicular traffic.
• 8.3 Enforcement. Enforce the posted speed limit and the noise standards included in the
State’s Motor Vehicle Code to reduce noise impacts from vehicles, particularly in
residential areas.
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• 8.4 Public transit. Work with Beach Cities Transit and MTA to establish bus routes that meet public transportation needs and minimize noise impacts in residential areas.
PLAN Hermosa additionally includes noise standards for interior and exterior levels, as depicted in Table 4.11-6 (Interior and Exterior Noise Standards) and Table 4.11-7 (Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix).
TABLE 4.11-6
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR NOISE STANDARDS
[TABLE 6.3 IN PLAN HERMOSA]
Land Use CNEL
Exterior1 Interior2
Residential 65 dB 45 dB
Hotels/Motels 65 dB 45 dB
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes 65 dB 45 dB
Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters 65 dB 45 dB
Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports 65 dB N/A
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks 70 dB N/A
Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries 75 dB N/A
Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional 70 dB 50 dB
Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture 75 dB 65 dB
1. Outdoor environment limited to private yard of single-family residences; private patios of multi-family residences that are accessed
by a means of exit from inside the unit; mobile home park; hospital patio; park picnic area; school playground; and hotel and
motel recreation areas.
2. Interior environment excludes bathrooms, toilets, closets, and corridors. Noise level requirement is with windows closed.
Mechanical ventilation system or other means of natural ventilation shall be provided pursuant to the requirements of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
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TABLE 4.11-7
LAND USE/NOISE COMPATIBILITY MATRIX
[TABLE 6.4 IN PLAN HERMOSA]
Uses Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)
<55 dB 55 dB 60 dB 65 dB 70 dB 75 dB 80+ dB
Single-, multi-family A A B B C D D
Mobile home A A B C C D D
Hotel, motel, transient lodging A A B B C C D
Retail, bank, restaurant, movie theater A A A A B B C
Office building, research & development,
professional office A A A B B C D
Amphitheater, concert hall, auditorium,
meeting hall B B C C D D D
Children’s amusement park, miniature golf,
go-cart track, health club, equestrian center A A A B B D D
Service station, auto dealer, manufacturing,
warehousing, wholesale, utilities A A A A B B B
Hospital, church, library, school classrooms A A B C C D D
Parks A A A B C D D
Golf course, nature center, cemetery,
wildlife reserve, wildlife habitat A A A A B C C
Agriculture A A A A A A A
Zone A, Clearly Compatible. The specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that buildings are of normal conventional
construction without any special noise insulation requirements.
Zone B, Normally Compatible. New construction or development should be undertaken only after detailed analysis of the noise
reduction requirements are made and needed noise insulation features in the design are determined. Conventional construction, with
closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice.
Zone C, Normally Incompatible. New construction or development should normally be discouraged. If new construction or
development does proceed, a detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features
must be included in the design.
Zone D, Clearly Incompatible. New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.
Implementation Actions
• NOISE-1. Incorporate or request the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen berms, or other
acoustical barriers as part of any roadway improvement project adjacent to a
residential area, school, or other sensitive land use, where necessary to mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
• NOISE-2. Enforce and periodically evaluate truck and bus movements and routes to
reduce impacts on sensitive areas, and promote coordination between the Police
Department and the California Highway Patrol to enforce the State Motor Vehicle noise standards, to minimize or reduce noise impacts on residential and other sensitive land
uses.
• NOISE-3. Apply the Noise Element standards of compatibility described in PLAN Hermosa
to new development proposals. Require the mitigation of anticipated impacts through design features such as building orientation and acoustical barriers, to ensure
compatibility.
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Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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• NOISE-4. Require new multi-family development, single-family development, and condominium conversion projects to meet the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title
24 of the California Administrative Code) for interior and exterior noise levels.
• NOISE-5. Acoustical analysis reports prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant shall be required for new sensitive land uses within noise impact areas (i.e., those areas where the existing or future CNEL exceeds 60 dB).
• NOISE-6. Adopt and enforce a quantitative Noise and Vibration Ordinance to reduce
excessive noise and vibration from site-specific sources such as construction activity,
mechanical equipment, landscaping maintenance, loud music, truck traffic, loading
and unloading activities, and other sources.
• NOISE-7. Periodically review adopted noise standards, policies and regulations affecting
noise in order to conform to changes in legislation and/or technologies.
• NOISE-8. Comply with all state and federal OSHA noise standards, and all new equipment purchases shall comply with state and federal noise standards.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.11-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose Persons to or Generate Noise Levels in Excess of Standards? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that may expose persons to or generate noise
levels in excess of the standards established in the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Noise Ordinance or in applicable standards of other agencies.
However, PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would reduce
this impact to less than significant.
For the purpose of this analysis, a significant noise impact would be assessed if implementation of PLAN Hermosa would expose people to construction, operational and traffic noise levels in excess of the proposed standards listed in Table 4.11-6 (Interior and Exterior Noise Standards).
PLAN Hermosa Proposed Standards
As described above, PLAN Hermosa would include several policies proposing new noise standards to be implemented by the City. Policy 7.1 states that the City shall adopt, maintain,
and enforce planning guidelines that establish the acceptable noise standards identified in
Table 6.3 [included as Table 4.11-6 above]. Policy 7.2 states that the City will utilize the Land
Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix shown in Table 6.4 [included as Table 4.11-7 above] as a guide for future planning and development decisions.
The existing Noise Element defines the maximum ambient noise standards as shown above in Table 4.11-5: 45 dB for family residential (R-1); maximum 50 dB for two-family residences (R-2);
maximum 55 dB for multi-family residential and neighborhood commercial (R-3 and C-1); maximum 60 dB for general commercial (C-2 and C-3); and maximum 65 for light manufacturing
(M). The existing Noise Element also states that maximum traffic noise should be restricted to no
more than 5 dBA above the ambient standard levels in residential areas and to no more than 10
dBA above the ambient standard levels in commercial and manufacturing areas. The existing Noise Element was established in 1979; thus, it is not a clear reflection of the existing ambient
noise levels in the city and does not reflect city’s development.
By comparing the proposed ambient (exterior) noise standards of existing and proposed
regulations, PLAN Hermosa’s new noise standards would exceed current established standards. As described above, documentation of the existing noise environment at noise-sensitive
receptors in the city showed average ambient hourly noise levels ranged from 56.2 dBA to 72.3
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dBA (Leq), 24-hour ambient noise levels ranged from 68.7 dB to 71.3 dB CNEL, and maximum noise levels ranged from 65.0 dBA to 93.5 dBA maximum noise level (Lmax). Because existing
ambient noises in the city are above existing guidelines, PLAN Hermosa would align City policies
with existing ambient noise levels and better reflect the existing ambient noise setting in the city. Nonetheless, with implementation of Policy 7.2, uses would be placed in areas with compatible noise sources, thus minimizing potential exposure of sensitive users in areas with excessive noise
standards. Policy 7.2 would minimize siting conflicts and potential noise impacts that would arise
from improper siting of land uses. Policy 7.3 requires proper siting of uses and the preparation of an acoustic study when such siting is not apparent.
Additionally, PLAN Hermosa includes Policy 7.5, which directs the City to establish a quantitative
noise ordinance modeled on Chapter 12.08 of the Los Angeles County Code. The City does not
currently have a quantitative noise ordinance, as described above in the Regulatory Setting subsection. Los Angeles County Code Chapter 12.08 establishes noise zones based on user
sensitivity, interior and exterior noise standards, and corrections for certain types of sounds. For
example, the Los Angeles County Code establishes an interior noise standard from 7 AM to 10
PM for residential land uses of 45 dB. Enacting a quantitative noise measurement would further protect sensitive noise users from exposure to excessive noise levels.
Although PLAN Hermosa proposes policies that would allow for increases in acceptable ambient
noise levels, it also includes policies that would ensure proper siting of noise-generating uses and
noise-sensitive uses through the implementation of quantitative policies. Therefore, because the City would establish quantitative noise regulations that would protect sensitive users, PLAN
Hermosa would have a less than significant impact due to noise in excess of regulations.
Traffic Noise
As discussed in Section 4.14, Transportation, future (Year 2040) traffic scenarios were analyzed for Hermosa Beach. The first scenario assumes that the city continues to develop based on the
policies identified in the current General Plan (October 1979), while the second scenario
assumes that the city develops in the future based on the objectives, goals, and policies
outlined in PLAN Hermosa. Figure 4.11-2 (Future (2040) Noise Contours with Implementation of PLAN Hermosa) is a noise contour map for the PLAN Hermosa scenario.
Table 4.11-8 (Existing and Future Traffic Noise Levels at the Nearest Sensitive Receptors)
summarizes the results of the analyses for the existing and future traffic scenarios. The results are
presented in terms of unmitigated exterior CNEL at the distance to the nearest existing receptor from the centerline of the roadway segment. Referring to the table, implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would not generate an exterior CNEL in excess of the existing General Plan noise
standards identified in Table 4.11-5 at most of the existing sensitive receptors adjacent to the roadway segments considered in the noise study. Therefore, the impact is less than significant at these locations.
While the future exterior CNEL at existing sensitive receptors adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway
appears to exceed the standards, the impact is considered to be less than significant for the following reasons: (1) the existing CNEL at these receptors already exceeds the standards, and
(2) the future CNEL at these receptors will be the same as or lower than the existing CNEL.
Additionally, none of the projected increases are over 3 dB (a 3 dB change is perceptible to the
human ear), which would be a significant impact.
Construction Noise
Typical residential construction in California provides about 20 dB of noise reduction with all
windows and doors closed. Therefore, it may be reasonably assumed that the interior CNEL at
the existing sensitive receptors would be about 20 dB lower than the values identified in Table
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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4.11-18
4.11-8. Referring to the table, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not generate an interior CNEL in excess of the standards identified in Table 4.11-5 at most of the existing sensitive
receptors adjacent to the roadway segments considered in the noise study. Therefore, the
impact is less than significant at these locations.
TABLE 4.11-8
EXISTING AND FUTURE TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS AT THE NEAREST SENSITIVE RECEPTORS
Roadway/Segment
Unmitigated Exterior CNEL
Existing Year Year 2040
with PLAN Hermosa
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
57 dB
47 dB
57 dB
45 dB
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
58 dB
57 dB
58 dB
56 dB
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
65 dB
65 dB
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
70 dB
69 dB
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH
64 dB
63 dB
Hermosa Avenue
27th to 22nd
22nd to 16th
16th to 8th
8th to Herondo
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley
65 dB
65 dB
Pacific Coast Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
72 dB
67 dB
68 dB
71 dB
67 dB
67 dB
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
62 dB
65 dB
62 dB
64 dB
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
59 dB
63 dB
60 dB
63 dB
Valley Drive
Gould to Pier
Pier to 8th
59 dB
60 dB
58 dB
59 dB
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.11-19
While the future interior CNEL at sensitive receptors adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway appears to exceed the standards, the impact is considered to be less than significant for the following
reasons: (1) the existing CNEL at these receptors already exceeds the standards, and (2) the
future CNEL at these receptors will be the same as or lower than the existing CNEL.
Operational Noise and Sensitive Receptors
Under PLAN Hermosa, new developments would be located adjacent to roadways. Depending
on how close these developments are to roadways, they might be exposed to excessive future
noise levels. Table 4.11-9 (Future Noise Impact Zones Adjacent to Roadways) identifies the
distances from the roadway centerlines within which various types of new development could be exposed to noise levels exceeding the noise standards identified in Table 4.11-5. If a new
development were to occur within the distances shown in Table 4.11-9, the impact of the
roadway noise exposure could be potentially significant.
TABLE 4.11-9
FUTURE NOISE IMPACT ZONES ADJACENT TO ROADWAYS
Roadway/Segment
Distance from Roadway Centerline Within Which Development May Be Exposed to a
Significant Impact
Residential,
School,
Library,
Church,
Hospital,
Nursing Home
Hotel, Motel,
Auditorium,
Concert Hall,
Amphitheater,
Sports Arena,
Outdoor Sports
Auditorium,
Concert Hall,
Amphitheater
Office Building,
Business
Commercial &
Professional,
Playground,
Park
Industrial,
Manufacturing,
Utility,
Agriculture
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
159 feet
159 feet
159 feet
52 feet
—
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
100 feet
-—
—
—
—
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH
—
—
—
—
—
Hermosa Avenue
27th to Herondo
—
—
—
—
—
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley
45 feet
45 feet
45 feet
—
—
Pacific Coast
Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
186 feet
130 feet
142 feet
59 feet
41 feet
45 feet
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-20
Roadway/Segment
Distance from Roadway Centerline Within Which Development May Be Exposed to a
Significant Impact
Residential,
School,
Library,
Church,
Hospital,
Nursing Home
Hotel, Motel,
Auditorium,
Concert Hall,
Amphitheater,
Sports Arena,
Outdoor Sports
Auditorium,
Concert Hall,
Amphitheater
Office Building,
Business
Commercial &
Professional,
Playground,
Park
Industrial,
Manufacturing,
Utility,
Agriculture
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
—
44 feet
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to 2nd
—
—
—
—
—
Valley Drive
Gould to 8th
—
—
—
—
—
“—“ indicates that there is no distance within which a proposed development will experience a significant impact.
Nonetheless, the PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element includes actions to reduce noise-related
conflicts for new sensitive land uses located adjacent to roadways or commercial/industrial properties. Policy 7.2 requires the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix (Table 6.4 in PLAN
Hermosa [Table 4.11-7, above]) be used as a guide for future planning and redevelopment
decisions. Policy 7.3 requires all proposed development projects and modifications to existing
developments to be compatible with the existing and future noise levels by using the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix. If proposed projects are not located in an area that is “clearly
compatible” in Table 6.4 in PLAN Hermosa, the City will require that an acoustical study be
prepared as a condition of building permit approval demonstrating compliance with the noise
standards shown in Table 6.3 (Interior and Exterior Noise Standards [Table 4.11-6, above]) in PLAN Hermosa.
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.11-21
FIGURE 4.11-2
FUTURE (2040) NOISE CONTOURS WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN HERMOSA
To reduce noise levels to meet the adopted standards and criteria, projects may be required to
include berms, walls, and sound-attenuating architectural design and construction methods,
and the City would only permit development if noise standards and regulations would be met. Such decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis through project design review as
required by the City to address potential aesthetic impacts. Policy 7.3 requires all proposed
development projects and modifications to existing developments to be compatible with the existing and future noise levels by using the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix. If proposed projects are not located in an area that is “clearly compatible” in Table 6.4 in PLAN Hermosa,
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the City will require that an acoustical study be prepared as a condition of building permit approval demonstrating compliance with the noise standards shown in Table 6.3 (Interior and
Exterior Noise Standards [Table 4.11-6, above]) in PLAN Hermosa. Policy 7.5 would establish a
quantitative noise ordinance to regulate noise impacts from stationary sources.
With adherence to and implementation of these PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions, program-level stationary noise source and land use conflict noise impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.11-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Expose Persons to or Generate Excessive Groundborne Vibration or Groundborne Noise Levels? PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that may expose
persons to or generate excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels. This is a potentially significant impact.
PLAN Hermosa would guide development, the construction of which could generate significant
groundborne vibration that could expose building occupants to vibration levels in excess of 0.01 inches per second. Table 4.11-10 (Typical Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment)
identifies the distance within which typical construction equipment generates a vibration
velocity level exceeding 0.01 inches per second. If equipment operates within these distances
from an occupied building, a significant impact would result.
TABLE 4.11-10
TYPICAL VIBRATION SOURCE LEVELS FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Equipment Vibration Velocity Level at
25 Feet, in/sec
Distance from Equipment Within
Which the Standard is Exceeded
Pile driver (impact) 0.158 158 feet
Pile driver (sonic) 0.045 68 feet
Clam shovel drop (slurry wall) 0.050 74 feet
Hydro mill (slurry wall) 0.002–0.006 9–17 feet
Vibratory roller 0.050 74 feet
Hoe ram 0.022 43 feet
Large bulldozer 0.022 43 feet
Caisson drilling 0.022 43 feet
Loaded trucks 0.020 40 feet
Jackhammer 0.009 24 feet
Small bulldozer 0.001 5 feet
Source: FTA 2006
Nonetheless, as described in PLAN Hermosa implementation action NOISE-6, the City would
adopt and enforce a quantitative Noise and Vibration Ordinance to reduce excessive noise and vibration from site-specific sources such as construction activity, mechanical equipment,
landscaping maintenance, loud music, truck traffic, loading and unloading activities, and other
sources. Additionally, mitigation measure MM 4.11-2 would be required to further reduce the
potential impact from groundborne vibration.
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.11-23
Mitigation Measures
MM 4.11-2 For development located at a distance within which acceptable vibration
standards would be exceeded, the City shall require the applicant to have a
structural engineer prepare a report demonstrating the following:
• Vibration level limits based on building conditions, soil conditions, and planned demolition and construction methods to ensure vibration levels
would not exceed acceptable levels where damage to structures using
vibration levels in Draft EIR Table 4.11-4 as standards.
• Specific measures to be taken during construction to ensure the specified vibration level limits are not exceeded.
• A monitoring plan to be implemented during demolition and construction
that includes post‐construction and post‐demolition surveys of existing
structures that would be impacted.
Examples of measures that may be specified for implementation during
demolition or construction include but are not limited to:
• Prohibition of certain types of impact equipment.
• Requirement for lighter tracked or wheeled equipment.
• Specifying demolition by non‐impact methods, such as sawing concrete.
• Phasing operations to avoid simultaneous vibration sources.
• Installation of vibration measuring devices to guide decision-making for subsequent activities.
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of mitigation measure MM 4.11-2 would minimize impacts on sensitive structures
from groundborne vibration to acceptable levels. Therefore, this impact would be reduced to less than significant.
IMPACT 4.11-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Generate Substantial Permanent Increases in Ambient Noise Levels? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse
projects in the city in a manner that would not create a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels above existing levels. The impact would be less than significant.
There are two types of noise that can lead to an increase in ambient noise levels: traffic noise
from new development and operational noise.
Traffic Noise
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would lead to an increase of vehicular traffic on local
roadways, resulting in increased traffic noise. Traffic noise levels throughout Hermosa Beach
were modeled to determine how changes in vehicular traffic volumes would affect traffic noise levels. Traffic noise levels were projected for the buildout year of 2040.
Noise impacts resulting from PLAN Hermosa buildout were assessed by comparing future noise
levels to the existing condition, as well as to the future condition that would result assuming that
the city continues to develop based on the policies identified in the current General Plan (October 1979). Table 4.11-11 (Estimated Changes in Traffic Noise Levels Compared to Existing Conditions) and Table 4.11-12 (Estimated Changes in Traffic Noise Levels Compared to Future
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Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.11-24
Without Project Conditions) compare PLAN Hermosa buildout to the existing and future without project conditions, and provide the estimated increases in traffic noise levels that would occur
throughout the city.
TABLE 4.11-11
ESTIMATED CHANGES IN TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS COMPARED TO EXISTING CONDITIONS
Roadway/Segment
Estimated CNEL at Nearest Sensitive
Receptor Estimated Increase or
Decrease in CNEL 2014 Year 2040
with PLAN Hermosa
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
57 dB
47 dB
57 dB
45 dB
0 dB
-2 dB
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
58 dB
57 dB
58 dB
56 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
65 dB
65 dB
0 dB
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
70 dB
69 dB
-1 dB
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH
64 dB
63 dB
-1 dB
Hermosa Avenue
27th to 22nd
22nd to 16th
16th to 8th
8th to Herondo
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
1 dB
0 dB
0 dB
1 dB
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley
65 dB
65 dB
0 dB
Pacific Coast Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
72 dB
67 dB
68 dB
71 dB
67 dB
67 dB
-1 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
62 dB
65 dB
62 dB
64 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
59 dB
63 dB
60 dB
63 dB
1 dB
0 dB
Valley Drive
Gould to Pier
Pier to 8th
59 dB
60 dB
58 dB
59 dB
-1 dB
-1 dB
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TABLE 4.11-12
ESTIMATED CHANGES IN TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS COMPARED TO FUTURE WITHOUT PROJECT CONDITIONS
Roadway/Segment
Estimated CNEL at Nearest Sensitive Receptor Estimated Increase
or Decrease in
CNEL Year 2040
without PLAN Hermosa
Year 2040
with PLAN Hermosa
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
57 dB
45 dB
57 dB
45 dB
0 dB
0 dB
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
58 dB
57 dB
58 dB
56 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
65 dB
65 dB
0 dB
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect
69 dB
69 dB
0 dB
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH
64 dB
63 dB
-1 dB
Hermosa Avenue
27th to 22nd
22nd to 16th
16th to 8th
8th to Herondo
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
-1 dB
0 dB
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley
65 dB
65 dB
0 dB
Pacific Coast Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
72 dB
67 dB
67 dB
71 dB
67 dB
67 dB
-1 dB
0 dB
0 dB
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
62 dB
65 dB
62 dB
64 dB
0 dB
-1 dB
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
61 dB
64 dB
60 dB
63 dB
-1 dB
-1 dB
Valley Drive
Gould to Pier
Pier to 8th
59 dB
60 dB
58 dB
59 dB
-1 dB
-1 dB
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Referring to Table 4.11-11, PLAN Hermosa would increase the CNEL by at most 1 dB and only at existing residential properties adjacent to Hermosa Avenue between 27th and 22nd streets,
between 8th and Herondo streets, and at existing residences adjacent to Prospect Avenue
between Artesia and Aviation boulevards. However, the increase in CNEL would not be a significant impact using established noise criteria of 3 dB over existing noise levels (a 3 dB change in noise level is perceptible to the human ear).
Additionally, PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies include actions to ensure that traffic
noise levels do not increase significantly in the future. Policy 8.1 directs the City to reduce noise impacts by encouraging the use of alternative transportation, including walking, biking, and public transit, to help reduce roadway noise levels. Policy 8.2 directs the City to consider
implementing traffic calming measures where roadway noise levels exceed the normally
compatible noise limits. Policy 8.4 requires working with Beach Cities Transit and MTA to establish bus routes that minimize impacts to residential areas.
Operational Noise
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in the construction of new residential and
commercial uses throughout the city. These types of uses would also be affected by stationary noise sources. Large-scale heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems would be
installed on the new residential and commercial buildings located in the city. Large HVAC
systems associated with new buildings can result in noise levels that average between 50 and
65 dBA Leq at 50 feet from the equipment. However, these HVAC units are usually mounted within HVAC wells on the rooftops of the proposed buildings and would therefore provide a
buffer around the HVAC systems. According to the Federal Transit Administration (2006), such
screening buffers can reduce noise levels by an average of 5–10 dBA depending on the
distance to the receiver; therefore, noise levels would not impact sensitive receptors on or off the project site. Additionally, noise from mechanical equipment associated with operation of
the project would be required to comply with California Building Code requirements pertaining
to noise attenuation and with City regulations requiring adequate buffering of such equipment.
Operation of new commercial uses that would be developed with PLAN Hermosa implementation within the city would also involve the delivery of goods, as well as refuse pickup.
Two noise sources would be identified with delivery operations: the noise of the diesel engines of
the semi-trailer trucks and the backup beeper alarm that sounds when a truck is put in reverse, as required and regulated by the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The noise generated by idling diesel engines typically ranges between 64 and 66
dBA Leq at 75 feet. This noise would be temporary in nature, typically lasting no more than 5
minutes. Further, backup beepers are required by Cal/OSHA to be at least 5 dBA above
ambient noise levels. These devices are highly directional in nature, and when in reverse, the
trucks and the beeper alarms would be directed toward the loading area and adjacent
commercial structures. Backup beepers are, of course, intended to warn people who are
behind the vehicle when it is backing up. These noises associated with commercial operations would be temporary and short in duration. Therefore, there would not have a lasting impact on ambient noise levels.
As such, PLAN Hermosa implementation would have a less than significant impact on ambient
noise levels.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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IMPACT 4.11-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Generate a Substantial Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development
and reuse projects, as well as temporary events on public property, in a
manner that could create a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels above levels existing without the project. However, implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would reduce this impact to less than significant.
Temporary increases in noise levels are generally associated with construction activities and with public or private parties and events.
Construction Noise
For the purpose of this analysis, construction noise impacts were evaluated as they relate to
compliance with Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 8.24.050, which limits construction activity to a period between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday through Friday (except national holidays), and a period between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturdays. Construction activity is
prohibited during all other hours and on Sundays and national holidays.
Development allowed under PLAN Hermosa may result in new construction activity, which could temporarily elevate noise levels at adjacent noise-sensitive uses. As discussed above, Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 8.24.050 regulates construction noise by limiting the days and
times during which construction is permitted to occur. The City considers any construction noise
that occurs during these permitted days and times to be generally acceptable. Exceptions occur depending on the extent of project construction activity and the impact on adjoining
sensitive receptors and may require mitigation for project-specific construction noise irrespective
of the Municipal Code. The City of Hermosa Beach will apply this section of the Municipal Code
to all new developments under PLAN Hermosa and enforce its compliance. Additionally, construction impacts with prolonged noise covering more than six months will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis under CEQA. Therefore, the impact is less than significant.
Public and Private Event Noise
The City of Hermosa Beach does not regulate the noise levels generated by public and private events held on public property other than to require that a permit be obtained prior to the use
of sound amplification equipment. The permit application does not require the applicant to
identify the noise levels that would be generated by the equipment. In general, the Chief of
Police must approve the application and has the power to revoke such a permit if, among other things, he or she determines that issuance of the permit would substantially interfere with the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or community.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa is not expected to increase the number of public and private
events or parties that occur in the city. However, some of these events and parties are generating sufficiently high noise levels to cause some residents to complain to the City and to
call the Hermosa Beach Police Department. Municipal Code Sections 9.28 and 17.42 establishes
the City's limitations on noise from parties, events, and gatherings on private property by regulating noise levels, permitted times, and a limit on the number of hours amplified sound may be used per day. In addition, Policy 7.5 requires the adoption of a quantitative noise ordinance
that regulates the intrusion of noise from parties and events onto sensitive land uses. It is
expected that the ordinance would establish noise standards consistent with the PLAN Hermosa noise standards and provide further direction on acceptable noise levels for noise-sensitive hours
(e.g., nighttime hours) as well as notification and enforcement measures such as fines
and/revocation of use permits for nonresidential uses that are the noise source. With adherence
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to existing Municipal Code regulations pertaining to noise and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, program-level noise impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Noise is by definition a localized phenomenon and significantly reduces in magnitude as
distance from the source increases. Consequently, only projects and growth due to occur in the
Hermosa Beach area would be likely to contribute to cumulative noise impacts. The geographic extent of the cumulative setting for noise consists of Hermosa Beach and neighboring cities.
IMPACT 4.11-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Effects of Noise Sources? PLAN
Hermosa implementation, in addition to anticipated growth in the region, would result in additional construction activity, as well as stationary and
mobile noise sources throughout the city and in adjacent jurisdictions, thereby
increasing overall ambient noise levels. Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would reduce the effects
of increased noise levels on nearby sensitive receptors. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not generate new stationary noise sources outside of the city and would not therefore result in cumulatively considerable noise impacts involving
stationary sources. Additionally, groundborne vibration impacts are localized and would not
result in a cumulatively considerable impact.
PLAN Hermosa implementation would generate additional traffic in Hermosa Beach and neighboring cities. Additional traffic volumes associated with future growth in the city would
combine with regional traffic on major interjurisdictional roads and highways leading to Hermosa
Beach that would contribute to cumulative effects involving roadway noise. The level of traffic
noise attributable to Hermosa Beach–based trips that will occur outside of the city will increase gradually over a long period of time and would not result in cumulatively considerable changes
in roadway noise levels in the context of regional traffic growth. Therefore, implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would have a less than cumulatively considerable impact on regional traffic
noise.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.11.5 REFERENCES
California Department of Transportation. 2004. Department of Transportation, Noise, Vibration,
and Hazardous Waste Management Office. Transportation- and Construction-Induced
Vibration Guidance Manual.
City of Hermosa Beach. 1979. City of Hermosa Beach General Plan.
———. 2014. Hermosa Beach General Plan Update Technical Background Report.
FTA (Federal Transit Administration). 2006. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment.
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.12-1
4.12.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental effects related to population,
employment, and housing associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The analysis
includes a review of the potential to induce population growth and for the displacement of people or housing. PLAN Hermosa Land Use + Design Element policies and implementation actions
describe development and infrastructure practices that permit orderly growth while protecting
existing residential neighborhoods.
NOP Responses: In response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP), one comment relevant to population, employment, and housing was received from the Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG) (see Appendix B). The comment was focused on consistency with the 2012
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and forecast. However, it should be noted that the 2012 RTP
applies only to the existing General Plan and that the development assumptions in PLAN Hermosa are assumed in the 2016 draft RTP forecast for 2040, so PLAN Hermosa would be consistent in terms
of regional planning. SCAG has incorporated the City of Hermosa Beach’s local forecasts for the
2016 RTP as discussed below.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous sources,
including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report, US Census Bureau data (2010),
California Department of Finance data (2015), SCAG’s (2015b) Profile of the City of Hermosa
Beach and SCAG’s (2015a) draft RTP projections, Hermosa Beach’s (2014) annual financial report, and other publicly available documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is attached to this document as Appendix C.
4.12.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
This subsection presents existing conditions in 2015 for population, housing units, and employment in Hermosa Beach. It also summarizes 2040 estimates for growth based on regional estimates
prepared by SCAG, as well as the expected buildout of PLAN Hermosa and the resulting effects
on population, housing, and employment in the city. Key findings are summarized below.
POPULATION
The 2015 population of Hermosa Beach is 19,772. The city is a relatively small urban community in
Los Angeles County. From 2000 to 2015, Hermosa Beach’s population increased 6.5 percent
overall from 18,566 to 19,772 (DOF 2015). The rate of growth slowed during the last five years to 1.5 percent. This rate was less than the growth rate of Los Angeles County during the same five-year
period (3.2 percent) (DOF 2015). Table 4.12-1 (Existing Population and Housing Conditions)
summarizes trends in population and housing since 2010, with a 2000 baseline for comparison.
TABLE 4.12-1
EXISTING POPULATION AND HOUSING CONDITIONS
2000 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Population 18,566 19,506 19,536 19,617 19,689 19,758 19,772
Households 9,476 9,550 9,548 9,548 9,539 9,534 9,501
Housing Units 9,840 10,162 10,160 10,160 10,150 10,145 10,110
Persons per Household 1.99 2.04 2.05 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08
Source: SCAG 2015b; DOF 2015
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HOUSING
There are approximately 10,110 housing units in the planning area. These units are in residential
neighborhoods spread throughout much of Hermosa Beach, with the exception of areas directly
adjacent to major corridors, in the Downtown core, and in the Cypress Area. Detached single-family dwellings are the predominant type of residence. Some multi-family units and
condominiums are dispersed throughout residential neighborhoods, but with greater prominence
in areas closer to the Downtown core. Several larger multi-family units are located on Pacific Coast
Highway north of Pier Avenue, with several in the southeast corner of the city. Below are additional facts about the condition and price of housing in the city.
• The number of housing units in Hermosa Beach decreased between 2010 and 2015 by 52
units or 0.5 percent (DOF 2015).
• Approximately 6.0 percent of housing units in Hermosa Beach were vacant in 2015 (DOF 2015), compared to 5.8 percent countywide. According to the California Department of
Housing and Community Development (2000), a housing vacancy rate of 5.0 percent is
considered normal. Vacancy rates below 5.0 percent indicate a housing shortage in a community. Hermosa Beach’s slightly higher than normal vacancy rate seems to indicate an oversupply of housing, the presence of second/vacation homes, or housing costs that
may be higher than the surrounding region’s market supply.
• In 2015, the city had 9,501 households (SCAG 2015b) with an average household size of 2.08 persons (DOF 2015). Household size was smaller than in Los Angeles County as a whole (3.03 persons) (DOF 2015).
EMPLOYMENT
Detailed employment data by industry was last collected by the US Census Bureau in 2011. As of 2011, there were 16,783 persons in Hermosa Beach 16 years old and over, with 13,188 (79 percent)
of those in the labor force (eligible for employment), as shown in Table 4.12-2 (Hermosa Beach Resident Employment by Industry, 2011). Of those in the labor force, 94 percent were employed. The largest employment industry for Hermosa Beach residents was mainly professional, such as financial, insurance, information, professional, scientific, and technology services. These are jobs
typically associated with higher education levels and with higher incomes. Lower-wage industries,
such as accommodation and food services, entertainment, and production, were less represented in the Hermosa Beach labor force, each at 4 percent.
TABLE 4.12-2
HERMOSA BEACH RESIDENT EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, 2011
2011 Percentage
Employed Population, 16 and over 12,394 100
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Information, Prof./Tech., Exec. Mgmt. 4,729 38
Manufacturing 1,384 11
Educational Services 1,051 8
Retail Trade 982 8
Health Care and Social Assistance 904 7
Wholesale Trade, Transport, Warehousing 835 7
Accommodation and Food Services 553 4
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 462 4
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.12-3
2011 Percentage
Production (Agriculture, Forestry, Resource Extraction, Utilities, and
Construction) 448 4
Admin. & Support, Waste Mgmt./Remediation 394 3
Other Services (excluding Public Admin.) 327 3
Public Administration 325 3
Source: US Census Bureau 2011
The largest employment sector measured by number of jobs in Hermosa Beach is the
accommodation and food service industry, accounting for 31 percent of all jobs in 2011 as
summarized in Table 4.12–3 (Jobs by Industry, 2002–2011). There were 1,026 financial, information, and professional jobs in the city; however, over 4,700 Hermosa Beach residents are employed in
this sector. This shows that residents are traveling outside of the city to work. Only 462 residents
employed in this sector live and work in Hermosa Beach.
TABLE 4.12-3
JOBS BY INDUSTRY, 2002–2011
2011 Percentage 2002–2011 Change
All Jobs 5,862 100% 628
Accommodation and Food Services 1,801 31% 445
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Information, Prof./Tech.,
Exec. Mgmt. 1,026 18% 82
Retail Trade 847 14% 8
Health Care and Social Assistance 394 7% 130
Other Services (excluding Public Admin.) 390 7% (7)
Admin. & Support, Waste Mgmt./Remediation 364 6% (182)
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 289 5% 137
Educational Services 216 4% 17
Wholesale Trade, Transport, Warehousing 206 4% 32
Public Administration 173 3% 37
Production (Agriculture, Forestry, Resource Extraction,
Utilities, and Construction) 156 3% (71)
Source: Economic & Planning Systems, Inc., 2014
( ) Denotes decrease
As of 2013, there were 7,622 jobs in the city. The largest sector was the leisure sector, with 30.4 percent
of the jobs. Other large sectors included professional (14.1 percent), retail (12.6 percent), and
education (11 percent) (SCAG 2015b). As shown in Table 4.12-4 (Percentage of Jobs by Sector,
2007–2013), from 2007 to 2013, the share of leisure jobs increased from 25.5 to 30.4 percent, while the share of most other sectors shrank, including finance, professional, and retail.
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TABLE 4.12-4
PERCENTAGE OF JOBS BY SECTOR, 2007–2013
Sector 2007 2013
Leisure 25.5% 30.4%
Professional & Management 17.0% 14.1%
Retail 11.5% 12.6%
Finance 10.8% 6.7%
Public 10.7% 10.5%
Education 8.5% 11.0%
Other 5.7% 5.4%
Construction 2.6% 2.3%
Wholesale Trade 1.5% 2.1%
Information 2.3% 1.9%
Manufacturing 2.2% 1.4%
Transportation 1.6% 1.3%
Agriculture 0.2% 0.1%
All Jobs 100% 100%
Source: SCAG 2015b
JOBS TO HOUSING RATIO
The jobs to housing ratio is a measure that can reveal whether a community is primarily an employment center or a residential center, often referred to as a bedroom community. Jobs-rich
areas are net importers of employees from other areas because they have more jobs than resident
workers. Areas with fewer businesses, like Hermosa Beach, are exporters of employees. When a
jobs to housing ratio is especially low, it typically indicates that much of the community is
commuting longer distances than may be true in communities with a more equal balance. This
can result in the need for additional road infrastructure and many more vehicle miles traveled,
not only for work trips but other trips to services, amenities, and entertainment.
In 2015, Hermosa Beach had a jobs to housing ratio of 0.75 (7,622 jobs/10,110 housing units) (SCAG
2015b), meaning there were roughly three-fourths of a job for every housing unit in the city. A jobs
to housing ratio of 1.0 means one job exists for every housing unit in an area. However, a jobs to
housing ratio does not compare the type of jobs and salary to the cost of housing. So, although a city may have an equal number of jobs and housing units, this does not mean that the persons employed in a city can afford to live in that city.
PROJECTED POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND HOUSING CONDITIONS
SCAG’s 2016 Draft Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS)
provides population, households, and employment estimates for individual cities and
unincorporated areas in the region. These forecasts are based on regional trends and market
pressures as well as jurisdictions’ adopted plans and policies and additional input from the individual jurisdictions during the planning process. The 2040 draft forecasts were published in December 2015.
SCAG’s 2016 forecasts for Hermosa Beach for 2040 are presented in Table 4.12-5 (SCAG 2016 Draft RTP Forecasts for 2040).
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TABLE 4.12-5
SCAG 2016 DRAFT RTP FORECASTS FOR 2040
2040
Population 20,400
Households 9,800
Jobs 10,000
Source: SCAG 2015a
As discussed in Chapter 3.0, Project Description, PLAN Hermosa’s residential unit growth forecast
estimates that approximately 300 residential units may be added in Hermosa Beach over the next
25 years based on an analysis of vacant and underutilized parcels in the low-, medium-, and high-density residential designations (City of Hermosa Beach 2015).
4.12.3 REGULATORY SETTING
State and local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to population, employment, and housing in
Hermosa Beach. They provide the regulatory framework for addressing all aspects of population, employment, and housing that would be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
STATE
• Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA): The RHNA is developed by SCAG and allocates to cities and counties their “fair share” of the region’s projected housing needs
based on household income groupings over the planning period for the housing elements
of each specific jurisdiction. In October 2012, SCAG adopted a Final Regional Housing
Needs Assessment Allocation Plan that covers the 2013 through 2021 planning period. Cities and counties must develop a housing element to address how they will meet their
RHNA.
• Housing Element Requirements: Under California law, housing elements must analyze
existing and projected housing needs, examine special housing needs within the population, evaluate the effectiveness of current goals and policies, identify
governmental and other constraints, determine compliance with other housing laws, and
identify opportunities to incorporate energy conservation into the housing stock. The element must also establish goals, policies, and programs to maintain, enhance, and develop housing.
• California Relocation Law: California Public Resources Code Section 7260(b) requires the
fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced as a direct result of programs or projects undertaken by a public entity. The law requires agencies to prepare a relocation plan,
provide relocation payments, and identify substitute housing opportunities for any resident
who is to be displaced by a public project.
LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach 2013–2021 Housing Element: Hermosa Beach adopted its 2013–
2021 Housing Element in September 2013. The Housing Element noted the continuing need
to develop affordable workforce housing, as well as housing for seniors, disabled residents, and other residents with special needs. Hermosa Beach was able to accommodate its
RHNA within its existing zoning and land use designations through the replacement of
existing units and redevelopment of underutilized parcels. This demonstrates that Hermosa
Beach has sufficient sites at appropriate densities to meet legal requirements for addressing the city’s fair share of the regional housing need.
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4.12.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The EIR evaluates the potential environmental effects of implementation of PLAN Hermosa related
to population, employment, and housing, including a review of the potential to induce population
growth and to displace people or housing. The analysis is based on the likely consequences of
adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa, compared to existing conditions.
Population and Housing Thresholds
For the purposes of the EIR, impacts on population, employment, and housing are considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing
new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure).
2) Displace substantial numbers of existing homes, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere.
3) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of implementation of PLAN Hermosa
compared to existing conditions. The following analysis of population, employment, and housing
impacts is qualitative and based on available demographic and economic data for Hermosa
Beach, along with a review of regional information. The analysis assumes that all future and existing
development in the city complies with applicable laws, regulations, design standards, and plans. An analysis of cumulative impacts uses qualitative information for Hermosa Beach and the region.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address population, employment, and
housing include the following:
Policies
Land Use + Design Element
• 1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern of
existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing opportunities for enhancement or transformation of corridors and districts in order to improve community
activity and identity.
• 1.2 Focused infill potential. Proposals for new development should be directed toward the
city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive land use mixes.
• 2.2 Variety of types of neighborhoods. Encourage preservation of existing single-density
neighborhoods within the city and ensure that neighborhood types are dispersed
throughout the city.
• 2.4 Single-density neighborhoods. Preserve and maintain the Hermosa Hills, Eastside, Valley, North End, and Hermosa View neighborhoods as predominantly single-family
residential neighborhoods.
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• 5.6 Revitalization incentives. Design and provide incentives to assist developers in revitalization and rehabilitation of existing structures, uses, and properties.
Mobility Element
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use features in development
projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative
modes.
Infrastructure Element
• 1.4 Fair share assessments. Require new development and redevelopment projects to pay their fair share of the cost of infrastructure improvements needed to serve the project, and
ensure that needed infrastructure is available prior to or at the time of project completion.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa land use designations and Zoning Ordinance zoning districts.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.12-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Induce Substantial Population Growth? Implementation of
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in
a manner that would not substantially increase population in Hermosa Beach.
Since land use designations and allowable residential densities are only altered
to bring consistency between the zoning and land use maps, the total allowable development potential in the city would not be changed with implementation
of PLAN Hermosa. Providing for the orderly growth of Hermosa Beach is a basic
purpose of PLAN Hermosa, which would direct expected growth. This impact
would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa’s proposed land use plan includes the introduction and expansion of new land
commercial use designations (Recreational Commercial and Gateway Commercial) and adjusts
the allowed land use intensities—some higher, some lower—across most nonresidential land use
designations.
Compared to the adopted General Plan, PLAN Hermosa alters land use designations and zoning
to focus redevelopment in certain areas and provides accommodation for a limited increase in
population and employment in Hermosa Beach.
Table 4.12-6 (PLAN Hermosa Residential Development Capacity) and Table 4.12-7 (PLAN Hermosa Nonresidential Development Capacity) present the anticipated residential and nonresidential
land use changes and resulting increases in living units and nonresidential square footage,
respectively, with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
TABLE 4.12-6
PLAN HERMOSA RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY
Land Use Designation Acres Existing Units
(2015)
New Unit
Potential
(2015–2040)
Total Units
(2040)
Total 621 10,109 300 10,409
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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TABLE 4.12-7
PLAN HERMOSA NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY
Land Use Designation Acres Existing Building Sq. Ft.
(2015)
New Building Sq. Ft.
Potential
(2015–2040)
Total Building Sq. Ft.
(2040)
Total 83 2,106,400 630,400 2,736,800
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
As shown in Table 4.12-8 (PLAN Hermosa Forecast for 2040), the resulting increase in
accommodated population, households, and employment is consistent with SCAG forecasts for
2040 (Table 4.12-5).1
TABLE 4.12-8
PLAN HERMOSA FORECAST FOR 2040
2015 Change
(2015–2040) City Forecast 2040
Population 19,772 661 20,433
Households 9,501 321 9,822
Jobs 7,622 2,378 10,000
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
The land use plan would focus and encourage reinvestment on key underutilized properties, as
well as on access and circulation improvements. However, these investments are intended to
accommodate growth in population and jobs that would occur in Hermosa Beach through 2040.
PLAN Hermosa includes policies to manage this anticipated growth and focus it in certain infill areas while maintaining existing density in established residential neighborhoods. The threshold of
significance for indirect growth is the development of new roads or other infrastructure. PLAN
Hermosa Land Use + Design Element Policies 1.1 and 1.2 are specifically crafted to ensure that the
fundamental pattern of existing land uses remains the same and that limited growth only occurs in areas appropriate for infill. These infill areas can utilize existing infrastructure in the city. Therefore,
the shift of population and business growth to be concentrated in certain areas is not substantial
when compared to the expected growth anticipated without the proposed project and the availability of infrastructure and the necessary public services to serve these concentrated areas of growth.
Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in a substantial increase in
population growth since the overall development potential of land uses would not be dramatically changed from the existing General Plan. The jobs to housing ratio would improve to
0.96 (10,000 jobs/10,409 housing units), as compared to 0.75 in 2015. The physical environmental
impact that is associated with the jobs to housing balance consists of traffic (commuting for jobs)
and the related impacts of traffic noise, air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. These environmental issues are addressed elsewhere in this EIR. The development potential provided by
PLAN Hermosa would be consistent with the SCAG 2040 forecast for population and employment
growth. Additional housing and commercial square footage may occur in specific infill locations
in the city, concentrating anticipated natural growth. PLAN Hermosa’s Land Use + Design Element includes Policies 1.1 and 2.2, which ensure that areas of growth are balanced with areas of
preservation. Additionally, Infrastructure Element Policy 1.4 addresses the cost and availability of
1 The published SCAG data (Table 4.12-5) are rounded to the nearest 100. As such, the slight difference in forecasts (33 people and 22 households) is negligible and is accounted for in the rounded forecast.
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infrastructure, thus avoiding indirect inducement of population growth. This impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.12-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Displace People or Housing? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that would allow the construction of new residential, commercial, and
industrial uses, as well as infrastructure, public service, and recreation
improvements. However, there would be no substantial changes to the residential designated land use areas in the city that would result in a large
displacement of existing residences or housing. This is a less than significant
impact.
PLAN Hermosa’s proposed Land Use Map includes modest changes to land use designations that
would allow additional nonresidential development, generally focused in existing commercial and
industrial areas and in areas with access to transit, including in the Civic Center District, Cypress
District, and Aviation Corridor. The intent of PLAN Hermosa is to direct anticipated growth to be orderly and meet community needs and desires. Land Use + Design Element, Mobility Element, and Infrastructure Element policies would protect existing residential neighborhoods from encroachment
of incompatible uses (Land Use + Design Element Policy 2.4), ensure smart growth in development
project (Mobility Element Policy 5.5), and ensure growth does not result in undue burden on infrastructure that could increase costs for the community (Infrastructure Element Policy 1.4).
The Land Use Map and Land Use + Design Element Policy 5.6 encourage revitalization, land use
changes, and increases in density. Envisioned changes in land use would be indirect and
incremental, and would primarily affect existing commercial and industrial parcels. Land Use + Design Element Policies 1.1 and 2.2 are intended to preserve existing residential neighborhoods
and a variety of housing options. Because PLAN Hermosa policies would protect existing
residential neighborhoods and do not propose substantial changes to existing residential
designated areas, impacts related to the displacement of people or housing would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative context for population, employment, and housing impacts is the South Bay Cities
Council of Governments (COG) planning area, given that its demographics are influenced by
employment and housing opportunities and constraints in this region.
IMPACT 4.12-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to a Cumulative Inducement of Population Growth? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s policies, in addition to anticipated
land use changes throughout the South Bay Cities COG planning area, would
increase population, both directly and indirectly (through increased employment). However, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
The 2040 population projection for the South Bay Cities COG planning area (excluding the Harbor
Bay/San Pedro communities in the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles Districts 2 and 4) is 823,500 people, and the 2040 employment projection is 373,400 jobs (SCAG 2015a). The PLAN
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Hermosa increase in population (661) and jobs (2,378) by 2040 is less than 0.1 percent of the growth forecast for the South Bay Cities COG planning area. In addition, as described in Impact 4.12-1,
PLAN Hermosa’s population and employment would be consistent with the SCAG forecast for
2040. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the potential for cumulative inducement of population growth would not be cumulatively considerable. In addition, PLAN Hermosa’s policies and programs are designed to best manage and accommodate the city’s growth. The physical
environmental effects of the city’s growth on the region is evaluated in the technical sections of
this EIR. Therefore, the impact is less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.12-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Impacts on Displacing People or Housing? Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in addition to
anticipated changes throughout the South Bay Cities COG planning area, could directly or indirectly displace people or housing. However, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Changes in the South Bay Cities COG planning area through 2040 may result in some displacement of people or housing through expansion of nonresidential land uses, infrastructure improvements such as roadway, utility, or transit expansion, or other changes. However, as
described in Impact 4.12-2, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not substantially alter the
residential designated land areas of the city and thus would not displace a large number of people or housing in Hermosa Beach; therefore, the plan would not result in a considerable contribution. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.12.5 REFERENCES
California Department of Housing and Community Development. 2000. Raising the Roof:
California Housing Development Projections and Constraints, 1997–2020. Statewide
Housing Plan Update.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2014. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2013–2014. http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=209.
———. 2015. “SCAG Integrated Forecast Response.” Approved Local Forecast for the SCAG
2016–2040 RTP.
DOF (California Department of Finance). 2015. Table E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, January 1, 2011–2015, with a 2010 Benchmark.
Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. 2014. LEHD Census, “Hermosa Beach.” Accessed
December 2014. http://www.epsys.com/.
SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments). 2015a. 2016 RTP/SCS Draft Growth
Forecast by Jurisdiction.
http://scagrtpscs.net/Documents/2016/draft/d2016RTPSCS_DemographicsGrowthForecast.pdf.
———. 2015b. Profile of the City of Hermosa Beach.
https://www.scag.ca.gov/Documents/HermosaBeach.pdf.
US Census Bureau. 2010. American Community Survey. DP-1. Accessed November 2015. http://factfinder2.census.gov.
———. 2011. Economic Census. DP03. Accessed December 2015. http://factfinder2.census.gov.
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4.13 PUBLIC SERVICES, COMMUNITY
FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES
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4.13.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section describes the public services, community facilities, and utilities that may be
impacted from implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Specifically, this section includes an
examination of fire protection and emergency medical services, law enforcement services, public schools, parks and recreation, library facilities, water supply and service, wastewater services, solid
waste services, and energy. Each subsection includes a description of existing facilities and
infrastructure, applicable service goals, potential physical environmental impacts resulting from
anticipated changes in public service provision from implementation of PLAN Hermosa, and cumulative impacts.
NOP Comments: In response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP), a comment was received from
the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, stating that the district’s regional wastewater
conveyance system should be able to accommodate PLAN Hermosa (see Appendix B-2). In addition, a comment was received from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, stating that
“the Hermosa Beach Fire Department has jurisdiction concerning the project and will be setting
conditions” (see Appendix B-2). No comments regarding police protection, schools, libraries, or other public services were received in response to the NOP.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous sources,
including the Hermosa Beach Fire Department, the Hermosa Beach City School District, publicly
available documents, personal and written communication with service providers, and service agency websites. The Technical Background Report (TBR) prepared for PLAN Hermosa is attached
to this document as Appendix C.
CITY FACILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN
Currently, the City is in the process of preparing the Civic Facilities Strategic Plan, which will address the current and future facility needs for police, fire, the public library, the public works yard, and
City Hall functions. The current condition of each facility is described briefly below.
City Hall
The existing City Hall was under construction beginning in 1960 and underwent renovations in 2000. City Hall is located at 1315 Valley Drive and currently includes space for the City Management,
Finance, Public Works, and Community Development departments. City Hall has been previously
identified as constrained for space and has been the subject of numerous space studies. Due to space constraints, some services are administered from other locations and facilities.
Fire Station
The City of Hermosa Beach has one fire station, which houses three fire engines and two
ambulances. This fire station, located at 540 Pier Avenue, was originally built at its current location in 1959. However, the facility has been found to be structurally and operationally deficient such that it will most likely not be able to continue operating in the event of a major earthquake. Given
the identified structural deficiency, the Fire Department dormitories were moved into temporary
facilities in 2015, and the fire tower associated with the facility was demolished. The Fire
Department dormitories will continue to be housed in temporary facilities until a facility that meets current seismic standards for a critical facility is developed.
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Police Station
The existing police station, located at 540 Pier Avenue, was initially built in conjunction with the Fire
Station in 1959 and was renovated in 2000. The Police Department also occupies space on the
basement level of City Hall, and the Community Services Division is located at a City-owned
building adjacent to Clark Field.
Since the facility was originally built, there have been major changes in the operational requirements
of a police department, which the current facility does not efficiently support. Some of the many
changes include the needs for specific areas for evidence processing and storage, increased
record keeping storage, increases in the amount and types of protection equipment, increased staffing, specific legal requirements for holding and processing areas, and increased numbers of
female police officers. The renovation or rebuilding of the police station into a modernized facility is
one of the elements to be considered in the City’s Civic Facilities Strategic Plan.
Public Works Yard
The Public Works Yard facility comprises various operational areas and several buildings. The most
urgent upgrade item identified is the installation of a stormwater system and wash-down area with
clarifiers which is required by the State Water Resources Control Board.
The Public Works Yard is located at 555 6th Street and comprises various buildings and operational areas. The yard provides space and equipment to maintain all of the City’s buildings and facilities.
The main building (modular building) was installed circa 1976 and is in fair condition. The shop
building was constructed in the early part of the last century, is seismically unsafe, and has passed its expected useful life. While not immediately impacting the safety and protection of the citizens
of Hermosa Beach, the replacement of this facility on the existing site is included as a part of the
long-term vision for facility planning.
City Library
The ground was broken for the library, facing Pier Avenue, on November 17, 1961, and the library
was dedicated on August 10, 1962. The Civic Facilities Strategic Plan will include
recommendations and options for library facilities in Hermosa Beach that include replacing the
library at its existing site or relocating the library to the Community Center site. The City has also received funding from Los Angeles County to prepare a Library Needs Assessment.
Civic Facilities Strategic Plan Scenarios
The Civic Facilities Strategic Plan presents various scenarios for renovation and/or redevelopment
of City facilities. Scenarios under consideration are described below.
Scenario 1
• Replace library at existing site.
• Create 2-Company Fire Station to remain on Pier Avenue.
• Close Bard Street. Create new parking structure.
• Replace City Hall (include space for Fire Administration).
• Build a modern police building at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
Scenario 2
• Relocate library to Community Center site.
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• Replace fire station as a headquarters fire station at Pier Avenue.
• Build a modern police building at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Renovate and expand City Hall.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
Scenario 3
• Relocate library to Community Center site.
• Build a modern Public Safety Center at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Replace City Hall and locate it on Pier Avenue.
• Develop a new parking structure.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
Scenario 4
• Relocate library to Community Center site.
• Build a modern Public Safety Center at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Renovate and expand City Hall without Fire Administration.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
• Sell Pier Avenue frontage.
Scenario 5
• Relocate library to Community Center site.
• Build a modern Public Safety Center at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Relocate the City Hall functions to a leased or purchased existing office building on Pacific Coast Highway.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
• Sell Pier Avenue and Valley Drive corner property.
Scenario 6
• Replace library at existing site.
• Build a modern Public Safety Center at the adjacent storage site with basement parking.
• Renovate and expand City Hall.
• Replace the City Yard facilities at existing site with surface parking.
The Civic Facilities Strategic Plan is meant to help prioritize and inform the capital improvement
decisions and potential funding alternatives that the City will need to make regarding the future
of the identified facilities. The improvement priorities are to focus on:
• Furthering the City’s Net Zero goals through the replacement and/or improvements of each of the identified facilities so that they are seismically, operationally, and functionally
improved to continue to meet the needs of the City in the future.
• Addressing the immediate need of replacing the City’s Fire Station so that it is seismically improved to remain operational in the event of major disaster while improving the
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operational capability of the Fire Department to serve the expanding calls for service within the community.
• Providing a resilient building which will be operational in the case of a major disaster and
increase the operational efficiencies of the Police Department. Achieve this goal by providing a single seismically and operationally improved facility from which the department can deliver modern law enforcement services to the citizens of Hermosa
Beach.
• Increasing operational efficiencies of the Public Works Field Operations by providing
replacement facilities, additional parking, and storage yard areas at the existing Yard
Operations site.
• Replacing or expanding City Hall to better accommodate the existing and future staff
(scenarios presented at this time do not include growth assumptions).
• Developing the facilities in a manner that maximizes the use of the funds available through phasing options or changes in operations and also considers revenue generation sources.
As noted above, several options/scenarios have been identified to improve existing City facilities.
At the time this EIR was prepared, specific recommendations or project designs have not been determined, meaning that specific physical impacts to the environment cannot currently be
identified. However, construction activities could result in impacts related to air quality
(construction pollutant emissions), cultural resources (undiscovered resources), greenhouse gas
emissions from construction, soil stability and erosion, construction water quality, accidental release of hazardous materials during construction, construction noise, and construction traffic
impacts. Subsequent review of project-specific facility improvements would be completed to
determine the extent of site-specific environmental review that will be required. These issues will
be programmatically evaluated in the CEQA documentation for the Civic Facilities Strategic Plan.
4.13.2 FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
4.13.2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Fire protection, first response emergency medical services, and natural disaster preparedness services in Hermosa Beach are provided by the Hermosa Beach Fire Department (HBFD). The HBFD
also administers the City’s Hazardous Material Plan and Emergency Preparedness Program and
maintains the City’s Emergency Operations Center. Key findings from the TBR (Appendix C-16) are summarized below.
• The HBFD consists of one fire station with a total of 18 fire suppression personnel, one
assistant fire chief, and one fire chief. Of the 18 fire suppression personnel, 16 have
paramedic status. Three platoons rotate on a 48-hour schedule. The HBFD station, located on Pier Avenue, houses three fire engines (two front-line and one reserve) and two
ambulances.
• The HBFD has set an emergency medical services (EMS) response time standard of 5
minutes or less for 90 percent of incidents and a fire response time standard of 5 minutes 20 seconds or less for 90 percent of fire incidents. Excluding mutual aid calls, the average
response time for EMS calls was 5.0 minutes, and the average response time for fire calls
was 7.3 minutes. Ninety percent of EMS calls were responded to within 6.8 minutes, and 90
percent of fire calls were responded to within 10.8 minutes.
• Regional communications and dispatch services are provided for the HBFD by the South
Bay Regional Public Communications Authority, referred to locally as South Bay 911 or the
Regional Call Center (RCC). The HBFD received 775 calls for mutual aid requests in other
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jurisdictions, of which 314 calls were cancelled (Center for Public Safety Management 2013a).
• The City has automatic aid agreements with the Manhattan Beach Fire Department and
the Redondo Beach Fire Department. This means that the dispatch of units to an incident is handled automatically by the dispatch center; the dispatch of additional units does not require the input of a commander on the scene. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach
have the same dispatch center, while Redondo Beach has its own dispatch center. The
City of Hermosa Beach also has mutual aid agreements with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Torrance and El Segundo fire departments. Under the mutual aid
agreement, units from the County, Torrance, and El Segundo could be dispatched to
Hermosa Beach under the request of the commander on the scene. Likewise, units from
Hermosa Beach could be requested to assist in those jurisdictions.
4.13.2.2 REGULATORY SETTING
Local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to fire protection and emergency medical services in
the planning area. The regulatory framework for public services is discussed in detail in Appendix C-16. The following summarizes key regulations used to reduce the potential environmental impacts of implementing PLAN Hermosa.
STATE
• California Fire Code. The 2013 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9 of the California Code of Regulations) establishes regulations to safeguard against hazards of fire, explosion, or
dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures, and premises. The provisions
of the Fire Code apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement,
replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure throughout California. The Fire Code includes
regulations regarding fire-resistance-rated construction, fire protection systems such as
alarm and sprinkler systems, fire services features such as fire apparatus access roads, means of egress, and fire safety during construction and demolition,
• California Health and Safety Code. Additional state fire regulations are set forth in Sections
13000 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code, which include regulations for
building standards, fire protection and notification systems, fire protection devices such as extinguishers, smoke alarms, high-rise building and child-care facility standards, and fire suppression training.
• California Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In accordance with the
California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Sections 1270, Fire Prevention, and 6773, Fire
Protection and Fire Fighting Equipment, the California Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (Cal/OSHA) has established minimum standards for fire suppression and emergency medical services. The standards include but are not limited to guidelines on
the handling of highly combustible materials, fire hose sizing requirements, restrictions on
the use of compressed air, access roads, and the testing, maintenance, and use of all
firefighting and emergency medical equipment.
LOCAL
• Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The City’s Municipal Code includes regulations and
standards related to development and operations. Title 2, Administration and Personnel, contains bylaws and administration procedures for City advisory committees (including
Parks, Recreation and Community Resources, Emergency Preparedness), commissions
(including Planning Commission, Public Works Commission), and City departments or
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divisions (Police Department Traffic Division, Emergency Services, Police Reserve Corps). Title 15, Buildings and Construction, establishes building and construction standards to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare through fire prevention, abatement of
dangerous buildings, seismic strengthening, and enforcement of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes. Chapter 15.20 is the City’s Fire Prevention Code, which prescribes regulations to ensure compliance with applicable state regulations.
4.13.2.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standard of significance. For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on fire protection services and utilities
are considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Create substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or
physically altered fire-related facilities or services, the construction and/or provision of
which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable
service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for fire protection and emergency services.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
Evaluation of potential fire protection and emergency medical service impacts was based on information provided by the Hermosa Beach Fire Department, as well as a review of the
applicable fire codes and regulations, the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, and other relevant
literature. The focus of the analysis is whether implementation of PLAN Hermosa would require
alteration of services that necessitates the development of facilities which could result in an impact to the physical environment.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address fire
protection and emergency medical services:
Policies
Public Safety Element
• 5.1 High level of response. Achieve optimal utilization of allocated public safety resources
and provide desired levels of response and protection within the community.
• 5.4 Adequate emergency access. Require new development to be designed to provide
adequate emergency access and to maintain current levels of emergency services.
• 5.5 Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions. Cooperate and collaborate with
neighboring jurisdictions and social services to maximize public safety and emergency services.
• 6.1 Regularly update plans. Regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency
response plans.
Implementation Actions
• SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building
Standards Code and California Fire Code, with appropriate local amendments.
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• SAFETY-8. Support community safety and fire protection standards by establishing and applying the following development review requirements to be reviewed by HBFD and
HBPD as appropriate:
− New development and significant redevelopment projects shall coordinate with HBFD and Cal Water to provide and maintain adequate peak flow rates for firefighting.
− New development, significant redevelopment, and public improvement projects shall
ensure that building designs provide for adequate emergency access and that
changes to the right-of-way do not impede access for emergency responder’s apparatus or personnel.
• SAFETY-20. Establish and meet EMS and Fire response time standard of 7 minutes or less for
90% of incidents.
• SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.2-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Fire Protection Services? Subsequent
development associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa could increase demand for fire protection services. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation
actions would require that the City regularly update fire protection standards
and new development to provide adequate fire flow and emergency access. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects that could result in 300
additional residential units and 660 new residents from 2015 to 2040 in the planning area, or an
approximately 3 percent increase over existing conditions. The plan could also result in an additional 630,400 square feet of nonresidential uses. The additional structures and population
would lead to increased demand for fire protection and emergency medical response services.
Future development would be served by the Hermosa Beach Fire Department, or could be served
by Redondo Beach Fire Department or Manhattan Beach Fire Department through the existing automatic aid agreement, if needed.
As stated previously, the City has automatic aid agreements with the Manhattan Beach and
Redondo Beach fire departments. This means that dispatching units to an incident is handled
automatically by the dispatch center, and dispatching additional units does not require the input of a commander on the scene. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach have the same dispatch center, while Redondo Beach has its own dispatch center.
The City of Hermosa Beach also has mutual aid agreements with the Los Angeles County Fire
Department and the Torrance and El Segundo fire departments. Under the mutual aid agreement, units from the County, Torrance, and El Segundo could be dispatched to Hermosa Beach under
the request of the commander on the scene. Likewise, units from Hermosa Beach could be
requested to assist in those jurisdictions.
PLAN Hermosa is designed for incremental changes in population through redevelopment that would allow for the adequate provision of services and community facilities. PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions would direct the provision of adequate facilities, staffing,
equipment, and technology to meet existing and projected fire protection service demands and response times as demands grow with the increase in population.
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PLAN Hermosa addresses public service provision through Public Safety Element Policy 5.1, which would achieve optimal utilization of allocated public safety resources and provide desired levels
of response and protection in the community. Policy 5.4 would require new development to be
designed to provide adequate emergency access and to maintain current levels of emergency services. Policy 5.5 would ensure cooperation and collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions and social services to maximize public safety and emergency services. Policy 6.1 would require the
City to regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans. Implementation
action SAFETY-1 would serve to reduce potential impacts by continuing to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building Standards Code and California Fire Code, with appropriate
local amendments. SAFETY-22 would continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid
agreements providing additional fire and police resources needed during an emergency, as
feasible. SAFETY-8 would support community safety and fire protection standards by establishing and applying development review requirements.
No additional facility needs that would trigger a physical impact to the environment are currently
anticipated. Thus, this impact is less than significant. Additionally, subsequent projects that are
consistent with the population, housing, and employment projections for PLAN Hermosa, and do not propose General Plan amendments, would not increase demand for fire protection services
beyond those projected in the Civic Facilities Strategic Plan.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative context for impacts discussed below includes projected regional growth in the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG) planning area, as fire protection and emergency medical services may be required from beyond the City of Hermosa Beach planning area.
IMPACT 4.13.2-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Cumulative Demand for Fire Protection Services?
PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, could increase the demand for fire protection and
emergency medical services and could require additional staffing, equipment,
and related facilities under cumulative conditions. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution
to the need for expanded fire protection and emergency medical services, the construction and operation of which could result in significant environmental impacts, would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Development in Hermosa Beach that may result with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in
addition to other cumulative development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, could cause significant cumulative impacts on fire and emergency medical services. However, impacts
related to fire protection and emergency medical services are generally specific to the planning
area rather than regional. As indicated in Impact 4.13.2-1, implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would not result in the need for additional fire protection and emergency medical facilities. The City is in the process of determining fire facility improvements to maintain and improve its ability
to provide services. The potential physical environmental effects of these improvements are
identified in Impact 4.13.2-1. Further, PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, along
with compliance with the California Fire Code, would maintain adequate response times and staffing ratios within the city. Therefore, the City’s contribution to cumulative environmental
impacts associated with the continued provision of fire protection and emergency medical
response services would be less than cumulatively considerable.
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Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.3 LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
4.13.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) provides police protection services to preserve
peace and prevent crime and disorder by enforcing state laws and city ordinances in the
planning area. Key findings from the TBR (Appendix C-16) are summarized below.
STATIONS AND STAFFING
The HBPD has one police station, located at 540 Pier Avenue. The department has 51 staff assigned
to the station, consisting of 39 sworn personnel and 12 civilian staff. The HBPD consists of several
distinct units to which officers are assigned. These units include detectives, traffic, patrol, backgrounds and training, internal affairs, Community Lead Program, and Narcotics K-9. The HBPD
has 12 marked vehicles, 5 motorcycles, 10 unmarked vehicles, and 2 speed trailers (City of
Hermosa Beach 2013b). According to the HBPD’s Police Operations Report, which provided data on service level benchmarks, the City provides 178 officers per 100,000 residents (Center for Public Safety Management 2013b).1
General patrol operations for the HBPD are staffed using 12-hour shifts. Police are assigned to
beach-related events including beach volleyball, concerts on the beach, the Surf Festival, the
Hermosa Arts Fair, and the Hermosa Triathlon. The entire department is deployed on the two days of the year which draw the largest crowds—the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.
CALLS FOR SERVICE
Regional communications and dispatch services are provided for the HBPD by the South Bay 911/RCC, which processes approximately 312,000 police and fire incidents annually in El Segundo,
Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach. Between July 1, 2014, and June
30, 2015, HBPD officers handled 25,266 calls, which included officer-initiated calls. This averages
approximately 69 calls per day. Of those calls, approximately 27 percent (6,784 calls) were initiated by the police and 73 percent (18,482 calls) were direct calls from the public.
Approximately 19 percent of total calls for service (5,015) were for traffic enforcement.
RESPONSE TIMES
For HBPD response, the dispatch center assigns a priority code of 1 to 4 to each call, with 1 being
the highest priority. For the one-year period between July 2014 and June 2015, the highest priority
calls were responded to within 5.48 minutes (if calculated from call initiation to on scene) or 3.67
minutes from time of dispatch to on scene.
CRIME RATES
In 2014, Hermosa Beach reported 186 Part I violent crimes per 100,000 residents, or 37 crimes, and
2,732 Part I property crimes per 100,000 residents, or 543 crimes. The reported number of violent
1 The number of officers per 100,000 reflects a normalized calculation for purposes of the operations report; it is not intended to represent the actual population in Hermosa Beach. The number of officers per 1,000 residents (1.78) is not a required service level or nationally recognized standard, and the existing ratio provides a reasonable baseline against which to estimate PLAN Hermosa impacts.
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crimes was 53.04 percent lower than the statewide rate (396) and 49.06 percent lower than the national rate (366). Property crime rates were 11.92 percent higher than the state average (244)
and 5.23 percent higher than the national average (2,596).
4.13.3.2 REGULATORY SETTING
LOCAL
Local laws, regulations, and policies pertain to public safety and law enforcement services in the
planning area. The regulatory framework for public services is discussed in detail in Appendix C-16.
• Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The City’s Municipal Code includes regulations and
standards related to Health and Safety (Title 8), Public Peace, Morals and Welfare (Title 9),
and Vehicle and Traffic (Title 10).
4.13.3.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standard of significance. A law enforcement services impact is considered significant if implementation of the proposed project would:
1) Create substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or
physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for law enforcement services.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
Evaluation of potential law enforcement impacts was based on information provided by the Hermosa Beach Police Department. The impact analysis focuses on whether those impacts would have a significant effect on the physical environment.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address law enforcement services:
Policies
Public Safety Element
• 5.1 High level of response. Achieve optimal utilization of allocated public safety resources and provide desired levels of response and protection within the community.
• 5.2 Use of technology. Provide and use up-to-date technology to improve crime
prevention and inform the community regarding actions to take in case of emergency.
• 5.3 Physical design standards. Reduce opportunities for criminal activity through physical design standards, youth programs, recreation opportunities, educational programs, and
counseling services.
• 5.4 Adequate emergency access. Require new development to be designed to provide
adequate emergency access and to maintain current levels of emergency services.
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• 5.5 Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions. Cooperate and collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions and social services to maximize public safety and emergency
services.
• 5.6 Nuisance abatement. Encourage Police Department review of uses which may be characterized historically by high levels of nuisance (noise, nighttime patronage, and/or rates of criminal activity); providing for conditions of control of use to prevent adverse
impacts on adjacent residences, schools, religious facilities, and similar “sensitive” uses.
• 6.1 Regularly update plans. Regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency
response plans.
Implementation Actions
• SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet
established proactive time targets and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
• SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing additional fire and police resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.3-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Law Enforcement Services? Subsequent development associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that
would result in an increase in population in the planning area, but it would not result in the need for additional and/or expanded police protection facilities. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would require the City to
continue to provide adequate staffing, facilities, equipment, and technology to
meet existing and projected service demands and response times. Therefore, this
impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects that would result in an
increase in the city’s population from 19,772 to 20,433 (a 3 percent increase). Assuming a ratio of
1.78 sworn officers per 1,000 residents, the HBPD would need approximately 36 sworn officers. The department currently has 39 sworn personnel; therefore, the increase in population with PLAN
Hermosa would not require an increase in staffing beyond authorized levels that would require
additional facility space, the construction or operation of which could result in significant
environmental impacts.
As previously noted, the City is currently considering improvements to police department facilities
to address current needs and improve operations. No specific recommendations or designs have
been established so that physical impacts to the environment can be identified. However,
construction activities could result in impacts related to air quality (construction pollutant emissions), cultural resources (undiscovered resources), greenhouse gas emissions from
construction, soil stability and erosion, construction water quality, accidental release of hazardous
materials during construction, construction noise, and construction traffic impacts. These issues
have been programmatically evaluated in this EIR. Subsequent review of project-specific facility improvements would be completed to determine the extent of site-specific environmental review
that will be required.
PLAN Hermosa is designed to allow incremental changes in population through redevelopment that would allow for the adequate provision of services and community facilities. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would direct the provision of adequate facilities, staffing,
equipment, and technology to meet existing and projected police protection service demands
and response times as demands grow with the increase in population.
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PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element policies would ensure adequate police protection is provided to accommodate a potential increase in the number of residents. Policy 5.1 would
achieve optimal utilization of allocated public safety resources and provide desired levels of
response and protection within the community. Policy 5.2 would provide and use up-to-date technology to improve crime prevention and inform the community regarding actions to take in case of emergency. Policy 5.3 would reduce opportunities for criminal activity through physical
design standards, youth programs, recreation opportunities, educational programs, and
counseling services. Policy 5.4 would require new development to be designed to provide adequate emergency access and to maintain current levels of emergency services. Policy 5.5
would ensure cooperation and collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions and social services to
maximize public safety and emergency services. Policy 5.6 would encourage Police Department
review of uses which may be characterized historically by high levels of nuisance (noise, nighttime patronage, and/or rates of criminal activity), providing for conditions of control of use to prevent
adverse impacts on adjacent residences, schools, religious facilities, and similar sensitive uses.
Policy 6.1 would require the City to regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency
response plans.
Implementation action SAFETY-22 would continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid
agreements providing additional fire and police resources needed during an emergency, as
feasible. SAFETY-21 would serve to reduce potential impacts by maintaining police department
staffing and facilities to meet established proactive time targets and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
Therefore, PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would require the City to continue
to provide funding and adequate equipment, technology, and funding for the HBPD to meet
existing and projected service demands and response times. PLAN Hermosa policies and programs would ensure that the City would meet increased demands for police protection
associated with an increase in population. Additionally, an increase in population would not
require an increase in staffing beyond authorized levels that would require additional facility space. Thus, this impact is less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative context for impacts discussed below includes projected regional growth in
surrounding cities and in Los Angeles County, as law enforcement may be required from beyond
the planning area.
IMPACT 4.13.3-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Cumulative Demand for Law Enforcement Services? PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the South Bay Cities
COG service area, could increase the demand for law enforcement services and
could require additional staffing, equipment, and facilities under cumulative conditions. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the need for expanded law
enforcement services facilities, the construction and operation of which could
result in significant environmental impacts, would be less than cumulatively considerable.
As discussed in Impact 4.13.3-1, PLAN Hermosa would not result in the need for additional law
enforcement facilities. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would require the City
to continue to provide funding and adequate staffing, facilities, equipment, and technology to
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meet existing and projected service demands and response times. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa would not contribute to a cumulative demand for law enforcement services facilities outside of
the planning area. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the continued provision of law enforcement
services in the cumulative setting would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.4 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
4.13.4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD) provides elementary school (K–8) public
education to students living in the planning area. Table 4.13-1 (Hermosa Beach School Enrollment, 2014–2015) identifies schools located in the planning area and their enrollments for the 2014–2015 school year. In addition, there are two private schools: Our Lady of Guadalupe School is a private
elementary school for grades preschool through 8, and Fusion Academy is an accredited,
nontraditional private school for grades 6–12.
TABLE 4.13-1
HERMOSA BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT, 2014–2015
School Grades Total Enrollment
Hermosa View K–2 485
Hermosa Valley 3–8 991
Total 1,476
Source: CDE 2016
The current enrollment at Hermosa Valley and Hermosa View exceeds the permanent capacity
at each school and will continue to exceed the permanent capacity over the next 10 years. The
HBCSD has added portable classroom buildings and is using multipurpose rooms for temporary
classrooms. The school district estimates an enrollment projection of over 1,600 students for 2022, which would result in additional capacity shortages. Senate Bill 837, if approved, would add
Universal Transitional Kindergarten as a new grade, open to all 4-year-olds throughout California’s
public school system. The district has indicated that Universal Transitional Kindergarten will have a serious impact on enrollment on an already overcrowded two-school district and could not be accommodated at the district’s two schools alone.
The HBCSD has prepared a Long Range Facilities Master Plan, which examines four options for
providing additional classroom and recreational facility space. Option A would shift third-graders to Hermosa View. Options B, C, and D would involve the use of a third school (North School, which the district currently leases to a private preschool and the Redondo Beach Unified School District)
in addition to the two existing schools (HBCSD 2014). During the June 2016 elections, voters
approved School Bond Measure S that provides $59 million for funding improvements that include the construction of a new school on the site of North School, as well as renovations at Hermosa
Valley School and Hermosa View School. As of the date of the release of this EIR, the district has
not released an environmental review document related to these improvements.
Assuming improvements would be implemented at the existing schools or in combination with the third school, the district would be responsible for preparing the necessary environmental review
documents to identify environmental impacts that may occur as a result of improvements (e.g.,
new construction or remodeling/renovation) or operation (e.g., new vehicle trips to a third school).
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High school age residents attend either Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach (Manhattan Beach Unified School District) or Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach (Redondo Beach
Unified School District) (HBCSD 2009). In 2014–15, the enrollment at Mira Costa High School was
2,517 students (CDE 2016). Mira Costa High School has capacity for 3,477 students and projects enrollment in 2024 to be only slightly higher than current enrollment. In developing its facilities master plan, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) included forecasts for
enrollment based on HBCSD enrollment trends and other forecasting parameters, and the total
(2,740) would not exceed capacity (MBUSD 2015).
The Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) has two high schools, Redondo Union High School and Redondo Shores (a continuation school with less than 100 students). The combined
enrollment for 2015–16 is 2,767, and the existing high school capacity is 3,088 students. The number
of high school students is expected to exceed capacity by 2017-18. The RBUSD has also projected enrollment through 2035 and has determined the amount of facility space that will be necessary
to accommodate future enrollments. The cost for facility improvements (currently projected to be
five new classrooms [Redella 2016]) would be funded through developer fees in accordance with
Senate Bill 50, as described below (RBUSD 2016).
4.13.4.2 REGULATORY SETTING
The following state and local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to public schools in the
planning area:
STATE
• California Education Code: The California Education Code contains various provisions
governing the siting, design, and construction of new public schools (e.g., Education Code Sections 17211, 17212, and 17212.5). In addition, to help focus and manage the site selection process, the California Department of Education School Facilities and Planning
Division has developed screening and ranking procedures based on criteria commonly
affecting school selection (Education Code Section 17251[b], Title 5 of the California Code
of Regulations, Section 14001[c]). The foremost consideration in the selection of school sites
is safety. Certain health and safety requirements are governed by state statute and
Education Code regulations. In selecting a school site, a school district should consider
factors such as proximity to airports and railroads, proximity to high-voltage power transmission lines, presence of toxic and hazardous substances, and hazardous air emissions within one-quarter mile.
• School Facility Fees: Education Code Section 17620 authorizes school districts to levy a fee,
charge, dedication, or other requirement against any development project for the construction or reconstruction of school facilities, provided that the district can show
justification for levying of fees. Government Code 65995 limits the fee to be collected to
the statutory fee (Level I) unless a school district conducts a Facility Needs Assessment
(Government Code Section 65995.6) and meets certain conditions. These fees are adjusted every two years in accordance with the statewide cost index for Class B
construction, as determined by the State Allocation Board.
• Senate Bill (SB) 50 (1998) instituted a new school facility program by which school districts
can apply for state construction and modernization funds. This legislation imposed limitations on the power of cities and counties to require mitigation for school facility
impacts as a condition of approving new development. Proposition 1A/SB 50 prohibits
local agencies from using the inadequacy of school facilities as a basis for denying or conditioning approvals of any “legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property” (Government Code Section
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65996[b]). Additionally, a local agency cannot require participation in a Mello-Roos district for school facilities; however, the statutory fee is reduced by the amount of any voluntary
participation in a Mello-Roos district. Satisfaction of the Proposition 1A/SB 50 statutory
requirements by a developer is deemed to be “full and complete mitigation.”
• State Service Standards Affecting All Districts
− The California Education Code Section 41402 states that unified school districts are
required to have 8 administrative employees per 100 teachers.
− State standards for the number of students per classroom pursuant to Chapter 407,
Statutes of 1998 (loading standards), require a maximum of 25 students per classroom
in elementary schools and 27 students per classroom in middle and high schools.
4.13.4.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standard of significance. A public schools impact is considered significant if implementation of
the proposed project would:
1) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or
physically altered school facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or
other performance objectives for schools.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
Information for the analysis was obtained through a review of facilities master plans prepared by
the school districts, which contain information about current and projected enrollment and school capacity and consultation with district staff. District planning documents project enrollments to
the 2022–23 time frame, but they do not provide forecasts to 2040. The HBCSD does not use a
student generation rate factor (HBCSD 2015). School enrollment data were obtained from the
California Department of Education, Educational Demographics Unit (CDE 2016).
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following proposed PLAN Hermosa policies address public schools:
Policies
Land Use + Design Element
• 7.3 School modernization upgrades. Support HBCSD plans to renovate and modernize
school facilities to meet growing capacity needs in a manner that minimizes burdens to
adjacent neighborhoods.
• 7.6 Education impact fees. Coordinate with school districts in assessment of the impact of
new development on existing public educational facilities.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-6. Develop an inventory of underutilized or surplus property that may be
appropriate for City or School District use or purchase to serve community education and recreational needs in the future.
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• MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points, a proposed network, education and enforcement programs
to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School Program.
• PARKS-6. Continue, renew, and expand as needed, joint use agreements with the School District to allow community use of school fields and facilities.
• PARKS-7. Partner with the School District, community groups, and neighboring communities
to identify and apply for grant opportunities to maintain, enhance, and expand park and
recreational opportunities.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.4-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Additional School Facilities? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in an increase in student enrollment in public schools. New or expanded school high school facilities would not be required, but the
addition of K–8 students in the Hermosa Beach City School District would
contribute to existing and future overcrowding in the district’s two schools. The HBCSD has identified options for providing additional capacity to address existing and future enrollment, which would be required regardless of whether PLAN
Hermosa is adopted and implemented. Payment of applicable fees in
accordance with SB 50 would fully mitigate the impacts associated with the development of additional school facilities. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa could increase the city’s population by 660 (3 percent) compared to existing
conditions, which would result in additional students in the HBCSD and in the attendance areas of Mira Costa and Redondo Union high schools. The two schools in the HBCSD already have
enrollments that exceed permanent classroom capacity. If all population growth were to occur
in the near term, the additional students in the HBCSD would further contribute to existing
overcrowding in the district’s two schools and would add to future projected enrollment through 2023 that would exceed capacity. The overcrowded condition would exist regardless of whether
PLAN Hermosa is adopted and implemented. However, exceeding school capacity in and of itself
is not considered a physical impact under CEQA. The school district has developed a facilities
plan identifying options for providing additional facility space and will address the need for expansion of school facilities or development of new school facilities. As noted above, School
Bond Measure S provides $59 million for funding improvements that include the construction of a
new school on the site of North School as well as renovations at Hermosa Valley School and
Hermosa View School. As of the date of the release of this EIR, the HBCSD has not released an environmental review document related to these improvements. Potential environmental impacts
from these school improvements include air quality (construction pollutant emissions), cultural
resources (impacts to undiscovered resources during construction), greenhouse gas emissions from construction and operation, soil stability and erosion, construction and operational water quality, accidental release of hazardous materials during construction, construction, traffic and
operational noise, and traffic impacts from construction traffic, operational traffic and potential
safety conflicts with pedestrian and bicycle use. Future projects developed under PLAN Hermosa would be required to pay applicable fees consistent with SB 50.
The addition of PLAN Hermosa population to existing enrollment at Mira Costa High School would
not result in enrollment levels that would exceed capacity; however, it would contribute to
projected capacity exceedance at Redondo Union High School
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California Government Code Section 65995 specifies that the environmental impact of new development on school facilities is considered fully mitigated through the payment of required
development impact fees under SB 50. All new development proposed and approved, including
any future development allowed by PLAN Hermosa, would be required to pay applicable development impact fees. Furthermore, any significant expansion of school facilities or development of new school facilities would be subject to the appropriate CEQA environmental
review prepared by the respective school districts, which would identify and address any site-
specific impacts. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
School facilities impacts are associated with a specific district, each of which defines its own attendance boundaries. Although a school may have an attendance boundary that
encompasses more than one jurisdiction, the cumulative effect would be limited to the district
itself. Thus, the cumulative context for impacts discussed below is the HBCSD for grades K–8 and
the Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach unified school districts for grades 9–12.
IMPACT 4.13.4-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Increase Demand for Schools? Population
growth associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with
other existing, planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable
development in the Hermosa Beach City Unified School District, Manhattan Beach Unified School District, and Redondo Beach Unified School District, could
result in a cumulative increase in student enrollment, which could result in the
need for new or expanded public school facilities. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the need for new or expanded school facilities would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Cumulative development in the three districts would result in increased enrollments. For the
HBCSD, the increase would only be attributable to PLAN Hermosa because the district’s attendance boundary corresponds to the city jurisdictional boundary. There would be no
additional impact beyond that described in Impact 4.13.4-1, which was determined to be less
than significant.
It would be speculative for the City to forecast 2040 enrollments for all high schools in the districts because the schools are not operated by the City, and the City is not involved in school planning.
Further, enrollments may fluctuate on a short-term basis, based on changes to demographic and
economic conditions. For the two high school districts, student enrollment projections are not
available for 2040. The City has relied on enrollment projections provided by the school districts and has disclosed publicly available information. However, it is reasonable to assume that future
enrollments in 2040 in the two school districts will be a function of population changes and
changes to land use plans which may increase population. Using projections developed by the
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach combined, there would be an additional 8,800 people and 4,800 households, respectively
over the next 25 years. This growth can be expected to increase enrollment in the high schools.
(Students from outside these cities may also attend high schools in the districts, though they would
not represent a substantial portion of enrollment.)
PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to combined population and household growth of the three-city
area would represent approximately 6 percent. New or expanded facilities that the individual
districts may determine are necessary to accommodate students by 2040 would be subject to
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environmental review and any necessary mitigation, which would be the responsibility of the school districts, and the cities would levy SB 50 fees for such development. Based on the foregoing,
and given the provisions of SB 50, PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to cumulative impacts on the need
for new or expanded school facilities is less than cumulatively considerable.
If a new or expanded high school facility is later determined by either the MBUSD or the RBUSD to
be required to accommodate student enrollment conditions in the year 2040 and beyond, it could
result in physical environmental effects associated with construction (e.g., air quality, special-
status species and habitats, cultural resources, geological resources, greenhouse gases, water quality and drainage, noise) as well as operational impacts (e.g., air quality, greenhouse gases, water quality, land use, noise, public services and utilities), depending on the location of the new
facilities. Because those improvements are not known, it would be speculative to determine the
exact extent of those impacts, if any, at this time. Additional evaluation is not required, as provided under CEQA Guidelines Section 15145 pertaining to speculation.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.5 PARKS AND RECREATION
4.13.5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-16 describes the regional and local conditions related to parks and recreation in
Hermosa Beach. Key findings of the environmental setting are presented below.
PARK FACILITIES
The City owns, operates, and maintains many developed park and recreation facilities providing
green space, picnic facilities, a skateboard park, tennis courts, lawn bowling, and space for sporting events, as well as a community garden. The Strand and the Greenbelt offer city-long paths. Following a ballot initiative (Measure O in 1986), voter approval is required for redesignation
of parkland designated Open Space in the General Plan to any other use.
The Hermosa Beach Community Resources Department administers the City’s recreation programs, which offer a variety of recreational activities for participants of all ages, and facilitates
the rental of City facilities for private events. Figure 4.13-1 (Parks and Public Facilities) identifies
locations of public services and spaces in the planning area, including parks. Three facilities—
Valley Park, Clark Stadium, and South Park—support activities and sport leagues for both youth and adult participants. Clark Stadium also includes space for lawn bowling. The Clark Building,
located at 861 Valley Drive, has a multipurpose hall and lighted sports fields. A farmers market is
held at South Park and at Pier Plaza. South Park, located at 425 Valley Drive, includes lawn areas,
a play area, and a community garden.
Hermosa Beach includes approximately 42.3 acres of parkland and 63.4 acres of public beaches
(see Table 4.13-2 [Parks and Community Facilities in Hermosa Beach]). The City does not have an
established goal or standard for open space or parkland. With 19,772 residents in 2015 and 105.7
acres of accessible open space or parkland in Hermosa Beach, the City provides approximately 5.3 acres of parkland and public beaches per 1,000 residents. This ratio is above the goal or
standard of 4 acres set by many cities in Los Angeles County and above the standard of 3 acres
per 1,000 residents required under the Quimby Act.
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The Hermosa Valley Greenbelt/Trail, located between Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue, runs the length of the planning area and connects to Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. The
Greenbelt provides a walking and jogging trail. Also located in the planning area are Ardmore
Park (491 Ardmore Avenue) and Bicentennial Park (Valley Drive and 4th Street).
The Community Center and Hermosa Beach Community Theater are located at 710 Pier Avenue,
at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue. This complex includes a community
center with meeting rooms, senior center, large and small theaters, gymnasium, skate park, tennis
courts, and the Hermosa Beach Museum. The P.A.R.K. (Positive Active Recreation for Kids) Program is an after-school program offered at the Hermosa Beach Community Center and South Park for Hermosa Beach residents, emphasizing active recreation for children in first through eighth grades.
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FIGURE 4.13-1
PARKS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
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LIFEGUARD AND BEACH MANAGEMENT
The City of Hermosa Beach owns 63.4 acres of public beaches, including 1.8 miles of shoreline and
the Hermosa Pier. With annual beach attendance of 3.8 million visitors in fiscal year 2010–11,
ocean protection and lifeguard services are important public services to protect public safety along the city’s beaches and coastal areas. The City contracts with the Los Angeles County Fire
Department’s Lifeguard Division for these services. The Lifeguard Division consists of 150 full-time
and 700 seasonal lifeguards throughout Los Angeles County.
The Lifeguard Division operates out of four sectional headquarters, one of which is located in Hermosa Beach. The Hermosa Beach sectional headquarters staffs a 24-hour emergency medical
technician response unit and is connected to the 911 system.
TABLE 4.13-2
PARKS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN HERMOSA BEACH
Park Name Address Park Type Size (acres)
1 Shaffer Park Ingleside Ave & 33rd Place Parkette <0.1
2 Valley Park Valley Dr & Gould Ave Park 8.8
3 Valley Greenbelt Trail/Open Space 19
4 Sea View Park Prospect Ave & 19th St Park 0.3
5 Scout Parkette Prospect Ave & 14th St Parkette <0.1
6 Greenwood Park PCH & Aviation Blvd Park 0.5
7 Fort Lots-o-Fun Prospect Ave & 6th St Park 0.4
8 Edith Rodaway Friendship Park Prospect Ave Park 0.8
9 4th & Prospect Parkette 4th St & Prospect Ave Parkette <0.1
10 Oceanview Parkette 3rd St Parkette <0.1
11 Moondust Parkette 2nd St Parkette <0.1
12 City Beach, Strand Pier Trail/Open Space 63.4
13 Noble Park 1400 The Strand Park 0.8
14 Clark Stadium/Lawn Bowling Green 861 Valley Dr Park 6.6
15 8th & Valley Parkette 8th St & Valley Dr Parkette <0.1
16 South Park 425 Valley Dr Park 4.5
17 Ardmore Park 491 Ardmore Park Park 0.2
18 Bicentennial Park Valley Dr & 4th St Park 0.4
19 Kay Etow Parkette Herondo St Parkette <0.1
Total 105.7
Facility Name Address Park Type Size (acres)
20 Hermosa Beach Community Center 710 Pier Ave Community Center 4.8
21 View School 1800 Prospect Ave School 4.6
22 Valley School 1645 Valley Dr School 8.8
23 North School 417 25th St School 1.8
Total 20.0
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015b
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BEACHES
Hermosa Beach is known for its beach, surfing, and The Strand, a paved path that parallels the
beach, connecting Hermosa Beach to neighboring beach cities. The City owns the wide beach
that runs the length of the planning area and serves both locals and visitors. The Strand is also part of the statewide California Coastal Trail system.
As a beach community, Hermosa Beach experiences a high visitor population. During fiscal year
2010–11, monthly beach attendance ranged from a low of 94,300 in December 2010 to a high of
939,000 in July 2010 (Los Angeles County Fire Department 2012). Total beach attendance in fiscal year 2010–11 was up 18.5 percent from fiscal year 2009–10 to 3,763,700.
The total number of residents and visitors on a weekday afternoon is 48,600 people, approximately
2.5 times the total city population. On a weekday evening, the number is just over 60,000 people, and on a weekend afternoon, approximately 108,000 people, or 5.5 times the total city population. Most of the visitors come from 10 miles away or less (Fehr & Peers 2014). The Hermosa
Pier is 1,228 feet long and offers year-round fishing. The pier contains the Surfer’s Walk of Fame,
where surfing legends from Hermosa Beach are commemorated with bronze plaques embedded
in the pier’s walking surface. In addition to surfing, recreational beach activities include volleyball,
skating and skateboarding, jogging, and bicycling. Special events throughout the year are
primarily focused on the beach, the adjacent Pier Plaza, and the Downtown area.
4.13.5.2 REGULATORY SETTING
The following state and local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to public services and recreation in the planning area.
STATE
• Quimby Act: As part of approval of a final tract or parcel map, the Quimby Act allows a
city to require dedication of land, the payment of in-lieu fees, or a combination of both to
be used for the provision of parks and recreational services. Cities can require land or in-
lieu fees for a minimum of 3 acres per 1,000 residents, with the possibility of increasing the requirement to a maximum of 5 acres per 1,000 residents if the city already provides more
than 3 acres per 1,000 residents.
• California Coastal Act: The California Coastal Act of 1976 and the California Coastal
Commission, the state’s coastal protection and planning agency, were established by voter initiative in 1972 to plan for and regulate new development, and create strong
policies to protect public access to and along the shoreline. To ensure that maximum
public access to the coast and public recreation areas is provided, the Coastal Act directs each local government lying within the Coastal Zone to prepare a Local Coastal Program (LCP) consistent with Section 30501 of the Coastal Act, in consultation with the Coastal
Commission and with public participation. Provisions of the Coastal Act related to public
services, utilities, and recreation are summarized below.
Until an LCP has been adopted by the local jurisdiction and certified compliant with the
Coastal Act, the Coastal Commission retains permitting authority within the local
jurisdiction. A coastal development permit is required for development in the Coastal Zone
that results in changes to the density or intensity of the use of land, changes in water use, and impacts to coastal access.
− Section 30210. Access; recreational opportunities; posting. In carrying out requirements
of Section 4 of Article X of the California Constitution, maximum access, which shall be
conspicuously posted, and recreational opportunities shall be provided for all of the
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people consistent with public safety needs and the need to protect public rights, rights of private property owners, and natural resource areas from over use.
− Section 30212.5. Public Facilities; distribution. Wherever appropriate and feasible,
public facilities, including parking areas or facilities, shall be distributed throughout an area so as to mitigate against the impacts, social and otherwise, of overcrowding or overuse by the public of any single area.
− Section 30221. Oceanfront land; protection for recreational use and development.
Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall be protected for recreational use and development unless present and foreseeable future demand for public or
commercial recreational activities that could be accommodated on the property is
already adequately provided for in the area.
− Section 30252. Maintenance and enhancement of public access. The location and amount of new development should maintain and enhance public access to the
coast by (1) facilitating the provision or extension of transit service, (2) providing
commercial facilities within or adjoining residential development or in other areas that
will minimize the use of coastal access roads, (3) providing nonautomobile circulation within the development, (4) providing adequate parking facilities or providing
substitute means of serving the development with public transportation, (5) assuring
the potential for public transit high intensity uses such as high-rise office buildings, and
by (6) assuring that the recreational needs of new residents will not overload nearby coastal recreation areas by correlating the amount of development with local park
acquisition and development plans with the provision of on-site recreational facilities
to serve the new development.
LOCAL
• Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The City’s Municipal Code includes regulations and
standards related to development and operations. Title 12, Street, Sidewalks and Public
Places, establishes development and operations standards for public spaces in the planning area (e.g., parks, sidewalks, the beach).
• Hermosa Beach Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan: The Comprehensive
Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted in 1990 and provides guidance for the
management and orderly development of parks, recreation, and open space facilities and programs in Hermosa Beach. The plan identifies the long-term goals of the community
to be a steward of existing park and recreational spaces, provide recreational resources,
programs, and activities, and promote preservation and interpretation of historical
resources, cultural resources, and natural environments. These goals are supported by specific policies associated with parkland acquisition, classification of parklands, design
and development standards, program and service policies, operation and maintenance
objectives, and economic performance policies.
• Hermosa Beach Local Coastal Program: The LCP consists of the Coastal Land Use Plan (general plan–level policies and maps) and a Local Implementation Program (coastal
zoning code, zoning maps, and implementing ordinances). The Hermosa Beach Coastal
Land Use Plan component, adopted by the City and certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1981, addresses public access and recreation considerations in the Coastal
Zone. The Local Implementation Program of the LCP has not yet been certified and
therefore the City does not have a certified LCP. The Coastal Commission retains the
authority to review and issue coastal development permits in the Coastal Zone.
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The Coastal Land Use Plan includes a statement of philosophy and supporting goals, policies, and programs to “maintain [Hermosa Beach’s] current high level of recreational
access to the coast and its recreational facilities to be consistent with maintaining the
beach in its most natural state” by maximizing access, maintaining availability of low-cost visitor facilities, and establishing and enforcing building and development standards with priority for recreational and visitor-serving uses.
4.13.5.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standards of significance. A parks and recreation impact is significant if implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would:
1) Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated.
2) Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
Evaluation of PLAN Hermosa was based on review of the current facilities, the City’s Municipal
Code, and other relevant literature. This material was compared to the proposed project’s specific parks and recreation service–related impacts. The impact analysis below focuses on whether those impacts would have a significant effect on the physical environment.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following proposed PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address parks and recreation facilities and services:
Policies
Parks + Open Space Element
• 1.1 Diverse programs and facilities. Offer diverse recreational facilities to meet the needs of seniors, youth, families, and persons with disabilities.
• 1.2 Park fees. Require new discretionary development to contribute fees, consistent with
State law, for expanded park space when publicly accessible open space is not provided
on-site.
• 1.3 Creative parks and open space. Encourage creativity and innovation the
development and provision of additional open space or parks, rooftop gardens, park
space integrated into parking structures.
• 1.4 Park expansion opportunities. Consider the purchase of property to create additional parks and open space as opportunities arise to expand existing parks or create new parks.
• 1.5 Shared use agreements. Work with adjacent jurisdictions, the school district, and
private facilities to offer recreational opportunities or activities not available at Hermosa
Beach facilities.
• 2.1 Facility upgrades. Improve and update park and open space facilities on a regular
basis.
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• 2.2 Lighting and visibility. Provide appropriate lighting and visibility within park facilities while avoiding adverse impacts to adjacent properties.
• 2.3 CPTED principles. Utilize “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” (CPTED)
principles in the design and renovation of new and existing parks and open space facilities.
• 2.4 Low-maintenance design. Promote environmentally sustainable and low-maintenance design principles in the renovation, addition, or maintenance of parks and recreation
facilities.
• 3.1 Social and cultural events. Design and program parks and open space to
accommodate unique social and cultural events to foster connectedness and interaction.
• 3.2 Family friendly events. Encourage, permit, and support community group, non-profit,
or business organized events on City property that support physical activity, beach culture,
and family-friendly social interactions.
• 3.3 Commercial use of facilities. Regulate commercial use of City parks and open spaces to ensure activities do not impact general use and enjoyment.
• 3.4 Balance space needs. Balance the space needs and demand on public resources of
formal and informal events.
• 3.5 Health and physical activity. Increase the availability of space and activities that
promote community health and physical activity such as community gardens, fitness
stations/equipment, and fields/courts.
• 3.6 Community gardens. Increase available space and necessary infrastructure to incorporate community gardens plots at parks.
• 4.1 Close proximity to parks. Provide a variety and distribution of parks, open space, and
recreational facilities to ensure close proximity and easy access to all residents.
• 4.2 Enhanced access points. Increase and enhance access to parks and open space, particularly access points that promote physical activity such as pedestrian and bike
oriented access points.
• 4.3 Safe and efficient trail network. Develop a network of safe and efficient trails, streets,
and paths that connect residents, visitors, and neighboring communities to the beach, parks, and activity centers.
• 4.4 ADA accessible park access. Ensure all park access points and facilities are ADA
accessible.
• 4.5 Parking to parks. Consider converting parking areas adjacent to parks into additional
greenspace, as access to parks for alternative modes is enhanced.
Implementation Actions
• LAND USE-6. Develop an inventory of underutilized or surplus property that may be
appropriate for City or School District use or purchase to serve community education and recreational needs in the future.
• MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and
electric vehicle charging stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
• PARKS-1. Conduct needs assessments and evaluate recreational program offerings to
ensure community needs and priorities are being met. Conduct regular updates to the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
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• PARKS-2. Conduct periodic assessments of public facilities and maintain a list of priority replacement or new facilities projects.
• PARKS-3. Establish parks level of service and level of access standards to prioritize the
development, upgrade, and renovation of parks and open space facilities.
• PARKS-4. Update City standards and fees related to the provision of parks and open space and sustainable funding source for providing high quality and well maintained facilities.
• PARKS-5. Construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities at street ends as they
intersect with The Strand.
• PARKS-6. Continue, renew, and expand as needed, joint use agreements with the School
District to allow community use of school fields and facilities.
• PARKS-7. Partner with the School District, community groups, and neighboring communities
to identify and apply for grant opportunities to maintain, enhance, and expand park and recreational opportunities.
• PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or
avoiding negative effects on the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
• PARKS-17. Identify and remove and unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit visibility of public coastal access points.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.5-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Additional Park Facilities? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could increase demand for parks and recreation services. Existing
park acreage would continue to meet the Quimby Act standard of 3 acres per
1,000 residents. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would require the provision of new parks and recreation facilities and ongoing parkland
maintenance to prevent deterioration of existing facilities. Therefore, this impact
would be less than significant.
Impacts to Existing Facilities
An increase in population resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa may place greater
demands on existing parks or recreational facilities in the planning area such that deterioration of
these facilities could occur or be accelerated. Development consistent with PLAN Hermosa would
result in about 660 new residents, a 3 percent increase in potential park users.
PLAN Hermosa Parks + Open Space Element policies and implementation actions would ensure
that adequate parks and recreational facilities are provided to accommodate the anticipated
increase in new residents. Policy 1.1 would offer diverse recreational facilities to meet the needs
of seniors, youth, families, and persons with disabilities. Policy 1.4 would consider the purchase of property to create additional parks and open space as opportunities arise to expand existing
parks or create new parks. Policy 2.1 would improve and update park and open space facilities
on a regular basis. In addition, implementation actions would ensure that adequate parks and
recreational facilities are provided to accommodate the anticipated increase in new residents. PARKS-9 would install accessible walkways onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative
effects on the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment. PARKS-17 would identify and
remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit visibility
of public coastal access points. PARKS-6 would serve to reduce potential impacts by continuing, renewing, and expanding as needed, joint use agreements with the school district to allow
community use of school fields and facilities.
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Potential Need for New Facilities
The planning area includes approximately 42 acres of parkland and 63 acres of public beaches
(see Table 4.13-2). Hermosa Beach does not have an established goal or standard for open space
or parkland. With 19,772 residents in 2015 and 105.7 acres of accessible open space or parkland
in Hermosa Beach, the City provides approximately 5.3 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. This ratio is above the goal of 4 acres per 1,000 residents set by many cities in Los Angeles County and
above the standard of 3 acres per 1,000 residents required under the Quimby Act. With PLAN
Hermosa, the ratio would be approximately 5.2 acres per 1,000 residents. Although there would be a decrease, the ratio would remain above the Quimby Act standard. The existing parkland in the city is adequate, as it currently exceeds the amount of parkland required by the Quimby Act.
The adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa and the associated increase in population
would not trigger the need for new parks. Therefore, there would not be physical impacts resulting
from the creation of new or expanded parks or park facilities.
PLAN Hermosa Parks + Open Space Element policies and implementation actions would ensure
that adequate parks and recreational facilities are provided to accommodate the anticipated
increase in new residents. Policy 1.1 would offer diverse recreational facilities to meet the needs of seniors, youth, families, and persons with disabilities. Policy 1.2 would require new discretionary
development to contribute fees, consistent with state law, for expanded park space when
publicly accessible open space is not provided on-site. Policy 1.4 would consider the purchase of
property to create additional parks and open space as opportunities arise to expand existing parks or create new parks. Policy 2.1 would improve and update park and open space facilities
on a regular basis. In addition, implementation actions would ensure that adequate parks and
recreational facilities are provided to accommodate the anticipated increase in new residents.
PARKS-9 would install accessible walkways onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment. PARKS-17 would identify and
remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs and fences that inhibit visibility
of public coastal access points. PARKS-6 would serve to reduce potential impacts by continuing,
renewing, and expanding as-needed, joint-use agreements with the school district to allow community use of school fields and facilities.
Implementation of the above proposed policy provisions could result in environmental impacts
associated with construction (e.g., air quality, special-status species and habitats, cultural
resources, geological resources, greenhouse gases, water quality and drainage, noise) as well as operational impacts (e.g., air quality, greenhouse gases, water quality, land use, noise, public
services and utilities) depending on the location of new recreation facilities. This EIR
programmatically evaluates development and improvements in the city associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Subsequent review of project-specific park projects would be completed to determine the extent of site-specific environmental review that will be required.
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would maintain existing parks and recreation
facilities for residents, including maintenance to prevent deterioration of existing parks. Therefore, impacts on parks and recreation facilities and services would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative setting for parks impacts includes existing, approved, proposed, and reasonably
foreseeable development in Hermosa Beach and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments
(COG) planning area.
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IMPACT 4.13.5-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Increase Demand for Parks and Recreation Facilities? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, along with other existing, planned,
proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the South
Bay Cities COG planning area, could increase the use of existing parks and require additional park and recreation facilities in the cumulative setting, the provision of which could have an adverse physical effect on the environment.
However, PLAN Hermosa would continue to provide adequate parks and
recreation facilities within the city to accommodate existing and future demand and would not result in the need to construct new or expanded facilities. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Development in Hermosa Beach that may result with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa, as
well as development in nearby cities in the South Bay Cities COG planning area, would increase the population of the area, thereby potentially increasing the need for additional or expanded
parkland and recreational facilities. Residents of other cities or unincorporated areas lacking in
parkland or recreation facilities may travel to an adjacent city to use such facilities, thereby
increasing the use and furthering deterioration of those facilities, or resulting in the need for new or expanded facilities. However, PLAN Hermosa would not contribute to this potential impact
because there would be sufficient parks and community facilities in the city to serve the future
population, as indicated in Impact 4.13.5-1. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa would have a less than cumulatively considerable impact on parks and regional recreation facilities and services.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.6 LIBRARY FACILITIES
4.13.6.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The Hermosa Beach Public Library, operated by the County of Los Angeles Public Library, is 6,496
square feet and contains six public computers, two children’s computers, two early literacy
computers, and free Wi-Fi. The library has a children’s area, teen space, and a book drop that is accessible 24 hours. The online collection and research tools are available 24 hours a day.
4.13.6.2 REGULATORY SETTING
No federal, state, and local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to library services in the planning area.
4.13.6.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standard of significance. A library impact is considered significant if implementation of the
proposed project would:
1) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response
times, or other performance objectives for library services.
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ANALYSIS APPROACH
The analysis of library impacts is based on information presented in the Technical Background
Report about existing library conditions and a qualitative assessment as to whether the
approximately 3 percent increase in city population would result in the need for new or expanded library facilities.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
PLAN Hermosa does not include policies or implementation actions addressing library services.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.6-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Additional Library Facilities? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could increase the demand for library services. However, the City would not need to expand or construct library facilities to meet recommended standards. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
With the slight increase in population (around 3 percent over 20 years) and new development and redevelopment anticipated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, minimal additional demands would be placed on library services. The Hermosa Beach Public Library is 6,496 square
feet and contains multiple public computers. Development consistent with PLAN Hermosa would
not induce population growth that would require the provision of additional library space. Additionally, the City, in conjunction with Los Angeles County, has initiated a community needs
assessment to determine the physical space and service offerings needed to adequately serve
the community of Hermosa Beach. The impact would be less than significant.
As noted above, the City is considering improvements to the library. No specific recommendations or designs have been established so that specific physical impacts to the environment can be
identified. However, construction activities could result impacts related to air quality (construction
pollutant emissions), cultural resources (undiscovered resources), greenhouse gas emissions from
construction, soil stability and erosion, construction water quality, accidental release of hazardous materials during construction, construction noise, and construction traffic impacts. These issues
have been programmatically evaluated in this EIR. Subsequent review of project-specific facility
improvements would be completed to determine the extent of site-specific environmental review
that will be required.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Although there is no defined boundary for cumulative impacts to library facilities, residents of a city lacking in library facilities may travel to an adjacent city to use such facilities, thereby
increasing the use and furthering deterioration of those facilities. Development in Hermosa Beach
that may result with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa, as well as existing, approved, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable development in nearby cities in Los Angeles County,
would increase the population of the area, thereby increasing the need for additional or
expanded library facilities.
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IMPACT 4.13.6-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Increase Demand for Library Facilities? Population growth associated with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in
combination with other existing, planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably
foreseeable development in the cumulative setting, would not result in a cumulative increase in demand for library services. This would be less than cumulatively considerable impact.
With the slight increase in population and new development and redevelopment anticipated
with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, minimal additional demands would be placed on library services. Additionally, while future growth in nearby cities could also result in use of the Hermosa Beach Library, the library, as well as all public libraries in the county, are operated by the Los
Angeles County Public Library. The Los Angeles County library system has over 90 public libraries.
A cumulative increase in use at these facilities may in fact result in a need for new or expanded facilities. However, as discussed in Impact 4.13.6-1, the Hermosa Beach Public Library would have
adequate space for additional demands with implementation of PLAN Hermosa. Therefore,
cumulative impacts on library facilities would be less than cumulatively significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.7 WATER SUPPLY AND SERVICE; WASTEWATER SERVICE; STORM DRAINAGE
4.13.7.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-16 describes the regional and local conditions related to water supply, wastewater,
and drainage in Hermosa Beach. Key findings of the environmental setting are presented below.
WATER
Hermosa Beach is located in the California Water Service Company’s (Cal Water) Hermosa-Redondo District. The service area encompasses the cities of Hermosa Beach and Redondo
Beach and a portion of Torrance. The district supplies are a combination of surface water,
groundwater, and recycled water. Purchased water from the West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD), one of 27 member agencies of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern
California, satisfies 85 to 90 percent of the district’s water demand. The MWD operates five water
treatment plants. The Robert B. Diemer Treatment Plant, which provides treated surface water to
coastal Los Angeles County and areas of Orange County, has a treatment capacity of 520 million gallons per day. Groundwater extracted from the West Coast Basin Silverado aquifer comprises
10 to 15 percent of the district’s water demand. Cal Water’s adjudicated right of the safe yield of
the groundwater basin is 4,070 acre-feet per year (afy). However, Cal Water does not currently
have the ability to sustain production and delivery of this quantity and only normally produces approximately 2,000 afy. Recycled water generally makes up approximately 1 percent of the total water supplied to customers in the district (Cal Water 2011).
Cal Water has an Imported Water Purchase Agreement with the WBMWD. The agreement
establishes base, tier allocations, and purchase commitment requirements. Under the latest agreement, Cal Water’s Tier 1 maximum allocation is 70,000 afy. The Hermosa-Redondo District
shares in the combined allocations with three other Cal Water service districts. The Hermosa-
Redondo allocation is 16,800 afy.
Table 4.13-3 (Hermosa-Redondo District Water Supply and Demand 2010 through 2040) summarizes water supply sources and demand for the period 2010 through 2040, as presented in
the district’s 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). The 2010 UWMP estimated future water
demand for the service area through 2040 based on district-estimated population and a per
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capita demand factor.2 Groundwater and recycled water are available in all hydrologic years in the amounts shown in Table 4.13-3. As demand increases, Cal Water purchases water from the
WBMWD to provide the balance of supply to meet customer demands. As shown, as demand
increases, the supply is adjusted to meet the demand. Cal Water has determined that no supply deficiencies are expected and supplies will be reliable for its service area through the planning horizon of the 2010 UWMP under normal year, single dry-year, and multiple dry-year scenarios (Cal
Water 2011).
TABLE 4.13-3
HERMOSA-REDONDO DISTRICT SUPPLY AND DEMAND, 2010–2040 (ACRE-FEET PER YEAR)
Supply and Demand 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
Supply and Demand Comparison – Normal Year
WBMWD 10,850 10,291 10,680 11,080 11,489 11,910
Groundwater 3,500 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070
Recycled 155 159 162 166 169 173
Total Supply 14,506 14,519 14,912 15,315 15,728 16,152
Total Demand 14,506 14,519 14,912 15,315 15,728 16,152
Supply and Demand Comparison – Single Dry Year
WBMWD 11,304 10,475 11,147 11,559 11,981 12,415
Groundwater 3,500 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070
Recycled 155 159 162 166 169 173
Total Supply 14,960 14,974 15,379 15,795 16,221 16,658
Total Demand 14,960 14,974 15,379 15,795 16,221 16,658
Supply and Demand Comparison – Multiple Dry Year 1
WBMWD 10,200 9,640 10,011 10,393 10,784 —
Groundwater 3,500 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070 —
Recycled 155 159 162 166 169 —
Total Supply 13,855 13,868 14,244 14,628 15,023 —
Total Demand 13,855 13,868 14,244 14,628 15,023 —
Supply and Demand Comparison – Multiple Dry Year 2
WBMWD 10,350 9,862 10,240 10,626 11,024 —
Groundwater 3,500 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070 —
Recycled 156 159 163 166 170 —
Total Supply 14,006 14,092 14,472 14,863 15,264 —
Total Demand 14,006 14,092 14,472 14,863 15,264 —
2 Specific demand by jurisdiction is not identified in the UWMP. The UWMP also compared its projections to population
estimates for 2035 developed by SCAG. At the time the 2010 UWMP was prepared, the 2008 RTP was the most current adopted growth forecast, and the service area population was forecast at approximately 102,000. Based on draft 2016 RTP projections, the service area population for 2040 (which includes PLAN Hermosa) would be 102,790. However, the 2010 UWMP reflects the higher population developed by the district for projecting population-based water demand.
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Supply and Demand 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
Supply and Demand Comparison – Multiple Dry Year 3
WBMWD 9,710 9,288 9,649 10,021 10,401 —
Groundwater 3,500 4,070 4,070 4,070 4,070 —
Recycled 157 160 163 166 171 —
Total Supply 13,367 13,518 13,883 14,258 14,642 —
Total Demand 13,367 13,518 13,883 14,258 14,642 —
2010 UWMP Population Projections
District-Estimated Total Service
Area Population 99,050 101,740 104,500 107,320 110,230 113,200
Not projected in 2010 UWMP
Source: Cal Water 2011, Table 2.2-2, Tables 5.2-4 through 5.2-6
WASTEWATER
The City of Hermosa Beach provides wastewater collection services in the planning area. The
sanitary sewer system network comprises approximately 37 miles of sewer lines. Much of the system is believed to have been installed in the late 1920s, although confirmation of this is difficult. The
majority of the original system is concrete, with recent replacements of clay pipe. The system is
primarily a gravity flow system, with the exception of two pump stations. The effluent collected by
sewer lines is discharged into the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (LACSD) trunk lines, which flow north-northwesterly toward Manhattan Beach (City of Hermosa Beach 2011b).
The LACSD trunk lines flow to the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP), located in Carson.
The JWPCP is one of the largest wastewater plants in the world and is the largest of the LACSD
wastewater treatment plants. The facility provides both primary and secondary treatment and has a total permitted capacity of 400 million gallons per day (mgd).3 The plant serves a population
of approximately 3.5 million people throughout Los Angeles County. Treated discharge from the
plant is transported to the Pacific Ocean through a network of outfalls, which extend 1.5 miles off
the Palos Verdes Peninsula, to a depth of 200 feet (LACSD 2013). The JWPCP currently processes an average flow of 263.1 mgd (LACSD 2015). The projected flow to the JWPCP in its service area
for 2050 is 359 mgd.4
STORM DRAINAGE
Hermosa Beach is part of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, which has an annual discharge of
more than 30 billion gallons of stormwater and urban runoff each year through 200 outlets. Urban
runoff is caused by precipitation falling on impermeable pavement.
Urban runoff (stormwater) flows from inland locations through the city to the Pacific Ocean through a network of underground drainage pipes identified in Figure 4.8-1 in Section 4.8,
Hydrology and Water Quality. The network is a mix of County-owned and City-owned lines that
generally run east to west along major roads, including 16th Street, Pier Avenue, and 2nd Street. The underground storm drain system is discontinuous, and in some areas of the city storm runoff
3 The JWPCP operates under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit CA 0053813 issued by the Los
Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Order No. R4-2011-0151).
4 Estimates of future flows as presented in the Clearwater Program Final Facilities Master Plan (LACSD 2012, p. 4-20), which assumes a per capita generation of 83 gallons per capita per day and the current conveyance system configuration.
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flows on the surface of streets. Minor localized street flooding is common throughout many areas of the city. This existing condition is the result of a combination of the city’s flat topography and
smaller, frequent storm events in which runoff flows into inlets, drains, and sumps where there is
insufficient capacity to contain the runoff until the storm subsides. In some locations, where there is neither storm drain nor gutter, runoff is not always contained within the street. Most of the deficiencies are in the western part of the city: the Valley Drive/Ardmore Drive area, along
Hermosa Avenue, and the Gould Avenue/27th Street area. The City has implemented some
improvements to improve capacity, and additional capacity improvements will be constructed as funding allows.
The storm drain system generally terminates through 11 outfalls at the west end of the city on the
beach or directly into the Pacific Ocean. Severe storm events combined with high tides and/or
obstruction of the mouth of storm drain outfalls by sand has caused flooding at private properties along The Strand. The underlying cause of this condition, at least in part, is the increased width of
the sandy beach over time, leading to periodic burial of the outfall openings. The City’s Public
Works Department routinely maintains the opening of beach outfalls through a memorandum of
understanding with the County.
The City of Hermosa Beach and the County of Los Angeles are co-permittees on a Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit in the planning area. The City is responsible for the
development, implementation, and enforcement of stormwater runoff and drainage
requirements to protect local and coastal water quality. As noted in Section 4.8, Hydrology and Water Quality, future projects proposed in Hermosa Beach under the Beach Cities Enhanced
Watershed Management Plan include the Hermosa Beach Infiltration Trench project, the Hermosa
Beach Greenbelt Infiltration project, and two green street projects. While the focus of these future
projects is water quality protection, controlling the rate and volume of runoff into these features is a key component of their effectiveness.
4.13.7.2 REGULATORY SETTING
The following federal, state, and local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to water and wastewater services in the planning area.
FEDERAL
• Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): Authorized by the Clean Water Act in 1972, the NPDES permit program controls water pollution by
regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Any
industrial, municipal, or other facility which discharges directly to surface waters must
obtain permits through the authorized states. In California, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) serves as the authorized agency to issue NPDES permits.
STATE
• Sewer System Management Plan: The SWRCB adopted new policies in December 2004
requiring wastewater collection providers to report sanitary sewer overflows and to
prepare and implement sewer system management plans (SSMP). SSMP requirements are
modeled on proposed federal capacity, management, operations, and maintenance
plans. The SSMP policy requires dischargers to provide adequate capacity in the sewer collection system, take feasible steps to stop sewer overflows, identify and prioritize system deficiencies, and develop a plan for disposal of grease, among other requirements. In
addition, wastewater providers must now report sanitary sewer overflows to the Los
Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, keep internal records of these overflows,
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and produce an annual report on overflows. Overflows from laterals on private property, if caused by an owner, are not required to be reported.
• Senate Bill 610: SB 610 (Section 21151.9 of the Public Resources Code and Section 10910 et
seq. of the California Water Code) requires the preparation of water supply assessments for large developments (e.g., for projects of 500 or more residential units; 500,000 square feet of retail commercial space; or 250,000 square feet of office commercial space).
• Urban Water Management Planning Act: The California Urban Water Management Planning
Act of 1983 requires that each urban water supplier providing water for municipal purposes
either directly or indirectly to more than 3,000 customers or supplying more than 3,000 acre-
feet of water annually prepare, update, and adopt its urban water management plan
(UWMP) at least once every five years on or before December 31, in years ending in 5 and
0. The plan describes and evaluates sources of water supply, projected water needs, conservation, implementation strategy, and schedule. The Hermosa-Redondo District of the
California Water Service Company, the City’s water supplier, adopted its 2010 UWMP in 2011.
REGIONAL
• Enhanced Watershed Management Plan for Beach Cities (EWMP): Following adoption of the MS4 permit, the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and
Torrance, together with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, collectively referred
to as the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group (Beach Cities WMG) agreed to collaborate on the development of an Enhanced Watershed Management Program
(EWMP) for the Santa Monica Bay and Dominguez Channel Watershed areas within their
jurisdictions (referred to as the Beach Cities EWMP Area). Under Part IV.C of the MS4 permit
(Watershed Management Program), the permittees are afforded the flexibility to develop watershed management programs to implement the requirements of the permit on a
watershed scale through customized strategies, control measures, and best management
practices. The Beach Cities EWMP summarizes watershed-specific water quality priorities
identified by the Beach Cities WMG; outlines the program plan, including specific strategies, control measures, and best management practices to achieve water quality
targets; and describes the quantitative analysis completed to support target achievement
and permit compliance. A timeline, estimated costs, and potential funding sources are
also described in the EWMP. Currently, regional best management practices have been constructed within the Beach Cities EWMP planning area, including two in Hermosa Beach
(Pier Avenue Improvement project and Hermosa Strand Infiltration Trench project). Future
projects proposed in Hermosa Beach are the Hermosa Beach Infiltration Trench project,
the Hermosa Beach Greenbelt Infiltration project, and two green street projects. The projects in Hermosa Beach have not been funded, and a schedule for implementation
has not been developed. The Beach Cities EWMP was approved by the Los Angeles
RWQCB on April 18, 2016, under its authority to administer the MS4 permit. The EWMP does not establish policies or regulations that the participating cities must impose on new development or redevelopment, nor does the program require the construction of the
specific features identified in the EWMP. However, the approach described in the
Enhanced Watershed Management Program, in combination with the required low impact development–based best management practices that each participating city
must impose on development, is anticipated to protect and potentially improve water
quality in Santa Monica Bay from pollutants in stormwater runoff.
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LOCAL
• Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County: The LACSD serves approximately 5.7 million
people in Los Angeles County through 24 independent special districts. The service area
includes approximately 820 square miles in 78 cities and unincorporated areas in the county. Approximately 1,400 miles of main trunk sewers and 11 wastewater treatment
facilities serve the area. The 23 independent special districts are governed by boards of
directors, consisting of the mayors of each city in the districts and the chair of the County
Board of Supervisors for unincorporated territories. The Hermosa Beach planning area is within the South Bay Cities District of the LACSD.
• Los Angeles Regional Agency (LARA): LARA was approved by the California Integrated
Waste Management Board in 2004 to assist its 14 member cities to achieve Assembly Bill
(AB) 939 recycling goals through a Joint Powers Agreement on a regional basis. The City of Hermosa Beach is a member of LARA, which assists member cities in complying with
recycling requirements.
• Hermosa Beach Capital Improvement Program (CIP): The CIP is a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as a projection of revenue and desire projects for the next five years. The City’s current CIP is a product of extensive public outreach and reflects the spending
priorities of the community including street and highway improvements, sewer/storm drain
improvements, parks improvements, and public buildings and grounds improvements. The commitment for FY 2014–15 was just over $6 million.
• Hermosa Beach Sanitary Sewer Master Plan: The Sanitary Sewer Master Plan provides an
overview of existing conditions and recommends a rehabilitation program for Hermosa
Beach’s sanitary sewer infrastructure. The Master Plan estimates that the entire sanitary sewer system has a replacement value of $40 million. It recommends that the City invest
$7.5 million (present value), plus 20 percent equal to $1.5 million for design and
administration to rehabilitate approximately 95,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipes
through year 2021 (City of Hermosa Beach 2011b). The City adopted a sanitary sewer tax in 2015 to implement the master plan.
• Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The City’s Municipal Code includes regulations and
standards related to development and operations. Title 8, Health and Safety, includes
standards and procedures to protect the health and safety of residents, businesses, and visitors regarding garbage collection and disposal, hazardous materials, nuisances,
sewage and industrial waste, stormwater and urban runoff pollution, and water
conservation and drought management. Title 13, Public Services, identifies fees associated
with sewer connections and the process to establish underground utility districts. Title 15, Buildings and Construction, establishes building and construction standards to protect the
public health, safety, and welfare through fire prevention, abatement of dangerous
buildings, seismic strengthening, and enforcement of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes. Title 16, Subdivisions, identifies standards and procedures for subdividing land in the planning area consistent with the Subdivision Map Act, including park and
recreation area dedication and fees.
• Low Impact Development Ordinance: The City has been requiring low impact development (LID) best management practices for certain residential and commercial
projects since 2010, when it adopted a customized amendment to the California Green
Building Code. As required by the current MS4 permit, Municipal Code Section 8.44.095
(LID Ordinance) sets forth low impact development requirements for new development and redevelopment (Ordinance No. 15-1351). All new development or new building
construction in Hermosa Beach will be required to comply with the LID requirements
regardless of the area of impervious surface or acreage disturbed, which exceeds the
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minimum applicability requirements of the MS4 permit. Consistent with the MS4 permit, redevelopment projects of any type that add or replace more than 5,000 square feet of
impervious surface area will also be required to comply with the LID requirements, with the
further proviso that redevelopment projects located directly adjacent to a significant ecological area will be subject to LID requirements if they propose the addition or replacement of more than 2,500 square feet of impervious surface area.5 The City began
implementing the LID Ordinance requirements in fiscal year 2015–2016.
• Green Street Policy: The City adopted a policy (Resolution No. 15-0013) in 2015 to
implement green street best management practices as elements of street and roadway
projects, including public works capital improvement projects, to the maximum extent
practicable. This policy is intended to demonstrate compliance with the MS4 permit. Water
quality improvement and groundwater replenishment benefits are achieved through designs that minimize impervious area and incorporate bioretention elements (e.g.,
vegetated swales) to facilitate natural pollutant removal while allowing stormwater
retention and/or infiltration.
4.13.7.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standards of significance. A utilities impact is considered significant if implementation of the proposed project would:
1) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality
Control Board.
2) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects.
3) Require or result in the construction of new stormwater drainage facilities or expansion of
existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects.
4) Have insufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements
and resources, or would require new or expanded entitlements.
5) Have inadequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand for wastewater treatment, in addition to the provider’s existing commitments.
ANALYSIS APPROACH
Evaluation of PLAN Hermosa was based on review of the current facilities, the City’s Municipal
Code, and other relevant literature. This material was compared to the plan’s water supply and use-related impacts, as well as impacts related to wastewater. The impact analysis below focuses
on whether those impacts would have a significant effect on the physical environment.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address water supply and use
and wastewater:
5 The complete text of the LID Ordinance may be found at: http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/HermosaBeach/#!/hermosabeach08/HermosaBeach0844.html#8.44.095
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Policies
Public Safety Element
• 1.8 Reduce stormwater runoff. Reduce stormwater runoff consistent with local stormwater
permits.
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 4.2 Building energy disclosure. Require large buildings to report their energy and water use
on a regular basis.
• 5.1 Recycled water facilities. Ensure recycled water supply and distribution facilities are
available throughout the City.
• 5.2 Rainwater collection. Encourage innovative water recycling techniques such as
rainwater capture, use of cisterns, and installation of greywater.
• 5.3 Water conservation programs. Update and improve water conservation and efficiency
programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis.
• 5.4 Conservation behavior. Maximize water conservation and efficiency upgrades through
education, regulation, and incentives covering every aspect of water use.
• 7.1 Permeable pavement. Require the use of permeable pavement in parking lots,
sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas.
Infrastructure Element
• 4.8 Holistic systems planning. Develop a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure
that integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems,
stormwater systems, and increased conservation awareness.
• 5.1 Integration of stormwater best practices. Integrate stormwater infiltration best practices
when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects.
• 5.3 Natural features. Integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees,
into the design of streets and rights-of-way.
• 5.4 Conservation behavior. Encourage community behavior changes to reduce urban
runoff pollution.
• 5.5 Stormwater system maintenance. Maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the City’s stormwater infrastructure.
• 5.6 Stormwater system repairs. Ensure that stormwater system repairs are included in
maintenance plans for other City infrastructure and that repairs and maintenance are
completed in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs.
• 5.7 Stormwater permits. Strictly implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 NPDES permit
requirements.
• 5.8 Low impact development. Require new development and redevelopment projects to
incorporate low impact development (LID) techniques in project designs, including but not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture and clean stormwater runoff.
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Implementation Actions
• SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee
waivers, or permit streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy
efficient, or water conservation equipment.
• SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the
Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies or practices to conserve water.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan
integrating roadway, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems.
− Consider the best available science describing potential climate change impacts as
a basis for preparing the infrastructure plan.
− Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital
Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting and enforcing discretionary development
requirements.
− Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each CIP to ensure it remains consistent with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure
facilities by establishing and applying the following standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation or relocation:
− New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible with,
critical habitat areas, resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service constraints
may not allow relocation away from or full compatibility with such areas and resources.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies,
provide public information and incentives for water conservation best practices.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Install greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks
and community facilities.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and
storage facilities to ensure adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water
plumbing hookups for landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new development and redevelopment projects where recycled water is available or expected
to be available.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought
Management Plan and any implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of water conservation rules.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-14. Ensure adequate and resilient sewer system capacity by establishing
and applying the following development review requirements:
− New development or redevelopment projects involving construction of 8-inch diameter or larger sewers that connect directly or indirectly to the Los Angeles County
Sanitation Districts’ sewer system must prepare a sewer plan identifying that the existing
sewer collection and treatment systems have available capacity to support such an increase, or provide for necessary system upgrades as part of the proposed project.
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• INFRASTRUCTURE-16. Implement a financing plan, including use of the adopted sewer fee and loans, to ensure that resources are available for investment in annual rehabilitation
projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-17. Prepare an annual report for City Council documenting sewer system operations, actions to minimize overflows, incidents of overflows, and their impacts on receiving waters and public health and safety.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.7-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Wastewater Treatment Facilities to Exceed Influent Flows Beyond Permitted Capacity? PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could increase the
amount of wastewater conveyed to and treated by the Joint Water Pollution
Control Plant. However, the volume of flows would not cause the plant’s permitted capacity to be exceeded, and the influent flows would continue to
be domestic sewage, which would not change the quality of the influent
compared to existing conditions. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
The increased population resulting from implementation of PLAN Hermosa could generate
additional wastewater flows that would be treated by the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant
located in Carson. The LACSD has estimated wastewater flows generated by the additional 300 residential units and 630,400 square feet of nonresidential development to be approximately
251,680 gallons per day (or 0.252 mgd) of wastewater (LACSD 2015).6 Currently, the JWPCP treats
an average of 263.1 mgd, which includes flows from Hermosa Beach. The addition of flows from
PLAN Hermosa (0.252 mgd) would increase treated flows to approximately 263.4 mgd, which would not exceed the current 280-mgd primary and secondary treatment capacity or the 400-
mgd permitted capacity of the JWPCP. PLAN Hermosa’s additional flows would represent less
than an approximately 0.1 percent contribution to flows.
Existing flows are typical domestic sewage from residential, retail, office, light industrial, and other commercial uses. Although implementation of PLAN Hermosa would allow additional residential
units and an increase in nonresidential square footage, the overall chemical and physical
characteristics of the sewage flows would not change because the land uses are generally the
same. In addition, any new development or redevelopment of commercial uses would be required to demonstrate compliance with the City’s sewer disposal requirements (Municipal Code Chapter 8.36) to ensure the sewage flows would not violate applicable standards.
PLAN Hermosa implementation action INFRASTRUCTURE-16 would ensure that resources are
available for investment in annual rehabilitation projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes. INFRASTRUCTURE-8 would serve to reduce any potential impacts from implementation of PLAN
Hermosa by improving the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by
establishing and applying specific standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation or relocation. INFRASTRUCTURE-17 requires documentation of sewer system operations to minimize overflows, a record of incidents of overflows, and their impacts on
receiving waters and public health and safety. These actions would ensure the quality of
6 The estimate provided by LACSD was calculated as follows: 300 residential units x 156 gallons/unit/day + 630,400 square
feet nonresidential x 325 gallons/1,000 square feet/day. The LACSD assumed the Shopping Center rate (325 gallons/1,000 square feet) from its “Table 1, Loadings for Each Class of Land Use” as a proxy for the nonresidential uses. Specific land uses such as retail stores and offices have lower rates (e.g., 100 gpd/1,000 square feet and 200 gpd/1,000 square feet, respectively).
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wastewater flows generated in the city that are conveyed to the JWPCP would not change substantially compared to existing conditions, and some improvement may be realized.
Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in an exceedance of the JWPCP’s
permitted capacity or change the quality of influent from the city relative to existing conditions
such that the quality of treated water discharged by the JWPCP would be affected by PLAN
Hermosa’s contribution. PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant impact with regard to
compliance with wastewater treatment requirements.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.13.7-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for New or Expanded Water or Wastewater Treatment Facilities? PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could increase the
demand for potable water and would generate wastewater. However, the demand would not result in the need for the construction or expansion of water
or wastewater treatment facilities that would result in significant environmental
effects because the demand is within existing planned capacity projections of the utility providers. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
PLAN Hermosa could increase the demand for potable water, which would be provided by the
Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District. The primary source of supply to the district is treated water
from the MWD. Potential demand through implementation of PLAN Hermosa would generate demand that is within the 2010 UWMP projections, and the district has determined that existing
and planned supplies are sufficient for its service area through 2040 (see Impact 4.13.7-4, below).
Therefore, PLAN Hermosa would not result in new or expanded water treatment facilities.
As described in Impact 4.13.7-1, PLAN Hermosa’s residential and nonresidential uses would generate an additional 0.252 mgd of wastewater, which would be conveyed to the JWPCP. The
flows can be accommodated within the plant’s existing treatment capacity. The LACSD has
indicated that the regional wastewater conveyance system should be able to accommodate
the additional uses proposed in PLAN Hermosa (LACSD 2015). The City has developed a Sanitary Sewer Master Plan that describes a rehabilitation program for Hermosa Beach’s sanitary sewer
infrastructure, and in 2015 adopted a sanitary sewer tax.
Numerous PLAN Hermosa implementation actions would help reduce water consumption and
wastewater flow. INFRASTRUCTURE-9 would require consultation with Cal Water to provide public information and incentives for water conservation best practices. INFRASTRUCTURE-10 would
require installation of greywater systems and rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community
facilities. INFRASTRUCTURE-1 would serve to reduce potential impacts by creating a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems. The infrastructure plan would be used
as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans and when setting and
enforcing discretionary development requirements and would serve to improve current flooding issues in the city. Each Capital Improvement Plan would be updated as needed to ensure it
remains consistent with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and
state and regional regulation. INFRASTRUCTURE-11 directs City support for Cal Water’s efforts to
construct necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure adequate water supply and proper water system balance. INFRASTRUCTURE-16 would implement a financing plan, including use of a
sewer tax and loans, to ensure that resources are available for investment in annual rehabilitation
projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes. INFRASTRUCTURE-8 would improve the environmental
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compatibility of utility and infrastructure facilities by establishing and applying specific standards to new development and redevelopment projects involving utility installation or relocation.
In addition, the following Sustainability + Conservation Element policies would reduce water
consumption and wastewater flow, which would reduce the demand on conveyance
infrastructure. Policy 4.2 would require large buildings to report their energy and water use on a
regular basis. Policy 5.1 would ensure recycled water supply and distribution facilities are available
throughout the city. Policy 5.3 would update and improve water conservation and efficiency
programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis. Policy 5.4 would maximize water conservation and efficiency upgrades through education, regulation, and incentives covering every aspect of water use.
Therefore, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not result in the need for the construction or
expansion of water or wastewater treatment facilities that would result in significant environmental effects. Impacts on water and wastewater treatment facilities would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.13.7-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Stormwater Drainage Facilities? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in redevelopment in the planning area but would
generally not increase the amount of impervious surface. PLAN Hermosa policies
and implementation actions would direct construction of development projects to include on-site drainage improvements, which would reduce the impact on existing stormwater drainage facilities. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
There are minor localized flooding problems in some areas of the city due to inadequacies in the storm drain system capacity. However, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not exacerbate
the problem because it would not substantially increase the amount of current impervious
surfaces in the city. In fact, as shown in Table 4.9-2 in Section 4.9, Land Use and Planning, the entire
city has only 2.6 vacant acres. This limited amount of vacant land, in combination with the requirements of the City’s Low-Impact Development (LID) Ordinance and Green Streets Policy,
would reduce the potential for a substantial increase in impervious surfaces.
Stormwater that runs over streets and sidewalks can pick up debris and pollutants, which are carried, untreated, into the ocean. To help reduce the amount of pollution from contaminated stormwater, the City has adopted the LID Ordinance and a Green Streets Policy. The LID
Ordinance uses landscape design to retain or filter stormwater runoff, using development
techniques such as rain gardens, permeable pavers, and bioswales. As the Green Streets Policy is
implemented, low impact development will add to the existing fabric of stormwater infrastructure
in Hermosa Beach. Additionally, the Beach Cities Enhanced Watershed Management Plan
summarizes watershed-specific water quality priorities identified by the Beach Cities. The
approach described in the EWMP, in combination with the required LID-based best management practices, is anticipated to protect and potentially improve water quality in Santa Monica Bay from pollutants in stormwater runoff.
New residential and nonresidential development will occur primarily through infill and
redevelopment activities that would occur in areas which are already urbanized. Redevelopment activities may provide opportunities to create new pervious surfaces to facilitate groundwater
infiltration through new greenspace, landscaping, or use of porous pavements. Incorporation of
stormwater management facilities, such as retention basins, swales, or vegetation planted for
evapotranspiration, would reduce drainage loads through the stormwater system. The LID
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Ordinance requires these types of pervious surfaces for qualifying projects. Qualifying projects include the following:
• All redevelopment projects, including single- or multifamily residential projects, adding or
replacing more than 5,000 square feet of impervious surface area
• Industrial parks or sites with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area
• Commercial malls or sites with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area
• Automotive service facilities (SIC 5013, 5014, 5511, 5541, 7532–7534, and 7536–7539) with
5,000 square feet or more of surface area
• Retail gasoline outlets with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area
• Restaurants (SIC 5812) with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area
• Parking lots with 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area or with 25 or more
parking spaces (cumulative on the project site)
• Any redevelopment project located in or directly adjacent to or discharging directly into a significant ecological area (as defined herein), where the development will:
a) Discharge stormwater and dry weather runoff that is likely to impact a sensitive
biological species or habitat; and
b) Create 2,500 square feet or more of impervious surface area
Further, PLAN Hermosa Public Safety Element Policy 1.8 would serve to reduce stormwater runoff
consistent with local stormwater permits. Sustainability + Conservation Element Policy 7.1 would
require the use of permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas. In addition, the following Infrastructure Element policies would serve to reduce
potential impacts. Policy 4.8 would develop a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure
that integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems, stormwater
systems, and increased conservation awareness. Policy 5.1 would integrate stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects.
Policy 5.3 would integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees, into the
design of streets and rights-of-way. Policy 5.4 would encourage community behavior changes to
reduce urban runoff pollution. Policy 5.5 would maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the city’s stormwater infrastructure. Policy 5.6 would ensure that stormwater system repairs are included in
maintenance plans for other city infrastructure and that repairs and maintenance are completed
in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs. Policy 5.7 would strictly implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 NPDES permit requirements. Policy 5.8 would require new development and
redevelopment projects to incorporate low impact development techniques in project designs,
including but not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture
and clean stormwater runoff.
Implementation action INFRASTRUCTURE-1 would serve to reduce potential impacts by creating a
comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan integrating roadway, water, wastewater,
stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure systems. The infrastructure plan would be used
as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans and setting and enforcing discretionary development requirements. Each Capital Improvement Plan would be updated to
ensure it remains consistent with changes in growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change
impacts, and state and regional regulation. Therefore, with implementation of PLAN Hermosa
policies and implementation actions, impacts on stormwater drainage facilities would be less than significant.
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Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.13.7-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Water Supplies Beyond Projections?
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in
a manner that could increase the demand for potable water. However, the demand is within the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan supply-demand
projections adopted by the Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District, and no new
entitlements would be needed. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Development associated with future land uses consistent with PLAN Hermosa would result in a
total of 660 new residents from 2015 to 2040 in the planning area, for a total population of 20,400.
When combined with the SCAG-forecasted population for 2040 for Redondo Beach and the portion of Torrance in the Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District service area, the total estimated population for 2040, based on new forecasts, is approximately 102,790, which only slightly exceeds
the estimate developed by the district based on SCAG forecasts. The combined population in the
service area, with PLAN Hermosa, would also be well under the district’s service area population estimate of 113,200. Because PLAN Hermosa’s water demand is within the supply-demand
projections presented in the 2010 UWMP through 2040, additional water supply entitlements would
not be required for the project.
PLAN Hermosa would reduce the current and future demand for water supply with the following Sustainability + Conservation Element policies. Policy 5.1 would ensure recycled water supply and
distribution facilities are available throughout the city. Policy 5.2 would encourage innovative water
recycling techniques such as rainwater capture, use of cisterns, and installation of greywater
systems. Policy 5.3 would update and improve water conservation and efficiency programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis. Policy 5.4 would maximize water conservation and
efficiency upgrades through education, regulation, and incentives covering every aspect of water
use. In addition, Infrastructure Element Policy 4.8 would develop a comprehensive approach to
water infrastructure that integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems, stormwater systems, and increased conservation awareness.
Implementation action INFRASTRUCTURE-12 would amend the Municipal Code to require the
installation of dual water plumbing infrastructure so that recycled water for landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses may be utilized in new development and redevelopment projects where recycled water is available or expected to be available. INFRASTRUCTURE-9 would
ensure consultation with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies specifically for Hermosa
Beach through 2040. INFRASTRUCTURE-11 directs City support for Cal Water’s efforts to construct
necessary pump and storage facilities to ensure adequate water supply and proper water system
balance. INFRASTRUCTURE-1 would create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure
plan integrating roadway, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility infrastructure
systems. The infrastructure plan would be used as a resource when preparing five-year Capital Improvement Plans and setting and enforcing discretionary development requirements. Each Capital Improvement Plan would be updated to ensure it remains consistent with changes in
growth, traffic, funding sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
The City of Hermosa Beach adopted a Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan Ordinance in 2010 as requested by West Basin/Metropolitan to address water conservation and
provide a mechanism for mandating water conserving methods. The City’s continued
conservation efforts will help it sustain low water use in accordance with the requirements of the
California Water Conservation Bill of 2009 (Senate Bill X7-7), which requires urban water suppliers to reduce per capita water use 20 percent by 2020.
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Therefore, impacts related to water supply would be less than significant because the projected water demand from PLAN Hermosa buildout is within the demands forecast in the 2010 UWMP,
which demonstrates that supply meets the demand in Hermosa Beach. Furthermore, buildout
would not result in any new or expanded water supplies or facilities beyond those planned and assumed in the 2010 UWMP. Impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.13.7-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause the JWPCP to Exceed Capacity for Wastewater Treatment? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could result in the need for additional wastewater
treatment from increased flows. However, the anticipated increase in
wastewater generated would not exceed the capacity of the JWPCP or result in the need for the construction or expansion of wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
As described under Impact 4.13.7-1, wastewater from the city’s system is collected and treated
at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, which has a permitted capacity of 400 mgd. Current flows are approximately 263.1 mgd, well below the facility’s design capacity. It is anticipated that with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, wastewater generation would increase by approximately
0.252 mgd, although the actual amount may be less due to continued water conservation efforts
and the use of recycled water. The JWPCP has capacity to treat the anticipated increase in wastewater attributable to the land use changes and population growth proposed in PLAN Hermosa. Therefore, impacts on wastewater treatment facilities would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative setting for water supply impacts is the Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District service
area. The cumulative setting for wastewater impacts is the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant in
Carson and wastewater conveyance lines operated by the County that discharge to the JWPCP.
IMPACT 4.13.7-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Cumulative Water Supply Impacts? Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the Cal Water Hermosa-Redondo District service area, would increase the demand for water supply.
However, PLAN Hermosa water demand is within the district’s population-based
supply/demand assumptions, and additional supplies would not be required. This
impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Table 4.13-3, above, identifies cumulative water demand and supply through 2040. The Cal Water
Hermosa-Redondo District has determined that sufficient and reliable supply will be available for
its service area under all water year scenarios, as described in Impact 4.13.7-4. PLAN Hermosa’s
demand is within the population-based demand projections developed by the district, and would not result in the need for new or expanded supplies to meet cumulative demand. Therefore, the project’s contribution would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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IMPACT 4.13.7-7 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Cumulative Wastewater Impacts? Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the service area of the
JWPCP, would increase the demand for wastewater treatment. There is sufficient capacity at the JWPCP for projected future demand, which includes flows from Hermosa Beach, and new or expanded facilities would not be required. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Cumulative development in the service area for the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant would result in an estimated future average dry weather flow of 359 mgd (LACSD 2012), which would not exceed the plant’s permitted design capacity of 400 mgd. PLAN Hermosa’s additional
contribution (0.252 mgd) would represent less than 0.07 percent of the future demand, which
would be less than cumulatively considerable, and would not result in the need for new or expanded facilities.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.8 SOLID WASTE
4.13.8.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Hermosa Beach is within the planning area for the County of Los Angeles Countywide Integrated
Waste Management Plan, which is administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Solid waste is disposed of at in-county and out-of-county landfills. There are several
transfer/processing facilities where solid waste collected from the jurisdictions is initially processed,
which reduces the amount of solid waste placed into landfills. In 2014, the total amount of solid
waste disposed of at in-county landfills, transformation facilities, and out-of-county landfills was nearly 9 million tons. Approximately 52 percent of solid waste was delivered to in-county landfills,
and of those in-county landfills nearly 85 percent of the solid waste was disposed of at the Sunshine
Canyon City/County Landfill, Chiquita Canyon Landfill, and Antelope Valley Landfill. The County
does not anticipate a shortfall in permitted solid waste disposal capacity within the county in the next 15 years (LACDPW 2015). The primary out-of-county facilities are the Mid-Valley Sanitary
Landfill and San Timoteo Sanitary Landfill.
Solid waste disposal services in Hermosa Beach are provided by a commercial vendor, Athens
Services, pursuant to an agreement for integrated solid waste management services dated
May 24, 2013 (City of Hermosa Beach 2013c). Athens Services provides collection service,
including recycling, to both residential and commercial properties in the planning area. The
agreement includes a guaranteed 50 percent diversion rate or higher, through the implementation of a “pay as you throw” system as well as a single stream waste recovery and disposal system. After implementation of the new franchise agreement, December 2013 records
showed that Hermosa Beach reached a 50.3 percent diversion rate (City of Hermosa Beach
2013e). Athens Services also provides street sweeping and cleaning services, while Los Angeles County provides beach cleaning services.
Solid waste is hauled to the Athens United Waste Materials Recovery Facility in the City of Industry,
where it is sorted and recycled in compliance with AB 341. The facility has a permitted daily
capacity of 5,000 tons per day. Waste materials are then transported to a variety of landfills identified in the Integrated Solid Waste Management agreement. In 2014, approximately 11,236
tons of solid waste from Hermosa Beach was landfilled (LACDPW 2016). This amount represents
approximately 0.1 percent of the approximately 9 million tons of countywide disposals at landfills
in 2014. Data for the entire year of 2015 are not available at this time.
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The City does not make the determination as to which landfill is used for solid waste generated in Hermosa Beach. Some of the landfills are in Los Angeles County and some are outside the county.
The amount of solid waste generated in Hermosa Beach and delivered by Athens Services to
landfills has shifted in the last few years to more out-of-county disposal. For example, in 2012 and 2013, nearly all of the solid waste generated (approximately 13,000–14,000 tons) was disposed of in-county, primarily at the Sunshine Canyon City/County Landfill. However, in 2014, of the
approximately 11,000 tons of landfilled solid waste from Hermosa Beach, over 8,000 tons
(approximately 72 percent) was delivered out-of-county for disposal (LACDPW 2016). The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (Cal Recycle) calculates per capita
disposal by population and per capita disposal by employee rates for jurisdictions in California.7
The targets and actual rates are jurisdiction-specific indicators of progress toward meeting a 50
percent disposal per capita requirement. CalRecycle generally uses the per resident disposal rate for most jurisdictions when evaluating progress toward meeting targets, unless business disposal is the primary source of solid waste.
Hermosa Beach disposals are aggregated with many other jurisdictions under the Los Angeles
Area Integrated Waste Management Authority. For the aggregated jurisdictions, the per capita residential target is 7.1 pounds per person per day of landfilled solid waste. In 2014, the
aggregated jurisdictions achieved an actual disposal rate of 4.8 pounds per person per day
(CalRecycle 2016). This exceeds (i.e., is better than) the target. Although CalRecycle does not
provide specific rates for Hermosa Beach, using CalRecycle’s online disposal rate calculator and population for 2014, the estimated rate for Hermosa Beach was 3.1 pounds per day per person, which exceeds (i.e., is better than) the aggregated jurisdictions’ targets and actual rates.
Residential hazardous waste disposal is available at a facility located in Playa Del Rey and operated
by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. The facility is open on Saturdays and Sundays. CalRecycle certifies used oil recycling collection centers to encourage recycling of motor oil.
4.13.8.2 REGULATORY SETTING
The following state local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to solid waste in the planning area.
• California Integrated Waste Management Act: To minimize the amount of solid waste that
must be disposed of by transformation and land disposal, the California Legislature passed
the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939, Statutes of 1989), effective January 1990. According to this act, all cities and counties were required to divert
25 percent of all solid waste from landfill facilities by January 1, 1995, and 50 percent by
January 1, 2000. To help in the increase of diversion rates, each jurisdiction is required to create an integrated waste management plan. Each city plan must demonstrate integration with the relevant county plan. The plans must promote source reduction,
recycling and composting, and environmentally safe transformation and land disposal.
Elements of the plans must be updated every five years.
AB 939 established the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB; now
CalRecycle) to oversee integrated waste management planning and compliance. The
bill’s passage led to the refinement of a statewide system of permitting, inspections,
maintenance, and enforcement for waste facilities in California, and also required the CIWMB to adopt minimum standards for waste handling and disposal to protect public health and safety and the environment. The CIWMB is responsible for approving permits
for waste facilities, approving local agencies’ diversion rates, and enforcing the planning
7 In CalRecycle’s program, the term “jurisdictions” comprises counties, cities, unincorporated county areas, and regional waste management entities.
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requirements of the law through local enforcement agencies. The agencies are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to solid waste management, issuing
permits to solid waste facilities, ensuring compliance with state-mandated requirements,
coordinating with other government agencies on solid waste-related issues, and overseeing corrective actions at solid waste facilities. Local enforcement agencies inspect facilities, respond to complaints, and conduct investigations into various aspects of solid
waste management.
Chapter 476, Statutes of 2011 (Chesbro, AB 341), declared that by 2020 California will source reduce, recycle, or compost no less than 75 percent of solid waste generated.
4.13.8.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The following analysis is both quantitative and qualitative and is based on available information
for services provided in the planning area. The potential amount of solid waste requiring landfill
disposal was based on the current rate of 3.1 pounds per day per person and an increase in
population of 660. The analysis assumes that all future and existing development in the planning area complies with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and plans. An analysis of cumulative
impacts uses quantitative and qualitative information for the planning area and applicable
broader service areas.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address solid waste:
Policies
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 6.1 Franchise agreements. Ensure waste franchise agreements and program offerings provide progressively higher rates of waste diversion.
• 6.2 Food waste collection. Ensure food waste collection is available and convenient for all
residents, businesses, and organizations.
• 6.3 Multi-family and commercial recycling. Require the provision of convenient recycling options in multi-family residential and commercial uses.
• 6.4 Material source reduction. Support and enforce requirements to minimize the use of
non-recyclable materials or materials commonly found on the beach, such as plastic bags and polystyrene.
• 6.5 Recycled materials. Encourage and support the sale of products that minimize
packaging or are made from recycled materials.
• 6.6 Composting programs. Provide composting equipment at community facilities and events and encourage home and commercial composting.
• 6.7 Green purchasing. Evaluate “green purchasing” options across all City departments
and consider the life-cycle effects of purchases.
• 6.8 Recycled building materials. Where cost effective and structurally feasible, maximize the use of recycled building materials in new construction projects.
• 6.9 Building salvage. Maximize building salvage and deconstruction in remodeling or
building demolition projects.
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Implementation Actions
• SUSTAINABILITY-10. Create and adopt a Zero Waste Action Plan to reach 100% waste
diversion from landfills.
• SUSTAINABILITY-11. Amend the Municipal Code to require that all commercial facilities
make full-service recycling available for both customer use and business use, placing attractive and convenient bins in clear locations.
• SUSTAINABILITY-12. Require that all multi-family residential uses provide an adequate
number of attractive and convenient recycling bins to serve the number of units in the
complex.
• SUSTAINABILITY-13. Require that all restaurants use compostable single-use items like
takeout boxes.
• SUSTAINABILITY-14. Create and update a standard requirement for the use of recycled
materials in new development and redevelopment projects.
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following CEQA Guidelines Appendix G
standards of significance. A solid waste impact is considered significant if implementation of the proposed project would:
1) Be served by a landfill with insufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project’s
solid waste disposal needs.
2) Not comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.8-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Solid Waste Disposal? PLAN Hermosa
would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could result in additional solid waste disposal needs. Adequate capacity exists in
the landfills receiving waste generated in Hermosa Beach to accommodate
these additional needs. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
New development and population growth with implementation of PLAN Hermosa could increase demand for solid waste collection services and disposal capacity. The increase in population
would result in increased solid waste disposal demand of approximately 1 ton per day (374 tons
per year), which would represent an approximately 3 percent increase compared to 2014 levels.
The amount of solid waste requiring landfill disposal would be expected to be reduced through several PLAN Hermosa implementation actions and policies. For example, implementation action
SUSTAINABILITY-10 would create and adopt a Zero Waste Action Plan to reach 100 percent waste
diversion. This program would further decrease impacts to solid waste and landfill capacity.
In addition, the following policies would decrease the demand for solid waste disposal. Policy 6.1 would ensure waste franchise agreements and program offerings provide progressively higher
rates of waste diversion. Policy 6.2 would ensure food waste collection is available and convenient
for all residents, businesses, and organizations. Policy 6.3 would require the provision of convenient recycling options in multi-family residential and commercial uses. Policy 6.4 would support and
enforce requirements to minimize the use of nonrecyclable materials or materials commonly
found on the beach, such as plastic bags and polystyrene. Policy 6.5 would encourage and
support the sale of products that minimize packaging or are made from recycled materials. Policy 6.6 would provide composting equipment at community facilities and events and encourage
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home and commercial composting. Policy 6.7 would evaluate “green purchasing” options across all City departments and consider the life-cycle effects of purchases. Policy 6.8 would maximize
the use of recycled building materials in new construction projects. Policy 6.9 would maximize
building salvage and deconstruction in remodeling or building demolition projects.
Historically, Hermosa Beach solid waste was landfilled in-county, but in 2014, there was a shift to
out-of-county facilities. It is unknown whether that trend will continue. The City does not make the
decision as to where solid waste generated from development under PLAN Hermosa would be
disposed. However, the small amount of solid waste generated under PLAN Hermosa, when added to 2014 disposal (approximately 11,236 tons), would be approximately 11,610 tons. This would represent less than a 0.1 percent increase in solid waste delivered to in-county and out-of-
county landfills, which would not affect current permitted and remaining capacities. Additionally,
records show that Hermosa Beach meets it diversion requirements, and nothing in PLAN Hermosa would reverse that trend. In fact, plan policies are aimed at achieving higher diversion rates, as explained above.
Because PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would further reduce the amount of
waste generated by the community and would not result in the need for new or expanded solid waste facilities, impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.13.8-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Comply with Solid Waste Disposal Regulations? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that could result in additional solid waste disposal needs. The City would
continue current programs and policies that result in a per capita disposal rate is
better than target amounts. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
The estimated per capita disposal rate in Hermosa Beach is 3.1 tons per day, which exceeds (i.e.,
is better than) the CalRecycle aggregated jurisdiction target of 7.1 pounds per day per person
and the actual aggregated rate of 4.8 pounds per day per person. This indicates the City is in
compliance with existing regulations that require 50 percent diversion. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions identified in the discussion of Impact 4.13.8-1 would further ensure
compliance with solid waste disposal regulations, specifically the AB 341 requirement for 75
percent diversion by 2020.
Therefore, with implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions, impacts related to compliance with solid waste regulations would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative impact area for solid waste is the Los Angeles Integrated Solid Waste
Management Authority planning area for solid waste.
IMPACT 4.13.8-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause Cumulative Solid Waste Impacts? Implementation
of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed,
approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the Los Angeles
Integrated Solid Waste Management Authority planning area, would increase
the demand for solid waste facilities. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to the need
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for expanded solid waste services would be considered less than cumulatively considerable.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) has estimated an annual landfill
disposal demand for the aggregated jurisdictions for the period 2014–2029. The estimate is based
on its population projections, per capita solid waste generation, current (60 percent) and future
(75 percent) diversion, and availability of transformation and alternative technology facilities.
Although the population and amount of solid waste generated would increase, the amount of
solid waste landfilled is expected to decrease. In its 2014 annual report, the LACDPW (2015) determined that the cumulative need for Class III landfill disposal capacity, approximately 99.8 million tons, will not exceed the 2014 remaining permitted Class III landfill capacity of 112 million
tons. PLAN Hermosa’s contribution to that cumulative demand would be approximately 0.0004
percent, which is negligible. Although the LACDPW has not developed a forecast for 2040, given that PLAN Hermosa’s contribution would not be cumulatively considerable in 2029, the impact would be less than cumulatively considerable in 2040.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
4.13.9 ENERGY
4.13.9.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Appendix C-8 describes the regional and local conditions related to energy in Hermosa Beach. Key findings of the environmental setting are provided below.
ENERGY SOURCES
Energy generation occurs across the state from many different sources. Tracking the specific
source of energy used in any one place can be difficult. Energy that is not generated at a facility
by an energy provider can be purchased from other producers and transmitted to the energy
user through transmission networks. Energy sources used in Hermosa Beach may include
hydroelectric, waste-to-energy, transformation, geothermal, solar, wind, coal, natural gas, and nuclear. The following paragraphs describe the existing sources of electricity and natural gas for Hermosa Beach.
Electricity
Southern California Edison (SCE) supplies electricity to customers in Hermosa Beach. Over the past 15 years, electricity generation in California has undergone a transition. Historically, California has
relied heavily on oil- and gas-fired plants to generate electricity. Spurred by regulatory measures
and tax incentives, California’s electrical system has become more reliant on renewable energy
sources, including cogeneration, wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass conversion, transformation plants, and small hydroelectric plants. Unlike petroleum production,
generation of electricity is usually not tied to the location of the fuel source and can be delivered
great distances via the electrical grid.
The generating capacity of a unit of electricity is expressed in megawatts (MW). One MW provides enough energy to power 1,000 average California homes per day. Net generation refers to the
gross amount of energy produced by a unit, minus the amount of energy the unit consumes.
Generation is typically measured in megawatt-hours (MWh), kilowatt-hours (kWh), or gigawatt-
hours (GWh).
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Natural Gas
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fuel found in reservoirs beneath the earth’s surface and is composed
primarily of methane (CH4). It is used for space and water heating, process heating and electricity
generation, and as transportation fuel. The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) supplies
natural gas in Hermosa Beach.
Use of natural gas to generate electricity is expected to increase in coming years because it is a
relatively clean alternative to other fossil fuels like oil and coal. In California and throughout the
western United States, many new electrical generation plants that are fired by natural gas are
being brought online. Thus, there is great interest in importing liquefied natural gas from other parts of the world. As of 2012, 43 percent of the electricity consumed in California was generated using
natural gas (CEC 2013).
While the supply of natural gas in the United States and production in the lower 48 states has increased greatly since 2008, California produces little, and imports 90 percent of its natural gas. Most imports are delivered via interstate pipelines from the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, and
Canada (CPUC 2013).
EXISTING ENERGY USE
As of 2012, California ranked second in the United States in total energy consumption of natural
gas, petroleum, and retail electricity sales, following only Texas in each category (EIA 2014a).
Despite being a large consumer of energy, in particular transportation energy, California’s per
capita consumption rate for all these energy sources combined is one of the lowest in the country (49th). This is largely because of California’s proactive energy efficiency programs and mild
weather, which reduces energy demands for heating and cooling (EIA 2014b).
Residential and nonresidential (businesses, industrial processes, government operations) activities
in Hermosa Beach such as building heating and cooling, lighting, and appliance operation require
electricity and natural gas. Table 4.13-4 (Energy Use by Sector and Fuel Type) presents an overview
of the electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel consumed in the city in 2015; more detailed
information by fuel source is provided below.
TABLE 4.13-4
ENERGY USE BY SECTOR AND FUEL TYPE – 2015
Type Total Percentage of Total
Electricity Use (kWh)
Residential Energy 49,778,500 54.7%
Nonresidential Energy 41,191,800 45.3%
Total 90,970,300 100.0%
Natural Gas Use (therms)
Residential Energy 3,364,400 79.3%
Nonresidential Energy 876,000 20.7%
Total 4,240,400 100.0%
Transportation Fuel
Vehicle Miles Traveled 133,808,700
Average Fleet Fuel Efficiency 22
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Type Total Percentage of Total
Transportation Fuel (gallons) 6,194,800
EV Electricity Use (kWh) —
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015a
ALTERNATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Wind Energy
Wind energy systems convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical or electrical energy
that can be used for practical purposes. Wind electric turbines generate electricity for homes and businesses and for sale to utilities. Wind electricity can be generated on a small residential scale
with small turbines (typically a few kilowatts [kW] or less in capacity, but some as large as 30 kW),
or on a utility scale via large wind farms.
Wind energy plays an integral role in California’s electricity portfolio. According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), in 2004, turbines in wind farms in California generated about 1.5
percent of the state’s total electricity resource, enough to light a city the size of San Francisco. This
production increased to represent 8.1 percent or 23,913 GWh in 2014 (CEC 2015). Hermosa Beach
has adopted regulations for small wind energy systems, and one application for a small residential wind energy system was recently submitted and withdrawn. This energy source is expected to
have minimal potential in Hermosa Beach due to existing density and height restrictions and
potential aesthetic concerns.
Solar Energy
Solar power can be harnessed for several applications, including heating, cooling, and electricity
generation. The most common method to produce energy uses photovoltaic (PV) cells, which
convert sunlight directly into electricity. Large-scale use of solar energy represents a major
potential energy resource in the Southern California climate. In general, large-scale solar power plants are very land intensive compared to conventional power plants, requiring acres of
reflectors, pipelines, and transmission lines. No large-scale solar power plants exist in Hermosa
Beach, although small-scale solar generation facilities are used on individual properties.
The State of California has emphasized developing solar-produced energy by developing the California Solar Initiative in 2006. The initiative provides incentives to help increase the amount of
solar energy generated in California. One such incentive is to encourage solar energy to be used
in new homes. The incentive program is known as the New Solar Homes Partnership. Overall, the
California Solar Initiative has a goal to provide 1,750 MW of solar-generated energy by 2016 (CEC
2013). In 2014, California produced 10,557 GWh, which represented 5.3 percent of the total
electricity produced in the state (CEC 2015). Residents and businesses in Hermosa Beach have
invested nearly $3 million to install approximately 378 kW of solar through this program, consisting of 74 residential PV systems and 6 nonresidential PV systems (Go Solar California 2014). The City waives building permit fees.
Biomass
According to the CEC, biomass electricity is drawn from combusting or decomposing organic matter. There are about 132 waste-to-energy plants in California, with a total capacity of almost 1,000 megawatts. These plants power homes and businesses with electricity from waste matter
that would have been released into the atmosphere, added fuel to forest fires, and burdened
landfills. Using biomass to produce electricity reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, the nation’s
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primary energy sources for electricity, and the largest contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gases.
In 2015, 6,280 gigawatt-hours of electricity in homes and businesses were produced from biomass:
burning forestry, agricultural, and urban biomass; converting methane-rich landfill gas to energy;
and processing wastewater and dairy biogas into useful energy. Biomass power plants produced 3.43 percent of the total electricity in California (CEC 2016a).
Geothermal
Geothermal energy is produced by the heat of the earth and is often associated with volcanic or
seismically active regions. California, with its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” has 25 Known Geothermal Resource Areas, 14 of which have temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.
The most developed of the high-temperature geothermal resource areas in the state is the
Geysers. Located north of San Francisco, the Geysers was first tapped as a geothermal resource to generate electricity in 1960. It is one of only two locations in the world where a high-temperature, dry steam resource is found that can be directly used to move turbines and
generate electricity (the other being in Larderello, Italy) (CEC 2016b).
Electricity can be generated from high temperature geothermal resources by using the thermal (heated) water and steam to move turbines that in turn run electrical generators and produce electricity. Several types of geothermal power plants can be used to generate electricity,
including dry steam, flash or double flash, and binary cycle power plants.
In 2015, geothermal energy in the state produced 11,994 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Combined with another 700 GWh of imported geothermal power, geothermal energy produced 6.13 percent
of the state’s total system power. There are a total of 44 operating geothermal power plants in
California with an installed capacity of 2,716 megawatts (CEC 2016b).
4.13.9.2 REGULATORY SETTING
The following state and local plans, policies, regulations, and laws pertain to energy.
STATE
• California Public Utilities Commission: The California Public Utilities Commission has authority to set electric rates, regulate natural gas utility service, protect consumers,
promote energy efficiency, and ensure electric system reliability. California Public Utilities
Commission General Order 131-D (adopted by Decision 94-06-014 and modified by Decision 95-08-038) contains the rules for the planning and construction of new transmission facilities, distribution facilities, and substations. This decision requires utility
companies to obtain permits to construct certain power line facilities or substations if the
voltage would exceed 50 kilovolts (kV) or if the substation would require the acquisition of land or an increase in voltage rating above 50 kV. Utilities do not need to comply with this
decision for distribution lines and substations with voltage less than 50 kV; however, they
must obtain any nondiscretionary local permits required for the construction and
operation of these projects. Compliance with CEQA is required for construction of facilities. The California Public Utilities Commission also has jurisdiction over the siting of natural gas
transmission lines.
• Renewables Portfolio Standard: California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS),
established in 2002 by Senate Bill 1078 (Sher, Chapter 516, Statutes of 2002), originally required retail electricity providers to increase procurement by at least 1 percent per year
of their electricity supplies from renewable resources to achieve a 20 percent renewable
mix by no later than 2017. Since then, the CEC, the California Public Utilities Commission,
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and the California Power Authority approved the first Energy Action Plan in 2003, which accelerated the 20 percent target date to 2010. A second Energy Action Plan was
adopted in 2005, which provided updates in energy policy. Senate Bill 107 (Smitian and
Perata, Chapter 464, Statutes of 2006) adopted the revised 2010 target date into law. A third update was adopted in 2008, which “examines the state’s ongoing actions in the context of global climate change” (CEC 2009). Executive Order S-14-08 expands the
state's renewable energy standard to set a target of 33 percent renewable power by 2020.
Executive Order S-21-09 directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations increasing California’s RPS to 33 percent by 2020. Most recently, Governor
Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into legislation Senate Bill 350 in October 2015, which requires
retail sellers and publicly owned utilities to procure 50 percent of their electricity from
eligible renewable energy resources by 2030.
• California Green Building Standards: Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations is a
statewide standard applied by local agencies through building permits. It includes
requirements for the structural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems of buildings
and for fire and life safety, energy conservation, green design, and accessibility in and around buildings. Part 6 (the California Energy Code) and Part 11 (the California Green
Building Standards Code) include prescriptive and performance-based standards to
reduce electricity and natural gas use in every new building constructed in California.
These standards are regularly updated every three to four years to incorporate new market-ready technologies and design techniques to further reduce energy use from the
built environment. The most recent update to these standards will go into effect January
1, 2017.
• California Environmental Quality Act: CEQA Guidelines Appendix F, Energy Conservation, requires consideration of project impacts on energy and focuses particularly on avoiding
or reducing inefficient, wasteful, and unnecessary consumption of energy (Public
Resources Code Section 21100[b][3]). The potentially significant energy implications of a
project must be considered in an EIR to the extent relevant and applicable to the project.
LOCAL
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: Section 15.48.020 of the City’s Municipal Code
modifies the California Energy Code, requiring new residential and nonresidential buildings to be 15 percent more energy efficient than California Energy Code requirements. The
section also includes requirements for cool roofs or roofs with high levels of solar
reflectance, energy-efficient appliances, and energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning systems.
• Permit Processing and Rebates: The City provides building permit and planning fee
rebates for eligible green building, energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects.
Eligible projects include those obtained through Energy Upgrade California or the HERO program, as well as projects certified through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Build It Green. Renewable energy projects (including wind and solar) are
also eligible for rebates.
• Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan: The Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan was accepted by the City Council in 2011. Chapter 5 of the plan focuses on building energy and includes
measures and projects to reduce energy use at municipal facilities and encourage the
installation of renewable energy projects at homes and businesses.
• Hermosa Beach Energy Efficiency Climate Action Plan: The City of Hermosa Beach, in concert with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG), is committed to
providing a more livable, equitable, and economically vibrant community and subregion
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through the implementation of energy efficiency measures. By using energy more efficiently, it is the City’s objective to keep dollars in the local economy, create new green
jobs, and improve the community’s quality of life. The Energy Efficiency Climate Action
Plan contains goals and policies that incorporate energy use reduction into the City’s daily management of its community and municipal operations.
4.13.9.3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
ANALYSIS APPROACH
The following analysis is quantitative and is based on available information for energy services provided in the planning area. The impact analysis focuses on the three sources of energy that
are relevant to the proposed project: electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel.
The analysis of impacts is based on the likely consequences of adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa compared to existing conditions. This analysis uses the energy information provided
in the 2015 City of Hermosa Beach GHG Inventory, Forecasting, Target-Setting Report for an Energy
Efficiency Climate Action Plan (2015 GHG Inventory Report) and the local growth projections
determined based on available land capacity (see Chapter 3.0, Project Description) as the basis for projecting future energy use in the city.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions address energy demand and conservation. Other policies and implementation actions that would have an effect on energy
demand would include greenhouse gas emissions reduction policies and actions, approaches to
water conservation and wastewater reductions, and planning concepts that reduce vehicle miles
traveled, which are listed in Sections 4.6, 4.8, and 4.14, respectively.
Policies
GOVERNANCE ELEMENT
• 4.4 Regional transportation and infrastructure decisions. Actively support regional
transportation and infrastructure projects and investment decisions that benefit the City and the region.
• 6.4 Jobs-housing balance. Strive to improve the jobs-housing balance in the city by
actively pursuing employment uses that match the skill and educational levels of existing
and future residents.
LAND USE + DESIGN ELEMENT
• Land Use Designations – The range and diversity of uses allowed within each land use
designation plays a role in the number of trips a use generates and the mode of transportation chosen to make that trip. The more diversity in uses (between commercial,
office/professional, residential, etc.) in a given area, combined with a safe transportation
network, results in shorter trips that can be made by driving, walking, biking, or transit.
• 1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern of existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing for enhancement
and transformation of corridors and districts in order to improve community activity and
identity.
• 1.2 Focused infill potential. Proposals for new development should be directed toward the city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive land use mixes.
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• 1.3 Access to daily activities. Strive to create sustainable development patterns such that the majority of residents are within one-half mile walking distance to a variety of
neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants, churches, cafes, dry
cleaners, laundry mats, farmers’ markets, banks, personal services, pharmacies and similar uses.
• 1.4 Diverse commercial areas. Promote the development of diversified and unique
commercial districts with locally owned businesses and job- or revenue-generating uses.
• 4.2 Employment centers. Encourage the development and co-location of additional
office space and employment centers along corridors.
• 4.7 Access to transit. Support the location of transit stations and enhanced stops near the
intersection of Aviation Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway, and adjacent to Gateway
Commercial uses to facilitate and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips and allow residents without private vehicles to access services.
• 4.10 Pedestrian access. For all new development, encourage pedestrian access, and
create strong building entries that are primarily oriented to the street.
• 6.2 Streetscaping. Proactively beautify existing streetscapes with street trees, landscaping and pedestrian-scaled lighting.
• 6.3 Green infrastructure network. Establish an interconnected green infrastructure network
throughout Hermosa Beach that serves as a network for active transportation, recreation
and scenic beauty and connects all areas of the city. In particular, connections should be made between the beach, parks, the Downtown, neighborhoods, and other destinations
within the city. Consider the following components when designing and implementing the
green/open space network:
− Preserved open space areas such as the beach and the Greenbelt;
− Living streets with significant landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle amenities; and
− Community and neighborhood parks, and schools.
• 6.5 Provision of sidewalks. Encourage pedestrian-friendly sidewalks on both sides of streets
in neighborhoods.
• 6.7 Pedestrian-oriented design. Eliminate urban form conditions that reduce walkability by
discouraging surface parking and parking structures along walkways, long blank walls
along walkways, and garage-dominated building facades.
• 6.8 Balance pedestrian/vehicular circulation. Require vehicle parking design to consider
pedestrian circulation. Require the following of all new development along corridors:
− Where parking lots front the street, the City will work with existing property owners to
add landscaping between the parking lot and the street.
− Parking lots should be landscaped to create an attractive pedestrian environment and
reduce the impact of heat islands.
− The number of curb cuts and other intrusions of vehicles across sidewalks should be
minimized.
− When shared parking supply options are not available, encourage connections
between parking lots on adjacent sites.
− Above-ground parking structures should be designed according to the same urban
design principles as other buildings.
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− Encourage the use of systems to increase parking lot efficiency, such as mechanical lift systems or occupancy sensors.
• 9.1 Ocean-based energy resources. Encourage and support research and responsible
development of renewable ocean-based energy sources. Renewable energy sources appropriate to Hermosa Beach shall be limited to wave, tidal, solar, and wind sources that meet the region’s and state’s need for affordable sources of renewable energy.
• 13.3 Fresh food offerings. Encourage the continuation and expansion of fresh food
offerings including farmers’ markets, community gardens, and edible landscapes in
Hermosa Beach.
MOBILITY ELEMENT
• 1.1 Consider all modes. Require the planning, design, and construction of all new and
existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe, livable and inviting environments for all users of the system.
• 1.5 Require improvements. Require new development to provide or pay its share of
transportation and infrastructure improvements including any sidewalk improvements,
landscaping, bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming, and public realm improvements.
• 2.5 Require sustainable practices. Incorporate environmental sustainability practices into
designs and strategic management of road space and public right-of-ways, prioritizing
practices that can serve dual infrastructure purposes.
• 3.2 Invest in sidewalks. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances
pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
• 3.3 Active transportation. Require that all development or redevelopment projects accommodate active transportation through providing on-site amenities, necessary
connections to existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks, and incorporate
people-oriented design practices.
• 3.4 Access opportunities. Provide enhanced mobility and access opportunities for local transportation and transit services in areas of the city with sufficient density and intensity of
uses, mix of appropriate uses, and supportive bicycle and pedestrian network connections
that can reduce vehicle trips within the city’s busiest corridors.
• 3.5 Incentivize other modes. Incentivize local shuttle/trolley services, rideshare and car share programs, and developing infrastructure that support low speed, low carbon (e.g.
electric) vehicles.
• 3.6 Complete bicycle network. Provide a complete bicycle network along all designated
roadways while creating connections to other modes of travel including walking and transit.
• 4.1 Shared parking. Facilitate park-once and shared parking policies among private
developments that contribute to a shared parking supply and interconnect with adjacent
parking facilities.
• 4.4 Provision of subsidized parking. Ensure the provision of subsidized on-street residential
parking is limited to residences which cannot provide adequate parking on-site.
• 4.5 Sufficient bicycle parking. Require a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be provided in conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private developments.
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• 4.6 Priority parking. Provide priority parking and charging stations to accommodate the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including smaller short-distance neighborhood electric
vehicles.
• 4.9 Encourage TDM strategies. Encourage use of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies and programs such as carpooling, ride hailing, and alternative transportation modes as a way to reduce demand for additional parking supply.
• 5.1 Prioritize development of infrastructure. Prioritize the development of roadway and
parking infrastructure that encourages private electric and other low carbon vehicle
ownership and use throughout the city.
• 5.2 Local transit system. Develop a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport of
residents, hotel guests, and beachgoers between activity centers, and to Downtown
businesses and the beach.
• 5.3 Incentivize TDM strategies. Incentivize the use of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies as a cost effective method for maximizing existing transportation
infrastructure to accommodate mobility demands without significant expansion to
infrastructure.
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use features in development
projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development that
supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative
modes.
• 6.1 Regional network. Work with government agencies and private sector companies to
develop a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network that connects the
community to surrounding cities.
• 6.3 Support programs. Facilitate greater local and regional mobility through programs for shared equipment or transportation options such as car sharing and bike sharing.
• 6.6 Greater utilization. Consider exploring opportunities for greater utilization of the Beach
Cities Transit system for improved mobility along major corridors and as a potential means
of improved regional transit connections.
SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION ELEMENT
• 2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation
investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
• 3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce
vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger
vehicles.
• 3.3 Fuel efficient fleets. Promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as
construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide
cleaner fleets.
• 4.1 Renewable energy generation. Require, promote, and facilitate the installation of renewable energy projects on homes and businesses.
• 4.2 Building energy disclosure. Require large buildings to report their energy and water use
on a regular basis.
• 4.3 Retrofit program. Provide an energy retrofit program to assist home and building owners to make efficiency improvements.
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• 4.4 Rental efficiency. Adopt a financing program to incentivize rental efficiency retrofits, such as green leasing.
• 4.5 Municipal facilities. Utilize renewable energy sources at City facilities to support
achieving municipal carbon neutrality by 2020.
• 4.6 Sustainable building standards. Use sustainable building checklists to minimize or eliminate waste and maximize recycling in building design, demolition, and construction
activities.
PARKS + OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
• 4.2 Enhanced access points. Increase and enhance access to parks and open space,
particularly access points that promote physical activity such as pedestrian- and bike-
oriented access points.
• 4.3 Safe and efficient trail network. Develop a network of safe and efficient trails, streets, and paths that connect residents, visitors, and neighboring communities to the beach,
parks, and activity centers.
• 6.4 Transit access. Coordinate with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to
improve regional and local transit access to beach access points.
• 6.5 Bicycle and pedestrian access. Maximize bicycle and pedestrian access and safety
getting to and around the Coastal Zone through infrastructure and wayfinding
improvements.
• 6.12 Complete South Bay Bike Master Plan. Prioritize completion of proposed South Bay Bike Master Plan improvements in the Coastal Zone that connect to other bike routes and
paths throughout the city and to the surrounding region.
INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT
• 2.4 Sidewalk improvements. Consider innovative funding strategies, such as cost-sharing,
ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to improve the overall condition, safety,
and accessibility of sidewalks.
• 2.5 Active transportation dedications. Require new development and redevelopment
projects to provide land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active
transportation, such as sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops.
• 2.6 Traffic signal coordination. Maintain and operate the traffic signal system with advanced technologies to manage traffic operations and maintain traffic signal infrastructure.
• 6.4 Innovative and renewable technology. Encourage the exploration and establishment
of innovative and renewable utility service technologies. Allow the testing of new alternative energy sources that are consistent with the goals and policies of PLAN Hermosa
and comply with all relevant regulations.
• 6.5 Renewable energy facilities. Unless a renewable energy facility would cause an
unmitigatable impact to health or safety, allow them by right.
• 6.6 Community choice aggregation. Collaborate with nearby local and regional agencies
to develop a community choice aggregation system that provides greater renewable
energy choices to the community.
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Implementation Actions
• MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) Ordinance with activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new
development.
• MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging stations so that they are available at each commercial district or
corridor, park, and public facility.
• SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically update
or amend Green Building Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
• SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee
waivers, or permit streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy
efficient, or water conservation equipment.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for
alternative renewable energy power generation facilities, and provide such information
to utility providers and potential developers.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City facilities.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-25. Survey all streetlights periodically for functionality and create a
response protocol to respond to reports of streetlight outages within a 24-hour time period.
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The impact analysis below is based on CEQA Guidelines Appendix F pertaining to energy
conservation. An energy impact is considered significant if implementation of the proposed project would result in a wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary use of direct or indirect energy. For purposes of the analysis, “wasteful” and “inefficient” are circumstances in which the project would
conflict with applicable state or local energy legislation, policies, and standards, or result in
increased per capita energy consumption.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.13.9-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Increase Demand for Additional Energy Resources? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city that
would not result in the use of fuel or energy in a wasteful manner. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
Electricity and Natural Gas Consumption
As shown in Table 4.13-5 (Historic Energy Consumption), overall electricity consumption was
reduced by 8.7 percent between 2005 and 2012. However, this reduction was based on the reduction of electrical consumption from commercial/industrial customers. Residential electrical
consumption increased by 4.0 percent during this time, while natural gas consumption increased
by 1.0 percent.
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TABLE 4.13-5
HISTORIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION
2005 2012 Percentage Change
Electricity Consumption (kWh)
Residential Energy 47,843,200 49,778,500 4.0%
Nonresidential Energy 51,741,500 41,191,800 -20.4%
Total 99,584,700 90,970,300 -8.7%
Natural Gas Consumption (therms)
Residential Energy 3,339,800 3,364,400 0.7%
Nonresidential Energy 857,700 876,000 2.1%
Total 4,197,500 4,240,400 1.0%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015a
In 2015, the City of Hermosa Beach, in concert with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments,
collected data on existing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Additionally, the City
has projected future energy consumption in the city based on growth projections and a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, essentially assuming no new regulations are put in place to reduce energy
consumption or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see Section 4.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, for
a discussion of GHG and climate change). Table 4.13-6 (Energy Consumption Associated with the Future Development Potential under Plan Hermosa) provides an estimate of electricity and natural gas use under the BAU scenario. As shown in Table 4.13-6, electricity and natural gas consumption
will continue to rise through 2040 under the BAU scenario. However, full implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would reduce energy consumption by 19.2 percent for electricity and 15.1 percent for
natural gas between 2015 and 2040.
TABLE 4.13-6
ENERGY CONSUMPTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL UNDER PLAN HERMOSA
BAU Plan
Implementation
Change
Between
2015 and
2040 2015 2020 2030 2040 2040
Electricity Use (kWh)
Residential Energy 49,778,500 50,759,000 52,730,200 54,696,400 33,363,500 -33.0%
Nonresidential Energy 41,191,800 43,984,400 49,561,600 55,142,800 40,102,000 -2.6%
Total 90,970,300 94,743,400 102,291,800 109,839,200 73,465,500 -19.2%
Natural Gas Use (therms)
Residential Energy 3,364,400 3,430,700 3,563,900 3,696,800 2,953,000 -12.2%
Nonresidential Energy 876,000 935,400 1,054,000 1,172,700 648,200 -26.0%
Total 4,240,400 4,366,100 4,617,900 4,869,500 3,601,200 -15.1%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015a
As shown in Table 4.13-6, the future development potential through 2040 under a BAU scenario
could result in the additional consumption of 18,868,900 kilowatt-hours and 629,100 therms over
current conditions. However, this consumption does not take into account the energy savings to
be gained through the implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s policies and implementation actions.
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Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s energy consumption policies and implementation actions would support further reductions in energy use, and would result in a reduction in the consumption
of electricity and natural gas in the city. Thus, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not conflict
with or obstruct City goals intended to reduce the consumption of electricity and natural gas resources.
Furthermore, the future development allowed under PLAN Hermosa would be required to comply
with Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which establish minimum efficiency standards
related to various building features, including appliances, water and space heating and cooling equipment, building insulation and roofing, and lighting. Implementation of the Title 24 standards significantly reduces energy usage.
Automotive Fuel Consumption
As shown in Table 4.13-7 (Fuel Consumption Associated with the Future Development Potential under PLAN Hermosa), increases in fuel economy and the overall reduction in vehicle miles traveled is expected to decrease the amount of fuel consumed between 2015 and 2040 under
the BAU scenario.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s proposed policies and implementation actions that are designed to promote pedestrian, bicycle, and transit forms of transportation would further reduce dependency on fossil fuels. As shown in Table 4.13-7, under PLAN Hermosa, the amount of
transportation fuels consumed would be reduced to approximately 1.4 million gallons or almost
77 percent when compared to existing (2015) conditions, but would also increase electricity consumption due to the increase in use of electric vehicles.
TABLE 4.13-7
FUEL CONSUMPTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL UNDER PLAN HERMOSA
BAU Plan
Implementation
2015 2020 2030 2040 2040
Transportation
Vehicle Miles Traveled 133,808,700 126,238,300 128,574,500 130,910,800 107,737,700
Average Fleet Fuel Efficiency 22 mpg 34 mpg 44 mpg 55 mpg 55 mpg
Transportation Fuel (gallons) 6,194,800 3,702,000 2,908,900 2,402,000 1,428,600
EV Electricity Use (kWh) — — — — 9,959,700
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015a
As discussed above, implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s policies and implementation actions
would reduce the consumption of electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuels. Therefore, this
impact would be less than significant.
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CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The cumulative impact area for energy consumption is Los Angeles County.
IMPACT 4.13.9-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Have Cumulative Energy Consumption Impacts?
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, in combination with other existing, planned, proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in Los Angeles
County, would increase the demand for energy resources. PLAN Hermosa’s
contribution to the need for expanded energy resources would be less than cumulatively considerable.
According to the California Energy Consumption Data Management System, residential and
nonresidential land uses in Los Angeles County consumed approximately 70 billion kWh of
electricity and about 3 billion therms of natural gas in 2014 (the latest year of existing data) (CEC 2014). In addition, about 11 million gallons of automotive fuel was consumed daily in the county in 2015 (roughly 4 billion gallons annually).
Energy consumption associated with PLAN Hermosa in comparison to Los Angeles County is
summarized in Table 4.13-8 (Plan Hermosa Energy Consumption Plus Cumulative Conditions). Under the BAU scenario, electricity consumption in the city will increase by about 19 million kWh. This increase represents an increase in total electricity use (when compared to 2014 statistics) in
Los Angeles County of 0.03 percent, while natural gas consumption represents an increase of 0.02
percent. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa’s policies and implementation actions would result in the reduction of electricity use in the city by about 18 million kWh and natural gas use by about
600,000 therms. As shown, this decrease would reduce the amount of electricity and natural gas
consumption in Los Angeles County by 0.03 percent and 0.02 percent, respectively. The reduction
in automotive fuel use would decrease use in the county by 0.01 percent for both scenarios.
TABLE 4.13-8
PLAN HERMOSA ENERGY CONSUMPTION PLUS CUMULATIVE CONDITIONS
Energy Type Los Angeles County
Hermosa Beach 2040 Percentage
Difference Countywide
Difference
2015–2040
BAU Annual Energy
Consumption
Difference
2015–2040 PLAN
Implementation Annual
Energy Consumption
BAU Plan
Implementation
Electricity
Consumption1 69,997,000,000 kWh 18,868,900 kWh -17,504,800 kWh 0.03 -0.03
Natural Gas
Consumption1 2,857,000,000 therms 629,100 therms -639,200 therms 0.02 -0.02
Automotive Fuel
Consumption2 3,986,603,000 gallons -3,792,800 gallons -4,766,200 gallons -0.01 -0.01
Sources: City of Hermosa Beach 2015a; CEC 2014
Note: The project increases in electricity and natural gas consumption are compared with all of the residential and nonresidential buildings
in Los Angeles County in 2014. The project increases in automotive fuel consumption are compared with the countywide fuel
consumption in 2015.
The increase in electricity and natural gas consumption over existing conditions under the BAU
scenario would be negligible. Improvements in energy use would result with PLAN Hermosa
implementation. As such, PLAN Hermosa would not place a substantial demand on regional
energy supply or require significant additional capacity, or significantly increase peak and base period electricity demand, or cause wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary consumption of energy
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during subsequent project construction, operation, and/or maintenance, or preempt future energy development or future energy conservation. Therefore, this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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4.13.10 REFERENCES
California Department of Social Services. 2012. Community Care Licensing Division Facility
Search List. Accessed February 20, 2014.
http://www.ccld.ca.gov/docs/ccld_search/ccld_search.aspx.
California Environmental Protection Agency. 2014. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/npdes/.
CalRecycle (California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery). 2016. Jurisdiction Per
Capita Disposal Trends: Los Angeles Area Integrated Waste Management Authority [aggregated jurisdictions].
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Reports/Jurisdiction/ReviewReports.aspx.
Cal Water (California Water Service Company). 2011. 2010 Urban Water Management Plan, Hermosa-Redondo District. http://www.water.ca.gov/urbanwatermanagement/2010uwmps/CA%20Water%20Servic
e%20Co%20-%20Hermosa%20Redondo%20District/.
CDE (California Department of Education, Educational Demographics Unit). 2016. Enrollment data for 2014-15 for Hermosa Beach City School District, Mira Costa High School, and Redondo Beach Union High School. Accessed March 7, 2016.
http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.
CEC (California Energy Commission). 2009. State of California Energy Action Plan. http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy_action_plan/index.html.
———. 2013. California’s Major Energy Sources. Accessed February 2014.
http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/overview/ energy_sources.html.
———. 2014. California Energy Consumption Data Management System (ECDMS). http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/gasbycounty.aspx.
———. 2015. 2014 Total System Power in Gigawatt Hours. Accessed September 10, 2015.
http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/electricity/total_system_power.html.
———. 2016a. Waste to Energy & Biomass in California. Accessed May 4, 2016. http://www.energy.ca.gov/biomass/index.html.
———. 2016b. Geothermal Energy in California. Accessed May 4, 2016.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/geothermal/background.html.
Center for Public Safety Management. 2013a. Data Analysis Report, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Hermosa Beach, California.
http://www.hermosabch.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentID=3314.
———. 2013b. Police Operations Report, Hermosa Beach, California. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3556.
City of Hermosa Beach. 2010. Hermosa Beach Stormwater Program and Water Quality Issues.
Accessed February 20, 2014.
http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=669.
———. 2011a. City of Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan. http://hermosabeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1471&meta_id
=91633.
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———. 2011b. City of Hermosa Beach Sanitary Sewer Master Plan. http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1765.
———. 2013a. Leader’s Guide 2013.
http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=2675.
———. 2013b. Police Department Web Page. Accessed February 19, 2014. http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=178.
———. 2013c. Agreement between City of Hermosa Beach and Arakelian Enterprises DBA
Athens Services, for Integrated Waste Management Services.
———. 2013d. Geographic Information Systems Database.
———. 2013e. Athens Services Monthly Solid Waste Tonnage Report.
———. 2015a. GHG Inventory, Forecasting, Target-Setting Report for an Energy Efficiency
Climate Action Plan.
———. 2015b. PLAN Hermosa.
———. 2016. Strategic Plan Draft Report – City of Hermosa Beach.
City of Los Angeles. 2006. L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide.
http://www.environmentla.org/programs/Thresholds/Complete%20Threshold%20Guide%202006.pdf.
CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission). 2013. California Public Utilities Commission California
Solar Initiative Program Handbook.
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/documents/CSI_HANDBOOK.PDF.
EIA (Energy Information Administration). 2014a. Table C11. Energy Consumption by Source,
Ranked by State, 2012. Accessed July 2014.
http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_use_source.pdf.
———. 2014b. State Energy Profiles, California. Accessed March 2014. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA.
EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). 2009. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/.
Fehr & Peers. 2014. Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study Existing Conditions – Initial Findings.
Go Solar California. 2014. California Solar Initiative Working Data Set. Accessed March 2014.
https://www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov/search/.
HBCSD (Hermosa Beach City School District). 2009. Project Forward: Hermosa Beach Schools. Accessed February 29, 2014. http://www.hbcsd.org/view/5202.pdf.
———. 2014. Long Range Facilities Master Plan.
———. 2015. Phone conversation with District Clerk Paula Montalbo. December 2.
HBFD (Hermosa Beach Fire Department). 2014. Annual Report of Calendar Year 2014. http://www.hermosabch.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentID=5892.
LACDPW (Los Angeles County Department of Public Works). 2015. County of Los Angeles
Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan 2014 Annual Report.
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———. 2016. Public Works Department. Solid Waste Information Management System, 2014 Yearly In-County Jurisdictions Solid Waste Disposal Report (including exports), Reporting
Period: 2014. http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/OnlineServices/reports.aspx.
LACSD (Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County). 2012. Clearwater Program Final Master
Facilities Plan.
———. 2013. Wastewater Facilities.
http://www.lacsd.org/wastewater/wwfacilities/default.asp#map.
———. 2015. Plan Hermosa: City of Hermosa Beach General Plan and Local Coastal Program
Update [comment letter on Notice of Preparation dated September 8, 2015, included in Appendix B]
Los Angeles County Fire Department. 2012. Los Angeles County Fire Department Strategic Plan.
http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LACFD_Strategic-Plan_2012_web.pdf.
MBUSD (Manhattan Beach Unified School District). 2015. 2015 Manhattan Beach Unified School
District Facilities Master Plan.
RBUSD (Redondo Beach Unified School District). 2016. Residential Development School Fee Justification Study.
Redella, Janet. 2016. Assistant Superintendent Administrative Services, Redondo Beach Unified
School District. Personal communication. March 14.
SoCalGas (Southern California Gas Company). 2010. Natural Gas Use Report for City of Hermosa Beach.
Southern California Edison. 2011a. Electricity Use Report for City of Hermosa Beach, 2010.
———. 2011b. Electricity Use Report for City of Hermosa Beach, 2010.
———. 2013a. Electricity Use Report for City of Hermosa Beach, 2012.
———. 2013b. Electricity Use Report for City of Hermosa Beach, 2011.
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4.14.1 INTRODUCTION
This resource section evaluates the potential environmental impacts related to transportation
systems from PLAN Hermosa implementation. The analysis includes a review of the vehicular,
transit, bicycle, and pedestrian components of the circulation system. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions presented in the Mobility Element provide a framework to evaluate,
manage, and improve transportation infrastructure and practices to address increased
congestion and serve all modes of transportation.
NOP Responses: No comments were received in response to the NOP related to transportation. Comments included written letters and oral comments provided at the NOP scoping meeting.
Reference Information: Information for this resource section is based on numerous references,
including the PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (Appendix C-17), US Census Bureau data (2010), California Department of Finance data (2015), the Southern California Association of Governments’ (2015) Profile of the City of Hermosa Beach and (2012) draft Regional
Transportation Plan projections, Hermosa Beach’s (2014) annual Financial Report, and other
publicly available documents. The Technical Background Report prepared for the project is
attached to this document as Appendix C-17, which describes the existing transportation system
classifications and functionality. Key findings from the Technical Background Report are
summarized below.
4.14.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
The transportation system in Hermosa Beach features diverse elements that include an extensive
network of roadways comprising arterials, collectors, and local streets, 5.1 miles of bicycle facilities, an extensive network of developed pedestrian facilities, and a public transit system
providing both local and regional bus service. These facilities support a multimodal
transportation network that connects multiple neighborhoods to nearby communities and to the
greater surrounding region.
Roadway Network
The existing Hermosa Beach General Plan Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element
(1990) designates three different roadway types in the city. Table 4.14-1 (Hermosa Beach Roadway Functional Classifications) summarizes street classification and performance characteristics, and Table 4.14-2 (Hermosa Beach Roadways) outlines the classified facilities in
the city. Primary roadways include Pacific Coast Highway (PCH or State Route 1), Ardmore
Avenue/Valley Drive, Artesia Boulevard (State Route 91), Aviation Boulevard, and Herondo
Street, as illustrated in Figure 4.14-1 (Hermosa Beach Street Classification). Regional access is via by the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) located approximately 3 miles east of the city border.
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TABLE 4.14-1
HERMOSA BEACH ROADWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS
Roadway Type Accommodation for Movement of Traffic Level of Property Access
Arterial Primary roadway for movement of traffic at city
level; prioritizes traffic movement; can also
provide regional connectivity.
Driveways and other curb cuts along arterials are
limited to minimize disruption to traffic flow.
Collector Circulation of traffic between residential
neighborhoods and arterial streets. Collectors
typically provide intracity and some intercity
access, but no regional access.
Access is prioritized similarly to a local street with
more considerations for traffic flow and visibility.
Local Designed to serve adjacent residential land
uses only and provide the lowest
accommodation for traffic movement.
Local streets provide the highest level of property
access. Driveways are closely spaced, and there are
few access limitations.
Walk Street Provide no vehicular access. Walk streets provide high levels of pedestrian- and
bicycle-only property access.
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
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FIGURE 4.14-1
HERMOSA BEACH STREET CLASSIFICATION
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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TABLE 4.14-2
HERMOSA BEACH ROADWAYS
Classification Streets
Arterial Streets
Artesia Boulevard
Aviation Boulevard
Hermosa Avenue from 14th Street to south city limit
Pacific Coast Highway
Pier Avenue from Pacific Coast Highway to Ardmore Avenue
Collector Streets
2nd Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Hermosa Avenue
5th Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue
8th Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Hermosa Avenue
25th Street
27th Street
Ardmore Avenue from Pier Avenue to north city limit
Gould Avenue
Manhattan Avenue from 27th Street to north city limit
Monterey Boulevard
Pier Avenue from west of Ardmore Avenue
Prospect Avenue
Valley Drive from Pier Avenue to south city limit
Local Roads All others
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
Transit
Transit service in Hermosa Beach is provided by three transportation agencies—Beach Cities
Transit, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), and the Los
Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)—and includes a demand-responsive paratransit
service. Transit services in the city are shown in Figure 4.14-2 (Existing Transit Network).
Beach Cities Transit provides local transit service for the Los Angeles Beach Cities. Daily weekday
and weekend transit services are served by two routes: Transit Lines 102 (service in Redondo
Beach only) and 109. Line 109 runs north–south along the coast through Manhattan Beach,
Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, traversing a route between Riviera Village in Redondo Beach and the Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center. Connection to regional transit, the Metro
Green Line, is served by two stops: the Aviation/LAX Station and the Douglas Station. Routes
operated by Beach Cities Transit are summarized in Table 4.14-3.
TABLE 4.14-3
BEACH CITIES TRANSIT ROUTES
Line From To Weekday
Headway
Weekend
Headway
102 Redondo Beach Pier Redondo Beach Green Line Station 30–45 min 30–45 min
109 Redondo Beach Riviera Village Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center 30–50 min 60 min
Source: Beach Cities Transit 2015
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FIGURE 4.14-2
EXISTING TRANSIT NETWORK
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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Metro operates several bus routes and rail lines that offer regional transit service. Metro Line 130 provides east–west coverage between the Beach Cities and the Harbor Gateway Transit Center
in Gardena. North–south transit coverage is served by Metro Line 232. This route travels along
Pacific Coast Highway between downtown Long Beach and the Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center and provides direct connection to the Metro Blue and Green lines. Metro’s Green Line provides regional east–west light rail service to the South Bay area and the Gateway Cities
communities of Lynwood, Downey, Bellflower, and Norwalk. This rail line has direct connections
to north–south rail via the Metro Blue Line. Routes operated by Metro that directly serve Hermosa Beach are summarized in Table 4.14-4 (Los Angeles County Metro Transit Services).
TABLE 4.14-4
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METRO TRANSIT SERVICES
Route Type Direction Service to/from Weekday
Headway
Weekend
Headway
130 Local E–W Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles via Gateway
Cities 30 min 50–60 min
232 Local N–S Downtown Long Beach to Los Angeles Airport City Bus
Center 20 min 30–60 min
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2015; Los Angeles Department of Transportation 2015
LADOT’s Commuter Express provides one bus route (Commuter Express Route 438) with express service during peak commute periods between the Beach Cities area and downtown Los
Angeles via the Century and Harbor freeways. This line makes local stops in Redondo Beach,
Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo. The route operated by LADOT that directly
serves Hermosa Beach is summarized in Table 4.14-5 (Los Angeles Department of Transportation Transit Services).
TABLE 4.14-5
LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TRANSIT SERVICES
Route Type Service to/from Weekday Peak-Hour
Trips
438 Express Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and
Los Angeles
AM = 6 inbound trips
PM = 8 outbound trips
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2015; Los Angeles Department of Transportation 2015
The WAVE Dial-A-Ride program offers demand-responsive paratransit service for senior and disabled passengers for travel in Hermosa Beach. Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible
passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Citywide WAVE
operations provide same-day, curb-to-curb transit to anyone who meets qualification
conditions. The standard fare for service in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, or any area south
of El Segundo Boulevard, west of Crenshaw Boulevard, and north of Pacific Coast Highway is
$1.00. Travel outside these boundaries is subject to an additional meter charge.
Bicycle Facilities
Hermosa Beach currently has 5.1 miles of existing bicycle facilities that include the Class I Marvin
Braude Bikeway on The Strand and Class II, Class III, and Class IV bicycle facilities on Hermosa
Avenue (see Table 4.14-6 (Hermosa Beach Bicycle Facilities) and Figure 4.14-3 (Existing Bicycle Network)). Brief descriptions of each bikeway class follow.
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• Class I Bikeway. Often referred to as a bike path, this facility provides for bicycle travel on a paved right-of-way completely separated from any street or highway.
• Class II Bikeway. Often referred to as a bike lane, this facility provides a striped and
stenciled lane for one-way travel on a street or highway.
• Class III Bikeway. Often referred to as a bike route, this facility provides for shared use with pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic and is identified only by signage.
• Class IV Bikeway. Often referred to as a separated bikeway, this facility provides for
bicycle-only travel in a facility physically separated from through vehicular traffic.
TABLE 4.14-6
HERMOSA BEACH BICYCLE FACILITIES
Class Street/Path From To
I Marvin Braude Bike Trail (The Strand) 35th Street Herondo Street
IV Hermosa Avenue 35th Street 28th Street
II Hermosa Avenue 28th Street 24th Street
II Herondo Street Hermosa Avenue Valley Drive
III Hermosa Avenue 24th Street Herondo Street
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
Pedestrian Environment
The city’s pedestrian infrastructure is along most arterial and local streets interconnected by a
network of sidewalks and striped crosswalks. While many streets in the city include pedestrian
facilities, a number of locations have noncontiguous sidewalk coverage and lack adequate
curb ramps, cross steep driveway entrances, and include sidewalk obstructions that block travel along a number of the city’s narrow sidewalks.
In Hermosa Beach’s Downtown area, pedestrian facilities offer a range of amenities that include
public spaces, shopping, dining, beach access, and shade cover supplied by the city’s tree
network and streetscape design strategies. Protected pedestrian facilities are common throughout the city along pedestrian-only walk streets and off-street pedestrian paths. The
Hermosa Valley Greenbelt provides north–south connections away from the beach. The Strand,
Southern California’s famous beachside pedestrian walkway and bicycle path (Marvin Braude Bikeway), also serves the Hermosa Beach community on its way between Torrance and Malibu.
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FIGURE 4.14-3
EXISTING BICYCLE NETWORK
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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LEVEL OF SERVICE
The performance of a roadway system is measured in terms of level of service (LOS), a
standardized methodology describing the efficiency of a roadway circulation system in relation
to the quality of traffic operations and flow. LOS is ranked by a letter grade that represents the overall condition of travel through an intersection or road segment, based on number of
seconds of delay for vehicles. These grades range from A (minimal delay) to F (excessive
congestion). LOS E represents at-capacity operations. LOS definitions for intersections are shown
in Table 4.14-7 (Level of Service Definitions).
TABLE 4.14-7
LEVEL OF SERVICE DEFINITIONS
LOS Definition
A EXCELLENT. No vehicle waits longer than one red light and no approach phase is fully used.
B VERY GOOD. An occasional approach phase is fully utilized; many drivers begin to feel somewhat restricted
within groups of vehicles.
C GOOD. Occasionally drivers may have to wait through more than one red light; backups may develop behind
turning vehicles.
D FAIR. Delays may be substantial during portions of the rush hours, but enough lower volume periods occur to
permit clearing of developing lines, preventing excessive backups.
E POOR. Represents the most vehicles intersection approaches can accommodate; may be long lines of waiting
vehicles through several signal cycles.
F FAILURE. Backups from nearby locations or on cross streets may restrict or prevent movement of vehicles out
of the intersection approaches. Tremendous delays with continuously increasing queue lengths.
Source: Transportation Research Board 1980
Studied Intersections
Thirteen intersections and 20 street segments were selected for study. These study locations are
shown in Figure 4.14-4 (Study Intersections) and Figure 4.14-5 (Study Roadway Segments). Studied intersections, intersection control type, and responsible agencies for each study location
are shown in Table 4.14-8 (Study Intersections). Studied street segments and their
accompanying functional classification, number of lanes, and estimated daily capacities from
the existing General Plan Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element are shown in Table 4.14-9 (Study Roadway Segments).
TABLE 4.14-8
STUDY INTERSECTIONS
Intersection Intersection Control Jurisdiction
1. Hermosa Avenue & 13th Street Signal Hermosa Beach
2. Hermosa Avenue & Pier Avenue Signal Hermosa Beach
3. Pacific Coast Highway & Artesia Boulevard Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans/CMP
4. Pacific Coast Highway & Aviation Boulevard Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans
5. Pacific Coast Highway & Pier Avenue Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans
6. Pacific Coast Highway & 2nd Street Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans
7. Pacific Coast Highway & 16th Street Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans
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Intersection Intersection Control Jurisdiction
8. Pacific Coast Highway & 21st Street Signal Hermosa Beach/Caltrans
9. Prospect Avenue & Artesia Boulevard Signal Hermosa Beach
10. Prospect Avenue & Aviation Boulevard Signal Hermosa Beach
11. Prospect Avenue & Anita Street Signal Hermosa Beach
12. Manhattan Avenue & 27th Street All-Way Stop Control Hermosa Beach
13. Valley Drive & Gould Avenue All-Way Stop Control Hermosa Beach
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
TABLE 4.14-9
STUDY ROADWAY SEGMENTS
Segment Location Functional
Classification Lanes Daily
Capacity
1. Hermosa Avenue 27th Street to 22nd Street Collector 4 22,000
2. Hermosa Avenue 22nd Street to 16th Street Collector 4 22,000
3. Hermosa Avenue 16th Street to 8th Street Arterial 4 29,000
4. Hermosa Avenue 8th Street to Herondo Street Arterial 4 29,000
5. Valley Drive Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue Local 2 15,000
6. Valley Drive Pier Avenue to 8th Street Collector 2 15,000
7. Ardmore Avenue 16th Street to 11th Street Local 2 15,000
8. Ardmore Avenue 8th Street to 2nd Street Local 2 15,000
9. Pacific Coast Highway Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard Arterial 6 44,000
10. Pacific Coast Highway Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street Arterial 6 44,000
11. Prospect Avenue Artesia Blvd to Aviation Boulevard Collector 2 15,000
12. Prospect Avenue Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street Collector 2 15,000
13. Artesia Boulevard Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue Arterial 4 29,000
14. Aviation Boulevard Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue Arterial 4 29,000
15. Pier Avenue Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive Collector 4 29,000
16. Pier Avenue Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway Arterial 4 29,000
17. Gould Avenue Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway Collector 4 22,000
18. 8th Street Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive Collector 2 15,000
19. 8th Street Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue Local 2 2,500
20. Herondo Street Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive Arterial 2 13,000
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
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FIGURE 4.14-4
STUDY INTERSECTIONS
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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FIGURE 4.14-5
STUDY ROADWAY SEGMENTS
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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Traffic study guidelines published by the City of Hermosa Beach (in the existing Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element [1990]), by the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), and in the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program were used to
analyze the operation of each study location under Existing (2015) traffic conditions as detailed below.
City of Hermosa Beach
Level of service standards for intersections in Hermosa Beach are outlined in the existing City of
Hermosa Beach Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element (1990). The City maintains a
policy of LOS C or better for both signalized and unsignalized intersections during weekday morning peak and evening peak hours. Traffic study guidelines established by the City of
Hermosa Beach require the Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU) methodology for LOS analyses
of signalized intersections. The ICU method measures the volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio (rated on a scale of 0 to 1.000) on a critical lane basis and determines level of service associated with each critical V/C ratio. For unsignalized intersections, LOS is calculated using the Highway
Capacity Manual (HCM) methodology. The HCM method determines the average control delay
(in seconds per vehicle) and determines level of service based on the average intersection delay for all vehicles. Table 4.14-10 (Level of Service Thresholds) shows level of service thresholds for both the ICU and HCM methodologies.
TABLE 4.14-10
LEVEL OF SERVICE THRESHOLDS
Level of Service V/C Ratio
(ICU Signalized)
Control Delay in Seconds
(HCM Signalized)
Control Delay in Seconds
(HCM Unsignalized)
A 0.00 to 0.60 0.0 to 10.0 0.0 to 10.0
B 0.61 to 0.70 10.1 to 20.0 10.1 to 15.0
C 0.71 to 0.80 20.1 to 35.0 15.1 to 25.0
D 0.81 to 0.90 35.1 to 55.0 25.1 to 35.0
E 0.91 to 1.00 55.1 to 80.0 35.1 to 50.0
F 1.01 or greater 80.1 or greater 50.1 or greater
Source: Transportation Research Board 2010
For the analysis of roadway segments, the City maintains a policy of LOS D for arterial mid-block segments that are based on average daily traffic volumes. Level of service is determined based
on a V/C ratio calculated using daily capacities (Table 4.14-9) and applies LOS thresholds that
are consistent with the criteria for signalized intersections in Hermosa Beach.
California Department of Transportation
Caltrans (2002) developed the Guide for the Preparation of Traffic Impact Studies to establish
standards and guidelines for the analysis of traffic impacts generated by local development
and land use change proposals that affect traffic along state highway facilities. LOS standards
for intersections under the jurisdiction of Caltrans require State-controlled intersections to be under the target threshold of LOS D as measured using the HCM methodology.
Congestion Management Program
The Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program (CMP) is a State-mandated
program administered by Metro that provides a mechanism for coordinating regional land use and development decisions in conjunction with the California Environmental Quality Act
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(CEQA). The CMP requires arterial intersection analysis at CMP monitoring locations where the proposed project will add 50 or more peak-hour vehicle trips. Intersections are analyzed using
ICU methodology and require a minimum level of service of LOS E. Only one study intersection in
Hermosa Beach, Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard, is a CMP monitoring location. CMP guidelines for roadway analysis require freeway mainline analysis at monitoring locations where the proposed project will add 150 or more peak-hour vehicle trips. The CMP identifies a
minimum level of service requirement of LOS E. The closest freeway mainline monitoring location
is Interstate 405.
Existing (2015) Level of Service Results
The existing peak-hour traffic volumes shown in Appendix C-17 were analyzed using the analysis
methodologies described above to determine the existing operating conditions at the selected
intersections for analysis under existing conditions. LOS calculation worksheets are included in Appendix G. Of the 13 intersections, 12 operate at LOS C or better under Existing (2015) peak-hour traffic conditions (Table 4.14-11 (Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service: City of Hermosa Beach) and Figure 4.14-6 (Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service)). Only one
intersection currently operates at LOS D, below the adopted standard: Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street (AM peak hour).
TABLE 4.14-11
EXISTING (2015) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE: CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
Intersection Intersection
Control
Peak
Hour
Existing
V/C or Delay (sec) LOS
1. Hermosa Avenue & 13th Street Signal AM
PM
0.302
0.335
A
A
2. Hermosa Avenue & Pier Avenue Signal AM
PM
0.384
0.324
A
A
3. Pacific Coast Highway & Artesia Boulevard Signal AM
PM
0.732
0.767
C
C
4. Pacific Coast Highway & Aviation Boulevard Signal AM
PM
0.777
0.743
C
C
5. Pacific Coast Highway & Pier Avenue Signal AM
PM
0.565
0.703
A
C
6. Pacific Coast Highway & 2nd Street Signal AM
PM
0.678
0.696
B
B
7. Pacific Coast Highway & 16th Street Signal AM
PM
0.526
0.636
A
B
8. Pacific Coast Highway & 21st Street Signal AM
PM
0.590
0.668
A
B
9. Prospect Avenue & Artesia Boulevard Signal AM
PM
0.709
0.749
C
C
10. Prospect Avenue & Aviation Boulevard Signal AM
PM
0.691
0.763
B
C
11. Prospect Avenue & Anita Street Signal AM
PM
0.727
0.645
C
B
12. Manhattan Avenue & 27th Street/Greenwich Village All-Way
Stop Control
AM
PM
27.6
16.1
C
B
13. Valley Drive & Gould Avenue All-Way
Stop Control
AM
PM
21.2
24.2
C
C
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015 (see Appendix G)
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FIGURE 4.14-6
EXISTING (2015) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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Six study intersections along Pacific Coast Highway also require analysis under Caltrans operating standards. Under Existing (2015) traffic conditions, all analyzed intersections currently
operate at or above the target LOS D standard, as shown in Table 4.14-12 (Existing (2015) Intersection Level of Service: Caltrans).
TABLE 4.14-12
EXISTING (2015) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE: CALTRANS
Intersection Intersection
Control Peak Hour Existing
Delay (sec) LOS
3. Pacific Coast Highway & Artesia Boulevard Signal AM
PM
54.3
52.7
D
D
4. Pacific Coast Highway & Aviation Boulevard Signal AM
PM
25.8
36.4
C
D
5. Pacific Coast Highway & Pier Avenue Signal AM
PM
17.6
22.0
B
C
6. Pacific Coast Highway & 2nd Street Signal AM
PM
10.9
11.4
B
B
7. Pacific Coast Highway & 16th Street Signal AM
PM
28.8
35.5
C
D
8. Pacific Coast Highway & 21st Street Signal AM
PM
11.7
5.3
B
A
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015 (see Appendix G)
Level of service results for highways and roadways are shown in Table 4.14-13 (Existing (2015) Roadway Segment Level of Service). Since the publication of the City’s Circulation,
Transportation, and Parking Element in 1990, the AM and PM peak period configurations of Pacific Coast Highway have changed due to parking restrictions, and the daily capacity values
have been updated to reflect these changes. The configurations of all other segments are
consistent with the existing 1990 element.
Of the 20 selected street segments, 15 currently operate at LOS D or better, as shown in Figure 4.14-7 (Existing (2015) Roadway Segment Level of Service). Five street segments currently operate at LOS E and/or LOS F, below the adopted standard:
• Pacific Coast Highway between Artesia Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard
• Pacific Coast Highway between Aviation Boulevard and 2nd Street
• Artesia Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue
• Aviation Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue
• Herondo Street between Hermosa Avenue and Valley Drive
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TABLE 4.14-13
EXISTING (2015) ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVEL OF SERVICE
Street Segment Lanes Capacity Volume
Daily
Volume
V/C LOS
1. Hermosa Avenue from 27th Street to 22nd Street 4 22,000 8,374 0.381 A
2. Hermosa Avenue from 22nd Street to 16th Street 4 22,000 8,007 0.364 A
3. Hermosa Avenue from 16th Street to 8th Street 4 29,000 11,128 0.384 A
4. Hermosa Avenue from 8th Street to Herondo Street 4 29,000 9,077 0.313 A
5. Valley Drive from Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue 2 15,000 5,044 0.336 A
6. Valley Drive from Pier Avenue to 8th Street 2 15,000 6,509 0.434 A
7. Ardmore Avenue from 16th Street to 11th Street 2 15,000 4,226 0.282 A
8. Ardmore Avenue from 8th Street to 2nd Street 2 15,000 3,005 0.200 A
9. Pacific Coast Highway from Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard 6 44,000 43,854 0.997 E
10. Pacific Coast Highway from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street 6 44,000 51,437 1.169 F
11. Prospect Avenue from Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard 2 15,000 6,177 0.412 A
12. Prospect Avenue from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street 2 15,000 11,924 0.795 C
13. Artesia Boulevard from Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue 4 29,000 26,354 0.909 E
14. Aviation Boulevard from Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue 4 29,000 25,721 0.887 D
15. Pier Avenue from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 4 29,000 13,352 0.460 A
16. Pier Avenue from Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway 4 29,000 14,314 0.494 A
17. Gould Avenue from Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway 4 22,000 13,256 0.603 B
18. 8th Street from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 2 15,000 2,616 0.174 A
19. 8th Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue 2 2,500 350 0.140 A
20. Herondo Street from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 2 13,000 11,263 0.866 D
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015 (see Appendix G)
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FIGURE 4.14-7
EXISTING (2015) ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVEL OF SERVICE
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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4.14.3 REGULATORY SETTING
Federal, state, regional, and local laws, regulations, and policies provide the regulatory
framework for addressing the aspects of transportation planning and infrastructure that would
be affected by implementation of PLAN Hermosa. The regulatory setting is used to inform decision-makers about the regulatory agencies and policies that affect transportation in the city and is detailed below.
FEDERAL
• Americans with Disabilities Act: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires
that all public programs, services, and amenities be accessible for persons of all abilities.
Governments must adopt ADA Standards for Accessible Design as technical
requirements for new constructions, alterations, and architectural changes in order to achieve accessibility goals.
STATE
• Assembly Bill 417: Assembly Bill (AB) 417 creates a statutory exemption from CEQA for
bicycle transportation plans for an urbanized area in certain instances. Specifically, the
bill exempts the following types of bicycle transportation plans or projects prepared
pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2 for an urbanized area if those
projects have been described at a reasonably high level of detail: restriping of streets and highways, bicycle parking and storage, signal timing to improve street and highway intersection operations, and related signage for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles. It
does not exempt all potential impacts of a bike plan, such as a new path through a
natural area, for example. Prior to determining that a bicycle plan is exempt, the lead agency is required to do both of the following: (1) hold properly noticed public hearings
in areas affected by the bicycle transportation plan to hear and respond to public
comments, and (2) include measures in the bicycle transportation plan to mitigate
potential bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic impacts.
• Assembly Bill 1358: The Complete Streets Act of 2008 (AB 1358) requires cities and
counties to include Complete Streets policies in their general plan circulation elements.
The act requires the consideration of multiple users of the transportation system, including
children, adults, seniors, and the disabled, and designing and building streets so that people of all ages and abilities can travel easily, safely, and by all modes.
• California Coastal Act: The California Coastal Act of 1976 dictates certain policies related
to shoreline resources, including transportation issues related to state shorelines. While the act does not include a section specifically regarding transportation issues, it does state how development must maintain access to coastal resources and maintain or distribute
parking supply or adequate public transportation so as to minimize adverse impacts.
• Senate Bill 375 – California Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act: Passed
in 2008 by the California legislature, Senate Bill (SB) 375 requires the state’s metropolitan
planning organizations to develop a sustainable communities strategy (SCS) to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and light trucks through integrated
transportation, land use, housing, and environmental planning. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the metropolitan planning organization with jurisdiction in Hermosa Beach and the region.
• Senate Bill 743: SB 743 creates a process to change the way transportation impacts are
analyzed under CEQA. The law will require the potential elimination or de-emphasizing of auto delay, level of service, and other similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic
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congestion as a basis for determining significant transportation impacts in CEQA analysis in transportation priority zones. To implement this intent, SB 743 contains amendments to
current congestion management law that allows cities and counties to effectively opt
out of the LOS standards that would otherwise apply in areas where Congestion Management Plans are still used. The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) has released draft recommendations that level of service and other
delay-based metrics be potentially replaced with other transportation metrics including
but not limited to vehicle miles traveled (VMT), vehicle trips generated, VMT per capita, and vehicle trips per capita. SB 743 does not prevent a city or county from continuing to
analyze delay or LOS as a check of consistency with adopted plans (i.e., the general
plan), studies, or ongoing network monitoring, but these metrics may no longer constitute
the basis for determining CEQA transportation impacts.
• State Transportation Improvement Program: Caltrans provides for the mobility of people,
goods, services, and information. The agency renders administrative support for
transportation programming decisions made by the California Transportation Commission
and Caltrans. The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is a multiyear capital improvement program that sets priorities and funds transportation projects envisioned in
long-range transportation plans. STIP programming generally occurs every two years. The
STIP is a resource management document to assist state and local entities to plan and
implement transportation improvements and to use available resources in a cost-effective manner. The STIP lists all capital improvement projects that are expected to
receive an allocation of state transportation funds from the California Transportation
Commission during the following five years. The STIP consists of two broad programs: the
regional program is funded using 75 percent of new STIP funding, while the interregional program is funded using 25 percent of the same source. The 75 percent regional
program is further subdivided by formula into county shares.
REGIONAL
• LA Metro First Last Mile Strategic Plan: The goal of the First Last Mile Strategic Plan is to
extend the reach of transit services in order to increase transit ridership. The policy
ensures that access to Metro transit facilities is easy, safe, and efficient and fosters a high
level of connectivity among various transit services and among bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program: State statute requires that a
congestion management program be developed, adopted, and updated biennially for
every county that includes an urbanized area. The CMP, administered by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is a mechanism for coordinating
land use and development decisions that addresses the impact of local growth on the
regional transportation system. Statutory elements of the CMP include highway and roadway system monitoring, multimodal system performance analysis, the Transportation Demand Management Program, the Land Use Analysis Program, and local
conformance for all the county’s jurisdictions.
• Los Angeles County Long Range Transportation Plan: Metro, the State-designated transportation planning and programming agency for Los Angeles County, developed
the Long Range Transportation Plan as a long-range vision for the transportation system
that reflects both regional needs and local concerns. The 2009 plan is the guiding policy
behind funding decisions on subsequent transportation projects and programs in Los Angeles County. The plan reflects Metro’s mobility priorities for regional, state, and
federal governments to qualify for transportation funds. Metro’s long-range priorities
coincide with the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
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Consistency between these planning efforts ensures that transportation priorities are eligible for federal funding.
• SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy: In April 2012,
SCAG adopted the 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The plan involves stakeholders from six counties in Southern California with a shared vision for the region’s sustainable future. The RTP/SCS is a regional
transportation plan that is driven by a strong commitment toward reducing emissions
from transportation sources set forth by SB 375 and meeting the national ambient air quality standards for compliance with the federal Clean Air Act. The plan focuses on the
interconnected components of economic, social, and transportation investments
required to improve public health and achieve a sustainable regional multimodal
transportation system.
• South Bay Bicycle Master Plan: The South Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP) was funded by
the Los Angeles County Department of Health’s RENEW grant initiative in 2010 to
facilitate more cycling and bike infrastructure in seven participating cities in the South
Bay region. The City of Hermosa Beach adopted the SBBMP in 2011 and proposes an additional 9.2 miles of bicycle facilities within the city that include connections with other
SBBMP facilities in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. The plan prioritizes
investments in bicycle infrastructure and incorporates a comprehensive implementation
program for the planning of routes and facilities into the circulation network.
LOCAL
• Aviation Boulevard Master Plan: This plan focuses on the transformation of Aviation
Boulevard into a thriving corridor that will act as a gateway into Hermosa Beach and prioritize the development of pedestrian-oriented facilities.
• Beach Cities Livability Plan: The Beach Cities Livability Plan, fostered by the Healthways
Blue Zones (Vitality City) Initiative, focuses on how to improve livability and well-being in
Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach through land use and transportation systems that better support active living. The plan was adopted by each
city and includes recommendations to (1) develop a regional pedestrian master plan,
(2) adopt and implement the SBBMP, and (3) improve and enhance Safe Routes to
School programs.
• City of Hermosa Beach Coastal Land Use Plan: The Coastal Land Use Plan (CLUP)
addresses parking supply and protection in the Coastal Zone. Policies under the CLUP
require that access to coastal resources be accessible to all through the implementation
of various parking management strategies. Specific CLUP policies include a prohibition against the elimination of existing on- or off-street parking within the Coastal Zone, the
control of congestion through the granting of preferential parking permits, and the
separation of short- and long-term parkers in the immediate area around the beach.
• City of Hermosa Beach Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy: The Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy is a comprehensive approach to increasing the vitality of
Downtown. The strategy requires public and private initiatives including capital
improvement projects, changes to parking and zoning, and parking requirements involving private development.
• City of Hermosa Beach Living Streets Policy: The goal of the City’s Living Streets Policy is to
promote the health and mobility of all Hermosa Beach residents and visitors through
provision of high quality pedestrian, bicycling, and transit access to destinations across the city. The policy provides a checklist of procedures that evaluate street projects
through a comprehensive “sustainability” lens. It ensures that the various segments of the
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community—not just vehicle drivers—are considered when determining how to use and improve the public right-of-way.
• City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code: The Municipal Code includes regulations and
standards governing traffic, parking and loading, encroachments on the public right-of-way, and development.
• City of Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan: Section 3 of the City’s Sustainability Plan
addresses transportation through policies and infrastructure improvements that
encourage bicycling, walking, and other alternative modes of transportation as part of
the City’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and Complete Streets policy.
• City of Hermosa Beach Emergency Operations Plan: The City’s Emergency Operations
Plan seeks to identify emergency evacuation protocols in order to establish a
comprehensive, all-hazards approach to natural, man-made, and technological disasters.
• Pacific Coast Highway Streetscape Master Plan: The Master Plan was implemented in
2013 to improve economic development through the revitalization of Downtown and
entry corridors along Pacific Coast Highway.
DRAFT PLAN HERMOSA
PLAN Hermosa is the City of Hermosa Beach’s integrated General Plan update and Coastal
Land Use Plan for the guidance of development and land use projects into the buildout year 2040. In addition to the Mobility Element, PLAN Hermosa’s Sustainability + Conservation, Parks +
Open Space, and Infrastructure elements all incorporate aspects of sustainable transportation
development. The elements include policies intended to effectively manage and maintain the
city’s circulation system with the goal of minimizing congestion, increasing local and regional access opportunities, and enhancing traffic circulation by reducing vehicle trips and increasing
access to non-motorized and low-carbon transportation options such as walking, bicycling, and
transit. PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions that address transportation include
the following.
Policies
Mobility Element
• 1.1 Consider all modes. Require the planning, design, and construction of all new and
existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe, livable and inviting environments for all users of the system.
• 1.2 Develop design standards. Encourage the development of context-sensitive street
classification design standards that will provide the City with opportunities to repurpose
and classify targeted corridors and other roadways fitting needs of adjacent land uses and mode-specific transport.
• 1.5 Require improvements. Require new development to provide or pay its share of
transportation and infrastructure improvements including any sidewalk improvements,
landscaping, bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming, and public realm improvements.
• 2.1 Prioritize public right-of-ways. Prioritize improvements of public right-of-ways that
provide heightened levels of safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-
motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation.
• 2.2 Encourage traffic calming. Encourage traffic calming policies and techniques that limit cut-through traffic and high vehicle speeds that may compromise the safety of
travelers along residential areas and highly trafficked corridors.
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• 2.5 Require sustainable practices. Incorporate environmental sustainability practices into designs and strategic management of road space and public right-of-ways, prioritizing
practices that can serve dual infrastructure purposes.
• 3.1 Repurpose public right-of-ways. Require repurposing public right-of-ways enhancing connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit.
• 3.2 Invest in sidewalks. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a
complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances
pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
• 3.3 Active transportation. Require that all development or redevelopment projects
accommodate active transportation through providing on-site amenities, necessary
connections to existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks, and incorporate
people-oriented design practice
• 3.4 Access opportunities. Provide enhanced mobility and access opportunities for local transportation and transit services in areas of the City with sufficient density and intensity
of uses, mix of appropriate uses, and supportive bicycle and pedestrian network
connections that can reduce vehicle trips within the City’s busiest corridors.
• 3.5 Incentivize other modes. Incentivize local shuttle/trolley services, rideshare and car
share programs, and developing infrastructure that support low speed, low carbon (e.g.
electric) vehicles.
• 3.6 Complete bicycle network. Provide a complete bicycle network along all designated roadways while creating connections to other modes of travel including walking and
transit.
• 3.8 Encourage shared streets. Encourage the concept of shared streets on low volume
streets with limited right-of-ways.
• 4.1 Shared parking. Facilitate park-once and shared parking policies among private
developments that contribute to a shared parking supply and interconnect with
adjacent parking facilities.
• 4.5 Sufficient bicycle parking. Require a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be provided in conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private
developments.
• 4.6 Priority parking. Provide priority parking and charging stations to accommodate the
use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including smaller short-distance neighborhood electric
vehicles.
• 4.8 Ensure commercial parking. Ensure that prime commercial parking spaces are
available for customers and other short-term users throughout the day.
• 4.9 Encourage TDM strategies. Encourage use of transportation demand management strategies and programs such as carpooling, ride hailing, and alternative transportation
modes as a way to reduce demand for additional parking supply.
• 5.1 Prioritize development of infrastructure. Prioritize the development of roadway and parking infrastructure that accommodates and encourages private electric and other
low carbon vehicle ownership and use throughout the City.
• 5.2 Local transit system. Develop a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport
of residents, hotel guests, and beachgoers between activity centers and to Downtown businesses and the beach.
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• 5.3 Incentivize TDM strategies. Incentivize the use of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies as a cost effective method for maximizing existing
transportation infrastructure to accommodate mobility demands without significant
expansion to infrastructure.
• 5.4 Evaluate projects. Ensure the evaluation of projects for transportation and traffic impacts under CEQA consider local and statewide goals related to infill development,
the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles through active transportation, and the
reduction of greenhouse gases, in addition to traditional congestion management impacts.
• 5.5 Encourage smart growth. Encourage smart growth land use policies in development
projects to ensure more compact, mixed, connected, and multimodal development
supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative modes.
• 6.1 Regional network. Work with government agencies and private sector companies to
develop a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network that connects
the community to surrounding cities.
• 6.2 Consider travel patterns. Require considering regional travel patterns when
collaborating on regional transit and transportation projects to ensure investments
facilitate greater mobility and access for residents, businesses, and visitors to and from
Hermosa Beach.
• 6.3 Support programs. Facilitate greater local and regional mobility through access to
shared equipment or transportation options such as car-sharing and bike sharing.
• 6.4 Coordinate with agencies. Coordinate with regional transportation agencies and
surrounding cities to improve local access and connections to region-wide public transit services.
• 6.5 Coordinate with surrounding cities. Coordinate with surrounding cities to prioritize non-
motorized and pedestrian connections to regional facilities and surrounding cities.
• 6.6 Greater utilization. Consider exploring opportunities for greater utilization of the Beach Cities Transit system for improved mobility along major corridors and as a potential means
of improved regional transit connections.
• 7.1 Safe public rights-of-way. Encourage that all public rights-of-way are safe for all users
at all times of day where users of all ages and ability feel comfortable participating in
both motorized and non-motorized travel.
• 7.2 Manage speeds. Monitor vehicle speeds through traffic controls, speed limits, and
design features with the intended purpose of minimizing vehicle accidents, creating a pedestrian and bicycle environment, and discouraging pass-through traffic.
• 7.3 Provide street lighting. Provide pedestrian-oriented street lighting for enhanced
pedestrian and bicycling safety on all City streets with appropriate land use designations.
• 7.4 Traffic safety programs. Prioritize traffic safety programs oriented towards safe access to schools and community facilities that focus on walking, biking, and driving in school
zones.
• 7.5 Appropriate sidewalk widths. Encourage design and construction plans that
incorporate sidewalks that are wide enough to safely accommodate high levels of pedestrian activity.
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• 7.6 Expanding traffic enforcement. Encourage expanding traffic enforcement services and installing enhancements along streets with high collision rates and unsafe behaviors.
Sustainability + Conservation Element
• 1.1 Carbon neutral organization. Demonstrate environmental leadership and achieve
carbon neutrality as a municipal organization by 2020.
• 1.2 Highest return on investment. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas
reduction projects that simultaneously reduce ongoing operational costs to the City.
• 1.5 City leadership. Create a culture of leadership, innovation, and ingenuity to
implement creative and cost effective greenhouse gas reducing projects for City facilities and operations.
• 1.6 Demonstration and pilot projects. Utilize demonstration and pilot projects as a means
to evaluate the greenhouse gas reduction potential and cost effectiveness of projects.
• 2.2 Triple bottom line projects. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects that simultaneously provide the greatest economic and health benefits to the
community.
• 2.3 Diversify GHG reduction strategies. Pursue a diverse mixture of greenhouse gas reduction strategies across the transportation, energy, waste sectors, commensurate with their share of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• 2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation
investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
• 2.6 Grants and incentives. Seek grant funding to support implementation of greenhouse
gas reduction projects for the City, as well as residents and businesses.
• 2.7 Discretionary projects. Require discretionary projects to substantially mitigate all feasible greenhouse gas emissions, and offset the remainder of greenhouse gas
emissions produced to meet annual thresholds.
• 3.1 Stationary and mobile sources. Seek to improve overall respiratory health for residents
through regulation of stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, as feasible.
• 3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce
vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger
vehicles.
• 3.3 Fuel efficient fleets. Promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide
cleaner fleets.
• 3.4 Two-stroke engines. Discourage the use of equipment with two-stroke engines and
publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.
• 3.5 Clean fuels. Support increased local access to cleaner fuels and cleaner energy by
encouraging fueling stations that provide cleaner fuels and energy to the community.
• 3.6 Healthy Air Hermosa. When possible, collaborate with other agencies within the region to improve air quality and meet or exceed state and federal air quality standards through regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, including trucks and
passenger vehicles.
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Parks + Open Space Element
• 4.2 Enhanced access points. Increase and enhance access to parks and open space,
particularly access points that promote physical activity such as pedestrian and bike
oriented access points.
• 4.3 Safe and efficient trail network. Develop a network of safe and efficient trails, streets, and paths that connect residents, visitors, and neighboring communities to the beach,
parks, and activity centers.
• 6.3 Safe and accessible connections. Ensure public access points provide safe and
accessible connections to The Strand and shoreline, including access for persons with disabilities.
• 6.4 Transit access. Coordinate with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to
improve regional and local transit access to beach access points.
• 6.5 Bicycle and pedestrian access. Maximize bicycle and pedestrian access and safety getting to and around the Coastal Zone through infrastructure and wayfinding
improvements.
• 6.6 Universal access. Provide resources that improve accessibility to the beach for all visitors.
• 6.8 High-quality connections. Support high-quality connections to adjacent jurisdictions
along The Strand to promote safe and efficient circulation of pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other non-motorized uses.
Infrastructure Element
• 2.1 Preventive street maintenance. Maintain streets, sidewalks and other public rights-of-
way to provide a reliable network for circulation through a proactive preventive
maintenance program.
• 2.3 Street and sidewalk standards. Require the use of standardized roadway, sidewalk,
parkway, curb and gutter designs to ensure continuity and consistency as property
redevelops over time.
• 2.4 Sidewalk improvements. Consider innovative funding strategies, such as cost-sharing, ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to improve the overall condition,
safety, and accessibility of sidewalks.
• 2.5 Active transportation dedications. Require new development and redevelopment
projects to provide land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active transportation, such as sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops.
Implementation Actions
• GOVERNANCE-4. Continue to participate and partner with neighboring cities and
regional organizations to implement projects and achieve goals that enhance the livability of Hermosa Beach.
• MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to
identify gaps, assess ADA accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital
Improvement Program.
• MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design
standards for the construction or maintenance of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and
parkways.
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• MOBILITY-3. Add definitions to the Municipal Code for street classifications, pedestrian facilities, bicycle and multi-use facilities, and transportation amenities.
• MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and
regional bicycle routes, and parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing meters and machines have been shown to cause confusion for visitors.
• MOBILITY-5. Evaluate operations in local neighborhood streets with considerations to
speed management strategies and traffic calming measures to increase safety for all
people using the street.
• MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified
and documented traffic concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or
designee. Potential traffic calming applications include clearly marked and/or protected
bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps, traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers,
raised intersections, realigned intersections, and textured pavements, among other
effective enhancements.
• MOBILITY-7. Work with commercial property owners to conduct an assessment for utilization of private parking supplies to supplement private and public parking needs
and evaluate the potential for shared use agreements or MOUs.
• MOBILITY-8. Implement a contingency-based overflow parking plan to address seasonal
and even- based parking demands.
• MOBILITY-9. Periodically conduct a city-wide parking study to analyze existing parking
infrastructure in order to effectively address and manage current and future parking
needs.
• MOBILITY-10. Set utilization and turnover rate goals and implement dynamically adjusted (demand-based) pricing strategies for public parking supplies.
• MOBILITY-11. Develop a smart technology street parking system in the Coastal Zone that
includes but is not limited to the following features:
• Variable-cost parking linked to demand;
• Smart phone application identifying available metered spaces; and
• Parking pay-by-card and pay-by-phone programs.
• MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Ordinance with activities that will reduce auto trips associated with
new development.
• MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and
electric vehicle charging stations so that they are available at each commercial district or corridor, park, and public facility.
• MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
• MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the
beach, the Pier, and The Strand.
• MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus
stop pullouts, bus parking locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up
areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year Capital Improvement Program.
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• MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will identify school access points, a proposed network, education and enforcement
programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School Program.
• MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant impact thresholds that are in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requirements for roadway segments and
intersections.
• SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease
of vehicles and equipment that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air
quality.
• PARKS-8. Identify and evaluate the ADA compliance of parks, public facilities, and
coastal public access points.
• PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or avoiding negative effects on the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
• PARKS-16. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the
public to locate and use coastal access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
• PARKS-17. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs
and fences that inhibit visibility of public coastal access points.
• PARKS-22. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for summer events occurring on weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor
Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and advertise predetermined shuttle
services and bicycle corrals.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-6. Aggressively seek regional, state, and federal funds to leverage local money earmarked for projects listed in the CIP.
• INFRASTRUCTURE-7. Periodically review, and if needed revise, the development fee
schedule and impact fee process to ensure they are adequate and reflective of
proposed projects’ impacts and required services.
4.14.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
For the purposes of this EIR, impacts on transportation are considered significant if adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would:
1) Conflict with the adopted Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element, which
establishes LOS C as the performance standard for signalized and unsignalized intersections and LOS D as the performance standard for roadway segments in addition to Caltrans traffic study guidelines.
2) Conflict with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program.
3) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks.
4) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses.
5) Result in inadequate emergency access.
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6) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities.
Applicable policies, plans, and programs include but are not limited to the Los Angeles
County Long Range Transportation Plan, the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan, and the Hermosa Beach Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy.
These thresholds of significance were used to assess significant transportation impacts at the
studied signalized intersections and roadway segments.
ANALYSIS SCENARIOS
The operating conditions of Hermosa Beach’s circulation system were analyzed based on a
comprehensive evaluation of programs and policies to be adopted and implemented under
PLAN Hermosa. With the guidance of federal, state, regional, and local transportation and land use policies, the plan’s potential for significant transportation impacts was evaluated under the scenarios described below. Impacts for PLAN Hermosa’s horizon year of 2040 were analyzed
using SCAG’s 2012–2035 RTP/SCS scenario.
Transportation and Traffic
Existing (2015)
The Existing (2015) scenario was developed using new peak-hour and daily traffic counts
collected at PLAN Hermosa study intersections and along PLAN Hermosa study segments for the
express purpose of this analysis.
Future without PLAN Hermosa
The Future without Project [PLAN Hermosa] scenario is consistent with land use growth forecasts
and transportation improvement projects from the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The
2012 RTP assumed a conservative increase of 300 residents and 900 employees in Hermosa
Beach between 2008 and 2035. By 2015, due to a variety of demographic and economic factors, Hermosa Beach had already exceeded the 2035 population projections. Respectively,
these represent a 2 percent and a 16 percent increase in population and employment from
2015 estimates. In addition to the regional transportation improvements included in the 2012 RTP,
Caltrans has proposed the removal of a travel lane in each direction along Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. This redesign will allow for the following design features at various
points along the route: new bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, new landscaped medians, wider
vehicle travel lanes, and additional left turn lanes. CEQA requires the evaluation of the existing condition compared to the proposed project and does not require a comparison of two future scenarios. However, for additional context, level of service results for the Future without Project
scenario are provided in this study for informational purposes, but are not used to determine
whether traffic impacts are considered significant.
Future PLAN Hermosa
The PLAN Hermosa scenario includes implementation of the plan’s programs and policies,
regional transportation improvement projects from the 2012 SCAG Regional Transportation Plan,
and a land use growth forecast which allows for greater nonresidential development and
employment than assumed in the 2012 SCAG RTP. In addition to the regional transportation
improvements included in the 2012 RTP, Caltrans has proposed the removal of a travel lane in
each direction along Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. This redesign will allow for the
following design features at various points along the route: new bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, new landscaped medians, wider vehicle travel lanes, and additional left turn lanes. With a limited inventory of vacant and underutilized land, future development under PLAN Hermosa
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would occur through infill and redevelopment activities primarily in the Downtown core, the Cypress Avenue District, the Coastal Zone including The Strand, and along Pacific Coast
Highway and Aviation Boulevard.
PLAN Hermosa assumes an increase of approximately 300 housing units and 1,500 employees by
2040. These figures represent a 3 percent and a 26 percent increase in population and
employment, respectively, from existing estimates. Since the SCAG 2040 RTP model was not
available at the time this report was prepared, the adjusted growth projections were added to
the 2035 SCAG RTP forecast to identify projections for 2040. No additional transportation improvement projects that would add or remove vehicle capacity beyond the proposed changes to Pacific Coast Highway are assumed under the PLAN Hermosa scenario.
Bicycle Network
The City of Hermosa Beach adopted the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP) in 2011 with funding provided under the Los Angeles County Department of Health’s RENEW grant initiative. The plan seeks to facilitate more bicycle infrastructure in seven participating cities in the South
Bay region. The SBBMP proposed bicycle network for Hermosa Beach includes an additional 9.2
miles of bicycle facilities in the city and connects with other SBBMP-recommended networks in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Implementation of the SBBMP facilities has already
begun. With some modifications to further enhance bicycle facility quality, the remaining
planned bicycle facilities are assumed to be developed as part of PLAN Hermosa and are
shown in Table 4.14-14 (Planned Hermosa Beach Bicycle Facilities).
TABLE 4.14-14
PLANNED HERMOSA BEACH BICYCLE FACILITIES
Class Street/Path From To
Proposed Class II and Class III Facilities
IV Prospect Avenue Artesia Boulevard South City Limits
IV Ardmore Avenue North City Limits Pier Avenue
II Aviation Boulevard Pacific Coast Highway Harper Avenue
II Artesia Boulevard Pacific Coast Highway Harper Avenue
III Pier Avenue Hermosa Avenue Ardmore Avenue
III 27th Street/Gould Avenue Hermosa Avenue Pacific Coast Highway
III Longfellow Avenue Hermosa Avenue Valley Drive
III Valley Drive Longfellow Avenue Herondo Street
III Highland Avenue 35th Street Longfellow Avenue
III 10th Street Ardmore Avenue Pacific Coast Highway
III Hermosa Avenue 35th Street 24th Street
Proposed Bicycle-Friendly Streets
5th Street/6th Street Hermosa Avenue Prospect Avenue
1st Street Manhattan Avenue The Strand
22nd Street/Monterey Boulevard The Strand Herondo Street
35th Street/Palm Drive Hermosa Avenue 1st Street
21st Street Ardmore Avenue Prospect Avenue
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
The analysis of potential transportation impacts at the study locations was based on forecast
demand volumes from the 2012 SCAG RTP travel demand model, a trip-based four-step model.
No modifications to the model’s traffic analysis zone system or roadway network were implemented beyond those changes described above, which were necessary to model the
Future without Project and PLAN Hermosa scenarios. The methods used are documented in Appendix G-5.
Although the SCAG regional model can quantify the benefits of broad changes in land use development patterns that would increase density and improve network connectivity, the
model is not able to accurately predict trip generation for mixed-use and urban infill sites with
transit proximity and a density, scale, and design that can facilitate walking, biking, and other
alternative travel options. In order to reflect the benefits of smaller-scale improvements included in PLAN Hermosa, the City’s traffic consultant used the TDM+ model to quantify potential
reductions in trip generation and VMT that could occur by 2040 with full buildout and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
Fehr & Peers worked with the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) to
develop the transportation section of the report Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Measures. This report is now used as a set of guidelines for quantifying the environmental benefits
of mitigation measures. The CAPCOA guidelines were developed by conducting a comprehensive literature review of studies documenting the effects of transportation demand management (TDM) strategies on reducing VMT. Using the results of this study, Fehr & Peers
developed TDM+, a quick response tool that demonstrates trip reductions from commonly used
TDM strategies. The tool also accounts for the interaction among different measures in various categories to avoid double counting. The following strategies were selected from the TDM+ tool to model the changes that could occur with implementation of PLAN Hermosa.
• Traffic Calming: Based on Mobility Element Policies 2.2 and 7.2, traffic calming measures
encourage people to walk or bike instead of using a vehicle. Roadways will be designed to reduce motor vehicle speeds and encourage pedestrian and bicycle trips with traffic
calming features. TDM+ estimates up to a 0.3 percent reduction in VMT in response to
traffic calming programs.
• Car-Sharing Programs: Based on Mobility Element Policies 4.9 and 6.3, implementing a car-sharing program will allow people to have on-demand access to a shared fleet of
vehicles on an as-needed basis. Car-sharing programs may be grouped into three
general categories: residential- or citywide-based, employer-based, and transit station–
based. TDM+ estimates up to a 1.0 percent reduction in VMT in response to establishing car-sharing programs.
• Parking Management: Based on Mobility Element Policies 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, and 4.8, parking
management strategies include changing parking requirements to encourage smart growth development and alternative transportation choices by residents and employees in the city. These could include reduction of minimum parking requirements, creation of
maximum parking requirements, provision of shared parking, or market-based pricing
strategies to encourage park-once behavior. TDM+ estimates up to a 10.5 percent reduction in VMT in response to establishing parking management programs.
• Commute Trip Reduction Programs: Based on Mobility Element Policies 2.5, 3.4, 4.9, and
6.3, commute trip reduction strategies include City facilitation of a SchoolPool in which
parents of local schoolchildren living near one another are matched to transport students to school in a carpool, and expansion of walking school bus services to
accommodate any local schoolchild whose parents wish to use the walking school bus
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program. TDM+ estimates up to a 14.7 percent reduction in VMT in response to establishing these programs.
The combined benefit of the PLAN Hermosa strategies as estimated through the TDM+ tool is a
12.9 percent reduction in the number of vehicle trips generated and VMT compared with the demand estimates from the SCAG RTP model. These reductions have been applied to the vehicle demand forecasts for the project scenario, and the methods and empirical research
used to estimate VMT reductions are documented in Appendix G-6.
SENATE BILL 743
The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research released SB 743 guidelines in a
document entitled Updating Transportation Impacts Analysis in the CEQA Guidelines in August
2014. At the time of the time of the drafting of this report, a revised set of draft guidelines have
been published and OPR is reviewing public comment, which closed in early 2016, and adoption is anticipated in early 2017. The revised CEQA Guidelines will establish new potential
criteria for determining the significance of transportation impacts and define alternative metrics
to replace LOS in transit priority areas. The legislation does not preclude the application of local general plan policies, zoning codes, conditions of approval, or any other planning requirements in a non-CEQA context.
Under SB 743, OPR proposes to replace level of service with VMT and provides guidance on
potential significance thresholds for the analysis of transportation impacts related to development projects, land use plans, and transportation infrastructure projects in transit priority areas. Outside of transit priority areas, lead agencies may elect to be governed by the new
guidelines once they go into effect. Since SB 743 implementation is still evolving and will change
over time, a defined set of analysis steps to meet all aspects of the law cannot be defined at this time. The City of Hermosa Beach does not have adopted thresholds for evaluating a project’s
VMT. Since new analysis metrics and thresholds of significance are still under development, the
evaluation of vehicle miles traveled conducted for this EIR is strictly an informative exercise and
will not be compared to any impact guidelines.
The 2012 SCAG RTP model was used to estimate VMT by isolating trips that start or end within the
city boundaries, also known as the Origin-Destination Method. The estimates include all VMT for
trips that begin and end in the city, but only half of the VMT for trips that only begin or end in the
city. VMT for trips that pass through the city without stopping are not included. VMT estimates for the Existing (2015), Future without Project, and PLAN Hermosa scenarios are shown in Table 4.14-15 (Daily Citywide Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips (VT) Generated). VMT per
capita and vehicle trips per capita estimates are also provided using the sum of population and
employment as the capita basis.
TABLE 4.14-15
DAILY CITYWIDE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT) AND VEHICLE TRIPS (VT) GENERATED
Scenario Population Employment Capita VMT Avg. Trip
Length (miles) VT VMT/
Capita
VT/
Capita
2015 Existing 19,800 5,700 25,500 363,000 9.4 38,700 14.2 1.52
2040 Future
without Project 20,100 6,600 26,700 356,000 9.6 37,200 13.3 1.39
2040 PLAN
Hermosa 20,400 7,200 27,600 326,000 9.4 34,200 11.8 1.25
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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City of Hermosa Beach
The existing Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element (1990) maintains a policy of LOS C
or better for both signalized and unsignalized intersections during weekday morning and
evening peak hours. City standards do not specify a particular analysis methodology or
significance criteria to be used when evaluating unsignalized intersections or roadway segments, nor do they specify level of service requirements beyond LOS D. The impact criteria
shown in Table 4.14-16 (Hermosa Beach Signalized Intersection Impact Criteria), Table 4.14-17 (Hermosa Beach Unsignalized Intersection Impact Criteria), and Table 4.14-18 (Hermosa Beach Roadway Segment Impact Criteria) have been established for signalized intersections, unsignalized intersections, and roadway segments.
TABLE 4.14-26
HERMOSA BEACH SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION IMPACT CRITERIA
Level of Service Impact Threshold
LOS A, B, or C Degrades to LOS D, E, or F
LOS D Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.02, or degrades to LOS E or F
LOS E Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.05, or degrades to LOS F
LOS F Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.05
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
TABLE 4.14-17
HERMOSA BEACH UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTION IMPACT CRITERIA
Level of Service Impact Threshold
LOS A, B, or C Degrades to LOS D, E, or F
LOS D, E, or F Increase in intersection traffic volume greater than or equal to 10%
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
TABLE 4.14-18
HERMOSA BEACH ROADWAY SEGMENT IMPACT CRITERIA
Level of Service Impact Threshold
LOS A, B, or C Degrades to LOS D, E, or F
LOS D Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.02, or degrades to LOS E or F
LOS E Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.05, or degrades to LOS F
LOS F Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.05
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 1990
California Department of Transportation
The impact criteria for signalized intersections under Caltrans jurisdiction are shown in Table 4.14-19 (Caltrans Signalized Intersection Impact Criteria), which establishes a target of LOS D
and significance criteria defined as maintaining the existing level of service when the target LOS
is exceeded.
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TABLE 4.14-19
CALTRANS SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION IMPACT CRITERIA
Level of Service Impact Threshold
LOS A, B, C, or D Degrades to LOS E or F
LOS E Degrades to LOS F
LOS F Any increase in average control delay
Source: Caltrans 2002
Congestion Management Program
The CMP statute requires establishment of LOS standards to measure congestion on the system
and identifies a minimum level of service requirement of LOS E for analysis of studied
intersections and roadway segments. Significant impacts are identified if there is an increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.02 and the LOS degrades to F or is already at F. The impact
criteria for CMP arterial monitoring locations are shown in Table 4.14-20 (Congestion Management Program Impact Criteria).
TABLE 4.14-20
CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IMPACT CRITERIA
Level of Service Impact Threshold
LOS A, B, C, D, or E Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.02 and degrades to LOS F
LOS F Increase in V/C ratio greater than or equal to 0.02
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2010
IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT 4.14-1 Would PLAN Hermosa Cause an Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards?
PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city
in a manner that would not increase overall demand for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service
standards for intersections and roadway segments would be maintained at
the majority of intersections and segments analyzed. Three intersections and
one segment would experience a significant impact.
Table 4.14-21 (Future (2040) Intersection Level of Service: City of Hermosa Beach) compares the
intersection level of service for the Existing (2015) and 2040 PLAN Hermosa scenarios. Figure 4.14-8 (PLAN Hermosa (2040) Intersection Level of Service) shows the level of service for the 2040 PLAN Hermosa scenario. Despite reduced vehicle miles traveled overall and per capita that
would result with implementation of PLAN Hermosa, changes in vehicular travel patterns result in
three of the 13 studied intersections under the PLAN Hermosa scenario operating below the
LOS C standard during the AM and/or PM peak hours.
• Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard (AM and PM peak hour)
• Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard (AM peak hour)
• Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street (AM peak hour)
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TABLE 4.14-21
FUTURE (2040) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE: CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
Intersection
Inter-
section
Control
Peak
Hour
Existing 2040 without
PLAN Hermosa PLAN Hermosa Existing vs.
PLAN Hermosa
V/C LOS V/C LOS V/C LOS Change
in V/C
Sig.
Impact
1. Hermosa Ave
& 13th St Signal AM
PM
0.302
0.335
A
A
0.347
0.388
A
A
0.319
0.357
A
A
0.017
0.022
NO
NO
2. Hermosa Ave
& Pier Ave Signal AM
PM
0.384
0.324
A
A
0.457
0.391
A
A
0.414
0.356
A
A
0.030
0.032
NO
NO
3. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Artesia
Blvd
Signal AM
PM
0.732
0.767
C
C
0.928
0.969
E
E
0.809
0.851
D
D
0.077
0.084
YES
YES
4. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Aviation
Blvd
Signal AM
PM
0.777
0.743
C
C
0.987
0.762
E
C
0.870
0.681
D
B
0.093
-0.062
YES
NO
5. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Pier Ave Signal AM
PM
0.565
0.703
A
C
0.703
0.838
C
D
0.619
0.741
B
C
0.054
0.038
NO
NO
6. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 2nd St Signal AM
PM
0.678
0.696
B
B
0.825
0.807
D
D
0.744
0.732
C
C
0.066
0.036
NO
NO
7. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 16th St Signal AM
PM
0.526
0.636
A
B
0.623
0.751
B
C
0.561
0.670
A
B
0.035
0.034
NO
NO
8. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 21st St Signal AM
PM
0.590
0.668
A
B
0.682
0.822
B
D
0.610
0.729
B
C
0.020
0.061
NO
NO
9. Prospect Ave
& Artesia Blvd Signal AM
PM
0.709
0.749
C
C
0.844
0.856
D
D
0.740
0.751
C
C
0.031
0.002
NO
NO
10. Prospect Ave
& Aviation Blvd Signal AM
PM
0.691
0.763
B
C
0.785
0.838
C
D
0.691
0.737
B
C
0.000
-0.026
NO
NO
11. Prospect Ave
& Anita St Signal AM
PM
0.727
0.645
C
B
0.769
0.750
C
C
0.690
0.672
B
B
-0.037
0.027
NO
NO
12. Manhattan
Ave & 27th St
All-Way
Stop
Control
AM
PM
27.6
16.1
C
B
45.1
38.6
D
D
38.2
21.2
D
C
10.6
5.1
YES
NO
13. Valley Drive
& Gould Ave
All-Way
Stop
Control
AM
PM
21.2
24.2
C
C
29.9
39.7
C
D
18.1
20.8
C
C
-3.1
-3.4
NO
NO
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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FIGURE 4.14-8
PLAN HERMOSA (2040) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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Table 4.14-22 (Future (2040) Intersection Level of Service: Caltrans) presents a comparison of future intersection level of service along Pacific Coast Highway, analyzed using the HCM
methodology. One of the six studied intersections under the PLAN Hermosa scenario is
anticipated to operate below the LOS D standard during the AM and/or PM peak hours.
• Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard (PM peak hour)
TABLE 4.14-22
FUTURE (2040) INTERSECTION LEVEL OF SERVICE: CALTRANS
Intersection
Inter-
section
Control
Peak
Hour
Existing 2040 without
PLAN Hermosa PLAN Hermosa Existing vs.
PLAN Hermosa
Delay LOS Delay LOS Delay LOS Change
in V/C
Sig.
Impact
3. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Artesia
Blvd
Signal AM
PM
54.3
52.7
D
D
63.4
88.0
E
F
52.6
66.9
D
E
-1.7
14.2
NO
YES
4. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Aviation
Blvd
Signal AM
PM
25.8
36.4
C
D
65.5
30.2
E
C
50.7
27.7
D
C
24.9
-8.7
NO
NO
5. Pacific Coast
Hwy & Pier Ave Signal AM
PM
17.6
22.0
B
C
22.4
26.3
C
C
21.8
24.4
C
C
4.2
2.4
NO
NO
6. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 2nd St Signal AM
PM
10.9
11.4
B
B
11.0
11.6
B
B
10.3
11.0
B
B
-0.6
-0.4
NO
NO
7. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 16th St Signal AM
PM
28.8
35.5
C
D
34.6
50.3
C
D
30.9
37.3
C
D
2.1
1.8
NO
NO
8. Pacific Coast
Hwy & 21st St Signal AM
PM
11.7
5.3
B
A
15.0
7.3
B
A
12.7
6.4
B
A
1.0
1.1
NO
NO
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
Table 4.14-23 (Future (2040) Roadway Segment Level of Service) compares the roadway segment level of service results for the future scenarios. Figure 4.14-9 (PLAN Hermosa (2040) Roadway Segment Level of Service) illustrates 2040 roadway segment level of service for the
PLAN Hermosa scenario. While four of the 20 analyzed street segments are anticipated to
operate below the LOS D standard under PLAN Hermosa traffic conditions, just one segment, Prospect Avenue between Aviation Boulevard and 2nd Street, represents a significant impact because three of the segments already operate at LOS D or below.
While the following roadway segments currently operate at LOS D or below, PLAN Hermosa is
projected to maintain or improve the volume-to-capacity ratio by 2040 compared to 2015 conditions:
• Pacific Coast Highway between Artesia Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard
• Pacific Coast Highway between Aviation Boulevard and 2nd Street
• Artesia Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue
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TABLE 4.14-23
FUTURE (2040) ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVEL OF SERVICE
Segment Location
Existing
2040 w/o
PLAN
Hermosa
PLAN
Hermosa
Existing vs.
PLAN Hermosa
V/C LOS V/C LOS V/C LOS Change
in V/C
Sig.
Impact
1. Hermosa Avenue 27th Street to 22nd Street 0.381 A 0.473 A 0.414 A 0.033 NO
2. Hermosa Avenue 22nd Street to 16th Street 0.364 A 0.455 A 0.400 A 0.036 NO
3. Hermosa Avenue 16th Street to 8th Street 0.384 A 0.459 A 0.400 A 0.016 NO
4. Hermosa Avenue 8th Street to Herondo Street 0.313 A 0.386 A 0.338 A 0.025 NO
5. Valley Drive Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue 0.336 A 0.340 A 0.300 A -0.036 NO
6. Valley Drive Pier Avenue to 8th Street 0.434 A 0.453 A 0.393 A -0.041 NO
7. Ardmore Avenue 16th Street to 11th Street 0.282 A 0.293 A 0.253 A -0.029 NO
8. Ardmore Avenue 8th Street to 2nd Street 0.200 A 0.213 A 0.187 A -0.013 NO
9. Pacific Coast
Highway
Artesia Boulevard to Aviation
Boulevard 0.997 E 1.147 F 0.997 E 0.000 NO
10. Pacific Coast
Highway Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street 1.169 F 1.219 F 1.067 F -0.102 NO
11. Prospect Avenue Artesia Boulevard to Aviation
Boulevard 0.412 A 0.533 A 0.453 A 0.041 NO
12. Prospect Avenue Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street 0.795 C 0.980 E 0.853 D 0.058 YES
13. Artesia Blvd Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect
Avenue 0.909 E 1.024 F 0.876 D -0.033 NO
14. Aviation Blvd Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect
Avenue 0.887 D 0.790 C 0.683 B -0.204 NO
15. Pier Avenue Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 0.460 A 0.462 A 0.407 A -0.053 NO
16. Pier Avenue Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast
Highway 0.494 A 0.500 A 0.445 A -0.049 NO
17. Gould Avenue Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast
Highway 0.603 B 0.550 A 0.486 A -0.117 NO
18. 8th Street Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 0.174 A 0.167 A 0.160 A -0.014 NO
19. 8th Street Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect
Avenue 0.140 A 0.080 A 0.080 A -0.060 NO
20. Herondo Street Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive 0.866 D 0.854 D 0.746 C -0.120 NO
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
Per PLAN Hermosa implementation action MOBILITY-12, the City will conduct a periodic update
of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance. However, based on the above discussion and despite implementation action MOBILITY-12, implementation of PLAN Hermosa will conflict with the existing intersection and segment operational standards identified in
Hermosa Beach’s 1990 Circulation, Transportation, and Parking Element, which would be a significant impact.
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.14-39
Intersections
Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard
The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard would be significantly
impacted by PLAN Hermosa–related traffic in both the morning and evening peak periods.
Opportunities for physical mitigations are limited by alignment issues and Caltrans’s plan to remove a travel lane in each direction on Pacific Coast Highway, as well as a major change in
roadway characteristics, east to west, from Artesia Boulevard to Gould Avenue. Additionally,
physical mitigations would conflict with the SBBMP Class III bicycle facility planned for Gould
Avenue, as well as PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element Policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, and 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations and PLAN Hermosa and
adopted plans, the significant transportation impacts on traffic operations at the intersection of
Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level. Therefore, this impact would be significant and unavoidable.
Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard
The intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard is significantly impacted by
PLAN Hermosa–related traffic in the morning peak period. Opportunities for physical mitigations
are limited by Caltrans’s plan to remove a travel lane in each direction on Pacific Coast Highway and improvement plans for the intersection included in the Aviation Boulevard Master
Plan, including enhanced crosswalks and repurposing of public right-of-way for parkettes,
pedestrian space, or a crossing refuge. Additionally, physical mitigations would conflict with the
SBBMP Class II bicycle facility planned for Aviation Boulevard, as well as PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element Policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, and 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations to improve level of service
and PLAN Hermosa and adopted plans, the significant transportation impacts to traffic operations at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level. Therefore, this would be a significant and unavoidable impact.
Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street
The intersection at Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street is significantly impacted by PLAN
Hermosa–related traffic in the morning peak period. Opportunities for physical mitigations are
limited by existing narrow roadway widths. Additionally, physical mitigations would conflict with
the SBBMP Class III bicycle facility planned for 27th Street, as well as PLAN Hermosa Mobility
Element Policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, and 7.5.
Due to the above-mentioned conflicts between physical mitigations to improve level of service
and PLAN Hermosa policies and adopted plans, the significant transportation impacts to traffic
operations at the intersection of Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street cannot be mitigated to a
less than significant level. Therefore, this impact would be significant and unavoidable.
Roadway Segments
Prospect Avenue from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street
Through implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the roadway segment on Prospect Avenue from
Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street would be degraded from its current operation at LOS C to LOS D by 2040. While this is improved from the projected LOS E that would be experienced under the 2040 scenario without PLAN Hermosa, it still represents a significant impact.
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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In order to reduce the projected level of service impacts along Prospect Avenue, the City would need to consider expanding the roadway to accommodate additional vehicles or consider
policies that reduce the number of vehicles traveling along the corridor. However, the
opportunities for expanding Prospect Avenue to reduce the impacts to level of service are limited by the narrow roadway and the presence of on-street parking. Additionally, physical mitigations to expand roadway capacity along Prospect Avenue would conflict with the intent
of SB 743 and many of the proposed PLAN Hermosa policies. Under SB 743 Section 21099(b)(2),
vehicular capacity and traffic congestion would no longer be eligible as considerations of significant impact under CEQA. Guidelines established for the implementation of SB 743 further
state that roadway capacity expansions in a congested corridor are presumed to cause a
significant impact under CEQA due to their effects on induced travel. Physical mitigations would
also conflict with the SBBMP bicycle-friendly street bicycle facility planned for Prospect Avenue and with PLAN Hermosa Mobility Element Policies 1.1, 2.1, 3.6, 7.2, and 7.5. Due to the above-
mentioned conflicts between capacity expansion mitigations and SB 743, the SBBMP, and PLAN
Hermosa policies, the significant transportation impact to traffic operations along the segment
of Prospect Avenue from Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level. Therefore, this impact would be significant and unavoidable.
Mitigation Measures
Opportunities for physical mitigation measures, such as restriping of intersection approaches to
add turn lanes, were investigated. The emphasis was on identifying physical improvements that could be implemented efficiently and maintain consistency with PLAN Hermosa goals. Mitigation
measures were reviewed for compliance or conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals and policies, as
well as adopted policies, plans, and programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian
facilities. Mitigations that decrease the performance or safety of such facilities were not considered. No mitigation measures could be applied to significantly impacted locations
without creating a conflict with PLAN Hermosa goals or other adopted plans. This impact
remains significant and unavoidable.
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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FIGURE 4.14-9
PLAN HERMOSA (2040) ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVEL OF SERVICE
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2015
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IMPACT 4.14-2 Would PLAN Hermosa Conflict with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program? Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa
would maintain the level of service standard for the intersection located at
Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard and comply with the CMP. This would result in a less than significant impact.
The intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard is a CMP-designated
intersection. CMP guidelines require arterial intersection analysis at monitoring locations where
the proposed project will add 50 or more peak-hour vehicle trips. Forecast traffic growth at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard from Existing (2015) to the future PLAN Hermosa scenario is anticipated to not exceed the CMP threshold for analysis. Therefore,
the regional impact on transportation would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-3 Would PLAN Hermosa Alter Air Traffic Patterns? PLAN Hermosa would guide
future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not
modify the planning or operations of Los Angeles International Airport or introduce land use patterns that may cause substantial safety risks to or from air operations. Thus, this impact would be less than significant.
Los Angeles International Airport is located approximately 5 miles north of the city. PLAN Hermosa
policies and programs related to land use, mobility, and structural heights would not influence air traffic patterns by creating either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks. Therefore, the impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-4 Would PLAN Hermosa Introduce or Create Roadway Design Hazards? PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a
manner that would not increase hazards due to design or incompatible uses.
Thus, implementation would result in a less than significant impact.
Traffic generated by infill and redevelopment from PLAN Hermosa implementation, as
addressed in Impact 4.14-1, would not increase hazards due to design features or incompatible
uses. Hermosa Beach’s adoption of Living Streets, Complete Streets, and Vision Zero policies
prioritizes safety by way of design as a means to encourage increased use of active and other non-motorized travel options and improve mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users
across the city. The following implementation actions support safe design features: MOBILITY-5
will evaluate operations along local neighborhood streets in regard to safety and vehicle speeds; MOBILITY-6 will evaluate and implement traffic calming measures and other safety enhancement features; and PARKS-8 ensures ADA compliance of public access points in future
developments in Hermosa Beach.
Mobility Element Policy 1.1 requires that all transportation developments consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe, livable, and inviting environments for all users; Policy 3.3 requires that all development or redevelopment projects accommodate active transportation
by providing connections to existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and
incorporating pedestrian-oriented design practices; and Policy 7.1 ensures that public rights-of-way are safe for all users at all times of day. To address safety issues regarding conflicts between
incompatible users and poorly designed streets, Mobility Element Policy 1.2 supports the
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4.14-43
development of context-sensitive street classification design standards that will better fit the needs of an increasing preference for multimodal travel options and behaviors. Policy 7.2 seeks
to discourage pass-through traffic on local neighborhood streets by means of traffic controls,
speed limitations, and design features that create a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment and minimize potential vehicle collisions. Additionally, Policy 7.4 prioritizes programs oriented toward safe access to schools and community facilities that focus on walking,
bicycling, and driving in school zones.
With the city encompassing approximately 1.4 square miles, active and non-motorized transportation options for local mobility can be convenient and cost-effective travel choices for residents and visitors. As such, Mobility Element Policy 7.5 encourages design and construction
plans that improve sidewalk infrastructure to safely accommodate high levels of pedestrian
activity. Thus, PLAN Hermosa policies, particularly in the Mobility Element, are designed to reduce design hazards and conflicts between incompatible land uses and between all transportation network users. The impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-5 Would PLAN Hermosa Result in Inadequate Emergency Access? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city that
could result in inadequate emergency access. However, PLAN Hermosa
policies would reduce emergency access program-level impacts to a less than significant level.
Emergency vehicles in the city take the fastest and most expedient routes in case of an
emergency. In the event of an evacuation, the primary routes used, if available, are Artesia
Boulevard, Aviation Boulevard, Herondo Street, and Pacific Coast Highway. PLAN Hermosa policies include a variety of actions aimed at ensuring emergency response readiness,
specifically in the Public Safety Element, which ensures that law enforcement, fire
protection/emergency medical services, and lifeguard services are adequately provided for
Hermosa Beach residents and visitors as well as to maximize emergency services across neighboring jurisdictions. Working within that framework, Public Safety Element Policy 6.1 requires
that the City regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans, and Public
Safety Policy 5.4 requires that new development provide adequate emergency access in
addition to maintaining current levels of emergency services.
Implementation of current state and federal regulations, combined with PLAN Hermosa policies,
would reduce the potential impacts on emergency preparedness and emergency access in
Hermosa Beach. Therefore, the impact would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-6 Would PLAN Hermosa Support the Maintenance and Expansion of Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities? PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that supports the
maintenance and expansion of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities
consistent with adopted local and regional plans. Thus, implementation
would result in a less than significant impact.
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PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.14-44
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions intended to reduce transportation impacts are oriented toward the development of a safe, multimodal, and sustainable transportation
system that directly encourages healthy lifestyle choices among Hermosa Beach residents and
visitors. Policies under PLAN Hermosa are intended to provide a wide range of transportation options, allowing travelers the flexibility in choosing the transportation option that best fits their needs. Mobility Element Policies 3.1 and 3.4 require the repurposing of public rights-of-way to
enhance connectivity among pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit facilities with the
objective of reducing total vehicle trips, while Policy 6.1 incentivizes the development of a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network among neighboring communities.
In coordination with related policies adopted by the City and surrounding municipalities, the
Mobility Element would improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connections with the goal of
developing a well-balanced circulation system.
The majority of arterials and local streets throughout the city include sidewalks to accommodate
a moderate level of pedestrian activities. Specific key corridors are the 22 walk streets that
connect pedestrians between neighborhoods, the Downtown core, and the beach, while
walking paths on the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt offer north–south pedestrian connections throughout the length of the city. Mobility Element Policy 3.2 prioritizes investment in the
development of a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities. As a means
of prioritizing pedestrian safety, Mobility Element Policies 2.1 and 2.2 prioritize the development of
safe, comfortable, and attractive public spaces and encourage traffic calming strategies that will reduce vehicle speeds and reduce cut-through traffic on residential streets.
Implementation of policies under PLAN Hermosa would be consistent with the goals of the South
Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP). Mobility Element policies support and reinforce SBBMP policies
by promoting bicycle facilities and parking throughout the city to provide a higher level of connectivity and access for bicycles. In close coordination with the SBBMP, Mobility Element
Policy 3.6 would provide a complete bicycle network along designated roadways in the city
and create connections to other sustainable modes of travel. To further promote bicycle circulation, Policy 3.8 encourages shared streets along low volume roadways with limited rights-of-way, and Policy 4.5 requires a sufficient supply of bicycle parking facilities that can support
increasing bicycle ridership.
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa would be consistent with the goals of the Los Angeles County Long Range Transportation Plan. Existing transit facilities in Hermosa Beach are supported by
local and regional transportation authorities, with local mobility and access to major regional
transit facilities in nearby municipalities. Mobility Element policies promote transit opportunities
within the city and opportunities to connect to regional infrastructure. Specifically, Mobility Element Policies 6.2 and 6.4 encourage coordination with regional transportation agencies and
surrounding cities and require the consideration of regional travel patterns when prioritizing
regional transit and transportation projects that will improve local access and connections to
region-wide transit services. On the local level, Policy 5.2 proposes the development of a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport between key activity centers, including the
Downtown core and the beach. To further support a robust transit system locally and regionally,
Infrastructure Element Policy 2.5 requires new developments and redevelopment projects to
provide the land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active transportation, such as sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa policies directly support and are
consistent with the Los Angeles County Long Range Transportation Plan.
PLAN Hermosa policies directly support the expansion of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities
and support the City’s goal of being a multimodal community. Mobility Element and Land Use + Design Element policies also support the goals and policies of the Los Angeles County Long
Attachment 1E
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.14-45
Range Transportation Plan and the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan. Therefore, impacts to pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES
The traffic analysis included in this EIR addresses cumulative impacts to the regional
transportation system. A regional traffic model was used to analyze impacts of PLAN Hermosa at
buildout, along with projected regional growth. The regional traffic model already assumes a level of growth for other nearby jurisdictions based on all reasonably foreseeable and probable
future projects in the region, including the Redondo Beach waterfront, as these sites are likely to
be developed at some point in the future, and on population and employment projections. In
sum, all scenarios studied in this section of the EIR are considered cumulative in nature because anticipated land use forecasts for other areas are already included in the traffic model.
IMPACT 4.14-7 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Contribute to Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards? PLAN Hermosa would guide future development
and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not increase overall demand for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s
existing level of service standards for intersections and roadway segments
would be maintained at the majority of intersections and segments analyzed.
Nonetheless, three intersections and one segment would experience a cumulatively considerable impact.
Regional population and employment growth will not result in increased vehicular travel
demand. Policies and implementation actions in PLAN Hermosa would maintain levels of service
at a majority studied intersections and two street segments in the buildout year, as discussed in
Impact 4.14-1. PLAN Hermosa includes various policies aimed at developing an integrated
multimodal transportation system with opportunities for travel by alternative modes, including
walking, bicycling, and transit, and is supported by implementation actions such as MOBILITY-12 intended to reduce vehicle auto trips associated with new developments; MOBILITY-5 evaluating
improvements to pedestrian amenities and safety; MOBILITY-4 that will improve transit access
and services; and PARKS-9 and PARKS-22 that will improve bicycle facilities and services
citywide.
As discussed above in Impact 4.14-1, three studied intersections and one street segment under
PLAN Hermosa would have a significant impact to level of service standards. Because mitigation
measures are not viable at these intersections, given the state laws directing jurisdictions to
move away from expanding roadway capacity based on LOS analysis, PLAN Hermosa implementation would have a cumulatively considerable impact at three intersections and one
roadway segment.
Mitigation Measures
None feasible.
IMPACT 4.14-8 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to a Cumulatively Considerable Conflict with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program? Adoption and
implementation of PLAN Hermosa would maintain the level of service
standard for the intersection at Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard and would comply with the CMP. This would result in a less than cumulatively considerable impact.
Attachment 1E
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4.14 TRANSPORTATION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.14-46
As discussed under Impact 4.14-2, adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not conflict with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program. Therefore,
implementation and adoption of PLAN Hermosa would have less than cumulatively considerable impacts on the CMP.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-9 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to a Cumulative Effect on Air Traffic Patterns?
Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated
cumulative growth in the region would not modify the planning or operations of Los Angeles International Airport or introduce land use patterns that may
cause substantial safety risks to or from air operations. This impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
As discussed under Impact 4.14-3, implementation of PLAN Hermosa would not influence air
traffic patterns by creating either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results
in substantial safety risks. Therefore, the impacts on air traffic patterns would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-10 Would PLAN Hermosa Contribute to Cumulative Roadway Design Hazards?
Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated regional growth would not increase hazards due to design or incompatible uses. This would result in a less than cumulatively considerable impact.
As discussed under Impact 4.14-4, traffic generated by infill and redevelopment under PLAN
Hermosa would not increase hazards due to design features or incompatible uses. Development policies from surrounding jurisdictions in combination with PLAN Hermosa policies would reduce
design hazards and conflicts between incompatible land uses and between all transportation
network users. Therefore, impacts would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-11 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Contribute to Inadequate Emergency Access? Adoption and implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies in addition
to anticipated regional growth would not result in inadequate emergency access. The impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
As discussed in Impact 4.14-5, emergency vehicles take the fastest and most expedient routes to
access an emergency. In some cases, emergency vehicles may travel through multiple
jurisdictions to respond to a mutual aid call. PLAN Hermosa policies would ensure emergency response readiness and address emergency preparedness impacts, including maintaining
emergency response plans and establishing designated emergency response and evacuation
routes. Implementation of current state and federal regulations, combined with PLAN Hermosa
policies and adjacent jurisdictions’ emergency response plans, would reduce potential cumulative impacts on emergency preparedness and emergency access. The impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Attachment 1E
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4.14 TRANSPORTATION
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
4.14-47
Mitigation Measures
None required.
IMPACT 4.14-12 Would PLAN Hermosa Cumulatively Contribute to the Maintenance and Expansion of Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities? PLAN Hermosa
supports the maintenance and expansion of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities consistent with adopted local and regional plans. Thus,
implementation of PLAN Hermosa and additional development would result in
a less than cumulatively considerable impact.
Future growth into the buildout year (2040) would increase the demand for transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. The majority of arterials and local streets, including specific key corridors
throughout the city and in surrounding communities, include sidewalks to accommodate
pedestrians. Many streets currently are impacted by issues regarding sidewalk quality and continuity, and many are not in compliance with ADA standards. PLAN Hermosa includes plans to improve sidewalk connectivity citywide and will bring sidewalks into ADA compliance. Bicycle
paths (Class I), lanes (Class II), and routes (Class III) are in the general north–south direction along
The Strand and Hermosa Avenue and are connected to surrounding communities. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa and other multimodal plans would ensure the maintenance
and expansion of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Therefore, the impact on transit,
bicycle, and pedestrian facilities would be less than cumulatively considerable.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Attachment 1E
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4.14 TRANSPORTATION
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
4.14-48
4.14.5 REFERENCES
Beach Cities Transit. 2015. BCT website. Accessed December 11.
http://www.redondo.org/depts/hbt/transit/beach_cities_transit/default.asp.
California Department of Finance. 2015. Table E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, January 1, 2011–2015, with a 2010 Benchmark.
Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). 2002. Guide for the Preparation of Traffic
Impact Studies.
CAPCOA (California Air Pollution Control Officers Association). 2010. Quantifying and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions. http://www.capcoa.org/wp-
content/uploads/2010/11/CAPCOA-Quantification-Report-9-14-Final.pdf.
City of Hermosa Beach. 1990. Hermosa Beach General Plan Circulation, Transportation, and
Parking Element.
———. 2014. Comprehensive Annual Finance Report. Accessed December 11.
http://www.hermosabch.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentID=6718
———. 2015. PLAN Hermosa Technical Background Report (Appendix C-17).
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2010. 2010 Congestion Management Plan for Los Angeles County.
———. 2015. Metro Line 130 Schedule. Accessed December 11.
http://media.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/130.pdf.
Los Angeles Department of Transportation. 2015. LADOT’s Commuter Express 438 Schedule. Accessed December 11. http://www.ladottransit.com/comexp/routes/438/ce438.pdf.
SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments). 2015. Profile of the City of Hermosa
Beach. https://www.scag.ca.gov/Documents/HermosaBeach.pdf.
———. 2012. Regional Transportation Plan 2012-2035 Sustainable Communities Strategy. http://rtpscs.scag.ca.gov/Documents/2012/pfinal/SR/2012pfRTP_GrowthForecast.pdf
Transportation Research Board. 1980. Interim Materials on Highway Capacity (Circular 212).
———. 2010. Highway Capacity Manual.
US Census Bureau. 2010. 2010 US Census Hermosa Beach. Accessed December 11. http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/0633364
Attachment 1E
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5.0 OTHER CEQA—REQUIRED
CONSIDERATIONS
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Attachment 1E
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5.0 OTHER CEQA-REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
5.0-1
This section discusses significant unavoidable impacts, growth-inducing impacts, and significant irreversible changes associated with the project.
5.0.1 INTRODUCTION
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15126 requires that all aspects of a project must be considered when evaluating its impact on the environment, including planning,
acquisition, development, and operation. As part of this analysis, the EIR must also identify
(1) significant environmental effects of the proposed project, (2) significant environmental effects
that cannot be avoided if the proposed project is implemented, (3) significant irreversible environmental changes that would result from implementation of the proposed project, and
(4) growth-inducing impacts of the proposed project. It should be noted that although growth
inducement itself is not considered an environmental effect, it could potentially lead to
foreseeable physical environmental effects, which are discussed under growth-inducing impacts below.
5.0.2 SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(b) requires that an EIR describe significant impacts that cannot be avoided, even with implementation of feasible mitigation measures. In addition, CEQA
Guidelines Section 15093(a) allows the decision-making agency to determine whether the
benefits of a project outweigh its unavoidable adverse environmental impacts. The City can
approve a project with unavoidable adverse impacts if it prepares a Statement of Overriding Considerations setting forth the specific reasons for making such a judgment.
The following project impacts, which have been recognized as significant and unavoidable in
either the project or cumulative context, are specifically identified in Section 4.2, Air Quality; Section 4.4, Cultural Resources; and Section 4.14, Transportation, of this Draft EIR. All other thresholds of significance have been identified as having either no impact, a less than significant
impact, or a less than significant impact with mitigation.
Air Quality
Impact 4.2-2 Short-Term Construction Emissions. PLAN Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would generate air pollutant emissions from short-
term construction.
Impact 4.2-7 Cumulative Construction and Operational Emissions. PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated growth in the South Coast Air Basin would increase the amount of construction-related air pollutant emissions occurring within the basin, thereby affecting the region’s ability to
attain ambient air quality standards.
Cultural Resources
Impact 4.4-4 Substantial Change in the Significance of a Historical Resource. PLAN Hermosa would provide for future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that could cause a
substantial change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064.5.
Impact 4.4-8 Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources. PLAN Hermosa in addition to anticipated future development in the South Bay Cities COG planning area could cause a substantial change
in the significance of a historical resource.
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5.0 OTHER CEQA-REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
5.0-2
Transportation
Impact 4.14-1 Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards. PLAN Hermosa would guide future
development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would not increase overall demand
for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards
for intersections and roadway segments would be maintained at the majority of intersections and segments analyzed, except at three intersections and on one roadway segment.
Impact 4.14-7 Cumulative Contribution to Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards. PLAN
Hermosa would guide future development and reuse projects in the city in a manner that would
not increase overall demand for travel within Hermosa Beach. Both the City’s and Caltrans’s existing level of service standards for intersections and roadway segments would be maintained
at the majority of intersections and segments analyzed, with the exception of three intersections
and one roadway segment.
5.0.3 SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(c) requires a discussion of any significant irreversible
environmental changes that would be caused by the proposed project. Section 15126.2(c) states:
Uses of nonrenewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the project may be irreversible, since a large commitment of such resources makes removal or nonuse thereafter
unlikely. Primary impact and, particularly, secondary impacts (such as highway improvement
which provides access to a previously inaccessible area) generally commit future generations to
similar uses. Also, irreversible damage can result from environmental accidents associated with the project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should e evaluated at assure that such current
consumption is justified.
Generally, a project would result in significant irreversible environmental changes if:
• The primary and secondary impacts would generally commit future generations to similar
uses;
• The project would involve uses in which irreversible damage could result from any potential
environmental accidents associated with the project;
• The project would involve a large commitment of nonrenewable resources; or
• The proposed consumption of resources is not justified (e.g., the project involved the
wasteful use of energy).
PLAN Hermosa would allow and continue urban development in the city. Returning Hermosa Beach to a less urban and developed condition would not be feasible given the degree of
disturbance, the urbanization of the area, long-term historical urban use, and the level of capital
investment. PLAN Hermosa would protect historic resources, open space, and other resources to
limit the commitment of nonrenewable resources to urbanized areas.
The CEQA Guidelines also require a discussion of the potential for irreversible environmental
damage caused by an accident associated with the project. While implementation of PLAN
Hermosa would result in the use, transport, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes, as
described in Section 4.7, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, all activities would comply with applicable state and federal laws related to hazardous materials transport, use, and storage,
which significantly reduces the likelihood and severity of accidents that could result in irreversible
environmental damage.
PLAN Hermosa would result in incremental change to the city with an estimated 0.29 percent growth in both residential and nonresidential square footage. However, this incremental increase
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City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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5.0-3
would be accomplished in a manner that would limit urban development in areas not already developed. Operations associated with future uses would also consume fossil fuels, water, natural
gas, and electrical energy, and would create GHG emissions. These unavoidable consequences
of urban growth are described throughout Chapter 4.0 of this EIR. These consequences do not constitute an adverse effect on the environment.
Resources that would be permanently and continually consumed with implementation of PLAN
Hermosa include water, electricity, natural gas, and fossil fuels; however, the amount and rate of
consumption of these resources would not result in the inefficient or wasteful use of such resources. Future construction activities related to implementation of PLAN Hermosa would result in the irretrievable commitment of nonrenewable energy resources, primarily in the form of fossil fuels
(including fuel oil), natural gas, and gasoline for automobiles and construction equipment.
However, compliance with all applicable building codes, as well as with PLAN Hermosa policies, standard conservation features, and current City programs, would ensure that natural resources are conserved to the maximum extent possible and would not be used in a wasteful manner.
5.0.4 GROWTH-INDUCING IMPACTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(d) requires that an EIR evaluate a project’s growth-inducing impacts. A growth-inducing impact is defined by the CEQA Guidelines as:
The way in which a proposed project could foster economic or population growth, or the
construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment. Included in this are projects which would remove obstacles to population growth.
A project can have direct and/or indirect growth inducement potential. For example, direct
growth inducement potential would result if a project involved construction of new housing. A
project would have indirect growth inducement potential if it established substantial new permanent employment opportunities or if it involved a construction effort with substantial short-
term employment opportunities that would indirectly stimulate the need for additional housing
and services to support the new employment demand (Napa Citizens for Honest Government v.
Napa County Board of Supervisors). Similarly, a project would indirectly induce growth if it removed an obstacle to additional growth and development, such as removing a constraint on
a required public service. A project providing an increased water supply in an area where water
service historically limited growth could be considered growth-inducing.
The CEQA Guidelines further explain that the environmental effects of induced growth are considered indirect impacts of a project. These indirect impacts or secondary effects of growth
may result in significant, adverse environmental impacts. Potential secondary effects of growth
include increased demand on other community and public services and infrastructure, increased traffic and noise, and adverse environmental impacts such as degradation of air and water quality, degradation or loss of plant and animal habitat, and conversion of agricultural and open
space land to developed uses.
Growth inducement may constitute an adverse impact if the growth is not consistent with, or accommodated by, the land use plans and growth management plans and policies for the area affected. Local land use plans establish land use development patterns and provide growth
policies that allow the orderly expansion of urban development supported by adequate urban
public services, such as water supply, roadway infrastructure, sewer service, and solid waste service.
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5.0 OTHER CEQA-REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
5.0-4
DIRECT AND INDIRECT GROWTH IMPACTS
PLAN Hermosa does not include any development proposals and as such, all potential induced
growth would be indirect as a result of the plan’s implementation. Potential indirect impacts from
PLAN Hermosa implementation are discussed throughout this Draft EIR. For example, Section 4.2, Air Quality, discusses the air quality impacts if land uses allowed under PLAN Hermosa policies are
implemented in the city. Further, Section 4.12, Population and Housing, describes the expected
population growth from proposed policies’ implementation.
The purpose of a general plan is to guide growth and development in a community. Accordingly, PLAN Hermosa assumes that growth will take place. The focus of PLAN Hermosa is to provide a
framework where growth can be managed in a sustainable way that would meet the needs of
the community. PLAN Hermosa provides direction for new development and redevelopment
projects by establishing the desired mix and relationship between land use types. Because Hermosa Beach is a built-out city that is surrounded by other built-out communities and the Pacific
Ocean, continued growth in the city would not remove obstacles to growth beyond its borders.
As outlined in PLAN Hermosa, growth would mainly take place through infill and intensification of uses. As such, allowing for continued growth in urbanized areas reduces development pressure in undeveloped peripheral areas regionally. Therefore, although the proposed plan would remove
obstacles to growth in Hermosa Beach, it would not represent a significant adverse impact.
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
6.0.1 INTRODUCTION
Section 15126.6(a) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines requires
environmental impact reports (EIRs) to describe “a range of reasonable alternatives to the project,
which would feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives.”
An EIR need not consider every conceivable alternative to a project. Rather, it must consider a
reasonable range of potentially feasible alternatives that will foster informed decision-making and public participation. An EIR is not required to consider alternatives which are infeasible.
The lead agency is responsible for selecting a range of project alternatives for examination and
must publicly disclose its reasoning for selecting those alternatives. There is no ironclad rule governing the nature or scope of the alternatives to be discussed, other than the rule of reason. CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(b) describes the purpose of the alternatives analysis as follows:
Because an EIR must identify ways to mitigate or avoid the significant effects that
a project may have on the environment (Public Resources Code Section 21002.1), the discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of
the project, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the
attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly.
The CEQA Guidelines suggest that alternatives should be compared to the proposed project’s
environmental impacts and that the “no project” alternative be considered (CEQA Guidelines
Section 15126.6[e]). In defining feasibility (e.g., “feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the
project”), CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(f)(1) states, in part:
Among the factors that may be taken into account when addressing the feasibility
of alternatives are site suitability, economic viability, availability of infrastructure,
general plan consistency, other plans or regulatory limitations, jurisdictional
boundaries (projects with a regionally significant impact should consider the regional context), and whether the proponent can reasonably acquire, control or
otherwise have access to the alternative site (or the site is already owned by the
proponent). No one of these factors establishes a fixed limit on the scope of
reasonable alternatives.
In determining what alternatives should be considered in the EIR, it is important to acknowledge
the project’s objectives, significant effects, and unique considerations. These factors are crucial
to the development of alternatives that meet the criteria specified in CEQA Guidelines Section
15126.6(a).
For the purposes of this EIR, the proposed project is the draft of PLAN Hermosa and is designed to
achieve the following objectives:
1) Preserve the city’s small beach town character through policies and design standards that
maintain buildings at an appropriate scale and size with existing ones (including potentially
historic buildings) and recognize the unique features of the city’s eclectic residential
neighborhoods.
2) Enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy through policies that stimulate sustainable businesses and jobs, enhance safe and beautiful commercial
corridors, articulate clear and consistent standards for new businesses, and provide
convenient services to residents, employees, and visitors.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
3) Promote healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation improvements that enhance pedestrian, transit, and bike safety and access to a variety of destinations
in the city.
4) Provide a safe and clean natural environment—including clean air and water—and
stewardship of our ocean resources, open space, and other natural resources.
5) Achieve a low or no carbon future through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing fuel consumption, diverting solid waste from landfills, conserving water, and
improving the efficiency of energy use and utilizing renewable energy sources.
6.0.2 ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED
Project alternatives are intended to reduce or eliminate the potentially significant adverse
environmental effects of PLAN Hermosa while attempting to meet most of the project objectives.
An EIR is required to contain a discussion of a reasonable range of alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, that could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project (CEQA
Guidelines Section 15126.6[a]). The comparative merits of the alternatives should also be
presented. CEQA also provides the following guidelines for considering alternatives to the project:
• If an alternative would cause one or more significant environmental effects in addition to those that would be caused by the project, the significant effects of the alternatives shall
be discussed, but in less detail than the significant effects of the project (CEQA Guidelines
Section 15126.6[d]).
• The “no project” alternative shall be evaluated. If the environmentally superior alternative
is the no project alternative, the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior
alternative among the other alternatives (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6[e]).
• The range of alternatives required by an EIR is governed by the rule of reason that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The key
issue is whether the selection and discussion of alternatives fosters informed decision-
making and informed public participation. An EIR need not consider an alternative whose
effect cannot be ascertained and whose implementation is remote and speculative (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6[f]).
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF PLAN HERMOSA
• Since the project alternatives should be designed to reduce or eliminate potentially adverse effects of the proposed project, it is important to identify where the proposed
project may have significant adverse environmental effects. The potentially significant
adverse environmental effects of PLAN Hermosa, as analyzed and identified in this EIR, are
noted in Table 6.0-1 (Potentially Significant Adverse Effects of PLAN Hermosa).
TABLE 6.0-1
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PLAN HERMOSA
Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
4.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources
4.1-1 Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds PS LTS
4.1-2 Scenic Resources within a State Scenic Highway LTS LTS
4.1-3 Visual Character LTS LTS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-2
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
4.1-4 Shade and Shadow LTS LTS
4.1-5 Light or Glare LTS LTS
4.1-6 Cumulative Visual Resources LTCC LTCC
4.2 Air Quality
4.2-1 Applicable Air Quality Plan LTS LTS
4.2-2 Violate Air Quality Standards – Short-Term Impacts PS SU
4.2-3 Violate Air Quality Standards – Long-Term Impacts LTS LTS
4.2-4 Increase in Criteria Pollutants – CO Hot Spots LTS LTS
4.2-5 Toxic Air Contaminants LTS LTS
4.2-6 Odors LTS LTS
4.2-7 Cumulative Air Quality Impacts CC CC/SU
4.3 Biological Resources
4.3-1 Special-Status Species PS LTS
4.3-2 Sensitive Biological Communities or Riparian Habitat NI NI
4.3-3 Wetlands LTS LTS
4.3-4 Movement or Migration of Wildlife Species LTS LTS
4.3-5 Conflict with Species Protection Policies or Ordinances LTS LTS
4.3-6 Cumulative Effects on Biological Resources LTCC LTCC
4.4 Cultural Resources
4.4-1 Archaeological Resources LTS LTS
4.4-2 Disturbance of Human Remains LTS LTS
4.4-3 Paleontological Resource, Site, or Geologic Feature PS LTS
4.4-4 Historical Resources PS SU
4.4-5 Cumulative Effects on Archaeological Resources LTCC LTCC
4.4-6 Cumulative Effects on Human Remains LTCC LTCC
4.4-7 Cumulative Effects on Paleontological Resources CC LTCC
4.4-8 Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources CC CC/SU
4.5 Geology and Soils
4.5-1 Fault Rupture and Seismic Hazards LTS LTS
4.5-2 Soil Erosion or Loss of Topsoil LTS LTS
4.5-3 Unstable and Expansive Soils LTS LTS
4.5-4 Cumulative Geologic and Soil Hazards LTCC LTCC
4.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
4.6-1 Generate GHG Emissions PS LTS
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October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
6.0-3
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
4.6-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation LTS LTS
4.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
4.7-1 Transport, Use, or Disposal of Hazardous Materials LTS LTS
4.7-2 Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials PS LTS
4.7-3 Emission or Handling of Hazardous Materials Near Schools LTS LTS
4.7-4 Adopted Emergency Response Plan LTS LTS
4.7-5 Cumulative Effects of Hazardous Materials LTCC LTCC
4.8 Hydrology and Water Quality
4.8-1 Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge Requirements LTS LTS
4.8-2 Groundwater Supplies or Recharge LTS LTS
4.8-3 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – Off-Site Erosion or Siltation LTS LTS
4.8-4 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – On- or Off-Site Flooding LTS LTS
4.8-5 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – Water Runoff LTS LTS
4.8-6 Water Quality LTS LTS
4.8-7 Housing within Flood Hazard Area LTS LTS
4.8-8 Impede or Redirect Flood Flows LTS LTS
4.8-9 Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding LTS LTS
4.8-10 Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow LTS LTS
4.8-11 Cumulative Effects on Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge
Requirements LTCC LTCC
4.8-12 Cumulative Effects on Groundwater Supply or Recharge LTCC LTCC
4.8-13 Cumulative Effects on Surface Hydrology and Flooding LTCC LTCC
4.8-14 Cumulative Effects on Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding LTCC LTCC
4.8-15 Cumulative Effects of Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow LTCC LTCC
4.9 Land Use and Planning
4.9-1 Physically Divide an Established Community LTS LTS
4.9-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation LTS LTS
4.9-3 Cumulative Impact on Dividing a Community or Conflicting with a Plan LTCC LTCC
4.10 Mineral Resources
4.10-1 Result in the Loss of Availability of Mineral Resources NI NI
4.11 Noise and Vibration
4.11-1 Noise Levels in Excess of Standards LTS LTS
4.11-2 Groundborne Vibration or Groundborne Noise Levels PS LTS
4.11-3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels LTS LTS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-4
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
4.11-4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels LTS LTS
4.11-5 Cumulative Effects of Noise Sources LTCC LTCC
4.12 Population and Housing
4.12-1 Induce Substantial Population Growth LTS LTS
4.12-2 Displace People or Housing LTS LTS
4.12-3 Cumulative Inducement of Population Growth LTCC LTCC
4.12-4 Cumulative Impacts on Displacing People or Housing LTCC LTCC
4.13 Public Services, Community Facilities, and Utilities
4.13.2-1 Demand for Fire Protection Services LTS LTS
4.13.2-2 Cumulative Demand for Fire Protection Services LTCC LTCC
4.13.3-1 Demand for Law Enforcement Services LTS LTS
4.13.3-2 Cumulative Demand for Law Enforcement Services LTCC LTCC
4.13.4-1 Demand for Additional School Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.4-2 Cumulative Demand for Additional School Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.5-1 Demand for Additional Park Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.5-2 Cumulative Demand for Parks and Recreation Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.6-1 Demand for Additional Library Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.6-2 Cumulative Demand for Library Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.7-1 Wastewater Treatment Facilities Exceeding Influent Flows Beyond
Permitted Capacity LTS LTS
4.13.7-2 Demand for New or Expanded Water or Wastewater Treatment Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.7-3 Demand for Stormwater Drainage Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.7-4 Demand for Water Supplies Beyond Projections LTS LTS
4.13.7-5 Exceed Capacity for Wastewater Treatment LTS LTS
4.13.7-6 Cumulative Water Supply Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.7-7 Cumulative Wastewater Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.8-1 Demand for Solid Waste Disposal LTS LTS
4.13.8-2 Compliance with Solid Waste Disposal Regulations LTS LTS
4.13.8-3 Cumulative Solid Waste Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.9-1 Demand for Additional Energy Resources LTS LTS
4.13.9-2 Cumulative Energy Consumption Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.14 Transportation
4.14-1 Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards
4.14-1a Intersections 10/13 LTS 10/13 LTS
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Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
1. Hermosa Ave & 13th St LTS LTS
2. Hermosa Ave & Pier Ave LTS LTS
3. Pacific Coast Hwy & Artesia Blvd PS SU
4. Pacific Coast Hwy & Aviation Blvd PS SU
5. Pacific Coast Hwy & Pier Ave LTS LTS
6. Pacific Coast Hwy & 2nd St LTS LTS
7. Pacific Coast Hwy & 16th St LTS LTS
8. Pacific Coast Hwy & 21st St LTS LTS
9. Prospect Ave & Artesia Blvd LTS LTS
10. Prospect Ave & Aviation Blvd LTS LTS
11. Prospect Ave & Anita St LTS LTS
12. Manhattan Ave & 27th St PS SU
13. Valley Drive & Gould Ave LTS LTS
4.14-1b Roadway Segments 19/20 LTS 19/20 LTS
1. Hermosa Avenue (27th Street to 22nd Street) LTS LTS
2. Hermosa Avenue (22nd Street to 16th Street) LTS LTS
3. Hermosa Avenue (16th Street to 8th Street) LTS LTS
4. Hermosa Avenue (8th Street to Herondo Street) LTS LTS
5. Valley Drive (Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue) LTS LTS
6. Valley Drive (Pier Avenue to 8th Street) LTS LTS
7. Ardmore Avenue (16th Street to 11th Street) LTS LTS
8. Ardmore Avenue (8th Street to 2nd Street) LTS LTS
9. Pacific Coast Highway (Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard) LTS LTS
10. Pacific Coast Highway (Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street) LTS LTS
11. Prospect Avenue (Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard) LTS LTS
12. Prospect Avenue (Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street) PS SU
13. Artesia Blvd (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
14. Aviation Blvd (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
15. Pier Avenue (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
16. Pier Avenue (Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway) LTS LTS
17. Gould Avenue (Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway) LTS LTS
18. 8th Street (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
19. 8th Street (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
20. Herondo Street (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-6
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation
4.14-2 Conflict with the LA County Congestion Management Program LTS LTS
4.14-3 Air Traffic Patterns LTS LTS
4.14-4 Roadway Design Hazards LTS LTS
4.14-5 Adequate Emergency Access LTS LTS
4.14-6 Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities LTS LTS
4.14-7 Cumulative Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards CC CC
4.14-8 Cumulative Impact on LA County Congestion Management Program LTCC LTCC
4.14-9 Cumulative Effect on Air Traffic Patterns LTCC LTCC
4.14-10 Cumulative Roadway Design Hazards LTCC LTCC
4.14-11 Cumulative Effect on Emergency Access LTCC LTCC
4.14-12 Cumulative Effect on Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities LTCC LTCC
Definition
LTS Less Than Significant – if impacts were identified as less than significant in the technical analysis
PS Potentially Significant – if impacts were identified as potentially significant
NI No Impact – if no impacts were identified in the technical analysis
CC Cumulatively Considerable – if impacts, cumulative in nature, were determined to be significant
LTCC Less Than Cumulatively Considerable – if impacts, cumulative in nature, were determined to be less than
significant
SU Significant and Unavoidable – if impacts, after feasible mitigation measures were identified, remained a
significant impact and determined unavoidable in the technical analysis
The City of Hermosa Beach considered a range of land use alternatives when formulating PLAN
Hermosa. The previous public discussion of land use alternatives is distinct from the alternatives analysis presented in this EIR, although there may be overlap with certain concepts presented
earlier. The purpose of the EIR alternatives is primarily to identify means to reduce or avoid
significant environmental effects of the project. For this EIR, the following three alternatives to PLAN
Hermosa are evaluated:
• Alternative 1 – Retain Existing General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan (No Project Alternative)
• Alternative 2 – Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 (2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative)
• Alternative 3 – Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources (Character Retention
Alternative)
Each alternative—with the exception of the CEQA-required No Project Alternative—was
formulated to provide rational and meaningful modifications to proposed land uses that would
reduce environmental impacts while still achieving most project objectives. CEQA Guidelines
Section 15126.6(a) allows the City to select alternatives that would result in reduction of any significant effects of the project, but does not require reduction of all impacts to a less than
significant level. Project alternatives are not required to reduce specific individual impacts of PLAN
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Hermosa, as long as the City has established a reasonable range of feasible alternatives that address the significant effects of the project. Each alternative is described briefly below.
Alternative 1 – Retain Existing General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan (No Project Alternative)
This alternative assumes that PLAN Hermosa would not be implemented and that future
development would proceed as indicated in the existing General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan. Hermosa Beach would continue to grow and develop consistent with currently allowable
land uses according to the existing 1980 Land Use Element (Figure 3-3). However, redevelopment
patterns would be expected to be similar to PLAN Hermosa because the same infill properties would be vacant or available for redevelopment, resulting in increased intensity of development in an identical development footprint as PLAN Hermosa. Table 6.0-2 (Comparison of Allow/Estimated Density and Intensity) provides an estimate of what density or intensity of
development is anticipated to be allowed under the adopted General Plan, compared to the
proposed densities and intensities of PLAN Hermosa. Note that the existing General Plan does not
include floor area ratios (FAR) but has setback and height requirements which can be used to
calculate an estimate of FAR allowed based on recently approved or constructed projects.
TABLE 6.0-2
COMPARISON OF ALLOWED/ESTIMATED DENSITY AND INTENSITY
No Project
Alternative
Proposed under PLAN
Hermosa
Allowed Density/Intensity
Comparison of No Project to
PLAN Hermosa
Land Use Designation Maximum Minimum Maximum
Low Density (DU/AC) 13.0 2.0 13.0 Similar
Medium Density (DU/AC) 25.0 13.1 25.0 Similar
High Density (DU/AC) 33.0 25.1 33.0 Similar
Mobile Home (DU/AC) 13.0 2.0 13.0 Similar
Neighborhood Commercial (FAR) 1.0 0.5 1.0 Similar
Community Commercial (FAR) 1.75 0.5 1.25 Greater
Recreational Commercial (FAR) 2.5 1.0 1.75 Greater
Gateway Commercial (FAR) 1.5 1.0 2.0 Lesser
Service Commercial (FAR) 1.0 0.25 0.5 Greater
Light Industrial Creative (FAR) 0.75 0.25 1.0 Lesser
Public Facilities (FAR) n/a 0.1 1.0 Similar
Open Space (FAR) n/a 0.0 0.1 Similar
City Beach (FAR) n/a 0.0 0.05 Similar
DU/AC = dwelling units per acre; FAR = floor area ratio.
Information on du/acre and FAR from the public review draft of PLAN Hermosa (City of Hermosa Beach 2015). Italicized lines indicate new or altered land use designations introduced through
PLAN Hermosa.
This alternative is analyzed in this EIR, as it is required under CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(e). According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(e)(2), the “no project” analysis shall discuss “what
is reasonably expected to occur in the foreseeable future if the project were not approved, based
on current plans and consistent with available infrastructure and community services.”
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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As shown in Table 6.0-2, the No Project Alternative would allow similar levels of residential development as PLAN Hermosa. For nonresidential development, the No Project Alternative
would allow greater levels of development in the Community Commercial, Recreational
Commercial, and Service Commercial designations, and lesser levels of development in the Gateway Commercial and Light Industrial Creative designations than proposed under PLAN Hermosa. All other nonresidential or institutional categories propose similar levels of allowed
development intensity for both PLAN Hermosa and the No Project Alternative.
Additionally, as shown in Table 6.0-3 (No Project/Existing General Plan Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips Generated), Alternative 1 would result in 30,000 more VMT per day and 2,600 more daily vehicle trips compared to PLAN Hermosa.
TABLE 6.0-3
NO PROJECT/EXISTING GENERAL PLAN VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT) AND VEHICLE TRIPS GENERATED
Scenario Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled Daily Vehicle Trips
2040 No Project Alternative 356,000 37,200
2040 PLAN Hermosa 326,000 34,600
Source: City of Hermosa Beach Traffic Study 2015
Alternative 2 – Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 (2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative)
This alternative would be focused on achieving a community-wide goal of carbon neutrality by
2030. Carbon neutrality is the state of achieving net zero carbon emissions, generally by balancing
a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset by the
community. There are two primary differences between this alternative and the proposed draft of
PLAN Hermosa, which currently includes a goal to achieve carbon neutrality no later than the year 2040:
1) Expediting achievement of a carbon neutral goal by 10 years from 2040 to 2030.
2) Bypassing the use of carbon credits to offset carbon emissions that could not be
eliminated.
Changing these two parameters would have a number of effects. While the total levels of local
reductions needed to achieve a carbon neutral goal by 2030 or 2040 are virtually identical, the
number of years to achieve the goal would be reduced from 24 years to 14. A 2030 goal would
necessitate the implementation of new policies and programs each year to reduce emissions at a rate of 6,750 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) per year, compared to annual
reductions of 3,975 MTCO2e per year for a 2040 goal.
To do this, the following steps would be taken to modify PLAN Hermosa to increase and accelerate
the rate of carbon emissions reductions from the energy, waste, and transportation sectors:
• Require on-site renewable energy generation and zero net energy as part of all new
construction and major building renovations.
• Mandate retrofits to existing buildings to improve energy efficiency at time of sale, through
rental inspections, and prior to issuance of building permits.
• Eliminate the use of natural gas within the city through the installation of biogas
technologies and electrification of heating and cooking appliances and fixtures within the
building stock.
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• Participate in a Community Choice Aggregation program or other similar program, and procure or generate renewable energy to account for 100 percent of the energy portfolio
by increasing the rate of installation for local renewable energy generation sources or
procuring long-term renewable energy contracts for sources outside of the city.
• Modify land use designations to facilitate mixed-use development and increase commercial and residential densities within the Community Commercial and Gateway
Commercial designations to facilitate shorter trip lengths and increase the number of trips
captured internally.
• Mandate public and private clean fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure to facilitate
deployment of electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, and/or clean fuel
vehicles.
• Modify parking standards and programs to disincentivize conventionally fueled automobile use, and incentivize alternative modes of transportation and zero-emission
vehicle use through programs that include, but are not limited to, increases in the cost of
public parking, elimination of parking minimums and establishment of maximums for new
development, elimination of practices to assign parking spaces to particular uses, and changes to the preferential parking permit program.
• Pursue regional transportation projects and infrastructure to facilitate carbon-free regional
travel options.
• Mandate transportation demand management (TDM) programs for institutions and businesses.
• Accelerate the implementation of pedestrian and bicycle network investments, electric
vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure, programs to achieve zero waste, and net zero
energy requirements.
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative with the added or modified policies would result in greater
levels of emissions reductions compared to the policies and programs proposed in PLAN Hermosa,
as noted in Table 6.0-4 (Comparison of Emissions Reduction Scenarios 2030 vs. 2040).
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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TABLE 6.0-4
COMPARISON OF EMISSIONS REDUCTION SCENARIOS 2030 VS. 2040
2030 Scenario 2040 Scenario
Share of
Carbon
Reductions (%)
Annual
Carbon
Reduction
(MTCO2e)
Share of
Carbon
Reductions (%)
Annual
Carbon
Reduction
(MTCO2e)
Baseline 2005 Emissions 137,160 137,160
2012 Emissions -7.7% 126,610 -7.7% 126,610
BAU Emissions (2040) +1.2% 128,290 +5.0% 133,430
State Programs (2040) -24.6% 33,750 -27.7% 38,010
Local Remaining Emissions to be Reduced 94,540 95,420
Building Efficiency
New Construction Residential Efficiency -0.8% 1,090 -1.3% 1,810
Existing Buildings Residential Efficiency -4.4% 6,100 -4.4% 6,100
New Construction Nonresidential Efficiency -1.2% 1,690 -2.0% 2,810
Existing Buildings Nonresidential Efficiency -2.0% 2,770 -2.0% 2,770
Subtotal -8.5% 11,650 -9.8% 13,490
Renewable Energy Generation
Rooftop Solar -5.8% 8,020 -5.9% 8,100
Community Solar -27.0% 36,990 -0.4% 550
Community Choice Aggregation -7.5% 10,290 -7.3% 10,010
Purchased Renewables (Green Rate) -0.0% 0 -0.0% 0
Subtotal -40.3% 55,300 -13.6% 18,660
Transportation + Land Use
Land Use & Transportation Alternatives -8.1% 11,130 -4.0% 5,500
Additional Transportation Strategies -3.2% 4,450 -1.9% 2,560
Electric Vehicles -5.7% 7,750 -7.4% 10,100
Subtotal -17.0% 23,330 -13.0% 18,160
Other Sectors + Offsets
Waste + Recycling -2.5% 3,430 -2.5% 3,480
Water + Wastewater -0.6% 840 -0.2% 330
Purchase Offsets -0.0% 0 -30.1% 41,310
Subtotal -3.1% 4,270 -32.9% 45,120
TOTAL -100.0% 94,540 -100.0% 95,420
Source: City of Hermosa Beach 2016
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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Alternative 3 – Stronger Retention of Visual and Cultural Resources (Character Retention
Alternative)
This alternative would focus on implementing additional policies or implementation actions that
would facilitate greater retention of visual and cultural resources in Hermosa Beach. While PLAN
Hermosa includes several goals and policies to address community character, historic buildings, and scenic views, they largely do so in a manner that encourages rather than mandates the
protection of these resources. To facilitate greater retention of the existing visual and cultural
resources in Hermosa Beach, the steps taken to modify PLAN Hermosa would include:
• Reduction in density or establishment of floor area ratios (FAR) for medium- and high-density residential (reduce capacity to encourage retention of existing buildings that
contribute to the character of residential neighborhoods).
• Establishment of an overall cap or reduction in development intensity for the Community
Commercial and Recreational Commercial land use designations to limit the scale and amount of additional development or increased redevelopment within those areas.
• Addition of a mixed-use designation to allow limited residential development, in
conjunction with commercial uses, accommodating the projected population growth
reduced through changes to medium- and high-density designations.
• Development of design standards (as opposed to guidelines) to address the compatibility
of building scale, design aesthetics, and community character for residential and
commercial neighborhoods.
• Addition of historic resource protection policies, including City initiation of historic landmark designation of potentially eligible historic resources.
• Achievement as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the California Office of Historic
Preservation, including establishment of an historic preservation commission.
• Development of a historic preservation plan, historic context statement, and/or historic
preservation element of the General Plan.
• Establishment of view protection ordinances and development standards to physically
depict building form/massing in the evaluation of a project’s impact on views.
• Revision of the issuance of a demolition permit from a ministerial action to a discretionary
action for those properties that have been identified as a potentially eligible historic
resource.
The Character Retention Alternative, with the added or modified policies, would result in greater levels of certainty that cultural and visual resources would be retained, compared to the policies
and programs proposed in PLAN Hermosa. However, the policies in this alternative may also
discourage the redevelopment, reuse, or renovation of existing buildings and structures that will
be necessary to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
6.0.3 IMPACTS OF EACH ALTERNATIVE
In the following discussion, the impacts of PLAN Hermosa for each environmental topic area
considered in this EIR are described. This is followed by a description of how impacts for each alternative would differ from PLAN Hermosa, including whether impacts would be greater, lesser,
or similar to the proposed project and why the alternative would result in different impacts to the
proposed project. Table 6.0-5 (Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Alternatives to PLAN Hermosa) summarizes the impact comparison.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES
Impacts of PLAN Hermosa related to adverse effects on scenic vistas, degradation of existing
visual character, creation of shadows, and creation of new sources of light or glare that would
adversely affect nighttime views are less than significant. No designated scenic highways are located in the planning area, so there is no impact to scenic highways. PLAN Hermosa would result
in new development that could alter views and the visual character, and add new sources of
shadow, light, and glare in the planning area. However, policies and actions applicable to new
development would reduce these impacts to a less than significant level.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would generally have similar effects on degradation of existing visual
character, creation of shadows, and creation of new sources of light or glare as PLAN Hermosa.
The existing General Plan has similar policies related to the preservation of aesthetic resources, especially the beaches, shoreline, and the Santa Monica Bay viewshed. However, the existing
General Plan does not identify specific scenic vistas associated with the beaches, shoreline, and
the Santa Monica Bay viewshed, nor does it identify the character defining features of the city’s
mix of neighborhoods, corridors, and districts. In the absence of these identified vistas and public viewing areas, and the absence of descriptors to identify the visual character, impacts to scenic
vistas and visual character would be greater under this alternative than with PLAN Hermosa. This
would potentially be a new significant impact and may cause greater cumulative impacts to
visual resources.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would include similar policies to PLAN Hermosa to identify the
locations and public viewing areas for scenic vistas and viewsheds. This alternative would also
include similar descriptions of the community’s character-defining features and similar policies addressing scenic resources within a state scenic highway. However, this alternative could
increase the amount of renewable energy installations in Hermosa Beach by an order of
magnitude (34 megawatts [MW] in PLAN Hermosa compared to 166 MW in this alternative) compared to the projections used in the draft of PLAN Hermosa, potentially in the form of solar, wind, or ocean-based renewable energy development. These renewable energy resources have
the potential to create new sources of light or glare or be placed in areas adjacent to high quality
scenic viewing areas or within the Santa Monica Bay viewshed. Thus, impacts to aesthetics could be greater than those of PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would incorporate additional development standards to
address compatibility of building scale, design aesthetics, and community character as well as the consideration of scenic views. While this alternative would incorporate descriptions of the community’s character-defining features, similar to PLAN Hermosa, it would take additional steps
to further protect scenic vistas and visual character by incorporating development standards and
a design review process. These design standards would guide and evaluate new construction or redevelopment projects to design buildings and structures in a manner that minimizes impacts to
visual resources and provide guidance to ensure new buildings are consistent with the form, scale,
and orientation of existing buildings. This alternative would also identify specific vistas and key
public viewpoints of the identified vistas. The Character Retention Alternative would also potentially have lesser impacts on shade and shadow, by establishing intensities or floor area ratios
for residential development, thereby facilitating greater variation of building forms to avoid
creating shadow impacts. Thus, this alternative would have lesser impacts than PLAN Hermosa.
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AIR QUALITY
Air pollutants are generated from the combustion of fuels for automobiles and small engines
powering equipment for activities such as landscaping and construction. Impacts of PLAN
Hermosa related to consistency with air quality plans, long-term operational emissions, carbon monoxide (CO) hot spots, toxic air contaminants, and odors are less than significant. PLAN
Hermosa would result in potentially significant impacts related to short-term construction emissions.
These impacts would remain significant and unavoidable even after implementation of PLAN
Hermosa policies and implementation actions.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative results in similar amounts of residential and commercial development
as PLAN Hermosa; however, this alternative would result in an increase of approximately 30,000
daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and 2,600 daily vehicle trips (VT). Fuel consumption from vehicle trips is a primary determinant in the emittance of several air quality pollutants, and contributes to
CO hot spots and toxic air contaminants. Therefore, this alternative would result in relatively greater impacts related to violating long-term air quality standards, CO hot spots, and toxic air
contaminants compared to PLAN Hermosa. Similarly, due to the greater VMT and VT, this alternative would be potentially inconsistent with the South Coast Air Quality Management
District’s (SMAQMD) Air Quality Management Plan and would have greater cumulative impacts
on air quality. Since this alternative would result in similar levels of construction compared to the
proposed project, it would have similar air quality impacts related to short-term emissions and would have similar impacts on odors.
Alternative 2
Under the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative, the quantity of internal combustion engines in the city
would be reduced at a greater rate and would be replaced with electric equipment and vehicles at a greater rate. Thus, because the decrease would occur more quickly and there would be a
greater rate of conversion, there would be fewer transportation-related pollutants generated
locally, resulting in lesser impacts related to consistency with the Air Quality Management Plan, long-term operational emissions, CO hot spots, and toxic air contaminants. Since this alternative would result in greater levels of construction compared to PLAN Hermosa, it would have higher air
quality impacts related to short-term construction-related emissions and would have similar
impacts on odors.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative proposes to reduce density or establish floor area ratios (FAR)
for medium- and high-density residential to encourage the retention of existing buildings that
contribute to the character of residential neighborhoods. This would in effect discourage redevelopment of existing parcels, which would reduce the amount of emissions generated by construction equipment, resulting in fewer impacts from or a lower likelihood of violating air quality
standards on a short-term basis. This alternative would otherwise have similar mobility and
transportation policies, resulting in similar impacts to PLAN Hermosa related to consistency with the Air Quality Management Plan, long-term operational emission, CO hot spots, toxic air
contaminants, and odors. This would result in similar cumulative air quality impacts compared to
PLAN Hermosa.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
PLAN Hermosa was evaluated to determine whether its adoption and implementation would
cause adverse effects to special-status species, sensitive natural communities, and wildlife
movement. The majority of the planning area is urbanized, and limited areas of habitat are
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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focused along the beach and shoreline, where no change in the developed footprint is planned. The Draft EIR has found that, after mitigation, no significant biological impacts would occur.
Alternative 1
Although the existing General Plan lacks some of the specific policies and programs requiring
consideration of biological resources in development decisions, the current General Plan does not envision development or changes to existing open space areas along the beach and
shoreline that would potentially affect biological resources. By retaining existing open spaces
along the beach and shoreline, Alternative 1 would have impacts to sensitive biological communities, wetlands, movement or migration of wildlife, and conflicts with species protection policies, similar to those identified for PLAN Hermosa. However, impacts to special-status species
have been identified as a potentially significant impact under PLAN Hermosa, but lowered to a
less than significant impact with a mitigation measure to require any construction on the beach
proposed to occur during the summer months to conduct preconstruction surveys for western
snowy plovers or California least terns, and not allowing any construction on the beach to occur
if the surveys identify these species as roosting. Since this alternative proposes a continuation of
existing adopted policy, there is no discretionary action and associated environmental review required to implement mitigation of this impact. Thus, the impacts on special-status species would be potentially greater under the No Project Alternative.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would follow the same general footprint of development and
policies as PLAN Hermosa. However, this alternative may introduce additional renewable energy
resources—including solar, wind, or ocean-based renewable energy sources—each of which may
have varying adverse effects on special-status species, sensitive natural communities, and wildlife
migration. While the potential impacts to California least terns and western snowy plovers could be mitigated with similar measures identified for PLAN Hermosa, the potential introduction of
ocean-based renewable energy sources may cause impacts to other special-status species,
particularly marine mammals such as cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds
(seals and sea lions), and sea otters, which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Additionally, both ocean- and land-based renewable energy resources have been known
to alter or impact the movement and migration of wildlife species. Since the location, size,
technology, and design of any new renewable energy resources cannot be identified at this time,
further study of the potential impacts and additional mitigation measures or implementation actions may be needed to protect sensitive biological habitats and wildlife movement or
migration and to reach a less than significant impact related to biological resources for this
alternative. Thus, impacts to special-status species, movement and migration of wildlife species,
and cumulative effects on biological resources may be greater than those of PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would include similar policies related to biological resources
and generally follows the same development footprint or urbanized area as PLAN Hermosa.
Additionally, this alternative does not envision development or changes to existing open space areas along the beach and shoreline that could potentially affect biological resources. While a
potentially significant impact to special-status species has been identified for PLAN Hermosa, this
alternative could similarly incorporate a mitigation measure to require any construction on the beach proposed to occur during the summer months to conduct preconstruction surveys for western snowy plovers or California least terns, and not allow any construction on the beach to
occur if the surveys identify these species as roosting. Therefore, biological resources impacts with
this alternative would be similar to PLAN Hermosa.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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CULTURAL RESOURCES
Impacts of PLAN Hermosa related to archaeological, paleontological, cultural, and historic
resources are considered potentially significant. With the application of mitigation measures, the
impacts to archaeological and paleontological resources would be reduced to less than significant. PLAN Hermosa, with application of mitigation measures, would still be considered a
significant and unavoidable impact causing substantial change to the significance of a historical
resource. With redevelopment and reuse of existing properties, as opposed to development of
vacant land, as the primary means to reinvestment in Hermosa Beach in the future, the risk of potentially historic buildings or structures being demolished or substantially modified is high.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would retain the policies and programs of the existing General Plan.
Such policies related to cultural and historic resources are included in the Urban Design Element, but do not preclude property owners from demolishing or significantly altering older buildings and
identified potentially historic resources. Since PLAN Hermosa includes an inventory of potentially
historic resources, additional policies, and a set of implementation actions, this alternative would
result in potentially greater impacts to historic resources than the plan. Additionally, impacts to archaeological and paleontological resources are less than significant because of the inclusion
of specific implementation actions to require archaeological investigations for future projects
involving ground-disturbing activities in areas that have not been previously surveyed and/or
determined sensitive for cultural resources. Since this alternative proposes a continuation of existing adopted policy, there is no discretionary action or associated environmental review
required to implement mitigation measures to reduce impacts. Thus, the impacts on
archaeological and paleontological resources would be potentially greater under this alternative. On a cumulative basis, this alternative would likely cause greater impacts to cultural resources than PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 2
Potential impacts to archaeological or paleontological resources and disturbance of human
remains would be similar to PLAN Hermosa under this alternative because Alternative 2 would have similar implementation actions to address future ground-disturbing activities.
However, this alternative would likely result in greater alterations or demolitions to the existing
building stock to increase the installation of solar panels on the majority of rooftops in Hermosa Beach, achieve deep energy renovations of existing buildings, and result in a greater number of
buildings being torn down and rebuilt as zero net energy and high-performance buildings. While
the installation of energy-efficient equipment or renewable energy technology would not
necessarily damage or alter designated or potentially historic resources, additional guidance and technical information would be needed to describe how historic properties can incorporate
sustainable practices to reduce energy consumption, while maintaining those characteristics that
make historic properties significant. Unless additional policies are identified to prohibit the
demolition or significant alteration of potentially historic resources, impacts to historical resources would still be expected to be significant and unavoidable and would likely be somewhat greater
under this alternative given the level of alterations to building stock needed to achieve higher
energy performance. Potential impacts to historical resources on a cumulative basis, which is
identified as a significant and unavoidable impact with PLAN Hermosa, would also be somewhat greater under this alternative.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would incorporate similar implementation actions as PLAN
Hermosa to address archaeological and paleontological resources, and therefore would have
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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similar impacts on those resources. However, this alternative would incorporate additional policies and programs to directly or indirectly address cultural and specifically historic resources.
Additional policies or implementation actions under this alternative would include:
• Addition of historic resource protection policies, including City initiation of historic landmark
designation of potentially eligible historic resources.
• Achievement as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the California Office of Historic
Preservation, including establishment of an historic preservation commission.
• Development of a historic preservation plan, historic context statement, and/or historic preservation element of the General Plan.
• Reduction in density or establishment of floor area ratios (FAR) for medium- and high-
density residential (reduce capacity to encourage retention of existing buildings that
contribute to the character of residential neighborhoods).
• Revision of the issuance of a demolition permit from a ministerial action to a discretionary
action for those properties that have been identified as a potentially eligible historic
resource.
These specific additions proposed for this alternative are intended to provide additional oversight and information or regulation to preserve both designated historic resources and potentially
eligible resources. Thus, the impacts and cumulative effects on historic resources, under this
alternative, would be lesser than with PLAN Hermosa, although the impact may not necessarily
be reduced to a less than significant level.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa, including future land uses consistent with the Land Use Map,
would provide for construction of new uses in areas potentially subject to seismic ground shaking, soil liquefaction and ground failure, and earthquake-induced landslides. New land uses would
also potentially be exposed to erosion hazards and to expansive and collapsible soils. However,
PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions require enforcement of regulations,
programs, and building code requirements. All geology and soils impacts of PLAN Hermosa would be less than significant.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial
development as PLAN Hermosa and would follow the same general footprint of development; therefore, the number of people and structures subject to potential geological hazards would be
similar. The same regulations and building code requirements would apply to new development
under this alternative. Thus, impacts related to geology and soils, including fault rupture, soil
erosion, and unstable expansive soils, would be similar to those with PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial
development as PLAN Hermosa and would follow the same general footprint of development;
therefore, the number of people and structures subject to potential geological hazards would be similar. The same regulations and building code requirements would apply to new development
under this alternative. Thus, impacts related to geology and soils, including fault rupture, soil
erosion, and unstable expansive soils, would be similar to those with PLAN Hermosa.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial
development as PLAN Hermosa and would follow the same general footprint of development;
therefore, the number of people and structures subject to potential geological hazards would be
similar. The same regulations and building code requirements would apply to new development under this alternative. Thus, impacts related to geology and soils, including fault rupture, soil
erosion, and unstable expansive soils, would be similar to those with PLAN Hermosa.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
PLAN Hermosa includes numerous policies and implementation actions to address and
dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the generation of GHG emissions is
identified as a potentially significant impact with the proposed project, the mitigation measures
establish interim GHG reduction goals and requirements to evaluate progress a minimum of every five years, and to adjust policies or programs if Hermosa Beach is not on track to achieve long-
term targets. The policies and actions identified in PLAN Hermosa are designed to comply with
local GHG reduction planning efforts and policies, including the 2011 Hermosa Beach
Sustainability Plan and the Municipal Carbon Neutral Goal for 2020, and are consistent with the State’s long-term GHG reduction targets articulated under Assembly Bill (AB) 32, Senate Bill (SB)
32, and the AB 32 Scoping Plan. With these mitigation measures, PLAN Hermosa would result in less
than significant impacts related to GHG emissions and would not conflict with any applicable
plans, policies, or regulations.
Alternative 1
Impacts related to the generation of GHG emissions have been identified as potentially significant
under PLAN Hermosa, but are lowered to a less than significant impact with mitigation measures
to establish interim GHG reduction goals and requirements to evaluate progress a minimum of every five years, and to adjust policies or programs if Hermosa Beach is not on track to achieve
long-term targets. Since this alternative proposes a continuation of existing adopted policy, there
is no discretionary action and associated environmental review required and therefore no mitigation measures.
This alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial development as
PLAN Hermosa; however, because of the location and distribution of uses allowed, this alternative
would result in an increase of approximately 30,000 VMT per day and 2,600 additional daily vehicle trips. Additionally, Alternative 1 would not include the policies and implementation actions
identified in PLAN Hermosa that would reduce operational emissions from other sources such as
energy use, waste disposal, and water consumption. Therefore, this alternative would result in greater impacts related to GHG emissions compared to PLAN Hermosa. Similarly, this alternative would not include policies and actions that reduce GHG emissions to the levels identified by the
City’s 2011 Sustainability Plan and the Municipal Carbon Neutral Goal for 2020. Therefore, impacts
related to consistency with applicable GHG reduction plans would be greater.
Alternative 2
Under the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative, a greater quantity of emissions would be reduced by 2030. The key policies incorporated into this alternative include:
• Require on-site renewable energy generation and zero net energy as part of all new
construction and major building renovations.
• Mandate retrofits to existing buildings to improve energy efficiency at time of sale, through
rental inspections, and prior to issuance of building permits.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
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• Eliminate the use of natural gas within the city through the installation of biogas technologies and electrification of heating and cooking appliances and fixtures within the
building stock.
• Participate in a Community Choice Aggregation program or other similar program and procure or generate renewable energy to account for 100 percent of the energy portfolio by increasing the rate of installation for local renewable energy generation sources or
procuring long-term renewable energy contracts for sources outside of the city.
• Modify land use designations to facilitate mixed-use development and increase
commercial and residential densities within the Community Commercial and Gateway
Commercial designations to facilitate shorter trips lengths and increase the number of trips
captured internally.
• Mandate public and private clean fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure to facilitate deployment of electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, and/or clean fuel
vehicles.
• Modify parking standards and programs to disincentivize conventionally fueled
automobile use, and incentivize alternative modes of transportation and zero-emission vehicle use through programs that include, but are not limited to, increases in the cost of
public-parking, elimination of parking minimums and establishment of maximums for new
development, elimination of practices to assign parking spaces to particular uses, and
changes to the preferential parking permit program.
• Pursue regional transportation projects and infrastructure to facilitate carbon-free regional
travel options.
• Mandate transportation demand management (TDM) programs for institutions and
businesses.
• Accelerate the implementation of pedestrian and bicycle network investments, electric
vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure, programs to achieve zero waste, and net zero
energy requirements.
However, the certainty in which emissions could be reduced when relying, even if to a lesser extent than PLAN Hermosa, on voluntary and incentive-based measures remains. Therefore, similar
mitigation measures to ensure emissions reductions were achieved by the identified target years
would be required. More aggressive implementation of programs and policies to achieve a goal
of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030 rather than 2040 would set the City of Hermosa
Beach up to exceed state greenhouse gas reduction targets earlier, and therefore would have lesser impacts related to GHG emissions than PLAN Hermosa. This alternative would similarly
include policies and actions that reduce GHG emissions to levels that meet or exceed local plans such as the 2011 Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan and the Municipal Carbon Neutral Goal for 2020 and would therefore have a similar impact on applicable plans, policies, or regulations
compared to PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative proposes to reduce density or establish floor area ratios (FAR) for medium- and high-density residential to encourage the retention of existing buildings that
contribute to the character of residential neighborhoods. This would in effect discourage
redevelopment of existing parcels, which would result in lower construction-related emissions, but would also discourage the development of higher-performance buildings or the installation of
renewable energy systems, a key strategy to reducing GHG emissions. The mobility policies and
implementation actions in this alternative would mirror those proposed in PLAN Hermosa, resulting
in similar levels of transportation-related reductions in GHG emissions. Waste reduction, water
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
conservation, and some energy efficiency measures, similar to PLAN Hermosa, would still be implemented under Alternative 3.
Given that energy-related emissions account for 41 percent of the emissions profile for Hermosa
Beach and that this alternative may decrease the GHG reduction potential from energy sources,
the GHG impacts under this alternative would be greater than with PLAN Hermosa. However, the
implementation of policies and actions related transportation, waste, and water/wastewater and
the incorporation of similar mitigation measures to PLAN Hermosa means that Alternative 3 may
not necessarily result in a significant impact. Similarly, this alternative would have similar impacts, compared to PLAN Hermosa, related to consistency with applicable GHG reduction plans, policies, and regulations.
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Implementation of PLAN Hermosa could result in increased routine use, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials, including the potential for hazardous materials handling near schools and
development on sites included on the Cortese List. However, compliance with existing hazardous
materials regulations and PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions would result in less
than significant impacts related to the transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials, emission
or handling of hazardous materials near schools, and consistency with adopted emergency
response plans.
As it relates to the accidental release of hazardous materials into the environment, PLAN Hermosa has been identified to have a potentially significant impact due to the known contamination at
the City of Hermosa Beach Maintenance Yard and the potential for unknown contamination at
other sites throughout the city. To mitigate the potential impacts, this EIR includes mitigation
measures to require the development and implementation of a Human Health Risk Assessment and Remedial Action Plan for any development activities at the City Maintenance Yard, and
requirements for future projects involving hazardous materials to stop work, identify the scope,
coordinate with the appropriate agencies, and conduct the necessary remediation. With these
measures, the impacts related to the accidental release of hazardous materials is mitigated to a less than significant level.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative results in similar amounts and the same general footprint of residential
and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa; therefore, the volume of materials used and transported, and the number of people subject to potential hazards through routine use and
transport of materials, would be similar. The use and transportation of hazardous materials would
be subject to the same federal, state, and local regulations as identified for PLAN Hermosa.
Impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials would be similar.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would result in similar amounts and the same general
footprint of residential and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa; therefore, the volume of
material used and transported, and the number of people subject to potential hazards through routine use and transport of materials, would be similar. The use and transportation of hazardous
materials would be subject to the same federal, state, and local regulations as identified for PLAN
Hermosa. Impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials would be similar with this
alternative.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would result in slightly less but the same general footprint of
residential and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa; therefore, the volume of material
used and transported, and the number of people subject to potential hazards through routine use
and transport of materials, would be similar. The use and transportation of hazardous materials would be subject to the same federal, state, and local regulations as identified for PLAN Hermosa.
Impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials would be similar.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Development under PLAN Hermosa would result in infill development and a slight increase in
impervious surfaces in a largely built-out environment. Development would not result in increased
erosion. Development under PLAN Hermosa would not significantly affect water quality or flooding
potential and hazards. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions and compliance with existing regulations would result in less than significant impacts to water
quality, groundwater recharge, and stormwater drainage patterns related to erosion. Similarly,
PLAN Hermosa identifies policies, programs, and implementation actions that would reduce
impacts related to flooding from anticipated sea level rise to less than significant.
Alternative 1
Compliance with the existing General Plan and enforcement of existing regulations would result
in similar water quality and flood hazard impacts, including impacts related to seiche or mudflow.
The No Project Alternative includes a similar development footprint, resulting in similar impacts related to stormwater flows (including erosion and flooding) and groundwater recharge. While
the existing General Plan does not include policies to address the current standards or regulations
related to water quality, groundwater recharge, surface hydrology, and flood hazard areas, the
City’s existing code requirements related to stormwater compliance and use of low impact development standards to reduce stormwater runoff would ensure that impacts related to these
topics are less than significant.
This alternative would not include the policies, programs, and actions related to resiliency and the mitigation of potential sea level rise. Current sea level rise projections identify that the 100-year flood zone could be expanded up to 300 percent—from approximately 22 acres currently to 64
acres in Hermosa Beach—by the end of the twenty-first century with 55 inches of sea level rise. In
Hermosa Beach, there are currently no structures or roadways located within the 100-year flood zone, but with 55 inches of sea level rise, approximately 200 existing buildings and nearly 1,000
residents could be located in an expanded flood zone and thereby exposed to loss, injury, or
death involving flooding. Therefore, Alternative 1 would have greater impacts related to
hydrology and water quality, specifically as it relates to impacts involving flood hazard areas.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative includes a similar development footprint, resulting in similar
impacts related to stormwater flows (including erosion and flooding) and groundwater recharge.
This alternative would also include the policies, programs, and actions related to resiliency and the mitigation of potential sea level rise. Therefore, Alternative 2 would have similar impacts related to hydrology and water quality.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative includes a similar development footprint, resulting in similar
impacts related to stormwater flows (including erosion and flooding) and groundwater recharge.
This alternative would also include the policies, programs, and actions related to resiliency and
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
the mitigation of potential sea level rise. Therefore, Alternative 3 would have similar impacts related to hydrology and water quality.
LAND USE AND PLANNING
The environmental analysis for PLAN Hermosa examined potential impacts related to consistency with applicable local and regional land use regulations including the Hermosa Beach Zoning
Ordinance, California Coastal Act, Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG)
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), South Coast Air Quality
Management Plan, and Beach Cities Livability Plan. The review included a detailed assessment of consistency with the California Coastal Act and SCAG’s RTP/SCS and found that PLAN Hermosa is
consistent with the goals and policies of these applicable regulations and plans and therefore
would have a less than significant impact.
The proposed land use changes identified in PLAN Hermosa follow established land use patterns and would not divide an existing community, resulting in a less than significant impact requiring
no mitigation measures. Implementation of PLAN Hermosa policies and implementation actions
would result in less than significant impacts related to the division of existing communities and
consistency with applicable land use plans.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would not divide existing communities because it would continue to
allow development in conformance with the established land use patterns in the community. The
existing General Plan, which would be continued under this alternative, is generally consistent with SCAG’s 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and with air
quality plans. Although the existing General Plan’s policies and programs meet many of the goals
of the RTP/SCS, it does not have the same emphasis on sustainability and a reduction in vehicle miles traveled as PLAN Hermosa. Additionally, the existing Coastal Land Use Plan, which would be
continued under this alternative, does not address certain topics of the California Coastal Act—
including public access, low-cost visitor and recreational facilities, and flood hazards—at a level
that meets today’s standards or expectations. As a result, this alternative would have a greater impact related to consistency with other plans.
Alternative 2
Under the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative, the proposed land use mix would be adjusted,
allowing mixed-use and professional office uses, and would allow additional neighborhood-serving uses in some neighborhoods. This would be done with the express intent to reduce vehicle miles traveled, improve the jobs-housing balance, and allow a greater percentage of residents to
reach daily goods and services on bike or foot or by electric vehicle. Under this alternative, the
City’s land use plan would be aligned with the intent of the RTP/SCS. Alternative 2 would also incorporate policies and implementation actions, similar to PLAN Hermosa, to address the California Coastal Act. Therefore, the impacts would be similar to PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 3
With the Character Retention Alternative, some land use designations would be adjusted to discourage redevelopment of medium- and high-density residential uses and instead allow some
residential development to occur within a mixed-use designation. This alternative would have a
similar amount of overall allowable development and would identify sufficient land area in which
redevelopment may occur to be consistent with SCAG’s 2012–2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and with air quality plans. This alternative would retain a
similar emphasis on sustainability policies and policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled as PLAN
Hermosa. The alternative would also incorporate policies and implementation actions similar to
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
PLAN Hermosa to address the California Coastal Act. Therefore, Alternative 3 would have a similar impact related to consistency with other plans.
MINERAL RESOURCES
The entirety of Hermosa Beach is classified as Mineral Resource Zone 3 (MRZ-3) under the California Mineral Land Classification System. In MRZ-3 areas, mineral resources are present, but the
significance of the resource is considered speculative because no mining has historically occurred
in the area. Additionally, the City of Hermosa Beach currently prohibits drilling for oil within the city.
A vote of the people would be required to lift the existing ban. A ballot measure in 2015, Measure O, proposed to lift the existing ban, but failed at a rate of four to one. Therefore, PLAN Hermosa
would have no impact on mineral resources, and each alternative would similarly have no impact
because these resources can no longer be feasibly extracted.
NOISE AND VIBRATION
The environmental analysis for PLAN Hermosa examined potential noise and vibration impacts
associated with future transportation levels and land use activities. Evaluated noise and vibration
sources include transportation sources, bars and restaurants, events and parties, commercial and industrial activities, construction and demolition activity, and refuse collection. These noise and
vibration sources were found to have a less than significant impact on noise standards, periodic
and permanent increases in ambient noise levels, and cumulative effects of noise sources.
However, the Draft EIR has found that groundborne vibration and noise levels with the implementation of PLAN Hermosa could have a potentially significant impact. To mitigate this
impact, new development that may cause exceedance of groundborne vibration and noise
standards would be required to have a report prepared by a structural engineer identifying the vibration limits and specifying measures and a monitoring plan to mitigate the site-specific impacts. With the incorporation of this mitigation measure, all noise-related impacts from PLAN
Hermosa would be considered less than significant.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa, resulting in similar impacts to temporary or periodic increases in
ambient noise levels. This alternative would, however, result in an increase of approximately 30,000
VMT and 2,600 VT, and would subsequently generate additional sources of transportation-related noise that could exceed noise standards or create a permanent increase in ambient noise levels causing impacts that are greater than PLAN Hermosa.
Additionally, impacts related to groundborne noise and vibration levels have been identified as
a potentially significant impact under PLAN Hermosa, but lowered to a less than significant impact with a mitigation measure to require the preparation of a report by a structural engineer identifying the vibration limits and specifying measures and a monitoring plan to mitigate the site-
specific impacts for new development projects. Since this alternative proposes a continuation of
existing adopted policy, there is no discretionary action or associated environmental review required and therefore no mitigation measures. Thus, the impacts to groundborne noise and vibration standards would be potentially greater under Alternative 1.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa, resulting in similar impacts to temporary or periodic increases in
ambient noise levels and groundborne noise or vibration sources. This alternative would similarly
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
incorporate a mitigation measure applied to new development projects to reduce impacts related to groundborne noise and vibration sources.
This alternative would also lower VMT by an additional 12 percent, compared to PLAN Hermosa
(25 percent in Alternative 2 compared to 13 percent in PLAN Hermosa). With automobile use a
primary contributor to ambient noise levels, a reduction in vehicle trips would also result in a
reduction in automobile-related noise to a lesser impact than with PLAN Hermosa. Thus, this
alternative would overall have lesser impacts on noise levels than PLAN Hermosa due to the
reduction in transportation noise.
Alternative 3
With the Character Retention Alternative, the goals, policies, and implementation actions related
to transportation, events, and commercial activity would largely mirror PLAN Hermosa. These
sources of noise would have a similar effect to the proposed project; however, there would potentially be fewer sources of construction/demolition noise and vibration and temporary increases in ambient noise levels due to reduced construction activity compared to PLAN
Hermosa. Overall, this alternative would have lesser impacts to noise and vibration, depending
on the source of noise.
POPULATION AND HOUSING
The environmental analysis examined the potential of PLAN Hermosa to induce population growth
or to displace people or housing. PLAN Hermosa provides accommodation for a limited increase
in population (660 residents), housing (300 units), and employment (2,400 jobs) in Hermosa Beach over the next 25 years. PLAN Hermosa includes policies to manage this anticipated growth and
focus it in certain infill areas while maintaining existing density in established residential
neighborhoods. Therefore, the Draft EIR has found that PLAN Hermosa would have a less than significant impact related to the displacement of people or housing, nor would the plan induce population growth directly or indirectly.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would follow the same general footprint of development and housing-
related policies and allow similar amounts of residential and commercial development as PLAN
Hermosa, generating a modest level of growth in population, housing, and employment over the
next 25 years. This alternative would have a similar impact on population and housing as PLAN
Hermosa.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would follow the same general footprint of development and
housing-related policies; thus, impacts would be largely the same as those of PLAN Hermosa.
Generally, the same amount of residential growth would be expected with this alternative. Nonresidential growth would be similar in magnitude, but different in type, with less regional-
serving commercial development and more professional office development. Thus, the impacts
of Alternative 2 related to population growth and displacement would be similar to PLAN
Hermosa.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would reduce the development capacity in medium- and
high-density residential land uses, and correspondingly introduce a new designation to allow
limited residential development as part of a mixed-use development. These two actions under Alternative 3 would have the same amount of residential development capacity of approximately 300 units, which would accommodate roughly the same population as the proposed project.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Nonresidential development capacity and policies to create additional employment opportunities would mirror those of PLAN Hermosa. Thus, the impacts of this alternative related to
population growth and displacement would be similar to PLAN Hermosa.
PUBLIC SERVICES, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES
The environmental analysis examined the potential impacts of PLAN Hermosa on fire protection
and emergency medical services, law enforcement services, public schools, parks and recreation,
library facilities, water supply and service, wastewater services, solid waste services, and energy.
PLAN Hermosa would have less than significant impacts related to the provision of fire protection, law enforcement, school, park, library, wastewater conveyance and treatment, stormwater
drainage, water supply, and solid waste generation facilities and services.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would result in similar amounts of residential and commercial development as PLAN Hermosa. However, the current General Plan, which would be continued
under this alternative, does not include the same focus on conservation of resources and
sustainability policies and programs that are contained in PLAN Hermosa. A lesser focus on
resource conservation policies would generally result in greater consumption or disposal of water, wastewater, solid waste, and energy, which could contribute to greater impacts on wastewater
treatment facilities, water supply, solid waste facilities, and energy consumption on an individual
and cumulative basis. Therefore, impacts related to the provision of public services and utilities would be greater.
Alternative 2
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative would follow the same general footprint of development and
public services–related policies; thus, demand for public services would be largely the same as
those with PLAN Hermosa. However, this alternative would require significant public investment to be implemented, and additional City spending might ultimately impact funding for public
services. Thus, the impacts of Alternative 2 are expected to be similar to PLAN Hermosa as long as
funding for public services is not significantly diverted for emissions reduction projects and programs.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would follow the same general footprint of development and
would include similar public services–related policies as PLAN Hermosa. This alternative would also include similar sustainability and resource conservation policies as the plan. Thus, demand for public services would be largely the same as those of PLAN Hermosa, and impacts to public
services under this alternative are expected to be similar to the plan.
TRANSPORTATION
The environmental analysis of the proposed project examined direct and cumulative impacts
related to congestion and level of service (LOS) standards, conflicts with the Los Angeles County
Congestion Management Program, conflicts to air traffic patterns, creation of design hazards,
impacts to emergency vehicle access, and impacts to transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Impacts related to conflict with the Congestion Management Program, design hazards,
emergency access, and public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities would be less than
significant.
As it relates to LOS standards, PLAN Hermosa was evaluated for potential impacts to 13 intersections and 20 roadway segments in Hermosa Beach. Based on the analysis of volume-to-
capacity ratios for these study intersections and roadway segments, three intersections and one
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
roadway segment would operate at a reduced level of service compared to existing conditions, thereby causing a potentially significant impact. The three intersections where level of service
would be LOS D or lower are Pacific Coast Highway and Artesia Boulevard; Pacific Coast Highway
and Aviation Boulevard, and Manhattan Avenue and 27th Street.
Opportunities to apply physical mitigations at these intersections to improve LOS were
investigated, but were ultimately deemed infeasible because they would conflict with other
impact areas, potentially adding roadway hazards or decreasing safety for other modes of
transportation. Therefore, impacts to these three intersections would be considered a significant and unavoidable impact.
Through implementation of PLAN Hermosa, the roadway segment on Prospect Avenue from
Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street would be degraded from its current operation at LOS C to LOS D
by 2040. While this operation is improved from the projected LOS E that would be experienced under the 2040 scenario without PLAN Hermosa, it still represents a potentially significant impact.
Opportunities to expand roadway volume on this segment through physical changes to the street
were explored but were ultimately deemed infeasible. In order to mitigate this impact, Prospect
Avenue would need to be widened to accommodate an additional lane of travel in each direction, which would require removal of on-street parking and/or expansion of the street right-
of-way. This would additionally conflict with other impact areas, potentially adding roadway
hazards or decreasing safety for other modes of transportation. Therefore, the impacts to this
roadway segment would be considered a significant and unavoidable impact.
Alternative 1
The No Project Alternative would generate similar amounts of residential and commercial
development as PLAN Hermosa; however, this alternative would result in an increase of
approximately 30,000 daily VMT and 2,600 daily VT. Alternative 1 was evaluated specifically for impacts to the 13 study intersections and 20 roadway segments. The analysis identified that nine
of the 13 study intersections would have greater impacts, including greater impacts to all three
intersections identified as significant and unavoidable impacts, and that five of the 20 roadway
segments would experience greater impacts than with PLAN Hermosa. Therefore, this alternative would result in greater impacts related to level of service performance standards compared to
the plan.
Additionally, the No Project Alternative would not include the policies and implementation actions that would balance the need for complete streets and alternative modes of transportation with efficient movement of vehicles. Therefore, impacts related to conflict with the Congestion
Management Program, design hazards, emergency access, and public transit, bicycle, and
pedestrian facilities would also be greater compared to PLAN Hermosa.
Alternative 2
Under the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative, a suite of additional land use and transportation
measures would be implemented with the express intent of reducing vehicle miles traveled by
shortening trip lengths, eliminating trips, and shifting trips from conventionally fueled automobiles to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources. The policies to reduce total vehicle miles traveled would reduce VMT by an additional 13 percent, which would reduce the
congestion burden on the road network. This alternative would support improvements to the level
of service at the three intersections identified as having significant and unavoidable impacts under PLAN Hermosa, though may not necessarily mitigate impacts to a level that is less than
significant. For roadway segments, this alternative would improve LOS performance of four
roadway segments, although it may not mitigate impacts to a less than significant level for
impacted roadway segments.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Additionally, Alternative 2 would include similar policies and implementation actions that would balance the need for complete streets and alternative modes of transportation with efficient
movement of vehicles. Therefore, impacts related to conflict with the Congestion Management
Program, design hazards, and emergency access would be similar compared to PLAN Hermosa, while impacts to public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities would be lesser than with the plan due to greater implementation of TDM measures and pursuit of regional transportation options.
Alternative 3
The Character Retention Alternative would generate similar amounts of residential and
commercial development as PLAN Hermosa. Additionally, this alternative would retain transportation and mobility goals, policies, and implementation actions that mirror PLAN Hermosa
to balance the need for complete streets and alternative modes of transportation with the
efficient movement of vehicles. Therefore, impacts related to conflict with the Congestion
Management Program, design hazards, emergency access, and public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities would be similar to the plan.
6.0.4 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS OF EACH ALTERNATIVE COMPARED TO PLAN HERMOSA
The factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR include (1) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (2) infeasibility of implementation,
or (3) inability to lessen or avoid significant environmental effects (CEQA Guidelines Section
15126.6[c]). A summary of how each alternative compares to these factors is provided following Table 6.0-5 (Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Alternatives to PLAN Hermosa), which summarizes the environmental impacts of each alternative and compares these relative impacts
to the environmental impacts of PLAN Hermosa.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
TABLE 6.0-5
COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES TO PLAN HERMOSA
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources Greater Greater Lesser
4.1-1 Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds PS LTS
4.1-2 Scenic Resources within a State Scenic Highway LTS LTS
4.1-3 Visual Character LTS LTS
4.1-4 Shade and Shadow LTS LTS
4.1-5 Light or Glare LTS LTS
4.1-6 Cumulative Visual Resources LTCC LTCC
4.2 Air Quality Greater Lesser Similar
4.2-1 Applicable Air Quality Plan LTS LTS
4.2-2 Violate Air Quality Standards – Short-Term Impacts PS SU
4.2-3 Violate Air Quality Standards – Long-Term Impacts LTS LTS
4.2-4 Increase in Criteria Pollutants – CO Hot Spots LTS LTS
4.2-5 Toxic Air Contaminants LTS LTS
4.2-6 Odors LTS LTS
4.2-7 Cumulative Air Quality Impacts CC CC/SU
4.3 Biological Resources Similar Greater Similar
4.3-1 Special-Status Species PS LTS
4.3-2 Sensitive Biological Communities or Riparian Habitat NI NI
4.3-3 Wetlands LTS LTS
4.3-4 Movement or Migration of Wildlife Species LTS LTS
4.3-5 Conflict with Species Protection Policies or Ordinances LTS LTS
4.3-6 Cumulative Effects on Biological Resources LTCC LTCC
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.4 Cultural Resources Greater Greater Lesser
4.4-1 Archaeological Resources LTS LTS
4.4-2 Disturbance of Human Remains LTS LTS
4.4-3 Paleontological Resource, Site, or Geologic Feature PS LTS
4.4-4 Historical Resources PS SU
4.4-5 Cumulative Effects on Archaeological Resources CC LTCC
4.4-6 Cumulative Effects on Human Remains CC LTCC
4.4-7 Cumulative Effects on Paleontological Resources CC LTCC
4.4-8 Cumulative Effects on Historical Resources CC CC/SU
4.5 Geology and Soils Similar Similar Similar
4.5-1 Fault Rupture and Seismic Hazards LTS LTS
4.5-2 Soil Erosion or Loss of Topsoil LTS LTS
4.5-3 Unstable and Expansive Soils LTS LTS
4.5-4 Cumulative Geologic and Soil Hazards LTCC LTCC
4.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greater Lesser Greater
4.6-1 Generate GHG Emissions PS LTS
4.6-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation LTS LTS
4.7 Hazards and Hazardous Materials Similar Similar Similar
4.7-1 Transport, Use, or Disposal of Hazardous Materials LTS LTS
4.7-2 Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials PS LTS
4.7-3 Emission or Handling of Hazardous Materials Near Schools LTS LTS
4.7-4 Adopted Emergency Response Plan LTS LTS
4.7-5 Cumulative Effects of Hazardous Materials LTCC LTCC
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.8 Hydrology and Water Quality Greater Similar Similar
4.8-1 Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge Requirements LTS LTS
4.8-2 Groundwater Supplies or Recharge LTS LTS
4.8-3 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – Off-Site Erosion or Siltation LTS LTS
4.8-4 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – On- or Off-Site Flooding LTS LTS
4.8-5 Surface Hydrology and Drainage – Water Runoff LTS LTS
4.8-6 Water Quality LTS LTS
4.8-7 Housing within Flood Hazard Area LTS LTS
4.8-8 Impede or Redirect Flood Flows LTS LTS
4.8-9 Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding LTS LTS
4.8-10 Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow LTS LTS
4.8-11 Cumulative Effects on Water Quality Standards and Waste Discharge Requirements LTCC LTCC
4.8-12 Cumulative Effects on Groundwater Supply or Recharge LTCC LTCC
4.8-13 Cumulative Effects on Surface Hydrology and Flooding LTCC LTCC
4.8-14 Cumulative Effects on Risk of Loss, Injury, or Death Involving Flooding LTCC LTCC
4.8-15 Cumulative Effects of Inundation by Seiche, Tsunami, or Mudflow LTCC LTCC
4.9 Land Use and Planning Greater Similar Similar
4.9-1 Physically Divide an Established Community LTS LTS
4.9-2 Conflict with an Applicable Plan, Policy, or Regulation LTS LTS
4.9-3 Cumulative Impact on Dividing a Community or Conflicting with a Plan LTCC LTCC
4.10 Mineral Resources Similar Similar Similar
4.10-1 Result in the Loss of Availability of Mineral Resources NI NI
4.11 Noise and Vibration Greater Lesser Lesser
4.11-1 Noise Levels in Excess of Standards LTS LTS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.11-2 Groundborne Vibration or Groundborne Noise Levels PS LTS
4.11-3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels LTS LTS
4.11-4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels LTS LTS
4.11-5 Cumulative Effects of Noise Sources LTCC LTCC
4.12 Population and Housing Similar Similar Similar
4.12-1 Induce Substantial Population Growth LTS LTS
4.12-2 Displace People or Housing LTS LTS
4.12-3 Cumulative Inducement of Population Growth LTCC LTCC
4.12-4 Cumulative Impacts on Displacing People or Housing LTCC LTCC
4.13 Public Services Greater Similar Similar
4.13.2-1 Demand for Fire Protection Services LTS LTS
4.13.2-2 Cumulative Demand for Fire Protection Services LTCC LTCC
4.13.3-1 Demand for Law Enforcement Services LTS LTS
4.13.3-2 Cumulative Demand for Law Enforcement Services LTCC LTCC
4.13.4-1 Demand for Additional School Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.4-2 Cumulative Demand for Additional School Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.5-1 Demand for Additional Park Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.5-2 Cumulative Demand for Parks and Recreation Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.6-1 Demand for Additional Library Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.6-2 Cumulative Demand for Library Facilities LTCC LTCC
4.13.7-1 Wastewater Treatment Facilities Exceeding Influent Flows Beyond Permitted
Capacity
LTS LTS
4.13.7-2 Demand for New or Expanded Water or Wastewater Treatment Facilities LTS LTS
4.13.7-3 Demand for Stormwater Drainage Facilities LTS LTS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
6.0-31
Attachment 1E
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.13.7-4 Demand for Water Supplies Beyond Projections LTS LTS
4.13.7-5 Exceed Capacity for Wastewater Treatment LTS LTS
4.13.7-6 Cumulative Water Supply Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.7-7 Cumulative Wastewater Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.8-1 Demand for Solid Waste Disposal LTS LTS
4.13.8-2 Compliance with Solid Waste Disposal Regulations LTS LTS
4.13.8-3 Cumulative Solid Waste Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.13.9-1 Demand for Additional Energy Resources LTS LTS
4.13.9-2 Cumulative Energy Consumption Impacts LTCC LTCC
4.14 Transportation Greater Lesser Similar
4.14-1 Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards
4.14-1a Intersections 10/13 LTS 10/13 LTS
1. Hermosa Ave & 13th St LTS LTS
2. Hermosa Ave & Pier Ave LTS LTS
3. Pacific Coast Hwy & Artesia Blvd PS SU
4. Pacific Coast Hwy & Aviation Blvd PS SU
5. Pacific Coast Hwy & Pier Ave LTS LTS
6. Pacific Coast Hwy & 2nd St LTS LTS
7. Pacific Coast Hwy & 16th St LTS LTS
8. Pacific Coast Hwy & 21st St LTS LTS
9. Prospect Ave & Artesia Blvd LTS LTS
10. Prospect Ave & Aviation Blvd LTS LTS
11. Prospect Ave & Anita St LTS LTS
12. Manhattan Ave & 27th St PS SU
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-32
Attachment 1E
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
13. Valley Drive & Gould Ave LTS LTS
4.14-1b Roadway Segments 19/20 LTS 19/20 LTS
1. Hermosa Avenue (27th Street to 22nd Street) LTS LTS
2. Hermosa Avenue (22nd Street to 16th Street) LTS LTS
3. Hermosa Avenue (16th Street to 8th Street) LTS LTS
4. Hermosa Avenue (8th Street to Herondo Street) LTS LTS
5. Valley Drive (Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue) LTS LTS
6. Valley Drive (Pier Avenue to 8th Street) LTS LTS
7. Ardmore Avenue (16th Street to 11th Street) LTS LTS
8. Ardmore Avenue (8th Street to 2nd Street) LTS LTS
9. Pacific Coast Highway (Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard) LTS LTS
10. Pacific Coast Highway (Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street) LTS LTS
11. Prospect Avenue (Artesia Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard) LTS LTS
12. Prospect Avenue (Aviation Boulevard to 2nd Street) PS SU
13. Artesia Blvd (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
14. Aviation Blvd (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
15. Pier Avenue (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
16. Pier Avenue (Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway) LTS LTS
17. Gould Avenue (Ardmore Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway) LTS LTS
18. 8th Street (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
19. 8th Street (Pacific Coast Highway to Prospect Avenue) LTS LTS
20. Herondo Street (Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive) LTS LTS
4.14-2 Conflict with the LA County Congestion Management Program LTS LTS
4.14-3 Air Traffic Patterns LTS LTS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
6.0-33
Attachment 1E
744
6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Issue Area
Proposed Project Potential Impacts of Alternatives
Without
Mitigation
With
Mitigation No Project Carbon Neutral
by 2030
Character
Retention
4.14-4 Roadway Design Hazards LTS LTS
4.14-5 Adequate Emergency Access LTS LTS
4.14-6 Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities LTS LTS
4.14-7 Cumulative Exceedance of LOS Performance Standards CC CC
4.14-8 Cumulative Impact on LA County Congestion Management Program LTCC LTCC
4.14-9 Cumulative Effect on Air Traffic Patterns LTCC LTCC
4.14-10 Cumulative Roadway Design Hazards LTCC LTCC
4.14-11 Cumulative Effect on Emergency Access LTCC LTCC
4.14-12 Cumulative Effect on Public Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Facilities LTCC LTCC
Symbol Definition
LTS Less Than Significant – if impacts were identified as less than significant in the technical analysis
PS Potentially Significant – if impacts were identified as potentially significant
NI No Impact – if no impacts were identified in the technical analysis
CC Cumulatively Considerable – if impacts, cumulative in nature, were determined to be significant
LTCC Less Than Cumulatively Considerable – if impacts, cumulative in nature, were determined to be less than significant
SU Significant and Unavoidable – if impacts, after feasible mitigation measures were identified, remained a significant impact and determined unavoidable in
the technical analysis
Greater = impacts are greater than PLAN Hermosa
Similar = impacts are similar to PLAN Hermosa
Lesser = level of significance is less than PLAN Hermosa, but the impact is not necessarily reduced to a less than significant level
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-34
Attachment 1E
745
6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
No Project Alternative
Project Objectives
The No Project Alternative would only partially meet the project objectives established for PLAN
Hermosa. The existing General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan can reasonably achieve project
objectives to enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy (Objective 2) and provide a safe and clean natural environment (Objective 4) by relying on the existing policies
and programs related to economic development and resource conservation. Additionally, the
existing General Plan contains an Urban Design Element; however, it fails to establish various
character areas and identify the unique characteristics of each area, making it difficult to effectively achieve project Objective 1, to preserve the city’s small beach town character. Finally,
while the existing General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan contain policies and programs to
reduce vehicle miles traveled and expand alternative modes of transportation, these documents
do not identify promoting healthy and active lifestyles (Objective 3) and achieving a low or no carbon future (Objective 5) as the primary motivation for including such policies, nor do the
mobility policies and programs contained in the existing General Plan advance the reduction in
VMT sufficiently to claim that they can effectively achieve Objectives 3 and 5.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
The No Project Alternative would not lessen any environmental impacts compared to PLAN
Hermosa. Instead, it would have greater impacts to aesthetics and visual resources, air quality,
greenhouse gas emissions, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise and vibration, public services, community facilities, and utilities, and transportation.
Carbon Neutral by 2030
Project Objectives
The 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative has the ability to substantially support each of the project
objectives. Implementation of this alternative would prioritize the achievement of a low or no carbon future (Objective 5), while also providing a safe and clean natural environment (Objective
4) and promoting healthy and active lifestyles through land use and transportation investments
(Objective 3) by reducing air quality and transportation impacts compared to PLAN Hermosa. This
alternative would also meet Objective 2, to enhance and support a strong, diverse, and vibrant local economy, as many of the land use and transportation policies that reduce vehicle miles
traveled do so by providing a greater range of daily services and employment opportunities in
closer proximity so that residents may reasonably choose alternative modes of transportation.
While this alternative could cause greater impacts to cultural resources, and thereby potentially conflict with Objective 1, to preserve the city’s small beach town character, additional mitigation
measures and design standards could provide direction that minimizes the impacts associated
with this alternative on cultural resources and aesthetics.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
Alternative 2 could pose greater impacts to aesthetics and biological resources due to increased
use of renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, or ocean-based renewable energy sources,
and greater impacts to cultural resources due to greater alteration or demolition of designated or potentially eligible historic resources to construct high energy performance buildings. While the impacts to aesthetics, biological resources, and cultural resources may be greater than with PLAN
Hermosa, it is unknown whether they would rise to the level of being considered a significant
impact, because the specific design and location of additional renewable energy projects cannot be determined at this time.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
6.0-35
Attachment 1E
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
This alternative would also have far-reaching environmental benefits for Hermosa Beach by decreasing impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise and vibration, and
transportation. Air pollutants associated with the burning of fuel for building energy and
transportation uses would be reduced. Noise levels would likely be somewhat lower, as the primary source of noise in Hermosa Beach is automobile use. Reduced automobile use and an increase in electric vehicles, which are quieter than gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles, would reduce
noise levels. Transportation impacts would also likely be decreased because this alternative would
result in a reduction in vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled.
Character Retention Alternative
Project Objectives
The Character Retention Alternative prioritizes achievement of Objective 1, to preserve the city’s
small beach town character, and Objective 2, to enhance and support a strong, diverse, and
vibrant local economy through safe and beautiful commercial corridors, but would not conflict or prevent the achievement of the other project objectives. This alternative would provide similar
policies and implementation actions to PLAN Hermosa related to the mobility network,
transportation enhancements, and resource conservation, meaning it would equally achieve project Objective 3, to promote healthy and active lifestyles, and Objective 4, to provide a safe and clean environment including clean air and water.
While this alternative may have a slightly greater impact on greenhouse gas emissions, it would
carry forward similar policies to PLAN Hermosa related to reducing emissions from transportation sources, water conservation, and diverting solid waste from landfills to support a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions partially consistent with Objective 5, to achieve a low or no carbon
future. Additional mitigation measures and design standards could provide direction to implement
energy efficiency and renewable energy projects consistent with standards for the treatment of historical resources to minimize the impacts associated with this alternative on greenhouse gas
emissions while retaining the historical significance of designated landmarks and the eligibility of
potentially historic resources.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts
This Character Retention Alternative would pose greater impacts to greenhouse gas emissions
compared to PLAN Hermosa. The challenge of renovating or constructing high energy
performance buildings in a manner that does not diminish the significance of a historical resource
or cause potentially eligible historic resources to become ineligible due to alterations that are inconsistent with standards for the treatment of historical resources is presented in this alternative.
This alternative would also reduce impacts associated with aesthetics and visual resources, air
quality, and cultural resources, where construction-related air quality impacts and the
significance of a historical resource are both considered significant and unavoidable impacts under implementation of PLAN Hermosa. However, it is unknown whether this alternative would
lessen these impacts to levels that are considered less than significant.
6.0.5 ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE
• CEQA requires a lead agency to identify the “environmentally superior alternative.” Based
on the alternative analysis, both the 2030 Carbon Neutral Alternative and the Character
Retention Alternative would reduce several of the categories listed as potentially
significant or significant and unavoidable under PLAN Hermosa. The No Project Alternative would have potentially greater impacts to several categories, including aesthetics and
visual resources, air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrology and
water quality, land use and planning, noise and vibration, public services, and
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-36
Attachment 1E
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6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
transportation. The 2030 Carbon Neutrality Alternative would also have potentially greater impacts to aesthetics and visual resources, biological resources, and cultural resources,
while the Character Retention Alternative would only cause potentially greater impacts to
one category, greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the Character Retention Alternative is considered the environmentally superior alternative.
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
6.0-37
Attachment 1E
748
6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT
6.0.6 REFERENCES
City of Hermosa Beach. 2015. PLAN Hermosa (public review draft).
———. 2016. City of Hermosa Beach Carbon Planning Tool.
https://hermosabeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2281885&GUID=5192A329-FBB9-46E4-AF0E-4FBE5BC73A58.
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
6.0-38
Attachment 1E
749
7.0 REPORT PREPARERS
Attachment 1E
750
Attachment 1E
751
7.0 REPORT PREPARERS
City of Hermosa Beach PLAN Hermosa
October 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Report
7.0-1
LEAD AGENCY
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
Lead Agency Contact: Ken Robertson, Community Development Director
Kim Chafin, AICP, LEED-AP, Senior Planner
Lauren Langer, Consulting City Attorney
Ed Almanza, CEQA Consultant
PROGRAM CONSULTANTS
RAIMI + ASSOCIATES
Matt Raimi .......................................................................................................................... Project Director
Matt Burris ........................................................................................................................ Project Manager
Leeanne Singleton ............................................................................................................. Senior Planner
EIR CONSULTANTS
MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
Jeff Henderson .................................................................................................................. Project Director
Tad Stearn .................................................................................................................... EIR Project Director
Pat Angell ................................................................................................................... EIR Project Director
Darcy Kremin ............................................................................................................ EIR Project Manager
Florentina Craciun .....................................................................................EIR Deputy Project Manager
Julian Capata ..................................................................................................................... Senior Planner
Seth Myers ............................................................................................................................ Senior Planner
Alice Tackett ....................................................................................................................... Senior Planner
Michael Martin .................................................................................................................... Senior Planner
Adam Grace ................................................................................................................................. Graphics
Suzanne Wirth ................................................................................................................... Technical Editor
Attachment 1E
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7.0 REPORT PREPARERS
PLAN Hermosa City of Hermosa Beach
Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2016
7.0-2
TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
FEHR & PEERS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
Jeremy Klop
Rachel Neumann
ESA PCR, CULTURAL RESOURCES, AIR QUALITY
Heidi Rous
Everest Yan
Margarita Jerabek
Kyle Garcia
Amanda Kainer
Chris Taylor
WEILAND ACOUSTICS, NOISE
David L. Wieland
Attachment 1E
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RESOLUTION NO. 17-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CITY
COUNCIL ADOPT PLAN HERMOSA, THE INTEGRATED GENERAL
PLAN AND COASTAL LAND USE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF
HERMOSA BEACH AND DIRECT STAFF TO SUBMIT THE COASTAL
LAND USE PLAN TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
FOR CERTIFICATION.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. In July 2013, the City of Hermosa Beach initiated a comprehensive update
to the General Plan, including the integration of the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan consistent with
guidance from the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research that “to simplify
implementation, coastal zone communities should integrate both sets of requirements (General
Plan Requirements and Coastal Act Requirements) into a coherent and internally consistent local
general plan.”
SECTION 2. The Hermosa Beach community has had the opportunity to participate in the
development and refinement of PLAN Hermosa through many avenues, including nineteen City
Council/Commission meetings to date (including Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation
Commission, Public Works Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission),
five community workshops, three educational series sessions, two citywide mailings, an online
engagement opportunity, walking tours, and numerous press releases and reports in local papers
about the process. At the direction of the City Council, the City Manager also appointed a fifteen-
member General Plan Working Group, consisting of at least one representative of every City
Commission as well as members of key community groups. The Working Group held more than a
dozen meetings during the development of the PLAN Hermosa, during which the group provided
feedback regarding key policy topics and input on the community engagement process.
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SECTION 3. PLAN Hermosa includes comprehensive revisions to all previous elements
of the General Plan, with the exception of the Housing Element. PLAN Hermosa contains each of
the seven required topics under Government Code Section 65302, as follows:
A. Land Use, contained in the Land Use + Design Element, describing the general
distribution and location of land uses, standards of population density and building
intensity;
B. Circulation, contained in the Mobility Element, describing the general location and
extent of existing and proposed thoroughfares and transportation routes, correlated with
the land use element;
C. Housing; is not included in this update and was certified by the California Department
of Housing and Community Development on October 18, 2013.
D. Conservation, contained in the Sustainability + Conservation Element for the
conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources;
E. Open Space, contained in the Parks + Open Space Element; identifying areas intended
to preserve natural resources, serve outdoor recreational needs, and demand/opportunity
for recreational trails.
F. Noise, contained in the Noise Element, analyzing current and projected noise levels
from vehicles and stationary sources, providing noise contour maps for these sources,
and discussing possible solutions to address noise problems; and
G. Safety, contained in the Public Safety Element, for the protection of the community
from seismic hazards, flooding, and other risks.
SECTION 4. PLAN Hermosa also addresses several optional topics that are of particular
importance to the Hermosa Beach community, as allowed by Government Code section 65303,
including Governance and Infrastructure Elements.
SECTION 5. The City of Hermosa Beach does not include any land classified as state
responsibility areas, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, or very high fire
hazard severity zones, as defined in Section 51177 and therefore the Public Safety Element is not
subject to the requirements and guidance identified in California Government Code Section
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65302(g)(3) regarding fire hazards. Additionally, the City of Hermosa Beach does not include any
disadvantaged communities, as defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment’s CalEnviroScreen 2.0 Tool or designated through the implementation of Senate Bill
535. Therefore the General Plan for the City of Hermosa Beach is not subject to the requirements
identified in California Government Code Section 65302(h)(3) to prepare an Environmental Justice
Element.
SECTION 6. Pursuant to Senate Bill 379 and California Government Code Section
65302(g)(4), the Public Safety Element has been developed to address climate adaptation and
resiliency strategies applicable to the City of Hermosa Beach and is consistent with the Governor’s
Office of Planning and Research advice to:
conduct a vulnerability assessment identifying climate change risks
include a set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the
identified climate change vulnerabilities
identify a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies,
and objectives
incorporate a reference to the local hazard mitigation plan that fulfills goals and objectives
and contains information related to climate change vulnerability and adaptation policies
In the preparation of the Public Safety Element, the City of Hermosa Beach utilized the Cal Adapt
Tool and California Adaptation Planning Guide to identify climate change risks and determined
that sea level rise and extreme heat are the primary risk to Hermosa Beach. The impacts of sea
level rise were further evaluated in two studies: a social vulnerability assessment and infrastructure
vulnerability assessment to sea level rise. The findings in these studies were summarized in the
Public Safety Element, and a set of goals, policies, and implementation actions to address sea level
rise have been identified. The Public Safety Element also incorporates by reference the City of
Hermosa Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which contains additional information on the
assets, resources, and populations that may be at risk to various hazards.
SECTION 7. Portions of the City of Hermosa Beach are located within the Coastal Zone
and subject to the requirements of the California Public Resources Code, Division 20, California
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Coastal Act of 1976, to prepare a Local Coastal Program consisting of a Coastal Land Use Plan
and Implementation Plan. PLAN Hermosa includes comprehensive revisions to the City’s Coastal
Land Use Plan, previously certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1982. PLAN
Hermosa contains each of the required topics for a Local Coastal Program as detailed in Chapter 3
of the California Coastal Act (Public Resources Code Division 20 Section 30200) as follows:
A. Public Access, containing policies regarding recreational opportunities, development
projects, public facilities and lower cost visitor and recreational facilities within the
Land Use + Design, Mobility, Parks + Open Space and Infrastructure Elements;
B. Recreation, including protection of certain water-oriented activities, protection of
oceanfront land for recreational use, and priority of development purposes within the
Land Use + Design, Mobility, and Parks + Open Space Elements;
C. Marine Environment, containing policies regarding water quality, hazardous substance
spills, movement of sediment, construction altering natural shoreline, water supply and
flood control contained within the Sustainability + Conservation, Public Safety, and
Infrastructure Elements;
D. Land Resources, including environmentally sensitive habitat areas, productivity of
soils, and archaeological or paleontological resources contained within the Governance,
Land Use + Design, Sustainability + Conservation, Parks + Open Space Elements;
E. Development, containing policies regarding existing developed area, scenic and visual
qualities, maintenance and enhancement of public access, minimization of adverse
impacts, public works facilities, and priority of coastal-dependent developments within
the Governance, Land Use + Design, Parks + Open Space, Public Safety, and
Infrastructure Elements;
F. Industrial Development, including location or expansion of coastal-dependent industrial
facilities, and renewable energy development contained within the Land Use + Design
and Sustainability + Conservation Elements.
SECTION 8. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the City,
acting as Lead Agency, circulated a Notice of Preparation (“NOP”) for the project on August 7,
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2015, beginning a 30-day review period. As part of the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”)
scoping process, the City held a public scoping meeting at the Planning Commission meeting on
August 18, 2015, in the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers. The NOP and letters received in
response to the NOP from both public agencies and members of the public are included in
Appendix B of the Draft EIR. The Draft EIR was circulated for a 72-day review period beginning
October 26, 2016 and ending on January 5, 2017. As part of the Draft EIR review process, the
Planning Commission held a special meeting on November 21, 2016 to take public comment on
the Draft EIR. The Final EIR was made public on February 9, 2017. Revisions to the Final EIR
have been made based on Planning Commission review and changes to PLAN Hermosa. All
required notifications were provided pursuant to CEQA (Public Resources Code Section 21092.5)
and all comment letters were incorporated into the Final EIR.
SECTION 9. In accordance with Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) and Government Code 69352.3,
and Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) and Government Code 21000, the City of Hermosa Beach
requested a list of Tribal Organization contacts from the Native American Heritage Commission in
April 2014. The City of Hermosa Beach sent notifications to the appropriate tribal organizations in
January 2015 in compliance with SB 18, and again in August 2015 to comply with AB 52. The
City has complied with the requirements for tribal consultation and the findings of consultation
process can be found as Attachment D to the PC Resolution No. 17-____.
SECTION 10. The Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa was made available to the
public on December 15, 2015 as follows: digital copies were posted on the City’s website, and
hard copies were available for review at the Community Development Counter of City Hall, the
Police Department, the Community Center and the Hermosa Beach Library. Hard copies were also
made available to the community free of charge from the Community Development Department. A
city-wide mailing was produced and sent to all addresses within the City in January 2016 to let the
community know about opportunities to provide input or participate in meetings related to PLAN
Hermosa. Written comments on the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa were encouraged to
be submitted between December 15, 2015 and February 25, 2016 and were presented for
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consideration by the City’s Commissions during their review of PLAN Hermosa. Opportunities to
provide verbal comments at the following public meetings:
January 25, 2016 – Joint Study Session of the Planning Commission, Public Works
Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory
Commission
January 26, 2016 – Study Session of the City Council
February 5-6, 2016 – Community Open House and Walking Tours
SECTION 11. The Planning Commission, Public Works Commission, Parks and
Recreation Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission held public
meetings to review the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa between March 2016 and June
2016 on the following dates:
March 15, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
March 28, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
April 5, 2016 - Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting (Parks + Open Space Element)
April 18, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Land Use + Design Element)
April 19, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Mobility Element)
April 25, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Mobility Element)
May 9, 2016 - EPAC Meeting (Public Safety Element)
May 16, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Sustainability + Conservation)
May 18, 2016 - Public Works Commission Meeting (Mobility Element)
June 15, 2016 - Public Works Commission Meeting (Infrastructure, Public Safety
Elements)
June 20, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Governance, Parks + Open Space,
Infrastructure Elements)
June 21, 2016 - Planning Commission Study Session (Public Safety Element)
Through these meetings, all of the commissions have recommended modifications to the
document. The Planning Commission further held Public Hearings on February 22, 23, and 27, and
March 13 and 21, 2017 to review and identify additional recommended changes to PLAN
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Hermosa, based on previous input from the Public Works Commission, Parks and Recreation
Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission, and public testimony and
planning commissioner input provided during the public hearings. The changes to PLAN Hermosa
that the Planning Commission recommends to the City Council, have been incorporated into the
Planning Commission Recommended Draft prepared in March 2017 can be found as Attachment A
to this resolution.
SECTION 12. Copies of the Public Review Draft of PLAN Hermosa were submitted to
the required state agencies for review on as part of the Environmental Review process on October
26, 2016. The City also consulted with local water and utility providers and other agencies in
preparation of PLAN Hermosa.
SECTION 13. Notice of the public hearing before the Planning Commission was
advertised in The Easy Reader Newspaper on February 16, 2017, and re-advertised in the Easy
Reader on March 16, 2017. Notification of the Public Hearing was also shared with the local press
and was also distributed via the City’s eNotify, Nixle and Nextdoor communication systems to the
Hermosa Beach community.
SECTION 14. The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission has held duly noticed public
hearings and has given all interested persons an opportunity to be heard on the adoption of PLAN
Hermosa and the associated Environmental Impact Report through meetings on:
February 22, 2017
February 23, 2017
February 27, 2017
March 13, 2017
March 21, 2017
March 27, 2017
SECTION 15. The City of Hermosa Beach prepared the PLAN Hermosa Program EIR
(State Clearinghouse #2015081009) in its capacity as lead agency under CEQA and in compliance
with CEQA. The Final EIR consists of the NOP, Notice of Availability, the Draft EIR including
technical appendices, the Responses to Comments, Final Corrections and Additions, Mitigation
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Monitoring and Reporting Program, and the Project Findings and Statement of Overriding
Considerations Recommending the adoption of PLAN Hermosa, these documents will be referred
to collectively as the “Final EIR.” These Findings are based on the entire record before the
Planning Commission, including the Final EIR. The Planning Commission recommended the City
Council certify the EIR and adopt the Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations and
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program in PC Resolution No. 17-____.
SECTION 16. PLAN Hermosa was completed in compliance with the requirements of
California Government Code Section 65300 et seq.
SECTION 17. The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission has reviewed and considered
PLAN Hermosa Public Review Draft, Dated December 2015, and provided recommended changes
that have been compiled as the Planning Commission Recommended Draft of PLAN Hermosa,
dated March 2017, and finds that it is consistent with and reflective of the City’s continuing goals,
policies, actions and intent to adopt a general plan for the physical development of the City. Based
on the foregoing evidence and findings, the Planning hereby recommends that the City Council
amend the existing General Plan, with the exception of the City’s Certified Housing Element, by
replacing it with PLAN Hermosa as the General Plan of the City of Hermosa Beach. The City’s
Certified Housing Element shall remain in effect.
SECTION 18. Based on evidence in the record, the Planning Commission hereby finds
that PLAN Hermosa meets the requirements of, and is in conformance with the policies and
requirements of Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act, and recommends amending the existing
certified Coastal Land Use Plan in its entirety by replacing it with PLAN Hermosa as the Coastal
Land Use Plan portion of the City’s Local Coastal Program. The Planning Commission hereby
further recommends that the City Council direct staff to submit PLAN Hermosa to the California
Coastal Commission for certification, in conformance with the submittal requirements specified in
California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Division 5.5, Chapter 8, Subchapter 2, Article 7 and
Chapter 6, Article 2and Code of Regulations Section 13551, et. seq.
SECTION 19. The Planning Commission further recommends that the goals and policies
of PLAN Hermosa should be the standard of review for determining consistency with the General
Attachment 2
761
Page 9 of 9 17-____
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Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan for all future discretionary development projects. Project
applications that have been submitted to the City and deemed complete prior to the date in which
PLAN Hermosa has been adopted should consider and try to meet the vision in PLAN Hermosa,
but to the extent that new mitigation measures, thresholds, standards or implementation actions
come from PLAN Hermosa, those would not apply to projects that have been submitted and
deemed complete by the City prior to the adoption of PLAN Hermosa.
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
HERMOSA BEACH ON THIS ___ DAY OF MARCH, 2017.
______________________________
Ken Robertson, Secretary
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Michael Flaherty, Chairman
Date
Attachment 2
762
PLAN HermosaCity of Hermosa Beach
Planning Commission Recommended Draft
March 2017
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 763
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 764
PLAN HERMOSA | 3
hello.
PLAN Hermosa presents our vision for Hermosa Beach over the next 25 years. This Plan is the culmination of a multi-year community-wide effort to reflect and define who we
want to be as a community. We seek to retain our reputation as the “Best Little Beach
City” while simultaneously enhancing our local economy and making strides to improve
the health of our environment and our residents.
PLAN Hermosa articulates the community vision through the integration of two important planning documents for the City of Hermosa Beach: the General Plan and
Local Coastal Program. Organized around a framework for sustainability, each section
of this Plan addresses different aspects of our community and identifies measurable
actions to guide residents, decision-makers, businesses, and City staff toward achieving
our vision. PLAN Hermosa establishes goals that will help us achieve our long term vision as a community that values our small beach town character, vibrant economy, and
healthy environment and lifestyles.
This is our plan for our future. We take great pride in this document, and we are
committed to achieving our collective community vision.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 765
4 |
acknowledgments.
city council
Justin Massey, Mayor
Jeff Duclos , Mayor Pro Tem
Stacey Armato
Hany Fangary
Carolyn Petty
city staff
Tom Bakaly
Pete Bonano
Andrew Brozyna
Kim Chafin
Viki Copeland
Erin Concas
James Crawford
Nico De Anda-Scaia
Nicole Ellis
Ells Freeman
Aaron Gudelj
public works commission
Janice Brittain
Kathy Dunbabin
Andrea Giancoli
Kim MacMullan
Justin Schnuelle
planning commission
Kent Allen
Michael Flaherty
Peter Hoffman
Dave Pedersen
Ron Pizer
Marie Rice
Rob Saemann
parks + recreation commission
Jessica Guheen
Jani Lange
Maureen Lewis
Isabel Rodriguez
Robert Rosenfeld
emergency preparedness
advisory commission
Alan Benson
Dave Buckland
Cheryl Cross
William Hallett
Gila Katz
Dave Munoz
Matt McCool
This effort would not have been possible without the participation and commitment of the community to move Hermosa Beach forward.
John Jallili
Michael Jenkins
Kathy Khang
Lauren Langer
Milton McKinnon
Kristy Morris
Kelly Orta
Sharon Papa
Ken Robertson
Leeanne Singleton
Pamela Townsend
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 766
PLAN HERMOSA | 5
consultant team
Raimi + Associates
Fehr & Peers
Michael Baker International
Lisa Wise Consulting
technical advisory committee
Hermosa Beach Historical Society
Hermosa Beach City School District
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Southern California Association of Governments
City of Redondo Beach
City of Manhattan Beach
LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors
Caltrans
South Bay Bicycle Coalition
LA County Metro
community working group
Jennifer Buchsbaum
Karen Cron
Pat Escalante
Michael Flaherty
Lori Ford
Andrea Giancoli
Jessica Guheen
Peter Hoffman
Bob Jones
Ruben Jubinsky
Mike Miller
Dean Nota
Glen Payne
George Schmeltzer
Justin Schnuelle
Erica Seward
Funding support for this update was provided through grants from the California Strategic Growth Council and the California Coastal Commission.
Icons provided by Noun Project: Rabee Balakrishnan, Frederico Panzano, Matt Brooks, Gloria Vigano, jon trillana, Gilad Fired, iconsmind.com, 23 icons, Simple Icons
Images provided by Hermosa Beach Historical Society; Miller and Roberts, Images of America; Los Angeles Public Library Images Archive; City of Hermosa Beach; Raimi + Associates; Hermosa Beach Murals Project - John Van Hamersveld.
USC Sea Grant
California Coastal Commission – South Coast District
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
Heal the Bay West Basin Water District
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Surfrider Foundation – South Bay Chapter
LA County Department of Public Health
Beach Cities Health District
Wieland Acoustics
PCR Services
Susi Moser Research & Consulting
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 767
contents.
vision + guiding principles
introduction
1 governance
2 land use + design
3 mobility
4 sustainability + conservation
5 parks + open space
6 public safety
7 infrastructure
implementation
referenced plans
glossary
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9
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6 |
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 768
PLAN HERMOSA | 7
Vision Statement
Hermosa Beach is the small town others aspire to be; a place where
our beach culture, strong sense of community, and commitment to sustainability intersect.
Our small town, beach culture
Our beautiful beach, eclectic neighborhoods, unique commercial districts, and welcoming gateways create an unrivaled coastal destination. Our exceptional local schools and outstanding municipal services contribute to an extraordinarily high quality of life at the beach.
Our vibrant local economy
Hermosa Beach residents can work, shop, and play locally.
Our economy capitalizes on our entrepreneurial spirit, our
legacy of creativity, and our local businesses committed
to enhancing Hermosa Beach’s distinctive character. We
effectively balance our small town, beach culture with
our enviable position as a regional and statewide coastal
destination.
Our healthy environment and lifestyles
Hermosa Beach is committed to protecting our coastal
resources and takes a common sense approach to
reducing our environmental footprint. Our beach and
open spaces create unique places that support our active
healthy lifestyle. Our complete streets ensure all places
within our city are well-connected and easily accessible by
walking or biking. Our commitment to a low-carbon future
and our sustainable beach city identity attract residents,
visitors, and businesses that embrace the opportunity to live
and work in a healthy, active community.
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our vision for the future
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 769
8 | VISION + GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Demonstrate our environmental leadership
• Hermosa Beach will be a responsible steward
of our ocean resources, open space, and other
natural resources as a healthy environment is the
foundation of a more livable, sustainable city and
high quality of life.
• Efficient water use, conservation, reuse, recycling
and retention at the local level is necessary for a
sustainable and resilient city.
• A steady, common sense approach is
necessary to advance a long-term goal of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Tackling
environmental challenges early and pro actively
will maximize options and minimize costs.
• Moving to alternative energy sources and
concurrently planning to adapt to climate
change will reduce greenhouse gases, increase
energy independence and resiliency.
• Climate action and adoption of environmental
targets will make Hermosa Beach an
environmental leader in Southern California.
Retain our high quality of life
• Our small scale, eclectic architecture and vibrant beach lifestyle is an unrivaled coastal asset.
• Our high quality schools, as well as city fire, police, library and beach, shape our identity as a first class municipality.
• Our beach, the ocean, green spaces and natural resources of all types are the foundation of our brand and high quality of life.
• Creating a place where people can live, work and play locally is key to balancing economy, community and environment.
• Our City government, places and spaces are designed to be accessible to connect people with all abilities and different stages of life.
Contribute to our economic and fiscal stability
• Our business mix serves the daily and leisure
needs of our residents, while providing a quality
experience for visitors.
• Diversified districts with local businesses provide
for the needs of residents, attract visitors, and
support a robust and resilient economy.
• Our sustainable, resilient economy is supported
by keeping local dollars in the local economy
and maintaining a diversity of businesses and
revenue streams.
• Our desire for a high quality of life requires
balancing economy, environment, and
community through a ‘sustainability lens’ and
can attract like-minded entrepreneurs.
• People are engaged in a broad range of
enterprises creating a diverse economy and
providing fiscal stability.
Be a catalyst for innovation
• Our business culture cultivates innovation, the arts/creative industries, locally owned business, and environmental stewardship.
• Innovative, forward-thinking approaches to anticipating future lifestyles, transportation trends and environmental realities are necessary for creating a durable sustainability plan.
We seek to achieve our vision by making decisions and taking actions that help us to...
Guiding Principles
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 770
PLAN HERMOSA | 9
introduction
Role of the Plan
PLAN Hermosa, the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan for Hermosa Beach, provides a future vision, policies, and proposed actions to guide residents, decision-makers, staff members, project developers, and businesses in Hermosa Beach. For City staff, PLAN Hermosa is a guide to evaluate projects, structure City programs, and decide whether to pursue new opportunities. City officials will use the Plan as the basis for decision-making and to guide the development of new policies, ordinances, programs, initiatives and capital expenditures.
PLAN Hermosa will set the city on a trajectory for a more sustainable future. To do so, this Plan informs and is implemented by the City’s various ordinances, specific plans, programs, and ongoing activities. It sets the City’s overall policies and priorities for how to use and manage its physical, social, and economic resources. This Plan has been developed through an extensive public involvement process and thorough analysis and review by the community, boards and commissions, City staff, and elected officials. It documents a shared vision for the future and sets the policies and programs to achieve that vision for the city.
The Plan also informs community members of the ground rules that guide physical and social development within our community. Hermosa Beach residents will utilize the Plan to understand the predominant community consensus regarding how, when, and where the city should develop and change as a place to live, to work, and to invest. Current and potential business owners can utilize the Plan to understand economic development priorities and available resources, while developers use it to understand the city’s development needs, preferences, and desired physical parameters.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 771
10 | INTRODUCTION
Parks + Open Space
The Parks and Open Space Element includes
goals, policies, and actions that provide for coastal
access and the provision of community facilities,
parks, and recreation opportunities. This element
includes coastal policies and actions for beach
programming, special events, and the preservation
of natural habitat and wildlife.
Public Safety
The Public Safety Element establishes goals, policies, and actions that protect the community from risk associated with natural hazards. The element places specific focus on hazards that could be made more severe with anticipated impacts of climate change. This element also incorporates the Noise Element, required by State Law, addressing major noise sources, existing and future noise levels, and the potential noise exposure to sensitive populations.
Infrastructure
The Infrastructure Element provides goals,
policies, and actions to maintain and improve
infrastructure systems, including the water supply
system, sewer system, storm drain system, roads,
and telecommunications and utilities. This element
recommends new development approaches that
incorporate low-impact development standards to
manage stormwater runoff.
Coastal Land Use Plan
Topics required to comply with the California Coastal Act are integrated throughout the document. The icon to the right serves to identify those topics and policies that specifically meet the intent of the Coastal Act.
Community Governance
The Community Governance Element sets forth
the City’s legal authority to adopt and implement
the goals, policies, and actions of PLAN Hermosa.
Additionally, this element describes the associated
leadership, decision-making process, development
requirements, and regional coordination necessary
to achieve the goals, policies, and actions.
Land Use + Design
Land Use and Design are the cornerstone of PLAN Hermosa and the City’s fundamental guide to the evolution of the urban form and land use patterns in Hermosa Beach. The Land Use and Design Element goals, policies, and actions provide a blueprint for the physical development of the community by identifying the general location, distribution, and intensity of various residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses in Hermosa Beach.
Mobility
The Mobility Element is intended to facilitate mobility
of people and goods throughout Hermosa Beach
by a variety of modes, with balanced emphasis on
automobiles, bicycles, pedestrians, and alternative
fuel vehicles. This element identifies the general
location and extent of major thoroughfares,
transportation routes, parking facilities, and
alternative transportation facilities needed to
support a multimodal transportation system.
Sustainability + Conservation
The Sustainability and Conservation Element addresses the use and preservation of natural resources to improve the environmental quality of Hermosa Beach. This element includes goals, policies, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; promote improved air quality; improve water quality; and promote green building.
Contents
PLAN Hermosa has been divided into seven elements. The certified Housing Element will not be amended as part of this effort as it was recently certified for the period covering 2013-2021. The topics covered by each element and the integration of Coastal Land Use Plan topics are briefly described below.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 772
PLAN HERMOSA | 11
Context
The regional setting and colorful history of Hermosa Beach help tell the story of the community today and set the stage for the future of Hermosa Beach.
Regional Setting
Hermosa Beach is located along the southern end
of the Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles County.
Regional topographic features including the Santa
Monica Bay and Mountains and the Palos Verdes
Peninsula, serve as the backdrop to Hermosa Beach.
The Pacific Ocean serves as the western city
boundary, while the city is bordered by Manhattan
Beach to the north, and Redondo Beach to
the south and east. Hermosa Beach is located
approximately 17 miles southwest of downtown Los
Angeles and 14 miles northwest of Long Beach. The
City’s regional location is depicted in FIgure 0.1.
Figure 0.1 Regional Setting
Local Setting
The city limits for Hermosa Beach encompass a
relatively small land area, approximately 1.4 square
miles. Hermosa Beach includes nearly two miles of
shoreline and varies in width between one-half mile
and approximately one mile inland.
Approximately 43% of the total land area in
Hermosa Beach is located within the Coastal Zone,
the boundaries of which are defined by the Coastal
Act. The coastal zone in Hermosa Beach spans
the entire length of the city from north to south,
and extends from the mean high tide line inland
to Ardmore Avenue with two exclusions: the area
from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive between
Longfellow Avenue and 31st Place; and the area
east of Park Avenue or Loma Drive between 25th
Street and 16th Street. The boundaries of the City
and Coastal Zone are depicted in Figure 0.2.
Figure 0.2 Local Setting
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 773
12 | INTRODUCTION
Hermosa Beach History
Rancho and Early Development
Hermosa Beach and its immediate surrounding
communities are situated on land that once
constituted part of Rancho Sausal Redondo. During
the late 19th Century, the rancho grew barley and
other grains to graze sheep, horses and cattle.
In 1900, a tract of 1,500 acres was purchased for
$35 per acre, and this small strip of beach front
property became Hermosa Beach. By 1901 the first
tract of Hermosa Beach was subdivided between
the boardwalk and Hermosa Avenue, with the land
between Hermosa Avenue and Summit Avenue
(later named Monterey Boulevard) subdivided later
that same year.
The first pier was built in 1904, made of all wood and
extending approximately 500 feet into the ocean.
By 1910, Hermosa Beach was a stop on the Pacific
Electric Railway, which included stops in Santa
Monica, Venice, and Redondo. The new rail line
brought a slew of tourists to the area, promoting
Hermosa Beach as a recreational getaway.
Aerial photo of Hermosa Beach circa 1930.
Hermosa Beach Cityhood
In January of 1907 the small beach community became the 19th incorporated city in Los Angeles County. To attract new residents and investors, the City spent thousands of dollars on improvements to its streets and lighting, participating in a “Good Roads Campaign,” providing well-paved boulevards connecting the city to the region. In 1913, plans were approved to develop a permanent concrete boardwalk, known today as The Strand, with matching ornamental lighting.
By the mid-1920s most of the coastal tracts had been subdivided for commercial or residential use. The dominant residential building type throughout Hermosa Beach during this era was the vernacular beach cottage, popular among most Southern California beach communities. In many cases these beach cottages contained elements of the popular Craftsman style. The Spanish Colonial Revival, Shingle, Arts and Crafts, and Period Revival styles were also prevalent among residences constructed during this time.
Aerial view of Hermosa Beach circa 1925.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 774
PLAN HERMOSA | 13
In 1923 the Surf and Sand Club announced plans for
a clubhouse located on The Strand between 14th
and 15th streets. The elaborate clubhouse attracted
many new members to the club, with an artificially
heated swimming pool, dressing rooms and lockers,
ballroom, and 124 sleeping rooms with their own
bathrooms. In the 1930s the building was taken over
by hotel interests, becoming the Hermosa Biltmore
Hotel. The iconic structure changed hands and roles
a number of times before being torn down in 1969.
Post-World War II Growth
Following World War II, Southern California experienced a large population boom. Hermosa Beach experienced a similar boom, with the number of residents growing from 7,196 in 1940 to 16,115 by 1960. This resulted in the construction of many homes in the formerly rural area east of Camino Real (Pacific Coast Highway) with larger lots on Prospect Avenue compared to those along the coast.
The Civic Center complex was designed by Savo Stoshitch between 1961 and 1965, and includes buildings for City Hall, Public Library, Police Station and Fire Station. During the 1960s, the Santa Fe Railroad stopped using the Hermosa to Redondo line and removed the train tracks. The right-of-way was later protected from development by voter referendum and purchased by the City to create the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt during the late 1980s.
Beach Culture
Throughout the city’s history, the beach has been an integral part of local culture with an abundance of seaside activities. Surfing and beach volleyball are two activities that are firmly integrated into the city’s history and culture.
Hermosa Beach has been home to many surfing professionals over the years and has hosted events promoting surfing, such as Hermosa Beach Surfing Club’s Annual Dance. Known as the mecca of surfboard shaping, Hermosa Beach is known for some of the earliest surfboard manufacturing, with several surfboard shapers still operating today.
An iconic part of Southern California beach culture, volleyball in Hermosa Beach dates back as far as 1938 when the Los Angeles Times reported on “fierce volleyball games” in Hermosa Beach. Organized leagues and tournaments have and continue to serve as an important recreational outlet in Hermosa Beach.Greg Noll Surfboards on Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach City Hall was dedicated in January 1965.
Built in 1923, the Surf and Sand Club, later the Biltmore Hotel was an iconic site along the Hermosa Beach coastline until 1969.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 775
14 | INTRODUCTION under 55-910-1415-19 20-24 25-34 35-4445-5455-5960-6465-7475-84 85+
2% 5%4%3%3%2%
5%
23%
18%
15%
5% 5%
6%
Hermosa Beach in 2015
demographics.
natural environment.
transportation.
economy.
people live in Hermosa Beach19,772
26%50%
41% of the population is be-tween the ages of 25 and 44
51,000 vehicles make
their way through Hermosa Beach on PCH everyday
95% of employed Hermosa Beach residents leave the city for work
54% of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation sources
median home values have increased 7.9% from 2014
$3 million
invested by Hermosa Beach residents and businesses to install solar PV systems
The waste diversion rate increased from 26% to over 50%
per capita annual retail sales is
approximately $14,882
Fiesta Hermosa attracts up to 150,000 visitors over the course of a 3-day weekend
$14,882
$1.4
million
54%
10,110
housing units
57% Rent
43% Own
90% of Hermosa Beach
employees live outside of the city
Sources: California Department of Finance, California Department of Transportation, Hermosa Beach CIty School District, City of Hermosa Beach, U.S. Census Bureau, zillow.com; 2010.
51% 47% 2% single-family multi-family mobile home
1,460 students enrolled in HBCSD schools
can commonly be found on The Strand on weekends
66% of weekend visitors
travel 10 miles or less to get to Hermosa Beach
1,000 bikes per hour
> 1 mi 1-3 mi 3-10 mi
10%26%30%
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 776
PLAN HERMOSA | 15
natural environment.Setting the Stage for a Sustainable Future
While Hermosa Beach and its residents have always taken pride in maintaining a sustainable and healthy environment, much has happened in the last five years to catalyze the community’s interest in clarifying its vision for a more sustainable future and the path forward.
Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan
In 2011, the City Council adopted the Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan. The Sustainability Plan identifies
local actions the City and people of Hermosa Beach can take to maintain a high quality of life without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The Sustainability Plan’s primary purpose
is to provide a foundation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, helping to chart the City’s path to a
low-carbon future. The Sustainability Plan also identifies actions the City can take to protect the marine
environment, improve active transportation options and reduce automobile dependency, protect water
resources, improve the performance of buildings, and reduce solid waste.
Strategic Growth Council Grant
The City last comprehensively updated the General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan in the early 1980s. While conditions and issues affecting the City have since changed and the community’s vision has evolved, the policies and action plans to guide the City’s growth and development have not been comprehensively updated to account for a growing interest and need to incorporate sustainability principles into the City’s policies and action plans.
The City’s commitment to sustainability was recognized by the California Strategic Growth Council, which has a mission to support community planning efforts organized around sustainability. This recognition was made clear in 2013 by the award of a substantial planning grant which made possible the update of the
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 777
16 | INTRODUCTION
General Plan. Through the grant procurement effort, the City stated 11 program initiatives that the General
Plan Update would investigate. These various program initiatives address specific attributes of a sustainable
community and are addressed throughout this Plan:
• Improve Air Quality and Water Quality
• Promote Infill and Compact Development
• Reduce Automobile Usage and Fuel Consumption
• Promote Water Conservation
• Promote Energy Efficiency and Conservation
• Revitalize Urban and Community Centers
In early 2014, Hermosa Beach was also awarded a grant by the California Coastal Commission to support
the comprehensive Coastal Land Use Plan update. These grants were awarded based on the City’s priority
objective to transform these plans into the City’s integrated and comprehensive “Blueprint for Sustainability
and a Low Carbon Future”.
• Strengthen the Economy
• Improve Infrastructure Systems
• Promote Equity
• Increase Affordable Housing
• Promote Public Health
Community Dialogue + Decision-Making Tool
The community’s desire to advance sustainability, enhance economic vitality, and preserve the eclectic
beach character, was further reinforced through the Community Dialogue process in 2013 and 2014.
The community engaged in setting the vision and defining the unique qualities for Hermosa Beach. The
Community Dialogue process culminated in the creation of a Decision-Making tool that aims to:
1. Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our government.
2. Identify and optimize opportunities for residents and businesses to improve our quality of life in
Hermosa Beach.
3. Create a culture of innovation, so that our challenges become our opportunities and our
opportunities enhance our community brand.
4. Ensure the values and priorities of all residents and business owners are considered during the
analysis and deliberation of actions.
5. Deliver transparency to the decision-making process so that the public can make informed
decisions.
Thus, PLAN Hermosa was developed under a broad sustainability framework that aims to:
• Link environmental performance with economic vitality;
• Enhance coastal protection and sea level rise best practices;
• Leverage collaborative partnerships; and
• Advance implementation of sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction legislation.
Once adopted by the City Council, PLAN Hermosa will form the City’s overarching framework for decision-
making, with subsequent plans, programs, and activities designed to carry out the community’s vision, goals
and policies. The updated Plan will guide how the City should develop and change, and where funds and
resources for infrastructure, services and programs should be directed in a manner that most effectively
achieves the community vision.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 778
PLAN HERMOSA | 17
Sustainability in Hermosa Beach
Environmental
Leadership
High Quality
of Life Economic + Fiscal Stability
Catalyst for
Innovation
Fundamentally, sustainability means the ability or characteristic of persisting over time. A sustainable community, then, is a community that is everlasting. This simple concept is the essence of our community’s approach to sustainability.
To be everlasting, we need a safe and healthy environment. Everything that we need for our survival and well being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. Without the resources and services provided by the environment, such as clean air, water, and food, our community cannot thrive. This is especially important in Hermosa Beach, as the presence of a beautiful and clean ocean environment creates so much of the essence of our town.
To be everlasting, we need a high quality of life. It is through a high quality of life that our community members can become their best selves. It is through a high quality of life that we can attract and retain the best and brightest and provide opportunities to participate in the community and contribute to our world.
To be everlasting, we need a healthy, stable economy. It is through a healthy economy that we are able to have jobs and businesses that provide the wherewithal to provide food, shelter, and education for our families. It is also through a healthy economy that we are able to create a fiscally sound town where we are able to transform and apply capital for the restoration, preservation and protection of our natural environment.
Finally, to be everlasting, our community needs to be a catalyst for innovation. We live in an ever changing world. The notion of sustainability should not imply that we can freeze ourselves in time. In the face of constant change, we must continue to embrace our long-standing culture of creativity and innovation. By fostering innovation, we can ensure that we will remain relevant and competitive leaders.
This notion of sustainability is not a generic definition of sustainability pulled from a book. This is our unique definition of sustainability and arises from our community values - values that have been consistently reiterated in multiple community forums over the years. This community-based definition of sustainability has formed the development of this Plan. The four aspects of sustainability described are crosscutting and thus serve as the organizing framework of the Guiding Principles: demonstrate our environmental leadership, retain our high quality of life, contribute to our economic and fiscal sustainability, and be a catalyst for innovation.
Every aspect of our town and community life is influenced by these aspects of sustainability. They are intertwined threads of the one fabric that comprises Hermosa Beach and they cannot be addressed independently. Similarly, each of the elements of this Plan help achieve the realization of a sustainable, everlasting Hermosa in specific ways.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 779
18 | INTRODUCTION
Mobility
The Mobility Element is intended to facilitate mobility of people and goods throughout Hermosa Beach by a variety of modes, with balanced emphasis on automobiles, transit, pedestrians, bicycles, and alternative fuel vehicles. How people get around town has broad implications for sustainability. Transportation patterns affect how much fuel is used in Hermosa Beach, the quantity of greenhouse gases, and local air quality as the majority of our trips are conducted by fossil fuel-burning automobiles. The choices we make about our transportation system greatly affect whether fuel use increases or decreases with time, whether our vehicle fleet becomes more efficient, and even whether we can legitimately choose to walk, bike, or use transit instead of driving a car. Each of these outcomes has secondary effects as well. Less air pollution and greater opportunities to walk or bike lead to health improvements. Improved fleet efficiency leads to less money spent on transportation and more individual choice on how to spend that money. This element identifies the location and extent of transportation routes, parking, and alternative mode facilities needed to support a multimodal system.
Connecting the Dots
Each element in this Plan helps contribute to a more sustainable, everlasting future in its own way. The
following diagram summarizes how these elements support a sustainable community.
Community Governance
The Community Governance Element sets forth the City’s legal authority to adopt and implement the goals, policies, and actions of PLAN Hermosa. Additionally, this element describes the associated leadership, decision-making process, development requirements, and regional coordination necessary to achieve the goals, policies and actions. While the Community Governance topics are less directly associated with the community’s overall sustainability, the goals, topics, and actions of this element are critical for achieving success. It will be through this element that much of the Plan is put into action. Without action, we will not have success. Additionally, this element emphasizes transparency in government and decision-making. Transparent governance leads to better decisions and more stability. This improved stability, in turn, leads to a more dependable regulatory environment and an improved business climate.
Land Use + Design
Land use and design are the cornerstone of PLAN Hermosa and the City’s fundamental guide for the urban form. The goals, policies, and actions of this element provide a blueprint for the physical development of the community by identifying the location, distribution, and intensity of various uses in Hermosa Beach. The decisions we make about how our buildings are designed and built directly affects sustainability. For example, how buildings are placed on lots and how they relate to the street can influence transportation choices, economic activity, and public safety. How a building is sited and designed relative to the sun can affect building energy use by as much as 30%. The amount of open space provided affects stormwater runoff and the urban heat island. Density, intensity, and mix of uses affect the number and length of trips taken and the transportation mode chosen for each trip. The uses in town influence whether residents have to drive out of town for work, goods, or services. The land use decisions we make can even influence the health of our community, through closer proximity to services, increased availability of healthy food, and enhanced access to parks or schools, it can become easier to choose healthier options.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 780
PLAN HERMOSA | 19
Public Safety
The Public Safety Element establishes goals, policies, and actions that protect the community from risk associated with hazards and public safety concerns. The element places specific focus on hazards that could be made more severe with anticipated impacts of climate change. Also incorporated is the Noise Element, addressing major noise sources and potential exposure to sensitive receptors. These topics are critical for quality of life and economic stability. First, a safe, healthy environment is critical for good quality of life. Second, if we do not adequately prepare for hazards and create a resilient community, natural disasters will have a greater effect on our community, leading to increased injuries and property damage. And none of these are good for our economy. Conversely, creating a resilient town will lead to a more stable and healthier economy as avoidance of hazards will minimize the disruption of local commerce.
Infrastructure
The Infrastructure Element provides goals,
policies, and actions to maintain and improve infrastructure systems. Improving the efficiency and quality of the City’s infrastructure systems makes them more resilient to changing environmental and economic conditions. Much of the City’s infrastructure design and operation will affect the natural environment. Interestingly, the provision of infrastructure, and the relative quality, can also have economic implications. Providing advanced telecommunications and high-speed internet infrastructure can give the city a competitive edge and attract high-tech businesses; the availability of low-cost renewable energy can benefit everyone in the community and reinvest money in the local economy.
Sustainability + Conservation
The Sustainability and Conservation Element
addresses the use of natural resources to improve
the environmental quality of Hermosa Beach. This
element includes goals, policies, and actions to
improve air quality, increase water conservation,
promote green building, and chart a path toward
becoming a low carbon community. Carbon
levels provide a good indicator for tracking overall
sustainability as it uses resource consumption as a
proxy. More than any other, this element focuses on
limiting pollution and protecting resources through
efficiency and conservation. Like many topics in this
Plan, carbon-reducing and conservation-oriented
practices have secondary community benefits.
Using less energy and switching to renewable
sources can lead to reduced air pollutants from
power plants. Drought tolerant landscapes help to
conserve water and reduce runoff. Green building
techniques can improve indoor air quality and
occupant health.
Parks + Open Space
The Parks and Open Space Element includes goals, policies, and actions that provide for coastal access and the provision of community facilities, parks, recreation opportunities, and the preservation of natural habitat and wildlife. Parks and open space play a key role in sustainability. Open space is the primary land use that provides for ecosystem services within a community, providing for opportunities that range from groundwater recharge to food production to carbon sequestration to important wildlife habitat. Increased access to parks, open space, and recreational opportunities can influence positive health outcomes and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease through increased physical activity. Additionally, parks and open space provide valuable recreational amenities and offer important scenic qualities and views, leading to increased property values, increased safety, increased economic activity, and greater sense of community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 781
20 | INTRODUCTION
PLAN Hermosa Update
1
2
3
4
620132017 Process
The update process included a series of defined phases or steps to address community needs,
goals, and vision in a comprehensive and integrated manner. This process was carried out over
the course of approximately four years, kicking off in July 2013 with a community celebration.
Existing Conditions + Key Issues
The assessment of existing conditions and identification of the key issues facing the community
provided an on-the-ground understanding of activities in the city today. By reviewing historic
trends and changes or comparing community attributes to other similar communities in the
region, a sense of what makes Hermosa Beach unique or different began to emerge.
Visioning
The visioning process identified principles or priorities for the city’s future. Community input on ideas or ideals for the future of Hermosa Beach was solicited through a series of workshops, stakeholder interviews, online surveys, and working group meetings to craft a vision statement and guiding principles. The crafted vision and guiding principles are supported by the existing conditions analysis and form the policy framework and organizational structure of this Plan.
Alternatives
After the vision and guiding principles were established, a set of land use and transportation scenarios were considered and evaluated. The alternatives analysis looked at the physical and environmental aspects of the proposed changes needed to meet the vision and evaluated whether there were alternative scenarios in which the community vision could be met.
Draft Plan
The Draft Plan is the resulting collection of policies needed to achieve the community vision. The policies of PLAN Hermosa are a culmination of the existing conditions, vision, and alternatives analysis. The Draft Plan will be evaluated and extensively reviewed before being adopted by the City’s decision-makers.
Environmental Review
PLAN Hermosa is subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality
Act to assess whether any adverse environmental impacts may occur through implementation
of this Plan. This assessment provides full disclosure to the community and can better inform
decision-makers on the potentially adverse environmental impacts of the Plan.
Adoption + Implementation
The final step of the PLAN Hermosa update is the public hearing and adoption process. Once
adopted, the task of implementation begins. The implementation of this Plan will be evaluated
against the indicators and decision-making tool to track progress toward the vision.
52014 2015 2016
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 782
PLAN HERMOSA | 21
Public Involvement
Central to the creation of PLAN Hermosa was an extensive public outreach process. The Plan is a policy document, but it is also a community document, describing the community’s future vision of the city. Public involvement in this process was critical to understand how residents, business owners, visitors, and community organizations view Hermosa Beach conditions and their vision of Hermosa Beach in the future.
During the process of creating PLAN Hermosa, the City engaged several hundred community members through a series of community events, workshops, online surveys, and input during study sessions. The City also used newsletters and mailings, its website, e-mail, and other means to communicate with the community about process.
The City received input on topics ranging from required components of the General Plan –land use, transportation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety – to topics identified as important
Community Participation: The future is in YOUR hands
issues for Hermosa Beach such as sustainability and preserving beach town character. Comments received throughout the public outreach process represent the community’s beliefs, passions, values, and concerns for the city, and directly formed the policy content of this Plan.
Community Working Group
In 2013, the City Council directed staff to create and facilitate a community working group to serve as a sounding board in development of this Plan and to help guide the overall engagement process.
The working group was comprised of Hermosa Beach residents, and includes diverse representation from many City commissions, businesses, and local organizations and met approximately 15 times over the course of the Plan development.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 783
22 | INTRODUCTION
Key Issues Workshop/Study Sessions
In order to identify key issues of importance to the city, a community workshop and Joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting were held:
May 8, 2014 - Community Workshop: Key Issues
At the Key Issues Community Workshop, participants were asked three questions in the context of Small Town Character, Healthy Active Lifestyle, and Economic and Environmental Sustainability:
• What do you love about Hermosa Beach?
• What are the threats to Hermosa Beach’s character and quality of life?
• What do you want to change in Hermosa Beach now and in the future?
May 20, 2014 - Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting
At the Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting, an overview of the process was provided and the results of Key Issues Community Workshop were presented. The Commissioners were then engaged in a discussion on identifying key issues and short-term and long-term challenges.
Summer 2013 Community Celebration
The City of Hermosa Beach hosted a summer celebration event to encourage the community to
think about the future of Hermosa Beach and learn about upcoming planning projects in Hermosa
Beach. In addition to kicking off the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, at this fair style open house,
the community was able to learn about and provide input on the Community Dialogue process, the
Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy, and studies related to the recently defeated proposal for
oil drilling. Nearly 300 community members visited the Community Center and participated over the
course of the day, where activities, discussion, and opportunities to play a role in shaping the future
of Hermosa Beach were provided to adults and children.
Stakeholder Interviews
Between March and April 2014, interviews with eight key stakeholders were conducted. These interviews included a series of open ended questions to learn more about key issues and existing conditions in Hermosa Beach. Stakeholders included City staff and community leaders.
General Plan Kick-Off! Educational Series
The Kick-Off! Educational Series included four public meetings at City Hall on key planning areas and issues to be addressed in the General Plan:
April 8, 2014 - City Council Briefing
April 14, 2014 - Climate Change & Sustainability
April 21, 2014 - Economics & Land Use
April 30, 2014 - Transportation & Public Health
These meetings included detailed presentations on each topic and how they relate to Hermosa Beach as well as public discussion to answer questions and to share information.
Community Events
Over the course of three years, an extensive community outreach program was implemented as part of the
development of PLAN Hermosa. The major participation opportunities are summarized below.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 784
PLAN HERMOSA | 23
Neighborhood & District Walking Tours, March 28, 2015
On March 28 the City sponsored Community Walking Tours to provide education and receive feedback on land use and circulation. The city was broken down into a variety of districts. Information was provided as a basis for input on the look and feel of each of these areas. The walking tours drew approximately 40 participants throughout the day, with an additional 15-20 people stopping by the Community Center to provide input via the poster display. A short survey was taken at the end to identify top priorities for different districts.
Key themes emerged as follows:
• Preservation of Hermosa Beach character – Participants are keen to maintain their existing community character, views, amenities and quality of life.
• Support for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements – Participants would like to see improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure throughout the city.
• Lack of interest in development higher than two stories – Participants feel that higher density development negatively impacts community character and potentially views.
• Consideration for the environment – Participants want to see improvements that support a green and healthy lifestyle.
Key Issues Workshop/Study Sessions
A workshop and study session was organized to collect community feedback on a vision statement, guiding principles, and potential solutions to key issues.
November 6, 2014 - Vision, Guiding Principles & Way Forward
December 16, 2014 - City Council/Planning Commission Study Session: Vision & Guiding Principle
The workshop drew approximately 100 participants. The following themes emerged:
• Vision Statement: Maintain the existing small beach-town atmosphere. Cultivate local businesses that benefit residents and the local economy. Develop a more sustainable city through a reduced carbon footprint, and increase bicycling and walking.
• Guiding Principles: Invest in local infrastructure and amenities. Encourage a diverse, innovative, and resident-serving local business mix. Promote healthy activity and a high quality of life through stewardship and preservation of natural resources. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through proactive, forward-thinking transportation and environmental initiatives.
• What are potential solutions: Preserve the eclectic character of the city and create a safe pedestrian/bicycle-friendly city. Invest in schools, energy-efficient infrastructure, the arts, and green and local businesses. Promote sustainability by prioritizing waste reduction and maintaining a clean, healthy beach environment.
Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session, May 11, 2015
On May 11th, City Council and Planning Commission held a joint study session to review and discuss potential policy direction on land use and transportation options. This direction formed the policy framework for the updated General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 785
24 | INTRODUCTION
Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session, July 16, 2015
On July 16, City Council and Planning Commission
held a joint study session to review and discuss
the preferred policy direction on land use and
transportation options. PLAN Hermosa focuses
most prominently on the physical aspects of
the city, and land use and transportation are
essential components. This direction assisted the
next step, creating the policy framework for the
updated General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, and
establishing the preferred policy direction to be
evaluated in the Environmental Impact Report.
Youth Charrette: This is MY City Camp
On August 18, 2015, the City held a youth charrette to gather information from children living in Hermosa Beach. As a group, they described what Hermosa Beach is like today, and discussed what the City should look like in the future. The participants expressed their ideas through a mapping exercise and by filling out a short questionnaire. This youth workshop helped identify areas in Hermosa Beach that could be enhanced to better accommodate the youth population, encouraging them to live in the city through adulthood.
Mapping activity during youth charrette.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 786
PLAN HERMOSA | 25
State Law
To comply with State laws, the City of Hermosa Beach is required to prepare and maintain a General Plan for the entirety of the city boundaries, as well as a Local Coastal Program (LCP), for portions of the city located within the Coastal Zone. The LCP comprises the City’s land use plans and implementing ordinances to carry out the intent of the Coastal Act. This section identifies the relevant State laws that govern the development, update, and integration of the General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan.
General Plan
California Planning Law requiring jurisdictions to develop “master plans” or General Plans were first established in 1937, with subsequent legislative actions providing additional clarity and detail on the content and topics covered by a General Plan. PLAN Hermosa has been prepared in accordance with the requirements and intent set forth in the California Government Code written in 2010. Specifically, this Plan:
• Must be a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of the county or city.
• Must cover all territory within the city boundaries and any land outside the boundaries where the agency’s judgment bears relation.
• Should be integrated, internally consistent and present compatible statement of policies.
• Should accommodate local conditions, while meeting minimum State requirements.
• May be adopted in any format deemed appropriate by the legislative body, including combining elements.
• May be adopted as a single document or as a group of documents.
• Must include diagrams and text setting forth: objectives, principles, and plan standards.
• Must address each of the elements to the extent that the subject exists in the planning area.
• May include any other elements or address any other subjects which, in the judgment of the legislative body, relate to the physical development of the county or city.
The General Plan should additionally be prepared and amended in compliance with the following procedural requirements:
• May be modified or amended up to four times per year.
• Must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the City Council at public hearings prior to legislative action to adopt or amend this Plan.
• Must also be evaluated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
Specific requirements for each topic are identified within their respective elements.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 787
26 | INTRODUCTION
Coastal Land Use Plan
The California Coastal Act was enacted through legislation in 1976, following a vote of the people to establish
the California Coastal Commission. The Coastal Act was established to protect coastal resources and
maximize public access to the shoreline. To carry out the mandates of the Coastal Act, local governments
with jurisdiction over land in the coastal zone are expected to prepare and implement a Local Coastal Plan
(LCP). PLAN Hermosa has been prepared in accordance with the requirements and intent set forth in the
California Government Code written in 2010. Specifically this Plan:
• Must address all major policy topics of the Coastal Act.
• Must incorporate any analysis needed to support coastal policy.
• Should incorporate local context in conjunction with the legal requirements of the Coastal Act.
The LCP should additionally address the procedural requirements for certification and amendments as follows:
• An LCP adopted by the local government may be certified by the Coastal Commission as advancing the
policies of the Coastal Act. Until an LCP has been certified, the local government cannot take over the
issuance of coastal development permits.
• Amendments to certified LCPs must be submitted to the Coastal Commission for review and, in the case of
major amendments, certification.
Specific requirements for each topic are identified within their respective elements.
General Plan + Coastal Land Use Plan Integration
For coastal cities, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research recognizes the relationship between
General Plans and Local Coastal Programs and suggests addressing both requirements through integration
of the General Plan and Local Coastal Program by either creating a coastal element of the General Plan
or incorporation of coastal policies and standards throughout the General Plan. In order to encourage this
integration, amendments to the General Plan necessary to preparing a certified LCP do not count toward the
limit of four General Plan amendments per year.
Hermosa Beach has elected to integrate the General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan, by addressing required
coastal topics in the various elements as depicted in Table 0.1 Coastal Land Use Plan Components.
Table 0.1 Coastal Land Use Plan Components
Governance Land Use + Design Mobility Sustainability + Conservation Parks + Open Space Public Safety Infrastructure
Public Access v v v v
Recreation +Visitor Serving Facilities v v v
Water Quality Protection v v
Environmentally Sensitive Habitats + Natural Resources v
Planning + Development v v v v v
Archaeological + Cultural Resources v v
Scenic + Visual Resources v v
Coastal Hazards v v
Shoreline Erosion + Protective Devices v v
Energy + Industrial Development v v
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 788
PLAN HERMOSA | 27
Measuring Our Progress
PLAN Hermosa will be implemented over a period of decades. During this time, the City’s long-range planning efforts will use the goals and policies as a guide. However, this Plan is a living document and the City’s intent is for the Plan to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Part of this ongoing review of the Plan will require evaluating progress toward and alignment with the community’s vision. There are two mechanisms in which alignment with the vision will be evaluated:
• Through use of the decision-making tool when key initiatives are presented for implementation; and
• Through tracking of key indicators that provide a snapshot of the community and provide a basis for
allocating resources through the annual budget process.
Together, these two mechanisms will be used to provide a feedback loop and a transparent process for setting priorities, allocating funding, and highlighting successes. Hermosa Beach places value on preserving its unique small beach town character while still allowing the city to adapt to future changes and growth. A vibrant economy encapsulates the community’s value for diverse jobs and businesses and high quality municipal services. The community places high importance on health and environmental leadership, especially those aspects that contribute to strengthening the city’s brand and character. Finally, the community seeks to accomplish these objectives in an innovative and forward thinking manner.
The Decision-Making Tool and Community Indicators are vital components to successful achievement of the community’s vision in a manner aligned with the community’s values. The Community Indicators have been aligned with the questions of the Decision-Making Tool to further strengthen the feedback loop and reinforce how the collective set of decisions should contribute to improving the performance of each key indicator.
Decision-Making Tool
The Decision-Making Tool has been designed to evaluate and highlight the benefits or trade offs of key
initiatives as they are transformed from ideas to implementation. The tool is intended to be used by City staff,
decision-makers, and the community at any point in which decisions are being made to approve a project,
allocate funding or resources toward a program, or identify top priorities. Not every decision will have a
positive response to every question, but rather, the Decision-Making Tool is meant to serve as a resource for
understanding and disclosing how a particular decision may affect those key values.
Community Indicators + Performance Measures
The Community Indicators create a snapshot of the community in key focus areas to provide a benchmark for overall performance and trends. The identified indicators are organized in accordance with the PLAN Hermosa Guiding Principles and the Decision-Making Tool, to enhance the relationship between the Vision, the Decision-Making Tool, and the Community Indicators.
While not all indicators are currently tracked, the intent is to identify the type of indicator that should be tracked so that a baseline may be established. Since many of the metrics are subjective in nature, the method for determining improvement in those categories will come from the use of community surveys, such as the National Citizen’s Survey. The indicators will be evaluated on a quantitative basis, with a directional goal to increase, decrease or maintain. It should be noted that not all metrics will be able to be updated annually, and instead, the most recent year for which information is available has been identified. Finally, the source of information or department responsible for tracking that information has been identified to facilitate greater consistency in the tracking of each indicator.
These community indicators shall be included as part of the Performance Measurement section of the annual budget to complement those indicators which are already tracked by different City departments to demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness of services and operations. Together the Community Indicators and City operations indicators will paint a comprehensive picture of both the community’s and the City’s status.
The following pages identify both the Decision-Making Tool Questions and Community
Indicators identified to evaluate progress toward and alignment with the community vision.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 789
28 | INTRODUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Does it enhance/preserve open space?
Is it in line with Hermosa Beach’s greenhouse gas reduction goals?
Does it positively affect the health of the community?
Does it protect Hermosa Beach’s natural resources?
Does it keep the beach and ocean clean?
Does it promote walkability/bikeability?
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
Decision-Making Tool
Community Indicators
PROGRESS INDICATORS BASELINE OBJECTIVE
RECENT YEAR SOURCE
Developed Park Acres per 1,000 Population 5.6 Maintain/Increase 2015 City of Hermosa Beach - Parks and Recreation
Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions
126,611 metric tons
1,372 metric tons Decrease 2012
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Well-being Index Composite Score 77.5 Increase 2012
Beach Cities Health District
Natural Resource Consumption Rates:
Electricity
Natural Gas
Water
Transportation
91 million kWh
4.2 million therms
700 million gallons
138 million vehicle miles traveled
Decrease 2012
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Heal the Bay Report Card (26th St/South of Pier)
TMDL Violations (26th St/South of Pier)
A/A
(1/1)
Maintain
Decrease
2015
2013 Heal the Bay
Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities
Bike/Ped Counts at Key Facilities
Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach - Public Works
POSITIVE/STRONG CORRELATION NEUTRAL/NO EFFECT/NOT APPLICABLE NEGATIVE/NEGATIVE CORRELATION
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 790
PLAN HERMOSA | 29
HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Does it enhance our beach culture?
Does it enhance outdoor recreation?
Is it family friendly?
Does it positively impact the health and safety of residents?
Does it bring the community together?
Does it serve the diversity of our population?
Does it acknowledge our cultural heritage?
Is it an appropriate scale for Hermosa Beach?
Is it aesthetically appropriate?
Is it a complementary use of public and private space?
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
PROGRESS INDICATORS BASELINE OBJECTIVE
RECENT YEAR SOURCE
Survey Question - Rate the strength of beach culture Not Currently
Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Survey Question - Frequency in which residents go outdoors for leisure Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Survey Question - Rate the family-friendliness of events, overall community Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Reported Violent Crimes per 1,000 population
Reported Property Crimes per 1,000 population
1.9
27.3 Decrease 2014
City of Hermosa Beach - Police Department
Survey Question - Sense of inclusiveness or opportunities to participate Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Survey Question - Feel your needs are represented in decision-making process Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Number of Designated Historic Resources 3 Increase 2015
City of Hermosa Beach -
Community Development
Average Commercial Floor Area Ratio (as defined by buildout projections)0.58 FAR Increase to Max. of 0.75 2015 City of Hermosa Beach - Community Development
Survey Question - Rate the overall quality of the public realm Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Survey Question - Rate the balance of public and private spaces Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
+ 0 -POSITIVE/STRONG CORRELATION NEUTRAL/NO EFFECT/NOT APPLICABLE NEGATIVE/NEGATIVE CORRELATION
Decision-Making Tool
Community Indicators
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 791
30 | INTRODUCTION
ECONOMIC + FISCAL STABILITY
Is it business-friendly?
Does it support our schools?
Does it improve our infrastructure?
Does it improve property values?
Does it promote our brand?
Is it entrepreneurial?
Does it serve the local market?
Does it reduce cost, waste, or reliance on City resources?
Does it balance public and private interests?
Does it increase tax and other revenues going to the community?
PROGRESS INDICATORS BASELINE OBJECTIVE
RECENT YEAR SOURCE
Survey Question - Rate the Business Friendliness of the City Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach - Economic Development
Academic Performance Index (Valley/View)949/939 Maintain 2014
California Department of Education
Overall Infrastructure Ratings Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach - Public Works Department
Total Assessed Land and Improvement Value $5.4 Billion Increase 2014
City of Hermosa Beach - Finance Department
Survey Question - Rate the strength of local brand Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a City of Hermosa Beach
Number of Business Licenses 1058 Increase 2014
City of Hermosa Beach - Finance Department
Retail Capture/Leakage Rates
Retail Leakage in
apparel, general
merchandise,
home furnishing,
auto parts, general
wholesale
Increase
Capture/
Decrease
Leakage
2012 City of Hermosa Beach -
Economic Development
$ per service population for
Mandatory vs Discretionary
Programs (while meeting Level of
Service)
Not Currently
Tracked
Decrease
Mandatory/
Increase
Discretionary
n/a City of Hermosa Beach -
Finance Department
Number or Area with Public Encroachments Not Currently Tracked Maintain n/a
City of Hermosa Beach - Community Development
Total Taxable Sales $226 million Increase 2013 California State Board of
Equalization
+ 0 -POSITIVE/STRONG CORRELATION NEUTRAL/NO EFFECT/NOT APPLICABLE NEGATIVE/NEGATIVE CORRELATION
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
Decision-Making Tool
Community Indicators
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 792
PLAN HERMOSA | 31
Is this a potential catalyst for strategic, transformative, and
differentiated development or is this “business as usual”?
Will this define and enhance the City brand to attract businesses,
investment, tourists, and like-minded residents?
Will this activate community involvement, participation, and
innovation?
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
+ 0 -
PROGRESS INDICATORS BASELINE OBJECTIVE
RECENT YEAR SOURCE
Number of strategic, transformative initiatives approved Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach
Number of Awards and Recognition Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach
Survey Question - Volunteer rate, Community Participation Rate Not Currently Tracked Increase n/a
City of Hermosa Beach
CATALYST FOR INNOVATION
+ 0 -POSITIVE/STRONG CORRELATION NEUTRAL/NO EFFECT/NOT APPLICABLE NEGATIVE/NEGATIVE CORRELATION
Decision-Making Tool
Community Indicators
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 793
32 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Strong leadership, sound decision-making, and transparency in
government are essential qualities of a fair and effective government.
And such qualities contribute towards the creation of a sustainable and
everlasting community with a high quality of life, clean environment, and
strong economy. The Governance Element of this Plan sets forth the City’s
legal authority to adopt and implement the goals, policies, and actions
of PLAN Hermosa. This element also describes the associated leadership,
decision-making process, development requirements, and regional
coordination necessary to achieve the goals, policies and actions in an
inclusive and open environment. These goals, policies, and actions will
help Hermosa Beach to maintain our sense of community.
1 governance
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 794
PLAN HERMOSA | 33
State Law
The State of California does not require that a city’s general plan address governance. However, the City of Hermosa Beach views this as a critical topic and believes it sets the tone for decision-making on many of the topics required by State law, so it is included as an optional element. Additionally, State law requires communities to establish policies and standards for consulting with Native American tribal organizations in the development or amendment of the General Plan and during the environmental review process.Context
Maintaining good and effective governance is a high priority for the City of Hermosa Beach. Since its incorporation as a City in 1907, the City of Hermosa Beach has established itself as being a small town, friendly beach community. Called “the best little beach city” for its broad, clean beaches, overall safety, and thriving businesses, it is also creative in its personal and compassionate approach to city government. Serving the community, creating community benefits, taking responsibility, and finding pragmatic solutions are characteristics viewed by the City as what defines governance. The City has prioritized excellence in governance and positive, constructive relationships with residents, business owners, visitors, and neighbors.
Decision-making and Leadership
Community members and leaders of Hermosa Beach view proper decision-making and leadership as an important topic in city governance. In recent years, the City of Hermosa Beach has initiated several processes and employed concepts to increase the community’s involvement and understanding in how the City makes decisions as an organization. Some of these recent efforts have included a community dialogue campaign, strategic planning process, and priority-based budgeting. Collectively, these efforts ensure that the approach to governance, management, and service delivery in Hermosa Beach are agreed upon, revisited on a regular basis, and reflective of the community’s values and priorities.
Community Dialogue
In 2013, the City of Hermosa Beach initiated
a community dialogue process to facilitate a conversation across the community and all of its interests to determine the community’s values and priorities for the future. The six-month process included several public meetings, a working group,
and development of a Quality of Life Report, a Fiscal Summary, and a Decision-Making Tool. The results of this Community Dialogue process provide a framework and process for decision-making by the City as well as individuals on important decisions
regarding Hermosa Beach’s future.
Governance means...
• Listening to residents
• Anticipating and focusing on issues
• Determining vision and values
• Decision-making on direction and resources
• Setting the “tone” for the City
• Measuring staff, program, and operational
performance
• Educating the citizenry
• Mobilizing support in the community
Management means...
• Analyzing issues
• Developing professional recommendations
• Decision-making on programs and resources
• Setting the “tone” for the organization
• Developing programs and systems
• Determine implementation plans and strategies
• Investing in employees
• Evaluating and adjusting performance
Service Delivery means...
• Developing operational plans and tactics
• Organizing the work unit*
• Implementing decisions and programs
• Responding to resident issues
• Maintaining equipment and facilities
• Providing quality services and products
• Developing work unit and employees
• Evaluating services and citizen impact
*The work unit refers to the employees and resources needed to provide services to the community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 795
34 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Figure 1.1 illustrates the relationship between the
components of PLAN Hermosa and the following
City decision-making processes.
Strategic Planning
Since 2013, the Hermosa Beach City Council and staff have utilized a strategic planning process and multi-day intensive workshops to outline new goals and set priorities for the upcoming year. Strategic planning workshops are organized in a way so that the community, City staff, and elected officials can come together as a group and talk about the future of the city. The process is meant to help provide more clarity on Council goals and priorities to guide programs and ongoing operations.
Fiscal Health Diagnostic Tool
With a focus on achieving long-term fiscal sustainability, this Diagnostic Tool is used to assess the City’s picture of financial health by matching ongoing revenues with ongoing expenses and modeling various scenarios in order to assess the impact of decisions. First implemented in 2014, the tool is currently used in preparing the City’s five-year financial forecast.
Priority-Based Budgeting
In 2014, the City initiated a new approach to linking funding decisions with strategic priorities through Priority-Based Budgeting. This approach provides a comprehensive review of the entire organization and will allow Hermosa Beach leaders to evaluate the costs/benefits of City services at a program level; align resources with higher-priority programs; and craft a budget that plans for long-term needs and shorter-term spending of these services on the basis of their relevance to community priorities established during strategic planning efforts.
Decision-Making Tool
The Decision-Making Tool, created through the
Community Dialogue process, is designed to
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of
the City’s government, identify and optimize
opportunities for residents and businesses to
improve quality of life, create a culture of
innovation, ensure the community values and
priorities are equally considered, and deliver
transparency to the decision-making process.LONG-TERMSHORT-TERMMID-TERMVision +
Guiding
Principles
PLAN Hermosa
Goals
Policies
+Actions
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 796
PLAN HERMOSA | 35
Strategic Plan Budget Process Feedback Loop
Goals +
Priorities
Fiscal
Health
Diagnostics
Budgeted
Programs Decision-
Making Tool
Figure 1.1 Relationship between PLAN Hermosa and decision-making process
5 year
15 Year Vision
Long-Term Fiscal Plan
Priority-Based Budgeting
Policy + Management Agenda
Community Indicators +
Performance
Measures
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 797
36 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Civic Engagement
The Hermosa Beach community prides itself on
being highly active in its own governance, and the City is committed to actively seeking public participation. Community members actively participate at council meetings and committees, volunteer at schools and philanthropic organizations, and collaborate with City staff on the latest technology platforms. This level of civic engagement supports responsive governance, while ensuring the preservation of the city’s small beach town character. The City strives to create an open process through which it can respond to its constituents’ needs while balancing competing interests and opposing views. It is also committed to treating all individuals with respect and dignity, and providing courtesy and thoughtfulness in all interactions. These qualities are invaluable to City staff and elected officials as they work with community members to create a more vibrant, socially rich, economically successful, and beautiful place to live, work, and play.
The City recognizes and supports the need to maintain a high level of service to the community. It further recognizes the need to pursue and engage various informational technologies to make communications more efficient and accessible. The City regularly identifies and implements new communication techniques and methods to improve service delivery and open avenues of communication between the community and their City government. In order to continue to improve the ease of doing business with the City, additional services including online permitting services for certain development or building projects, and streamlined processing of general requests for service or information are being implemented regularly. Highlights of the City’s civic engagement practices include:
Voter Initiatives - The City of Hermosa Beach has a long history of direct democracy through use of the ballot initiative process to answer questions about local policy related to open space, development and zoning standards, fees and taxes, and other important issues facing the city.
Public Meetings - City Council and advisory
commission proceedings are open to the public.
Hermosa Beach posts current agendas, staff
reports, and supplemental materials up to 5 days
prior to the meeting. The City also provides live and
archived streaming video of City Council Meetings
on-line and on the City’s cable television channel.
Community Workshops and Working Groups - Nearly all major capital
projects and major planning efforts in Hermosa
Beach involve numerous meetings to collect input
and feedback from the community prior to placing
a proposal in front of the City’s decision makers.
Many of these large efforts include the formation of
a working group or committee to review and refine
proposals, ensuring that projects are reflective of
the community’s values and priorities.
Online Engagement - To facilitate community engagement in City affairs in an increasingly digital world, the City has utilized multiple online platforms to provide two-way engagement to the community. “Speak Up, Hermosa!” is just one of various online tools hosted by the City to provide a platform in which members of the community can generate and discuss ideas, issues, and projects to improve Hermosa Beach.
Community-Based Organizations - Hermosa
Beach would not enjoy such a high quality of
life without investment and collaboration from
its numerous community-based organizations.
Community organizations, many of which are
highlighted throughout this Plan, collaborate
with the City to provide funding and volunteer in
support of parks, the library, creative arts, historic
preservation, and education, among many other
social and environmental causes.
Leadership Hermosa - a community-based organization founded in 2003 to encourage community involvement in the city. More specifically, the organization strives to build a life-long love for Hermosa Beach by educating existing and potential leaders within the community. Since its launch, members of this organization have completed a number of projects that have fostered community values, and many participants have gone on to serve in leadership positions on City Commissions and City Council.
Nixle - HBPD has begun participating in an open communication and engagement platform called Nixle. This online forum informs residents about news and safety alerts in the city, connecting residents, educators, public safety, and businesses together.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 798
PLAN HERMOSA | 37
Technology + Innovation
A key feature in the development of modern,
innovative cities is the installation of digital
infrastructure. On a planning level, the City of
Hermosa Beach has done little to address the
formative impacts of technology. The technology
and innovation policies outlined in this section
are designed to increase efficiency, bring out
new ideas, and allow businesses and residents to
become more digitally connected.
Some of the most valuable contributions of
technology is idea sharing and community
interaction. With technology easily accessible,
community members can communicate and
share ideas more easily. As a result, innovative
solutions to problems will be communicated much
faster than before. Community members will also
be encouraged to collaborate with one another
fostering a more efficient and effective approach.
Another valuable asset of technology is the ability
to maintain and enhance transparency between
the City and its community members. By utilizing
advanced technology, the City will be able to
relay information and data to community members
more easily. This will encourage civic participation
along with ensuring full transparency.
Community Representation
The City has a variety of Commissions and Advisory Boards that represent various community interests and perspectives. These bodies, which address a range of topics of importance to the city, are comprised of community members – residents, businesses representatives, and other stakeholders. The Commissions and Advisory Boards represent the community by making recommendations and/or decisions that guide City policy and actions. From time to time, the City also forms ad-hoc committees to address topics of current importance. The committees are typically formed to address a specific topic or issue and then, once resolved, are disbanded.
The City’s various Commissions make recommendations to the City Council, and in some circumstances have approval authority for a range of topics important to the City’s services, operations and development over time. It is within the purview of the City Council to establish the composition, work, and responsibilities of any Commission. Commissions and Advisory Committees have been formed on a permanent basis to address topics including: parks and recreation, public works, planning, and emergency preparedness.
Other advisory committees have been formed on
an ad-hoc or temporary basis to address issues
related to specific topics or geographies including
recent use of: a Green Task Force, an Upper Pier
Avenue Improvement Committee, and a PCH/
Aviation Improvement Committee.
Planning Commission
California Planning and Zoning Law requires each jurisdiction to identify a governing body to provide for planning, subdivision, and land use regulation. In Hermosa Beach, the Planning Commission has been established to serve in that role. For certain types of development applications, the Planning Commission is required to review and either approve or deny, with the City Council only reviewing if the Planning Commission’s decision is appealed. Certain planning and development decisions are required by State law to be reviewed and either approved or denied by the City Council at a public hearing, subsequent to a review and recommendation by the Planning Commission.
Public Works Commission
The duties of the Public Works Commission are to review and make recommendations to the City Council on all capital improvement projects, assist in the development and updating of design guidelines for public improvements, infrastructure, and other matters referred to the Commission by the City Council.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council
in all matters pertaining to the Department of
Community Resources; cooperates with other
governmental agencies and civic groups on the
advancement of sound leisure, cultural, social
services and educational programming; and
formulates policies on the services, programs and
lease agreements of the Department.
Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee
The Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the City Council on how the City and the residents can prepare and respond swiftly and responsibly to emergencies.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 799
38 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Regional Collaboration
Part of the City’s decision-making
process involves having strong partnerships and relationships with outside agencies and organizations. This is due to both a desire to have good relations with the City’s neighbors and out of necessity, since Hermosa Beach is bordered by other jurisdictions and must rely on and collaborate with outside agencies to provide services to the citizens of Hermosa Beach.
Adjacent Cities: The City commonly works on issues of mutual interest with the adjacent cities of Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. To provide responsive emergency services and expand the availability of emergency response services, the City of Hermosa Beach has long-standing agreements with adjacent cities and Los Angeles County to provide additional resources and greater expertise in unique incidents or conditions. Additionally, the land use and transportation choices made in one jurisdiction can provide benefits to or have impacts on a nearby jurisdiction.
Transportation Agencies: City staff and members of the City Council regularly participate in the regional decision-making processes. Elected officials and staff are actively involved with the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), LA Metro, and Caltrans to provide transportation services, maintenance, and even funding for projects and programs.
Utility Providers: Most of the utility services in Hermosa Beach are provided by private utility companies or public agencies which serve jurisdictions throughout Southern California.
Beach Cities Health District: Health organizations like the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) which has been serving the communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach since 1955, offer important preventative health services to residents of all abilities and ages—from pre-natal and children to families and older adults.
California Coastal Commission: With nearly half of the land area in Hermosa Beach located within the Coastal Zone, a collaborative working relationship with Coastal Commission Staff is essential to fulfilling the objectives of the Coastal Act to maximize public access to the coast.
Maintaining collaborative working relationships with these agencies and organizations serves to benefit Hermosa Beach and makes sure the needs and interests of the community are represented. Noble Park
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 800
PLAN HERMOSA | 39
Turning the Vision
into Policy
Through the visioning process of the Plan, as well
as the community dialogue, the community expressed a number of priorities and values for the future of Hermosa Beach that consistently fit into three themes: We like the character of our town, we want to see a more diverse and thriving local economy, and we recognize and value that a clean environment and healthy lifestyles are essential to our high quality of life.
Because these themes touch on so many topics throughout this Plan, the overarching policies related to each are presented here within the community governance element, with additional policies then highlighted throughout the remainder of the document.
Small Beach
Town Character
Community members see Hermosa Beach’s small beach town character as an important characteristic of the city. In order to maintain and preserve the city’s unique features, City leaders must carefully monitor the scale and type of new and existing development. Maintaining current building limits, limiting large developments, and recruiting small, green businesses are all ways which will conserve the city’s character. More importantly, the public will have opportunities to be involved in all development decisions to ensure they reflect the community’s vision. The City will also seek new ways to maintain the small beach town character through encouraging artist development and increasing beach play areas.
Hermosa has character
• Buildings are an appropriate scale and size.
• The town values and has taken steps to maintain historic buildings.
• The beach, parks, and open space offer opportunities to connect with nature.
• There are a mix of original clapboard beach cottages and newer “beach-type” homes.
• Spaces are safe, family-friendly, and foster social interaction and sense of community.
• The City continues to maintain streets and infrastructure.
• Hermosa Beach schools are some of the best in the State.
• Visitors enjoy spending time at the beach and shopping and dining throughout town.
1
2
3
small
beach town
character
vibrant
economy
healthy
environment
and lifestyles
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 801
40 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Vibrant Economy
The City recognizes and supports the need to
maintain a strong, diverse and vibrant local economy. Attracting businesses sought after by the public, seeking projects and activities such as filming, photography, or arts/events, and renting out City facilities for events are other creative ways the City will generate extra revenue. Capitalizing on Hermosa Beach’s coveted location along the California coast while preserving the city’s unique charm will ensure a healthy, vibrant economy.
Hermosa has a thriving economy
• The strategies of the Downtown Plan will be
implemented to create a revitalized, family
friendly Downtown.
• Safe and beautiful commercial corridors
provide services to residents and visitors.
• A large share of residents are able to
telecommute or working from home.
• The Cypress Area is home to a variety of artistic
and production uses.
• Local business owners work with the City to
attract new businesses.
• Environmental leadership helps to attract
new green and cleantech businesses and
investments.
Healthy Environment
and Lifestyles
The City of Hermosa Beach is committed to promoting healthy environments and lifestyles. As the first South Bay city to be certified as a Blue Zone community, Hermosa Beach strives to be a leader in healthy living and reducing our impact on the environment. In 2012, Hermosa Beach was the first city in the country to adopt a Living Streets Policy that promotes the health and mobility of all Hermosa Beach citizens and visitors by providing high quality pedestrian, bicycling, and transit access to destinations throughout the city.
Hermosa is a leader in health and sustainability
• Hermosa is a certified Blue Zone community.
• Living streets provide safe and convenient travel choices and offer opportunities for socializing and relaxation.
• Efficient water use, conservation, reuse, recycling and retention contributes to Hermosa’s brand as a sustainable and resilient city.
• City has a Healthy Air Hermosa program for smoke-free environments.
• Citizens shop at the Farmers Markets and cultivate their own gardens.
• Children and adults have regular access to recreational opportunities and physical activity.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 802
PLAN HERMOSA | 41
Goal 1. A high degree of transparency and
integrity in the decision-making process.
To maintain the community’s trust and to serve residents and business owners toward
realizing the community’s vision, the City is committed to employing a consensus-based
and transparent approach to decision-making.
Policies
1.1 Open meetings. Maintain the community’s trust by holding meetings in which decisions are
being made, that are open and available for all community members to attend, participate, or
view remotely.
1.2 Strategic planning. Regularly discuss and set priorities at the City Council and management
level to prioritize work programs and staffing needs.
1.3 Priority-based budgeting. Utilize priority-based budgeting to ensure funding allocations are
consistent with the priorities set by the community and City Council.
1.4 Consensus oriented. Strive to utilize a consensus-oriented decision making process.
1.5 Leadership training. Encourage City staff and Boards and Commission members to
participate in leadership and governance training programs.
1.6 Long-term considerations. Prioritize decisions that provide long-term community benefit
and discourage decisions that provide short-term community benefit but reduce long-term
opportunities.
1.7 Diversity of representation. Strive to reflect a comprehensive cross-section of the community
in appointments to Commissions and Advisory Committees.
1.8 Nonresident representation. Ensure non-residents with an interest in the City are offered a
reasonable opportunity to participate in working groups and committees.
1.9 Civic policy and leadership academy. Support local programs that teach community
members about local government functions and processes and encourages community
participation in civic efforts.
Goals and Policies
This chapter of the General Plan describes the system of governance and provides goals and policies for Hermosa Beach to continue its positive relationship with residents, businesses, and visitors. Together, the goals and policies support the community’s desire to maintain its small beach town character and vibrant economy while promoting a healthy environment and lifestyles. In addition, this chapter will support community involvement and investment, and ensure decision-making and leadership is conducted in an ethical, transparent, and innovative manner that reflects community values.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 803
42 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Goal 2. The community is active and engaged in decision-making processes.
To engage a diverse cross-section of the community in the City’s decision-making
process related to policies, ordinances, and funding priorities, ensuring that the actions taken by the City reflect the needs and interests of the community as a whole.
Policies
2.1 Multiple outreach methods. Consistently engage in community outreach through neighborhood forums, social media, the latest technologies, personal interaction, and other methods on a regular basis.
2.2 Universal outreach. Utilize diverse methods of outreach that promote public participation and ensure Hermosa Beach events are communicated to all segments of the communities.
2.3 Public participation guidelines. Establish parameters and guidelines to ensure public participation is promoted through diverse methods.
2.4 Public forums. Host periodic public forums on issues important to the community, facilitating these forums with the purpose of guiding City policy.
2.5 Notification of decision-making. Centralize or consolidate community-wide mailing lists that include representation from homeowners associations, neighborhood and service groups, the school districts, the business community and other interest groups.
2.6 Responsive to community needs. Continue to be responsive to community inquiries, providing public information and recording feedback from community interactions.
2.7 Major planning efforts. Require major planning efforts, policies, or projects to include a public engagement effort.
2.8 Youth participation. Engage and incorporate the viewpoints and ideas of the community’s youth population in long-range planning efforts.
2.9 Evaluation and feedback. Periodically solicit service evaluations from the community and utilize feedback to improve and develop the City’s policies, ordinances, programs, and funding priorities.
2.10 Value and recognize volunteers. As practical, utilize volunteers to assist with community programs and services and seek to utilize the professional/trade skills of volunteers.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 804
PLAN HERMOSA | 43
Goal 3. Excellent customer service through the use of emerging technologies.
To serve the community with professionalism and courtesy, and to strengthen
information sharing and communication between the City and its constituents, the City has placed a high level of importance on customer service. Embracing technology in City government will make operations across all departments increasingly more
efficient. With more available data, decision-makers will have access to information
that will influence decisions that should be made. Social media and mobile applications
have also connected the City with its residents. Outreach and receiving community input is much easier and has streamlined the planning process.
Policies
3.1 Increased access to services. Strive to provide access to facilities, programs, and services at times and locations that are convenient for residents and businesses.
3.2 Social media technology. Make use of social networking, streaming video, photo-sharing, and other technologies as they evolve to provide greater avenues of communication with constituents and community members.
3.3 Online materials. As feasible, continue to expand the City’s website with data and materials for residents and people doing business with the City, including City Council and Commission agenda packets, permit application forms, web-based geographic information systems (GIS), and use of new technologies as appropriate.
3.4 Virtual public counter. As feasible, establish a “virtual” public counter through an online permitting system.
3.5 Expanded digital archive. As feasible, expand the use of document imaging to maintain and provide access to vital records.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 805
44 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Goal 4. A leader and partner in the region.
As a small community in a large metropolitan region, the City of Hermosa Beach understands and capitalizes on our role and responsibility to collaborate with
other agencies and nearby jurisdictions on issues of mutual concern.
Policies
4.1 Regional governance. Play an active role in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, the Southern California Association of Governments and other regional agencies to protect and promote the interests of the City.
4.2 Leadership in sustainability. Establish the City as a regional leader in sustainable development and encourage compact, walkable development patterns that conserve land resources, supports active transportation, reduces vehicle trips, improves air quality, and conserves energy and water.
4.3 Collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions. Maintain strong collaborative relationships with adjacent jurisdictions and work together on projects of mutual interest and concern.
4.4 Regional transportation and infrastructure decisions. Actively support regional transportation and infrastructure projects and investment decisions that benefit the City and the region.
4.5 Coastal collaboration. Maintain a coordinated working relationship with the Coastal Commission to maximize public access to the California Coast.
4.6 Native American consultation. Coordinate with the Native American Heritage Commission and local Native American tribes during General Plan amendments and environmental review processes to ensure their concerns are considered and to assist in the identification and treatment of prehistoric or Native American resources.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 806
PLAN HERMOSA | 45
Goal 5. Small beach town character is reflected throughout Hermosa Beach.
Retaining the scale and community-oriented nature of Hermosa Beach is of the utmost
importance. While it can be difficult to fully encapsulate what defines the character of Hermosa Beach, the City understands the various aspects associated with community character, and is committed to protecting the character defining features of Hermosa
Beach. These overarching policies articulate the City’s approach to ensuring that
community character is retained for future generations.
Policies
5.1 Residential and commercial compatibility. Provide a balance between residential and
commercial uses and strive to ensure their compatibility.
5.2 Development decisions. Strive to conduct the development review process in a consistent
and predictable manner.
5.3 Clear regulations. Establish clear, unambiguous regulations and policies to clearly
communicate the City’s expectations for new development.
5.4 Guidelines and standards. Provide for clear development guidance, standards, and rules by
developing tools and guidelines to illustrate concepts of local character.
5.5 Community benefits. Consider incentives for new development that provides a substantial
economic benefit to the community such as retail sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes or
higher-paying jobs. Prohibit the provision of incentives that outweigh the direct benefits from the
use.
5.6 Revitalization incentives. Develop and provide incentives to assist developers in revitalization
and rehabilitation of existing structures, uses and properties.
5.7 Visitor and resident balance. Recognize the desire and need to balance visitor-serving and
local-serving uses as a key to preserving character and the economic vitality of the community.
5.8 Public private partnerships. Pursue the use of public-private partnerships to implement
projects and efforts that maintain character and benefit the community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 807
46 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Goal 6. A broad-based and long-term economic development strategy for Hermosa Beach that
supports existing businesses while attracting new business and tourism.
The long-term economic health of Hermosa Beach can be sustained through a diversified commercial base, retention of knowledge workers, and expansion of creative and sharing economies. These overarching policies articulate the City’s
approach to creating a thriving local economy.
Policies
6.1 Long-term economic development. Support the development and implementation of long-term economic development strategies that seek to establish and keep new businesses and a strong middle class in Hermosa Beach over the decades to come.
6.2 Regional presence. Encourage economic development strategies that will make Hermosa Beach a driving force and jobs center behind the regional economy of the South Bay region.
6.3 Diversified economy. Encourage economic development strategies that allow the city to move beyond reliance on its two main industries – accommodation and food service and retail trade– and transform itself to a mature mix of economic activity and job opportunities.
6.4 Business support. Support the Chamber of Commerce, retailers, tourist service businesses, artists, and other agencies to develop an aggressive marketing strategy with implementation procedures.
6.5 Creative economy. Prioritize strategies that will create an economy full of diverse talents, trades and goods for the city. For long lasting economic success, a range of services, arts, entertainment and retail should be supported on all scales of the city’s economy.
6.6 Pop-up shops. Develop plans and programs for underutilized spaces, such as vacant buildings, utility corridors, parkways, etc., for temporary retail, restaurant, and community-promoting uses.
6.7 Retail base. Encourage economic development reflective of the character of Hermosa Beach with small and medium scale retail development within Hermosa Beach in order to create a stronger tax base and increase the City’s tax revenue.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 808
PLAN HERMOSA | 47
Goal 7. Community sustainability and health are a priority in policy and decision-making.
To maintain and improve the health and well being of all community members, the City
recognizes that they play a critical role in developing a culture of health in Hermosa Beach. These overarching policies articulate the City’s approach to ensuring that the community is built for healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
Policies
7.1 Integrate health. Encourage public and private health partners as part of community engagement processes (including committees, stakeholders and workshops) in planning and development decisions.
7.2 Health conditions. Support the work of Beach Cities Health District to monitor health and well being monitoring and tracking of health outcomes.
7.3 Health in all policies. Integrate health, livability, and sustainability principles when adopting new policies and periodically review and evaluate adopted policies for their impact or opportunity to improve health, livability, and sustainability.
7.4 Evaluation and disclosure. Require an evaluation and disclosure (e.g. Health checklists, Health Impact Assessments) of environmental and health impacts or benefits for major discretionary projects.
7.5 Health-promoting uses. Prioritize health-promoting uses in new development.
7.6 Livability principles. Amend or update policies that may run counter to livability, sustainability, and health principles.
7.7 Food and nutrition choices. Expand healthy food and nutrition choices at City facilities and City-sponsored events.
7.8 Advertising health. Discourage the branding or advertisement of unhealthy behaviors at City facilities or City-sponsored events.
7.9 Healthy Commercial Products. Encourage commercial establishments to provide or offer healthy products and advertising.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 809
48 | CHAPTER 1: GOVERNANCE
Goal 8. A performance-based management and benchmarking program.
Through performance-based management approaches, the City of Hermosa Beach can strive to ensure effective and efficient management of City operations.
Additionally, a commitment to performance management criteria helps to satisfy the
transparency and accountability desires of the community from their local government
and decision-makers.
Policies
8.1 Community indicators. Utilize performance metrics, standards, and data collection
procedures to evaluate progress towards goals.
8.2 Amendment and implementation. Periodically evaluate, and as necessary, amend this Plan
to ensure continued progress toward the community vision.
8.3 Consistency among plans. Require other City plans and implementation mechanisms to
demonstrate their consistency with this Plan.
8.4 Strategic Plan alignment. Evaluate the Strategic Plan for alignment with the Vision, Goals,
and Policies of PLAN Hermosa, and as necessary, amend as the community Vision evolves.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 810
PLAN HERMOSA | 49
This element of PLAN Hermosa provides goals and policies to guide the continuing
evolution of the urban form and land use patterns of Hermosa Beach. In coordination with the Sustainability, Mobility, Housing, Infrastructure, and Parks and Open Space
Elements, it defines how the city’s buildings and public spaces – homes, stores, offices,
parks, streets, and sidewalks – should organize and shape the community in the future and contributes to its reduced carbon footprint. The decisions we make about how
our city is laid out and how are buildings are designed directly affect Hermosa’s sustainability. These decisions directly influence how much energy our buildings need,
how easy it is to use different types of transportation, the availability of healthy food
choices, and the capacity of our community members to utilize alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. By establishing a vision for the built environment, the City is
inviting property owners, business owners, and community members to invest private funds into the development, preservation, and rehabilitation of buildings, land uses,
and infrastructure. This Element provides a long-term vision, goals and policies for land
use, character, and sustainable community design in Hermosa Beach.
2 land use + design
Shops along Pier Avenue
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 811
50 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The Coastal Zone in Hermosa Beach
Approximately half of the City lies within the coastal zone. The coastal zone boundary, defined by the California Coastal Act, spans the entire length of Hermosa Beach from north to south, and extends from the mean high tide line inland to roughly Ardmore Avenue with two exclusions – the area from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive between Longfellow Avenue and 31st Place; and the area east of Park Avenue or Loma Drive between 25th Street and 16th Street.
State Law
This Land Use and Design Element has been prepared to meet State General Plan Law requirements for land use identifying the location and distribution of uses, and additionally to meet California Coastal Act requirements related to coastal access as it relates to visitor-serving accommodations and coastal dependent or related uses.
General Plan
The Land Use Element has the broadest scope of the required elements, regulating how all land in a city is to be used in the future and to fully reflect the range of physical attributes that are important for the success of Hermosa Beach. California law identifies a city’s General Plan:
• Must include the distribution of housing, business, and industry.
• Must include the distribution of open space, including agricultural land, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty.
• Must include the distribution of recreation facilities and opportunities.
• Must include the location of educational facilities, public buildings and grounds, and solid/ liquid waste disposal facilities.
• May include other categories of public and private uses of land.
• Must include standards of population density and building intensity for the districts covered by the plan.
• Must identify and annually review areas that are subject to flooding identified by floodplain mapping by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• May include text and diagrams that express community intentions regarding urban form and design - including differentiating neighborhoods, corridors, districts, mixture of land uses and housing types within each, and specific measures for regulating relationships between buildings and outdoor public areas.
Coastal Land Use Plan
The Coastal Act requires communities within the
Coastal Zone to address the land use related topics of:
• residential and commercial development
density or intensity;
• coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses;
• recreation and visitor-serving
accommodations;
• energy and industrial development; and
• archaeological and cultural resources.
Context
The urban structure and land use pattern of Hermosa Beach today is a reflection of the community’s early history, originally as a summer and weekend beach destination for Los Angeles residents visiting by way of the Pacific Electric Rail, and later as a full-time, full service community. The tracts originally laid out by the Hermosa Land and Water Company more than a century ago, included smaller lots and block sizes, a mix of small scale commercial and residential uses, and a distributed network of schools and parks to create a compact urban form. While continually evolving to meet modern needs and desires, Hermosa Beach has been able to retain many of the traditional neighborhood and town features, which has contributed to the high desirability of Hermosa Beach as a livable and sustainable community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 812
PLAN HERMOSA | 51
Existing Land Use Patterns
Land uses in Hermosa Beach are largely defined
by its residential neighborhoods and commercial
corridors or districts, with public and recreational
spaces like parks, the beach, and community
facilities found distributed throughout the city.
There are four broad categories of land uses
that can be currently found in Hermosa Beach.
These categories of land uses and the amount of
land currently allocated to each category are
described below and identified in Figure 2.1.
Residential Uses
Residential uses, in terms of land area, are the predominant use in Hermosa Beach, accounting for approximately 67% of the city’s total land area. Residential uses range in scale and density throughout the city to define and create residential neighborhoods, with a range of single-family homes, small scale apartments or condominiums, and larger multi-family housing developments.
Single-family land uses are found throughout the city, with some blocks and neighborhoods in the northeast, east, and southeast areas of the city that are exclusively or predominantly filled with single-family uses. There are 3,261 parcels in Hermosa Beach with single-family uses currently in place. Multi-family housing units are predominantly found in the southwest area of Hermosa Beach. The northwest portion of the city and The Strand have an even mix of single-family and multi-family housing options. There are two mobile home areas - one located north of Pier Avenue, between Loma and Valley Drive, which is a resident-owned park, and the other along 10th Street between Ardmore and PCH. There are also higher density multi-family units on PCH between 16th and 21st Street.
Commercial Uses
Commercial uses include a wide variety of retail,
restaurant, office, and other uses that provide
goods or services and help to drive the local
economy. These uses can be found primarily along
the city’s corridors and in Downtown, with pockets
of small scale commercial found in residential
neighborhoods. Commercial uses along Hermosa
Avenue, PCH, Prospect Avenue, and Manhattan
Avenue primarily consist of restaurants, stores, and
services to serve the neighborhood and nearby
beachgoers. Collectively these uses account for
approximately 7% of the city’s total land area.
Figure 2.1 Existing Land Uses
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 813
52 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Light Industrial Uses
Light industrial and manufacturing uses in Hermosa
Beach account for approximately 4% of the city’s total land area and are generally located within the city’s industrial area near Cypress Avenue. The Cypress Avenue area includes four acres of industrial land uses including light manufacturing, warehouses, construction supply, a surfboard manufacturing use, auto shops, air conditioning and heating manufacturing uses, and the City maintenance yard.
Institutional Uses
Institutional land uses include schools, government-
owned facilities, parks, the beach and open
space, and essential operations and service
areas such as parking, utility buildings, the City
maintenance yard and other facilities, or utility
easements, which in total account for 147 acres or
22% of the total land area. The City’s largest parks
or recreational spaces: the Community Center,
Valley Park, South Park, and Clark Stadium are
located adjacent to the Greenbelt with smaller
parks and parkettes, less than one acre in size,
distributed throughout the city.
Vacant Land
Vacant land accounts for less than 0.5% of the
land area in Hermosa Beach. Of the vacant
land, the majority of parcels are currently zoned
for residential uses, placing greater pressure on
underutilized commercial land to redevelop or
densify. While redevelopment of underutilized
spaces is a viable option, consideration of context
and community character need to be considered
so that new uses and development are consistent
with the existing or preferred urban form of the city.
Community Character &
Public Realm
This variation in land uses across the city, coupled with the development and redevelopment of individual properties over time, has resulted in a set of distinct, yet well integrated areas of town. These areas can generally be categorized as neighborhoods, corridors, or districts, with each area having its own unique characteristics. The residents of Hermosa Beach have expressed a strong desire to retain the character of their residential neighborhoods and similarly expressed interest in enhancing local economic activity within commercial districts and corridors. This element attempts to identify those character defining features of each neighborhood, corridor, or district, and provide policy guidance that supports the intended character of each area and its role in the larger community fabric.
The City’s public spaces – its streets and streetscapes, parks, plazas, and public buildings – create much of its urban form. They also provide an important amenity for residents, workers, and visitors to socialize, recreate, rest, and gather. The City’s public spaces are its public face, and are often the areas that visitors and residents most readily remember and associate with the city.
Aside from parks and the beach, a large portion of the public realm in Hermosa Beach is in the form of streets and sidewalks. The character and appearance, or “the streetscape,” defines the experience for those who use the street. This is especially true of pedestrians, for whom the level of safety, comfort, and aesthetic quality is a major attractor or detractor. In the commercial areas, most streets have interesting retail frontages along sidewalks, with amenities such as benches, landscaping, and street trees. Pier Avenue and Pier Plaza, in particular, have been enhanced with comprehensive streetscape upgrades. Additional areas throughout Hermosa Beach can benefit from targeted improvements to sidewalks, building frontages, signage, landscapes, and streets, which has been the subject of master plans for the Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard corridors.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 814
PLAN HERMOSA | 53
Community-Serving Facilities
There are certain types of uses, both public and private, that provide essential services to the community and
are integrated into the form and function of every community. These community facilities include schools,
medical facilities, and community arts or cultural educational centers. Many of these services are needed
and used by Hermosa Beach residents, and supported by City funding or local property taxes, even though
not all services are within Hermosa Beach.
Health and Medical Facilities
While there are no hospitals or emergency medical facilities located within Hermosa Beach, the City and its residents are served by Torrance Memorial Medical Center and medical facilities co-located at the Beach Cities Health District offices. These are the hospitals closest to Hermosa Beach.
Child Care Facilities
Child care facilities are also needed to serve residents as the family population increases. Similar to hospital and medical facilities, the City does not have discretionary authority over these facilities, but does identify through land use and zoning, which areas of the city are appropriate to allow these facilities and what conditions, if any, may be placed on these facilities to ensure they are compatible with surrounding uses. These facilities are required to be licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.
Schools
The Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD) provides elementary school (K-8) public education to students living in Hermosa Beach. For high school, students attend either Mira Costa High School or Redondo Union High School. There is one private elementary school, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, and one accredited, non-traditional private school for grades 6-12, Fusion Academy.
With more than 1,400 students enrolled in 2015, and physical capacity (at State acceptable levels) to hold just 1,000 students, HBCSD has added portable classroom buildings and is using multi-purpose rooms for temporary classrooms, leading to fewer shared spaces. HBCSD has prepared a Long Range Facilities Master Plan and is evaluating options for providing additional classroom and recreational facility space.
The City’s role in school capacity planning is to ensure that development standards and other land use patterns do not constrain the District’s ability to meet the growing capacity needs and to support expansion of shared use facilities such as fields and playgrounds to meet the community’s recreational and physical activity needs.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 815
54 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Coastal Priority Uses
Coastal land in Hermosa Beach is a
valued commodity because of its limited availability and high development pressure. Developing and implementing strategies that prioritize uses that maintain or enhance public coastal access while also meeting the needs and desires of local residents is necessary to maximize the potential of the coast and preserve character and quality of life. As shown in Figure 2.2, most of these uses are located in the Downtown or upper Pier Avenue areas.
Existing Coastal-Dependent and Coastal-Related Uses
Approximately 48 existing businesses in the Coastal
Zone are considered either a coastal-dependent
use or a coastal-related commercial use. Eight
types of existing uses within the Coastal Zone
qualify as coastal-dependent or coastal-related:
• Businesses renting coastal recreation
equipment to support surfing, biking, and
paddle boarding: They sell, rent, and service
equipment supporting coastal-dependent
recreation uses.
• Volleyball organizations operating
administrative facilities: These operations
provide services and equipment to support
coastal-dependent beach volleyball uses.
• Restaurants and bars located in Downtown
and along lower Pier Avenue: Food service
businesses in these areas serve visitors to the
beach and rely on beach visitors for much
of their revenue. Additionally, they rely on
proximity to the beach for marketing purposes.
• Surfboard manufacturing in the Cypress area.
• Hotels located on The Strand, Pier Avenue,
14th Street, and 11th Street: As hotels almost
exclusively serve visitors, there would be no
guests without beach access. Most hotel sites
use the “beach front lodging” and “ocean
views” for their main advertising message.
• Retail stores located in Downtown and along Pier Avenue. These shops sell souvenirs, beach clothing and accessories, and equipment such as bicycles and surfboards. They depend on tourism and provide services or merchandise related to the coast, and their viability is directly related to a location near the coast.
• Travel agencies that attract business based on their location in the Coastal Zone and provide services supporting coastal-dependent hotel and recreational uses.
• The Starfish Learning Center provides childhood education on marine life and ecosystems.
Figure 2.2 Coastal-Dependent Uses
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 816
PLAN HERMOSA | 55
Visitor-Serving Uses
Hermosa Beach naturally draws a high number of
annual visitors. Annual surveys conducted by Los
Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards on the beach
have established that close to 500,000 individuals
visit the beach each month, rising to between
800,000 and 1.2 million visitors in summer months.
Hundreds of businesses and facilities in Hermosa
Beach serve the needs of visitors to the Coastal
Zone. Some are located along the central portion
of The Strand, in Pier Plaza, and along Hermosa
Avenue and Pier Avenue. Businesses and facilities
along upper Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast
Highway also serve visitors.
Local-Serving Commercial Uses
Hermosa Beach community members have expressed a strong desire for more local-serving commercial uses. The requirement to prioritize coastal-dependent uses could conflict with this desire. Given the limited amount of land that can accommodate commercial use in Hermosa Beach, it is necessary to find a way to balance local-serving uses with coastal priority uses. Giving coastal-dependent uses priority in the Recreational Commercial land use designation while giving local-serving uses priority in the Community Commercial land use designation ensures that both needs are balanced effectively (See Figure 2.3).
Affordable Accommodations
A key provision of ensuring public access to the coast is the availability of affordable visitor-serving accommodations. The Coastal Act requires the City to establish what “lower cost” means in the context of accommodations available today or those proposed to be built or removed in the future. For the provision of lower cost accommodations, the threshold may differ significantly in various parts of the state. Hotels and motels may or may not be defined as lower cost, depending on various factors such as room rates, amenities, and overall quality. Most methods to define “lower cost” and “higher cost” accommodations involve surveys of room rates in the area compared to the statewide average.
As of 2015, two hotels and one motel in the Coastal
Zone offer a combined total of 264 rooms. A
time-share property and youth hostel provide an
additional 115 rooms in the Coastal Zone. Four
additional hotels are located in Hermosa Beach
outside the Coastal Zone, offering 325 rooms. These
locations have an average high rate of $279 per
night, and an average low rate of $202 per night,
compared to a statewide average of $118 per
night (2012). Peak summer season occupancy
rates average around 85%. Campgrounds, cabins,
cottages, yurts, and similar uses are by their nature
usually lower cost. In Hermosa Beach, there is no
land area large enough to accommodate these
types of facilities, so they are not considered a
significant source of lower cost accommodations.
Due to the small number of and high demand for
overnight accommodations in the Coastal Zone
and their relatively high nightly room rates, the City
should preserve the existing inventory of low cost
rooms, while also developing off-site mitigation and
in lieu fee options to provide for more visitor-serving
accommodations.
Energy Facilities
Hermosa Beach currently has no energy facilities in the Coastal Zone. Following the 2015 defeat of Measure O, which would have repealed a long-standing ban on oil drilling in the city, Coastal Act energy requirements apply only to the possibility of future renewable energy facilities in the Coastal Zone such as wind, solar, and wave power. It is the desire of the State of California, the Coastal Commission, and the City of Hermosa Beach to encourage the installation and use of renewable energy systems, and to remove obstacles to their installation, while minimizing potential impacts to wildlife, resources, and scenic quality.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 817
56 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Historic + Cultural Resources
Protection of historic resources preserves our
cultural past and maintains Hermosa’s identity.
Some communities have ‘marketed’ these
resources as an important part of their economic
development programs. Property owners can be
proud of their contribution and also obtain financial
incentives. The City recognizes the benefits of
protecting historical resources and acknowledges
Hermosa Beach’s cultural past as a significant
characteristic of the city’s identity. In 2003, three
structures were designated for protection under the
City’s Historical Resources Preservation Ordinance:
the Bijou Theater building, Bank of America
building, and the Community Center.
The City’s Historic Resources Preservation
Ordinance in Municipal Code Chapter 17.53 is
intended to identify and ensure the long-term
protection and use of historic resources, such as
buildings and structures, sites and places within
the city that reflect special elements of the city’s
architectural, artistic, cultural, historical, political,
and social heritage.
Through the efforts of the Hermosa Beach Historical
Society, community members have acquired,
preserved, and interpreted historical memorabilia
associated with the city’s history. The items are
on display at the Community Center and are
free to the public to view. The mission of the
Hermosa Beach Historical Society is to acquire,
preserve, interpret historical memorabilia, and
other materials pertaining to the history of Hermosa
Beach. This collection shall be extended to the
public as a source of delight illumination, and
lifelong learning. If successful, preservation will
be better integrated into City procedures and
interdepartmental decisions.
Former Bijou Theater
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 818
PLAN HERMOSA | 57
Public Art + Design
The City of Hermosa Beach’s artistic past has
shaped its vision and guiding principles for the future, and continues to resonate today. Public art includes artwork placed and integrated into the public realm for the community to enjoy. They provide both aesthetic and practical purposes that enhance community character and shapes identity. The public art and design in Hermosa Beach is a true reflection of the City’s name, “Hermosa”, meaning “beautiful” in Spanish. Since incorporation in 1907, the city has evolved into a vibrant and distinct beach community. The prevalence of public art and festivals contribute to the “funky” and “eclectic” character.
Public art and design has played a large role in shaping the city’s identity and is appreciated by residents and visitors alike. Public art displays in Hermosa Beach often help to share the rich cultural history of the town in the form of sculptures, murals, and placards or informational displays. These more permanent and highly visible displays - such as the many murals adorning previously blank walls throughout Downtown - contribute to the beautification and aesthetic value of the community and are the result of cooperation, dedication, and commitment from many volunteers, donors, and community groups. Community memorials such as the Veterans Memorial, Greg Jarvis Memorial, and 9/11 Memorial seek to recognize and honor members of the community through symbolic art and design.
Temporary displays of art - such as the Portraits of Hope painting of Lifeguard Towers up and down LA County Beaches - can serve multiple community fundraising, awareness, and beautification purposes. These became permanent art fixtures in the community. Fiesta Hermosa, hosted by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Hermosa Beach Fine Arts Festival are important events for local artists to showcase their work and help to connect the broader community with art.
The artistic culture in Hermosa Beach is more than the presence of paintings and sculptures in public places. The culture comes from the community groups, social events, and the larger community that participates in and values the intrinsic beauty of public art and creative artistic expression. Nonprofits like the Hermosa Arts Foundation and the Hermosa Beach Murals Project are examples of community organizations created specifically to enhance the role of public art in Hermosa Beach.
Hermosa Beach Arts Foundation
The Hermosa Beach Arts Foundation is a
non- profit organization, focused on creating
opportunities for the community and
organizations to participate in and celebrate
the arts.
Hermosa Beach Murals Project
The Hermosa Beach Murals Project uses the professional work of talented artists to beautify buildings throughout the city. Murals displaying Hermosa Beach’s rich history and beach culture are showcased bringing community members and visitors from all around to see them. The murals have become a destination point in the city and have educated the community while preserving its unique charm.
Fine Arts Festival
The Fine Arts Festival is an annual event that takes place in Hermosa Beach. Founded in 2002, this non-profit organization was created to promote art education and appreciation in the city. The festival provides members of the community to showcase their talents while supporting public art projects and art education for Hermosa Beach residents and schools.
Creative Economy
While public art is often viewed as primarily serving
aesthetic and beautification purposes, it can also
support economic vitality and help to provide a
diverse workforce. In Hermosa Beach, the artistic
community is deeply rooted in beach and surf
culture, with many of the most prominent surfboard
shapers of the last fifty years - including the likes
of Hap Jacobs, Greg Noll, Bing Copland, Dewey
Weber, Wayne Miyata, Donald Takayama and Phil
Becker - setting up shop along Cypress Avenue.
Artists, like many business sectors, need space to
create their art and venues or opportunities to sell
their work and can benefit from proximity to one
another. To encourage increased artistic activity
and support economic development objectives,
Hermosa Beach can ensure the space needed to
support this industry is provided in an accessible
and affordable manner that allows higher levels
of collaboration among artists - all essential
ingredients to flourishing creative communities.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 819
58 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Land Use + Community Character Strategy
The following narrative describes the intended land use and community character of Hermosa Beach. There are four primary characteristics – referred to as the 4 D’s - that influence the form and function of the built environment – the destinations or uses, density/intensity of each use, the diversity of uses within a given area, and the design of the buildings and streets.
Destinations or uses
define the types of uses that are
encouraged, discouraged, or prohibited
on a piece of land. Destinations are split
into residential, commercial, creative, and
institutional uses. The land use designations
form all other aspects of the 4D’s.
Density and intensity
are a measure of the amount of land area compared to building area. Density, used for residential property, expresses the amount of land developed per residential dwelling unit. Intensity is used for nonresidential uses, and is expressed as a floor area ratio (FAR) which calculates the amount of usable floor area permitted in a building compared to the area of the lot on which the building stands.
Diversity or mix of uses
articulate whether an area is comprised of a
predominant type of use (i.e. residential) or
whether a wide range of uses are provided
to create a mix of activities. How the
different uses are physically arranged is also
described to highlight complementary uses.
Design of the built environment
addresses the desired form and character of the buildings and streets within a particular area and includes: the scale, massing, building orientation, and interaction of buildings with the public realm (sidewalks, streetscape, and street network).
1 3
2 4
Wide sidewalks and enhanced streetscape along Pier Avenue
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 820
PLAN HERMOSA | 59
The types of destinations or uses and density/
intensity are articulated through the land use designations assigned to each parcel. Land use designations are policy statements providing direction to each individual property owner regarding what uses and densities/intensities are allowed.
The diversity of uses and the design characteristics of buildings and streets are defined within each character area. Character areas define the set of guidelines or parameters the City will use to ensure redevelopment or new projects are compatible with its surroundings.
Together, the land use designations and character areas are foundational components to this Plan, with the goals and policies found throughout other elements organized to achieve the intended land use and character strategy.
Land Use Designations
Land use designations indicate the
intended use of each parcel of land
in the city. They are developed to provide both
a vision of the organization of uses in the city
and a flexible structure to allow for changes in
economic conditions and community visions. The
overall distribution of land uses throughout the city
is identified in Figure 2.3, with each designation
defined and described in further detail in Table 2.1.
There are four categories of land use designations
that can be found in Hermosa Beach: residential,
commercial, creative industrial, and institutional.
Residential
Residential designations range in scale and density
throughout the city to define and create a variety of residential neighborhoods. Allowable densities range from a low of two units per acre, up to a maximum of 33 units per acre, with density ranges spread across low, medium, and high density designations.
Commercial
Commercial designations provide for a wide
variety of retail, restaurant, office, and other
uses that provide goods or services. Commercial
designations are organized based on the scale
and type of goods or services provided. The most
localized designations are intended to serve a
neighborhood and residents within the immediate
vicinity, while other commercial designations are
intended to serve the entire community or the
region.
Creative
Creative land use designations are intended
to provide space for production, design, and
manufacturing uses that support the local
employment base and produce goods and
services that enhance the brand of Hermosa
Beach as a creative and innovative community.
Uses that are considered light industrial are to be
designed and sited in a manner that ensures their
compatibility with surrounding uses.
Institutional
Institutional uses offer a range of public and community-oriented uses such as schools, parks, community facilities, administrative offices or buildings, and space for essential services and utility needs. Institutional uses also vary in scale from parkettes at a few thousand square feet to the beach, which includes approximately 63 acres of land area.
Zoning Districts
Zoning districts are an implementation mechanism of the land use designations, and provide greater details regarding: specific allowances and prohibitions of uses, dimensional requirements such as building setbacks, parking standards, and building heights. Land use designations and zoning districts must be compatible, but need not be exactly the same. Zoning districts must be within the range of the allowed intensity and
uses found in this Plan.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 821
60 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Figure 2.3 Land Use Designations Map
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 822
PLAN HERMOSA | 61
Table 2.1 Land Use Designations
Designation Definition Density/Intensity
Low Density Single-family residential (attached or detached)2.0 - 13.0 DU/AC
Medium Density Single-family residential and small-scale multi-family residential (duplex, triplex, condominium)13.1 - 25.0 DU/AC
High Density Medium (8-20 unit buildings) and large-scale (20+
unit buildings) multi-family residential 25.1 - 33.0 DU/AC
Mobile Home Mobile home parks, where lots are owned, rented or leased to accommodate mobile homes for human habitation
2.0 - 13.0 DU/AC
Neighborhood Convenience stores, markets, eateries, laundromats,
or similar uses to primarily serve local walk-in traffic 0.5 - 1.0 FAR
Community Locally-oriented uses including retail stores, restaurants, professional and medical offices, and personal services 0.5 - 1.25 FAR
Recreational Coastal related uses such as beach/bike rentals,
restaurants, snack shops, lodging accommodations, entertainment space and similar uses
1.0 - 1.75 FAR
Gateway Lower floor community or regionally-oriented
commercial uses with upper floor high-visitor
office uses or hotel uses
1.0 - 2.0 FAR
Service Home improvement stores, furniture stores, auto dealerships, and light automotive service stations 0.25 - 0.5 FAR
Light Industrial Production uses for light manufacturing, creative art,
or design services with
professional office as an allowed accessory use
0.25 - 1.0 FAR
Public Facility Civic-related offices, community centers, operational facilities and educational/institutional
facilities
0.10 - 1.0 FAR
Open Space Passive and active park, recreational, open space
uses and educational/institutional facilities 0.0 - 0.5 FAR
Beach Coastal-related recreational activities and essential public facilities (lifeguard tower/restrooms)0.0 - 0.05 FAR
Density:
Density is often the primary determinant in the
physical layout and appearance of residential
development in relationship to the land. It will
influence the housing type and perhaps the
style. Densities are calculated in dwelling units
per acre (du/ac), and can range from 2 du/ac
for a larger lot to 33 du/ac for an urban dwelling.
Intensity:
Intensity for nonresidential properties is expressed
in terms of the floor area ratio (FAR). The FAR
expresses the relationship between the amount
of usable floor area permitted in a building and
the area of the lot on which the building stands.
It is obtained by dividing the gross floor area of a
building by the total area of the lot and is often
represented as a decimal number.
OS
NC
HD
MD
LD
SC
B
PF
CC
RC
GC
CI
MH
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 823
62 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Land Use Descriptions
This section describes the purpose of each land use
and articulates the uses and range of development
intensity allowed in each designation.
Low Density Residential (LDR)
Purpose
This designation provides for the retention, maintenance, and investment in single-family residential neighborhoods and protects residential uses from potential nuisances of nonresidential uses. This low density designation is intended to provide the lowest levels of density, offer a high quality environment for family life, and ensure the preservation of residential property values.
Appropriate Land Uses
Single-family dwellings, either attached or detached, are the primary use in the low density residential designation. These uses can include home occupations, churches, schools, day cares, parks, public facilities, and other uses that are determined to be compatible and oriented towards serving the needs of low density neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Density Range
2.0 - 13 dwelling units per acre
Medium Density Residential (MDR)
Purpose
The purpose of this designation is to provide for the enhancement and reinvestment in mixed scale residential neighborhoods in Hermosa Beach. This medium density residential designation permits property owners to construct two residential units on a single lot. It is located throughout the city to provide a transition between higher density residential or commercial uses and single-family neighborhoods.
Appropriate Land Uses
Small-scale residential uses, including single-family, duplex, condominiums, and townhouses in a two unit per lot format, are the predominant use in this designation. Education, cultural, and public assembly uses which are determined to be compatible with and oriented towards serving the needs of the neighborhood may also be allowed.
Density Range
13.1 - 25 dwelling units per acre
Residential Uses
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 824
PLAN HERMOSA | 63
Commercial UsesHigh Density Residential (HDR)
Purpose
The high density residential designation provides a range of residential housing types to serve the varying living accommodation needs or desires of the community. The intent of this designation is to preserve and contribute to the inventory of diverse housing types available to residents and offer alternatives to single-family residential development. The designation allows for a variety of high density building types and development patterns.
Appropriate Land Uses
This designation provides a range of residential
building formats including condominiums,
townhouses, duplex/triplex, and apartment
buildings. Single-family residential is discouraged
in this designation. If lot size permits, special care
living facilities and multi-family housing provided
in larger building styles with on-site parking and
amenities is allowed.
Density Range
25.1 – 33.0 dwelling units per acre
Mobile Home (MH)
Purpose
The Mobile Home designation is intended to retain land area for the sole use of mobile homes and recreational vehicles without threat of other residential and commercial encroachment. The designation specifically applies to the Marine Land Mobile Home Park to retain mobile homes as an affordable housing option.
Appropriate Land Uses
Mobile home parks, where lots are owned, rented
or leased to accommodate mobile homes for
human habitation. Manufactured homes without
permanent foundation and recreational vehicles
intended as a transitional housing option are
allowed in this designation.
Density Range
2.0 - 13 dwelling units per acre
Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
Purpose
This designation creates neighborhood activity
centers that are easily accessible from many
directions, typically along main thoroughfares, and
primarily serve residents within a half-mile radius so
they may walk, bike, or make a short trip by car.
Neighborhood commercial uses located in close
proximity to the beach also serve as a location for
beachgoers to purchase food, rent equipment,
and enhance their beach experience.
Appropriate Land Uses
The neighborhood commercial designation provides nearby residents with convenient access to daily shopping or personal service needs. Convenience stores, eateries, laundromats, and similar uses intended to serve local walk-in traffic and nearby residents are the primary uses allowed. Neighborhood commercial designations located within the Coastal Zone may also be used to provide coastal-dependent uses such as beach equipment rentals.
Intensity Range
0.5 – 1.0 Floor Area Ratio
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 825
64 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Community Commercial (CC)
Purpose
This designation provides opportunities and locations for uses designed to serve the shopping, dining, and employment desires of the entire community. The Community Commercial designation is a major generator of local economic activity with a mix of locally-owned businesses and regional or national retailers present within this designation. This designation is found in many centralized locations throughout the community primarily along the city’s major corridors and in Downtown. Community Commercial land uses primarily serve the local market, though they may also serve the needs of visitors and residents of nearby jurisdictions.
Appropriate Land Uses
This designation provides space for locally oriented commercial uses including retail stores, restaurants, professional and medical offices, and personal services. Uses on the ground floor are reserved for retail, restaurant, and other sales-tax revenue generating uses, while offices and personal service uses are encouraged on upper floors. Residential uses are not allowed in this designation as its intent is to promote and protect retail, office, and service uses that diversify the City’s tax base.
Intensity Range
0.5 – 1.25 Floor Area Ratio
Recreational Commercial (RC)
Purpose
As a premiere southern California coastal destination, Hermosa Beach has the luxury of offering a wide variety of recreational and coastal-related services to serve both visitors and residents. The Recreational Commercial designation is the primary cultural and entertainment center for the community with events, activities, and social gatherings often occurring here. Adjacency to the beach gives this designation the unique opportunity to provide a shopping and dining experience that attracts residents and visitors alike, capturing a large portion of the City’s economic activity generated by visitors.
Appropriate Land Uses
Coastal-related uses and visitor accommodations are the primary uses allowed within the Recreational Commercial designation. Restaurants, snack shops, entertainment, lodging, retail, beach rentals and other similar uses are prioritized within this designation and allowed on ground or upper floors. Office and personal service uses are allowed within this designation, provided they are located on upper floors.
Intensity Range
1.0 – 1.75 Floor Area Ratio
Gateway Commercial (GC)
Purpose
The Gateway Commercial designation is located
at key entryways and intersections to Hermosa
Beach to offer a greater variety of employment,
retail, and economic activity to the community.
The Gateway Commercial designation also plays
a role in providing services and amenities to
visitors and the region by encouraging hotels and
larger employment centers to be located in this
area. With the Gateway Commercial designation
appropriately applied to larger sites, they are
intended to provide both commercial services as
well as facilities that benefit the local community.
Appropriate Land Uses
In the Gateway Commercial designation, the ground floor should include community or regionally-oriented retail uses with upper floor high visitor office uses. Professional and medical offices and hotels providing lower cost visitor accommodations are also allowed in this designation. Public assembly, recreational, and other community facilities which are determined to be compatible with and oriented towards enhancing the gateway commercial district may also be allowed. Parking facilities will serve on-site uses and are encouraged to explore shared parking agreements with nearby commercial uses to encourage a ‘park once’ strategy.
Intensity Range
1.0 – 2.0 Floor Area Ratio
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 826
PLAN HERMOSA | 65
Service Commercial (SC)
Purpose
The Service Commercial designation is intended to provide adequate space specifically for specialty goods and services that serve residents and the region. These businesses often require indoor or outdoor warehousing or storage space to display or sell their inventory, and caution is taken to ensure they are located in a manner that minimizes their impact on nearby residential, retail, or office uses. Service Commercial uses often attract customers for a specific item or service, compared to a traditional retail district where customers may visit many businesses within a single trip.
Appropriate Land Uses
The Service Commercial designation is reserved for the provision of specialty goods and services, primarily related to home and automotive needs. Home improvement stores, furniture stores, auto dealerships, and light automotive service stations are the prioritized use with this designation. Retail trade and warehousing facilities are allowed as an accessory use to the primary use.
Intensity Range
0.25 – 0.50 Floor Area Ratio
Creative Light Industrial (CI)
Purpose
The creative light industrial designation is intended to create a suitable environment for small businesses that rely on manufacturing, warehousing, or production to operate successfully. This designation ensures uses are able to operate in a manner that contributes to local economic activity and diversifies the local employment base while minimizing impacts to adjacent residential uses. The designation fosters new innovations and creative economic activity by providing common gathering areas and meeting spaces to share and exchange ideas.
Appropriate Land Uses
This designation is reserved for the provision of production uses for light manufacturing, creative art, or design services. Flexible use spaces, gymnasiums/fitness centers, co-working offices, and creative or “maker” industry incubator spaces are also permitted. Professional office or specialty retail are allowed only as an accessory use to the primary production uses. Residential uses are not allowed in this designation as its intent is to promote and protect industry and production uses that diversify the City’s tax base.
Intensity Range
0.5 – 1.0 Floor Area Ratio
Creative Uses
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 827
66 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Public Facilities (PF)
Purpose
The Public Facilities designation is intended to
assure the City and other institutional organizations
have adequate space to carry out the duties
and responsibilities of the organization. The Public
Facilities designation applies to both public and
quasi-public uses and may include physical
facilities or infrastructure related equipment or
structures needed to provide services.
Appropriate Land Uses
Civic-related administrative offices, community space, operational yards, and educational or institutional facilities are the primary uses allowed in this designation. Public utility structures or corridors, plazas, and historic landmarks or monuments are also allowed within this designation. Wireless telecommunications facilities may be allowed in this designation when co-located with public buildings and determined to be compatible with and avoid nuisances to surrounding uses.
Intensity Range
0.1 – 1.0 Floor Area Ratio
Open Space (OS)
Purpose
The Open Space designation is intended to
prohibit intensive urban development to those
open space areas of the city which are necessary
to assure permanent open space in and for public
parks and recreation areas; and where urban
development would be put at risk from natural
hazards. This designation provides for public and
community-serving facilities ranging in scale from a
few thousand square feet to several acres of land.
Appropriate Land Uses
Public parks in any size or format are the primary
use in this designation. Trails, community gardens,
and other similar uses that provide open space
resources to surrounding neighborhoods and the
region are permitted. Educational buildings and
associated facilities to facilitate student learning
and activities are allowed in this designation.
Recreation facilities with an emphasis on outdoor
use are also allowed.
Intensity Range
0.0 – 0.5 Floor Area Ratio
City Beach (B)
Purpose
The beach offers exceptional natural beauty,
provides for unique recreational activities, offers
panoramic views, and is accessible to everyone.
These elements combine to create an unrivaled
natural asset that is cherished by the community
and essential to the local beach culture. This
designation is created to protect the recreational,
aesthetic, and natural values of the beach. This
designation is intended to prohibit any permanent
buildings or structures beyond those for lifeguard
and infrastructure, and minimize the amount of
space used by temporary structures or equipment.
Appropriate Land Uses
This designation provides for coastal activities and
events along the sandy shoreline. The provision
of permanent or temporary structures, including
the pier, is allowed on the beach only as they are
essential to the safe operation and enjoyment
of the beach. Infrastructure or amenities such as
restrooms, playgrounds, stormwater drainages
are allowed provided they do not create visual
obstructions or impede recreational activities.
Intensity Range
0.0 – 0.05 Floor Area Ratio
Institutional Uses
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 828
PLAN HERMOSA | 67
Character Areas
While Hermosa Beach largely identifies as a close-
knit and unified community, the unique and eclectic character of Hermosa Beach is a direct result of the distinct collection of neighborhoods and commercial areas that make up the fabric of the community. To ensure this unique character is protected for future generations, it is important to define and describe the unique characteristics of each area and establish goals and policies to maintain, enhance, and transform each area.
A community’s character can be defined by the distinctive or unique physical features, or attributes (i.e. hilly, small buildings, wide sidewalks) as well as the social characteristics that are influenced by physical characteristics (i.e. pedestrian-oriented, kid-friendly, safe and comfortable).
Since the character defining features of Hermosa Beach vary by area, this section organizes the community by neighborhood, district, or corridor (see Figure 2.4). The discussion associated with each character area is intended to describe the future vision and articulate the proposed distribution of uses and design for the built environment.
When developing new programs or submitting applications for development this section should be referenced to ensure projects are consistent and compatible with the character of the area.
Neighborhoods
The residential structure of Hermosa Beach is made
up of individual neighborhoods whose boundaries
are generally defined by their development
pattern. Some neighborhoods, like the North
End, developed as distinct communities, while
others, like the Valley neighborhood, developed
incrementally over time.
Each neighborhood offers a different mix of
housing types, with some neighborhoods providing
exclusively single-family residential uses, and others
providing a variety of housing types, often with
single- and multi-family buildings coexisting on
the same block. Many neighborhoods also offer
commercial uses to serve the neighborhood needs.
There are a multitude of neighborhoods present in
Hermosa Beach including the North End, Hermosa
View, the Walk Streets, Sand Section, Valley,
Herondo, Greenbelt, Hermosa Hills, and Eastside.
Districts
There are a number of activity centers with
clusters of similar activities or uses – located in
close proximity to one another found in Hermosa
Beach. Some districts provide a single type of use,
while others require a diverse mix of uses to be
economically successful. These districts function
as destinations or focal points in the city, and are
important places to encourage pedestrian activity
and cluster particular land uses.
The three districts in Hermosa Beach include the
Civic Center, Downtown, and the Cypress area.
Corridors
Arterial roads and other high activity areas laid out in a linear format are another area in which commercial activity occurs. While occurring over a large length of space, many corridors include a series of nodes with activities to avoid a commercial strip pattern of development.
The two key commercial corridors in Hermosa Beach are the Aviation Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway corridors.
How does this relate to Zoning?
The Zoning Code will incorporate the specific
development standards and uses allowed
within each zoning district by combining
guidance from the following components of
the General Plan:
Land Use Designation
The particular land use designation on a
parcel identifies the allowable uses and the
appropriate range of density or intensity of
development allowed.
Character Area
The character area will provide guidance on how buildings should be oriented and interact with the public realm or streetscape to encourage a cohesive and coordinated urban realm for each area.
Goals and Policies
The goals and policies should be consulted for further guidance on how to integrate new projects into the existing urban fabric.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 829
68 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Figure 2.4 Hermosa Beach Neighborhoods, Corridors, and Districts Map
* Open Space is located throughout select neighborhoods, corridors, and districts.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 830
PLAN HERMOSA | 69
North End Neighborhood
The North End will be retained as a well-defined neighborhood with a range of low- and medium- density residential development with centralized neighborhood commercial goods and services.
Future Vision
The intent is to preserve building form and scale and maintain neighborhood connectivity and access to nearby commercial services. Buildings should orient toward the walk streets to create a similar-scale and orientation of buildings for compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. The street frontages from driveways and curb cuts should be preserved to maintain the walkable qualities offered by the compact grid network of this neighborhood.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
This neighborhood will be comprised of a combination of single-family and multi-family dwellings, with neighborhood commercial uses nearby.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Single-family residences, duplexes, and townhouses are the preferred residential types.
• Buildings should have a primary entrance onto the numbered streets, and are encouraged to have a secondary entrance on perpendicular streets.
• Front and side setbacks may be fairly narrow, with many building frontages within 10 feet of the sidewalk.
• Front porches, stoops, balconies, and terraces provide a sense of “outdoor public living”.
• Public views toward the beach are treasured.
Public Realm Design
• Residential parking is mostly accessed off alleys, which
supports frontages that are pedestrian-oriented and active.
• It is acceptable for residences to “turn their backs” toward
Valley Drive, installing fences or shrubbery as needed.
• Sidewalks are provided on all collector streets, and where
right-of-way width allows, sidewalks are separated from the
street by parkways and planting strips.
Walkstreets are a unique feature on portions of 30th and 31st Streets.
To achieve the intent,
buildings should preserve form and scale and maintain neighborhood
connectivity and access
to nearby commercial
services.
OS NCHDMDLD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 831
70 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
This neighborhood is perched high upon a hill, with a dramatic rise in slope moving north from Gould Avenue, creating a separate, distinct single-family residential enclave.
Future Vision
The intent is to preserve building form, orientation or scale,
and retain the unique streetscape with wide parkways and uninterrupted sidewalks. The low density residential development pattern of this neighborhood should be maintained through the retention of larger lot sizes, building orientation toward the street, and wider setbacks that provide room for parkways and sidewalks.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
This neighborhood is exclusively residential with a predominance of
single-family homes, and a few properties with two units per lot.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Within the northern area buildings should be mostly long and narrow, responding to the parcel configuration.
• Single-family residences, duplexes, and townhouses are the preferred residential types.
• Residences should address the street with their primary façade, with minimal front setbacks, and typically do not exceed two stories.
• The hilly residential neighborhood with larger parcels provide a variety of architectural styles and building types.
• Houses on lots greater than 5,000 square feet may be allowed to have setbacks at considerable distance from the street in a more typical “suburban” pattern.
Public Realm Design
• Most homes along Longfellow Avenue are served by alleyways at the back of the property, providing garage access and leaving sidewalks along Longfellow Avenue uninterrupted by driveway aprons and curb cuts.
• Local streets at the south end of this neighborhood terminate at a cul-de-sac or dead end.
• Longfellow Avenue has a unique streetscape quality within this neighborhood, with wider well-kept planter strips and tall palm trees.
To achieve the intent,
buildings should preserve form, orientation or
scale and retain the
unique streetscape with
wide parkways and
uninterrupted sidewalks.
Wide planter strips separate the sidewalk and street.
Hermosa View Neighborhood
MDLD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 832
PLAN HERMOSA | 71
Walk Street Neighborhood
The Walk Street neighborhood currently provides a range of beach side residential development and neighborhood commercial services within a linear street network. The walk streets that provide beach access from Hermosa Avenue out to The Strand are a feature unique to this beach front residential area.
Future Vision
The intent is to maintain the high quality pedestrian connections through the walk streets and retain the form, scale, and orientation of buildings in this area by designing buildings that take advantage of the opportunities for outdoor living.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The walk street neighborhood will offer a range of low, medium, and high density residential uses as well as small pockets of neighborhood-scale commercial services around 1st Street, 4th Street, and 22nd Street.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• This beach front area provides a variety of building formats and architectural styles.
• Properties with frontage along The Strand are afforded sweeping ocean views, generally orienting buildings and organizing living spaces to take advantage of those views.
• Most parcels have access on both a walk street and an alleyway. Buildings are designed with porches, patios, or decks oriented toward walk streets or The Strand and parking is provided in tuck-under garages through alleyways.
Public Realm Design
• Walk streets provide the community with safe and easy
pedestrian access to The Strand and the beach.
• Hermosa Avenue provides a continuous vehicle route, running
the length of the city, while The Strand, and sidewalks along
Hermosa Avenue provide similar levels of uninterrupted paths
to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized travel.
• Right-of-way easements along walk streets and requirements
to keep walls and fences low serve a dual purpose of
protecting views and providing outdoor patio or porch space.
To achieve the intent, the
City should maintain the high quality pedestrian
connections through the
walk streets and retain the
form, scale, and orientation
of buildings in this area.
Walk streets provide safe and easy pedestrian access to the beach.
OSNCHDMDLD B
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 833
72 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Today, the Sand Section neighborhood accommodates a range of residential development types, with neighborhood commercial services. The abundance of small, pedestrian-friendly blocks give this area its charm and intimate sense of community.
Future Vision
The intent is to enhance multi-modal connectivity and access
while preserving the building form, scale, and orientation in this neighborhood. Through new multi-modal connections, convenient access to community parks and the Greenbelt is provided and helps to maintain the compact urban format and highly connected street network of this neighborhood.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
It is appropriate to have small-scale apartments adjacent to
single-family homes in this area – an integrated mixture of housing
types is what defines the identity of the Sand Section.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Flat, box-like front façades are discouraged in favor of greater articulation.
• Garages and parking are typically accessed through alleyways or driveways that extend behind buildings.
• This area includes prevailing setback requirements for front, side, and rear setbacks that vary from block to block, but provide consistency within each block.
Public Realm Design
• Monterey Boulevard is a multi-modal street that permits neighborhood residents to move through the area easily on any means of transportation they choose.
• Sidewalks are provided on all collector streets and are wider along main thoroughfares such as Hermosa Avenue.
• The rear-accessed parking minimizes curb cuts on the street, helping to maintain the public parking supply, as well as the integrity of the sidewalks and the pedestrian environment.
• Bicycle boulevards are abundant in this neighborhood, providing convenient east-west access to the beach, with safe and controlled crossing at intersections along Hermosa Avenue.
To achieve the intent, the
City should enhance multi-
modal connectivity and
access while preserving
the building form, scale,
and orientation in this
neighborhood.
Mixture of housing types with unique charm.
Sand Section Neighborhood
OSPFNCHDMDLD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 834
PLAN HERMOSA | 73
Valley Neighborhood
The Valley Neighborhood includes low density, single-family homes between key community facilities. The average density for this area is roughly 10 dwelling units per acre, with parcel sizes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. The Valley Greenbelt runs the length of this area and Valley School and Valley Park are beneficial amenities to residents in this neighborhood.
Future Vision
The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares that
enhance connectivity and access while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area. Buildings should retain larger setbacks and lower scale and massing, and new sidewalks should be added to contribute to a complete pedestrian network.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The Valley area is almost exclusively one to two-story single-family homes, with multi-family condo developments next to Valley Park.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Ranch style houses and other similar lower-profile architectural styles are common in this area due to larger lot sizes and the flat topography.
• Due to larger parcel size, fences and/or landscaping in front of residences are prevalent throughout and front setbacks are larger than most other areas of the city.
• Garages that are visible from the street should not dominate front facades, and any new construction or renovation should strive to minimize their prominence.
Public Realm Design
• While many streets in this neighborhood have historically had
intermittent sidewalks or no sidewalks at all, sidewalks should
be added over time in key locations to facilitate greater
pedestrian safety and connections.
• Access to the Valley Greenbelt and safety for children
walking or biking to school from this neighborhood should be
enhanced through pedestrian crossing improvements.
• Greater east-west connections for bicyclists and pedestrians
are provided with multiple high priority walking and biking
streets needed to connect this neighborhood with other areas.
• Traffic calming and safety techniques are employed to
minimize nuisances from higher volume traffic thoroughfares.
To achieve the intent, the
City should improve key
pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance connectivity and
access while preserving the
single-family development
pattern of this area.
Traditional ranch style architecture appear in this neighborhood.
OSLDPF
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 835
74 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The Herondo Neighborhood currently accommodates the city’s higher density and larger format residential development. Multiple connections to nearby neighborhoods, community parks, and the Greenbelt are provided throughout Herondo Neighborhood.
Future Vision
The intent is to preserve the scale and building form of this
neighborhood and maintain connections and access to nearby amenities. To ensure a diverse range of housing formats and building types, this area will be protected for larger format apartment complexes and townhouses. Permeability through the large apartment blocks should continue to be improved, allowing residents to walk to the Greenbelt and the beach.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
This area will retain higher density residential development
patterns. Along Monterey Boulevard, multi-family housing coexists
with townhouses and duplexes.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Condominium and apartment building styles are common in
this area, with larger building types than most neighborhoods.
• Most buildings are three stories tall, and are oriented towards
the street, with primary entrances to apartments connected directly to the sidewalk.
• Parking access is provided internal to blocks, along alleys or
underground in order to reduce curb cuts and disruptions to the pedestrian realm.
Public Realm Design
• Block sizes are larger than elsewhere in the city. Front setbacks are moderate, allowing space for well maintained public frontages with ample lawns and landscaping.
• Low fences should be permitted, but walling off apartments or condominium complexes from the street is discouraged. Second Avenue and Herondo Street provide the quickest access to Pacific Coast Highway and other surroundings areas for all transportation modes.
• The facilities and field at South Park are a source of recreation and leisure for residents, and many building complexes provide additional recreational amenities and open space on-site to serve residents of each complex.
To achieve the intent, the
City should preserve the
scale and building form
of this neighborhood and maintain connections and
access to nearby amenities.
Multi-family housing with ample lawn space.
Herondo Neighborhood
OSHDMD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 836
PLAN HERMOSA | 75
Greenbelt Neighborhood
The Greenbelt Neighborhood offers a range of small scale residential development types and provides nearby access to commercial services along PCH. Single-family homes and duplexes currently coexist side by side.
Future Vision
The intent is to maintain the building scale and form of this neighborhood, while enhancing access to local neighborhood serving commercial uses. Neighborhood commercial uses and amenities should be added to serve the needs of nearby residents.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The Greenbelt residential neighborhood includes low- and medium-density residential uses located between the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt towards Pacific Coast Highway.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Most lots in this neighborhood range from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet.
• Setbacks are generally smaller in this area than the predominantly single-family neighborhoods.
• Designing two to four unit complexes to resemble single-family homes with articulation and separate entrances is desirable.
• This area is similar to the Sand Section in that it contains a diversity of residential typologies on small, regularly shaped parcels. The difference is the absence of alleys, which leads to a greater need for garages to be located on front facades.
Public Realm Design
• There should be successful transitions between residential uses
and adjacent retail/service uses on Pacific Coast Highway.
• Greater east-west connections for bicyclists and pedestrians
should be provided with high priority walking and biking streets
needed to connect this neighborhood with other areas.
• The design and orientation of buildings in this neighborhood
vary due to the sloped nature of the lots.
To achieve the intent, the
City should maintain the
building scale and form of
this neighborhood, while enhancing access to local
neighborhood serving
commercial uses.
Multi-unit residential building with separate patios and entrances.
OSNCMDLD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 837
76 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The Hermosa Hills area transitions from high- and medium- density uses adjacent to PCH and lower density single-family uses closer to Prospect Avenue. House forms are generally small in this area, with small to moderate front and side setbacks, and many streets are closed to through traffic next to PCH.
Future Vision
The intent is to improve key pedestrian thoroughfares to
enhance connectivity and access while preserving the single-family development pattern of this area. Many streets in this neighborhood should be enhanced with new sidewalks to create a complete pedestrian network.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
Though most buildings are predominantly one or two-story single-
family structures, duplexes and a few mid-size apartment buildings
back onto commercial properties along Pacific Coast Highway.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Garages, while visible from the street, should not dominate front facades, and any new construction or renovation should strive to minimize their prominence.
• There are successful transitions between residential uses and adjacent retail/service uses on Pacific Coast Highway with several of the larger, deep lots located closest to PCH.
Public Realm Design
• Prospect Avenue is the primary arterial street connecting this neighborhood to the rest of the city. Prospect Avenue is also a major pedestrian passage, with a wide planting strip to buffer pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
• The hillside area covers the residential portions of Hermosa Beach east of Pacific Coast Highway to the city boundary. Most streets in this area have a gentle upslope, encouraging homes to organize living space to include ocean views out over their neighbors.
• Greater east-west connections for bicyclists and pedestrians are provided with multiple high priority walking and biking streets needed to connect this neighborhood with other areas.
The intent is to improve key
pedestrian thoroughfares to enhance connectivity and
access while preserving the
single-family development
pattern of this area.
Landscaping and medians provide shade to pedestrians.
Hermosa Hills Neighborhood
OSHDMDLD
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 838
PLAN HERMOSA | 77
Eastside Neighborhood
The Eastside Neighborhood accommodates single-family residential development types and includes Hermosa View school and multiple neighborhood parks. In terms of street activity levels, this neighborhood is one of the quietest areas of the community.
Future Vision
The intent is to preserve building form, orientation and scale, and retain the quiet nature and unique streetscape of this area. Many streets in this neighborhood should be enhanced with new sidewalks to create a complete pedestrian network.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
This neighborhood is one of the city’s few areas that is almost exclusively comprised of single-family housing units. Parkettes and public facilities such as Hermosa View School and the original Prospect Avenue School Building are found in this neighborhood.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• House forms are generally small in this area, with small to moderate front and side setbacks.
• Garages, while visible from the street, should not dominate front facades, and any new construction or renovation should strive to minimize their prominence.
• Buildings are predominantly one or two story single-family structures, with a few condominium developments along Prospect Ave.
Public Realm Design
• Prospect Avenue is the primary arterial street connecting this
neighborhood to the rest of the city. Prospect Avenue is also a
major pedestrian passage, with a wide planting strip to buffer
pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
• Many of the local streets have vehicle barriers along Harper
Avenue, discouraging cut-through traffic, but allowing for
excellent pedestrian connectivity.
• Most properties in this area have a gentle downslope, allowing
for many homes to have views of the Pacific Ocean or Los
Angeles Basin.
To achieve the intent,
buildings should preserve
form, orientation and scale
and retain the quiet nature
and unique streetscape of
this area.
Front yard with parking adjacent to the building.
OSMDLDPF
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 839
78 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The Downtown District is a primary social and commercial activity center in Hermosa Beach, serving as a centralized location for social gatherings and the recreational activities of residents and visitors. Pier Plaza serves as a popular venue for outdoor events and dining, connecting Downtown to the beach, pier, and The Strand. The “pedestrian scramble” at the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and Pier Avenue is a unique pedestrian amenity that reinforces the pedestrian-oriented nature of Downtown.
Future Vision
The intent is to enhance the building form and orientation, and
maintain the pedestrian realm along Pier Ave while transforming
the realm on Hermosa Avenue. The Downtown District will
continue to offer an array of uses for residents and visitors, and
any new buildings should pay close attention to and contribute
to the high quality pedestrian environment provided throughout
Downtown.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The types of uses provide services and activities associated with
the local beach culture to residents as well as visitors to the city.
The mix of community and recreational uses serve a functional
role in meeting the daily needs and activities of residents and
visitors, and accommodate coastal-related recreation and
commercial uses which serve the year-round needs of residents
and visitors and are attractive and compatible with adjacent
residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• First floor street front businesses should include retail,
restaurants, and other sales tax-generating commercial uses
to promote lively pedestrian activity on Downtown streets.
• Development along Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue
should conform to recommendations of the Downtown
Revitaliation Strategy to realize a town-scale Main Street
environment that supports pedestrian activity and local
serving commerce.
• Many of the unique buildings, streetscape features, and
public spaces are iconic or historic in nature, and new
buildings should be carefully integrated to retain the town’s
eclectic charm.
To achieve the intent,
buildings should enhance form and orientation and maintain the pedestrian
realm along Pier Ave while transforming the realm on
Hermosa Ave.
Small plazas and parklets adjacent to street.
Downtown District
OS BPFCCRCMH
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 840
PLAN HERMOSA | 79
• Buildings should be two to three stories in height, cover most or all of the parcel, and may abut neighboring structures.
• Enhance the area’s role as a visitor destination by facilitating the development of boutique hotels that provide specific benefits to the community.
• Public and semi-public spaces should maximize views of the coastline and ocean.
Public Realm Design
The pedestrian orientation of Downtown streetscapes should be
improved through provision of:
• Special paving or signage at the Pier Ave/Hermosa Avenue
intersection.
• Additional palm trees on Hermosa Avenue to emphasize its
importance and enhance the character of its streetscape.
• Café and recessed outdoor seating opportunities.
• Arts and cultural activities focused in and around the
Downtown.
• Café/seating spaces, plazas, parklettes, and other landscaping
features are woven into the design of streets and buildings.
• Once Downtown, walking and bicycling are the primary
means for traveling around Downtown while vehicles are
accommodated through consolidated parking lots and
metered street parking.
• Traffic speeds along Hermosa Avenue should be managed
through traffic calming, signalization, and streetscape
enhancements.
Downtown Parking Design
• A park-once district that allows centralized, shared parking facilities providing pedestrian connections at multiple destinations should be provided in Downtown.
• Parking should be provided off-site through public or private shared parking facilities, with any on-site parking situated to the rear of the buildings and/or hidden and screened.
• Real-time parking supply signage should be added to major City lots/structures to improve circulation and access to the beach and The Strand.
Restaurants and shops open onto activity on Pier Plaza
Downtown has high levels of pedestrian activity.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 841
80 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Civic Center District
At the physical center of town, the Civic Center area is the civic hub of services and activities for the community. The Civic Center provides efficient and accessible services to the community, but is in need of modernization, repairs, and additional space.
Future Vision
The intent is to transform the building orientation and design in the Civic Center, while enhancing the streetscape and circulation of all modes and users. The Civic Center facilities will be modernized to accommodate the range of functions and services provided by the City, and will be expanded to provide consolidated parking facilities in well designed or underground parking structures to serve commercial uses both along Pacific Coast Highway and Downtown. Streetscape enhancements will provide an important connection between the main thoroughfares of Pacific Coast Highway, Downtown, and the residential neighborhoods.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The Civic Center area should provide public facilities and open space uses to serve as the City government’s primary facility presence within the community.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• In the Civic Center area, active and well designed ground floors are critical. Ground floors should be mostly transparent and open to the public.
• Community facilities and City Hall should be designed and oriented toward the street with inviting public spaces and clearly marked entryways.
• Design and maintain civic buildings in an architecturally distinguished manner that serves as a source of identity and pride. Architectural styles should be distinct with building entries placed along the front property line, and oriented towards Pier Avenue.
To achieve the intent,
buildings should transform
the orientation and design
in the Civic Center, while enhancing the streetscape
and circulation of all modes
and users.
The Community Center provides creative arts and athletic facilities.
OSPF
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 842
PLAN HERMOSA | 81
• Civic Center area facilities should be designed to accommodate parking demands for the beach, Downtown, and the PCH corridor.
• Although buildings can be accessed from rear or underground parking lots, the public street-facing entrance should be prominent and emphasized with pedestrian-oriented features.
• Community facilities should be designed and promoted for use by public and private organizations supporting tourism, conference, convention, and cultural uses.
Public Realm Design
• Provide easily accessible entryways and direct connections between civic, community, and recreational facilities.
• Streetscape enhancements should be made between Pacific Coast Highway and Valley Drive to provide a greater sense of arrival to Hermosa Beach.
• Circulation of vehicles, pedestrians, and other modes at Pier Avenue and Valley/Ardmore Drive should be greatly enhanced.
• Non-motorized users of Ardmore Drive and Valley Drive should be accommodated to facilitate safe north-south travel.
• Signage and other markers should be provided to assist residents and visitors in navigating to services and between facilities around the Civic Center.
Create a greater sense of arrival at Valley and Pier Avenue.
Public displays of art in the Civic Center help to enliven the area.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 843
82 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The Cypress District currently includes a range of professional design, light manufacturing, and warehousing uses, and is home to many of the locally renowned surfboard shapers. The City operations yard occupies a large portion of this area.
Future Vision
The intent is to transform both the building design and orientation as
well as the public realm and streetscape within the Cypress District. This area is the creative, production and light industrial center of Hermosa Beach where ideas, spaces, and creativity are easily shared. The Cypress District includes a variety of flexible use spaces, co-working offices, and creative or “maker” industries.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The Cypress District is exclusively designated for creative light
industrial uses, with preference toward production uses aligned
with green economy. While the area should allow some retail uses,
the focus is on specialty trade services and must be accessory to
the design or production uses. The Cypress District should support
the development of new uses that will bring a wide range of
high-quality jobs accessible to people with a variety of skill levels,
including research and development and light industrial uses.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• This area should be comprised of industrial buildings or lofts with entries that are visible from the street.
• The development or use of existing buildings to serve as incubators, co-working space, or other creative sharing spaces should be encouraged.
• Greater flexibility in the application of aesthetic standards should be provided to encourage artistic expression and creation of unique public spaces.
• Rooftops should provide green space, renewable energy and decks.
• Adjacent residences should be buffered through the use of landscaping, setbacks, or other techniques from businesses which produce noise, odors, high traffic volumes, light, or glare.
To achieve the intent,
building should transform both the design and
orientation as well as
the public realm and
streetscape within the
Cypress area.
Building with industrial architecture.
Cypress District
CI
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 844
PLAN HERMOSA | 83
Public Realm Design
• Cypress Avenue, with enhanced streetscape design, is an ideal
space for community-oriented art walks or sidewalk sales.
• Common gathering areas and meeting spaces are provided to
facilitate the sharing and exchanging of ideas.
• Unique signage, decals, or artworks should pay homage to the
area’s history as a surfboard manufacturing center.
• Artistic flair is provided through building design, signage, and
murals to enliven the area.
• Cypress Avenue should be used as a space for public
gathering and special events through the redesign of the
narrow right of way as a shared street for all modes of travel
that is comfortably scaled and designed for lower speeds.
• Parking is provided behind or to the side of buildings via
driveways and alleys.
Artistic flair is provided through signage.
Parking along side of buildings.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 845
84 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Aviation Corridor
The Aviation Boulevard Corridor serves as the primary entry point into Hermosa Beach. There are currently a variety of commercial retail, office, and auto-oriented uses along the corridor.
Future Vision
The intent is to transform the building design, form, and orientation while enhancing the streetscape and access for pedestrians and bicycles in this area. The area should be transformed into a walkable, multi-use, active commercial corridor with services and facilities to serve the daily needs of residents east of PCH and provide artistic and cultural services to the entire community. Enhanced streetscapes with parkettes or outdoor space, paired with new commercial uses, should help to activate the street.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
The revitalized area should include key activity nodes, with retail, restaurant, and office uses and iconic architecture to mark the entry into Hermosa Beach. Gateway commercial uses should anchor each end of the corridor, creating multi-use activity centers. The installation or expansion of arts and cultural facilities along this corridor should be encouraged.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• Buildings should be one or two stories tall, with high floor-to-ceiling heights on the ground floor creating appropriately scaled buildings.
• High quality signage/materials and maximum transparency are critical features that should be included to attract shoppers and walkers.
• Redevelopment of larger parcels is designed in a way that orients new buildings around a central plaza or square and provides a mixture of retail and office uses within a single site.
• Most parking should be arranged along the sides or behind buildings, with larger parcels able to provide consolidated parking facilities that can serve uses along the entire corridor.
• With shallow lots, buildings should be placed in close proximity to the street and designed to complement the surrounding residential area.
• Zero lot line front and side setbacks are encouraged to ensure a consistent rhythm of storefronts.
To achieve the intent,
building should transform
building design, form, and
orientation while enhancing
the streetscape and access
for pedestrians and bicycles
in this area.
South Bay Art Studio provides ground floor activities.
OSCCGC
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 846
PLAN HERMOSA | 85
Public Realm Design
• Street parking, wide sidewalks, and street amenities should protect pedestrians from traffic and enliven the outdoor space.
• Enhanced connectivity should be provided through new pedestrian connections to adjacent residential areas.
• Traffic speeds should be moderated to ensure a smoother flow of vehicles along the corridor while enhancing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Redevelopment at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and PCH should respond to its regional significance as a gateway and key activity center.Redevelopment opportunity to enhance gateway.
Wide sidewalks and street level amenities provide visual interest.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 847
86 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
The PCH corridor serves as the primary entry point into Hermosa Beach, as well as a pass-through corridor between Manhattan Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. There should be a variety of commercial retail, office, residential, and auto-oriented uses along the corridor.
Future Vision
The intent is to enhance building design and form, and transform
streetscapes and gateways to serve pedestrians and improve vehicular circulation. The PCH Corridor is a multi-use commercial corridor with key activity nodes and iconic architecture to activate the entryways. The Corridor connects the community
with adjacent neighborhoods and cities. A regular rhythm of storefronts and streetscape enhancements should provide a welcoming atmosphere that is enticing to shoppers and pleasant to walk along. New gateway monuments and signage are added to promote Hermosa Beach’s identity.
Intended Distribution of Land Uses
A mix of office and commercial uses along the corridor should be
organized around key activity nodes, with limited residential uses. Larger scale professional office spaces, hotels and visitor serving uses, and commercial retail space are provided to serve both local residents and the region. Limited medium- and high-density residential uses are also allowed between activity nodes within the PCH Corridor.
Desired Form and Character
Building Design and Orientation
• High-quality signage or materials and maximum transparency of ground floor uses should be provided to attract shoppers and provide visual interest to pedestrians.
• Redevelopment of larger parcels should be designed in a way that orients new buildings around a central plaza or square and provides a mixture of retail and office uses within a single site.
• Parking should be arranged along sides or underneath buildings, with gateway commercial uses providing parking structures.
• The majority of the buildings are placed towards the street, and where possible, adjacent buildings should be introduced to construct a more comfortable pedestrian environment.
• Flexibility in the design of Gateway Commercial designation
To achieve the intent,
the City should enhance building design and form,
and transform streetscapes
and gateways to serve
pedestrians and improve
vehicular circulation.
Building with high quality signage and building materials.
PCH Corridor
OSHDMDSCPFCCGC
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 848
PLAN HERMOSA | 87
should be provided so long as city-wide and project level connectivity standards are met, the uses do not adversely affect adjacent uses and accommodations are made for pedestrians, bicycle and transit users.
• Within Community Commercial designations, zero lot line front and side setbacks should be allowed to ensure a consistent rhythm of storefronts.
• To provide greater integration and connectivity within the Corridor, the consolidation of parcels into larger assemblages should be allowed.
Public Realm Design
• The prominence of entryways to Hermosa Beach should be increased through the provision of artwork, monuments, and signage along PCH.
• Sidewalks are improved to make PCH more welcoming and accessible to pedestrians.
• Innovative traffic calming methods should be employed along the Corridor to improve traffic flow and foster a quieter outdoor environment.
• Traffic speeds are moderated to ensure a smoother flow of vehicles along the corridor while enhancing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• PCH should serve as a regional thoroughfare, but enhanced to better manage congestion and traffic speeds.
Unique uses create activity centers along the corridor.
Wider sidewalks and traffic calming enhancements can increase safety.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 849
88 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goals and Policies
This section contains goals and policies for land use and urban form. Given the importance of this chapter, these goals and policies are organized according to sub-topics that reflect the values and unique characteristics of Hermosa Beach. The subtopics of the goals include urban form and pattern, residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors and districts, urban design and public realm, coastal priority uses, historic resources, and public art and design.
Goal 1. Create a sustainable urban form and land use patterns that support a robust economy and high quality of life for residents.
Providing a balance of housing, employment, retail and services, recreation, culture
and arts, education, and entertainment for the city’s residents and businesses helps to promote sustainability, safety, prosperity, and well-being of the community and improves the quality of life for residents.
Policies
1.1 Diverse and distributed land use pattern. Strive to maintain the fundamental pattern of existing land uses, preserving residential neighborhoods, while providing for enhancement of corridors and districts in order to improve community activity and identity.
1.2 Focused infill potential. Proposals for new development should be directed toward the city’s commercial areas with an emphasis on developing transit-supportive land use mixes.
1.3 Access to daily activities. Strive to create sustainable development patterns such that the majority of residents are within walking distance to a variety of neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants, churches, cafes, dry cleaners, laundromats, farmers markets, banks, personal services, pharmacies and similar uses.
1.4 Diverse commercial areas. Promote the development of diversified and unique commercial districts with locally owned businesses and job- or revenue-generating uses.
1.5 Balance resident and visitor needs. Ensure land uses and businesses provide for the needs of residents as well as visitors.
1.6 Scale and context. Consider the compatibility of new development within its urban context to avoid abrupt changes in scale and massing.
1.7 Compatibility of uses. Ensure the placement of new uses does not create or exacerbate nuisances between different types of land uses.
1.8 Respond to unique characteristics. Enhance the unique character and identity of the city’s neighborhoods, districts and corridors through land use and design decisions. Allow policies and programs to be focused on each unique character area of the city.
1.9 Retain commercial land area. Retain commercial land area. Discourage the conversion of commercial land to residential uses.
1.10 Transition between uses. Encourage new projects in non-residential areas to employ architectural transitions to adjoining residential properties to ensure compatibility of scale and a sense of privacy for existing residences. Such transitions could include setbacks, gradations and transitions in building height and appropriate landscaping.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 850
PLAN HERMOSA | 89
Goal 2. Neighborhoods provide for diverse needs of residents of all ages, socio economic groups and
abilities, and are organized to support healthy and active lifestyles.
While each neighborhood in Hermosa Beach is distinct, they each provide a variety of housing types, densities, designs and mix of uses and services that collectively reflect the small beach town character. The diversity of building types respond to the diversity
of the city’s population and the desire to create interesting and varied neighborhoods.
Policies
2.1 Complete neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are complete and well-structured by
encouraging, where appropriate, the following characteristics:
• Contain a high level of connectivity for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles.
• Have homes with entries and windows facing the street.
• Provide a diversity of architectural styles.
• Have goods and services within a short walking distance.
• Address the needs of multiple ages and physical abilities.
2.2 Variety of types of neighborhoods. Encourage preservation of existing single density
neighborhoods within the city and ensure that neighborhood types are dispersed throughout the
city.
2.3 Balanced neighborhoods. Promote a diverse range of housing unit types and sizes, within the
allowed densities.
2.4 Single density neighborhoods. Preserve and maintain the Hermosa Hills, Eastside, Valley,
North End, and Hermosa View neighborhoods as predominantly single-family residential
neighborhoods.
2.5 Neighborhood preservation. Preserve and enhance the quality of residential neighborhoods
by avoiding or abating the intrusion of disruptive, nonconforming buildings and uses.
2.6 Diversity of building types and styles. Encourage a diversity of building types and styles in
areas designated for multi-family housing ranging from duplex/triplex/fourplex to courtyard
housing to multi-family housing projects.
2.7 Context sensitive design. Wherever feasible, orient residential buildings to address streets,
public spaces or shared private spaces, and consider the physical characteristics of its site,
surrounding land uses, and available public infrastructure.
2.8 Neighborhood transitions. Encourage that new development provide appropriate transitions
in scale, building type and density between different land use designations.
2.9 Neighborhood-serving retail. Support the retention of existing neighborhood-serving retail
and services in key locations throughout the city.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 851
90 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
2.10 Neighborhood center design. Encourage design of new neighborhood centers to be
walkable and pedestrian-friendly with buildings that front internal streets and public sidewalks
and with buildings facing major roadways.
2.11 Senior living facilities. Encourage the development of senior housing in neighborhoods that
are accessible to public transit, commercial services, and health and community facilities.
2.12 Design of single-family homes. Maintain and enhance the character of single-family home
neighborhoods by:
• Encouraging homes to engage the street and integrate with the neighborhood through
the design of new carports/garages to be subordinate in scale to the primary dwelling,
to minimize views from the street, and to not occupy the majority of the street frontage of
buildings
• Considering the building scale, form, and setbacks within the block when approving new
single-family dwellings and additions to existing housing.
• Allowing home occupations in neighborhoods so long as there is no significant impact on
the surrounding residential uses.
• Encouraging property owners to maintain their yards and the front facades of homes and
discourage the excessive paving of front yards.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 852
PLAN HERMOSA | 91
Goal 3. Unique and Vibrant Districts
A series of unique, destination-oriented districts
throughout Hermosa Beach.
Well-designed districts provide space for recreational uses, creative industrial, and civic
or community uses and help to increase access to jobs, provide amenities for residents,
and improve the fiscal stability of the city.
Policies
3.1 Unique districts. Encourage the development of local and city-wide districts and centers
that address different community needs and market sectors and complement surrounding
neighborhoods.
3.2 Compatibility of districts. Require new development within the city’s creative industrial
district be designed for compatibility with surrounding uses to minimize impact and cultivate
connectivity with each district.
3.3 Diverse retail and office centers. Provide incentives to transform existing, auto-dominated
commercial uses into retail destinations by adding a diversity of uses, providing new pedestrian
connections to adjacent residential areas, reducing the visual prominence of parking lots,
making the centers more pedestrian-friendly and enhancing the definition and character of
street frontage and associated streetscapes.
3.4 Emerging employment sectors. Strive to create districts that support increased employment
activity, particularly for growing or emerging economic sectors.
3.5 Urban office formats. New employment uses should be designed in a compact, urban format
with minimal front setbacks from the street, typical lease spans of 40 feet or less, and where
feasible, combined with other commercial uses.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 853
92 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 4. A variety of corridors throughout the city provide opportunities for shopping, recreation,
commerce, employment and circulation.
Corridors with a variety of uses throughout the city provide opportunities for shopping,
recreation, commerce, employment and circulation.
Policies
4.1 Regional retail districts. Encourage regional-serving commercial corridors that provide a mix
of uses in a pedestrian-oriented format that can become vibrant destinations for people to live,
work, shop and congregate.
4.2 Employment centers. Encourage the development and co-location of additional office
space and employment centers along corridors,
4.3 Diverse range of uses. Allow a wide variety of uses to locate in Gateway Commercial
nodes along corridors, including destination retail centers, lifestyle centers, hotels, and office
employment, among other uses.
4.4 Unique architectural design. Encourage the use of unique architectural features, facades,
and outdoor spaces within Gateway Commercial developments to signify arrival to Hermosa
Beach.
4.5 Corridor connectivity. Recognize corridors as important cross-town thoroughfares that
connect Hermosa Beach, serve as transitions between neighborhoods, provide opportunities for
local-serving retail and balance the needs of multiple transport modes.
4.6 High quality signage. Businesses are required to provide signage made of high quality
materials and design, consistent with City sign codes.
4.7 Access to transit. Support the location of transit stations and enhanced stops near the
intersection of Aviation Blvd and PCH, and adjacent to Gateway Commercial uses to facilitate
and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips and allow residents without private
vehicles to access services.
4.8 Neighborhood buffer. Encourage all commercial property owners bordering residential
areas to mitigate impacts and use appropriate landscaping and buffering of residential
neighborhoods.
4.9 Streetscape enhancements. Facilitate streetscape improvements, add pedestrian amenities
that attract new uses, and revitalize the corridors.
4.10 Pedestrian access. For all new development, encourage pedestrian access, and create
strong building entries that are primarily oriented to the street.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 854
PLAN HERMOSA | 93
Goal 5. Quality and authenticity in architecture and site design in all construction and renovation of buildings.
Essential to the desired small-beach town character of Hermosa Beach is the use of
high quality materials and design standards in the construction and redevelopment of buildings and structures. Use of urban design principles can help to differentiate the city from its neighbors and other similar beach cities through a focus on pedestrian-oriented
design, commitment to high quality materials, and encouragement of interesting,
unique architecture.
Policies
5.1 Scale and massing. Consider the scale of new development within its urban context to avoid
abrupt changes in scale and massing.
5.2 High quality materials. Require high quality and long lasting building materials on all new
development projects in the city.
5.3 Locally appropriate materials. Require architectural designs, building materials and
landscape design to respect and relate to the local climate, topography, history, and building
practices.
5.4 Unique brand and identity. Promote city-wide identity with the addition of gateway signs,
monuments, or other features to key entrances (especially to the east and north) that display
the City’s name and identifies the area as a distinct place.
5.5 Preservation and adaptive reuse. Provide incentives for the preservation or adaptive reuse of
historic structures and iconic landmarks.
5.6 Eclectic and diverse architecture. Seek to maintain and enhance neighborhood character
through eclectic and diverse architectural styles.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 855
94 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 6. A pedestrian-focused urban form that creates visual interest and a comfortable outdoor
environment.
By designing buildings and spaces that pay careful attention to the interface between
building frontages and the public realm, appropriately scaled design can help to
facilitate a walkable, attractive, family-friendly environment that supports healthy and
active lifestyles.
Policies
6.1 Outdoor amenities. Require all new multi-family and commercial development to be
designed and constructed with pedestrian friendly features such as sidewalks, tree-shaded
streets, buildings that define the public realm, and, in the case of non-residential uses, have
transparent ground floor building facades that activate the street.
6.2 Streetscaping. Proactively beautify existing streetscapes with street trees, landscaping and
pedestrian-scaled lighting.
6.3 Green open space network. Establish an interconnected green infrastructure network
throughout Hermosa Beach that serves as a network for active transportation, recreation and
scenic beauty and connects all areas of the city. In particular, connections should be made
between the beach, parks, the Downtown, neighborhoods, and other destinations within the
city. Consider the following components when designing and implementing the green/open
space network:
• Preserved open space areas such as the beach and the Greenbelt
• Living streets with significant landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle amenities
• Community and neighborhood parks, and schools
6.4 Street lighting for safety. Improve street lighting for public safety and prioritize areas near
parks and schools for lighting improvements.
6.5 Provision of sidewalks. Encourage pedestrian friendly sidewalks on both sides of streets in
neighborhoods.
6.6 Human-scale buildings. Encourage buildings and design to include human-scale details such
as windows on the street, awnings and architectural features that create a visually interesting
pedestrian environment.
6.7 Pedestrian oriented design. Eliminate urban form conditions that reduce walkability by
discouraging surface parking and parking structures along walkways, long blank walls along
walkways, and garage-dominated building facades.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 856
PLAN HERMOSA | 95
6.8 Balance pedestrian and vehicular circulation. Require vehicle parking design to consider
pedestrian circulation. Require the following of all new development along corridors:
• Where parking lots front the street, the City will work with existing property owners to add
landscaping between the parking lot and the street.
• Parking lots should be landscaped to create an attractive pedestrian environment and
reduce the impact of heat islands.
• The number of curb cuts and other intrusions of vehicles across sidewalks should be
minimized.
• When shared parking supply options are not available, encourage connections between
parking lots on adjacent sites.
• Above-ground parking structures should be designed according to the same urban design
principles as other buildings.
• Encourage the use of systems to increase parking lot efficiency, such as mechanical lift
systems or occupancy sensors.
6.9 Shared driveways. Allow and encourage new commercial and residential developments to
have common driveways serving multiple units, to minimize the number of curb cuts along any
given block to improve pedestrian safety.
6.10 Residential garages on major corridors. Garages along major corridors should not dominate
the front facades, and when possible, should be located to the side or rear of the lot.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 857
96 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 7. Adequate space and appropriate integration of community and school facilities that support physical activity, civic life and social
connections for residents of all ages and interests.
Providing adequate space and preferable locations for institutional uses and
community-serving facilities is key to ensuring facilities are appropriately used and
potentially negative effects on surrounding residential, commercial, and public areas
are minimized.
Policies
7.1 Repurposing surplus property. Promote the reuse of surplus publicly-owned property for other
uses that benefit the community.
7.2 Joint use with schools. Where appropriate, maintain and enhance joint use agreements with
Hermosa Beach City School District to maximize community use of school facilities and expand
school use of City park facilities and community space to expand opportunities for physical
activity.
7.3 School modernization upgrades. Support HBCSD plans to renovate and modernize school
facilities to meet evolving educational needs in a manner that minimizes burdens to adjacent
neighborhoods.
7.4 Flexible use of school facilities. Collaborate with HBCSD to identify appropriate temporary
and flexible uses of school facilities that minimize impacts to surrounding neighborhoods during
dips or fluctuations in school enrollment numbers.
7.5 Existing institutional uses. Allow for the continuation of recreational, cultural, medical, and
religious land uses, and support expansion that is compatible with adjacent land uses.
7.6 School impact fees. Coordinate with the school district(s) to assess and establish school
impact fees paid by new development projects.
7.7 Private recreational, cultural, and health care facilities. Encourage compatible development
of private recreation, cultural, educational, institutional and health care uses along corridors and
in districts.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 858
PLAN HERMOSA | 97
Goal 8. A range of coastal-dependent and visitor-serving uses available to all income
ranges and amenity desires.
Provision of adequate accommodations and recreational uses can help to enhance
both the visitor and resident experience when frequenting the beach and nearby
coastal destinations.
Policies
8.1 Coastal-dependent uses. Prioritize coastal-dependent uses over non-dependent
developments near the shoreline, unless future demand for such facilities is already adequately
provided for in the area.
8.2 Coastal-related uses. Accommodate coastal-related uses within reasonable proximity to the
coastal-dependent uses they support.
8.3 Land use regulations. Encourage for coastal-dependent and coastal-related commercial
uses in the Recreational Commercial and Community Commercial land use designations.
Prioritize such uses in the Recreational Commercial designation. Provide for and prioritize
coastal-related industrial uses in the Creative Industrial land use designation.
8.4 Existing accommodations. Protect the existing local inventory of conforming legal visitor-
serving accommodations in the lower and middle cost ranges.
8.5 New accommodations. Encourage visitor-serving accommodations in the Recreational
Commercial land use designation, and encourage new hotel/motel development throughout
commercially zoned portions of the planning area to provide a range of room types, sizes, and
prices that serve a variety of income ranges.
8.6 Amenities. Require new higher cost hotel and motel development projects to incorporate
non-overnight facilities and amenities as a component of the development that are generally
available for passive public use.
8.7 Fractional ownership. Prohibit new fractional ownership of overnight accomodations in
commercially zoned portions of the Coastal Zone.
8.8 Public access. Within the commercial core, prioritize use of private lands suitable for visitor-
serving commercial recreational facilities that enhance public coastal access over private
local-serving residential or commercial development or industrial development, but not over
coastal-dependent uses.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 859
98 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 9. Local energy independence through renewable energy generation.
Ensuring future renewable energy facilities may be located in the Coastal Zone and sited in a manner that do not degrade wildlife, natural, and scenic resources is key to
achieving a clean energy future.
Policies
9.1 Ocean-based energy resources. Encourage and support research and responsible development of renewable ocean-based energy sources. Renewable energy sources appropriate to Hermosa Beach could include wave, tidal, and wind sources that meet the region’s and state’s need for affordable sources of renewable energy.
9.2 Renewable energy facilities. To reduce or avoid conflicts, communicate and collaborate with affected ocean users, coastal residents and businesses, and applicants seeking state or federal authorization for the siting, development, and operation of renewable energy facilities.
9.3 Ecosystem preservation. Ensure that any future proposed offshore facilities do not have unacceptable adverse effects on the integrity, stability, and complexity of the marine ecosystem, important marine habitat, and areas important to fisheries, navigation, recreation, and aesthetic enjoyment.
9.4 Adaptive management. Require renewable energy facility operators to rectify or mitigate adverse effects that occur during the lifetime of the project by monitoring and taking appropriate corrective measures through adaptive management.
9.5 Reclamation. Require renewable energy facility operators to restore the natural characteristics of a site to the extent practicable when a project is decommissioned and removed.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 860
PLAN HERMOSA | 99
Goal 10. A strong sense of cultural and architectural heritage.
Recognition and celebration of the city’s cultural resources and eclectic architectural
styles provides for a unique sense of place and a deeper connection to and appreciation for the rich cultural history that has shaped Hermosa Beach.
Policies
10.1 Historic landmarks and districts. Encourage the voluntary designation of potentially historic resources as landmarks or historic districts.
10.2 Protect designated landmarks. Continue to use the Certificate of Appropriateness process for reviewing applications to demolish, or alter designated landmarks.
10.3 Public and institutional facilities. Consider the designation of potentially historic public or institutional resources under threat of demolition or deterioration.
10.4 Historic resources as cultural tourism. Promote historic places and cultural tourism as an economic development strategy.
10.5 Adaptive reuse and sustainable development. Promote historic preservation as sustainable development and encourage adaptive reuse of historic or older properties.
10.6 History and cultural heritage. Support and encourage efforts to document and share the cultural heritage and history of Hermosa Beach.
10.7 Culturally inclusive planning. Ensure that historic preservation planning is culturally inclusive and reflective of the unique background and diversity of neighborhoods in the city.
10.8 Incentives and technical assistance. Provide expert technical assistance to owners of potentially eligible and designated historic properties with tools and incentives to maintain historic resources.
10.9 Salvage architectural features or materials. Encourage the preservation or reuse of historic architectural features on site or within the community.
10.10 Archaeological and paleontological resources. Recognize the prehistory and history of the city and strive to identify, protect, and preserve archaeological and paleontological resources.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 861
100 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 11. A proud and visible identity as an arts and cultural community.
Incorporation of artistic elements - whether through temporary events or permanent installations - into the urban landscape adds to the visual interest, walkable nature, and
unique identity of Hermosa Beach.
Policies
11.1 Locally appropriate art. Prioritize public art that reinforces the identity of Hermosa Beach, incorporating the culture, people, neighborhoods and ideas.
11.2 Creative expression in the built environment. Encourage the infusion of creative expression within the city’s built environment to create a memorable urban landscape that respects the past and builds for the future.
11.3 Art as cultural tourism. Recognize the value of the arts to the city’s quality of life and economic stability and promote cultural tourism as an engine for economic development.
11.4 Unique gateways. Celebrate the unique gateways to Hermosa Beach by enhancing them with the work of artists.
11.5 City leadership in public art. Embrace a leadership role in facilitating public art and public art partnerships with City Departments, private developers, and arts and cultural organizations.
11.6 Temporary installations. Support ongoing temporary artwork Installations and performance-based arts events in areas with strong pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
11.7 Commissioning new artwork. Encourage the commission of public art projects and events that reinforce the community’s small beach town character, vibrant economy, healthy environment, and lifestyles.
11.8 Public art in private development. Actively encourage private development to contribute to the cultural and economic health of the public realm through incorporation of public art.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 862
PLAN HERMOSA | 101
Goal 12. A mix of cultural facilities that support and encourage the community’s vibrant range of art
creation and presentation.
Cultural facilities, creative spaces, and room for artistic expression are essential to
fostering creativity in community members of all ages. The City plays a role in providing
adequate space for artistic endeavors.
Policies
12.1 Existing City venues for art. Maintain City-owned recreational facilities with consideration of
their existing and potential use as venues for art creation, exhibition and performance.
12.2 Future venues for art. Consider opportunities to incorporate community performance, craft,
and other artistic facilities into the development or redevelopment of City-owned community
facilities.
12.3 Convenient use of City spaces. Make it as easy and affordable as possible for local art
organizations to use City facilities.
12.4 Outdoor performance and exhibit space. Support the maintenance and development of
outdoor areas for the performance and exhibition of arts festivals and events.
12.5 Creative art centers. Encourage the use of the Aviation Blvd Corridor and Cypress District as
regional centers for the creation, study and presentation of art.
12.6 Artistic needs. Consider the unique needs of artists in City zoning and planning policy
making.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 863
102 | CHAPTER 2: LAND USE
Goal 13. Land uses patterns that improve the health of residents.
Through collaboration and commitment to improving the health and well-being of all residents, Hermosa Beach seeks to improve the public health of residents through
appropriate land uses, programs, policies, and environmental review.
Policies
13.1 Restrict health-harming uses. Prohibit new land uses that harm the physical health and well being of the community.
13.2 Social and health needs. Support the continuation of existing and new uses that enhance the social and health needs of residents.
13.3 Fresh food offerings. Encourage the continuation and expansion of fresh food offerings, including farmers’ markets, community gardens, and edible landscapes in Hermosa Beach.
13.4 Private health uses. Allow for the development of private recreation, cultural, educational, institutional and health care uses along Corridors and in Districts, where they are compatible with existing uses.
13.5 Improved livability. Encourage the provision of neighborhood and community amenities and design features, to meet the community desire for a very high quality, amenity-rich, livable community.
13.6 Connecting health and land use. Seek to incorporate health considerations into land use planning decisions in a manner that improves health and well-being.
13.7 Collaborative health partnerships. Build and maintain partnerships with the Beach Cities Health District, health care providers, and community-based organizations to evaluate and implement land use projects in a manner that improves community health.
13.8 Health and the built environment. Strive to increase education and awareness of the health implications of one urban design decision.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 864
PLAN HERMOSA | 103
3 mobility
The Mobility Element is intended to facilitate mobility of people and goods throughout
Hermosa Beach by a variety of modes, with balanced emphasis on automobiles,
bicycles, pedestrians, and alternative fuel vehicles. How people get around town has broad implications for community sustainability. The choices we make about
our transportation system can greatly affect whether fuel use and air pollutants increase or decrease with time, whether our automobile fleet becomes cleaner
and more efficient, and even whether we can legitimately choose to walk, bike,
or use transit instead of driving a car. A safe and well-maintained transportation system is essential for the health, sustainability, and economic vitality of Hermosa
Beach. The City oversees the majority of street, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities, while also coordinating with partners like Caltrans, Metro, and adjacent beach cities.
This Mobility Element provides an outline of goals and policies related to the City of
Hermosa Beach’s transportation network. The Element addresses both the mobility and access needs of Hermosa Beach now and in the future, providing a framework to
help guide residents and decision-makers on issues to support continued investment and transformation of the city’s circulation system.
Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue intersection
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 865
104 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
State Law
This Mobility Element has been prepared to meet State General Plan law requirements for circulation as it relates to transportation of goods and people, and additionally to meet California Coastal Act requirements related to coastal access as it relates to parking and alternative transportation modes.
Additionally, the content of this Element is formed by legislation requiring local governments to consider the greenhouse gas emissions impact and vehicle miles traveled implications of their land use and transportation policies.
General Plan
The Mobility Element meets state requirements for
the “Circulation” element defined in the California
Government Code. The Element, per State law:
• Must include the general location and extent
of existing and proposed major thoroughfares,
transportation routes, terminals, any military
airports and ports.
• Must correlate the location and extent of
transportation facilities with the Land Use
element.
• Must plan for a balanced, multimodal
transportation network that meets the needs of
all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe
and convenient travel.
• Should define the “users of streets, roads,
and highways” to mean bicyclists, children,
persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of
commercial goods, pedestrians, users of public
transportation, and seniors.
Coastal Land Use Plan
While the California Coastal Act does not include a
section specifically regarding transportation issues,
it does state how development must maintain
access to coastal resources and maintain and
distribute parking supply or adequate public
transportation so as to minimize adverse impacts.
Specific provisions of the Act related to mobility
include:
• Provide measures to expand coastal access
through sufficient parking and alternative
transportation.
• Identify measures to provide parking and
alternative transportation to recreation and
visitor-serving facilities.
• Development and design standards for
highway and roadway corridors through scenic
areas or areas of special character.
Recent streetscape enhancements along Pier Avenue.
Context
Hermosa’s transportation infrastructure supports a local economy characterized by small scale business and commercial uses that serve the needs of the city. Residents and visitors of Hermosa currently enjoy a well connected mobility network that effectively circulates people across multiple modes, including opportunities to walk, roll, ride a bicycle, take transit, and drive to the rich selection of destinations and commerce across the city and into the surrounding region. Historically, Hermosa Beach’s circulation system has been successful in sustaining past and current mobility demands, but as a beach city, Hermosa’s growing popularity continues to attract a high volume of visitors from surrounding areas seeking to enjoy the community’s distinct cultural charm and amenities. As Hermosa forges ahead into the future, the City recognizes the need to evaluate, re shape, and redevelop a comprehensive framework and vision to address changing mobility demands and increasingly complex transportation needs of residents, visitors and local businesses. In order to promote continued economic vitality and quality of life within a sustainable framework, improving city streets and public right-of-ways to better accommodate all people, regardless of their mode of travel, will ensure a high level of access, mobility, and quality for residents and visitors of all ages, physical abilities, and income levels.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 866
PLAN HERMOSA | 105
Transportation Patterns
The ways in which people get around are
important indicators of the success of a
transportation system, shedding light on which
modes are most popular, convenient, and safe.
Currently, the City of Hermosa Beach is fully
developed with established traffic patterns. In the
United States, commuting makes up approximately
20% of all trips taken. Accordingly, the choice
of which mode to use, as well as the direction
and distance traveled to get to and from work,
influences travel patterns, traffic congestion, and
time spent commuting to work. As depicted in
Table 3.1, Hermosa Beach residents are more
likely to drive alone, and less likely to carpool,
take public transit, or walk/bike compared to
Los Angeles County residents. Hermosa Beach
residents are also nearly twice as likely to report
working from home compared to Los Angeles
County residents.
Hermosa Beach Los Angeles County
Auto 80.4%72.2%
Carpool 6.4%10.9%
Public Transit 1.1%7.1%
Bike or Walk 2.3%3.7%
Other Means 1.5%1.2%
Work at Home 8.4%4.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012.
The US Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-
Household Dynamics (LEHD) program combines
federal, state, and Census Bureau data to provide
local labor market information on where workers
live and work.
Of the 9,282 employed residents of Hermosa
Beach, 95 percent leave the city everyday to go
to work. As seen in Figure 3.1, residents commute
in large numbers along the Pacific Coast Highway
corridor toward El Segundo and Culver City, up
to Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, and inland to
Torrance, Burbank, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Conversely, 90% of the 4,893 persons employed in
Hermosa Beach live outside of the city. Employees
generally commute shorter distances from nearby
jurisdictions within the South Bay region, including
Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance,
Lawndale, Hawthorne, Lomita, and other nearby
locales (See Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.1 Resident Commute Patterns
Figure 3.2 Employee Commute Patterns
Table 3.1 Commute Mode Choice
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 867
106 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Traffic Volume Trends
Driving in the U.S. began to decline three years
before the Great Recession. After 50 years of
steady growth, total national vehicle miles traveled
(VMT) leveled off in 2004 and declined by 8%
between 2004 and 2012. Whether travel will return
to growth rates of past decades, remain static,
or continue to decline is of critical importance to
decision-makers in business and government at the
local, state and national levels.
In Hermosa Beach, traffic volumes on key corridors
have been stable or in some cases declining
in the last decade. Recent research into these
national traffic trends shows both recession-related
effects and a fundamental, possibly permanent,
leveling of the economy and travel, especially for
present and future people in younger generations
(especially 16 to 30 year-olds). Looking across the
generations at Baby Boomers, Generation Xers,
and Millennials this research envisions continued
changes across generational lines:
• While many millennials still prefer driving, more
frequently they are choosing low-travel urban
lifestyles with emphasis on walking, cycling,
ride-sharing and transit.
• Other common explanations for VMT decline – such as the effects of technology, urbanization and modal shifts for other generations – have modest effects.
• Key reasons behind the late-20th century
VMT growth, such as escalating labor force
participation, may have reached saturation
and diminishing returns.
PLAN Hermosa includes various policies aimed to develop an integrated multimodal transportation system that is expected to serve a flexible and changing set of travel demands, including extensive support for active transportation modes. In addition to the Mobility Element, PLAN Hermosa’s Sustainability, Parks, and Infrastructure Elements all incorporate and support sustainable transportation. Policies are aimed at effectively managing and maintaining the City’s circulation system with the goal of minimizing congestion, increasing local and regional access opportunities, and enhancing traffic circulation by reducing vehicle trips and increasing access to non-motorized and low-carbon transportation options.
Regional Connections
In Hermosa Beach, the most direct regional connection is provided by Pacific Coast Highway in the north-south direction and the closest freeway, the San Diego Freeway (I-405), is located approximately three miles east of the city border. While the Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard corridors are predominantly used by regional traffic, they also represent the major local transportation spines of Hermosa Beach. As such, they must balance local and regional needs in the design and operation of the corridors.
While Pacific Coast Highway is owned by Caltrans, the City and Caltrans are committed to collaborating to transform Pacific Coast Highway into a balanced multi-modal transportation system with choices to utilize automobiles and alternative modes of transportation, including public transit (both regional and local), walking, and biking.
Other major arterials connecting Hermosa Beach to regional freeway access include Artesia Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard. High traffic volumes have created congestion along the city’s main arterials. Most regional traffic occurs along the Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard. Generally, there is a significant amount of traffic along Artesia Boulevard, Aviation Boulevard, 8th Street, and Herondo Avenue all with unacceptable Levels of Service. This is consistent with these roadways’ roles as connectors to the regional transportation network.
Goods Movement
Truck routes in Hermosa Beach are designated along major arterial and collector roadways that include Pacific Coast Highway, Aviation Boulevard, Artesia Boulevard, Pier Avenue, and the segment of Valley Drive south of Pier Avenue (in the southbound direction). Most areas of the city requiring truck route access are adequately served by the existing system, with the exception of the northwestern portion of the city along Greenwich Village, 27th Street, and Manhattan Avenue. This designated truck route system directs heavy truck traffic away from local (residential) roadways in order to help maintain pavement quality on local streets and manage noise and air pollution in residential areas.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 868
PLAN HERMOSA | 107
Transportation Safety + Collisions
Figure 8 Collisions by Type
Figure 3.3 Collisions 2008-2012
facility; and the highest prevalence of vehicle-pedestrian
collisions occurs on Pier Avenue, a major shopping center
and popular pedestrian destination, though notably the rate
of collisions have measurably decreased since the Upper
Pier Avenue Improvement Project was completed.
The number of vehicle collisions of any type decreased
every year during the five-year period, for a total reduction
of 32 percent from 2008 to 2012. During the same time
period, the number of collisions involving a pedestrian or
bicyclist has remained constant, meaning that the total
share of these types of collisions has increased, as illustrated
in Figure 3.4 below.
A traffic collision is considered to be any event where a vehicle strikes any object while moving. That object could be another car, a pedestrian, or something fixed in place like a light post. When collisions cause damage or injury, the details are recorded by the local law enforcement agency and loaded into the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). The latest report was used to analyze collision data in Hermosa Beach.
From 2008 to 2012, there were a total of 650 vehicle collisions, with one collision resulting in a single fatality and 10 resulting in severe injuries. The top three cited factors contributing to collisions were: driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (18 percent), unsafe speed (18 percent), and right-of-way violations (17 percent). Alcohol was a factor in 150 collisions,with the share of collisions involving alcohol substantially higher on weekends, with alcohol a factor in 19 percent of collisions occurring Monday through Thursday, and in 28 percent of collisions occurring Friday through Sunday.
Figure 3.3 shows the locations and types of collisions in Hermosa Beach in the five-year period from 2008 to 2012. As illustrated in Figure 3.3, the spatial distribution of collision frequency differs by collision type. The areas with highest prevalence of collisions of a specific type are also areas in which one would expect high levels of activity for that mode choice. Specifically, the highest prevalence of vehicle-vehicle collisions in Hermosa Beach occurs on Pacific Coast Highway, the roadway with the highest volume of vehicles; the highest prevalence of vehicle-bicycle collisions occurs on Hermosa Avenue, the only marked bicycle
Figure 3.4 Collisions 2008-2012
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 869
108 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 870
PLAN HERMOSA | 109
Pedestrian + Bicycle Environment
Hermosa Beach has many important foundational elements that make it a great walkable city
- a feature that makes Hermosa Beach unique and draws visitors from throughout the area. The gridded street network, small blocks, and dense land uses make many of the city’s most important and interesting destinations accessible to pedestrians. Walking represents a no-cost transportation mode that improves health outcomes, reduces congestion, and improves air quality.
The 22 walk streets and The Strand provide safe and plentiful pedestrian connections between Downtown, residential neighborhoods, and the beach, while walking paths on the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt and continuous sidewalks along Prospect Avenue provide north-south connections away from the beach. However, the pedestrian environment in many areas of town suffer from a lack of continuity. In particular, sidewalks are not continuous throughout the city. In some locations, sidewalks are present on both sides of the roadway, while in others – chiefly on local streets – they are present on just one side or not at all. Missing curb ramps, narrow sidewalks, steep sloping driveway entrances, and sidewalk obstructions can present challenges to users of all abilities. Various traffic calming improvements are installed and can be expanded to help reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
While bicycles are legally allowed on all streets in Hermosa Beach, many potential bicyclists only feel comfortable utilizing streets where the volume of vehicles is low, or where dedicated bicycle facilities are present. The Strand, Southern California’s famous beachside bicycle path, and segment of the California Coastal Trail, serves the Hermosa Beach community on its way between Torrance and Malibu. Other existing bicycle facilities in Hermosa Beach include bicycle routes along Hermosa Avenue, a bicycle lane in each direction along Herondo Street, and a marked bicycle route along Monterey Avenue to 22nd Street.
Crosswalk along Hermosa Avenue
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 871
110 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Transit Access
Transit service within the City of Hermosa Beach
is provided by three transportation agencies: Beach Cities Transit (BCT), LADOT Commuter Express, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA, or Metro); and includes a demand-responsive paratransit service. Regional transit access is provided by a network of local and regional facilities provided by Beach Cities Transit, Los Angeles Metro, and Los Angeles Department of Transportation Commuter Express. Light rail transit connections in the South Bay are served by Metro’s Green Line; the nearest stop to Hermosa Beach is the Redondo Beach Station.
Beach Cities Transit
Beach Cities Transit provides local transit service for the Los Angeles Beach Cities. Daily weekday and weekend transit services are served by two routes, Transit Lines 102 and 109. Line 109 runs north-south beginning at the Redondo Beach Riviera Village and runs along the coast through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach and ends at the Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center. Connection to regional transit, the Metro Green Line, is served by two stops: the Aviation/LAX Station and the Douglas Station. Routes operated by Beach Cities Transit are summarized in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2 Beach Cities Transit Routes
Line From To Weekday Headway Weekend Headway
102 Redondo Beach Pier Redondo Beach Green Line Station
30 – 45 min 30 – 45 min
109 Riviera Village Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center
30 – 50 min 60 min
Source: Beach Cities Transit
Los Angeles County Metro Transit
Metro operates several bus routes and rail lines
that provide regional transit service within or near
Hermosa Beach. Metro Line 130 provides east-west
coverage between the Beach Cities to the Artesia
Transit Center. Major stops along this line provide
connections to the Metro Silver and Blue Lines.
North-south transit coverage is served by Metro
Line 232. This route travels along Pacific Coast
Highway between Downtown Long Beach and the
Los Angeles Airport City Bus Center. Metro’s Green
Line provides regional east-west light rail service
to the South Bay area. This rail line provides direct
connections to north-south rail via the Metro Blue
Line. Routes operated by Metro that directly serve
Hermosa Beach are summarized in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3 LA Metro Transit Services
Route Type Dir. Service To/From
Weekday Headway Weekend Headway
130 Local E-W Redondo
Beach, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles via Gateway Cities
30 min 50 – 60
min
232 Local N-S Downtown Long Beach to Los
Angeles Airport City Bus Center
20 min 30 – 60 min
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2015; Los Angeles Department of Transportation 2015.
Los Angeles Commuter Express
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s
Commuter Express provides one bus route
(Commuter Express Route 438) with express service
between the Beach Cities area to Downtown Los
Angeles via the Century and Harbor Freeways. This
line makes local stops in Redondo Beach, Hermosa
Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo. The
route operated by LADOT that directly serves
Hermosa Beach is summarized in Table 3.4.
Table 3.4 Los Angeles Commuter Express Transit Services
Route Type Service To/From Weekday Headway
438 Express Redondo Beach, Hermosa
Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Los Angeles
5 – 15
min
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2015; Los Angeles Department of Transportation 2015.
Dial-A-Ride Transit Services
The WAVE Dial-A-Taxi program provides demand-responsive paratransit service for senior and disabled passengers. Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Citywide WAVE operations provides same day, curb to curb transit to anyone who meets the qualifications. The standard fare for service within Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, or any area south of El Segundo Boulevard, west of Crenshaw Boulevard, and north of Pacific Coast Highway is $1.00.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 872
PLAN HERMOSA | 111
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 873
112 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Table 3.5 Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply
Area Metered Unmetered Parking Lot Total
Overall 1,512 2,457 428*4,397
Zone 1 622 1,394 -2,016
Zone 2 419 764 428*1,611
Zone 3 471 299 -770
*For this analysis, Parking Lot D, which includes 19 metered spaces, is accounted for in the Metered Spaces counts rather than Parking Lot totals because the spaces are individually metered instead of collecting payment via kiosk, which occurs at Lots A, B, and C.
Parking in Hermosa Beach
Automobile parking is a coveted resource in Hermosa Beach. There are a total of just over 4,400
parking spaces in the City’s Coastal Zone.
Parking Supply
There is currently significant demand for parking in the Coastal Zone, particularly from 8th Street to the south
city limit. This is a result of limited on-street parking and relatively few off-street parking spaces given the
number of dwelling units and visitors. Occupancy in the Coastal Zone is lightest on weekday afternoons and
heaviest on weekend afternoons, with occupancy on weekday evenings more similar to that of afternoons
on weekdays than on weekends.
Within the Coastal Zone, metered parking is available on Hermosa Avenue, on streets west of Hermosa
Avenue near the Hermosa Pier, on Pier Avenue between Hermosa Avenue and Valley Drive, and on local
streets immediately to the east of Hermosa Avenue near the northern and southern City limits. Time-limited,
free street parking is available on most other streets between Hermosa Avenue and Valley Drive. Off-street
municipal parking is available near Pier Plaza, in City parks, and by the Community Center at parking
lots that are individually metered and with kiosk payment systems. Unmetered street parking is available
on a majority of local streets throughout the remainder of the city except during street sweeping times.
An appropriate quantity of well managed automobile parking is necessary for the success of the city’s
businesses and for the quality of life of its car-owning residents. The efficient provision and management of
parking can help provide sufficient space for vehicles while also encouraging more efficient use of existing
facilities, reducing the impact of parking facilities, and reducing automobile use.
Of the 4,400 parking spaces in the Coastal Zone, more than 400 can be found in one of three public
parking lots located west of Hermosa Avenue near the beach, while approximately 1,500 of the on-street
spaces are metered. For purposes of analysis, and with input from City of Hermosa Beach staff, the Coastal
Zone was divided into three subzones with the following geographic limits:
• Zone 1: North City Limit – 16th Street Primarily Residential land use
• Zone 2: 16th Street – 8th Street Primarily Commercial land use
• Zone 3: 8th Street – South City Limit Primarily Residential land use
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 874
PLAN HERMOSA | 113
Figure 3.5 Existing Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply
P
3713026119
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 875
114 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
City Parking Lots
A total of 428 parking spaces are provided in the
three public parking facilities with payment kiosks, Lots A, B and C, which are located between Hermosa Avenue and The Strand near Pier Avenue. Overall occupancy of the three lots was lightest on a weekday evening and highest on a weekend afternoon. Occupancy was generally higher than 85 percent, but at no surveyed time did occupancy drop below 79 percent. During the weekend afternoon survey, Lot B was closed for an event. Table 3.7 presents parking supply numbers as well as occupancy rates in the three parking facilities during each of the analyzed time periods. Additionally, the proportion of parking spaces occupied by a parking permit holder are also presented.
Table 3.7 Public Parking Lot Occupancy
Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon
Lot Supply
Occ Rate
Permit Occ Rate Occ Rate
Permit Occ Rate Occ Rate
Permit Occ Rate
Overall 428 89% 33% 79% 7% 95% 9%
Lot A 130 95% 5% 90% 8% 90% 11%
Lot B 37 100% 59% 97% 19%- -
Lot C 261 96% 43% 72% 4% 97% 9%
Figure 3.6 Parking Occupancy Rates
Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon
Parking Occupancy Rates
Occupancy in the Coastal Zone is lightest on
weekday afternoons and heaviest on weekend afternoons, with occupancy on weekday evenings more similar to that of weekday afternoons on than weekends. Geographically, utilization of parking spaces is highest in Zone 1, with more than twice as many spaces occupied in Zone 1 than in Zone 3 in each surveyed time period. Despite this, occupancy rates (the percent of spaces which are occupied, as opposed to the number of spaces unoccupied) are highest in Zone 3 due to the unequal distribution of parking spaces between subzones. In Zone 3 on Saturday afternoons, the parking supply nears capacity with an occupancy rate of 98 percent, though overall occupancy in the Coastal Zone never exceeds 80 percent. Table 3.6 and Figure 3.6 present the number and percent of occupied public parking spaces during a weekday afternoon, weekday evening, and weekend afternoon, respectively.
Table 3.6 Coastal Zone Parking Occupancy
Area Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon
Overall 2,367 54%2,756 63% 3,470 79%
Zone 1 1,118 55% 1,317 65%1,712 85%
Zone 2 773 48%825 51%1,005 62%
Zone 3 476 62%614 80% 753 98%
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 876
PLAN HERMOSA | 115
Preferential Parking Permit Program
The geographic borders of the Residential Parking
Permit District are nearly contiguous with the
Coastal Zone boundary. Residential parking
permit holders are entitled to park at 24-hour
meters without paying the meter, or in one hour
residential zones without regard to the time limit for
up to 72 hours. Employees of local businesses are
also entitled to purchase parking permits for an
additional fee. Occupancy by residential parking
permit holders within the Coastal Zone is heaviest
in the evening and on weekends, when almost
half of all spaces are occupied by permit holders.
In Zone 3 on weekends, permit holders consume
almost the entire parking supply (85 percent).
Table 3.8 presents the percent of public parking
spaces in each zone occupied by a parking permit
holder’s vehicle across the three time periods.
Table 3.8 Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders
Area Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon
Overall 28%40%44%
Zone 1 30%45%46%
Zone 2 20%25%22%
Zone 3 37%61%85%
Electric Vehicle Parking
The number of electrical vehicle owners and drivers
in Hermosa Beach has expanded dramatically as
the number of model options has increased and
the availability of state and federal rebates and
incentives continues. According to the California
Air Resources Board, approximately 285 electric
vehicle rebates totaling $578,300 have been
issued to residents or businesses in Hermosa Beach
between 2012 and 2015.
To serve the growing number of electric vehicle
drivers, including residents, shoppers, and visitors,
the City of Hermosa Beach has installed several
electric vehicle charging stations at parking lots
throughout the city. Lot C provides three electric
vehicle charging stations on the third floor of the
parking facility; the parking lot at City Hall provides
two charging stations, and an additional set of
charging stations are provided on Pier Avenue.
In 2016, an additional 10 dual port meters will be
installed at City facilities, parks and public spaces
to provide an additional 20 electric vehicle
charging spaces. At present, the City does not
charge for parking in these spaces as a further
incentive.
Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) are also a
common form of transportation in Hermosa Beach
and are offered free parking at silver meters.
Electric vehicle parking along Pier Avenue
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 877
116 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Intended Mobility System + Street Network
The intended mobility system of street classifications, pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, and
transportation amenities will direct future roadway improvements and performance measurement for new and reconfigured streets to carry out mobility priorities more effectively and to balance the needs of all travel modes. Key highlights of the proposed mobility systems and street network include:
• Greater emphasis on east-west connections.
• Greater emphasis on pedestrian realm and complete network.
• Bike facility moved from 8th Street to 5th/6th Street.
• Identification of multi-use path connections to parks, schools, and key destinations.
Definitions of street classifications consider surrounding land uses and designate priority levels for different travel modes within each street type. Combined, the types represent a hierarchical network linked to typical design standards and anticipated traffic levels. Table 3.9 and Figures 3.7 through 3.10 delineate the planned mobility network. The intended Safe Routes to School Network is also depicted in Figure 3.11.
Street Classifications
defines the roadway network of streets based on likely volume of traffic.
Pedestrian Facilities
identifies the facilities designated for pedestrian use and prioritizes those needed to create a complete sidewalk network.
Bicycle + Multi-Use Facilities
highlights the bicycle facilities and other shared use spaces for bicycles and other modes of transportation.
Transportation Amenities
identifies additional transportation amenities such as bicycle and electric vehicle parking, a local trolley, and crossing controls.
1 3
2 4
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 878
PLAN HERMOSA | 117
Table 3.9 Transportation Network Descriptions
Type Description
Street ClassificationsAlleyway Alleyways provide access to private properties, including parking spaces and garages.
Local Street Local streets provide connections within neighborhoods. Local streets are not intended
to serve through traffic and are generally one lane each direction with lower vehicle volumes.
Arterial
(major + minor)
Arterials carry the majority of vehicles entering, leaving, or traveling through the city. Major and minor arterials are differentiated by the volume of vehicles using the street
and width of the right-of-way.Pedestrian FacilitiesWalk Street A street segment designed to exclude vehicular usage, for pedestrians and non-motorized transportation.
Local Sidewalk Local sidewalks provide contiguous and level walking space primarily on low-volume
residential streets.
Wide Sidewalk Wide sidewalks provide adequate space for a frontage zone, pedestrian zone, and
buffer/planters on commercial streets.
Priority Sidewalk Priority sidewalks are facilities essential to providing a safe, accessible, and well-connected pedestrian network.Bicycle + Multi-Use FacilitiesMulti-use Path A two-way facility separated from motor vehicles (adjacent to or independent of roadways) for use by pedestrians, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists.
Shared Roadway A street segment that functions as a space for multiple users and intermittently as a gathering space, without delineations for each mode.
Bike Lane Bike lanes provide preferential or exclusive use of a portion of the roadway for bicyclists through striping or markings.
Sharrows Sharrows combine bicycle stencils with chevrons placed in the center of a travel lane.
They bring awareness to drivers that bicycles share the lane and “may use full lane.”
Bike Boulevard Bike boulevards allow for bicyclists and motorists to share the same travel lanes to facilitate safe and convenient bicycle travel. They are low-volume streets optimized for bicyclists and pedestrians.Transportation AmenitiesLocal Trolley A local electric or zero emissions trolley, in coordination with parking facilities, provides enhanced access to the beach and Downtown.
EV + Bike Parking Electric vehicle and bike parking facilities support the use of alternative modes to key destinations.
Crossing Control Crossing control facilities (stop sign, signal, traffic circle) ensure efficient and safe intersections for all travel modes.
Parking District District-based parking helps to manage parking supply and more efficiently use space dedicated for parking.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 879
118 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Figure 3.7 Intended Street Classifications
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 880
PLAN HERMOSA | 119
Figure 3.8 Intended Pedestrian Facilities
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 881
120 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Figure 3.9 Intended Bicycle and Multi-Use Facilities
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 882
PLAN HERMOSA | 121
Figure 3.10 Intended Transportation Amenities
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 883
122 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Figure 3.11 Intended Safe Routes to School Network
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 884
PLAN HERMOSA | 123
A comprehensive multi-modal transportation system is critical in Hermosa Beach’s urbanized environment where there is both a growing desire for additional transportation choice, and limited street right of way to expand streets for more vehicles and parking. By creating a high-quality multi-modal transportation network in Hermosa Beach, there are many co-benefits including a range of economic, health, sustainability, and safety benefits, all of which contribute to the high quality of life in Hermosa Beach.
Quality of Life. A diversified transportation system increases the quality of life for Hermosa Beach residents, businesses, and visitors. It gives users the option to walk, bike, or take transit, rather than sit in traffic, while simultaneously reducing congestion for those that need or want to drive. It leads to a higher quality urban environment where people can spend time outside and be physically active on streets that aren’t dominated by auto traffic, congestion, and parking, including the noise, pollution, and stress that comes with driving.
Public Health. Walkable communities generally have lower rates of obesity, heart disease, fewer air quality issues, and higher levels of physical activity by residents. Bicycling also brings significant health benefits. Active transportation options are especially important for seniors and children, two groups particularly vulnerable to health complications related to a sedentary lifestyle.
Sustainability. Less auto use means less air pollution, soil and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Today and into the future, autos and trucks will continue to emit significant amounts of pollutants. These pollutants undermine our air quality, flow into our storm drains, and coat our streets, buildings, and open spaces. In addition, transportation is responsible for the greatest proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in the city (54% as of 2010). By providing a range of sustainable transportation choices, Hermosa Beach can reduce its impacts on the environment, both locally and globally.
Economic Vitality. There is a connection between a multi-modal transportation system and the economic vitality of a place. Many people are attracted to environments that are walkable, bikeable, and accessible by public transit. For example, creating attractive and pedestrian-friendly shopping areas draws people to commercial corridors and into the public realm that might otherwise drive through without stopping. Studies show that commercial and residential districts with walkable and bikeable streets have higher real estate values and sales than comparable auto-oriented districts.
Public Safety. One of the principal tenets of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design concept is “natural surveillance” by designing the built environment to maximize the number of eyes on the street and public spaces. By increasing the amount of bicycle and pedestrian activity, streets and public spaces are increasingly visible and foster positive social interaction among legitimate users of the space, making potential offenders feel increased scrutiny and limitations on their escape routes.
Benefits of a Multi-Modal
Transportation System
QUALITY OF LIFE
PUBLIC HEALTH
SUSTAINABILITY
ECONOMIC VITALITY
PUBLIC SAFETY
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 885
124 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Goal 1. Complete Streets that serve the diverse functions of mobility, commerce, recreation, and
community engagement for all users whether they travel by walking, bicycling, transit, or driving.
Providing well developed and people-oriented streets that are convenient, safe, connected, and integrated with adjacent land uses will play an integral role in supporting the city’s economic vitality, livability, sustainability, and local culture by
providing residents and visitors with enhanced accessibility and mobility opportunities
into the future.
Policies
1.1 Consider all modes. Require the planning, design, and construction of all new and
existing transportation projects to consider the needs of all modes of travel to create safe,
livable and inviting environments for all users of the system.
1.2 Street Classification design standards. Create context-sensitive street classification design
standards that will provide the City and adjacent land uses with consistent designs that
accommodate multiple modes of travel.
1.3 Monitor best practices. Consider applying the latest state of best practices in the design,
operation, and maintenance of the transportation network that is both attractive and
functional.
1.4 Target investments. Target public streetscape and infrastructure investments in locations
with high potential for both public and private return on investment and long-term
community value.
Goals and Policies
The community’s unified vision for the future of mobility in Hermosa Beach was established through close collaboration among Hermosa residents and City staff. Through a series of public outreach, workshops, and community meetings, the City has framed what residents have prioritized as key objectives that will guide potential changes and improvements to the City’s existing transportation system. To help the community achieve its vision of a robust, balanced, and multimodal transportation network, the Mobility Element is organized around goals to improve safety, enhance access, and support greater choice in transportation options.
To address changing trends in travel preferences, vehicles types, fuel prices, and community demographics, Hermosa’s transportation choices will be formed by the need for flexible and resilient options that will help the city thrive. Hermosa’s approach to transportation will play a key role in promoting and maintaining the economic, social, and environmental health of the community for generations to come.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 886
PLAN HERMOSA | 125
Goal 2. A public realm that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel via foot, bicycle, public
transit, and automobile and creates vibrant, people-oriented public spaces that encourage active living.
Public right-of-ways are shared resources used by the community and visitors every day. Changes to the public infrastructure will be aesthetically pleasing, ecologically healthy, and both practical and functional to allow the City opportunities to create communal
spaces where residents and visitors can interact and engage with the local community.
Landscaping and tree canopies will be preserved and enhanced to improve air quality and provide shade. Redesigned roadways will serve drivers as well as active transportation travelers and adjacent land uses will create an environment where people of all ages and physical abilities feel comfortable using any mode of travel,
whether it be walking, bicycling, using public transit, or driving.
Policies
2.1 Prioritize public right-of-ways. Prioritize improvements of public right-of-ways that provide heightened levels of safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation.
2.2 Encourage traffic calming. Encourage traffic calming policies and techniques that limit cut-through traffic and high vehicle speeds that may compromise the safety of non-vehicle travelers along residential areas and highly trafficked corridors.
2.3 Signage. Provide directional signage that helps travelers navigate to transit facilities, local and regional bicycle routes, civic and cultural amenities, parking infrastructures and visitor and recreation destinations.
2.4 Sustainable landscape. Use consistent and sustainable landscape and streetscape designs that reflect the city’s community identity; showcase local assets and the community’s unique and vibrant culture.
2.5 Require sustainable practices. Incorporate environmental sustainability practices into designs and strategic management of road space and public right-of-ways, prioritizing practices that can serve multiple infrastructure purposes.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 887
126 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Goal 3. Public right-of-ways supporting a multimodal and people-oriented transportation
system that provides diversity and flexibility on how users choose to be mobile.
Planning for a more efficient multimodal mobility network will provide opportunities to explore innovative solutions and serve all types of users. Solutions will consider a variety of transportation improvement options for all modes and include management
strategies and land use practices aimed towards increasing network connections,
improving connections between different modes, and maximizing public health benefits.
Policies
3.1 Enhance public right-of-ways. Where right-of-way clearance allows, enhance public right-of-
ways to improve connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, disabled persons, and public transit stops.
3.2 Complete pedestrian network. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure
a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances pedestrian
safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
3.3 Active transportation. Require commercial development or redevelopment projects and
residential projects with four or more units to accommodate active transportation by providing
on-site amenities, necessary connections to adjacent existing and planned pedestrian and
bicycle networks, and incorporate people-oriented design practices.
3.4 Access opportunities. Provide enhanced mobility and access opportunities for local
transportation and transit services in areas of the city with sufficient density and intensity of uses,
mix of appropriate uses, and supportive bicycle and pedestrian network connections that can
reduce vehicle trips within the city’s busiest corridors.
3.5 Incentivize other modes. Incentivize local shuttle/trolley services, rideshare and car share
programs, and developing infrastructure that support low carbon (e.g. electric) vehicles.
3.6 Complete bicycle network. Provide a complete bicycle network along all designated
roadways while creating connections to other modes of travel including walking and transit.
3.7 Consider all aspects. Ensure transportation planning projects provide consideration to
access, health and safety, and individual responsibility that enhances the quality of life of
residents in the community.
3.8 Encourage shared streets. Encourage the concept of shared streets on low volume streets
with limited right-of-ways.
3.9 Access for emergency vehicles. Ensure that emergency vehicles have secure and
convenient access to the city’s street network.
3.10 Require ADA standards. Require that all public right-of-ways be designed per Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards by incorporating crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals,
and other components to provide ease of access for disabled persons.
3.11 Site specific conditions. Evaluate and incorporate any site specific conditions or restrictions
on public property or right-of-ways during the design and engineering phases for pedestrian and
bicycle facilities.
3.12 Right of way standards. Establish and maintain right of way standards and inventory
sidewalks to assist in consistently applying roadway and sidewalk design standards.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 888
PLAN HERMOSA | 127
Goal 4. A parking system that meets the parking needs and demand of residents,
visitors, and employees in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
With emphasis on residential parking needs, public and shared parking supply, and seasonal peak parking demands, services need not be one size fits all. Innovative
parking supply solutions will be used to provide a variety of services tailored to different
users in addition to adopting policies that will incentivize targeted business and commercial development of shared parking solutions.
Policies
4.1 Shared parking. Facilitate park-once and shared parking policies among private
developments that contribute to a shared parking supply and interconnect with adjacent
parking facilities.
4.2 Encourage Coastal access. Ensure parking facilities and costs of such facilities are not a
barrier to beach access by the public.
4.3 Reduce impacts. Reduce spillover parking impacts due to employee parking and seasonal
and event-based demands.
4.4 Preferential parking program. Periodically study and evaluate the current inventory of public
parking supply and update the preferential parking program.
4.5 Sufficient bicycle parking. Require a sufficient supply of bicycle parking to be provided in
conjunction with new vehicle parking facilities by both public and private developments.
4.6 Priority parking. Provide priority parking and charging stations to accommodate the use of
Electric Vehicles (EV’s), including smaller short-distance neighborhood electric vehicles.
4.7 Parking availability. Optimize parking availability through dynamically adjusted pricing and
new technology to manage available spaces for short-term parking use to encourage rates of
turnover that are responsive to fluctuating demands.
4.8 Ensure commercial parking. Ensure that prime commercial parking spaces are available for
customers and other short-term users throughout the day.
4.9 Encourage TDM strategies. Encourage use of transportation demand management
strategies and programs such as carpooling, ride hailing, and alternative transportation modes
as a way to reduce demand for additional parking supply.
4.10 Visitor parking information. Manage information about passes and accessing public
parking lots to facilitate use by longer-distance visitors with limited transportation choices.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 889
128 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Goal 5. A robust low cost and low carbon transportation system that promotes the City’s
environmental sustainability and stewardship goals in support of social and economic objectives.
Aimed at reducing transportation-related environmental impacts, the development of a multimodal transportation network allows travelers the flexibility of choosing sustainable and low cost transportation choices that promote and improve public
health, environmental quality, and overall quality of life. Low or no carbon travel options
will be supported by the City, and barriers to their use will be addressed through the City’s transportation investments. Affordable transportation solutions will be supported by the City to ensure mobility for all members of the community and to maintain access to goods and services for older residents to age in place.
Policies
5.1 Prioritize development of infrastructure. Prioritize the development of roadway and parking infrastructure that encourages private electric and other low carbon vehicle ownership and use throughout the city.
5.2 Local transit system. Develop a local transit system that facilitates efficient transport of residents, hotel guests, and beach goers between activity centers, and to Downtown businesses and the beach.
5.3 Incentivize TDM strategies. Incentivize the use of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies as a cost effective method for maximizing existing transportation infrastructure to accommodate mobility demands without significant expansion to infrastructure.
5.4 Evaluate projects. Ensure the evaluation of projects for transportation and traffic impacts under CEQA to consider local and statewide goals related to infill development, the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles through active transportation, and the reduction of greenhouse gases, in addition to traditional congestion management impacts.
5.5 Multimodal development features. Encourage land use features in development projects to create compact, connected, and multimodal development that supports reduced trip generation, trip lengths, and greater ability to utilize alternative modes of travel.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 890
PLAN HERMOSA | 129
Goal 6. A regionally integrated transportation system that provides local and regional connections to regional transit services, bicycle
facilities, and other inter-modal facilities.
The City will take advantage of improved street connectivity and resulting reductions
in travel distances between destinations, enhanced local and regional accessibility
through increasing route options for a variety of travel modes, and improved overall
walking and bicycling conditions to support and encourage regional connections for all modes.
Policies
6.1 Regional network. Work with government agencies and private sector companies to develop a comprehensive, regionally integrated transportation network that connects the community to surrounding cities.
6.2 Regional travel patterns. Consider regional travel patterns when collaborating on regional transit and transportation projects to ensure investments facilitate greater mobility and access for residents, businesses, and visitors to and from Hermosa Beach.
6.3 Transportation sharing programs. Facilitate greater local and regional mobility through programs for shared equipment or transportation options such as car sharing and bike sharing.
6.4 Coordinate with agencies. Coordinate with regional transportation agencies and surrounding cities to improve local access and connections to regional public transit services.
6.5 Coordinate with surrounding cities. Coordinate with surrounding cities to prioritize non-motorized and pedestrian connections to regional facilities and surrounding cities.
6.6 Greater utilization. Consider exploring opportunities for greater utilization of the Beach Cities Transit system for improved mobility along major corridors and as a potential means of improved regional transit connections.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 891
130 | CHAPTER 3: MOBILITY
Goal 7. A transportation system that results in zero transportation-related fatalities and which minimizes
injuries.
As the rate of walking and bicycling continue to rise, providing a transportation
system that safely meets the needs of people driving and more vulnerable street users
becomes increasingly important. Strategies and improved designs will be aimed at
reducing safety risks and ensuring continued economic and social well being of all people using the streets in Hermosa.
Policies
7.1 Safe public rights-of-ways. Encourage that all public rights-of-ways are safe for all users at all times of day where users of all ages and ability feel comfortable participating in both motorized and non-motorized travel.
7.2 Manage speeds. Monitor vehicle speeds through traffic controls, speed limits, and design features with the intended purpose of minimizing vehicle accidents, creating a pedestrian and bicycle environment, and discouraging cut-through traffic.
7.3 Provide street lighting. Provide pedestrian-oriented specific street lighting for enhanced pedestrian and bicycling safety on all minor and major arterial streets.
7.4 Traffic safety programs. Prioritize traffic safety programs oriented towards safe access to schools and community facilities that focus on walking, biking, and driving in school zones.
7.5 Appropriate sidewalk widths. Encourage design and construction plans that incorporate sidewalks that are consistent in width to match pedestrian activity.
7.6 Pro-active traffic enforcement. Conduct pro-active traffic enforcement along streets where high collision rates, high speeds, and other unsafe behaviors are reported.
7.7 Formalize City procedures. Encourage formalizing City procedures for analysis and evaluation of crosswalks and crossing locations citywide, and adopt state-of-practice pedestrian improvement guidance aimed at increasing pedestrian safety.
7.8 Active transportation education and safety. Promote the participation in pedestrian, bicycle, and skateboard safety and education programs to facilitate safe and confident use of alternative modes of transportation.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 892
PLAN HERMOSA | 131
Goal 8. Facilitate sustainable, effective, and safe movement of goods and commercial vehicles.
With commerce and provision of goods an essential component to the economic
vitality of Hermosa Beach, it is necessary to ensure that commercial vehicles are expressly allowed and provided efficient access and circulation to businesses. However, when commercial vehicles are not properly operated, they can have detrimental
effects on the environment enjoyed by nearby residents, business customers, and
public spaces by contributing noise, air pollution, and reduced safety. Hermosa Beach
is committed to promoting the commercial movement of goods and service vehicles in and around Hermosa Beach in a manner that protects the health, safety and well-being of residents and the environment.
Policies
8.1 Minimize truck impacts. Maintain and regularly re-evaluate the designation of truck routes to minimize the negative impacts of trucking through the city.
8.2 Prohibit excessive idling. Discourage commercial vehicles from excessive idling during deliveries and while parked.
8.3 Commercial loading zones. Encourage businesses to provide commercial loading zones on-site where possible, or in the adjacent public right-of-way in a manner that balances the needs of businesses with the impact on traffic conditions and at appropriate delivery times.
8.4 Utilize alleys. Encourage alleys for access for parking, delivery loading/unloading and trash collection and, where possible, provide additional green space and pedestrian amenities.
8.5 Utilize technology. Encourage commercial vehicles to utilize technologies that minimize air pollution, fuel use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
8.6 Prohibit mobile advertising. Consider prohibiting mobile advertising, such as moving billboards, to avoid unnecessary traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution.
8.7 Transportation network company zones. Work with the city’s transportation network company service providers (e.g. taxis, rideshare companies) to establish safe and convenient pick up/drop off zones.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 893
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Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 894
PLAN HERMOSA | 133
4 sustainability + conservation
Resources such as energy and water are essential elements for sustaining a healthy
life, and consumption and deterioration of these resources can have widespread
health, environmental, and economic effects. A resource efficient and low-carbon community are key to addressing the negative effects of climate change by reducing
ecologically disruptive greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere and through numerous energy and resource conservation measures. This chapter embraces
the conservation of natural resources through goals and policies targeting water
conservation, energy conservation, green building, air quality, and recycling and solid waste. Like so many topics in this Plan, these conservation-oriented practices
have secondary community benefits. Using less electricity and increasing reliance on renewable energy can lead to reduced power plant-related air pollutants. Using
drought tolerant landscape materials can reduce runoff and reduce water pollutants
in Santa Monica Bay. Green building techniques can improve indoor air quality and improve occupant respiratory health.
Pier Avenue Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 895
134 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
State Law
This Sustainability + Conservation Element has been prepared to meet State General Plan law requirements for conservation, and additionally to meet California Coastal Act requirements related to wetlands and waterways.
General Plan
State law requires all general plans to contain a conservation element to address the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources. Natural resources identified by statute include waters, forests, soils, wildlife, minerals, and other energy resources. Specific components covered in this Element:
• Must consider the effect of development on natural resources - including water, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals - located on public lands.
• Must develop the water-related portion of the conservation element in coordination with water agencies - including flood management, water conservation, or groundwater agencies - which develop, serve, control, manage, or conserve water within the jurisdiction.
• May cover the reclamation of land and waters.
• May cover the prevention and control
of pollution of streams and other waters, the regulation of the use of land in stream channels, the prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores, and the protection of watersheds.
• May cover the location, quantity, and quality
of the rock, sand, and gravel resources.
• Must utilize urban water management plan(s)
submitted by a water agency.
Coastal Land Use Plan
Additionally, the Coastal Land Use Plan should incorporate the following components of the California Coastal Act related to sustainability and resource conservation:
• Define wetlands in a manner that is consistent
with Coastal Act Sections 30121 and 13577(b)
and guarantee that the condition of the
wetland does not affect its regulatory status as
a wetland.
• Identify allowable uses that may result in the
diking, filling, or dredging of wetlands, lakes,
and open coastal waters only when consistent
with Coastal Act Section 30233.
• Provide mitigation measures for unavoidable
impacts of recreational beach loss from
permitted development.
Climate Change in California
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) directed the California Air Resources Board to develop rules and regulations necessary to achieve statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and emissions limits equivalent to 1990 levels by 2020. The AB 32 Scoping Plan includes energy efficiency measures, regional transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions targets, a renewable portfolio standard, a cap-and-trade program, a light-duty vehicle standard, and a low carbon fuel standard. The Scoping Plan also recognizes the essential partnership between State, regional, and local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments have authority over activities that produce both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions through land use planning and zoning, general permitting, local ordinances, and municipal operations. Therefore, many of the strategies outlined in the Scoping Plan require local government action.
Signed by Governor Brown in April 2015, Executive Order B-30-15, provides an interim target for the State of California to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, as a basis for guiding regulatory policy and investments in California and to ensure California remains on track to meet the longer term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 896
PLAN HERMOSA | 135
Context
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
has identified a need to limit global warming to 2
degrees Celsius or less by 2050 to avoid potentially
catastrophic climate change impacts. Recognizing
this critical tipping point, and knowing that the
impacts of climate change are already being felt
in California and will disproportionately impact
the State’s most vulnerable populations, the
State has established a long term goal to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels
by 2050. To meet these emissions goals, California
has set specific time-bound reduction targets,
through legislation and executive order, including
the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32),
Executive Order S-3-05, and Executive Order B-30-
10. While many Federal and State regulations are
focused on industry and sector-wide changes to
renewable energy production and fuel efficiency
standards, which will help to reduce local
greenhouse gas emissions, there are additional
requirements for local policy and action.
In general, there are two sets of strategies to cope
with climate change: mitigation and adaptation.
Mitigation strategies attempt to stop future
warming by lowering the level of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere, or capturing emitted
greenhouse gases prior to release into the
atmosphere. Examples of mitigation strategies
include planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide
from the air, increasing vehicle fuel efficiency to
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted
per mile driven, and conserving electricity to
lower greenhouse gas emissions from energy
production. While mitigation efforts may curb some
greenhouse gas emissions, these efforts are unlikely
to halt climate change entirely, requiring some
adaptation (see Public Safety Element for climate
change adaptation strategies).
The City of Hermosa Beach understands the
role each community must play in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid
catastrophic impacts of a changing climate, both
globally and locally. The City of Hermosa Beach
is committed to being a leader and innovator in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as a municipal
organization and as a community, in ways that
simultaneously support the community’s livability
and economic vitality goals. In 2015, the City set
a goal to be carbon neutral in municipal facilities
and operations by 2020.
Hermosa Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories
In 2014, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments received funding to conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions generated by each community within the region, including Hermosa Beach. The inventory looks at community sources, as well as sources generated by the City as a municipal organization for the years of 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012. The inventories identify the sources of GHG emissions generated by energy use, transportation, water and wastewater related energy use, and waste disposal.
Community GHG Emissions
• Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions generated by Hermosa Beach activities, representing approximately 54% of total emissions.
• The community of Hermosa Beach decreased emissions 7.7% from 2005 to 2012, from 137,160 MTCO2e to 126,611 MTCO2e.
• Under the Adjusted Business-as-Usual (BAU) forecast, emissions will be 111,690 MTCO2e in 2020 and 94,162 MTCO2e in 2035. These emissions levels are 19% lower in 2020 than 2005 and 31% lower than 2005 by 2035.
137,160 132,768 127,889 126,611
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
2005 (MTCO2e)2007 (MTCO2e)2010 (MTCO2e)2012 (MTCO2e)MTCO2e/yrOn-road transportation Residential Energy Commercial Energy
Solid Waste Water Off-Road Sources
Wastewater
Figure 4.1 Community GHG Emissions 2005-2012
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 897
136 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
Clean Fl
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Acti
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a
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South Bay Bicy
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Municipal GHG Emissions
• Greenhouse gas emissions from municipal
operations are generally more distributed
across activities, ranging from 11% – 24%.
• Municipal emissions have decreased 9% from
2005 to 2012, from 1,501 MTCO2e to 1,372
MTCO2e.
• Emissions in the Employee Commute, Outdoor
Lights-City Owned, and Solid Waste sectors
decreased between 2005 and 2012 while
Vehicle Fleet & Equipment, Buildings and
Facilities and SCE-Owned Outdoor Lights
increased during the same time period.
• The City will need to reduce emissions by 1,751
MTCO2e from the 2020 Adjusted BAU emissions
level to meet its carbon neutrality goal by 2020.
1,501 1,541
1,339 1,372
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200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2005 (MTCO2e)2007 (MTCO2e)2010 (MTCO2e)2012 (MTCO2e)MTCO2e/yrEmployee Commute Buildings & Facilities
Outdoor Lights - City Owned Fleet and Equipment
Solid Waste Outdoor Lights - SCE Owned
Water Pumping and Irrigation
Figure 4.2 Municipal GHG Emissions 2005-2012
Table 4.1 Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012
Sector 2005 (MTCO2e) 2007 (MTCO2e) 2010 (MTCO2e) 2012 (MTCO2e)% Change 2005 - 2012
On-road transportation 73,567 71,863 70,277 68,235 -7%
Residential Energy 32,293 31,964 32,700 33,808 5%
Commercial Energy 20,280 19,792 18,372 17,830 -12%
Solid Waste 6,015 4,584 3,510 3,334 -45%
Water 4,065 3,942 2,552 2,600 -36%
Off-Road Sources 888 588 419 745 -16%
Wastewater 52 35 59 59 13%
Total 137,160 132,768 127,889 126,611 -8%
% Change from 2005 -3%-7%-8%
Source: South Bay Cities Council of Governments, 2010.
Hermos
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Or
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2006 2010 2011 2011 2013 2014
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 898
PLAN HERMOSA | 137
Recent Efforts to Reduce Emissions
As illustrated in the inventory of greenhouse gas
emissions, the City and the community have
initiated several recent planning efforts and
policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from both community activities and municipal
operations. Recent efforts include:
Cool Cities Program: The City Council became a
participant in the ‘Cool Cities Program’ in 2006.
The ‘Cities for Climate Protection’ Campaign
helps local governments to adopt policies and
implement changes that reduce local emissions,
improve air quality, and enhance urban livability.
Water Conservation: The City adopted a Water
Conservation and Drought Management
Ordinance in 2010.
Hermosa Beach Sustainability Plan: The City’s
Green Task Force prepared the Sustainability Plan
in 2011, which outlines actions to reduce emissions.
South Bay Bicycle Master Plan, Beach Cities Livability Plan, Living Streets Policy: Adopted in
2011 these plans and policies promote active
transportation and greenhouse gas emissions
reduction.
Clean Fleet Policy and Action Plan: The City
Council adopted a Clean Fleet Policy and Action
Plan on June 11, 2013 with a goal of net zero
greenhouse gas emissions for the City fleet and
alternative fuels for 100% of contracted City service
vehicles.
Solid waste reduction: In October of 2014 Governor
Brown signed AB 1826 requiring businesses to
recycle their organic waste, and phasing in the
mandatory recycling of commercial organics
over time. Organic waste means food waste,
green waste, landscape and pruning waste,
nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper
waste that is mixed in with food waste.
Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations: The
City Council accepted the Municipal Carbon
Neutral Plan in 2015 and adopted a goal to be
carbon neutral by 2020 for municipal facilities
and operations. The Plan identified a pathway
to achieve this goal through a combination of
implementation measures and offset purchases.
Green Building Codes and Low Impact Development Ordinances: In 2015, City Council
accepted the Enhanced Watershed Management
Plan for the South Bay beach Cities that was
proceeded by the adoption of a Green Streets
Policy and Low-Impact Development Ordinance.
Renewable energy incentives: The City is a
participant in Energy Upgrade California and
several Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
programs that can be used by residents and
businesses. The City provides incentives to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in various sectors.
Beacon Award Program: The City is a participant in
this program which recognizes California cities and
counties that are working to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, save energy and adopt policies and
programs that promote sustainability.Renewa
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Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 899
138 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
sustainable practices for new development and
replacement of buildings. The Municipal Carbon Neutral Plan adopted in 2015 identified Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) as a powerful tool for reducing GHG emissions from energy use. Community Choice Aggregation enables local governments to aggregate electricity demand within their jurisdictions in order to procure alternative renewable energy supplies while maintaining the existing electricity provider for transmission and distribution services.
Green Building
Green building concepts can be incorporated into site and building design to reduce energy use, improve aesthetics and comfort, and provide a more cost-effective means of living. Six concepts of green building can help conserve energy and preserve the environment:
• Sustainable sites
• Water efficiency
• Energy and atmosphere
• Minerals and resources
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation and design process
The majority of building permit activity in Hermosa
Beach consists of remodels, renovations, and
tenant improvements. The City and utility providers
offer rebates and incentives for residents and
businesses to reduce their water and energy use.
Water Conservation
Water service is provided by California Water Service’s Hermosa-Redondo District using groundwater, imported surface water, and recycled supplies. Groundwater satisfies between 10% and 15% of the water demand in any given year, while recycled water generally makes up approximately 1 percent of the total water served. The remainder of the water supply provided to Hermosa Beach is purchased from West Basin Municipal Water District which utilizes imported water from the Colorado River Aqueduct and the California State Water Project, as well as groundwater supplies in Southern California. The District supplied 14,563 acre-feet per year (AFY) in 2010 and foresees that with additional anticipated conservation measures will have demand for 16,152 AFY by 2040. In response to recent drought conditions, the City has adopted a ‘Water Conservation and Drought Management Ordinance’ that applies to the use of water by
Air Quality
Air quality, which is both a local and regional issue,
is an important contributor to health and quality of life and determinant in rates of asthma, respiratory disease and some cancers. The majority of air-borne emissions in Hermosa Beach are attributable to mobile sources from major roadways including PCH, Artesia Boulevard, and Aviation Boulevard, as well as major Freeways, shipping ports (Long Beach and Los Angeles), and airports. In addition to mobile sources, stationary sources may also contribute to air pollution within the city such as refineries in surrounding cities. Although these sources have the potential to affect air pollution within the city, these sources are regulated by SCAQMD permitting process to minimize pollutant emissions and impacts to sensitive uses. Indoor air quality can also include contaminants from building materials or other pollutants. Air quality can also be influenced by very localized conditions such as the presence of cigarette smoke. In 2012, the City of Hermosa Beach launched the Healthy Air Hermosa initiative creating a smoke-free environment at public outdoor gathering spaces such as Pier Plaza. In 2016, the Healthy Air Hermosa initiative was further expanded to limit smoking from all public spaces throughout Hermosa Beach including the beach, parks, and city sidewalks.
Energy Resources
Residential and nonresidential (businesses, industrial
processes, government operations) activities in
Hermosa Beach such as building heating and
cooling, lighting, and appliance operation require
electricity and natural gas. Energy is generated
over large areas by many different sources, so
tracking the specific source of energy used in
any one place can be difficult. Energy that is not
generated at a facility by an energy provider
can be purchased from other producers and
transmitted to the energy user through energy
transmission networks. Energy sources used in
Hermosa Beach include hydroelectric, waste-to-
energy transformation, geothermal, solar, wind,
coal, natural gas, and nuclear. Electricity within the
planning area is provided by Southern California
Edison, while natural gas is supplied by the
Southern California Gas Company.
The City is required to implement the California
Building Code, including Title 24 energy efficiency
requirements, which govern the design and
construction of buildings to achieve safety and
sustainability in new and remodeled development.
In addition, the City’s Building Code requires
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 900
PLAN HERMOSA | 139
individuals, households and businesses. It also
applies to installation of various devices. Hermosa
Beach residents have also engaged in educational
competitions, like the Wyland Water Challenge,
committing to further conservation of water at
both an individual and community wide scale.
Solid Waste and Recycling
More than half of the solid waste generated by
Hermosa Beach residents, businesses, and visitors
is diverted from local landfills through recycling
and reuse. Solid waste disposal services in Hermosa
Beach are provided by a franchise waste hauler.
Solid waste is hauled to a regional Waste Materials
Recovery Facility, where it is sorted and recycled.
Waste materials are then transported to a variety
of landfills throughout the region. Residential
hazardous waste disposal is available at a facility
operated by the City of Los Angeles in Playa Del
Rey. Additionally, the City organizes a variety of
education and outreach opportunities to the
community, including events to collect household
hazardous waste, shredding, and composting.
To comply with State Law, the City is required to
create a waste management plan that promotes
waste source reduction, recycling and composting,
and environmentally safe transformation and
disposal to help achieve the statewide goal that at
least 75% of solid waste generated in California be
source-reduced, recycled, or composted by the
year 2020. The Sustainability Plan waste reduction
and recycling programs focus on characterizing
the municipal and community waste streams,
providing a comprehensive recycling and diversion
program, providing green waste recycling and
backyard composting programs, considering a
food waste diversion program, improving multi-
family residential recycling options and household
hazardous waste programs, and setting a “zero-
waste” goal for the community.
Regional Geology
Hermosa Beach is located at the southwest end
of Santa Monica Bay, with rolling hills ranging
in elevation from sea level in the west to about
200 feet above sea level at inland locations. The
planning area is located along the southwestern
margin of the Los Angeles Basin and Coastal Plain.
The Los Angeles Basin is bounded by the Santa
Monica, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana Mountains
to the north and east, and the Pacific Ocean and
Palos Verdes Hills to the west and south. It is filled
with sedimentary deposits up to 35,000 feet thick,
and since the basin was submerged beneath the
ocean until approximately five million years ago,
much of the sediment is marine deposits. Beneath
multiple layers of alluvial deposits, stratified sands,
sandstone, and siltstone are offshore oil reservoirs.
Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a normal process whereby earth
materials are loosened, worn away, decomposed, or
dissolved and are moved from one place to another
by water, wind, and gravity. While erosion is naturally
a slow process, acceleration can occur from the
steepening of slopes, removal of ground cover,
paving, and other human activities associated with
construction and landscaping. For example, hillside
construction often requires land grading activities
that can result in steeper slopes, which are more
prone to soil erosion. Preparing land for construction
can also remove ground cover, exposing soils to
wind erosion. Accelerated erosion within an urban
area can cause damage by undermining structures,
blocking storm sewers, and depositing sand or mud
in roads and tunnels. Eroded materials are eventually
deposited into coastal waters where the carried
silt remains suspended for some time, polluting the
water and altering the normal balance of plant and
animal life. Potential issues involving soils, such as the
potential for soil expansion or corrosion, are analyzed
on a project-by-project basis.
Mineral Resources
California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
directs the classification and mapping of regionally
significant mineral resource zones (MRZs). The State
and City are then required to designate future
uses within such areas that maintain or preserve
mineral resources to meet the region’s future need
for construction quality aggregates. The entirety
of Hermosa Beach is classified as Mineral Resource
Zone 3 (MRZ-3) under the California Mineral Land
Classification System. In MRZ-3 areas, mineral
resources are present, but the significance of
the resource is considered speculative because
mining has not historically occurred in the area.
Additionally, since most of the area has been
developed, mining activities would not be feasible.
Subsurface oil deposits are also present in Hermosa
Beach. However, in March 2015, the City’s populace
voted, at a rate of four to one, against Measure O,
upholding the prohibition of oil drilling within the City
of Hermosa Beach. If Measure O is overturned at
some point in the future, additional measures would
be needed to mitigate potential environmental and
health hazards associated with oil extraction.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 901
140 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
Goal 1. Carbon Neutral Municipal Facilities and Operations by 2020 and sustained into the future.
Hermosa Beach has committed to a holistic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach will ensure major planning decisions are evaluated for how
effective, how quick, and how cost-effective each action will be in helping to achieve
the goal of being a carbon neutral municipal organization by 2020. Once achieved,
the City will need to sustain carbon neutrality achievement beyond 2020 through continued leadership and commitment.
Policies
1.1 Carbon neutral organization. Demonstrate environmental leadership and achieve carbon neutrality as a municipal organization by 2020.
1.2 Highest return on investment. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects that simultaneously reduce ongoing operational costs to the City.
1.3 Align reductions with sources. Pursue a diverse mixture of greenhouse gas reduction strategies across the range of municipal activities that generate greenhouse gas emissions.
1.4 City leadership. Create a culture of leadership, innovation, and ingenuity to implement creative and cost-effective greenhouse gas reducing projects for City facilities and operations.
1.5 Demonstration and pilot projects. Utilize demonstration and pilot projects as a means to evaluate the greenhouse gas reduction potential and cost effectiveness of projects.
1.6 Promotion of carbon neutrality. Highlight the City’s carbon neutrality efforts as a means to attract and encourage additional investment and new green and cleantech business enterprises.
1.7 Evaluation of progress reports. Regularly evaluate and provide reports on progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals and project results.
1.8 Seek grant funding. Support implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects through the use of grant funding, rebates, and other incentive opportunities.
1.9 Equipment sharing. Explore opportunities to share, lease, or jointly utilize equipment for City operations.
Goals and Policies
A primary objective of this Plan is to set Hermosa Beach on a path toward a low carbon future. To achieve that objective, it is essential that greenhouse gas reducing measures are integrated throughout this Plan. Goals, policies, and actions specific to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from each activity sector, can be found throughout this element as well as the mobility, land use, parks and open space, and infrastructure elements.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 902
PLAN HERMOSA | 141
Goal 2. Hermosa Beach is a Low-Carbon Community meeting State Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Goals by 2040.
Climate change, often cited as the environmental crisis of our generation, poses
a threat to the safety, health and welfare of the community. The City of Hermosa
Beach is committed to being a leader of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has engaged in a number of innovative efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with State greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Policies
2.1 State targets and goals. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with long-term State targets and goals to reduce emissions by at least 66% below 2005 levels by 2040.
2.2 Health and economic benefits. Prioritize the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects that simultaneously provide the greatest economic and health benefits to the community.
2.3 Diversify GHG reduction strategies. Pursue a diverse mixture of greenhouse gas reduction strategies across the transportation, energy, waste sectors, commensurate with their share of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions.
2.4 Land use and transportation investments. Promote land use and transportation investments that support greater transportation choice, greater local economic opportunity, and reduced number and length of automobile trips.
2.5 Grants and incentives. Seek additional sources of funding to support implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects for the City, as well as residents and businesses.
2.6 Greenhouse gas emissions. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds for use in evaluating non-exempt discretionary projects consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act and require projects above that threshold to substantially mitigate all feasible greenhouse gas emissions, and locally offset the remainder of greenhouse gas emissions produced to meet thresholds.
2.7 Emerging technologies. Regularly evaluate new and emerging technology changes that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the use of such technology when it is demonstrated to be effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a fiscally responsible investment.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 903
142 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
Goal 3. Improved air quality and reduced air pollution emissions.
It is a well documented fact that poor air quality can contribute to respiratory health
problems such as asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, therefore improving local air quality is an important public safety and health priority for the City. By proactively limiting stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, and supporting
techniques and technologies that will improve air quality, Hermosa Beach can
maintain its reputation as a clean and healthy place to live.
Policies
3.1 Stationary and mobile sources. Seek to improve overall respiratory health for residents
through regulation of stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, as feasible.
3.2 Mobile source reductions. Support land use and transportation strategies to reduce
emissions, including pollution from commercial and passenger vehicles.
3.3 Fuel efficient fleets. Promote fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles as well as
construction and maintenance equipment by requesting that City contractors provide
cleaner fleets.
3.4 Landscape equipment. Discourage the use of landscape equipment with two-stroke
engines and publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.
3.5 Clean fuels. Support increased local access to cleaner fuels and cleaner energy by
encouraging fueling stations that provide cleaner fuels and energy to the community.
3.6 Healthy Air Hermosa. Maintain high quality outdoor and public spaces in Hermosa Beach
through the Healthy Air Hermosa program, or subsequent programs which aim to reduce
cigarette smoke.
3.7 Regional air quality. When possible, collaborate with other agencies within the region
to improve air quality and meet or exceed State and Federal air quality standards through
regional efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, including trucks and passenger
vehicles.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 904
PLAN HERMOSA | 143
Goal 4. A leader in reducing energy consumption and renewable energy production.
The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, the economy, community health and well-being, and productivity. Green building, energy conservation, and renewable energy generation can help the community maintain
valuable resources over the long term, cut utility costs for businesses and residents, and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By encouraging both green building and energy
conservation, the city can realize green and resource-efficient development and foster conservation behaviors that are essential to a low-carbon community.
Policies
4.1 Renewable energy generation. Require, promote, or facilitate the installation of renewable energy projects on homes and businesses.
4.2 Retrofit program. Provide an energy retrofit program and incentives to assist home and building owners to make efficiency improvements.
4.3 Rental efficiency. Adopt a financing program to incentivize rental efficiency retrofits that benefit both the owner and tenant.
4.4 Municipal facilities. Utilize renewable energy sources at City facilities to support achieving municipal carbon neutrality by 2020.
4.5 Sustainable building standards. Use sustainable building checklists to minimize or eliminate waste and maximize recycling in building design, demolition, and construction activities.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 905
144 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
Goal 5. Water conservation practices, recycled water use, and innovative water
technologies support a resource efficient community.
Conserve the city’s water supply and reduce the negative environmental impacts of
water use through water efficiency, conservation, capture, and reuse.
Policies
5.1 Recycled water facilities. Increase the availability of recycled water supply (i.e. purple pipes) and facilitate the installation of distribution facilities throughout the city to conserve potable water use.
5.2 Rainwater collection. Encourage innovative water recycling techniques such as rainwater capture and use of cisterns for outdoor watering purposes.
5.3 Water conservation programs. Update and improve water conservation and efficiency programs, requirements, and incentives on a regular basis.
5.4 Conservation behavior. Maximize water conservation and efficiency upgrades through education, regulation, and incentives covering every aspect of water use.
5.5 Greywater. Encourage the installation of greywater irrigation or disposal systems.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 906
PLAN HERMOSA | 145
Goal 6. Hermosa Beach is a zero-waste community with convenient and effective options for recycling,
composting, and diverting waste from landfills.
California has set a statewide goal of reaching 75% source reduction, composting,
and recycling by 2020. Reaching this State mandate is an obvious goal for the City.
More importantly, the Hermosa Beach community has explicitly stated an independent commitment to continually strive to reduce waste and be an example of a sustainable, low-carbon community.
Policies
6.1 Franchise agreements. Ensure waste franchise agreements and program offerings provide progressively higher rates of waste diversion.
6.2 Food waste collection. Ensure food waste collection is available and convenient for all residents, businesses, and organizations to divert materials from landfills.
6.3 Multi-family and commercial recycling. Require the provision of convenient recycling options in multi-family residential and commercial uses, until single-stream services make it unnecessary to separate recycling from other materials.
6.4 Material source reduction. Support and enforce requirements to minimize the use of non-recyclable materials or materials commonly found on the beach, such as plastic bags and polystyrene.
6.5 Recycled materials. Encourage and support the sale of products that minimize packaging or are made from recycled materials.
6.6 Composting programs. Provide composting equipment at community facilities and events and encourage home and commercial composting.
6.7 Green purchasing. Evaluate “green purchasing” options across all City departments and consider the life cycle effects of purchases.
6.8 Recycled building materials. Where cost effective and structurally feasible, maximize the use of recycled building materials in new construction projects.
6.9 Building salvage. Maximize building salvage and deconstruction in remodeling or building demolition projects.
6.10 Evaluate recycling and waste diversion opportunities. Periodically evaluate and consider new opportunities to achieve greater waste diversion rates.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 907
146 | CHAPTER 4: SUSTAINABILITY + CONSERVATION
Goal 7. Essential topsoil is retained and erosion is minimized.
The land on which Hermosa Beach is set determines what types of uses can be
supported, what hazards should be considered, and what mitigation should be completed when development occurs. The City strives to protect these resources, and to comply with regulatory requirements.
Policies
7.1 Permeable pavement. Require the use of permeable pavement in parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, and other low-intensity paved areas.
7.2 Soil erosion. Utilize best management practices in grading and construction to minimize the amount of sediment running onto the street, drainage facilities, or adjacent properties.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 908
PLAN HERMOSA | 147
Beautiful, accessible, and well maintained parks, open space, and recreation facilities,
and quality recreational programs are essential amenities for Hermosa Beach. They help create community and make the city more livable and attractive, provide a
place of relaxation and relief from the urban environment, encourage physical activity
and health, provide a forum for gathering and interaction, and reduce urban heat islands. Many urban areas – including Hermosa Beach – have both high demand for
these amenities and limited options for providing them. This puts a premium on the parks and open space provided, and reinforces their importance. Parks and open
space play a key role in sustainability and contribute to the health and quality of life for
the community. Open space is the primary land use that provides ecosystem services within a community, providing for opportunities that range from groundwater recharge
to food production to wildlife habitat. Additionally, parks and open space provide valuable recreational amenities to communities, leading to increased property values,
safety, economic activity, and better health. Over and above the State requirements,
this Element includes policy guidance about recreational programming, beach management and special events, enhanced access to the coast, the protection of
scenic views, natural habitats, and the urban forest.
5 parks + open space
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 909
148 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
State Law
This Parks and Open Space Element has been prepared to meet State General Plan law requirements for open space, and additionally to meet California Coastal Act requirements related to coastal access, scenic views, and environmentally sensitive habitat areas, and temporary events. Additionally, this Element incorporates context and policies to meet the California Endangered Species Act and the Quimby Park Fee Act.
General Plan
California General Plan Law requires an open space element to address the following topics:
• Must identify any areas intended to preserve natural resources and any areas intended to manage the production of natural resources.
• Must identify any areas intended to serve outdoor recreation needs, including links or access points to recreational areas.
• Must identify any areas that, due to increased exposure to natural hazards, should not be occupied by buildings or structures.
• Should identify the demands for trail-oriented recreational use.
• Should identify publicly owned corridors (abandoned rail lines, utility corridors, easements) for future use as recreational trails and open space.
• Should identify the potential integration of trail routes with regional and State segments of the California Recreational Trails System.
Park Fees
The collection of park and recreation facility fees
are important to address within the General Plan.
As part of approval of a final tract or parcel map,
the California Quimby Act allows a city to require
dedication of land, the payment of in-lieu fees, or
a combination of both to be used for the provision
of parks and recreational services. Cities can
require land or in lieu fees for a minimum of 3 acres
per 1,000 residents, with the possibility of increasing
the requirement to a maximum of 5 acres per 1,000
residents if the city already provides more than 3
acres per 1,000 residents.
In Hermosa Beach, parks and recreation
facility fees are assessed on new development
applications and used solely for the acquisition,
improvement, and expansion of public park,
playground and/or recreation facilities. In
recent years, the Capital Improvement Program
has identified more than $700,000 for Park
Improvement Projects. In comparison, the Park and
Recreation In Lieu Fee was expected to collect
approximately $200,000 on an annual basis.
Coastal Land Use Plan
The California Coastal Act requires that the City’s Local Coastal Program contain specific coastal access and beach management components to “assure that maximum public access to the coastal and public recreation areas is provided.” Given the importance of recreational activities on the beach to the City’s cultural identity and economic vitality, beach management has been elevated to a priority issue with dedicated goals and policies in PLAN Hermosa. The Coastal Land Use Plan incorporates specific components related to parks and open space as follows:
Coastal Access
• Provide to the maximum extent practicable, a public access inventory, including a map showing the specific locations of existing and proposed public access to the coast, including segments of the California Coastal Trail and the status and location of those subject to offers to dedicate easements or deed restrictions.
• Provide measures to ensure new development does not impede access and is compatible with public access areas.
• Provide estimates of current visitor and facilities use, and unmet or future demand by location and type of access.
• Identify potential public agency acquisitions, development or redevelopment, and management of public recreation and visitor-serving facilities.
• Identify dedication or in lieu fee requirements
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 910
PLAN HERMOSA | 149
for recreation and open space to accompany
new development and to mitigate the
cumulative impacts of development.
Scenic Views
• Identify public scenic and visual characteristics including: view corridors, viewsheds, and highly scenic coastal areas.
• Provide descriptions of any development encroachments, including signs, billboards, and lighting, on public views and scenic areas.
• Identify coastal view and visual quality protection policies
Natural Habitat Areas
• Define and map Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) for known sensitive habitat areas and state that ESHA maps are not an exhaustive compilation of habitat areas.
• Identify requirements for conducting site-specific biological evaluations, historical analysis of disturbed areas, and field observations to identify ESHA and other sensitive resources and potential impacts.
• Provide designations in and surrounding ESHAs, where practical, that limit uses and ensure compatibility between ESHAs and adjacent land uses through open space easements, deed restrictions or buffers to ESHAs.
• Identify requirements for ensuring detailed restoration and monitoring plans for projects involving habitat mitigation and restoration.
• Identify measures to address beach grooming, consistent with protection of sensitive species (e.g., grunion and western snowy plover).
Additionally, numerous California regulations, including the California Endangered Species Act protect special-status species and important habitat areas, including Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs). The General Plan must comply with State and Federal requirements to protect special-status species, native plants, beach areas, and the Santa Monica Bay watershed.
Temporary Events
The California Coastal Act specifically addresses
“temporary events,” noting that temporary events are “[a kind of] development, but are authorized without permit when they do not have any significant adverse impact upon coastal resources.” The Coastal Land Use Plan:
• Must identify and address the criteria to be
used to mitigate potentially adverse impacts from temporary events.
Context
The City owns, operates, and maintains many
developed park and recreation facilities providing
green space, picnic facilities, a skateboard
park, tennis courts, lawn bowling, and space for
sporting events, as well as a community garden.
These facilities and open spaces provide much
of the City’s natural and green space and areas
for wildlife habitat. In addition to providing
facilities, the Community Resources Department
manages requests for special events, processes
facility reservations, and offers programs to serve
everyone from youths to seniors.
Shakespeare by the Sea performance at Valley Park
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 911
150 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Park Name Address Park Type Size (Acres)
1 Shaffer Park Ingleside Ave & 33rd Pl Parkette < 0.1
2 Valley Park Valley Dr & Gould Ave Park 8.8
3 Valley Greenbelt Trail/Open Space 19
4 Sea View Park Prospect Ave & 19th St Park 0.3
5 Scout Parkette Prospect Ave & 14th St Parkette < 0.1
6 Greenwood Park PCH & Aviation Blvd Park 0.5
7 Fort Lots-o-Fun Prospect Ave & 6th St Park 0.2
8 Edith Rodaway Friendship Park Prospect Ave Park 0.8
9 4th & Prospect Parkettes 4th St & Prospect Ave Parkette < 0.1
10 Oceanview Parkette 3rd St Parkette < 0.1
11 Moondust Parkette 2nd St Parkette < 0.1
12 City Beach, Strand, Pier Trail/Open Space 63.4
13 Noble Park 1400 The Strand Park 0.8
14 Clark Stadium/Lawn Bowling Green 861 Valley Dr Park 6.6
15 8th & Valley Parkette 8th St & Valley Dr Parkette < 0.1
16 South Park 425 Valley Dr Park 4.5
17 Ardmore Park 491 Ardmore Park Park 0.2
18 Bicentennial Park Valley Dr & 4th St Park 0.4
19 Kay Etow Parkette Herondo St Parkette < 0.1
20 Sand Hill Parkette Manhattan Ave & Loma
Dr
Parkette < 0.1
TOTAL 105.5
Facility Name Address Park Type Size (Acres)
21 Hermosa Beach Community Center 710 Pier Ave Community
Center
4.8
22 View School 1800 Prospect Ave School 4.6
23 Valley School 1645 Valley Dr School 8.8
24 North School 417 25th St School 1.8
25 Prospect Avenue Building 1006 6th St Public Building 0.2
TOTAL 20.2
Table 5.1 Parks + Community Facilities
City Parks + Open Space
Hermosa Beach currently has 105 acres of parkland
with a total of 20 parks and parkettes (See Table
5.1). The beach, which is owned by the City,
provides a valuable and prominent open space
resource for residents and visitors, accounting
for 63 acres of open space. The Hermosa Valley
Greenbelt encompasses 19 acres, providing a
vegetated open space corridor that runs north-
south along the entire length of the city.
The city’s largest parks or recreational spaces:
the Community Center, Valley Park, South Park,
and Clark Stadium are located adjacent to the
Greenbelt with smaller parks or parkettes, less than 1 acre in size, distributed throughout the city. Parks within the city provide play fields, tennis courts, lawn bowling, a skate park, and space for a number of activities for picnics, youth programs, and other outdoor recreation activities. In 2011, the City established a temporary community garden at South Park to test options. The community garden area has been permanently constructed as a part of the park renovations completed in 2016. The three school sites incorporate playgrounds, courts, and playing fields which add to the range of recreational spaces available to the community when school is not in session.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 912
PLAN HERMOSA | 151
Figure 5.1 Parks + Public Facilities
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 913
152 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Youth Programs
Youth program offerings vary in length from one day or week in length, to seasonal or year-round activities and include athletic programs, creative arts activities, and social programs. Additionally, the P.A.R.K. (Positive Active Recreation for Kids) Program is an after-school program offered at the Hermosa Beach Community Center and South Park for Hermosa Beach residents, emphasizing active recreation for children in 1st through 8th grades.
Adult Classes & Leagues
Adult classes and leagues offer athletic and
creative arts programming for beginner to
advanced levels. In addition to seasonal classes,
the City offers social excursions for adults to
locations, typically encompassing tours of cultural
landmarks and activity centers around the region.
Senior Programs
Senior services are needed to serve the unique needs of older community members. Private facilities, such as Sunrise Senior Living, provide living arrangements for older residents ranging from independent housing to assisted medical care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. For recreational purposes, the City opened the Hermosa Five-O Senior Activity Center in May 2010. The center provides group activities and classes to all South Bay residents who are 50 years of age or older.
Community Facilities
The public facilities designed to serve the
community include buildings like the Community
Center and Clark Building, as well as parks and
trails like the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt and The
Strand. Three facilities, Valley Park, Clark Stadium,
Edith Roadway Park, and South Park, support
activities and sport leagues for both youth and
adult participants. Clark Stadium also provides
lawn bowling. The Clark Building, located at 861
Valley Drive, provides a multi-purpose hall and
lighted sports fields. South Park, located at 425
Valley Drive, provides lawn areas, a new universal
access play area, a community garden, and is also
used for organized sports.
The Community Center and Hermosa Beach
Community Theater are located at 710 Pier
Avenue, at the intersection of Pacific Coast
Highway and Pier Avenue. This complex includes
a community center with meeting rooms, senior
center, large and small theaters, gymnasium, skate
park, tennis courts and the Hermosa Beach History
Museum.
Recreational Programming
The Community Resources Department provides recreational programming to serve the needs of Hermosa Beach residents of all ages. The department offers targeted programs for youth, adults, and seniors, as described below.
Hermosa Beach Community Center and Lawn
South Park was renovated in 2016 to include a community garden and the first universally accessible playground in the South Bay.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 914
PLAN HERMOSA | 153
Access to Parks, Schools,
and Community Facilities
Certain areas of the city are better served by parks than others. Even in neighborhoods with existing parks, many residents are located farther from a community-sized park than the commonly accepted standard of access of one quarter mile walk distance, although parkettes, school facilities and small open spaces help to increase access to open space.
Improving park access throughout the city is critical, and upgrading pedestrian connections to existing parks is the primary means to achieve this goal (apart from adding new parks). Initiatives to create a complete and connected safe routes to school network (see Figure 3.11 in the Mobility Element) also serve to better connect parks and public facilities throughout the city.
The Strand and Greenbelt provide city-long paths. Following a ballot initiative (Measure O, 1986), redesignation of park land designated Open Space in the General Plan to any other use requires voter approval. The Hermosa Valley Greenbelt/Trail, located between Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue, runs the length of the city and connects to Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. The Greenbelt provides a walking and jogging trail.
While the Greenbelt and The Strand serve important north-south connections, safe and convenient east-west connections are lacking.
Given its gridded street network, small blocks, dense land uses, and low posted speed limits, Hermosa Beach holds the potential for a greater pedestrian environment. The 22 walk streets provide safe and plentiful pedestrian connections between Downtown, neighborhoods, and the beach, while walking paths on the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt provide north-south connections away from the beach. The Strand, Southern California’s famous beachside bicycle path, also serves the Hermosa Beach community on its way between Torrance and Malibu.
Despite these inherent benefits, the pedestrian environment suffers from a lack of continuity. Sidewalks, in particular, are not continuous throughout the city. In many places, sidewalks are present on both sides of the roadway, while in others – chiefly on local streets – they are present on just one side or not at all. Missing curb ramps, steep driveways, and sidewalk obstructions present challenges to users of all abilities.
Hermosa Valley School playground
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 915
154 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
View: a sight or prospect that can be taken in from a particular place
View corridor: a continuous line of sight from which natural scenery is observed
Viewshed: the compilation of viewpoints that can observe a particular view
View point: a particular place from which natural scenery can be observed
Scenic Resources
The character and beauty of Hermosa Beach are inextricably linked to its coastal location and natural topography. Views of the Pacific Ocean are plentiful, and on a clear day, there are several locations that provide views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, the Santa Monica Bay and Santa Monica Mountains to the north, and the Los Angeles Basin and San Gabriel Mountains to the east and inland (see Figure 5.2). The beach and The Strand provide some of the most expansive and uninterrupted scenic vistas in Hermosa Beach. Other scenic vistas are best viewed from higher elevations along Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue as depicted in Figure 5.3.
In addition to the ocean vistas, the visual character of Hermosa Beach itself is considered a unique resource. Features such as the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt, the Downtown District, Hermosa Pier, and the Bijou Theater represent aspects of the city’s history. Encouraging future development and renovation projects enhance and build on the character of these areas is described in the Land Use + Design Element.
Figure 5.2 Regionally Important Views
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 916
PLAN HERMOSA | 155
Figure 5.3 Prominent Public Viewpoints and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 917
156 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Coastal Access
The City of Hermosa Beach is home
to a wide sandy beach that runs the length of the city. Access to the beach is provided by 22 walk streets that run perpendicular to and connect with Hermosa Avenue. Walk Streets occur approximately every 200 to 500 feet. An additional five street ends occur along Beach Drive. Most access points (alleys and street ends) are located no more than 300 feet apart. The main exception is in the northern stretch of Hermosa Avenue between 25th Street and 35th Street where some access points are more than 1,000 feet apart. Figure 5.4 depicts existing coastal access points in Hermosa Beach. No additional access points are currently planned or anticipated. The following describes access conditions and features along the coast.
Access and transportation to the beach is a major issue both for community members and for compliance with the Coastal Act. A number of beach access points are provided from public streets and alleys including walking and biking paths. The Strand also provides access within Hermosa Beach and from neighboring cities. In 2014, many visitors arrived by car and utilized public or private parking, which is addressed in more detail in the Mobility Element.
The Strand
The Strand is a multi-use path that runs along the
beach for the length of Hermosa Beach. The Strand
provides horizontal access across the beach, and is
well served by the many access points in Hermosa
Beach. The Strand continues north into Manhattan
Beach and south into Redondo Beach. The Strand
was the first completed segment of the California
Coastal Trail in Los Angeles County and fulfills the
City’s commitment to completing the state wide
Coastal Trail. The Strand is heavily trafficked, and
during high use periods, becomes congested,
particularly when pedestrians stand on the path to
socialize.
Beach Area North of 24th Street
Six public access points to the beach are located north of 24th Street. Access points include locations where The Strand crosses into Hermosa Beach, and five walk streets. This segment of the coast has the longest gaps between access points; two of the access points between 26th Street and 35th Street are over 1,000 feet apart. Where access points do occur, no signs indicate whether the walk streets are intended for public access.
Beach Area North of the Pier to 24th Street
Including 24th Street, 12 coastal access points are
located north of the Pier, including an access point
to the public restroom located on the beach at
22nd Street. Beach access is provided via street
ends at 22nd Street, 15th Street, and 14th Street, as
well as via the parking garage at 13th Street. The
remaining access points are walk streets.
The Pier and Pier Plaza
Pier Plaza is a major commercial pedestrian area
that is accessed via adjacent parking lots, a Class
III bicycle route along Hermosa Avenue, and
pedestrian connections from Hermosa Avenue
and Pier Avenue. Pier Plaza provides access to
The Strand, adjacent beach areas, and the Pier.
The Pier extends into the Pacific Ocean, providing
access to numerous recreational activities
including fishing, sightseeing, and walking.
Beach Area South of the Pier
Thirteen access points are located south of the Pier. This section of the coast has the most frequent access, with access points occurring every 200 to 300 feet. Street end access is provided at 11th Street, 10th Street, and 2nd Street, in addition to access to The Strand at the Redondo Beach border. The remaining access points are walk streets.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 918
PLAN HERMOSA | 157
Figure 5.4 Coastal Access Inventory Map
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 919
158 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Beach Visitors + Recreational Activities
Hermosa Beach is one of the most heavily visited beaches on the coast of California. The Strand,
the Pier, and the beach itself are all heavily used resources. Visitors to these areas come from all over the Los Angeles region and from throughout California, the United States, and abroad. Surveys conducted each year by Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards on the beach indicate that, on average, close to 500,000 individuals visit the beach each month. In peak summer periods, this can increase to well over 1.5 million visitors per month.
The beach area offers numerous public amenities distributed through and includes 4 sets of restrooms, 14 lifeguard towers, 76 volleyball courts, 4 sets of swing sets, and 6 beach tennis courts (see Figure 5.5). According to a 2014 beach user survey, conducted to support the Local Coastal Program, visitors are generally happy with the quality and management of beach facilities and resources.
The area of the beach between 10th and 15th streets is considered to be the “commercial area” where the City permits special events such as concerts, volleyball tournaments, surfing events, and other organized activities or large group gatherings to occur. Other than The Strand, this is the only area of the beach in which special events are permitted, and the area where the City retains the responsibility of maintaining the volleyball courts. Residents take responsibility for maintaining volleyball courts on other areas of the beach.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 920
PLAN HERMOSA | 159
Figure 5.5 Hermosa Beach Amenities
Other amenities include items such as swing sets, water fountains, bike parking, or the beach
tennis courts.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 921
160 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Special Events
The City of Hermosa Beach receives
applications for nearly 100 special
events each year to be held at the City’s
parks and beach. Events range in size from dozens
of people participating in volleyball tournaments
to thousands of people attending concerts, fiestas,
parades, and beach events.
Given the importance of managing events in the
Coastal Zone to the city’s cultural identity and
economic vitality, special event management
has been elevated to a priority issue. While these
events are a major economic driver and attract
many visitors, they can also constrain parking
capacity, divert public safety resources, and
crowd local restaurants and services, which may
limit the use and general enjoyment of the beach
by members of the public, families, and residents
who simply wish to access the coastline.
Because the beach is a key part of the Southern
California beach culture, a number of social
and recreational events occur at these locations
throughout the year. Some events draw several
thousand visitors, with events like the Discovery
Channel’s FinFest attracting an estimated 15,000
attendees, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade
attracting 30,000 spectators, and the annual Fiesta
Hermosa events on Memorial Day and Labor
Day weekends attracting 150,000 visitors over the
course of each three-day weekend.
An analysis of special events programmed for
2014 and 2015 coinciding with preparation of
PLAN Hermosa indicated that the majority of
special event days in Hermosa Beach are for
small, single-day events. However, there are a
substantial number of large events, which have a
Figure 5.6 Events by Number of Participants
Figure 5.7 Number of Event Day by Quarter
heavier impact on coastal access, parking, and other services in surrounding neighborhoods. Small events occur throughout the year, with a peak of event days during the spring. Large events with greater than 1,000 participants are most prevalent in the summer, but also occur in the spring and fall. Special events use the beach area close to and north of the Pier most frequently, with nearly 30 event days each spring and an additional 30 event days each summer. Fewer event days are typically scheduled for The Strand, the Pier, or Pier Plaza. However, because of constrained space and direct proximity to other uses, the events may be more obtrusive in those areas.
To identify the cumulative effect of special events over an annual calendar year, subdivided into summer and other months, the City has established a Days Used by Events (DUE) metric. In 2014–2015, a special event of one type or another took place in the Coastal Zone on about 93% of available summer days in Hermosa Beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day (an annually variable span of approximately 100 days). If setup days are included, special events occurred nearly every day during the summertime. For events with more than 1,000 participants, a special event took place in the Coastal Zone on about 37% of available summer days. If setup days are included, these large events occurred on approximately 53% of available summer days. It should be noted that the City considers 2014–2015 to represent an above-average condition with regard to special events.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 922
PLAN HERMOSA | 161
The City acknowledges that special events can simultaneously benefit and impact the quality of life in Hermosa Beach. The following discussion highlights important community issues related to special events.
Community Character
Special events contribute to the beach culture desired by residents and the community. However, while adding to the diversity of the community, the frequency and size of special events can also create congestion and reduce the availability of facilities for locals or visitors who are not participating in the event.
Economic Vitality
Special events bring visitors to Hermosa Beach
who spend money in local establishments.
This strengthens the business community and
contributes to the tax base. Special events also
advertise Hermosa Beach’s desirability, which can
help increase tourism revenues.
Environmental Sustainability
Special events in Hermosa Beach are expected to implement measures to reduce impacts and costs to the environment, the City, and the community. Applicants are required to complete Environmental Protection Plans, specifying how they will comply with applicable measures for recycling and waste reduction, transportation, energy, marine protection, and public education using a green matrix that is part of the special event application.
Healthy Active Lifestyles
From volleyball tournaments to concerts, special events provide numerous public recreation and cultural opportunities that community residents can participate in or enjoy as spectators. On occasion, volleyball tournaments occupy a large number of municipal courts within the commercial area between 11th and 14th Streets, which can make it challenging for residents or the public to utilize the amenity at certain times. The City strives to balance the concentration of events at Pier Plaza, the beach, the Pier, and The Strand to balance access to the beach by the public.
Special Events + Beach CultureFiesta Hermosa attracts nearly 150,000 people over a three-day weekend
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 923
162 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Natural Habitat +
Wildlife
Despite being part of the dense urban fabric along the Santa Monica Bay, Hermosa Beach is home to important habitat and wildlife resources. The shoreline and pockets within the city support habitats and wildlife typical of the urban landscape. Hermosa Beach includes numerous parks, beach and marine habitats that support hundreds of ornamental and non-native plants and various animals common to the urban landscape. Open space areas include the beach, Hermosa Valley Greenbelt, the hillside between Loma Drive and the Valley Neighborhood, and numerous large and small parks.
Because Hermosa Beach is an urbanized community, open space and areas not disturbed or heavily used by humans are scarce. However, there are opportunities to enhance existing habitat in open space areas. For example, the Greenbelt has potential to function as an important resource for local and migratory species such as monarch butterflies, and the restoration of vegetated dune habitat along the beach would significantly enhance habitat and wildlife diversity.
Habitat and wildlife located off the shore of Hermosa Beach includes a rich diversity of migratory and resident species of mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. Managing surface water runoff to protect water quality in Santa Monica Bay affects the quality and viability of these off-shore marine resources.
Western Snowy Plover
The western snowy plover (charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a federally endangered species and a California species of special concern. They are small, sand-colored birds that sit in foot prints and tire tracks along the wrack line and mid-beach areas. Relying on camouflage to evade predators, they usually go unnoticed by beach goers. This species typically nests on coastal beaches, sand spits, sparsely vegetated dunes, beaches at river mouths, and salt pans at lagoons and estuaries.
Designated critical habitat for the western snowy plover occurs on Hermosa Beach. The critical habitat subunit stretches roughly 0.5 miles from 11th Street southward to 1st Street and totals approximately 27 acres. This subunit supports wintering flocks of snowy plover.
Snowy plover counts conducted by the Los
Angeles Audobon Society for the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife indicate
approximately 40 and 46 snowy plovers were
observed in Hermosa Beach over a two-day period
in February 2014 and January 2015, respectively.
Urban Forest
The beach and adjacent marine habitats also support hundreds of ornamental and non-native plants and various animals common to the urban landscape.
As the biggest plants on the planet, trees have many essential qualities that protect health and safety. They produce oxygen, store carbon, stabilize the soil and provide a home for wildlife. The canopies of trees act as a physical filter, trapping dust and absorbing pollutants from the air – annually removing up to four pounds per tree, and also provide shade from solar radiation and reduce noise.
Landscaping and trees in Hermosa Beach are located in parks and open space settings, within street parkways, and on private property. The Hermosa Beach Municipal Code regulates the provision and maintenance standards for trees. To prevent the installation of invasive or water intensive tree species, the City has established a master tree list.
Western snowy plover bird on Hermosa Beach.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 924
PLAN HERMOSA | 163
Goal 1. First class, well maintained, and safe recreational facilities, parks and open spaces.
Simply providing parks and open space is not enough to encourage their use. Facilities
must be safe and well maintained to manage a balance between overuse and underuse. The lighting of facilities extends their availability to the residents of Hermosa Beach, many of whom are commuters who pursue recreation activities in the early
morning or evening hours.
Policies
1.1 Facility upgrades. Improve and update park and open space facilities on a regular basis.
1.2 Lighting and visibility. Provide appropriate lighting and visibility within park facilities while
avoiding adverse impacts to adjacent properties.
1.3 CPTED principles. Utilize “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” (CPTED) Principles
in the design and renovation of new and existing parks and open space facilities, including the
greenbelt.
1.4 Low-maintenance design. Promote environmentally sustainable and low maintenance
design principles in the renovation, addition, or maintenance of parks and recreation facilities.
1.5 Evaluate community needs. Conduct a periodic review of community park needs and
interests to inform maintenance and investment priorities.
Goals and Policies
This section provides guidance for the distribution, maintenance, and creation of recreational space and trails in Hermosa Beach. This section identifies the long-term goals of the community to be a steward of existing park and recreational spaces. These goals are supported by specific policies associated with park land acquisition, classification of recreational space, enhanced access and safety, design and development standards to protect views, program and service policies, and operation and maintenance objectives.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 925
164 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Goal 2. Abundant parks, open space, and recreational facilities to serve the community.
Since little land is currently available to acquire for recreation use, other approaches
are necessary to meet the needs of the community. The principles of good planning and design need to be applied to all existing park sites and facilities to maximize their use, and when facilities cannot meet the recreational needs of the community, the City
should explore the possibility of sharing facilities with neighboring communities on an
organized basis.
Policies
2.1 Diverse programs and facilities. Offer diverse recreational programs and facilities to meet the
needs of all residents.
2.2 Parks fees. Require new discretionary development to contribute fees, consistent with State
law, for expanded park space when publicly accessible open space is not provided on-site.
2.3 Creative parks and open space. Encourage creativity and innovation during the
development and provision of additional open space or parks, rooftop gardens, and park
space integrated into parking structures.
2.4 Park expansion opportunities. Consider the purchase or re-use of City-owned surplus property
to create additional parks and open space as opportunities arise to expand existing parks or
create new parks.
2.5 Shared use agreements. Work with adjacent jurisdictions, the school district, and private
facilities to offer recreational opportunities or activities not available at City of Hermosa Beach
facilities.
2.6 Investment and maintenance. Prioritize the investment and maintenance of existing facilities
prior to development and expansion of new facilities.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 926
PLAN HERMOSA | 165
Goal 3. Community parks and facilities encourage social activity and interaction.
Parks should be designed and programmed to meet the community’s diverse needs and interests through a variety of social, cultural, and recreational programs, which promote physical activity, facilitate cultural exchange and increase community social interactions. These qualities help to make Hermosa Beach an attractive and socially
supportive place to live, work, and visit.
Policies
3.1 Community-friendly events. Encourage, permit, and support community group, nonprofit,
or business organized events on City property that support physical activity, beach culture, and
family-friendly social interactions.
3.2 Social and cultural events. Design and program parks and open space to accommodate
unique social and cultural events to foster connectedness and interaction.
3.3 Commercial use of facilities. Regulate and enforce commercial use of City parks and open
spaces to ensure activities do not impact general use and enjoyment.
3.4 Balance space needs. Balance the space needs and demand on public resources of formal
and informal events.
3.5 Health and physical activity. Increase the availability of space and variety of activities that
promote community health and physical activity such as community gardens, fitness stations/
equipment, and fields/courts.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 927
166 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Goal 4. Direct and accessible routes and connections to parks, recreational facilities, and
open space are provided.
The active transportation and trail network is envisioned to serve both recreational
needs as well as viable transportation choice for commuting, shopping, and social
activities in Hermosa Beach. By providing direct and accessible routes to parks that are located in close proximity to residents, the need for valuable park space to be dedicated to vehicle parking is decreased. Additionally, the creation of a local trolley or circulator that can accommodate bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs with stops at
local parks would enhance access and connections to open space.
Policies
4.1 Close proximity to parks. Provide a variety and distribution of parks, open space, and
recreational facilities to enhance proximity and easy access to all residents.
4.2 Enhanced access points. Increase and enhance access to parks and open space,
particularly across major thoroughfares, as well as access points that promote physical activity
such as pedestrian- and bike-oriented access points.
4.3 Safe and efficient trail network. Develop a network of safe and efficient trails, streets, and
paths that connect residents, visitors, and neighboring communities to the beach, parks, and
activity centers.
4.4 ADA accessible park access. Install ADA amenities and equipment so that all parks, beach,
and trail networks are accessible to all persons.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 928
PLAN HERMOSA | 167
Goal 5. Scenic vistas, viewpoints, and resources are maintained or enhanced.
The culture and identity of Hermosa Beach is defined in part by scenic value. The City
seeks to maintain and enhance the beauty of Hermosa Beach, and to ensure future development does not substantially detract from identified scenic public viewpoints or uninterrupted viewing areas, particularly within the Coastal Zone.
Policies
5.1 Identify public coastal views. Identify the Prominent Public Viewpoints, and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas from which coastal scenic vistas can be observed.
5.2 Visual character. Accommodate economic growth and new buildings in a way that is consistent with and reflects the visual character of the community.
5.3 Building site and design. Massing, height, and orientation of new development adjacent to Prominent Public Viewpoints and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas shall be evaluated and, to the extent reasonable, new development will be sited and designed to minimize additional obstructions of public coastal views to and along the ocean and scenic areas.
5.4 Exceptions to protect views. Consider exceptions to setback, open space, landscaping, or other development standards to minimize additional obstructions to the Prominent Public Viewpoints and Uninterrupted Viewing Areas while providing projects the same development privileges enjoyed by other similar properties in the vicinity.
5.5 Landscape design. Consider public access to public views and vistas, and encourage landscape design that protects or enhances those views.
5.6 Signage and infrastructure. Encourage signage, infrastructure, and utilities that do not block or detract from views of scenic vistas.
5.7 Light pollution. Preserve skyward nighttime views and lessen glare by minimizing lighting levels along the shoreline.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 929
168 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Goal 6. The coast and its recreational facilities are easily accessible from many
locations and by multiple transportation modes.
Providing and maintaining public access both to and along California’s coast is a
central premise of the California Coastal Act. The City of Hermosa Beach is committed
to maintaining and enhancing public access through the provision of multiple access
points, increased visibility and signage, and increased opportunities for alternative modes to safely travel to the beach.
Policies
6.1 Visible access points. Enhance visibility of existing public access points to and along beaches, coastal parks, and trails.
6.2 Coastal sign program. Coordinate the design of signs and graphics in the Coastal Zone to clearly mark coastal views and access points in a manner that is consistent with City signage.
6.3 Safe and accessible connections. Ensure public access points provide safe and accessible connections to The Strand and shoreline, including access for persons with disabilities.
6.4 Transit access. Coordinate with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to improve regional and local transit access to beach access points.
6.5 Wayfinding and coastal access. Maximize all forms of access and safety getting to and around the Coastal Zone through infrastructure and wayfinding improvements.
6.6 Universal access. Provide resources that improve accessibility to the beach for all visitors.
6.7 Minimal impact to access. Require new development and substantial redevelopment projects to minimize impacts to existing public access to and along the shoreline.
6.8 High quality connections. Support high quality connections to adjacent jurisdictions along The Strand to promote safe and efficient circulation of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized uses.
6.9 Maximize open space. Maximize the use of and enhance parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities along The Strand.
6.10 Paid parking. Provide parking payment systems that respond to demand and improve ease of use.
6.11 Regional parking coordination. Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to develop consistent parking rules, rates, and enforcement.
6.12 Comprehensive bike and pedestrian network. Prioritize completion of proposed South Bay Bike Master Plan improvements in the Coastal Zone that connect to other bike routes and paths throughout the city and to the surrounding region.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 930
PLAN HERMOSA | 169
Goal 7. The beach offers high quality
recreational opportunities and amenities desired by the community.
Residents and visitors from the region and beyond use the beach for a variety of activities, from sunbathing and swimming to jogging and volleyball to major sporting and cultural events. The community is proud of the beach area and its amenities and
upkeep. To maintain these attributes, beach management practices must be upheld.
New practices should also be established that improve the sustainability of extensive beach use and ensure potential conflicts between beach uses are minimized.
Policies
7.1 Beach maintenance. Maintain the beach and ocean as natural recreational resources, not
only for the city but also for the Southern California region.
7.2 Amenity upkeep. Continue to update, replace, and add new public restrooms, water
fountains, and other City-maintained beach facilities on an ongoing basis.
7.3 Recreational asset. Consider and treat the beach as a recreational asset and never as a
commercial enterprise.
7.4 Beach structures. Restrict buildings and structures on the beach with regard to size and
number consistent with current access, safety, and beach use.
7.5 Designated recreational uses. Continually evaluate and explore devoting certain portions
of the beach to different preferred recreational uses while providing access for all users and
meeting the recreation needs of visitors and residents.
7.6 Children’s recreational equipment. Ensure that children’s recreational equipment like slides,
swings, and climbing apparatus are of a non-obstructive design. Locate near major or primary
entrances to the beach, at least 100 feet from the Strand wall.
7.7 Designated recreational uses. Periodically evaluate and, as necessary, update the list of
allowable recreational equipment on the beach to meet the recreational needs of visitors and
residents.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 931
170 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Goal 8. Special events at the beach are balanced to support community recreation
and economic development without restricting coastal access or impacting the community.
Without proper management, the cumulative number of organized events at the beach, the Pier, The Strand, and Pier Plaza can limit public access and enjoyment of coastal recreation resources. While these events are a major economic driver and
attract many visitors to the community, without proper management, they can also
constrain parking capacity, divert public safety resources, and crowd local restaurants and services, which may limit the use and general enjoyment of the beach by members of the public, families, and residents who simply wish to access the coastline.
Policies
8.1 Cumulative special events limit. Limit the number of days during summer months (between Memorial Day and Labor Day) that the beach may be used for special events:
• Summer events with greater than 1,000 participants: maximum 30 days used by events, including both setup and event days
• Total summer events: maximum 70 days used by event, including setup and event days
8.2 Off-peak season events. Incentivize event producers to host special events during off-peak seasons through reduced fees or accommodating location/reserved area preferences.
8.3 Community-focused events. Prioritize the approval of special events that enhance the sense of community, improve economic vitality, and foster a healthy environment and active lifestyles.
8.4 Family-focused events. Prioritize events that appeal to a wide segment of community members.
8.5 Volleyball courts. Ensure volleyball courts are available for public use and continue to limit the number of simultaneous volleyball special events occurring north and south of the pier.
8.6 Special event impact fees. Require special event applicants pay a fair share of costs associated with impacts on City services and facilities required to support special events.
8.7 Public access. Ensure that special events do not impede public access to the beach, the Pier, and The Strand.
8.8 Event transportation. Enhance alternative transportation options during special events to improve public access to special events as well as to other portions of the beach.
8.9 Special event review process. Employ a multi-departmental special event review for events with more than 500 people.
8.10 Sustainable events. Improve sustainability and environmental protection associated with special events.
8.11 Safe events. Identify evacuation routes and capacity levels to maximize safety during large events.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 932
PLAN HERMOSA | 171
Goal 9. Coastal and marine habitat resources and wildlife are protected.
Habitat areas and wildlife can be negatively affected by certain types of development
and human activity. The City seeks to protect and restore these spaces that are fundamental components of Hermosa Beach’s environment and that help define its identity.
Policies
9.1 Protect critical habitats. Preserve, protect, and improve remaining open space areas to the greatest extent possible to improve on existing limited habitats and prevent further elimination of species.
9.2 Beach maintenance. Consider species and habitat impacts and potential improvements when implementing beach maintenance activities.
9.3 Beach habitat. Ensure beaches can function as a quality habitat for permanent and migratory species.
9.4 Coordinated habitat protection. Enhance information sharing and research regarding habitat and wildlife with resource agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to ensure coordinated decision-making and management.
9.5 Minimal activity impacts to habitat. Protect coastal and marine habitats from impacts from maintenance, construction, recreation, and industrial activities.
9.6 Tree protection. Protect existing trees and tree copses that may provide temporary or permanent bird habitat and encourage replacement with specimen trees whenever they are lost or removed.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 933
172 | CHAPTER 5: PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Goal 10. Abundant landscaping, trees, and green space provided throughout the community.
Increased tree canopy and green space, paired with proper maintenance, has the
ability to provide a myriad of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Because of the numerous benefits of green space, the City is committed to creating, maintaining and promoting a safe, healthy and environmentally sound urban forest.
Policies
10.1 Urban forest. Expand the urban forest and green spaces citywide on public and private property.
10.2 Non-invasive landscapes. Encourage the planting of native, non-invasive, and drought-tolerant landscaping and trees, and encourage the planting of edible landscapes and fruit trees.
10.3 Green space co-benefits. Recognize the many positive qualities provided by landscaping, trees, and green space including reduced heat gain, controlled stormwater runoff, absorbed noise, reduced soil erosion, improved aesthetic character, and absorption of air pollution.
10.4 Scenic features. Ensure landscaping, trees, and green spaces on public property are designed to conserve scenic and natural features of Hermosa Beach.
10.5 Park landscaping. Landscaping in parks located within the Coastal Zone shall consist of non-invasive and drought-tolerant plants.
10.6 City landscaping. Encourage landscaping, trees, and green spaces across the city consist of non-invasive and drought-tolerant plants.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 934
PLAN HERMOSA | 173
6 public safety
The City is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the community
by addressing natural and public safety hazards. These topics are critical for quality
of life and economic stability. First, a safe and healthy environment is critical for good quality of life; we cannot have one without the other. Second, if we do not adequately
prepare for natural hazards and create a resilient community, natural disasters will have a greater effect on our community, leading to increased injuries, death, and
property damage. The City has been proactive and has a history responding quickly
to crimes and hazards, maximizing safety and ensuring a high quality of life. As part of this commitment, the City’s public safety strategy is four-fold: (1) reduce potential
risks or exposure to natural and man-made hazards, (2) build community capacity and preparedness for unavoidable hazards, (3) ensure efficient response to hazardous
events, and (4) enact recovery plans to build greater resiliency to future hazards. The
Public Safety Element places specific focus on hazards that could be made more severe with anticipated impacts of climate change. This element also incorporates
the Noise Element, required by State law, addressing major noise sources, existing and future noise levels, and the potential noise exposure to vulnerable populations. These
topics are critical for quality of life and economic stability.
Hermosa Beach Fire Department Ambulance
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 935
174 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
State Law
This Public Safety Element was prepared to meet State General Plan law requirements for both the safety and noise topics, and additionally to meet Coastal Act requirements related to coastal hazards. While State law does not require police and fire safety services to be addressed beyond the location of facilities, Hermosa Beach has a demonstrated commitment to a safe community, and therefore this Element provides goals and policies related to police and fire services needed to keep the community safe.
General Plan
California planning law requires the General Plan to address topics of both safety and noise, with specific focus on identifying and mitigating the risk and exposure of the population from hazards.
Safety
• Must identify and protect the community from
any unreasonable risks associated with natural
hazards, including seismically induced, slope
instability, geologic hazards, flooding, and
wildland or urban fires.
• Must include mapping of known seismic and
other geologic hazards.
• Must address evacuation routes, peak load
water supply requirements, and minimum
road widths and clearances as they relate to
identified fire or geologic hazards.
• Must identify information regarding flood
hazards, including flood hazard zones,
national flood insurance program maps, dam
failure inundation maps, floodplain mapping,
levee protection zones, inundation areas,
historical data on flooding, existing or planned
development in flood hazard zones, agencies
with responsibility for flood protection, and
essential public facilities during flooding.
• Must coordinate flood hazard mapping with US
Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Emergency
Services, and Department of Water Resources.
• Must identify and address risks of fire for land
classified as state responsibility areas or very high fire hazard severity zones.
• Must review and incorporate new information
regarding hazards into the Safety Element, with each revision of the Housing Element.
• If a FEMA approved flood plain management
ordinance exists, the plan may incorporate the ordinance provisions by reference.
• Must consult with Office of Emergency Services
• May incorporate portions of County Safety
Element if detailed and relevant to the city.
• Must submit draft Safety Element to the
California Geologic Survey of the Department of Conservation and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and all fire protection agencies with jurisdiction in the planning area.
• If certified by FEMA, the Hazard Mitigation Plan
may be incorporated by reference.
Noise
• Must analyze and quantify, to the extent
practicable, current and projected noise
levels.
• Should incorporate the following sources into
analysis: highways and freeways, primary
arterials and major local streets, passenger and
freight operations, aviation operations, local
industrial plants, other ground noise sources
contributing to the noise environment.
• Must present noise from all listed sources in
terms of community noise equivalent level
(CNEL) or day-night average level(Ldn).
• Must prepare noise contours on the basis of
noise monitoring or generally accepted noise
modeling techniques.
• Should use noise contours as a guide for
establishing land use patterns that minimize
exposure of residents to excessive noise.
Additionally, noise and vibration sources are
regulated and mitigated through the California
Environmental Quality Act, California State Building
Code, and Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 936
PLAN HERMOSA | 175
Coastal Land Use Plan
The California Coastal Act requires that the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan identify potential coastal hazards and address such hazards in a manner that protects public safety and maintains coastal access. Specific provisions include:
• Provide hazard maps showing present and future areas of potential inundation, flooding, beach erosion, and bluff retreat.
• Map or inventory describing existing shoreline protective devices, including revetments, breakwaters, groins, harbor channels, seawalls, cliff retaining walls, and other such construction and their permit history.
• Provide policies to limit the time period over which a permit for a shore protection device is valid and to tie the approval of the shore protection device to the continued existence of the existing structure only.
• Identify policies to address repair, maintenance, and removal of protective devices, and policies related to siting/design of development to avoid the need for armoring.
• Identify coastal or riverine flood hazard areas, tsunami inundation run-up areas, geologic hazards, like landslide areas and areas of bluff and cliff instabilities, expansive or highly corrosive soils, subsidence areas, fire hazard areas, seismic hazard areas, including areas of potential liquefaction.
• Identify beach or bluff areas subject to seasonal or long-term erosion, and consider bluff retreat and beach erosion rates that take into account projected sea level rise, especially for areas subject to high waves, such as those from storms, surges, and seiches.
• Identify and minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.
• Address climate change and sea level rise effects on ESHA.
• Identify beach nourishment measures.
• Define the economic life of structure, coastal structure, principal structure, littoral cell, mean high tide line, coastal bluff, and coastal redevelopment or major remodel.
Hermosa Beach coastal infrastructure
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 937
176 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Context
Hermosa Beach is exposed to various man-made, natural, and coastal hazards, including flooding, fires, and earthquakes. While the City cannot completely eliminate the threat of such disasters, it can create a resilient built environment and community through programs and policies to reduce damage from hazards. Additionally, activities and area roadways can expose residents of Hermosa Beach to high and potentially unhealthy levels of noise.
Coastal + Natural Hazards
Additional information on hazards in
Hermosa Beach can be found in the Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan, which presents a comprehensive
risk assessment of natural hazards that have the
potential to affect the city. The Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan is required to be developed in
accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation
Act of 2000. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
suggests mitigation actions for reducing the effects
of potential hazards. It is incorporated by reference
into the Public Safety Element and should be
consulted when addressing known hazards to
ensure the general health and safety of people
within the City of Hermosa Beach. The goals and
policies within this Safety Element support and
are consistent with the recommended mitigation
strategy within the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Severe Weather
Extreme events such as heat waves, severe storms, droughts, and hurricanes have always had an impact on communities worldwide. Of particular concern to Hermosa Beach are the storm or weather events such as heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, hail storms and even tropical systems. Severe weather events can come in the form of episodic, short-lived events, or as seasonal weather patterns. Seasonal events like El Niño winter, pose a number of hazards to both coastal resources and visitors to those coastal resources.
Severe weather can cause increased beach erosion, flood damage, and hazardous conditions like high surf, riptides, storm surges, water spouts, and lighting. Since 1995, the LA County coast has
experienced 36 extreme weather events, resulting in 9 fatalities, 41 severe injuries, and damage to private property, as reported to the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA).
Flooding Hazards + Coastal Flooding
Coastal flooding poses a threat to life and safety,
and can cause severe damage to public and
private property. Large portions of Hermosa Beach
beach front development lies less than 15 feet
above sea level. Normally, the very wide beach
buffers these areas from the high surf. During heavy
storm seasons, this beach can be eroded to such
an extent that these properties are subject to wave
run-up. This has occurred during past El Niño events
and during astronomical high tides. Resulting
damage has been primarily to private property.
Figure 6.1 FEMA Flood Zone Map
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 938
PLAN HERMOSA | 177
Figure 6.2 Liquefaction and Landslide AreasFigure 6.1 illustrates the FEMA 100-year flood zone
within Hermosa Beach, where the entirety of the
sandy beach (extending inland to The Strand) is
located within the 100-year flood zone, at the time
of this update. As sea levels rise, described later
within this section, the risk and degree of coastal
flooding and other coastal hazards increases.
Hermosa Beach is a participant in the National
Flood Insurance Program, and while there is no
current base flood elevation determined by FEMA
for properties beyond the beach, future maps
that account for sea level rise could identify flood
zones in developed areas that would include
base flood elevations. Vulnerabilities related to the
sewer system, alleys and walk streets, private and
public structures, and business activities align with
the greatest exposure to flooding, particularly in
central and southern Hermosa Beach. Although
ponding may occur during precipitation events,
the city is not located adjacent to any river or
channel that poses a flood threat from excessive
precipitation or runoff, and no portion of Hermosa
Beach is subject to inundation from dam failure.
Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Earthquakes and their related effects have the potential to affect a large portion of the city’s population. Seismic activity causes pressure to build up along a fault, and the release of pressure results in ground shaking. Although Hermosa Beach is located in a seismically active region, there are no known active faults and the city is not susceptible to fault rupture. However, earthquakes can cause damage through ground shaking, liquefaction, and landslides. Historical records indicate that the Hermosa Beach has experienced ground shaking from a number of seismic events over the last century and a half.
A landslide is the downhill movement of masses of earth material under the force of gravity. Factors contributing to landslide potential include steep slopes, unstable terrain, and proximity to earthquake faults. In Hermosa Beach, landslide hazards are limited to an area along the eastern city limit between 7th Place and 8th Street, an area above Gould Terrace, part of South Park, and properties located south of the park on Culper Court in the Coastal Zone (see Figure 6.2).
Liquefaction is a phenomenon where soil behaves as a liquid during an earthquake. Liquefaction occurs primarily in saturated and loose, fine- to medium-grained soils, in areas where the
groundwater table lies within 50 feet of the ground
surface. As shown in Figure 6.2, much of the area
west of Hermosa Avenue and an area along
2nd Street between Monterey Boulevard and
Valley Drive are located atop soils susceptible to
liquefaction, all within the Coastal Zone. Because
liquefaction potential is related to groundwater
depth, the number and size of areas subject to
potential liquefaction could become larger as sea
level rises and causes groundwater tables to rise.
Additional geologic conditions within the Coastal
Zone include expansive soils, corrosive soils, and
subsidence. Soils and bedrock throughout Southern
California have varying degrees of sulfate and
corrosion potential. Corrosion of infrastructure can
result in weakening of metal and resultant leaks
to the environment. Expansive, collapsible, and
corrosive soils are known to occur within Hermosa
Beach and are currently analyzed and mitigated
on a project-by-project basis.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 939
178 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of long-period traveling
ocean waves primarily generated by earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean floor. In the deep ocean, tsunami waves move with a speed exceeding 500 miles per hour and a wave height of only a few inches. As they reach shallow waters off the coast, the waves slow down and water can pile up into a wall up to 30 feet or more high. The probability of a tsunami in Hermosa Beach is extremely low. However, if a tsunami should occur, the consequences would be great. As illustrated in Figure 6.3, the tsunami inundation line runs parallel with Hermosa Avenue.
While the frequency and magnitude of tsunamis are not directly affected by climate change, as sea level rises, the baseline and the maximum run-up of waves and surge generated by a tsunami also rise.
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0 0.3 0.6Miles HERMOSA BEACHPepared by Raimi + Associates for the City of Hermosa BeachSource: City of Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, November 2013City of Hermosa Beach General Plan Update 2035
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Shoreline Erosion
The stretch of shoreline extending south of Los
Angeles to the Palos Verdes Peninsula is highly vulnerable to shoreline change. This vulnerability is attributed to the soft substrate (sand dunes) the area has been built on, and reduced sediment flow south through the Santa Monica Bay. Natural processes, including coastal storms, particularly when combined with sea level rise, have the potential to erode and narrow the beach. Wide sandy beaches are considered one of Hermosa Beach’s greatest recreational and economic assets. Among other things, the beach provides a buffer that protects residents, visitors, and businesses from coastal hazards. Substantial erosion would reduce recreational opportunities and increase exposure of assets such as beach restrooms, The Strand, and private property to coastal hazards.
Over the last century, there has been heavy sand replenishment at neighboring Santa Monica Bay beaches. Hermosa Beach has benefited from beach replenishment upstream in the littoral cell which created a wider beach than would otherwise naturally exist. Additionally, King Harbor in Redondo Beach appears to serve as a sediment trap that prevents sand from being eroded along the shoreline. Absent continued beach replenishment in the littoral cell, it is anticipated that the shoreline would retreat at an accelerated rate as the sea level rises.
Fire Hazards
Fire hazards can come in the form of both
wildfires and urban fires. Hermosa Beach is
not generally exposed to wildfire risk, and no
areas of Hermosa Beach are located within the
wildfire hazard severity zones established by the
State of California. However, much of the city is
susceptible to the threat of urban fires. Given the
susceptibility to earthquakes, the greatest urban
fire threat is potential for burst natural gas or fuel
lines resulting from seismic shaking. In the event of
an urban fire, growth in the size of a fire is related
to the type of building construction, water supply,
fire department response time and resources,
and building density and fire breaks. To reduce
potential fire risks, the California Building Standards
Code provides building design standards for new
and rehabilitated buildings reduce the ignition and
spread of fire.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 940
PLAN HERMOSA | 179
Climate Change
Impacts and Adaptation
While climate change will not create new types of
disasters in Hermosa Beach, it may instead make
existing hazards become more severe or occur
more frequently. While many of the City’s existing
disaster and emergency preparedness policies
and programs are already in place to address
disasters like coastal flooding, heat events, or
severe weather, the intent of highlighting them
here is to bring attention to a likely future change
in the frequency or severity of these conditions and
identify hazards that may require additional study,
policy, or attention.
Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise is largely a result of warming ocean
waters and melting ice caps. It is among the most
certain consequences of climate change, and will
affect the severity of most other coastal hazards in
Hermosa Beach.
Over the past century, sea level has risen by
approximately 7 inches along the California coast,
which is consistent with the observed global
average. A 2012 study by the National Research
Council (NRC), commissioned by the States of
California, Oregon, and Washington to assess
the state of sea level rise science for the West
Coast, projected that sea level along Southern
California’s coast will rise approximately 12 inches
by 2030, 2 feet by 2050, and 5.5 feet by 2100. While
there remain scientific uncertainties around these
“best estimates,” the consensus among experts
expressed in the NRC report is that the rate of
sea level rise over the next several decades may
be as much as four to nine times larger than that
observed over the 20th century.
Along the coast of Hermosa Beach and nearby
portions of Los Angeles County, sea level rise could
lead to the following impacts:
• Increased erosion of beaches that are either
already retreating or are maintained in place
by sand replenishment.
• Coastal flooding with higher storm surges and
flood elevations during coastal storms.
• Permanent inundation of the few remaining or
restored coastal wetlands, as well as beaches
and other low-lying areas.
• Reduced capacity to absorb increased runoff
and drain it away from inland areas as sea
level rise elevates coastal groundwater levels.
• Increased risk of liquefaction, leading to
elevated coastal groundwater levels.
• Saltwater intrusion into coastal groundwater
basins from which freshwater is drawn to serve
regional (residential and commercial) water
users.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has
developed the Coastal Storm Modeling System
(CoSMoS) to make detailed predictions (meter-
scale) of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion
and cliff failures over large geographic scales. This
model has been refined for coastal areas in Los
Angeles county to consider various sea level rise,
storm, and erosion scenarios.
Within Hermosa Beach, the 100-year flood zone
is projected to increase by about 300% under a
scenario of 150 cm of sea level rise (from 0.034
square miles at present to 0.1 square miles with 55
inches of sea level rise). The projected flood zone
extends beyond the sandy beach into developed
portions of the Coastal Zone, encompassing
more than 200 buildings, including 143 residential
structures, and about 1,000 residents. The potential
extent of flooding that may occur with 150 cm
of sea level rise and various storm scenarios - no
storm, annual storm, 100-year storm - is depicted
in Figures 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6. Since there is still some
degree of uncertainty into the timing and extent
of possible flooding, the topography of Hermosa
Beach serves as an outer limit of flooding potential,
with the maximum flooding potential under a 150
cm sea level rise scenario depicted in Figure 6.7.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 941
180 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Figure 6.4 150 cm Sea Level Rise Scenario with No Storm
Flood Hazard + Wave Run Up
Flood-prone Low-lyings Areas
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 942
PLAN HERMOSA | 181
Figure 6.5 150 cm Sea Level Rise Scenario with Annual Storm
Flood Hazard + Wave Run Up
Flood-prone Low-lyings Areas
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 943
182 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Figure 6.6 150 cm Sea Level Rise Scenario with 100-year Storm
Flood Hazard + Wave Run Up
Flood-prone Low-lyings Areas
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 944
PLAN HERMOSA | 183
Figure 6.7 150 cm Sea Level Rise Scenario Maximum Flooding Potential
Minimum Flood Extent
Maximum Flood Extent
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 945
184 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Additional Climate Change Hazards
Climate change may also create a variety of
changes for California and have direct or indirect effects on Hermosa Beach, including:
• Public health: Climate change is expected
to exacerbate some forms of air pollution, increase extreme heat days, affect the timing or severity of allergens, and potentially increase incidences of infectious disease, particularly vector-, water-, and food-borne illness.
• Precipitation: Research suggests that in
California, annual precipitation amounts are likely to decrease by more than 15% by the end of the 21st century. Seasonal precipitation will change more significantly with March and April receiving less rainfall than in the past likely resulting in longer periods of drought, as the summer dry season starts earlier in the spring and extends later into the fall.
• Water: Regional population growth is likely to
increase water demand as temperatures rise, while sea level rise threatens aging coastal water infrastructure.
• Biological resources: Two-thirds of California’s
native flora will experience a greater than 80% reduction in suitable climate range.
• Agriculture: May very likely see significantly
declining yields due to warming.
• Marine resources: Marine biological systems
are strongly influenced by climate conditions including currents, winds, and temperatures, as well as ocean acidification. Changes to climatic and environmental conditions affect the specific ranges of plants and animals threatening the ability of species to survive.
• Energy sector: Higher temperatures combined
are expected to increase demand for energy. Energy generation at hydroelectric plants may be reduced with changes in snow pack and precipitation.
In California, studies predict that conditions will become hotter and drier, with decreased snow levels and accelerating rates of sea-level rise. California should also expect an increase in the intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods. California’s extreme warm temperatures, which have historically occurred in July and August, will most likely extend into June and September.
Figure 6.8 Extreme heat days
Extreme Heat
Since the early 20th Century, average surface
temperatures worldwide have risen at an average rate of 0.15°F per decade (1.5°F per century). In the U.S. average surface temperatures have risen more quickly since the late 1970s (0.36 to 0.55°F per decade), with seven of the top ten warmest years on record since 1998. Scientists predict that over the next century, global temperatures will increase between 2.5°F and 10.4°F. For Hermosa Beach, scientists expect average temperatures to increase between 3.2°F and 5.6°F as shown in Figure 6.5. Along with changes to average annual temperature, climate change is expected to alter seasonal temperatures, where average July temperatures may increase by as much as 7°F.
With these changes in average temperatures, Hermosa Beach is likely to see a significant increase in the number of days when temperature exceeds the extreme heat threshold of 84°F. Between 1950 and 2011, the average number of extreme heat days was four per year. In Hermosa Beach, the number of extreme heat days could increase to more than 30 per year by mid-century, and 50 per year by the end of the century (see Figure 6.8).
Climate change, particularly extreme heat events, present serious health risks to California’s most vulnerable populations. The effects of extreme heat (over 84°F) on human health are well documented. Increased temperature or extended periods of elevated temperatures can increase heat-related mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, respiratory mortality, and heart attacks, while increasing hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Extreme heat can also affect a person’s ability to thermo-regulate, causing heat stress and sometimes leading to death.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 946
PLAN HERMOSA | 185
Emergency Preparedness
Since the threat of many hazards cannot be avoided completely, reducing exposure and risk from those
hazards to avoid damage or injury is the next best step. Exposure and risk to hazards can be minimized through retrofits and engineering of structures as well as education and training.
Emergency Management
The City of Hermosa Beach’s Emergency Management Program works in coordination with all city departments to strengthen the City’s ability to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from natural, technological and human-caused disasters. Additionally, it provides services to the City organizations and the community to prepare for emergencies. The Fire Department is the lead department coordinating all emergency management activities. The Fire Department annually conducts a variety of activities, programs, and projects designed to enhance the City’s preparedness. The current Emergency Management Program includes all elements necessary to respond quickly and effectively to major emergencies such as the Emergency Operations Plan, Emergency Operations Center and Community Emergency Response Teams.
Preparedness Events and Drills
In Hermosa Beach, the responsibility for reducing risk and exposure engages many departments, including Community Development, Public Works, and the Fire Department, in particular the City’s Emergency Manager. Additional support for emergency preparedness policy and education in Hermosa Beach is provided by the City’s Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission. Educational programs, events, and drills like the Annual Fire Inspection Program, the Tsunami Walk, and the Great California Shakeout ensure the community and City staff are prepared and ready to respond quickly to reduce injury and damage in the event of a disaster.
Critical Facilities
Critical facilities include utilities, roads, hospitals, fire and police stations, emergency operations centers, communication centers, high-risk or high-occupancy facilities, and care facilities with special evacuation considerations. Critical facilities must maintain operational continuity during a disaster to continue their function of supporting emergency responders, providing basic services, and protecting vulnerable residents.
The HBFD depends on access to pressurized water to fight fires and respond to other disasters. While there is no standard water flow rate for fire response, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) collaborates with the City and project applicants to ensure that required flows for new and significantly redeveloped projects are met. The City’s development review process requires Cal Water and HBFD approval for new and significant redevelopment projects.
During the preparation of this General Plan, the HBFD confirmed that parked cars or existing roadway widths hinder neither its apparatus nor personnel. New roadway construction will be subject to applicable provisions of the California Building Code, Chapter 15.36 of the California Fire Code, and other design regulations. The City’s development review process requires Fire Department approval for new and significant redevelopment projects, as well as for projects involving vehicular circulation facilities.
Community Risk Reduction
Community risk reduction is the identification and prioritization of risks followed by the coordinated application of resources to minimize the probability or occurrence and/or the impact of unfortunate events. It means that the HBFD exists not only to respond to emergencies after the fact, but also acts proactively as a risk reduction entity for the community to prevent or reduce the effects of their occurrence in the first place.
The HBFD provides these preventative measures through fire prevention plan check, inspections, code enforcement and public education. The plan checks ensure businesses and residences are constructed up to the latest codes including sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, and heat regulating technologies. The inspections confirm that the businesses and residences are built as approved and continue to function in a safe manner. Code enforcement activities include but are not limited to fireworks, bonfire, and overcrowding mitigation. Finally, the public education aspect of community risk reduction includes school presentations, service group and neighborhood watch talks, and fire station tours.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 947
186 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Fire Protection
The The Hermosa Beach Fire Department (HBFD) provides fire protection, emergency medical services, and
disaster preparedness and response. The mission of the HBFD is to protect life and property from fire and other emergencies through incident response, public education, and code enforcement. HBFD operates one fire station located at 540 Pier Avenue, and maintains the City’s emergency operations center, and emergency notification systems and social media platforms.
Fire Response
Regional communications and dispatch services
are provided for the HBFD by the South Bay
Regional Public Communications Authority,
referred to locally as South Bay 911 or Regional Call
Center (RCC). The RCC processes approximately
250,000 police and fire incidents annually in
the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne,
Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach. In
Hermosa Beach, 2,427 calls were reported
between May 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013, as
recorded in the National Fire Incident Reporting
System. Of these, 1,152 calls were for emergency
medical service (EMS) (47.4%), 322 were for fire
incidents (13.2%), and 186 calls were canceled
(7.7%). The HBFD received 775 calls for mutual aid
requests within other jurisdictions (31.9%), of which
314 calls were canceled. The HBFD received an
average of 6.6 calls per day throughout the year,
with the highest average number of calls per day
occurring in July (7.8), January (7.5), and June
(7.4). The average number of units dispatched was
2.4 for EMS calls, and 1.7 for fire calls.
Mutual Aid Agreements
Because no community has resources sufficient
to cope with all emergencies that could occur, a
statewide system of mutual aid provides assistance.
The HBFD has automatic aid agreements with
the Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach Fire
Departments. This means that the dispatch of units
to an incident is handled automatically by the
dispatch center.
The HBFD has mutual aid agreements with the
Los Angeles County Fire Department and the
Torrance and El Segundo Fire Departments. Under
the mutual aid agreement, units from the County,
Torrance, and El Segundo could be dispatched
to Hermosa Beach. Likewise, units from Hermosa
Beach could be requested to assist in those
jurisdictions. Mutual aid requests are processed
through the California Office of Emergency
Services. Under this system, each jurisdiction
relies on its own and/or neighboring jurisdiction’s
resources to deal with an incident before calling
for outside assistance.
HBFD Emergency Response Unit at 540 Pier Avenue
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 948
PLAN HERMOSA | 187
Emergency Medical
Response
Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is one of the essential public safety functions provided by the Hermosa Beach Fire Department in support of community health, security and prosperity. Fire service-based emergency medical services (EMS) systems are strategically positioned to deliver time critical response and effective patient care. Fire service-based EMS provides this pivotal public safety service while also emphasizing responder safety, competent and compassionate workers, and cost-effective operations.
Public Access Defibrillators
The purpose of the Hermosa Beach Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program is to increase the chances of survival for people who have heart-related emergencies. PAD allows individuals to be better prepared to save the life of a coworker, friend, family member or stranger. Ninety-five percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, chances of survival may increase to 74% if shocked in 3 minutes or less. The goal of the program is to deliver defibrillation to a cardiac arrest victim within three to five minutes after collapse by placing Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) throughout City facilities.
Lifeguard Services
As millions of visitors are attracted to Hermosa
Beach each year, ocean protection and
lifeguarding services are important public services
that ensure safe use and enjoyment of the beach.
The City contracts with the Los Angeles County Fire
Department’s Lifeguard Division for these services.
The Lifeguard Division operates out of four sectional
headquarters, one of which is located in Hermosa
Beach. The Hermosa Beach sectional headquarters
staffs a 24-hour emergency medical technician
response unit, and is connected to the 911 system.
The City of Hermosa Beach and LA County
Lifeguards work collaboratively to maintain safe
operation of the beach and shoreline facilities such
as the Hermosa Beach Pier. During storm events
or other circumstances requiring beach closure to
protect public safety, the City of Hermosa Beach
will close the pier until such hazards are no longer
present.
Hazardous Materials
The goal of the Hermosa Beach Fire Department
is to protect life, property, and environment and provide economic stability from all hazards. This requires a highly trained adaptable workforce that has the ability to quickly recognize hazards and limit the public’s exposure to those hazards. This often requires working in tandem with other City organizations and mutual aid partners.
The Hermosa Beach Firefighters are trained and equipped to address emergencies arising from any type of hazard natural or technological, accidental or intentional. Although Hermosa Beach includes historic hazardous sites, most have been successfully remediated and are no longer considered hazardous. Lead and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contamination affects the northeast corner of the City Maintenance Yard.
Hazardous materials are transported through Hermosa Beach on highways and City streets. The US Department of Transportation regulates the transport of hazardous materials on major transportation corridors such as Pacific Coast Highway as well as on designated truck routes in Hermosa Beach, such as portions of Pier Avenue, Valley Drive, Herondo Street, and Artesia Boulevard. When acutely toxic hazardous materials are transported, the California Highway Patrol must be notified. If City streets are used, the Hermosa Beach Police Department and Hermosa Beach Fire Department must also be notified.
The Hermosa Beach Fire Department would be the field incident commander for a hazardous materials incident. The Los Angeles County Fire Department manages potential hazardous materials situations and is the designated Certified Unified Program Agency for Hermosa Beach.
Additionally, in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) release within or near Hermosa Beach, the City would work with the LA County Operational Area through mutual aid agreements to respond.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 949
188 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Police + Fire Community
Programs and Events
The Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD)is a full-service Police Department providing police protection services to preserve peace and prevent crime and disorder by enforcing state laws and City ordinances. Its primary mission is to maintain safety and protect the community through law enforcement, crime prevention and criminal apprehension. The HBPD responds to emergency situations and patrols neighborhoods, commercial areas, and the beach to promote a safe environment. The staff maintains official criminal records, investigates crime, and in an emergency, assesses the situation and dispatches appropriate responders. Police services provided include: (1) Detective Bureau (2) Honor Guard Detail (3) Mounted Enforcement Unit (4) Narcotics K9 Units (5) Patrol (6) Reserve Unit (7) Traffic Bureau (8) Volunteers in Policing (9) Community Service.
The HBPD operates one police station, located at 540 Pier Avenue. Officers are assigned to City and beach-related events including beach volleyball, concerts on the beach, the Surf Festival, Hermosa Arts Fair, and the Hermosa Triathlon. The two days of the year which draw the largest crowds are the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, days in which the entire department is deployed.
Calls for Service
Regional communications and dispatch services
are provided for the HBPD by the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority (RCC). The RCC processes approximately 312,000 police and fire incidents annually in the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach. Between July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015 HBPD officers handled 25,266 calls which included officer initiated calls. This averages approximately 69 calls per day. Of those calls, approximately 27 percent (6784 calls) were initiated by the police, and 73 percent or 18,482 calls were direct calls from the public. Approximately 19 percent of total calls for service (5015) were for traffic enforcement.
For HBPD response, a priority code of 1 to 4 is assigned to each call by the dispatch center, with 1 being the highest priority. Between July 2014-June 2015, the highest priority calls were responded to within 5.48 minutes from call initiation to on scene, or 3.67 minutes from time of dispatch to onscene.
• Public Information Banners
• Automatic Aid Agreement with Manhattan Beach
• Opticom Traffic Pre-Emption System
• Accela Asset Management
• Electronic Patient Care Reporting (ePCR)
• Smart Classroom
• National Night Out
• Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
• Fire Ground Survival (FGS)
• Sidewalk CPR
• Respiratory Protection Program
• Emergency Management Coordinator
• Santa Sleigh Ride
• Pancake Breakfast/Open House
• Fire Station Traffic Signal
• New Fire Engine and Rescue Ambulance
• Deployment Study
• Community CPR/AED Training
• Annual Fire and Life Safety Inspections
• Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Update
• Fireground Survival (FGS) Training
• CERT Training
Police + Fire Accomplishments of 2014-2015:
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 950
PLAN HERMOSA | 189
HBPD patrol unit at Pier and Hermosa Avenue
Crime and Safety
The diversity of people and events within the City of Hermosa Beach challenges the HBPD to sustain the
high quality of life within the City, while also ensuring both the safety of visitors and the enforcement of
codes within the City’s limits. HBPD strives to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and
fairness through engagement and enforcement strategies to create a safe and healthy environment for
everyone that lives, works, or plays in Hermosa Beach.
Crime Rates
As defined by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, seven major Part I offenses are used to measure the extent, fluctuation, and distribution of serious crime. Part I crimes are split into violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft). In 2014, Hermosa Beach reported 37 crimes Part I violent crimes or 1.9 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, and 543 Part I property crimes or 27.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. The reported number of violent crimes was 53 percent lower than the statewide rate, and 49 percent lower than the national rate. Property crime rates were 12 percent higher than the state average, and 5 percent higher than the national average.
Crime Prevention through Smart Technology and Environmental Design
In addition to police protections, and the increased use of surveillance technologies, the City can reduce crime through smart environmental design. The concepts of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) offer non-invasive measures to prevent crime in the city. The central tenets of CPTED include clearly demarcating property boundaries, designing buildings and spaces to face streets for natural surveillance purposes, controlling access to sites and buildings through pathways and bollards, supporting legitimate street level recreational activities, and maintaining public spaces. CPTED concepts enable developers and designers to incorporate crime prevention measures into building design and City staff to incorporate crime prevention intentions into maintenance and recreation program schedules.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 951
190 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Programs and Resources
To fulfill HBPD’s commitment to a safe community, the City has prioritized communication and engagement
strategies. The following is a list of HBPD’s engagement programs and services. These act as excellent resources and maintain active communication between officers and the Hermosa Beach community.
Hermosa Beach Community Police: The Hermosa Beach Community Police Academy is designed to inform residents and local citizens on the various aspects of law enforcement. The free course is designed for Hermosa Beach residents and business owners who are interested in learning more about how the Hermosa Beach Police Department functions and operates.
Hermosa Beach Community Police Advisory Board: In 2015, the Hermosa Beach Community Police Advisory Board was established to serve as a liaison between the Hermosa Beach Police Department and the local community.
Online Crime Reporting: The online crime
reporting system gives residents another way to
report concerns directly to HBPD. This system allows
officers to quickly address issues or complaints,
which allows them to better fulfill their mission.
Community Notifications: HBPD has an active Facebook page and utilizes the Nixle Community Alert System to provide residents with news of safety and crime updates in the city. These notification systems showcase the department’s commitment to increased communication and strengthens community participation.
Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Watch (HBNW): HBNW partners with the Police
Department to educate the community on crime
prevention and awareness, observation skills
training, and reporting. The program provides
resources, training sessions, and activities that
improve life of Hermosa Beach residents and brings
unity to neighborhoods.
“Home Check Program”: Hermosa Beach residents who are leaving town for a period of time or are having their homes fumigated can have Hermosa Beach Police Department Volunteers (VIPS) and/or Police Officers conduct daily/weekly exterior checks of their homes. Residents can provide contact information while they are away in the event something is found abnormal.
“You are Not Alone Program” (YANA): Family members can receive help from the Hermosa Beach Police Department to check on their senior citizen family members who live alone in Hermosa Beach. Hermosa Beach Police Department Volunteers (VIPS) and/or Police Officers, upon request, can conduct weekly visits with identified senior citizens. The Volunteer and/or Police Officer during the visit will document: medications taken by the senior, doctor contact information, physical condition of the senior, and general living conditions (available food, cleanliness, etc.).
“Homeward Bound Program”: Seniors with
Alzheimer’s disease can provide (via family
member) the Hermosa Beach Police Department
with their personal information and family contact
information. This information is vital in contacting
family members in the event the senior is located
away from their home/care facility.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 952
PLAN HERMOSA | 191
Noise + Vibration
The City of Hermosa Beach is located in an urbanized and developed environment that is subject to
numerous noise sources. The primary noise source in the city is currently vehicular traffic along local streets, especially Aviation Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. In addition, typical urban noise sources (e.g., hospitality businesses such as bars and restaurants, entertainment venues, community events, construction activities, landscape equipment, refuse collection, and emergency vehicle sirens) contribute to the overall noise environment. Because of the city’s distance from airports - Los Angeles International Airport, Torrance Municipal Airport, and the Hawthorne Municipal Airport are each located approximately 5.5 miles from the City - noise from aircraft over-flights is not considered excessive.
Zoning Maximum Ambient Noise Levels
R-1 45 dBA or below (also schools, hospitals, nurseries and rest homes)
R-2 50 dBA or below (also parks and
playgrounds)
R-3 55 dBA or below
C-1 55 dBA or below
C-2 / C-3 60 dBA or below
M 65 dBA or below
Table 6.1 Hermosa Beach Maximum Ambient Noise Levels
The results of the noise measurements, together
with data provided in the Circulation Element,
were used to analyze and calibrate the existing
traffic noise environment in the City of Hermosa
Beach. The results of the analysis are provided as a
noise contour map in Figure 6.9. The map provides
the existing CNEL contours ranging from 60 dB to 70
dB in 5 dB increments.
Using data provided in the Mobility Element,
two future (Year 2040) traffic scenarios were also
analyzed for the city. The first scenario assumes that
the city continues to develop based on the policies
identified in the current General Plan (October
1979), while the second scenario assumes that the
city develops in the future based on the objectives,
goals, and policies outlined in PLAN Hermosa.
Figure 6.10 provides a noise contour map for the
PLAN Hermosa scenario.
Traffic Noise
In order to document the existing traffic noise environment in Hermosa Beach, measurements were obtained at 10 locations throughout the city during the month of August 2014. All of the measured ambient noise levels were well above the City’s current Noise Element policy standards. This policy restricts maximum ambient noise to the following levels:
Table 6.2 summarizes the results of the analyses for the existing and future traffic scenarios. The results are presented in terms of an unmitigated CNEL at the distance of the nearest existing receptor from the centerline of the roadway segment. Referring to the table, there is anticipated to be relatively little change in traffic noise exposures in the future within the City of Hermosa Beach. The anticipated changes of up to ±2 dB from existing traffic noise levels will not be noticeable to the majority of residents. However, comparing the two future year scenarios that were analyzed, the adoption of PLAN Hermosa is expected to result in a slightly quieter future noise environment within the city.
The State of California’s Building Code Standards require that all multi-family residential dwellings be designed to achieve a CNEL of 45 dB within the interior of all habitable spaces. The City of Hermosa Beach’s current Noise Element extends this requirement to include all single-family residential dwellings as well. Typically, residential construction in California provides about 20 dB of noise reduction with all windows and doors closed. Therefore, it may be reasonably assumed that all residential dwellings located in an area where the exterior CNEL is 65 dB or less will be exposed to an interior CNEL of 45 dB or less, complying with both the State’s standard and the City of Hermosa Beach’s Noise Element policy. Referring to Table 2, the CNEL is estimated to be 65 dB or less at the exterior of all residential dwellings adjacent to the street segments analyzed for this study with the following exceptions: residences adjacent to Aviation Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect Avenue, and adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway between Artesia Boulevard and 2nd Street. This is the case for existing traffic volumes in the city as well as for both future year (2040) traffic scenarios (i.e., with and without the implementation of PLAN Hermosa).
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 953
192 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Figure 6.9 Existing Noise Contours within the City of Hermosa Beach
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 954
PLAN HERMOSA | 193
Figure 6.10 Future (2040) Noise Contours in the City of Hermosa Beach with PLAN Hermosa
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 955
194 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Roadway/Segment
CNEL at Nearest Sensitive Receptor
Existing Year Year 2040 with PLAN Hermosa Year 2040 without PLAN Hermosa
8th Street
Hermosa to Valley
PCH to Prospect
57 dB
47 dB
57 dB
45 dB
57 dB
45 dB
Ardmore Avenue
16th to 11th
8th to 2nd
58 dB
57 dB
58 dB
56 dB
58 dB
57 dB
Artesia Boulevard
PCH to Prospect 65 dB 65 dB 65 dB
Aviation Boulevard
PCH to Prospect 70 dB 69 dB 69 dB
Gould Avenue
Ardmore to PCH 64 dB 63 dB 64 dB
Hermosa Avenue
27th to 22nd
22nd to 16th
16th to 8th
8th to Herondo
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
62 dB
62 dB
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
63 dB
Herondo Street
Hermosa to Valley 65 dB 65 dB 65 dB
Pacific Coast Highway
Artesia to 16th
16th to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
72 dB
67 dB
68 dB
71 dB
67 dB
67 dB
72 dB
67 dB
67 dB
Pier Avenue
Hermosa to Valley
Ardmore to PCH
62 dB
65 dB
62 dB
64 dB
62 dB
65 dB
Prospect Avenue
Artesia to Aviation
Aviation to 2nd
59 dB
63 dB
60 dB
63 dB
61 dB
64 dB
Valley Drive
Gould to Pier
Pier to 8th
59 dB
60 dB
58 dB
59 dB
59 dB
60 dB
Table 6.2 Existing and Future Traffic Noise Levels at the Nearest Sensitive Receptors
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 956
PLAN HERMOSA | 195
Bar and Restaurant Noise
Noise from bars and restaurants is a frequent
source of complaints in beach communities, including Hermosa Beach. Often this is because the bars and restaurants have outdoor dining areas, operate late into the night, and/or provide live or recorded entertainment. Because bar and restaurant noise typically consists primarily of human speech or laughter, as well as music, it stands out from the background ambient “hum” produced by traffic and by waves crashing on the beach. This increases its potential to annoy nearby residents. The low frequency content of music (e.g., bass guitars and drums) easily propagates through walls and windows over large distances, increasing the area that is affected by the bar or restaurant.
The noise level produced by a bar or restaurant varies widely depending on a number of factors. Measurements indicate that average noise levels within the building can range from 75 dBA (with low background music or no music at all) to over 95 dBA (with entertainment). Maximum noise levels can be up to 20 dBA higher than these average levels. Typical building construction will reduce these noise levels by about 10 dB with windows and doors open, or by about 20 dB with windows and doors closed. Outdoor dining areas can produce average noise levels of 65 dBA to 70 dBA and maximum noise levels of 85 dBA to 90 dBA at a distance of 20 feet from the dining area.
The City of Hermosa Beach does not have quantitative standards by which to assess the impact of noise from bars and restaurants. Rather, the City’s Municipal Code regulates it in the following manner:
• Prohibits “repeated or sustained noise from
the premises of any commercial establishment which is adjacent to one or more residential dwelling units, including any outdoor area part of or under the control of the establishment, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. that is plainly audible from the residential dwelling unit’s property line.”
• Prohibits “sustained amplified music from the
premises of any commercial establishment on Pier Plaza that is plainly audible eighty (80) feet from the property line of the establishment.”
• Requires that “all exterior doors and windows of
a business establishment located on Pier Plaza shall be closed while amplified music is being played in the establishment.”
Event and Party Noise
Hermosa Beach plays host to a number of public
and private events throughout the year. For the most part, these events take place at the beach or around the pier, with occasional events held downtown or in a park. Some of these events (for example, the summer concerts at the beach) can generate significant levels of noise that can be heard over large areas of the city. To identify typical noise levels that can be generated by these events, a measurement was obtained on The Strand in front of a residence during a summer concert being held at the pier. The results of the measurement indicated median noise levels of 73 dBA and maximum noise levels of 82 dBA.
The City of Hermosa Beach does not regulate the noise levels generated by public and private events held on public property other than to require that a permit be obtained prior to the use of sound amplification equipment. The permit application does not require the applicant to identify the noise levels that will be generated by the equipment. In general, the Chief of Police must approve the application unless, among other things, he or she determines that issuance of the permit would substantially interfere with the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or community.
Commercial/Industrial Activity Noise
Within Hermosa Beach, industrial properties
are generally concentrated along Cypress
Avenue between 8th Street and South Park.
These properties are occupied by various light
manufacturing facilities, warehouses, construction
supply sites, a surfboard manufacturing use, auto
shops, air conditioning and heating manufacturing
uses, and the City’s maintenance yard.
Surrounding these industrial properties are various
residential properties, commercial properties, and
South Park. Another industrial property, occupied
by a telecommunications company, is located on
Valley Drive adjacent to a mobile home park and
Hermosa Valley School.
Commercial properties are generally concentrated
along Pacific Coast Highway, Pier Avenue,
Hermosa Avenue, Aviation Boulevard, and Artesia
Boulevard. They include retail stores and shopping
centers, hotels and motels, restaurants, professional
office spaces, auto-related uses, entertainment
uses, and personal services. These commercial
properties are typically backed by noise-sensitive
residential properties.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 957
196 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
The primary complaints associated with
commercial/industrial properties are related to noise generated by trucks and heavy equipment, loading dock operations, trucks entering and leaving the area, and mechanical equipment located both inside and outside the buildings. Commercial/ industrial noise impacts primarily result when activities occur during noise-sensitive times of the day (early morning, evening, or nighttime hours), or the activities occur in areas immediately adjoining noise-sensitive land uses. The City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code provides no quantitative standards by which to identify and assess potential noise impacts resulting from commercial/ industrial operations. Rather, it limits the hours during which certain specific noise sources can occur. The City’s General Plan identifies “noise tolerance standards” for various types of land uses within the City, ranging from 45 dBA or below for R-1 zones (including schools, hospitals, nurseries, and rest homes) to 65 dBA or below for M zones. It is likely that the City’s General Plan “noise tolerance standards” are being exceeded at all residential properties located adjacent to commercial/industrial properties.
Refuse Collection Noise
Trash pickup and compacting vehicles typically
use hydraulic equipment to raise and lower
the trash bins and to compact their contents.
Typical noise levels range from 80 to 85 dBA
at 50 feet during the raising, lowering and
compacting operations. A typical trash pickup
takes approximately three minutes, with the higher
noise levels occur during about one-half of the
operation. Noises associated with refuse collection
are disturbances that are necessary for the
health and welfare of a community. They are not
regulated by the City of Hermosa Beach.
Construction/Demolition Noise
Construction activities generate considerable
amounts of noise, especially during the demolition phase and the construction of project infrastructure when heavy equipment is used. Noise levels resulting from construction depend on the number and types of construction equipment being used, the timing and duration of noise-generating activities, and the distance between construction noise sources and receptors.
The highest maximum noise levels generated by project construction typically range from about 90 to 105 dBA at a distance of 50 feet from the noise source. Typical hourly average construction-generated noise levels are about 81 dBA to 89 dBA measured at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the site during busy construction periods, such as when earth moving equipment and impact tools are being used. Construction-generated noise levels drop off at a rate of about 6 dBA per doubling of distance between the source and receptor. Shielding by buildings or terrain often result in much lower construction noise levels at distant receptors.
Typically, small residential, commercial, or office construction projects do not generate significant noise impacts when standard construction noise control measures are enforced at the project site and when the duration of the noise-generating construction period is relatively short (typically one year or less). Construction noises associated with projects of this type are disturbances that are necessary for the construction or repair of buildings and structures in urban areas. Larger construction projects are typically built out over more than one year, and some construction methods, such as pile driving, generate higher noise levels and noise that would be considered impulsive.
Construction noise impacts primarily result when construction activities occur during noise-sensitive times of the day (early morning, evening, or nighttime hours), the construction occurs in areas immediately adjoining noise-sensitive land uses, or when construction durations last over extended periods of time. The City of Hermosa Beach minimizes the potential for noise impacts by limiting the hours when construction can occur.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 958
PLAN HERMOSA | 197
Construction/Demolition Vibration
The only significant vibration source within the City of Hermosa Beach is construction equipment.
Construction of new projects on sites adjacent to existing developments could result in the generation of
excessive ground-borne vibration on a temporary basis. Construction activities may include demolition of
existing structures, site preparation work, excavation of below grade levels, foundation work, pile driving,
and framing. Demolition activity at an individual site may last several weeks and at times may produce
substantial vibration. Excavation for underground levels could also occur on some project sites and
vibratory pile driving could be used to stabilize the walls of the excavated area. Piles or drilled caissons may
also be used to support building foundations.
Pile driving has the potential to generate the highest ground vibration levels and is the greatest risk
factor in causing structural damage, particularly when it occurs within 100 feet of structures. Vibration
levels generated by pile driving activities would vary depending on project conditions including type,
construction methods, and equipment used. Other construction activities, such as caisson drilling, the use
of jackhammers, rock drills and other high-power or vibratory tools, and rolling stock equipment (tracked
vehicles, compactors, etc.) may also generate substantial vibration in the immediate vicinity of the site.
Depending on the proximity of existing structures to each construction site, the structural soundness of the
existing buildings, and the methods of construction used, vibration levels caused by pile driving or other
impact work may be high enough to damage existing structures.
The City of Hermosa Beach has no regulations by which to assess the potential impacts associated with
groundborne vibration levels.
Land Use
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)
Exterior Interior
Residential 65 dB 45 dB
Hotels/Motels 65 dB 45 dB
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes 65 dB 45 dB
Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters 65 dB 45 dB
Sports Arena, outdoor Spectator Sports 65 dB N/A
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks 70 dB N/A
Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries 75 dB N/A
Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional 70 dB 50 dB
Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture 75 dB 65 dB
Notes:
1. Outdoor environment limited to private yard of single-family residences; private patios of multi-family residences that are accessed by a means of exit from inside the unit; mobile home park; hospital patio; park picnic area; school playground; and hotel and motel recreation area.
2. Interior environment excludes bathrooms, toilets, closets, and corridors. Noise level requirement is with windows closed. Mechanical ventilation system or other means of natural ventilation shall be provided pursuant to the requirements of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Table 6.3 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 959
198 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Uses
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)
<55 dB 55 dB 60 dB 65 dB 70 dB 75 dB 80+ dB
Single-, multi- family A A B B C D D
Mobile home A A B C C D D
Hotel, motel, transient lodging A A B B C C D
Retail, bank, restaurant, movie theater A A A A B B C
Office building, research &
development, professional office
A A A B B C D
Amphitheater, concert hall, auditorium, meeting hall B B C C D D D
Children’s amusement park, miniature
golf, go-cart track, health club,
equestrian center
A A A B B D D
Service station, auto dealer, manufacturing, warehousing, wholesale, utilities
A A A A B B B
Hospital, church, library, school
classrooms
A A B C C D D
Parks A A A B C D D
Golf course, nature center, cemetery,
wildlife reserve, wildlife habitat
A A A A B C C
Agriculture A A A A A A A
Table 6.4 Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix
Interpretation:
Zone A,
Clearly Compatible
Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that buildings are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements.
Zone B,
Normally Compatible
New construction or development should be undertaken only after detailed
analysis of the noise reduction requirements are made and needed noise
insulation features in the design are determined. Conventional construction,
with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally
suffice.
Zone C,
Normally Incompatible
New construction or development should normally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis or noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features must be included in the design.
Zone D,
Clearly Incompatible
New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 960
PLAN HERMOSA | 199
Goal 1. Injuries and loss of life are prevented, and property loss and damage are minimized.
To protect the community from avoidable risk and harm by factoring natural hazards
such as seismic hazards, flooding, landslides, severe weather events, and fires into community planning and outreach, maintenance and upgrades, and municipal operations.
Policies
1.1 Evaluate risks. Buildings and infrastructure will be periodically evaluated for seismic, fire, flood, and coastal storm hazard risks and identified risks will be minimized by complying with California Building Code standards and other applicable regulations.
1.2 Prepare geotechnical reports. Geotechnical reports will be prepared for new development projects in areas with the potential for liquefaction or landslide.
1.3 Tsunami Playbook. Work with Los Angeles County and utilize resources such as the Tsunami Playbook in the evaluation and response of tsunami risk.
1.4 Reduce fire hazards. Reduce fire hazards associated with older buildings, multi-story structures, and industrial facilities.
1.5 Minimize coastal flooding. Natural interventions, green infrastructure, and infiltration systems will be utilized to minimize damage from coastal flooding.
1.6 Minimize coastal hazards. Injuries and loss of life are prevented, and property loss and damage from coastal hazards are minimized.
1.7 Reduce flood vulnerability. Encourage existing structures, critical facilities, and infrastructure to reduce flood vulnerability.
1.8 Reduce stormwater runoff. Reduce stormwater runoff consistent with local stormwater permits.
1.9 Facilitate retrofits. Encourage and facilitate retrofits of seismically high-risk buildings.
1.10 Consider site-specific soil conditions. Require new structures to consider site-specific soil conditions.
1.11 Secure funds. Establish centralized internal procedures to coordinate efforts for securing funds that support risk reduction measures.
1.12 Evacuation routes. Identify and regularly evaluate or update evacuation and response procedures through the Emergency Operations Plan.
Goals and Policies
To address the risk of natural and man-made hazards, Public Safety approaches in Hermosa Beach are formed by the need for flexible and resilient options that will help the city thrive. Hermosa’s approach to public safety will reduce potential risks or exposure to natural and man-made hazards, build community capacity and preparedness for unavoidable hazards, ensure efficient response to hazardous events, and enact recovery plans to build greater resiliency to future hazards.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 961
200 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal 2. The anticipated effects of sea level rise are understood, prepared for, and
successfully mitigated.
With the sandy beach considered one of Hermosa’s greatest natural assets for
aesthetic, safety, and recreational tourism purposes, the loss or erosion of the
beach due to sea level rise would be catastrophic to the vitality of Hermosa Beach.
By monitoring, evaluating, and enacting interventions to address changes in sea levels, and greater effects of storm events, Hermosa Beach will be well positioned to minimize infrastructure and private property vulnerabilities.
Policies
2.1 Integrate resilience. Integrate resilience to anticipated sea level rise impacts into project designs when repairing and replacing aging infrastructure within the coastal zone.
2.2 Sea level rise impacts. Require new development and redevelopment projects to consider and address relevant sea level rise impacts.
2.3 Enhance awareness. Enhance local understanding of sea level rise and keep decision-makers and the community aware of potential impacts based on best available science.
2.4 Provide public information. Provide public information describing new flooding risks under a 55-inch sea level rise scenario in areas previously not affected by flooding.
2.5 Maintain beach widths. Maintain or expand current beach widths under changing sea level conditions.
2.6 Consider combined effects of hazards. Consider the combined effects of sea level rise when evaluating potential tsunami and storm surge impacts.
2.7 Support regional approaches. Support regional approaches to sediment management, beach replenishment, and adaptive shoreline protection to allow Hermosa Beach to voice its needs, allow for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, and identify creative finance mechanisms to continue the replenishment program.
2.8 Identify erosion problems. Continue to monitor beach width and elevations to identify potential erosion problems.
2.9 Beach nourishment and replenishment. Consider allowing construction projects with sand excavation to add sand for beach replenishment or nourishment purposes.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 962
PLAN HERMOSA | 201
Goal 3. Hermosa Beach residents, businesses, and coastal resources are protected from hazardous materials.
Minimizing community exposure to hazardous and potentially hazardous materials,
especially those that can reduce exposure to delayed, chronic and/or acute health effects.
Policies
3.1 Hazardous material setbacks. Restrict the storage and transport of hazardous materials only to areas where risks to residents are adequately minimized through setbacks or other measures.
3.2 Hazardous material incident response. Coordinate with allied agencies to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents.
3.3 Use, storage and transport. Require businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous materials to ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect public health and safety.
3.4 Hazardous materials in Coastal Zone. Restrict the siting of new uses involving hazardous materials in the Coastal Zone to coastal-related industrial uses in the Cypress District.
3.5 Safe disposal practices. Maintain City’s website and other outlets with information regarding the safe handling and disposal of household chemicals.
3.6 Hazardous waste disposal. Revise, update, and maintain hazardous waste and construction materials standards for the necessary, proper, and effective disposal of hazardous waste.
Attachment 2A
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202 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal 4. The community has the capacity and is prepared for unavoidable hazards.
The community’s ability to react and respond during hazardous events is predicated on both an awareness of the potential risks, and an understanding of how to respond to hazardous events.
Policies
4.1 Public awareness. Increase public awareness of hazards, emergency response, and recovery through updated evacuation routes and informational signage.
4.2 Promote community-based and volunteer programs. Promote community-based programs in fire safety and emergency preparedness, including neighborhood-level and business programs and community volunteer groups such as CERT, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Policing and the Amateur Radio Association.
4.3 SEMS and NIMS training. Increase City employee capacity through the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant training and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) drills to identify hazards, and assist in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
4.4 City media and communication resources. Establish communication protocols and utilize City media resources, emergency alert notification systems, and program advertising to provide information and communicate with the community prior to, during, or after events posing risk to community health safety, and welfare.
4.5 Responsive neighborhood groups. Encourage neighborhood groups, including Neighborhood Watch, to identify, consider, and prepare for the needs of neighbors with access and functional needs to adequately respond to disasters.
4.6 Vulnerable populations. Incorporate procedures into emergency and hazard mitigation plans to take care of vulnerable populations during hazardous events.
4.7 Communicate risks. Regularly evaluate, identify, and communicate new hazard risks and incorporate into planning and programs.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 964
PLAN HERMOSA | 203
Goal 5. High quality police and fire protection services provided to residents and visitors.
Providing fire, police, and emergency medical response services are among the City’s highest priorities. The City provides high quality police and fire protection services to residents and visitors and has set response standards to effectively and rapidly respond
to emergencies. Ensuring law enforcement, fire protection/emergency medical
services, and lifeguard services are being adequately provided by addressing core
issues related to service provision, including law enforcement within the community, resource pooling with neighboring jurisdictions, and anticipation of community needs due to growth and development is one of the City’s highest priorities.
Policies
5.1 High level of response. Achieve optimal utilization of allocated public safety resources and provide desired levels of response, staffing, and protection within the community.
5.2 Use of technology. Provide and use smart surveillance technology and communication systems to improve crime prevention and inform the community regarding actions to take in case of emergency.
5.3 Physical design standards. Reduce opportunities for criminal activity through physical design standards and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles.
5.4 Crime prevention outreach programs. Offer youth programs, recreation opportunities, educational programs, and other services to encourage crime prevention behavior.
5.5 Adequate emergency access. Require new development to be designed to provide adequate emergency access and to maintain current levels of emergency services.
5.6 Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions. Cooperate and collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions and social services to maximize public safety and emergency services.
5.7 Nuisance abatement. Encourage Police Department review of uses which may be characterized historically by high levels of nuisance (noise, nighttime patronage, and/or rates of criminal activity) providing for conditions of control of use to prevent adverse impacts on adjacent residences, schools, religious facilities, and similar “sensitive” uses.
5.8 Police and Fire enforcement grants. Pursue grant funding and other outreach programs to minimize and abate nuisances.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 965
204 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal 6. Hermosa Beach is prepared for, responds to and recovers quickly from natural disasters.
Resiliency is the ability to overcome challenges of all kinds – trauma, tragedy,
emergencies – and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more powerful. While natural disasters and hazardous events can cause damage and injury, by learning from those events, and using them to be better prepared for future events, Hermosa Beach can
minimize the degree of damage and injury from future unavoidable events.
Policies
6.1 Regularly update plans. Regularly update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans, in a manner that is compliant with state and federal standards.
6.2 Coastal incidents. Collaborate and maintain communication between the City, LA County Lifeguards, and the United States Coast Guard concerning incidents on or near the coast.
6.3 Invest in critical facilities. Dedicate funds to upgrade and maintain essential facilities (including EOC, Police/Fire Facilities, and City Hall) to make them more resilient to the potential impacts of natural disasters.
6.4 Post-disaster evaluation. The City’s essential facilities shall be the top priority in conducting post-disaster building evaluations.
6.5 Optimize community benefits. Ensure that post-disaster recovery decisions optimize long-term community and economic benefits.
6.6 Assist businesses. Assist local / small businesses in planning for continuity of operations and emergency preparedness.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 966
PLAN HERMOSA | 205
Goal 7. Noise compatibility is considered in the land use planning and design process.
Consideration of the effects of noise early in the land use planning and design process can minimize or avoid detrimental impacts, and create a community where noise compatibility between differing types of land uses is ensured.
Policies
7.1 Noise standards. Adopt, maintain, and enforce planning guidelines that establish the acceptable noise standards identified in Table 6.3.
7.2 Noise compatibility. Utilize the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix shown in Table 6.4 as a guide for future planning and development decisions.
7.3 Noise analysis and mitigation. Require all proposed development projects and modifications to existing developments to be compatible with the existing and future noise levels by using the Land Use/Noise Compatibility matrix shown in Table 6.4, or equivalent city policy or code. Where proposed projects are not located in an area that is “clearly compatible”, the City will require that an acoustical study be prepared as a condition of building permit approval demonstrating compliance with the noise standards shown in Table 6.3.
7.4 Condominium conversions. Require conversion projects from existing apartments into condominiums submit an acoustical analysis demonstrating compliance with the State of California Noise Insulation Standards.
7.5 Noise ordinance. Establish a quantitative noise ordinance based on or equivalent to Chapter 12.08 of the Los Angeles County Code.
7.6 Vibration control. Groundborne vibration levels induced by construction and demolition activities and other ongoing land use activities can be controlled to minimize damage and annoyance within the community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 967
206 | CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal 8. Transportation noise sources are minimized.
Transportation-related activities are primary sources of noise affecting the quality of
life in Hermosa Beach. Effective reduction of noise associated with transportation is necessary to ensure protection from the detrimental effects of excessive noise.
Policies
8.1 Transportation facility compatibility. Periodically review County, regional, and local plans for transportation facilities and new developments to minimize or avoid land use/noise conflicts prior to project approval.
8.2 Alternative modes of transportation. Reduce noise impacts by encouraging the use of walking, biking, carpooling, use of public transit, and expanding alternative modes of transportation.
8.3 Traffic calming. Where roadway noise levels exceed the “normally compatible” range shown in the Land Use/Noise Compatibility Matrix, consider the implementation of traffic calming measures such as reduced speed limits or roadway design features to reduce noise levels through reduced vehicle speeds and/or diversion of vehicular traffic.
8.4 Enforcement. Increase the enforcement of the posted speed limit and the noise standards included in the State’s Motor Vehicle Code to reduce noise impacts from vehicles, particularly in residential areas.
8.5 Public transit. Work with transit agencies to establish bus routes that meet public transportation needs and minimize noise impacts in residential areas.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 968
PLAN HERMOSA | 207
A safe, healthy, and well maintained public infrastructure system is essential to the
functioning of any community. The means by which water, energy, waste, and
people are transported from one place to another must function well to ensure a high quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors to Hermosa Beach. These systems must
also be resilient to changing environmental and economic conditions. Much of the City’s infrastructure design and operation affects both the natural environment and
local economy. The availability of low cost renewable energy is a prime example of
infrastructure solutions that benefit everyone in the community, reinvest money in the local economy, while reducing impacts to the environment.
Upgrades to these infrastructure systems are costly and often happen on an as-needed repair basis rather than as comprehensive system upgrades. Hermosa
Beach is committed to providing high quality and reliable infrastructure in a fiscally
sustainable manner.
7 infrastructure
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 969
208 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Context
In Hermosa Beach, much of the infrastructure was initially built early in the 20th century, and has not kept up with modern standards. The sewer system, storm drain system, and numerous public buildings are in need of replacement or upgrades that exceed $100 million in estimated cost, and the City has started to systematically address each of these needs. This section describes the infrastructure systems and capacity, as well as the standards of care for maintenance and repair of this infrastructure to ensure they continue to operate in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Roads
The Public Works Department maintains public roads and sidewalks in Hermosa Beach, with the exception of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Artesia Boulevard, which are owned and operated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Annual maintenance budgets ($1,000,000 in 2014) were adequate to improve the backlog of maintenance work, including preventive improvements that reduce future maintenance costs. For additional information on the roadway system, please refer to Streetscapes and Living Streets. Poor roadway conditions such as potholes, uneven pavement, or root damage can be hazardous to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. They also degrade the city’s visual quality. As Hermosa Beach moves toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, additional infrastructure will be needed for active and public transportation to provide the most convenient and positive experience for people moving throughout Hermosa Beach.
State Law
The State of California does not require that a city’s general plan include a separate Infrastructure Element, but does require the topic of infrastructure to be addressed. Since the City of Hermosa Beach views infrastructure as a critical topic, it is included as an optional element and includes specific components related to infrastructure to comply with the California Coastal Act.
General Plan
As it relates to infrastructure and utility networks, California Planning law requires the City’s General Plan to:
• Include the general location and extent of existing and proposed utilities and facilities.
• Correlate to the Land Use Element of the plan.
• Address urban water management and stormwater, recycled water use, and the integration of water and land use planning.
Coastal Land Use Plan
The California Coastal Act additionally
identifies specific components related
to infrastructure and water quality to be
incorporated into the Coastal Land Use Plan to:
• Identify current and projected infrastructure
capacity based on only those service
improvements that are consistent with Coastal
Act and LCP policies.
• Identify land use designations and intensities
commensurate with the level of available
infrastructure (e.g., sewer, water, and road or
transit systems, with Highway 1 limited to two
lanes in rural areas).
• Identify grading regulations to minimize
alterations of natural landforms.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 970
PLAN HERMOSA | 209
Sewer System
The sanitary sewer system network in Hermosa
Beach comprises approximately 37 miles of sewer
lines. Much of the sewer system is believed to have
been installed in the late 1920s using concrete and
clay pipe replacements. The system is primarily
a gravity flow system, with the exception of one
pump station. The effluent collected by sewer
lines is discharged into the Los Angeles County
Sanitation District trunk lines. The effluent collected
by the sewer eventually flows to the Los Angeles
County Sanitation District’s Joint Water Pollution
Control Plant, one of the largest wastewater
treatment plants in the world. The facility serves
a population of approximately 3.5 million people
throughout Los Angeles County and provides both
primary and secondary wastewater treatment.
Treated discharge from the plant is transported to
the Pacific Ocean through a network of outfalls,
which extend 1.5 miles off the Palos Verdes
Peninsula to a depth of 200 feet.
The City approved a sewer fee in June 2015
allowing City Council to impose a fee on properties
within the city. Funds must go towards sewer
construction, repair, operations, and maintenance.
Storm Drainage
Urban runoff (stormwater) flows from inland locations through Hermosa Beach to the Pacific Ocean through a network of drainage lines identified in Figure 7.1. The network is a mixture of County-owned and City-owned lines, with joint responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the lines. The lines generally run east to west along major roads, including 16th Street, Pier Avenue, and 2nd Street and terminate at one of 11 outfalls located on the beach or in the Pacific Ocean.
In Hermosa Beach, paved surfaces prevent the absorption of rainfall into the ground, as would occur in a natural system. Instead, stormwater is ushered into storm drains, a system of pipes that carry rainfall directly to the ocean. Under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, the City is responsible for the development, implementation, and enforcement of stormwater runoff and drainage requirements to protect water quality.
Stormwater that runs over streets and sidewalks can pick up debris and pollutants, which are carried, untreated, into the ocean. To help reduce the amount of pollution from contaminated stormwater, the City has adopted a Low Impact
Development (LID) ordinance and a Green
Streets Policy. LID uses landscape design to retain
or filter stormwater runoff, using development
techniques such as rain gardens, permeable
pavers, and bioswales. As the Green Streets Policy
is implemented, low impact development will add
to the existing fabric of stormwater infrastructure.
Stormwater management facilities provided in
private developments, such as retention basins,
swales, or vegetation planted for stormwater
filtering and containment operate independently
of the storm drain system. These systems help to
reduce drainage loads through the storm drain
system and while encouraged, must be carefully
sited and integrated into the design of a site to
avoid breaking up the urban form and function.
Figure 7.1 Storm Drain Lines
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 971
210 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Water Quality
The Los Angeles Regional Water
Quality Control Board and the United States Environmental Protection Agency developed four total maximum daily load (TMDL) standards that apply to Hermosa Beach. These establish the amount of bacteria that is acceptable in Santa Monica Bay around Hermosa Beach’s outfalls.
1. Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL
(established 2002)
2. Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Wet Weather TMDL
(established 2002)
3. Santa Monica Bay TMDL for
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (established 2012)
4. Santa Monica Bay Nearshore and Offshore
Debris TMDL (established 2010)
The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather
TMDL notes that elevated bacterial indicator densities were causing impairment of water
The City of Hermosa Beach used Federal stimulus funds, State grants and bond funds that could only be spent on improvements aimed towards streetscape and amenities to finance the $4.76 million Pier Avenue Beautification Project. As part of the project, the City installed an innovative infiltration/storm drain system that captures trash, stormwater and urban runoff from a 36- acre drainage area before it can pollute ocean waters. Once captured, the system treats the polluted water and infiltrates it for deep root irrigation and groundwater recharge along Pier Avenue. The system is unique because the storm drain component plays an auxiliary role in management of run-off and is only activated as the infiltration systems reach capacity.
“The City of Hermosa Beach is committed to protecting the environment, and the Pier Avenue Beautification Project is a shining example of how a city can create a cleaner and greener community for us all.”
Hermosa Beach Mayor Peter Tucker
Upper Pier Avenue streetscape enhancements.
Pier Avenue Beautification Project
Water Service +
Hydrology
Hermosa Beach is located in the West Coast sub basin of the Coastal Plain of the Los Angeles watershed, one of 19 major watersheds in the South Coast Hydrologic Region. The South Coast Hydrologic Region covers 11,000 square miles (nearly seven percent) of the state’s total land area and contains about 54% of the state’s population. The West Coast sub basin is bounded on the north by the Ballona Escarpment, an abandoned channel from the Los Angeles River, on the east by the Newport-Inglewood fault zone, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean and consolidated rocks of the Palos Verdes Hills. All of the South Coast Hydrologic Region watersheds flow into the Pacific Ocean.
Marine waters offshore from Hermosa Beach are a part of the Santa Monica Bay, which extends south from Point Dume, in Malibu, to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. No freshwater waterways or surface water bodies are located in Hermosa Beach.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 972
PLAN HERMOSA | 211
contact recreation beneficial uses at many Santa
Monica Bay beaches. Dry weather bacteriological objectives identified in the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan include limits for total coliform density, fecal coliform density, and enterococcus density.
The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL sets the number of days that can be in exceedance of the limits identified in the Basin Plan. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has also established TMDL for the number of days exceeding bacteria count limits established in the Basin Plan during wet weather. As a co-permittee to the Los Angeles Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, Hermosa Beach is responsible for meeting water quality–based effluent limitations that allow Santa Monica Bay to meet TMDL targets identified in the Santa Monica Bay Total Daily Maximum Loads for DDTs and PCBs and Santa Monica Bay Nearshore and Offshore Debris TMDL.
Electricity
Electricity is provided to Hermosa Beach by
Southern California Edison (SCE) via a network
of overhead and underground distribution lines.
For additional information regarding electricity
generation, renewable energy, and energy
conservation, please refer to Green Building and
Conservation and Energy.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is provided through Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, via a network of underground distribution lines. Natural gas is predominantly used for heating and stove use in residences. For additional information regarding energy conservation, please refer to Green Building and Conservation and Energy.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications services in Hermosa Beach
include cable television, high speed Internet, and wireless and ground-line telephone services. A variety of private companies provide these services and have infrastructure located throughout the city to provide consistent and reliable telecommunication services to the community. In August 2015, Hermosa Beach had a total of 13 Internet providers including 1 cable provider, 2 Copper providers, 3 DSL providers, 1 fiber provider, 1 fixed wireless provider, 5 mobile providers.
Fiber-Optic Infrastructure
Fiber-optic infrastructure is provided through submarine cables that provide international connectivity. The City of Hermosa Beach is the North American landing site of multiple transpacific submarine cables. In 2015, existing sites included APX-East, which connects to Sydney Australia, and SEA-US, which connects to Davao, Philippines, Manado, Indonesia, Piti, Guam, and Oahu Hawaii.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 973
212 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal 1. Infrastructure systems are functional, safe, and well maintained.
Though often unnoticed and in the background, public infrastructure and services – utilities, water and wastewater services, stormwater treatment, and transportation
infrastructure – are essential to the high quality of life afforded in Hermosa Beach. They
require regular maintenance and upgrading both to meet the demands of a growing
population and to improve their environmental performance.
Policies
1.1 Infrastructure systems plan. Establish and adopt an integrated, holistic systems approach to
guide infrastructure development, improvement, maintenance, and resilience.
1.2 Priority investments. Use City Council established priorities and the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) to identify and allocate funding for projects identified in the infrastructure plan.
1.3 Right-of-way coordination. Ensure infrastructure maintenance and repair projects within the
public right-of-way are coordinated with utilities and agencies to minimize additional roadway
repaving or accelerated deterioration.
1.4 Fair share assessments. Require new development and redevelopment projects to pay their
fair share of the cost of infrastructure improvements needed to serve the project, and ensure
that needed infrastructure is available prior to or at the time of project completion.
1.5 New technologies. When feasible, utilize emerging technologies and funding strategies that
improve infrastructure efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency.
1.6 Utility Infrastructure Siting. Ensure new infrastructure is sited in a manner to minimize negative
impacts to the community and prioritize projects to address the greatest deficiencies.
1.7 Aesthetic and urban form. Require infrastructure and infrastructure improvements that are
aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the scenic character of the surrounding area.
1.8 Minimize recurring repairs. Ensure that recurring repairs to City facilities are minimized by
investing in low maintenance materials and performing preventive procedures where available.
1.9 Preventative street maintenance projects. Include street slurry projects and other preventive
projects in the CIP each year, with sufficient funding.
1.10 Permeable pavement. Where feasible, use permeable pavement for low travel streets and
minimize the use of concrete on streets and medians.
Goals and Policies
The City recognizes and supports the need to maintain a high level of service to the community. It further recognizes the need to pursue and embed various technologies into developing and maintaining the City’s infrastructure to increase the efficiency and cost of operating. The City is committed to providing high quality infrastructure and maintaining infrastructure in a way that reduces ongoing costs to the City.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 974
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Goal 2. Roadway infrastructure maintenance supports convenient, attractive,
and complete streets and associated amenities.
Development of a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation network requires
a commitment and investment in the street infrastructure of both roadways and
sidewalks. Encouraging multimodal and attractive streets can provide for the
needs of diverse members of the community, balance the different modes of transportation, promote physical activity, and support environmental sustainability.
Policies
2.1 Preventive street maintenance. Maintain streets, sidewalks and other public rights-of-way to provide a reliable network for circulation through a proactive preventive maintenance program.
2.2 Pavement rating system. Prioritize roadway re-pavement projects by regularly evaluating pavement ratings and identifying roadway segments with the greatest deficiencies.
2.3 Street and sidewalk standards. Require the use of standardized roadway, sidewalk, parkway, curb and gutter designs to ensure continuity and consistency as property redevelops over time.
2.4 Sidewalk improvements. Consider innovative funding strategies, such as cost-sharing, ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to improve the overall condition, safety, and accessibility of sidewalks.
2.5 Active transportation dedications. Require new development and redevelopment projects to provide land or infrastructure necessary to accommodate active transportation, such as widened sidewalks, bike racks, and bus stops, in compliance with ADA accessibility standards.
2.6 Traffic signal coordination. Maintain and operate the traffic signal system with advanced technologies to manage traffic operations and maintain traffic signal infrastructure.
2.7 Restore to City standards. Require utility, other service providers, and private construction projects working in the public right-of-way to restore or improve trench areas to return the site to conditions that comply with City standards and prevent roadway and sidewalk deterioration.
2.8 Timely repairs and maintenance. Ensure that repairs and maintenance are completed in a timely manner when reported.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 975
214 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal 3. Adequate water supplies from diverse sources provide for the needs of
current and future residents, businesses, and visitors.
Water is fundamental to life and crucial to the health and well-being of Hermosa
Beach residents, businesses, visitors, and marine and terrestrial biological
communities. Hermosa Beach is located in a naturally dry region and contains no surface water bodies. However, the city’s susceptibility to drought, climate change, and other conditions has created opportunities to reduce demand, respond to
drought, and diversify the water supply to ensure the entire community, and region,
has access to adequate water supplies.
Policies
3.1 Demand monitoring. Continue to evaluate and monitor the adequacy of available
water supply and distribution systems relative to proposed development and redevelopment
projects.
3.2 Alternative water supplies. Pursue expansion of recycled water infrastructure and other
alternative water supplies to meet water demands of the community that cannot be offset
through conservation measures.
3.3 Recycled water infrastructure. Encourage the use and integration of dual plumbing
system hookups to accommodate recycled water into new development.
3.4 Climate change impacts. Consider the impacts of climate change in projections used
to establish which water supply and distribution facilities as well as conservation efforts are
necessary to sustain future water demands.
3.5 Drought management. Ensure measures to respond to drought conditions are enforced
through the City’s ‘Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan Ordinance.’
3.6 Water infrastructure. Support the development of water storage, recycling, greywater
treatment, and necessary transmission facilities to meet necessary water demand.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 976
PLAN HERMOSA | 215
Goal 4. The sewer system infrastructure is modernized and resilient.
By modernizing the sewer system to better meets community needs, the City can
reduce longer term infrastructure costs through efficiently managing, operating, and maintaining the system. In addition, the modernized sewer system will be less susceptible to additional stress from future floods and changing groundwater levels
with anticipated sea level rise, which is beneficial to both the health and welfare of the
residents and business community by minimizing overflows and improving beach water
quality.
Policies
4.1 Sewer system master plan. Ensure that the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan contains an effective
and proactive maintenance program that reduces future operation costs.
4.2 Priority improvements. Give priority to sewer system sections recommended for near-term
replacement or rehabilitation in the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan, and pursue repairs aggressively.
4.3 Service fees. Ensure that allocation of the Sewer Service Charge is efficient and transparent
to the public.
4.4 System capacity reviews. Require new development and redevelopment projects to
demonstrate available sewer system capacity and resiliency.
4.5 Sewer system rehabilitation. Implement the rehabilitation projects recommended in the
Sanitary Sewer Master Plan.
4.6 Sewer system resilience. Anticipate sea level rise impacts when planning, upgrading, and
operating the sewer collection and treatment systems.
4.7 Sewer system operation. Continue to implement maintenance and operation measures
established in the Sewer System Management Plan.
4.8 Holistic systems planning. Develop a comprehensive approach to water infrastructure that
integrates sewer system planning with potable and recycled water systems, stormwater systems,
and increased conservation awareness.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 977
216 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal 5. The stormwater management system is safe, sanitary, and environmentally and fiscally sustainable.
To reduce dangers from flooding and protect community safety and property, the City
of Hermosa Beach is committed to providing well maintained stormwater infrastructure and reducing the negative environmental impacts of storm run off into the Santa Monica Bay.
Policies
5.1 Integration of stormwater best practices. Integrate stormwater infiltration best practices when initiating streetscape redevelopment or public facility improvement projects.
5.2 Green infrastructure. Naturalize flood channels that enhance flood protection capacity before employing other management solutions.
5.3 Natural features. Integrate natural features, such as topography, drainage, and trees, into the design of streets and rights-of-way to capture stormwater and prevent runoff.
5.4 Conservation behavior. Encourage community behavior changes to reduce urban runoff pollution by incentivizing the capture of rainwater to prevent runoff and meet on-site water demand.
5.5 Stormwater system maintenance. Maintain, fund, and regularly monitor the City’s stormwater infrastructure.
5.6 Stormwater system repairs. Ensure that stormwater system repairs are included in maintenance plans for other City infrastructure and that repairs and maintenance are completed in a timely manner to prevent additional repair costs.
5.7 Stormwater permits. Strictly implement, enforce, and monitor MS4 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Permit requirements through stormwater ordinances.
5.8 Low impact development. Require new development and redevelopment projects to incorporate low impact development (LID) techniques in project designs, including but not limited to on-site drainage improvements using native vegetation to capture and clean stormwater runoff and minimize impervious surfaces.
5.9 Evaluate and retrofit. Evaluate existing systems and retrofit to meet current standards and infiltration best practices.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 978
PLAN HERMOSA | 217
Goal 6. Utility services are reliable, affordable, and renewable.
Citywide access to clean, dependable, and affordable energy positions the community for a sustainable energy future. By encouraging local production of
renewable energy, the community can simultaneously benefit from the economic and
environmental paybacks of renewable energy, and potentially attract new innovations
and technology by committing to a renewable energy future.
Policies
6.1 Utility maintenance permitting. Allow efficient and streamlined permitting for the
maintenance, repair, improvement, and expansion of utility facilities and infrastructure.
6.2 Below ground utilities. Encourage the phase out and replace overhead electric lines with
subsurface lines to reduce visual obstructions and the need for utility poles which can impede
sidewalk accessibility.
6.3 Environmental compatibility. Ensure that utility facilities and infrastructure cause minimal
damage to the environment and that utility service providers are responsible for costs associated
with damage caused to the environment and public right-of-way so that providers will seek to
minimize those costs.
6.4 Innovative and renewable technology. Encourage the exploration and establishment of
innovative and renewable utility service technologies. Allow the testing of new alternative
energy sources that are consistent with the goals and policies of PLAN Hermosa and comply
with all relevant regulations.
6.5 Renewable energy facilities. Unless a renewable energy facility would cause an
unmitigatable impact to health or safety, allow them by right.
6.6 Renewable energy procurement. Collaborate with nearby local and regional agencies to
provide greater renewable energy choices to the community.
6.7 Electric transmission and distribution system reliability. Improve reliability of the electric
transmission and distribution system through advocacy and collaboration with nearby cities.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 979
218 | CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal 7. A reliable and efficient telecommunications network available to every resident, business, and institution.
Telecommunication systems support advanced and innovative communication
methods between residents, businesses, visitors, and the City. Telecommunications infrastructure and services are critical to businesses for economic growth and job creation. Residents rely on telecommunications for quality of life, education, research,
and access to health care and government services.
Policies
7.1 Accommodate future technologies. Encourage telecommunications providers and building developments to size infrastructure and facilities to accommodate future expansion and changes in the need for technology.
7.2 Appropriate siting of telecommunications infrastructure. Design and site all facilities to minimize their visibility, prevent visual clutter, and reduce conflicts with surrounding land uses while recognizing that the entire community can have access to communication infrastructure.
7.3 Co-location of facilities. Encourage telecommunications facilities located adjacent to, on, or incorporated into existing or proposed buildings, towers, or other structures.
7.4 Emergency services technology. Prioritize telecommunications services used for the safety and well being of the community.
7.5 Access for all. Encourage the installation and availability of facilities that provide free telecommunication access at key activity and business centers throughout the community.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 980
PLAN HERMOSA | 219
For some topics in this Plan, the
new adopted policies are sufficient
to realize certain goals. However,
most goals will require additional
implementation actions to help
achieve our vision. This section ties
together the goals and policies
in the General Plan and Coastal
Plan with such actions. Some of
these are onetime actions, such as
creating an ordinance or updating a
master plan, while other actions will
need to re-occur or be periodically
evaluated. Actions have been
organized and grouped based on
a series of priority tasks and whether
they are considered a physical
improvement, program, or new
process.
implementation
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 981
220 | IMPLEMENTATION
Community Collaboration
Hermosa Beach is a small city, with big ideas and a clear vision of its future. The City staff and elected
officials welcome and encourage community organizations, the business community, other public agencies,
neighborhood groups and passionate individuals to help implement many of these actions. While some
actions will be prioritized by the City, that should not preclude any partner organization or individual from
making other actions a top priority in their own work in collaboration with the City.
Municipal Code Amendments
Similar to the Zoning Code, the Hermosa
Beach Municipal Code is a body of rules
and regulations that govern everything from signs to sidewalks. The actions in this
category comprise the new rules and regulatory updates necessary to implement
various goals and policies of PLAN
Hermosa.
Environmental Thresholds + Guidelines
The California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) plays a critical role in shaping
the built environment of Hermosa Beach and disclosing the environmental effects
of projects. Every discretionary action undertaken by the City must be evaluated
under CEQA. The development of
thresholds and guidelines for evaluating projects subject to CEQA will offer greater
transparency and consistency in how each project is evaluated. Actions to be
incorporated in the creation of local CEQA
procedures are included in this section.
Priority Implementation Tasks
The implementation section attempts to group the myriad of actions needed to
achieve the vision into a set of priority
tasks to be programmed and completed
as resources become available. While
directly associated with PLAN Hermosa, it is important that the implementation matrix
be adopted separate from the rest of this
Plan so that it may be updated and kept
current as council set priorities on an annual
basis and conditions change over time. The implementation work program includes the
following discrete tasks:
Local Implementation Plan (Coastal)
To implement the Coastal Land Use Plan
components of PLAN Hermosa, the City
must develop a series of implementing
ordinances, including changes to the Municipal Code, that articulate the
intent of the California Coastal Act with
consideration of local context and needs.
The actions in this category will comprise
the Implementation Plan to support
certification of the Local Coastal Program.
Zoning Code Update
The Zoning Code regulates land use, form,
and design, and is the primary mechanism for implementing the land use strategies
of PLAN Hermosa. The actions identified in
the zoning code update category should
be incorporated into the next update of
the zoning code, to bring the development standards of the City of Hermosa Beach
into alignment with PLAN Hermosa.
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Additional Implementation
Tasks
Additional implementation actions have
been categorized and included as a physical improvement, program, or process
to be implemented on an ongoing basis in
the future.
Physical Improvements
While much of this Plan is intended to direct private investment in a clear and
deliberate way, the City plays a role in shaping the public realm through
investment of resources in physical
improvements on City-owned or operated land. Specific public investments that
would result in physical changes to publicly owned spaces are listed below.
Programs
Programs are specific activities that are
focused on the community or a subset of
the community. These actions are meant to inform, enrich, or support the community.
In many cases, these programs are support activities that are intended to complement
more formal regulatory implementation
actions. In other cases, these actions are intended to help achieve PLAN Hermosa
outcomes through incentives.
Processes
Processes are those activities that the City undertakes as a municipal organization
that pertain to organizational function. The
items below are intended to improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the City’s
operations. Additionally, these items also relate to the coordination and consultation
that the city undertakes as an official
government agency.
Implementation Organization
Lead Department
The lead department responsible for
implementing the priority task. Other departments will be involved in the
successful implementation of specific actions within each task.
Timeframe
Priority tasks will have an identified
timeframe in which they should be implemented. Since many of these priority
tasks influence subsequent actions, their
implementation is critical within the first several years after adoption of PLAN
Hermosa. Additional actions presented as a physical improvement, program,
or process will be implemented on an
ongoing basis.
Primary Funding Source
Potential funding sources that may be used
in implementing each set of priority tasks
will be identified. More specific funding resources may be identified for individual
actions.
List of Relevant Actions
Within each priority task, there will be are a series of numbered actions. Each action is
numbered to correspond to the following elements of PLAN Hermosa:
• Governance
• Land Use + Design• Mobility
• Sustainability + Conservation• Parks + Open Space
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
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referenced plans
Parks and Recreation Master Plan (1990)
The City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan fulfills the City’s obligation to provide guidance for the orderly
development of parks, recreation, and open space facilities and programs. The plan includes baseline data and provides clear recommendations on how to meet the demands for future recreational, programming, and maintenance needs. The last comprehensive plan was completed in1990, therefore needing an update to reflect the new demographic and open space changes.
Sustainability Plan (2011)
Created by Hermosa Beach’s Green Task Force, the Sustainability Plan sets goals to reduce human impact on the environment. The Sustainability Plan includes topics on water, waste, transportation, buildings, energy, and marine/coastal issues, with goals to reduce man-made greenhouse gas emissions and protect the City’s beach culture and coastal environment. Strategies to achieve these goals include providing transportation alternatives to reduce automobile travel, supporting beach and ocean-friendly initiatives to protect Beach culture and local economy, reducing water consumption and improve water quality consistent with State goals, integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy measures into the built environment, and achieving higher rates of recycling and decrease the volume of landfilled waste. The Green Task Force worked closely with community members, building citywide support throughout the process.
South Bay Cities Bicycle Master Plan (2011)
The South Bay Bicycle Master Plan is intended to guide the development and maintenance of a comprehensive bicycle network and set of programs and policies throughout the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance for the next 20 years. As the first ever multi-jurisdictional bike plan, it has a unique focus on cross-city consistency and connectivity that is often lacking in singular city bike plans. Upon plan adoption, each participating city will be eligible for grant funding sources which they are not currently receiving. The Bicycle Master Plan is the result of a unique partnership between long-standing bicycle advocacy non-profit, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), and local LACBC chapter – the South Bay Bicycle Coalition (SBBC). The two groups came together with the common goal of improving the safety and convenience of bicycling in Los Angeles County, and specifically in the South Bay Region. Goals in this plan include creating a bicycle-friendly South Bay and safer bicycling environment and ensuring an enduring bicycling culture. Strategies to achieve these goals include designing an expanded bikeway network, supporting consistent design and engineering for bicycles,
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increasing mobility through bicycle-transit integration, providing convenient and consistent parking facilities,
increasing bicycle education, maintaining roads for safe and consistent bikeability, and expanding
enforcement for improved cycling safety.
Living Streets Policy (2012)
Hermosa Beach’s Living Streets Policy reflects the City’s commitment to creating streets that are safe, accessible, sustainable, and inviting. The policy was crafted in conjunction with the Blue Zones Project and was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission in December, 2012. The policy provides a checklist of issues to consider and procedures to evaluate street projects through a comprehensive ‘sustainability’ lens. It ensures that the various segments of the community are considered when determining how to use and improve the public right-of-way. The policy includes policies on street network/connectivity, design, jurisdiction, exceptions, and context sensitivity.
Aviation Boulevard Master Plan (2012)
The Aviation Boulevard Master Plan was created to transform Aviation Boulevard into a thriving corridor
that will act as a gateway when entering the city of Hermosa Beach. The inconsistent zoning along Aviation
Boulevard has contributed to the area’s lack of activity. The plan will create a new identity for the area
and includes individual toolkits to address the parking, traffic, pedestrian, maintenance, and land use and
zoning issues in the area. Some solutions include planted medians, decreasing widths of traffic lanes, new
sidewalk and landscape amenities, establishing a business improvement district and other incentives for
new investment, new zoning or design guidelines, and implementing a street tree and beautification
Pacific Coast Highway Aviation Boulevard Streetscape Improvements (2013)
Adopted in 2013, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Streetscape Master Plan is the City’s strategy to improve economic development through revitalized Downtown and Entry Corridors along the Pacific Coast Highway. This corridor is vehicular-oriented, and lacks pedestrian safety, green open space, medians, street trees, and an overall sense of identity. To alleviate these challenges, Katherine Spitz Associates developed concept plans that include innovative design elements. In addition, design goals were created to revitalize the corridors. These include increasing pedestrian safety and accessibility, creating physical and visual connection across PCH, beautifying the street with sustainable, cohesive landscaping, creating a memorable identity for the area, designing walkable streets with access to retail, dining and entertainment, and encouraging pedestrian use through new lighting and crosswalks.
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Beach Cities Livability Plan (2013)
The Beach Cities Livability Plan was developed to Improve livability and
well being in Los Angeles County beach cities. The plan strives to support
active living by enhancing both land use and transportation systems
throughout the cities. In order to achieve this goal, the plan highlights
ways that will encourage community members to become more active in
their communities. This includes a complete network of streets and public
spaces to support active living, safe, natural and enjoyable walking and
biking conditions, and sustainable transportation choices. Strategies to
achieve this goal of healthier, happier people in the city includes adopting
a Complete Streets policies and incorporate Complete Streets policy
language into all beach cities planning documents, creating and adopting
street design guidelines, developing a regional pedestrian master plan,
increasing enforcement for pedestrian safety, and increasing enforcement
for pedestrian safety.
Community Dialogue (2014)
The City of Hermosa Beach recognizes the importance to include
the community throughout the planning process. Community
members and government officials worked together during 2013
and 2014 to provide the following comments and visions for the city.
Hermosa Beach is a small-town friendly beach community. Hermosa
is a health conscious city where people walk, jog, and bike to get
from place to place, but also has a reputation for being a party
town. The City government is accessible, with council meetings
that are televised and open to the public, as well as City council
members office hours for questions or suggestions. The crime rate in
Hermosa is very low and the schools are in the top 10 percentile of
State rankings. The community participates in major fundraisers to
offset state shortfalls in the education system. The City is a green city
that is striving for a carbon neutral footprint. Some steps to achieve this goal include storm drain filtration
systems, smoke-free zones, banned styrofoam food containers, and the use of solar panels alternative
energy source.
Hermosa wants to attempt to have colleges/universities invest in technology projects in the area, seek out
movie/TV filming projects, encourage volunteerism for projects, and attract small businesses in order to
maintain its unique character without any added costs. Hermosa Beach, with the help of its citizens, would
like to continue its environmental friendly operation and promote an economically strong small business
image over the next 20 years in order to live up to its slogan “the best little beach city.”
LA Metro First Last Mile Strategic Plan (2015)
The goal of the LA Metro First Last Mile Strategic Plan is to better coordinate infrastructure investments in station areas to extend the reach of transit, with the ultimate goal of increasing ridership. The plan includes guidelines that begin outlining specific infrastructure improvement strategies to facilitate easy, safe, and efficient access to the Metro system. In addition, they introduce a concept referred to as ‘the Path’, and provide direction on the layout of Path networks and components within Metro Rail and fixed route Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station areas. They serve as a resource for Metro and the many public and private organizations throughout the region working to update programs, land use plans, planning guidelines, business models, entitlement processes, and other tools that take advantage of LA County’s significant investment in the public transportation network. Strategies will need to be organized to contend with widely varying environments throughout the county; yet will aim to improve the user experience by supporting intuitive, safe and recognizable routes to and from transit stations.
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Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy (2015)
The Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy for Hermosa Beach
is a comprehensive approach for increasing the vitality of the downtown including assessing the role of the key private sites and utilizing City assets to achieve City goals. The Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy and the Market and Economic Analysis were developed by Roma Design Group and Economic Planning Systems respectively, and reviewed by Council thereafter.
This Strategy is to utilize strategically located land resources to strengthen the economic vitality of the area and enhance the quality of life in the community as a whole. The Downtown Core will require both public and private initiatives including capital improvement projects, changes to parking and zoning, and parking requirements involving private development. Potential outcomes of the proposed Strategy are two catalyst hotel developments and improvements along Hermosa Avenue. Also, revising zoning will promote ground floor retail, reducing the parking requirements and providing consolidated publicly managed facilities at the civic center or community center. This will facilitate the much needed daytime occupancies and foot traffic by spurring additional second floor office and service uses.
Hermosa Beach Carbon Neutral Scoping Plan (2015)
Hermosa Beach’s commitment to carbon neutrality is shown in the
City’s Carbon Neutral Scoping Plan. At the time it was created, this
plan sets carbon neutrality as a primary goal for the City and includes a
pathway of achieving this goal. In addition to observing demographics,
culture, and political background of Hermosa Beach, the plan includes
a comprehensive model to determine emission levels in respective
sectors based on different implementation measures. This model creates
three potential outcomes to lead the city towards its goal. While the
shift to carbon neutrality will not occur immediately, this plan includes
recommendations and suggestions to help the City streamline the
process.
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Emergency Operations Plan (2016)
The City of Hermosa Beach Emergency Operations Plan
establishes a comprehensive, all hazards approach to natural,
man-made, and technological disasters. The plan provides an
overview of operational concepts, identifies components of the
City’s emergency management organization, and describes
the overall responsibilities of federal, state, county, and local
entities to protect life and property and ensure the overall
well being of the population. The plan establishes a system for
coordinating the prevention, preparedness, response, recovery,
and mitigation phases of emergency management in Hermosa
Beach.
One function of the City of Hermosa Beach Emergency
Operations Plan is to identify emergency evacuation protocols.
The City also has a tsunami evacuation plan and has posted
permanent tsunami evacuation signage at appropriate
locations in the city. The City’s evacuation plan for all other
hazards stresses operational flexibility. The City does not have a
publicly accessible all-hazards evacuation plan, nor does it post
permanent evacuation route signs for any hazard other than
tsunami.
Beach Cities Enhanced Watershed Management Program (2016)
A Beach Cities Enhanced Watershed Management Program
(EWMP) has been prepared for the Beach Cities Watershed
Management Area, which covers the Santa Monica Bay and
Dominguez Channel watersheds. The City of Hermosa Beach,
along with the Cities of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach,
and Torrance and the Los Angeles County Flood Control
District, formed the Watershed Management Group and
developed the plan. The plan summarizes watershed-specific
water quality priorities; outlines a program plan consisting of
specific strategies, control measures, and best management
practices (BMPs) necessary to achieve water quality targets;
and describes the quantitative analyses completed to support
target achievement and permit compliance.
The EWMP also includes guidance for best management
practices, specifically the development of policies related to
low impact development and local green streets. Two structural
BMPs have already been planned in Hermosa Beach, which will
be used to meet the total Santa Monica Bay reduction goals
for pollutant reductions. These projects include Hermosa Beach
Greenbelt Infiltration and the Hermosa Beach Infiltration Trench.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
(2017)
The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) fulfills Hermosa Beach’s obligation to prepare plans that identify community hazards and risks and create appropriate mitigation actions and projects pursuant to the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA). With a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified mitigation plan in place, the City is eligible for federal and state hazard mitigation funds. Additional funds are available for jurisdictions whose hazard mitigation plans and general plan safety elements are integrated. Hazard mitigation plans must be updated every five years to remain eligible for funding.
The LHMP fulfills requirements of Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 United States Code (USC) 5165, as amended by the DMA. The LHMP is incorporated into the City’s General Plan Public Safety Element by reference and should be consulted when addressing known hazards to ensure the public’s general health, safety, and welfare within the planning area. The City’s Public Safety Element goals, policies, and actions support and are consistent with the LHMP.
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glossary
Acceptable Risk
A hazard that is deemed to be a tolerable
exposure to danger given the expected benefits to be obtained, the level of loss, injury or destruction below which no specific action by local government is deemed necessary other than making the risk known. Different levels of acceptable risk may be assigned according to the potential danger and the criticalness of the threatened structure. The levels may range from “near zero” for nuclear plants and natural gas transmission lines to “moderate” for farm structures and low-intensity warehouse uses.
Acre-Foot (AF)
The volume of water necessary to cover one acre to a depth of one foot. Equal to 43,560 cubic feet, 325,851 gallons or 1,233 cubic meters.
Acreage, Gross
The land area that exists prior to any dedications
for public use, health and safety purposes.
Acreage, Net
The portion of a site that can actually be built upon, which is the land area remaining after dedication of ultimate rights-of-way for:
• Exterior boundary streets
• Flood ways
• Public parks and other open space developed
to meet minimum standards required by City
ordinance
• Utility Easements and rights-of-way
Action
An action is a program, implementation measure, procedure or technique intended to help achieve a specified objective. (See “Objective”)
Active Solar System
A system that uses a mechanical device, such as electric pumps or fans, in addition to solar energy to transport air or water between a solar collector and the interior of a building for heating or cooling. (See “Passive Solar System”)
Adverse Impact
A negative consequence for the physical, social,
or economic environment resulting from an action or project.
Archaeological Resource
Material evidence of past human activity found below the surface of ground or water, portions of which may be visible above the surface.
Arterials
Major thoroughfares that carry large volumes
of traffic at relatively high speeds. Arterials are
designed to facilitate two or more lanes of moving
vehicles in each direction and rarely contain on-
street parking.
Average Dry Weather Flow (ADWF)
The amount of wastewater that flows into a system on an average day during the dry weather part of the year.
Base Flood (100-year flood)
In any given year, a flood that has a 1 percent
likelihood of occurring, and is recognized as a
standard for acceptable risk. (See “Floodplain”)
Below Normal Year Water Yield
A term used in planning for adequate water
supplies, which represents the amount of water that can be expected to be available 90 percent of the time. (See also “normal year” and “dry year”)
Bicycle Lane (Class II facility)
A corridor expressly reserved for bicycles, existing on a street or roadway in addition to lanes for use by motorized vehicles.
Bicycle Path (Class I facility)
A paved route, not on a street or roadway,
expressly reserved for bicycles traversing an
otherwise unpaved area. Bicycle paths may
parallel roads, but are typically separated from
them by landscaping.
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Bicycle Route (Class III facility)
A roadway shared with motorists and identified only by signs, a bicycle route has no pavement markings or lane stripes.
Bikeways
A term that encompasses “bicycle lanes,” “bicycle
paths” and “bicycle routes.”
Boulevard
A broad roadway that functions as an arterial and where through-lanes are separated from local lands by a median.
Buffer Zone
An area established between potentially
conflicting land uses, which, depending on the
impact, may utilize landscaping or structural
barriers such as setbacks or roads.
Building Height
The vertical distance from the average contact ground level of a building to the highest point of the coping, whether a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the mean height level between eaves and ridge for a gable, hip, or gambrel roof. The exact definition varies by community. For example, in some communities building height is measured to the highest point of the roof, not including elevator and cooling towers.
Build-out
Development of land to its full potential, or theoretical capacity, as permitted under current or proposed planning or zoning designations.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Legislation and corresponding procedural components established in 1970 by the State of California to require environmental review for projects anticipated to result in adverse impacts to the environment.
Capital Improvements Program
A program administered by a City and reviewed
by its Planning Commission that schedules
permanent improvements, usually for a minimum of
five years in the future, that fits the projected fiscal
capability of the jurisdiction. The CIP generally is
reviewed on an annual basis for conformance to
and consistency with the General Plan.
Carrying Capacity
Used in determining the potential of an area to absorb development: (1) The level of land use, human activity or development for a specific area that can be permanently accommodated without an irreversible change in the quality of air, water, land, or plant and animal habitats. (2) The upper limits of development beyond which the quality of human life, health, welfare, safety or community character within an area will be impaired. (3) The maximum level of development allowable under current zoning. (See “Build-out”)
City
City with a capital “C” generally refers to the City
government or administration. City with a lower
case “c” may mean any city or may refer to the
geographical area.
City limits
The legal boundaries of the geographical area subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Hermosa Beach government. For example, development applications for properties located within the City limits must be reviewed by the City.
Cluster Development
Development in which dwelling units are placed
on smaller parcels of land, in closer proximity to
each other than usual, or are attached with the
purpose of retaining the additional land, that
would have been allocated to individual lots, for
common shared open space areas.
Collectors
Collectors are roadways that connect local streets to “arterials,” usually provide two travel lanes for automobiles, and may also have bicycle lanes.
Commercial (C)
A land use designation that allows for a wide range of land use types, including retail, entertainment and professional offices, often serving neighborhoods with services and retail goods of interest to residents.
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)
A 24-hour energy equivalent level derived from
a variety of single-noise events, with weighting
factors of 5 and 10 dBA applied to the evening
(7 PM to 10 PM) and nighttime (10 PM to 7 AM)
periods, respectively, to allow for the greater
sensitivity to noise during these hours.
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Community Park
A large park, generally one acre or more, that includes a mix of passive and active recreation areas that serve the entire city or a large portion of the city. A community park should include, but not be limited to, the facilities that are typically found at neighborhood and mini parks as well as specialized facilities such as amphitheaters and skate parks.
Conditional Use Permit
The discretionary and conditional review of an activity or function or operation on a site or in a building or facility.
Conservation
The management of natural resources to prevent
waste, destruction or neglect.
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)
A multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal
behavior through environmental design.
Cul-de-sac
A short street or alley with only a single means of ingress and egress at one end and with a turnaround at its other end.
Cultural Resources
Includes historic, archaeological and paleontological resources, as well as human remains.
Cumulative Impact
As used in CEQA, the total environmental impact
resulting from the accumulated impacts of
individual projects or programs over time.
Decibel (dB)
A unit used to express the relative intensity of a sound as it is heard by the human ear. The lowest volume a normal ear can detect under laboratory conditions is 0 dB, the threshold of human hearing. Since the decibel scale is logarithmic, 10 decibels are ten times more intense and 20 decibels are a hundred times more intense than 1 db.
dBA
The “A-weighted” scale for measuring sound in decibels, which weighs or reduces the effects of low and high frequencies in order to simulate human hearing. Every increase of 10 dBA doubles the perceived loudness even though the noise is actually ten times more intense.
Dedication
The turning over by an owner or developer of private land for public use, and the acceptance of land for such use by the governmental agency having jurisdiction over the public function for which it will be used. Dedications for roads, parks, school sites or other public uses are often required by a city or county as conditions for approval of a development. (See “in-lieu fee”)
Density
The expected amount of development or people
per area, often expressed as units or people per
acre. (See also “Density, residential” and “Floor
Area Ratio”)
Density, Residential (du/acre)
The number of permanent residential dwelling units (d.u.) per acre of land. Densities specified in the General Plan are expressed in dwelling units per net acreage (du/acre), (minus any land dedications) and not per gross acre. (See “Acres, Gross” and “Acres, Net”)
Density Transfer
The concentration of density on one part of a
site to another part of a site, or to another site
altogether. This technique is typically used to
preserve historic, sensitive or hazardous areas and
to accommodate public facilities, such as schools,
parks or utility easements on an individual parcel or
within a specific project.
Development
The physical extension and/or construction of non-farm land uses. Development activities include: subdivision of land; construction or alteration of structures, roads, utilities and other facilities; installation of septic systems; grading; deposit of refuse, debris or fill materials; and clearing of natural vegetative cover (with the exception of agricultural activities).
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Development Review; Design Review
The comprehensive evaluation of a development and its impact on neighboring properties and the community as a whole, from the standpoint of site and landscape design, architecture, materials, colors, lighting and signs, in accordance with a set of adopted criteria and standards. “Design Control” requires that certain specific things be done and that other things not be done. Design Control language is most often found within a zoning ordinance. “Development Review” usually refers to a system established in the Municipal Code, whereby projects are reviewed against certain standards and criteria by a specially established design review board or other body such as the Planning Commission.
Disabled
Persons determined to have a physical impairment
or mental disorder, which is expected to be of
long, continued or indefinite duration and is of
such a nature that the person’s ability to live
independently could be improved by more
suitable housing conditions.
Dry Year
A term used in planning for adequate water supplies. The dry year is the most infrequent drought year, when the minimum amount of water is available. Statistically, this level would occur only once in 100 years. This amount of water is less than or equal to what is available more than 99 percent of the time. (See also “Below Normal Year Water Yield” and “Normal Year”)
Duplex
A free-standing house divided into two separate
living units or residences, usually having separate
entrances.
Dwelling Unit (d.u.)
The place of customary abode of a person or household, which is either considered to be real property under State law or cannot be easily moved.
Ecosystem
An interacting system formed by a biotic community and its physical environment.
Effluent
Liquid or partially solid waste such as is found in
sewer systems or discharged from factories.
Emergency Management System (SEMS)
A structure for coordination between the government and local emergency response organizations providing the flow of emergency information and resources within and between the organizational levels of field response, local government, operational areas, regions and state management.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
A report required pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that assesses
all the environmental characteristics of an area,
determines what effects or impacts will result if the
area is altered or disturbed by a proposed action,
and identifies alternatives or other measures to
avoid or reduce those impacts. (See “California
Environmental Quality Act.”)
Elderly
Persons 65 years of age or older.
Endemic Species
Species native to, and restricted to, a particular
geographical region.
Entryway
Entrance to an urban area, or to an important part of a city, along a major roadway. It can also be a point along a roadway at which a motorist or cyclist gains a sense of having left the environs and of having entered the city.
Electric Vehicle (EV)
An electric vehicle is an alternative fuel automobile that uses electric motors and motor controllers for propulsion, in place of more common propulsion methods such as the internal combustion engine.
Fault
A fracture in the earth’s crust that forms a
boundary between rock masses that have shifted.
Flood, 100-year
The magnitude of a flood expected to occur on the average every 100 years, based on historical data. The 100-year flood has a 1/100, or one percent, chance of occurring in any give year.
Floodplain
The relatively level land area on either side of the
banks of a stream regularly subject to flooding.
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Floodway
The part of the floodplain capable of conveying the 100-year flood with no more than a one-foot rise in water. The floodway includes the river channel itself and adjacent land areas.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
The size of a building in square feet (gross floor area) divided by net land area, expressed as a decimal number. For example, a 60,000 square foot building on a 120,000 square-foot parcel would have a floor area ratio of 0.50. The FAR is used in calculating the building intensity of non-residential development.
General Plan
A compendium of City policies regarding its
long-term development, in the form of maps and
accompanying text. The General Plan is a legal
document required of each local agency by the
State of California Government Code Section
65301 and adopted by the City Council. In
California, the General Plan has seven mandatory
elements (Circulation, Conservation, Housing, Land
Use, Noise, Open Space and Public Safety) and
may include any number of optional elements the
City deems important.
Goal
A description of the general desired results that Hermosa Beach seeks to create through the implementation of the General Plan. Goals are included in each element and may include the key physical or community characteristics that the City and its residents wish to maintain or develop.
Gray water
The less contaminated portion of domestic
wastewater, including wash water from clothes
washers and laundry tubs.
Groundwater
Water that exists beneath the earth’s surface, typically found between saturated soils and rock, and is used to supply wells and springs.
Growth Management
The use by a community of a wide range of
techniques in combination to determine the
amount, type and rate of development desired by
the community and to channel that growth into
designated areas. Growth management policies
can be implemented through building permit caps,
public facilities/infrastructure ordinances, urban
limit lines, standards for levels of service, phasing,
and other programs.
Greenhouse Effect
A term used to describe the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere due to accumulated carbon dioxide and other gases in the upper atmosphere. These gases absorb energy radiated from the Earth’s surface, “trapping” it in the same manner as glass in a greenhouse traps heat.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth’s surface.
Habitat
The physical location or type of environment in
which an organism or biological population lives or
occurs.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Traffic lanes that are designated and reserved for vehicles with a minimum number of passengers during high-volume commute hours, in order to encourage carpooling through faster travel. They are enforced with fines and traffic tickets.
Household
All persons occupying a single dwelling unit.
Impact Fee
A fee charged to a developer by the City according to the proposed development project, typically by number of units, square footage or acreage. The fee is often used to offset costs incurred by the municipality for services and infrastructure such as schools, roads, police and fire
services, and parks.
Impervious Surface
Surface through which water cannot penetrate,
such as a roof, road, sidewalk, and paved parking
lot. The amount of impervious surface increases
with development and establishes the need for
drainage facilities to carry the increased runoff.
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Implementation
Actions, procedures, programs or techniques that carry out policies.
Infill Development
Development that occurs on vacant or
underutilized land within areas that are already
largely developed.
In-lieu fee
Cash payments that may be required of an owner or developer as a substitute for a dedication of land for public use and referred to as in-lieu fees or in-lieu contributions. (See “dedication”)
Land Use
The occupation or utilization of an area of land for
any human activity or any purpose.
Land Use Designation
One particular category in a classification series of appropriate use of properties established by the General Plan Land Use Element.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
A voluntary, consensus-based national standard
for developing and rating high-performance,
sustainable “green” buildings. LEED provides
a complete framework for assessing building
performance and meeting sustainability goals,
such as water savings, energy efficiency, materials
selection and indoor environmental quality.
LEED standards are currently available or under
development for: new commercial construction
and major renovation projects, existing building
operations, commercial interiors projects, core and
shell projects, and homes.
Level of Service (LOS) Standard
A standard used by government agencies
to measure the quality or effectiveness of a
municipal service, such as police, fire or library, or
the performance of a facility, such as a street or
highway.
Level of Service (Traffic)
A scale that measures the amount of traffic that a roadway or intersection can accommodate, based on such factors as maneuverability, driver dissatisfaction and delay.
Level of Service A
A relatively free flow of traffic, with little or no limitation on vehicle movement or speed.
Level of Service B
Describes a steady flow of traffic, with only slight
delays in vehicle movement and speed. All
queues clear in a single signal cycle.
Level of Service C
Denotes a reasonably steady, high-volume flow of traffic, with some limitations on movement and speed, and occasional backups on critical approaches.
Level of Service D
Designates the level where traffic nears an
unstable flow. Intersections still function, but short
queues develop and cars may have to wait
through one signal cycle during short peaks.
Level of Service E
Represents traffic characterized by slow movement and frequent (although momentary) stoppages. This type of congestion is considered severe, but is not uncommon at peak traffic hours, with frequent stopping, long-standing queues and blocked intersections.
Level of Service F
Describes unsatisfactory stop-and-go traffic characterized by “traffic jams” and stoppages of long duration. Vehicles at signalized intersections usually have to wait through one or more signal changes, and “upstream” intersections may be blocked by the long queues.
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
A five- or seven-member commission within each county that reviews and evaluates all proposals for formation of special districts, incorporation of cities, annexation to special districts or cities, consolidation of districts and merger of districts with cities. Each county’s LAFCo is empowered to approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve such proposals.
Local Street
Provides direct access to properties; generally they
carry the lowest traffic volumes.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 995
234 | GLOSSARY
Mini-Park or Parkette
Small sized park, less than 1 acre, that provides recreation activities for a specific neighborhood within a ½ mile radius.
Mitigation
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
Mixed Use
Any mixture of land uses on a single parcel,
including mixtures of residences with commercial, offices with retail, or visitor accommodation with offices and retail. As distinguished from a single use land use designation or zone, mixed use refers to an authorized variety of uses for buildings and structures in a particular area.
Mix of Uses
Any mixture of uses, such as retail, office, residential or general commercial in close proximity spread over a small area.
Mobile Home
A structure, transportable in one or more sections,
built on a permanent chassis and designed for use
as a single-family dwelling unit and which: (1) has
a minimum of 400 square feet of living space; (2)
has a minimum width in excess of 102 inches; (3) is
connected to all available permanent utilities; and
(4) is tied down (a) to a permanent foundation on
a lot either owned or leased by the homeowner or
(b) is set on piers, with wheels removed and skirted,
in a mobile home park.
Mobile Home Park
A parcel of land under one ownership that has been planned and improved for the placement of two or more mobile homes for rental purposes for nontransient use.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
The National Incident Management System
(NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment.
Natural Habitat Area
An area that sustains animal and vegetative biotic resources that has not been improved or disturbed. Natural Habitat Areas can also be areas that were previously “disturbed” and have been reclaimed or rehabilitated.
Neighborhood Park
Medium sized park, usually 5 to 15 acres, that provide basic recreational activities for one or more neighborhoods within a ½ to ¾ mile radius.
Noise Contour
A line connecting points of equal noise level as
measured on the same scale. Noise levels greater
than the 60 Ldn contour (measured in dBA) require
noise attenuation in residential development.
Non-Conforming
A use or structure that was valid when brought into existence, but no longer permitted by later regulation. “Non-conforming” is a generic term and includes: (1) non-conforming structures (because their size, type of construction, location on land, or proximity to other structures is no longer permitted); (2) non-conforming use of a conforming building; (3) non-conforming use of a non-conforming building; and (4) non- conforming use of land. Any use lawfully existing on any piece of property that is inconsistent with a new or amended General Plan, and that in turn is a violation of a zoning ordinance amendment subsequently adopted in conformance with the General Plan, will be a non-conforming use. Typically, non-conforming uses are permitted to continue for a designated period of time, subject to certain restrictions.
Normal Year
A term used in planning for adequate water
supplies. Refers to those years when the City can
expect to receive all of the water it has contracted
to receive (entitlement). This is because supply
conditions (e.g., the amount of rain and snow
collected in reservoirs, groundwater availability)
are normal. Based on historical experience, normal
years occur 63 percent of the time. (See also
“below normal year” and “dry year”)
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 996
PLAN HERMOSA | 235
Objective
A specific statement of desired future condition toward which the City will expend effort in the context of striving to achieve a broader goal. An objective should be achievable and, where possible, should be measurable and time-specific. The State Government Code (Section 65302) requires that general plans spell out the “objectives,” principles, standards and proposals of the general plan. “The addition of 100 units of affordable housing by 1995” is an example of an objective. Housing Law requires objectives contained in the Housing Element to be quantified.
Overlay
A land use designation on the Land Use Map, or a
zoning designation on a zoning map, that modifies
the basic underlying designation or designations in
some specific manner.
Parcel
A lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single
ownership or under single control, usually
considered a unit for purposes of development.
Passive Solar System
A system that uses direct heat transfer from the thermal mass instead of mechanical power to distribute collected heat. Passive systems rely on building design and materials to collect and store heat and to create natural ventilation for cooling.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design
An approach to site and neighborhood design intended to facilitate movement on foot in an area, as opposed to design that primarily serves and encourages automobile movement. Examples of pedestrian-oriented design include pathways following the most direct route from sidewalk to front door, continuous building streetwalls with shop windows, outdoor cafes, street trees and benches.
Per Capita
A measure for each person; in relation to people
taken individually.
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
A description of a proposed unified development, consisting at a minimum of a map and adopted ordinance setting forth the governing regulations, and the location and phasing of all proposed uses and improvements to be included in the development.
Policy
A specific statement of principle or of guiding actions that implies clear commitment, but is not mandatory. A general direction that a governmental agency sets to follow, in order to meet its goals and objectives before undertaking an implementing action or program. (See “Action”)
Recreational Corridor
Typically linear pathways, bikeways or open space
areas that weave in and around urban uses to
provide recreational and transportation amenities
to city residents.
Resilience
Resilient communities ensure that all residents are prepared and ready to withstand social or environmental challenges.
Sensitive Receptors
Uses sensitive to noise and other environmental
impacts such as residential areas, hospitals,
convalescent homes and facilities, and schools.
Specific Plan
Under Article 8 of the Government Code (Section 65450 et seq), a legal tool for detailed design and implementation of a defined portion of the area covered by a General Plan. A specific plan may include all detailed regulations, conditions, programs, and/or proposed legislation which may be necessary or convenient for the systematic implementation of any General Plan element(s). (See also “Planned Unit Development”)
Steep Slope
An area with a greater than 5 percent slope.
Sustainability
The pursuit of sustainability is to create and
maintain the conditions under which humans and
nature can exist in productive harmony to support
present and future generations.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Compliance
A numerical target for a specific pollutant in a
specific body of water.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 997
236 | GLOSSARY
Townhouse/Townhome
A series of residences, often two to three stories in height, that are connected side by side in a row with each having a separate street-level entrance.
Traffic Calming
Measures designed to reduce motor vehicle speeds and to encourage pedestrian use, including: narrow streets, tight turning radii, sidewalk bulbouts, parking bays, textured paving at intersections, parkways between sidewalks and streets.
Triplex
A free-standing house divided into three separate
living units or residences, usually having separate
entrances.
Urban Center
A land use designation that allows for an intensive mix of retail, office, high-density residential, cultural and public-serving uses (such as post offices, libraries, places of worship, museums, art centers, parks, plazas or common space for gatherings, day care facilities, medical buildings, fire departments and police sub-stations) arranged in a manner that results in a strong sense of place for the city’s residents, workers and visitors. Urban Centers generally range in size from 20 to 50 acres.
Urban Office Format
Urban office buildings typically occupy sites
ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 square feet that can
be serviced from alleys, when present, and where
parking is typically provided underground, off the
alley, or off-site (American Planning Association
2006).
Use
The purpose for which a lot or structure is or may be leased, occupied, maintained, arranged, designed, intended, constructed, erected, moved, altered and/or enlarged in accordance with the City zoning ordinance and General Plan land use designations.
Utility Corridor
Rights-of-way or easements for utility lines on either publicly or privately owned property.
Wastewater
Water that has already been used for washing, flushing, or in a manufacturing process, and therefore contains waste products such as sewage or chemical by-products.
Wastewater Irrigation
The process by which wastewater, that has
undergone appropriate treatment, is used to irrigate land.
Wetland
An area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as hydrophytic vegetation.
Zoning
The division of a city by ordinance or other
legislative regulation into districts or zones, which
specify allowable uses for real property and size
restrictions for buildings constructed in these areas;
a program that implements the land use policies of
the General Plan.
Zoning District
A designated area of the City for which prescribed land use requirements and building and development standards are or will be established.
Attachment 2A
Planning Commission Recommended Draft 998
PLAN Hermosa - Draft Implementation Actions
Revised March 2017
1
Governance
GOVERNANCE-1. Periodically review and consider whether new commissions, working
groups, or task forces are needed to accomplish City goals.
GOVERNANCE-2. Develop and regularly refine the City’s policy and best practices for
community engagement, communications, and use of technology to engage a diverse
and broad spectrum of the community it the decision-making process.
GOVERNANCE-3. Identify and implement opportunities to utilize technology and digital
resources to improve delivery of services to the community.
GOVERNANCE-4. Continue to participate and partner with neighboring cities and
regional organizations to implement projects and achieve goals that enhance the
livability of Hermosa Beach.
GOVERNANCE-5. Incorporate guidance related to Native American consultation and
treatment of prehistoric and Native American resources into local CEQA guidelines for
Hermosa Beach.
GOVERNANCE-6. Establish and maintain business support resources to assist in the
attraction and retention of local businesses that serve the needs of the community.
GOVERNANCE-7. Partner with the Beach Cities Health District and local health institutions
to develop and implement a Health in All Policies framework and implementation
checklist.
GOVERNANCE-8. Prepare General Plan annual progress reports, including an assessment
of community indicators and status of implementation programs to the Planning
Commission and City Council.
Land Use + Design
LAND USE-1. Amend the Zoning Map to bring consistency between PLAN Hermosa Land
Use Designations and Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts and review development
standards for non-conforming uses.
LAND USE-2. Establish development standards within the Zoning Code to establish any
new land use designations and modify existing development standards to articulate the
appropriate building form, scale, and massing for each established character area and
the applicable density/intensity standards.
LAND USE-3. Include provisions within the Zoning Code to avoid significant shadow
impacts from new structures onto public recreational areas, parks or other public
gathering places consistent with industry standards for evaluating shade and shadow
impacts.
Attachment 2B
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Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
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LAND USE-4. Integrate the intensity standards/ Floor Area Ratios established for non-
residential land uses into the Zoning Code.
LAND USE-5. Develop an inventory of underutilized or surplus property that may be
appropriate for City or School District use or purchase to serve community education and
recreational needs in the future.
LAND USE-6. Establish within the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan a method to
define and classify existing facilities and proposed projects providing overnight
accommodations in the Coastal Zone as low, mid-range, or high cost, and apply this
method to the Coastal Development Permit review process. The method should
compare hotel room rates to the California statewide and regional averages, and should
be updated as the City's fee schedule is updated.
LAND USE-7. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan and Zoning Map to
better accommodate coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses, as follows:
Establish definitions for coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses consistent
with the California Coastal Act. For each, identify a list of priority uses that meets
the definition.
Contract the C-2 (Downtown Commercial) zone district to match the Recreational
Commercial land use designation.
Modify the permitted use tables to allow specific coastal-dependent commercial
uses in the C-1, C-2, and SPA 11 zone districts.
Modify the permitted use tables to allow coastal-dependent and coastal-related
industrial uses in the M-1 zone district.
LAND USE-8. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to require any proposal
for visitor-serving accommodations providing a majority of units at mid-range or high-cost
levels to include public amenities such as plazas and spaces, restaurants, retail units,
garden viewing areas, or other day-use features that may be used by the general public
at no or relatively low cost. The quality and quantity of required amenities will be
determined in the Coastal Development Permit review process. This requirement does not
prohibit the proposed project from charging a user fee or resort fee for active amenities
such as pool and spa access, recreation activities and equipment, or organized group
activities on the property.
LAND USE-9. Establish a visitor-serving accommodations fee program for new high-cost
overnight accommodations. Fee revenues may provide funding to support specific
projects that preserve (first priority) or establish (second priority) low- or mid-cost overnight
visitor accommodations that improve access to the coast by providing visitors with an
affordable place to stay overnight. Collaborating with the Coastal Commission, the City
shall prepare and maintain a list of specific projects that fee revenues may be used to
support.
LAND USE-10. Require new visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone to
maintain or improve public access to the coast by establishing and applying the
Attachment 2B
1000
PLAN Hermosa
3
following development review requirements in the Zoning Code/Local Implementation
Plan:
Where a new hotel or motel development project would consist entirely of high-
cost overnight accommodations, the development shall be required to provide
mitigation as a condition of approval of a Coastal Development Permit. Such
mitigation may include, but is not limited to, a mitigation payment consistent with
the City’s visitor-serving accommodations fee program.
If a hotel or motel project proposes a certain number or percentage of on-site low
or mid-range cost units, such units shall remain available as low or mid-range cost
units for the life of the project.
LAND USE-11. Protect existing visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone by
establishing and applying the following development review requirements in the Zoning
Code/Local Implementation Plan:
Any development project that directly displaces existing low and mid-range cost
accommodations in the Coastal Zone shall provide an equivalent number of
rooms or accommodations at an equivalent nightly rate in the Coastal Zone, or
elsewhere within the City of Hermosa Beach.
Replacement units must be subject to deed restrictions recorded against the title
of the property so that they mitigate the displacement of lower- and mid-range
cost accommodations for the life of the project.
LAND USE-12. Create a checklist and resource guide comprising local, state, and federal
requirements for the development of offshore renewable energy facilities to streamline
permitting requirements and improve public awareness.
LAND USE-13. Amend the CEQA documentation and initial study process to ensure
cultural and historical resources are studied in accordance with CEQA and any local
historic preservation programs.
LAND USE-14. Amend Hermosa Beach Historic Preservation Ordinance to align with
Historic Preservation goals and policies including but not limited to:
Clarify that the City Council may nominate City-owned properties and that only
the property owner may nominate private property.
Establish a list of encouraged actions that a property owner may take when a
property over 50 years in age is demolished, which could include photo
documentation of key architectural features, salvage or donation of key
architectural features or original materials, or installation of plaque, or other
actions to reflect or recognize the former structure.
LAND USE-15. Review and update eligibility criteria to use in the designation of local
historic sites or historic districts.
Attachment 2B
1001
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
4
LAND USE-16. Develop emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for cultural
resources, including a recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to
be faced by the City following a major disaster, including economic recovery, protocols
for demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral for repair
permits.
LAND USE-17. Create a program to provide for the voluntary installation of plaques
and/or public art related to historic buildings and sites in the city.
LAND USE-18. Research and develop innovative policies for preserving historic properties.
LAND USE-19. Work with community organizations to develop brochures, guides, walking
tours, and other marketing materials to highlight existing public art in Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-20. Develop historic preservation expertise among staff and decision makers on
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation ordinances, the
State Historical Building Code, environmental review for historical resources, and tax
credits and incentives.
LAND USE -21. All discretionary projects that include ground disturbance or excavation
activities on previously undisturbed land shall be required to conduct archaeological
investigations in accordance with CEQA regulations to determine if the project is sensitive
for cultural resources. Additionally, as the Lead Agency for future discretionary projects,
the City is required under AB 52 to notify tribal organizations of proposed projects and
offer to consult with those tribal organizations that indicate interest. Following any tribal
consultation or archaeological investigation, the City shall weigh and consider available
evidence to determine whether there is a potential risk for disturbing or damaging any
cultural or tribal resources and whether any precautionary measures can be required to
reduce or eliminate that risk. Those precautions may include requiring construction
workers to complete training on archaeological and tribal resources before any ground
disturbance activity and/or requiring a qualified archaeologist or tribal representative to
monitor some or all of the ground disturbance activities. The City shall require the
preservation of discovered archaeologically significant resources (as determined based
on city, state, and federal standards by a qualified professional) in place if feasible or
provide mitigation (avoidance, excavation, documentation, curation, data recovery, or
other appropriate measures) prior to further disturbance.
LAND USE-22. Modify zoning and development standards to ensure the production of art,
artist studios, and ancillary sales at art galleries are defined, allowed, and encouraged in
commercial and light industrial zones.
LAND USE-23. Conduct and maintain an inventory of spaces suitable for both temporary
and permanent public art installations.
Attachment 2B
1002
PLAN Hermosa
5
Mobility
MOBILITY-1. Conduct an inventory and assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to
identify gaps, assess ADA accessibility, and prioritize improvements within the Capital
Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-2. Evaluate City right-of-ways and establish or update width and design
standards for the construction or maintenance of streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and
parkways.
MOBILITY-3. Add definitions to the Municipal Code for street classifications, pedestrian
facilities, bicycle and multi-use facilities, and transportation amenities.
MOBILITY-4. Install new signage and instructions for accessing transit locations, local and
regional bicycle routes, and parking meters/machines in the Coastal Zone where existing
meters and machines have been shown to cause confusion for visitors.
MOBILITY-5. Evaluate operations in local neighborhood streets with considerations to
speed management strategies and traffic calming measures to increase safety for all
people using the street.
MOBILITY-6. Install traffic calming devices in areas appropriate to mitigate an identified
and documented traffic concern, as determined by the City Public Works Director or
designee. Potential traffic calming applications include clearly marked and/or protected
bike and pedestrian zones, bike boulevards, bulb outs, median islands, speed humps,
traffic circles, speed tables, raised crosswalks, signalized crosswalks, chicanes, chokers,
raised intersections, realigned intersections, and textured pavements, among other
effective enhancements.
MOBILITY-7. Work with commercial property owners to conduct an assessment for
utilization of private parking supplies to supplement private and public parking needs
and evaluate the potential for shared use agreements or MOUs.
MOBILITY-8. Implement a contingency-based overflow parking plan to address seasonal
and event- based parking demands.
MOBILITY-9. Periodically conduct a city-wide parking study to analyze existing parking
infrastructure in order to effectively address and manage current and future parking
needs.
MOBILITY-10. Set utilization and turnover rate goals and implement dynamically adjusted
(demand-based) pricing strategies for public parking supplies.
MOBILITY-11. Develop a smart technology street parking system in the Coastal Zone that
includes but is not limited to the following features:
Variable-cost parking linked to demand;
Smart phone application identifying available metered spaces; and
Parking pay-by-card and pay-by-phone programs.
Attachment 2B
1003
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
6
MOBILITY-12. Maintain and periodically update the Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) Ordinance with activities that will reduce auto trips associated with new
development.
MOBILITY-13. Install and maintain transportation amenities such as bicycle parking and
electric vehicle charging stations so that they are available at each commercial district
or corridor, park, and public facility.
MOBILITY-14. Facilitate the operation of bicycle rental concessions in the Coastal Zone.
MOBILITY-15. Install additional bicycle parking facilities and wayfinding signage near the
beach, the Pier, and The Strand.
MOBILITY-16. Identify access improvements including, but not limited to, additional bus
stop pullouts, bus parking locations, a seasonal shuttle system, and drop off/pick up
areas, and prioritize these improvements in the five-year Capital Improvement Program.
MOBILITY-17. In conjunction with the Hermosa Beach City School District, the City will
identify school access points, a proposed network, education and enforcement
programs to provide a comprehensive Safe Routes to School Program.
MOBILITY-18. Develop congestion management performance measures and significant
impact thresholds that are in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and Senate Bill 743 (S.B. 743) requirements for roadway segments and
intersections.
MOBILITY-19. Establish and maintain a comprehensive alternative fuel vehicle policy that
annually identifies current and future charging infrastructure, evaluates installation and
operational costs, and identifies funding opportunities, rebates, and incentives to support
alternative fuel vehicle deployment.
Sustainability + Conservation
SUSTAINABILITY-1. Establish a local greenhouse gas impact fee for discretionary projects to
provide an option to offset greenhouse gas emissions generated above established
thresholds, by providing funding for implementation of local GHG reduction projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-2. Establish greenhouse gas emissions thresholds of significance and
standardize potential mitigation measures for non-exempt discretionary projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-3. Develop marketing materials and participate in conferences and
events to highlight the City’s leadership efforts and sustainable beach city brand.
SUSTAINABILITY-4. Identify, prioritize, and implement greenhouse gas reduction projects
utilizing the City’s carbon reduction planning tools for community and municipal
operations.
SUSTAINABILITY-5. Regularly monitor and evaluate the City’s greenhouse gas emissions
inventory and report on progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Attachment 2B
1004
PLAN Hermosa
7
SUSTAINABILITY-6. Implement the City’s clean fleet policy through the purchase or lease of
vehicles and equipment that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
SUSTAINABILITY-7. Concurrent with new State Building Code adoptions, periodically
update or amend Green Building Standards and conduct cost effectiveness studies to
incorporate additional energy-efficient features.
SUSTAINABILITY-8. Develop and market a program to offer incentives such as rebates, fee
waivers, or permit streamlining to facilitate the installation of renewable energy, energy
efficient, or water conservation equipment.
SUSTAINABILITY-9. Maintain and periodically update the Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance and Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan sections of the
Municipal Code to facilitate the use of new technologies or practices to conserve water.
SUSTAINABILITY-10. Create and adopt a Zero Waste Action Plan to maximize waste
diversion from landfills.
SUSTAINABILITY-11. Amend the Municipal Code to require that all commercial facilities
make full-service recycling available for both customer use and business use, placing
attractive and convenient bins in clear locations.
SUSTAINABILITY-12. Consistent with State law, require that all multi-family residential uses
provide an adequate number of attractive and convenient recycling bins to serve the
number of units in the complex.
SUSTAINABILITY-13. Require that all restaurants use compostable single-use items like
takeout boxes.
SUSTAINABILITY-14. Create an informational packet to be distributed to development
project applicants on the use of recycled materials in new development and
redevelopment projects.
SUSTAINABILITY-15. In City-sponsored renovation or remodeling projects, contract with
companies that offer salvage services and maximize the use of such services.
SUSTAINABILITY-16. Revise the Municipal Code as necessary to ensure it reflects up-to-
date practices to reduce potential for soil erosion and ways to minimize or eliminate the
effects of grading on the loss of topsoil.
SUSTAINABILITY-17. Develop a citywide expansive and corrosive soils screening tool to
reduce the need for site-specific soil reports.
Parks + Open Space
PARKS-1. Conduct needs assessments and evaluate recreational program offerings to
ensure community needs and priorities are being met. Conduct regular updates to the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Attachment 2B
1005
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
8
PARKS-2. Conduct periodic assessments of public facilities and maintain a list of priority
replacement or new facilities projects.
PARKS-3. Establish parks level of service and level of access standards to prioritize the
development, upgrade, and renovation of parks and open space facilities.
PARKS-4. Update City standards and fees related to the provision of parks and open
space and sustainable funding source for providing high quality and well maintained
facilities.
PARKS-5. Where appropriate, construct parkettes, open space, and pedestrian amenities
at street ends as they intersect with The Strand.
PARKS-6. Continue, renew, and expand as needed, joint use agreements with the School
District to allow community use of school fields and facilities.
PARKS-7. Partner with the School District, community groups, and neighboring
communities to identify and apply for grant opportunities to maintain, enhance, and
expand park and recreational opportunities.
PARKS-8. Identify and evaluate the ADA compliance of parks, public facilities, and
coastal public access points.
PARKS-9. Install accessible walkways at parks and onto the beach while minimizing or
avoiding negative effects on the aesthetics and ecology of the beach environment.
PARKS-10. Develop and apply evaluation procedures for development projects that
have the potential to substantially obstruct, substantially interfere, or substantially
degrade Prominent Public Viewpoints or Uninterrupted Viewing Areas. Evaluation
requirements, criteria, and provisions to allow exceptions to setback, open space,
landscaping, or other development standards for projects with the potential to
substantially obstruct, interfere or degrade Prominent Public Views and Uninterrupted
Viewing Areas shall be incorporated into the review process for Precise Development
Plans under Chapter 17.58 of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Projects located adjacent to and within the directional arrow of a Prominent
Public Viewpoint, or within the Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, as identified in PLAN
Hermosa Figure 5.3, shall be evaluated to determine the potential to substantially
obstruct, interrupt, or detract from Prominent Public Viewpoints, or the
Uninterrupted Viewing Areas.
The evaluation will be based on quantitative criteria established and adopted by
the City to evaluate potential impacts to visual quality, landform quality,
community character, and view quality.
Projects that are determined to substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from
these public views shall be designed to minimize the substantial obstruction,
interruption or detraction to views from the Prominent Public Viewpoints or
Attachment 2B
1006
PLAN Hermosa
9
Uninterrupted Viewing Areas, which may include an exception to setback, open
space, landscaping, or other development standards. The purpose of the
exception would be to accommodate the bulk of the building in a manner that
minimizes the impact to the public view while providing the property owner the
same development privileges enjoyed by other similar properties in the vicinity.
Landscaping material shall be used to screen uses that detract from the scenic
quality of the coast from Prominent Public Viewpoints.
PARKS-11. Protect public views of the Pacific Ocean by establishing and applying
requirements for public works and infrastructure projects such as:
Locate new and relocated utilities underground when possible. Place and screen
all other utilities to minimize public visibility.
Replace automobile-scale streetlights with shorter, pedestrian-scale streetlights
where safe and appropriate.
Fences, walls, and landscaping shall not block views of scenic areas from
designated viewpoints, scenic roads, parks, beaches, and other public viewing
areas.
Hardscape elements such as retaining walls, cut-off walls, abutments, bridges, and
culverts shall incorporate veneers, texturing, and colors that blend with the
surrounding earth materials or landscape.
PARKS-12. Minimize nighttime light pollution by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
Exterior lighting (except traffic lights, navigational lights, and other similar safety
lighting) shall be minimized, restricted to low intensity fixtures, shielded (full cutoff),
and downcast (emitting no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture)
concealed to the maximum feasible extent so that no light source is directly visible
from public viewing areas, there is no glare or spill beyond the property lines and
the lamp bulb is not directly visible from within any residential unit.
PARKS-13. Minimize the negative aesthetic impacts of signs by establishing or revising and
applying the following design requirements:
Enforce appropriate limits on height, size, design, and materials of signs.
Prohibit signs other than traffic or public safety signs that would obstruct views to
the ocean, beach, parks, or other scenic areas.
Enforce sign maintenance controls.
Continue restrictions on the use of lights and moving parts in signs, billboards, and
rooftop signs.
PARKS-14. Modify the Zoning Code/Local Implementation Plan to prohibit use of the
public beach for private commercial purposes without a Coastal Development Permit.
Attachment 2B
1007
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
10
PARKS-15. Develop and implement a uniform coastal access sign program to assist the
public to locate and use coastal access points. Consider adding signs to walk streets that
intersect with Hermosa Avenue.
PARKS-16. Identify and remove any unauthorized/unpermitted structures, including signs
and fences that inhibit visibility of public coastal access points.
PARKS-17. Protect public access to the coast by establishing and applying the following
development review requirements:
Require a direct dedication of an easement for access in all new development
projects that cause or contribute to adverse impacts to existing public access
points. Access ways shall be a sufficient size to accommodate two-way pedestrian
passage and landscape buffer.
Implement building design and siting regulations to protect existing public access
points through setbacks and other property development regulations that control
building placement.
New development and redevelopment projects shall protect public accessibility
to walk streets and street ends that provide access to the shoreline, the beach,
and The Strand.
New or improved beach access facilities shall accommodate persons with
physical disabilities.
PARKS-18. Provide detailed transit information to visitor centers and to local tourist
commercial businesses, and encourage them to share these materials with visitors and
patrons.
PARKS-19. Amend the Local Implementation Plan/Zoning Code to require applicants for
summer events occurring on weekends or holidays between Memorial Day and Labor
Day with greater than 1,000 participants to provide and advertise predetermined shuttle
services and bicycle corrals.
PARKS-20. Participate in regional and inter-jurisdictional environmental management and
mitigation plans and programs such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan.
PARKS-21. Partner with local nonprofits such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Commission or the University of California Los Angeles, to conduct education
demonstration projects or presentations on coastal and marine habitat conservation.
PARKS-22. Evaluate existing beach conditions and identify areas that may be
appropriate to restore vegetated dune habitat. Pursue grant funding.
PARKS-23. Review and revise as needed, the City’s tree ordinance to ensure protection of
existing parkway trees, and update the master tree list.
PARKS-24. Complete and maintain a citywide public tree inventory, including quantity,
species type, diameter, condition, trimming strategies and geo-codes and
recommendations.
Attachment 2B
1008
PLAN Hermosa
11
PARKS-25. Maintain a list of approved plantings for trees and landscaping within City
parkways.
PARKS-26. Amend the municipal code to incorporate tree removal and replacement
requirements in the public right of way. If preservation of existing mature trees is not
feasible, removed trees shall be replaced at a minimum 2:1 ratio either on-site, or
elsewhere as prescribed by the City.
Public Safety
SAFETY-1. Continue to adopt and enforce the most up-to-date California Building
Standards Code and California Fire Code, with appropriate local amendments.
SAFETY-2. Continue to inventory unreinforced brick masonry, soft-story, and other
seismically vulnerable private buildings. Identify potential funding sources to assist with
seismic retrofits.
SAFETY-3. Enforce seismic design provisions of the current California Building Standards
Code related to geologic, seismic, and slope hazards, with appropriate local
amendments.
SAFETY-4. For properties identified as possibly containing acidic, expansive, or collapsible
soils, require site-specific soil condition reports and appropriate mitigation as a condition
of new development.
SAFETY-5. Evaluate tsunami preparation, evacuation, and response policies/practices to
reflect current inundation maps and design standards. Include updated information in
the periodically updated hazard mitigation plan.
SAFETY-6. Evaluate the landslide potential of a project site and require implementation of
landslide mitigation measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation,
areas prone to landslide are found. Potential landslide mitigation measures include, but
are not limited to the following:
Avoidance: Developments should be built sufficiently far away from the threat
that they will not be affected even if a landslide does occur.
Reduction: Reduction of landslide hazards should be achieved by increasing the
factor of safety of the landslide area to an acceptable level, based on current
engineering standards and practices. This can be accommodated by eliminating
slopes with active/inactive landslides, removing the unstable soil and rock
materials, or applying one or more appropriate slope stabilization methods (such
as buttress fills, subdrains, soil nailing, crib walls, etc.)
SAFETY-7. Require projects located within the Liquefaction Areas identified in PLAN
Hermosa to evaluate the liquefaction potential and require implementation of mitigation
measures when, during the course of a geotechnical investigation, shallow groundwater
(60 feet or less) and potentially liquefiable soils are found. Potential liquefaction mitigation
measures include, but are not limited to, soil densification or compaction, displacement
or compaction grouting, and use of post-tensioned slab foundations, piles, or caissons.
Attachment 2B
1009
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
12
SAFETY-8. Support community safety and fire protection standards by establishing and
applying the following development review requirements to be reviewed by HBFD and
HBPD as appropriate:
New development and significant redevelopment projects shall coordinate with
HBFD and Cal Water to provide and maintain adequate peak flow rates for
firefighting.
New development, significant redevelopment, and public improvement projects
shall ensure that building designs provide for adequate emergency access and
that changes to the right-of-way do not impede access for emergency
responder’s apparatus or personnel.
SAFETY-9. Continue working with regional partners to develop a local sea level rise model
that evaluates erosion potential, provides detailed inundation maps, and provides
combined sea level rise and tsunami maps.
SAFETY-10. When the mean high water level exceeds 1 foot above the baseline level,
partner with FEMA as a cooperating technical partner to conduct a Hydrologic and
Hydraulic Study, and facilitate necessary revisions to applicable Flood Insurance Rate
Maps.
SAFETY-11. Prepare for changing shoreline conditions by establishing and applying the
following development review requirements:
Require new development or redevelopment project proposals within the
designated area subject to flooding, inundation, or erosion due to sea level rise to
describe and illustrate in site plans how the proposed project considers and
mitigates potential flood hazards during the economic lifespan of the structure.
Potential flood mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, flood proofing;
increased ground floor elevation (a minimum of 1-foot freeboard); ground-floor,
flood-resistant exterior materials; and restricting fencing or yard enclosures that
cause water to pond.
Require new development or redevelopment projects to assure stability and
structural integrity and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion,
geologic instability, or destruction of the project site or surrounding area.
As local flood, erosion, and tsunami data becomes more precise, amend the
General Plan and Zoning Code to establish more specific development standards
and conditions.
SAFETY-12. Amend the Municipal Code to establish a definition of “economic lifespan” for
structural development as between 75 to 100 years, unless otherwise specified, and
provide restrictions for specific development proposals.
SAFETY-13. Amend the Municipal Code to require flood risk disclosure and active
acknowledgment of expanded flood risk when properties subject to inundation or
flooding are developed or redeveloped.
SAFETY-14. Continue to participate in regional sediment management planning.
Attachment 2B
1010
PLAN Hermosa
13
SAFETY-15. Develop a long-term adaptive shoreline management program with a strong
preference for beach replenishment over shoreline protective structures.
SAFETY-16. Include updated hazardous materials considerations in regular Emergency
Operation Plan updates and work with the County of Los Angeles to update local
Hazardous Materials Area Plans on a regular basis.
SAFETY-17. Provide information, opportunities, and incentives to the community for the
proper disposal of toxic materials to avoid environmental degradation to the air, soil, and
water resources from toxic materials contamination.
SAFETY-18. Designate an emergency response team to monitor and respond to regional
disasters such as oil spills and other shoreline disasters. Such a team must maintain an
emergency response plan that includes coordination with other agencies and
jurisdictions in the region on initial response, aid, and recovery.
SAFETY-19. Regularly evaluate crime trends and police services, facilities, personnel, and
response times relative to community needs and established state and federal standards.
SAFETY-20. Establish and meet EMS and Fire response time standard of 7 minutes or less for
90% of incidents.
SAFETY-21. Enhance and maintain Police Department staffing and facilities to meet
established proactive time targets and clearance rates that exceed national averages.
SAFETY-22. Continue to support existing mutual and automatic aid agreements providing
additional fire and police resources needed during an emergency, as feasible.
SAFETY-23. Continue investing in “Reverse 911” call services and other technologies to
inform the community about immediate hazards and public safety concerns.
SAFETY-24. Periodically update the emergency operations plan.
SAFETY-25. Periodically update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and concurrently amend
the Public Safety Element to maintain eligibility for maximum grant funding.
SAFETY-26. Inventory critical facilities, key pieces of infrastructure, and other public
buildings that are exposed to seismic shaking or are at an elevated risk of liquefaction
and conduct retrofits or improve emergency power backup to reduce vulnerability.
SAFETY-27. Review critical facilities proposed for development or expansion to ensure that
hazardous conditions are mitigated or hazard reduction features are incorporated to the
satisfaction of the responsible agencies.
SAFETY-28. Identify hazard-specific evacuation routes and share with the public,
businesses, and other government agencies.
SAFETY-29. Incorporate or request from Caltrans the inclusion of soundwalls, earthen
berms, or other acoustical barriers as part of any roadway improvement project
adjacent to a residential area, school, or other sensitive land use, where necessary to
mitigate identified adverse significant noise impacts.
Attachment 2B
1011
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
14
SAFETY-30. Enforce and periodically evaluate truck and bus movements and routes to
reduce impacts on sensitive areas, and promote coordination between the Police
Department and the California Highway Patrol to enforce the State Motor Vehicle noise
standards, to minimize or reduce noise impacts on residential and other sensitive land
uses.
SAFETY-31. Apply the Noise Element standards of compatibility described in PLAN
Hermosa to new development proposals. Require the mitigation of extraordinary impacts
through design features such as building orientation and acoustical barriers, to ensure
compatibility.
SAFETY-32. Require new multi-family development, single-family development, and
condominium conversion projects to meet the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title
24 of the California Administrative Code) for interior and exterior noise levels.
SAFETY-33. Acoustical analysis reports prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant shall
be required for new sensitive land uses within noise impact areas (i.e., those areas where
the existing or future CNEL exceeds 60 dB).
SAFETY-34. Adopt and enforce a quantitative Noise and Vibration Ordinance to reduce
excessive noise and vibration from site-specific sources such as construction activity,
mechanical equipment, landscaping maintenance, loud music, truck traffic, loading and
unloading activities, and other sources.
SAFETY-35. Periodically review adopted noise standards, policies and regulations
affecting noise in order to conform to changes in legislation and/or technologies.
SAFETY-36. Comply with all state and federal OSHA noise standards, and all new
equipment purchases shall comply with state and federal noise standards.
Infrastructure
INFRASTRUCTURE-1. Create a comprehensive, long-range (20-year) infrastructure plan
integrating roadway, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste disposal, and utility
infrastructure systems.
Consider the best available science describing potential climate change
impacts as a basis for preparing the infrastructure plan.
Use the infrastructure plan as a resource when preparing five-year Capital
Improvement Plans (CIPs) and setting and enforcing discretionary
development requirements.
Incrementally update the infrastructure plan following the preparation of each
CIP to ensure it remains consistent with changes in growth, traffic, funding
sources, climate change impacts, and state and regional regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE-2. Coordinate planning and approval processes for proposed projects
to enable the siting and installation of all necessary facilities and infrastructure before or
during construction or renovation activities.
Attachment 2B
1012
PLAN Hermosa
15
INFRASTRUCTURE-3. Review and, if needed, revise the Municipal Code to require utility
and service providers to restore or improve streets, sidewalks, and other public areas
following maintenance or repairs.
INFRASTRUCTURE-4. Amend the Zoning Code to define essential utilities to include
electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, sewer, and waste collection services,
and require installation of all essential utilities prior to occupation of proposed
development and redevelopment projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE-5. Require, as a part of development review, new development and
redevelopment projects to designate areas where public infrastructure must be
accommodated and to require either a land dedication or provision of the needed
infrastructure by the project applicant.
INFRASTRUCTURE-6. Aggressively seek regional, state, and federal funds to leverage local
money earmarked for projects listed in the CIP.
INFRASTRUCTURE-7. Periodically review, and if needed, revise the development fee
schedule to ensure it is adequate and reflective of proposed projects’ impacts and
required services.
INFRASTRUCTURE-8. Improve the environmental compatibility of utility and infrastructure
facilities by establishing and applying the following standards to new development and
redevelopment projects involving utility installation or relocation:
New utilities must be located away from, or constructed in a manner compatible
with, critical habitat areas, resources, and the shoreline. Physical and service
constraints may not allow relocation away from or full compatibility with such
areas and resources.
INFRASTRUCTURE-9. Consult with Cal Water to estimate and evaluate water supplies,
provide public information and incentives for water conservation best practices.
INFRASTRUCTURE-10. Develop a policy for the installation of greywater systems and
rainwater collection cisterns in parks and community facilities, where appropriate and
cost effective.
INFRASTRUCTURE-11. Support efforts by Cal Water to construct necessary pump and
storage facilities to ensure adequate water supply and proper water system balance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-12. Amend the Municipal Code to require the installation of dual water
plumbing hookups for landscaping irrigation, grading, and other non-contact uses in new
development and major redevelopment projects where recycled water is available or
expected to be available based on adopted infrastructure plans.
INFRASTRUCTURE-13. Continue to implement the Water Conservation and Drought
Management Plan and any implementing ordinances, including imposition of fines and
other appropriate enforcement tools, for violations of water conservation rules.
Attachment 2B
1013
Implementation Actions – Revised March 2017
16
INFRASTRUCTURE-14. Ensure adequate and resilient sewer system capacity by establishing
and applying the following development review requirements:
New development or redevelopment projects involving construction of 8-inch
diameter or larger sewers that connect directly or indirectly to the Los Angeles
County Sanitation Districts' sewer system must prepare a sewer plan identifying
that the existing sewer collection and treatment systems have available capacity
to support such an increase, or provide for necessary system upgrades as part of
the proposed project.
INFRASTRUCTURE-15. Hold quarterly meetings between Public Works, Community
Development, and other City departments to coordinate Sewer System Management
Plan implementation measures and operations.
INFRASTRUCTURE-16. Implement a financing plan, including use of the adopted sewer fee
and loans, to ensure that resources are available for investment in annual rehabilitation
projects to improve sanitary sewer pipes.
INFRASTRUCTURE-17. Prepare an annual report for City Council documenting sewer
system operations, actions to minimize overflows, incidents of overflows, and their impacts
on receiving waters and public health and safety.
INFRASTRUCTURE-18. Continue to implement and incorporate revisions to the Clean Bay
Restaurant Program and Grease Control Ordinance.
INFRASTRUCTURE-19. Update program requirements to integrate the latest available Best
Management Practices into the City Stormwater Management and Discharge Control
Ordinance, Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance, and Green Streets Policy and
regularly monitor results.
INFRASTRUCTURE-20. Complete municipal demonstration projects showing residential and
business property best practices in urban runoff, green streets, and LID.
INFRASTRUCTURE-21. Continue to require new development and redevelopment projects
to incorporate green street BMPs that address stormwater runoff from the project area
using the Green Street BMP Selection Guidelines identified in Attachment A of the City’s
Green Street Policy.
INFRASTRUCTURE-22. Continue to install educational signs or symbols on major public
storm drains.
INFRASTRUCTURE-23. Develop a process for identifying sites deemed appropriate for
alternative renewable energy power generation facilities, and provide such information
to utility providers and potential developers.
INFRASTRUCTURE-24. Continue to implement energy-efficient lighting throughout City
facilities.
Attachment 2B
1014
PLAN Hermosa
17
INFRASTRUCTURE-25. Survey all streetlights periodically for functionality and create a
response protocol to respond to reports of streetlight outages within a 24-hour time
period.
INFRASTRUCTURE-26. Develop criteria and procedures to facilitate the installation of
telecommunications infrastructure in a manner that meets service needs and minimizes
visual, noise, or other impacts to the community.
Attachment 2B
1015
From: Luke Carlson
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 5:13 PM
To: City Clerk; City Council; Planning Commission
Subject: Mandatory Historical Designations
Dear City Council and Planning Commissioners
I am a nineteen year old college student majoring in history and government. I just found out about the
mandatory designation of old homes in Hermosa Beach. It is my understanding that this mandatory
designation would be done by the city without the homeowners approval or consent. I think it is wrong
for of the city to harm the property vales of an individual homeowner just because they own an old
home.
Not only will this affect the current property owners but the heirs to the current property owner. I
would request that the city reconsider that any historical designation of private homes be done only
with the consent of the homeowner.
Very Truly Yours
Luke Carlson
From: bette.mower
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 2:14 PM
To: City Council; Planning Commission; Leeanne Singleton
Subject: Fwd: PLAN comment
Please consider the following as an addition to my much too short and frazzled input at the Planning
Commission meeting.
-----Original Message-----
From: bette.mower
To: cityclerk <cityclerk@hermosabch.org>
Cc: gerardsellshomes
Sent: Wed, Mar 22, 2017 12:07 pm
Subject: PLAN comment
Narrative that is supposed to replace the "list" is a wonderful trip down the history of Hermosa
Beach. However, the "list" is included in this narrative, just in another form.
This entire subject of private properties being under any mandated restriction due to its "historical"
designation needs to be deemed entirely voluntary both now and forever in the future.
The Goal 10.4 should be rewritten with positive verbs - replace "discourage". The other goals are written
with positive verbs: encourage, consider, promote, support, ensure, provide, etc. No private property
owner wants to be discouraged by the City (that's an open invitation to interference by the City at some
point down the road). How many ways can a City "discourage" an owner's plans?
There are other Goals as well that could pertain to private property. Any goal related to cultural,
historical, architectural heritage that could impact a private property should be written so that it is a
VOLUNTARY action by the property owner.
Attachment 3
1016
To: Hermosa Beach City Council, Planning Commission, City Clerk, Assistant City Manager
From: Janice Knickerbocker, 2028 The Strand, Hermosa Beach
Re: Mandatory Historic Designation of Select Properties (PLAN Hermosa)
Date: March 27, 2017
My primary residence at 2028 The Strand is named on the proposed list for Mandatory Historic
Designation. I totally object to this segment of PLAN Hermosa. The salient points I would
present are listed below:
1. I have owned the house since 1974 and regard it as my primary residence. I am retired
and, therefore, live on a fixed monthly income. I cannot afford extra costs beyond
what I now have. Additionally, the majority of my life’s savings is in the value of my
house/property. Should I need funding for extended senior care, it is critical that I be
able to acquire funds by selling my property at the highest price possible. In fact, more
immediately, if this proposal is enacted, my house insurance is likely to be cancelled
and obtaining new insurance on a dwelling that is over one hundred years old is
extremely difficult and expensive, not to mention the increased difficulties when a
property is designated as “historic.” I have spoken with my current insurance company
and they WILL NOT WRITE ON HISTORIC HOUSES. I have looked into other insurance
for “historic designated properties” and have found that normally such policies are only
written by “surplus line” carriers, not by “preferred vendors.” Surplus line carriers are
very costly (premiums are usually double or triple those of a “direct line” writer) as they
traditionally write policies that other insurance companies will not write.
2. Even if I never have a financial or health situation which forces me to sell my home, I
am concerned about the legacy for my heirs. It is their right to inherit from me that to
which they are entitled and can conceivably use to their best interests and to those of
their children.
3. At a time shortly after my late husband and I purchased this home, we looked into
petitioning to have the house designated (both locally and federally) as historic. The
house was deemed eligible since it was built in the early 1900’s (prior to Hermosa
Beach’s incorporation). The ramifications of historic designation were so vast that we
chose not to pursue the matter.
4. For a city to arbitrarily designate an individual’s property in such a manner as to
diminish its value and to thereby restrict in many ways what can be done to the
property would seem to constitute a violation of my Constitutional rights. Granted, it is
not seizure of my home; however, it is dictating/mandating what I can or cannot do
with my home. Further, it is decreasing my home’s value/
5. To this day, I have not been noticed in any official way by the City of Hermosa Beach
that my house is on this list. Had it not been for other concerned citizens I would have
remained uninformed regarding this proposal. When a neighbor is planning to do
something to his home or when the city is proposing street repairs etc, notice is sent to
1017
all who are affected. Is not the change to one’s home’s designation an even more
pressing matter?
6. I attended the planning commission meeting on March 21 and spoke; on March 22 I
went to the previously announced City Council public hearing only to find it had been
“postponed.” I could not attend meetings in February (even if I had known about
them) as I was out of state. I tried to talk with “Leeanne,” but she was “not at her
desk.” On March 10, I left a message asking her to call me. To date, she has not. On
the night of March 22 (when we learned there would be no meeting) we spoke with
Nico De Anda-Scaia. He said he would “keep us informed.” I have not heard from
him again.
As a citizen in Hermosa Beach for more that forty years, I have witnessed a great deal of
change, most of which was for the betterment of the city. Now I am faced with a potential
personal atrocity. How this aspect of PLAN Hermosa came to be is beyond rational thinking.
Yes, I believe in preserving history; to wit, my house is nicely restored and maintained. It is a
classic Dutch colonial. I have no desire to see it demolished; but in beach communities, there is
no real value placed on preservation, as there might be in a city such as Pasadena. I believe
that if an owner CHOOSES to have his property designated as historic that is an individual
right—NOT SOMETHING FOR A CITY/COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
MANDATE.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of the points presented here. In closing, I
would reiterate the information I mentioned in item number five above and ask to be
informed in a timely manner regarding matters which affect my home.
1018
1019
1020
PLAN Hermosa Historic Resources Topics
1
Proposed Changes to PLAN Hermosa Goals and Policies
(Attachment 2A)
The following includes the changes recommended by the Planning Commission to PLAN
Hermosa.
Page 56 the following paragraph was deleted:
While Hermosa Beach has made strides in protecting historic resources, the City recognizes that
there is more that can be accomplished. As time progresses on, more resources become
potential candidates by virtue of their age and community significance. In 2013, a windshield
survey and records search was conducted to identify resources potentially eligible for landmark
status based on their age and architectural style. The survey results indicate approximately 220
potential historic and cultural resources, which includes residential buildings, private/commercial
buildings, public facilities, and landscape architecture features that may be eligible for local
landmark status.
Goal 10. A strong sense of cultural and
architectural heritage.
Recognition and celebration of the city’s cultural resources and eclectic architectural
styles provides for a unique sense of place and a deeper connection to and
appreciation for the rich cultural history that has shaped Hermosa Beach.
Policies
10.1 Historic landmarks and districts. Encourage the voluntary designation of potentially historic
resources as landmarks or historic districts.
10.2 Protect designated landmarks. Continue to use the Certificate of Appropriateness process
for reviewing applications to demolish, or alter designated landmarks.
10.34 Public and institutional facilities. Consider the designation of potentially historic public or
institutional resources under threat of demolition or deterioration.
10.23 Protect designated landmarks. Continue to use the Certificate of Appropriateness process
for reviewing Prohibit theapplications to demolishtion, degradation, and inappropriateor
alteration of designated landmarks.
10.34 Treatment of potentially historic resources. Discourage the demolition, degradation, and
inappropriate alteration of potentially historic resources.
10.5 Evaluation prior to demolition. Require evaluation and documentation of potentially historic
resources prior to demolition.
1021
PLAN Hermosa Historic Resources Topics
2
10.6 Incentives for preservation. Provide incentives for preservation of designated landmarks,
potentially historic resources, and older buildings.
10.4 Public and institutional facilities. Consider the designation of potentially historic public or
institutional resources under threat of demolition or deterioration.
10.457 Historic resources as cultural tourism. Promote historic places and cultural tourism as an
economic development strategy.
10.568 Adaptive reuse and sustainable development. Promote historic preservation as
sustainable development and encourage adaptive reuse of historic or older properties.
10.679 History and cultural heritage. Support and encourage efforts to document and share the
cultural heritage and history of Hermosa Beach.
10.7810 Culturally inclusive planning. Ensure that historic preservation planning is culturally
inclusive and reflective of the unique background and diversity of neighborhoods in the city.
10.8911 Incentives and technical assistance. Provide expert technical assistance to owners of
eligible and designated historic properties with tools and incentives to maintain historic resources.
10.9102 Salvage architectural features or materials. Encourage the preservation or reuse of
historic architectural features on site or within the community. salvaging of architectural features
that would otherwise be transported to landfills as a result of demolition.
10.1013 Archaeological and paleontological resources. Recognize the prehistory and history of
the city and strive to identify, protect, and preserve archaeological and paleontological
resources.
Proposed Changes to PLAN Hermosa Implementation Actions
(Attachment 2B)
LAND USE-134. Amend the CEQA documentation and initial study process to ensure cultural and
historical resources are studied in accordance with CEQA and any local historic preservation
programs.
LAND USE-145. Amend Hermosa Beach Historic Preservation Ordinance to align with Historic
Preservation goals and policies including but not limited to:
Clarify that the City Council may nominate public properties and that only the property
owner may nominate private property.
Establish a list of encouraged actions that a property owner may take when a property
over 50 years in age is demolished, which could include photo documentation of key
architectural features, salvage or donation of key architectural features or original
materials, or installation of plaque, or other actions to reflect or recognize the former
structure.
1022
PLAN Hermosa Historic Resources Topics
3
LAND USE-15. Develop eligibility criteria to use in the designation of local historic sites or historic
districts.
LAND USE-16. Develop emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for cultural
resources, including a recovery action plan that addresses long-range decisions likely to be
faced by the City following a major disaster, including economic recovery, protocols for
demolition or restoration of damaged historic structures, and fee deferral for repair permits.
LAND USE-17. Create a program to provide for the voluntary installation of plaques and/or public
art related to historic buildings and sites in the city.
LAND USE-18. Establish design review procedures and establish effective means to protect
architectural features that have historical significance. Use the Secretary of Interior’s Standards
to evaluate impacts of alterations or new development on historical resources.
LAND USE-19. Prepare design guidelines that illustrate and highlight important historic design
features of buildings.
LAND USE-19820. Research and develop innovative policies for preserving historic properties.
LAND USE-2091. Work with community organizations to develop brochures, guides, walking tours,
and other marketing materials to highlight existing public art in Hermosa Beach.
LAND USE-2102. Develop historic preservation expertise among staff and decision makers on the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation ordinances, the State
Historical Building Code, environmental review for historical resources, and tax credits and
incentives.
Proposed Changes to the EIR and Mitigation Measures
(Attachment 1B)
Identified the deletion of Figure 4.4-1 Potentially Eligible Historic Resources (Windshield
Survey) from the Table of Contents
Identified the deletion of the paragraph regarding the windshield survey and further
identifies the deletion of Figure 4.4-1
Identified that Appendix C-7 has been modified to delete Figure 7.2: Potential Historic
Resources
Page 4.4-14, last paragraph, and 4.14-15 first paragraph are modified as follows:
The City does not have a comprehensive list of potentially eligible historic properties over
45 years old. During the preparation of the City’s General Plan Land Use Element in 1994,
28 historical resources and two historic districts were identified as potentially eligible;
however, some of these potential resources have been demolished or substantially
altered. Furthermore, this list is now over 20 years old and many additional properties now
meet the age threshold for consideration that would have not been considered in 1994.
1023
PLAN Hermosa Historic Resources Topics
4
A new windshield survey was conducted to examine existing conditions and identify
examples of property types, styles, and methods of construction that represent key
periods of development in Hermosa Beach. As described in Appendix C-7, PCR
conducted a windshield survey to identify potentially eligible individual historic resources
and concentrations or groups of historic resources that appeared to be eligible as
potential districts. Of the approximately 3,600 parcels over 45 years old in Hermosa
Beach, 218 parcels are potentially eligible for local listing (5S3) and two potentially
eligible groupings of single-family residences that appear to be eligible as beach
cottage districts (5D3). The evaluation of historic resources during the windshield survey
was based on architecture, and a more intensive survey could be conducted in the
future to consider patterns of history, events, and significant persons. Approximately 60
percent of the potentially eligible resources are single-family, one-story residential
properties constructed between 1906 and 1930 located in the Walk Street, Sand Section,
North End, and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. There are also two groupings of residences
located in the Walk Street and Hermosa Hills neighborhoods. The remaining 40 percent of
potentially eligible properties include a variety of property types and styles, such as
commercial and industrial buildings, institutional buildings, landscape architectural
features, churches, parkettes, and greenbelts. These potential historical resources are
located in the Downtown, Civic Center, and Cypress districts and along the Pacific
Coast Highway corridor.
Revisions to the mitigation measures (which have been changed in the EIR, Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Project Findings and Statement of Overriding
Considerations) are as follows:
MM 4.4-4a The City shall establish an updated list of potential historic resources to be maintained
by the Community Development Director. The list shall be updated every 10 years, at a
minimum, to identify as-yet-unknown historical resources (as defined in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.5) as potential resources are identified through citywide
surveys and on a project-by-project basis.
MM 4.4-4ab The City shall require project applicants of discretionary projects to conduct historical
resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports on a project-by-project basis, when a
project proposes to alter, demolish, or degrade a designated landmark or a potential
historic resourcelandmark as defined by Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section
17.53.
MM 4.4-4bc The City shall maintain the “Historical Resources in Hermosa Beach” guide, and shall
update the guide so that it is informed by current resource data and its goals and
policies are consistent with the Land Use + Design Element.
MM 4.4-4cd The City shall develop procedures and nomination applications to facilitate and
streamline the designation of local historic sites and historic districts.
MM 4.4-4de Historical resources studies, surveys, and assessment reports shall be performed by
persons who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48 CFR 44716).
MM 4.4-4f For historical resources that may be adversely impacted, conformance with the
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5
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and
application of the State Historical Building Code shall be required to protect the
eligibility of potential historical resources.
Proposed Changes to Project Findings and Statement of
Overriding Considerations (Attachment 1D)
The following have been added to the Project Findings and Statement of Overriding
Considerations:
The Final EIR included a Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-4a that upon further review has been
determined to be infeasible and that the Planning Commission recommends this
mitigation measure be removed in its entirety. First, it is unclear how this measure applies
in Hermosa Beach, because the Municipal Code definitions for resources and landmarks
are not the same as under CEQA, creating confusion as to what properties must be on a
list. Second, CEQA already requires that environmental analysis be completed for any
discretionary project that may impact an historic resource. CEQA applies to
discretionary projects regardless of whether the City maintains a list of potential resources
and by preparing a list of potential resources that identifies specific properties, the list
could be misconstrued as a list of designated landmarks, which carry a different level of
review and procedures established in the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the
Municipal Code. For this reason, the proposed mitigation in infeasible.
MM4.4-4b is amended to clarify that discretionary projects are required under CEQA to
conduct an historical assessment. The City does not have authority to require studies for
ministerial projects. The measure is also amended to reflect the definition of landmark, as
that term is used in the Hermosa Beach Historic Resource Preservation Ordinance.
The Final EIR included a Mitigation Measure MM 4.4-4f that upon further review has been
determined to be infeasible and that the Planning Commission recommends this
mitigation measure be removed in its entirety. While the intent of MM 4.4-4f was to apply
to designated historical landmarks, the wording could be interpreted more broadly and
would effectively prohibit any changes to buildings considered to be potential historic
resources and when modified to only apply to designated historical landmarks, it
becomes duplicative with requirements under State Law regarding the treatment of
designated historical resources, and interpreted more broadly could impede the City’s
greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals.
The Final EIR included an Alternative focused on Greater Retention of Character
(Alternative 3). Alternative 3 is not feasible because it would potentially cause greater
impacts to one category, greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the City does not have
the staff or expertise to establish a historic preservation commission. Throughout the years,
the community has opposed design restrictions (often referred to as art juries) in favor of
allowing individual property owners design as they please within the confined of
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PLAN Hermosa Historic Resources Topics
6
development standards. To do otherwise would go against a long-standing community
policy. The community has also consistently rejected the idea of a view protection
ordinance, because a view protection ordinances favor the views of those who have
already built to the height limit over those properties that have not yet built up. Rather,
the community values a more fair system, whereby each property can build to a set
height limit that applies universally to the entire zone.
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From: Geoff Hi
Date: March 26, 2017 at 4:47:57 PM PDT
To: Saemann Rob
<rsaemann@hermosabch.org>, mrice@hermosabch.org, mflaherty@hermosabch.org, phoff
man@hermosabch.org, dpederson@hermosabch.org
Subject: Plan Hermosa
In anticipation of tomorrow nights meeting on the Plan, I submit the following suggested
enhancements for your consideration:
Plan Hermosa Notes
No mention is made anywhere in this plan of accessibility, only
biking and walking.
Need changes to sections on:
Mobility
Parks
Public Safety
Infrastructure
Page #
7-Cover page: complete streets (#3) references biking and
walking. Should mention accessible to all.
8-Quality of Life (3rd point) - add: " and should be accessible to
all, regardless of their physical challenges."
10 - mobility section mentions alternative vehicles, but not those
challenged and using walkers or wheelchairs.
18-Mobility - mobility section mentions alternative vehicles, but
not those challenged and using walkers or wheelchairs.
19 - should mention " regardless of how they are accessed.
28- (3rd point) add accessibility to biking and walking.
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40 - "Hermosa is a leader in health and sustainability." (might
want to add a point to hear about accessibility.)
87-PCH section: "Sidewalks are improved..."
I suppose this references future development, because the
present state of our sidewalks is horrible and dangerous. I have
been successful in getting Caltrans to allocate over $700,000 for
sidewalk repairs over the next two fiscal years. (our Public
Works Director can verify this)
I would like you to mention, please, in this sidewalk section
about increasing the accessibility factor for all, regardless of
physical challenges and making them all ADA compliant
regarding curb cuts, sidewalks slope, and limiting property
extensions on to our sidewalks.
102 - couldn't we add an accessibility goal point here, making a
public buildings, new commercial enterprises, parks, the beach,
all accessible?
Plan goes to great lengths to explain the height and
configuration of buildings in several sections of the city: Sand,
Cypress,
Aviation, etc. Could you add a general footnote please, to make
all new commercial buildings accessible to all: steps + ramps.
103-Mobility mentions bicycles, pedestrians, and alternative fuel
vehicles. Should have some mention in here of pedestrians
that are physically challenged.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests, I appreciate it.
Geoff Hirsch
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