1. The Plaza at Santa Monica Project PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING
City of Santa Monica
Ecotierra Consulting
January 30, 2017

2. Project Review Process
Community Workshops Vision (Mar 2011)
Council Study Session
(May 2011)
Community Workshop Alternatives
(Jan 2012)
Community Meeting (Sept 2014)
(June 2015)
PC Float Up
Council Float Up (Oct 2015)
Scoping Meeting
EIR
EIR Preparation (approx. 1 year)
PC Hearing
City Council Hearing

3. Purpose of scoping meeting
Beginning of the CEQA review process
Inform the public of the proposed project
Provide an overview of the environmental review process
Identify environmental issues for analysis in the EIR
Receive public comments regarding environmental topics, issue of concern, and alternatives to be evaluated

4. Project location

5. Project site photos
4th Street View of Site
Arizona View of Site

6. Conceptual Site Plan

7. Rendering southeast view
Arizona Avenue
4th Street

8. Aerial view

9. Elevations
Arizona Avenue
4th Street
5th Street

10. Project components Use Detail Max. Square Footage Public Open Space
Grand Plaza, 5th and Arizona Plaza, Pocket Parks, Second Level Park
41,557 sf
Retail/Restaurant
Neighborhood serving and regional retail/restaurant
42,200 sf
Cultural Uses
A large area of the ground floor will be made available at below market rent for cultural uses.
12,000 sf
Bicycle Center
Bicycle center will include lockers and showers.
1,700 sf
Workspace
Creative workspace
106,800 sf
Affordable Housing
48 units (4 3-bedroom units, 8 2-bedroom units, 20 1-bedroom units, 16 studios) plus residential circulation and ground floor lobbies.
40,300 sf
Hotel
280 Rooms
154,000 sf
Total Commercial Uses (not including public open space)
357,000 sf 1

11. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Purpose: to inform decision-makers and the public of a project’s potential physical effects on the environment
Applies to discretionary projects
Increases public understanding of and participation in environmental review process
Discloses potential impacts on the environment
Identifies ways to avoid or reduce potential significant impacts through feasible mitigation measures or alternatives

12. CEQA
EIR is an informational document that represents “good faith” effort to disclose projects’ potential environmental impacts and identify ways to lessen such impacts
CEQA does not deny or approve a project

13. Overview of CEQA Process
Notice of Preparation (NOP)
Extended public comment period (January 15, 2017 through February 16, 2017)
January 30, 2017 Scoping Meeting
Prepare & Publish Draft EIR
45-day public review
Prepare & Publish Final EIR
Response to comments on Draft EIR
Corrections or additions to Draft EIR
Planning Commission and Council Consider Final EIR and Project
Council Certifies EIR
If significant impacts, Council must make Findings, adopt a mitigation monitoring program, and adopt Statement of Overriding Considerations

14. The CEQA EIR Process Prepare/Distribute Notice of Preparation
(30-day review period)
Prepare Final EIR Including
Response to Comments
Public Scoping Meeting
Review of Responses by
Commenting Agencies
We are here
Prepare Draft EIR
Planning Commission Hearing
Prepare Public Notice of Draft EIR Availability
File Notice of Determination
Public and Agency Review of Draft EIR
(45 days)
= Opportunities for Public Input

15. Scoping Meeting Purposes
Inform the community and concerned agencies about the project and the EIR
Solicit input regarding the EIR scope
Inform the community about process and future opportunities for input

16. Preliminary EIR scope: Potential Environmental topics For Analysis
Aesthetics (including Shadows)
Neighborhood Effects
Noise
Air Quality
Population/Housing
Cultural Resources
Public Services (Fire/Police/Parks/Libraries)
Construction Effects
Geology/Soils
Transportation/Circulation
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Utilities (Water/Sewer/Solid Waste/Energy)
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Mandatory Findings of Significance
Land Use and Planning

17. Contents of Draft EIR Description of the Projects
Existing Environmental and Regulatory Setting (baseline)
Analysis of Projects Impacts on the Environment
Based on CEQA Guidelines and Thresholds and substantial evidence in the record
Includes analysis of cumulative impacts
Feasible Mitigation Measures, as necessary
Analysis of Reasonable Range of Alternatives

18. Opportunities for Public Comment
Public Comments on Scope, Focus, Content of EIR
Provide comments at tonight’s meeting
Form for written comments provided
Turn in to staff
Mail/drop off to City Hall
comments
Comments will be reviewed by EIR consultant and City to ensure that environmental issues/concerns are addressed in the EIR

19. Please direct your comments to:
Contact Information
Please direct your comments to:
Rachel Kwok
City Planning Division
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 212
Santa Monica, California 90401

20. Open House/Public Comments
Please go to open house stations
Provide public comments