IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS D. CULTURAL RESOURCES 1.
INTRODUCTION This section evaluates the Project’s impacts to cultural resources, including paleontological, archaeological, and historical resources. This analysis is based on information provided in the Academy Square Historic Resources Analysis prepared by Historic Resources Group, an archaeological data search prepared by the South Central Coastal Information Center, and a vertebrate paleontology records check prepared by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. These documents are attached to this Draft EIR as Appendices D and E. 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING A.
Paleontological Resources Surface deposits throughout the Project area consist of soil on top of terrestrial older Quaternary Alluvium, derived as alluvial fan deposits from the Hollywood Hills immediately to the north. The uppermost layers of these deposits typically do not contain significant fossil vertebrate remains. Northeast of the Project Site, east of the Hollywood Freeway (Highway 101), however, there are four vertebrate fossil localities, LACM 6297-­‐6300, collected from these late Pleistocene deposits at depths between 47 and 80 feet below the surface along Hollywood Boulevard between the Hollywood Freeway (Highway 101) and Western Avenue during excavations for the Metrorail Red Line tunnels and stations. Fossil horse, Equus, bison, Bison, camel, Camelops, and mastodon, Mammut americanum, specimens were recovered from these localities.1 Paleontological resources are fossilized remains of ancient environments. The closest vertebrate fossil locality in these older Quaternary sediments at shallow depth is LACM 5845, located approximately 1.75 miles southeast of the Project Site near the intersection of Western Avenue and Council Street, that produced a specimen of fossil mastodon, Mammutidae, at a depth of only five to six feet below the surface. Approximately 2.4 miles to the southeast of the Project Site, near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Middlebury Street, the vertebrate fossil locality LACM 3250 produced a fossil specimen of mammoth, Mammuthus, at a depth of about eight feet below the street level. Approximately 1.9 miles to the southwest of the Project Site, near the intersection of Sierra Bonita Avenue and Oakwood Avenue, the vertebrate fossil locality LACM 3371 produced specimens of fossil bison, Bison antiquus, at a depth of 12 feet below the surface. 2 1
Vertebrate Paleontology Records Check for paleontological resources for the proposed Academy Square Project, in the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, project area, Samuel A. McLeod, Ph.D., Vertebrate Paleontology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, January 12, 2015. 2
Ibid. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐1 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles B.
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Archaeological Resources The South Central Coastal Information Center conducted a data search for archaeological resources within the vicinity of the Project Site. The search included a review of all recorded archaeological and built-­‐
environment resources as well as a review of cultural resource reports on file. In addition, the California Points of Historical Interest, the California Historical Landmarks, the California Register of Historical Resources, the National Register of Historic Places, the California State Historic Properties Directory, and the City of Los Angeles Historic-­‐
Cultural Monuments listings were reviewed for the Project Site. The search included the Project Site and a one-­‐half mile search area on a USGS 7.5-­‐minute quadrangle. The results of the search are presented in Table IV.D-­‐1 (Archaeological Resources Search Results). Due to the sensitive nature of cultural resources, archaeological site locations are not released.3 Archaeological resources are any material remains or physical evidence of past human life or activities. Table IV.D-­‐1 Archaeological Resources Search Results Search Archaeological Resources Built-­‐Environment Resources Reports and Studies OHP Historic Properties Directory California Points of Historical Interest California Historical Landmarks Results Within project area: 0 Within project radius: 1 Within project area: 0 Within project radius: 80 Within project area: 1 Within project radius: 31 Within project area: 3 Within project radius: 331 Within project area: 0 Within project radius: 0 Within project area: 0 Within project radius: 0 Source: Archaeological Data Search for Property Located at 1335-­‐1357 N Vine Street; 1338-­‐
1352 N Ivar Avenue; 6331-­‐6335 Homewood Avenue; 6314-­‐6372 De Longpre Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Stacy St. James and Lindsey Noyes, South Central Coastal Information Center, December 15, 2014. C.
Historic Resources Incorporated in 1903, Hollywood was a small city of approximately 700 people, characterized by small wooden bungalows, open fields and orchards. The Project Site and immediately surrounding area remained open fields with a small number of scattered residences through 1915. According to historic Sanborn maps, a small tract of residential properties east of Cahuenga Boulevard had A historic resource is any object, building, structure, site, area, place, record, or manuscript that is historically or archaeologically significant or significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural history of California. 3
Archaeological Data Search for Property Located at 1335-­‐1357 N Vine Street; 1338-­‐1352 N Ivar Avenue; 6331-­‐
6335 Homewood Avenue; 6314-­‐6372 De Longpre Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Stacy St. James and Lindsey Noyes, South Central Coastal Information Center, December 15, 2014. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐2 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
appeared by 1919. By the late 1920s, the Project Site and the surrounding area were largely residential and characterized by a mix of single-­‐family homes, small apartment buildings, and bungalow courts. Commercial development also appeared at this time, primarily automobile-­‐oriented businesses, such as auto repair and automobile sales lots. During the 1930s, multi-­‐family residential buildings replaced many single-­‐family homes in the Hollywood area. In 1947, the Mutual-­‐Don Lee Studios at 1313 Vine Street was constructed (just south of the Project Site), joining the nearby CBS and NBC studios to create an important center of radio and film production in Hollywood. The Project area would continue to lose its residential character over the next five decades. During this time, many residential buildings were either replaced by commercial buildings or were converted into commercial use. By 2002, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) had acquired the old Mutual-­‐Don Lee Studios Building and converted it for office and research purposes. It was renamed the Pickford Center in honor of pioneering motion picture actress and producer Mary Pickford. AMPAS then began acquiring the block north of the Pickford Center (i.e., the Project Site) as a site for a planned museum. By 2011, the AMPAS had demolished the majority of the buildings from the property, which were replaced by landscaping and surface parking. AMPAS abandoned plans for a museum in Hollywood soon thereafter. Since the redevelopment by the AMPAS, only three buildings remain on the Project Site. The existing buildings include a single-­‐story L-­‐shaped building at 6360 De Longpre, a former auto repair shop converted for commercial/office use at 6322 De Longpre, and a former supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street. D.
Regulatory Framework i)
Paleontological Resources 1)
Paleontological Resources Defined Paleontological resources include fossil remains, fossil localities, and formations that have produced fossil material in other nearby areas. Paleontological resources are limited, nonrenewable, sensitive scientific resources, including fossils preserved either as impressions of soft (fleshy) or hard (skeletal) parts, mineralized remains of skeletons, tracks, or burrows, or other trace fossils, coprolites (fossilized excrement), seeds or pollen, and other microfossils from terrestrial, aquatic, or aerial organisms. 2)
Los Angeles General Plan Conservation Element The Conservation Element of the City of Los Angeles General Plan addresses paleontological resources in Section 3 of Chapter 2. The Conservation Element’s paleontological objective is to “protect the city’s archaeological and paleontological resources for historical, cultural, research and/or educational purposes.” Moreover, its policy is to “continue to identify and protect significant archaeological and paleontological sites and/or resources known to exist or that are identified during land development, demolition or property modification activities.” 3)
Discovery During Construction If paleontological resources are discovered during excavation, grading, or construction, the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety shall be notified immediately, and all work shall cease in the Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐3 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
area of the find until a qualified paleontologist evaluates the find. Construction activity may continue unimpeded on other portions of the Project site. The paleontologist shall determine the location, the time frame, and the extent to which any monitoring of earthmoving activities shall be required. The found deposits would be treated in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in California Public Resources Code Section 21083.2. ii)
Archaeological Resources 1)
Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 According to the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, the term “archaeological resource” means any material remains of past human life or activities which are of archeological interest, as determined under uniform regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act. Under such regulations, archaeological resources include, but are not limited to: pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, pit houses, rock paintings, rock carvings, intaglios, graves, human skeletal materials, or any portion or piece of any of the foregoing items. Non-­‐fossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, or any portions or piece thereof, are not considered archaeological resources unless found in an archaeological context. No item will be treated as an archaeological resource under regulations under this paragraph unless such item is at least 100 years of age.4 Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines defines significant archaeological resources as resources, which meet the criteria for historical resources, as discussed above, or which constitute unique archaeological resources. If archaeological resources are discovered during excavation, grading, or construction activities, work shall cease in the area of the find until a qualified archaeologist has evaluated the find in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in California Public Resources Code Section 21083.2. Personnel of the proposed Project shall not collect or move any archaeological materials and associated materials. Construction activity may continue unimpeded on other portions of the Project site. The found deposits would be treated in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in California Public Resources Code Section 21083.2. •
Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize an historic property shall be preserved. •
Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive historic feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities, and where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence. •
Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. •
Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken. 4
Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (as amended), Section 3, http://www.nps.gov/history/local-­‐law/FHPL_ArchRsrcsProt.pdf, accessed: February 13, 2015. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐4 website: IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
•
New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. •
New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. 2)
Human Remains Archaeological sites containing human remains are required to be treated in accordance with State Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 7050.5 and California Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 5097.9. Under HSC Section 7050.5, if human remains are discovered during any project activity, the county coroner must be notified immediately. If human remains are exposed, HSC Section 7050.5 states that no further disturbance shall occur until the county coroner has made the necessary findings as to the origin and disposition pursuant to PRC Section 5097.98. Construction must halt in the area of the discovery of human remains, the area of discovery shall be protected, and consultation and treatment shall occur as prescribed by law. If the remains are determined by the coroner to be Native American, the coroner is responsible for contacting the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours. The NAHC, pursuant to Section 5097.98 will immediately notify those persons it believes to be most likely descended from the deceased person so that they can inspect the burial site and make recommendations for treatment or disposal. If human remains are encountered unexpectedly during construction demolition and/or grading activities, State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to California Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 5097.98. In the event that human remains are discovered during excavation activities, the following procedure shall be observed: a) Stop immediately and contact the County Coroner: 1104 N. Mission Road Los Angeles, CA 90033 323-­‐343-­‐0512 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) or 323-­‐343-­‐0714 (After Hours, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays) If the remains are determined to be of Native American descent, the Coroner has 24 hours to notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). b) The NAHC will immediately notify the person it believes to be the most likely descendent of the deceased Native American. c) The most likely descendent has 48 hours to make recommendations to the owner, or representative, for the treatment or disposition, with proper dignity, of the human remains and grave goods. d) If the owner does not accept the descendant’s recommendations, the owner or the descendent may request mediation by the NAHC. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐5 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles iii)
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Historic Resources 1)
Historic Resources under CEQA CEQA requires the analysis of historic resources. Thus, any project or action that causes a substantial adverse change on a historic resource also has a significant effect on the environment and shall comply with the State CEQA Guidelines. A substantial adverse change means “demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of a historical resource would be impaired.” When the California Register of Historical Resources was established in 1992, the Legislature amended CEQA to clarify which cultural resources are significant, as well as which project impacts are considered to be significantly adverse. CEQA defines a historic resource as a resource listed in, or determined eligible for listing in, the California Register of Historical Resources. Thus, all properties listed in the California Register are to be considered under CEQA. However, even if a property does not appear on the California Register, it does not mean that it is not significant and, therefore, exempt from CEQA consideration. All resources determined eligible for the California Register are also to be considered under CEQA. An historic resource is a resource that is: •
Listed in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register); •
Determined eligible for the California Register by the State Historical Resources Commission; or •
Included in a local register of historic resources. Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines provides the following two additional definitions of historical resources: •
Identified as significant in an historical resource survey meeting the requirements of Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 5024.1 (g); or •
Determined by a Lead Agency to be historically significant or significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California. Generally, this category includes resources that meet the criteria for listing on the California Register (PRC Section 5024.1, Title 14 CCR, Section 4852). The fact that a resource is not listed in, or determined eligible for listing in, the California Register, not included in a local register of historic resources, or not deemed significant pursuant to criteria set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 5024.1(g), does not preclude a lead agency from determining that the resource may be an “historic resource” for purposes of CEQA. Properties formally determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places are automatically listed in the California Register. Properties designated by local municipalities can also be considered historic resources. A review of properties that are potentially affected by a project for historic eligibility is also required under CEQA. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐6 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
2)
Historic Designations A property may be designated as historic by federal, state, and local authorities. In order for a building to qualify for listing in the National Register or the California Register, it must meet one or more identified criteria of significance. The property must also retain sufficient architectural integrity to continue to evoke the sense of place and time with which it is historically associated. a)
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is an authoritative guide to be used by federal, State, and local governments, private groups, and citizens to identify the Nation's cultural resources and to indicate what properties should be considered for protection from destruction or impairment.5 The National Park Service administers the National Register program. The criteria for listing in the National Register follow established guidelines for determining the significance of properties. To be eligible for listing in the National Register, a resource typically must be at least 50 years of age. The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects: A. That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or B. That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or C. That embody 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; or D. That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.6 In addition to meeting any or all of the criteria listed above, properties nominated must also possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. b)
California Register of Historical Resources The California Register of Historical Resources is an authoritative guide used by State and local agencies, private groups, and citizens to identify the State's historic resources and to indicate what properties are to be protected, to the extent prudent and feasible, from substantial adverse change.7 The criteria for eligibility for listing in the California Register are based upon National Register criteria, including that a resource typically must be at least 50 years of age. These criteria are: 1. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States. 2. Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California or national history. 5
36CFR60, Section 60.2. 6
36CFR60, Section 60.3. California PRC, Section 5023.1(a). 7
Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐7 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values. 4. Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation. The California Register consists of resources that are listed automatically and those that must be nominated through an application and public hearing process. The California Register includes the following: •
California properties formally determined eligible for (Category 2 in the State Inventory of Historical Resources), or listed in (Category 1 in the State Inventory), the National Register of Historic Places. •
State Historical Landmarks No. 770 and all consecutively numbered state historical landmarks following No. 770. For state historical landmarks preceding No. 770, the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) shall review their eligibility for the California Register in accordance with procedures to be adopted by the State Historical Resources Commission (commission). •
Points of historical interest which have been reviewed by the OHP and recommended for listing by the commission for inclusion in the California Register in accordance with criteria adopted by the commission. 8 Other resources which may be nominated for listing in the California Register include: •
Individual historic resources. •
Historic resources contributing to the significance of an historic district. •
Historic resources identified as significant in historic resources surveys, if the survey meets the criteria listed in subdivision (g). •
Historic resources and historic districts designated or listed as city or county landmarks or historic properties or districts pursuant to any city or county ordinance, if the criteria for designation or listing under the ordinance have been determined by the office to be consistent with California Register criteria. •
Local landmarks or historic properties designated under any municipal or county ordinance. 9 c)
Local Designation Programs The Los Angeles City Council designates Historic-­‐Cultural Monuments on recommendation of the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission. Chapter 9, Section 22.171.7 of the City of Los Angeles Administrative Code defines an historical or cultural monument as: …a Historic-­‐Cultural Monument (Monument) is any site (including significant trees or other plant life located on the site), building or structure of particular historic or cultural 8
California PRC, Section 5023.1(d). 9
California PRC, Section 5023.1(e). Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐8 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
significance to the City of Los Angeles, including historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified; or which is identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history; or which embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period, style or method of construction; or a notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age. Designation recognizes the unique architectural value of certain structures and helps to protect their distinctive qualities. Any interested individual or group may submit nominations for Historic-­‐Cultural Monument status. Buildings may be eligible for historical cultural monument status if they retain their historic design and materials. Those that are intact examples of past architectural styles or that have historical associations may meet the criteria in the Cultural Heritage ordinance. The City of Los Angeles has over 1,000 Historic-­‐Cultural Monuments (local landmarks). Furthermore, recognizing the need to identify and protect neighborhoods with distinct architectural and cultural resources, the City has developed an expansive program of Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs). An HPOZ, commonly known as a historic district, is an area of the City which is designated as containing structures, landscaping, natural features, or sites having historic, architectural, cultural, or aesthetic significance. Once designated, areas have an HPOZ overlay added to their zoning, and are subject to special regulations under Section 12.20.3 of the LAMC. The Project Site, however, is not within a designated HPOZ; the nearest HPOZ is Whitley Heights, located approximately 0.7 mile north of the Project Site.10 i)
Hollywood Redevelopment Project The Project Site is subject to the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan, which established the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area. The Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area is generally bound by Franklin Avenue on the north, Serrano Avenue on the east, Santa Monica Boulevard and Fountain Avenue on the south, and La Brea Avenue on the west. The Hollywood Redevelopment Plan was administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles (CRA/LA). However, the CRA/LA was dissolved on February 6, 2012 by State law. Certain CRA/LA authority concerning land use regulation has been transferred to the Designated Local Authority and may be transferred to the Department of City Planning. As part of its responsibilities in implementing the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan, the CRA/LA compiled historic survey data on properties within the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area. Property evaluations from historic surveys in 1986, 1997, and 2003 were compiled in a data table that was made available on the CRA/LA website. A more recent intensive-­‐level survey of the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area was conducted in 2010 (the “2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Survey”).11 It provides relevant information regarding the status of properties within the redevelopment area and is used by agencies and the community to identity potential historic resources. The results of this survey 10
City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, City of Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, January 2014, website: http://preservation.lacity.org/files/HPOZ%20CITY%20WIDE%20MAP%203-­‐2014.pdf, accessed: February 11, 2016. 11
Historic Resources Survey Hollywood Redevelopment Area, prepared by Chattel Architecture, Planning & Preservation, February 2010. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐9 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
have been compiled in a data table that includes information previously listed in the CRA/LA data table.12 ii)
SurveyLA SurveyLA is a citywide survey that identifies and documents historic resources representing important themes in the City’s history. The project is managed by the Department of City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources, which maintains a website for SurveyLA.13 All tools and methods for SurveyLA meet state and federal professional standards for survey work; these include Citywide Historic Context Statement, Field Guide Survey System, and Community Outreach and Participation Program. Professional historic preservation consultant teams are conducting the field surveys under the direction of the Office of Historic Resources. The surveys cover the period from approximately 1865 to 1980 and include individual resources such as buildings, structures, objects, natural features, and cultural landscapes, as well as areas and districts. Field surveys started in 2010 and are being completed in three phases by Community Plan Area. As mentioned above, a Historic Resources Survey was conducted in 2010 for the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area, which is available at SurveyLA’s website.14 Currently, survey results are available to the public for 32 of the City’s 35 Community Plan Areas; the remaining three Community Plan Areas include Central City, Central City North (field surveys are completed and the results are expected to be released in 2016), and Northeast Los Angeles.15 d)
Historic Significance and Integrity i)
Historic Significance The definition of historic significance used by the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) in its administration of the California Register is based upon the definition used by the National Park Service for the National Register: Historic significance is defined as the importance of a property to the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of a community, state, or the nation.16 It is achieved in several ways: •
Association with important events, activities or patterns •
Association with important persons •
Distinctive physical characteristics of design, construction, or form 12 The 2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area Survey results are available on the SurveyLA website: http://preservation.lacity.org/files/Hollywood_CRA_Survey_Report_0.pdf, accessed: July 1, 2015. 13
City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Los Angeles Historic Resources Inventory, website: http://historicplacesla.org, accessed: February 11, 2016. 14
The 2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area Survey results are available on the SurveyLA website: http://preservation.lacity.org/files/Hollywood_CRA_Survey_Report_0.pdf, accessed: July 1, 2015. 15
City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, SurveyLA, Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey, website: http://preservation.lacity.org/where-­‐surveyla, accessed: February 11, 2016. 16 National Register Bulletin 16A. How to Complete the National Register Registration Form, Washington D.C.: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1997. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐10 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles •
March 2016
Potential to yield important information A property may be significant individually or as part of a grouping of properties. ii)
Historic Integrity Historic integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance and is defined as the “authenticity of a property’s historic identity, evidenced by the survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property’s historic period.”17 The National Park Service defines seven aspects of integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. These qualities are defined as follows: •
Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event took place. •
Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property. •
Setting is the physical environment of a historic property. •
Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property. •
Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory. •
Feeling is a property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time. •
Association is the direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property.18 iii)
Period of Significance The National Park Service defines the period of significance as “the length of time when a property was associated with important events, activities or persons, or attained the characteristics which qualify it for… listing” in federal, state or local registers. A period of significance can be “as brief as a single year…[or] span many years.” It is based on “specific events directly related to the significance of the property,” for example the date of construction, years of ownership, or length of operation as a particular entity.19 E.
Identification of Potential Historic Resources Individual properties located on or in the immediate vicinity of the Project Site are examined in the following analysis for the purposes of identifying potential historic resources under CEQA. Properties 17 Ibid., page 3. 18
National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, Washington D.C.: National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, 1995. 19
National Register Bulletin 16A. How to Complete the National Register Registration Form, Washington D.C.: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1997. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐11 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
that were previously evaluated as an historic resource, meet the 50-­‐year age threshold for eligibility on the National Register and/or California Register, or exhibit characteristics or associations known to be significant are reviewed. The context of their previous evaluations, criteria for significance and integrity issues are explored. Photographs of these properties are provided in Figure IV.D-­‐1, Project Site and Adjacent Potential Historic Resources. i)
Project Site 1)
6360 De Longpre Avenue The single-­‐story building at 6360 De Longpre Avenue is L-­‐shaped with masonry walls and a truss roof concealed by a parapet. It also features rectangular bays on its north-­‐ and west-­‐facing facades. The majority of the bays have been filled in and fitted with single doors. No building permits were found, but the Tax Assessor indicates a construction date of 1950. The building appears on the 1906-­‐1955 Sanborn Map which shows “auto sales and services” uses in the leg of the “L” running north-­‐south. The leg running east-­‐west at the south end of the parcel was listed as offices.20 6360-­‐6366 De Longpre Avenue appears to have been constructed primarily for auto sales and service uses and was recently converted more to office use. No prior evaluation has identified this building as historically significant. The building does not appear to be a distinctive example of a type, period, region or method of construction, or the work of a recognized master architect or possessing of high artistic values. The building is not known to have any association with significant historic events or persons. For these reasons, 6360 De Longpre Avenue does not appear to be eligible for listing as a historic resource in the National Register, California Register or as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument and, therefore, is not considered to be a historical resource for the purposes of CEQA. 1)
6322 De Longpre Avenue 6322 De Longpre Avenue is a single-­‐story brick building with a bow truss roof. The building is rectangular with smooth stucco cladding on the north façade. The façade features a curved parapet over a recessed entrance with metal frame glass doors, sidelights and transom. Constructed in 1927 as an auto repair shop, the interior of the building was partitioned in 1938 and 1955 for use as a property shop and photography studio. More recently, it sustained substantial alteration of the façade facing De Longpre Avenue. Recent uses were a yoga studio and café. It is currently being used as creative office and production space. 6322 De Longpre Avenue was evaluated as ineligible for designation in the 2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Survey.21 The building has very poor integrity due to substantial alternation of the north façade. It does not appear to be a distinct example of type, period or style and has no known important historic associations. Because the building has been substantially altered, 6322 De Longpre Avenue does not appear to be eligible for listing as a historic resource in the National Register, California Register, or as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument and, therefore, is not considered to be a historical resource for the purposes of CEQA. 20
Los Angeles Sanborn Map 903A, 1906-­‐1955. 21
Evaluated as ineligible for local, state or national listing or designation (Status Code 6Z). Source: City of Los Angeles Department, Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area Property Index, February 2010, website: http://preservation.lacity.org/files/Hollywood_CRA_Survey_Index_0.pdf, accessed: February 11, 2016. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐12 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
2)
1341 Vine Street 1341 Vine Street is a single-­‐story reinforced concrete building designed in a New Formalist architectural style. The building is rectangular with stucco cladding. Glazed ceramic tile cladding is featured along the south and east elevations. The building features a glass-­‐walled entrance façade facing south, fronted by a colonnade of tapered, inverted piers along the east and south elevations of the building. A folded plate roof along Vine Street, which is now concealed by alterations, originally shaded an unenclosed area. The building was constructed for the Food Giant supermarket chain. The store opened on November 28, 1962 and was the 58th store in the Food Giant chain.22 1341 Vine Street was evaluated for the first time in the 2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Survey. In a draft of the Hollywood Redevelopment Survey, 1341 Vine Street was initially screened as potentially eligible for local listing with a status code of 5S3 or “appears eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.” The Department of Parks and Recreation 523L form prepared in fulfillment of the survey states that 1341 Vine Street is significant within the context of Los Angeles Modernism and the theme of Mid-­‐Century Modern architecture from 1946 – 1964. Recently, the evaluation was changed to a status code of 7R or “Identified in Reconnaissance Level Survey: Not Evaluated,” although the survey did not justify the 7R status code. Constructed in 1962, 1341 Vine Street is over 50 years old at the time of this EIR. The following provides a discussion and background on development of the supermarket property type, the architectural style, and the architect of 1341 Vine Street. It should be noted that 1341 Vine Street was not evaluated in SurveyLA’s Historic Resources Survey as the site was previously evaluated for the CRA/LA in 2009. a)
Supermarket Property Type 1341 Vine Street is an example of a purpose-­‐built supermarket building characteristic of grocery retailing during the mid-­‐20th century. Early twentieth century grocery retailing innovations, the widespread ownership of automobiles, and the consolidating economic forces of the Great Depression were all factors in the development of the “supermarket” as a characteristic American property type of the 20th century. Although the origins of the supermarket are shared by several cities throughout the United States, it was in Los Angeles where the property type was refined and fully developed. The “supermarket” had become commonplace in Southern California by the mid-­‐1930s.23 Led by the Ralphs supermarket chain, a distinctive supermarket property type emerged in Los Angeles that was repeated throughout the region and would soon spread beyond California. The supermarket was typically a single-­‐story rectangular building occupying a portion of a large lot. The building’s primary façade was oriented to the street with large openings facing the sidewalk. This street-­‐facing façade was often highly articulated with architectural detailing in popular period styles. The remainder of the parcel was relegated to surface parking. By the mid-­‐1930s, the portion of land given over to parking increased and the secondary façade facing the parking lot also received enhanced design articulation. 22
Los Angeles Times, “2 Marts Opened by Food Giant,” December 2, 1962, page 16. 23
Richard Longsreth, The Drive-­‐In, the Supermarket, and the Transformation of Commercial Space in Los Angeles, 1914-­‐142, MIT Press, 1999 (33-­‐64). Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐14 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
The proliferation of supermarkets peaked during the 1950s and 1960s, spurred by the post-­‐World War II population boom and suburban expansion. While the standard formula of a stand-­‐alone building, integrated surface parking lot and expansive interior space remained constant, the building was now set back from the street to allow surface parking in front of the building. Building designs became more expressive to attract motorists and differentiate individual supermarket chains in a highly competitive market. Building features such as folded plate, parabolic, and butterfly roofs, projecting canopies and glazed storefronts characterized mid-­‐20th century supermarket architecture. Grocery chains often hired architects to design iconic “signature” prototypes that could be repeated in multiple locations, creating an important branding element for the store. b)
The “New Formalist” Architectural Style 1341 Vine Street features a modernist architectural style with “New Formalist” characteristics applied to a supermarket building. Commonly found in large-­‐scale commercial and civic designs from the late 1950s through the 1970s, New Formalism referenced and abstracted the classical forms and applied ornamentation of historical styles. In Southern California, the style was widely used in the design of office buildings, banks, auditoriums, auto dealerships, and even churches. Character-­‐defining features of New Formalism include symmetrical facades, projecting flat roofs, smooth wall surfaces, stylized colonnades and repeating arches, and perforated cast stone screens or metal grilles. c)
Architect Maxwell Starkman 1341 Vine Street was designed by the office of Los Angeles-­‐based architect Maxwell Starkman (1917–
2004). Starkman moved to Los Angeles in 1950 and worked for the noted modernist architect Richard Neutra. In 1953, Starkman joined architect Fritz Reichl to form Reichl and Starkman Architects. After Reichl's death a few years later, the firm became Maxwell Starkman Associates. Starkman was considered a “developer’s architect”, widely appreciated by investors for his ability to complete projects quickly and return speedy profits.24 Largely adhering to commercial modernist architectural formulas, Starkman’s office capitalized on Southern California’s post-­‐World War II development boom and designed numerous apartment projects, shopping centers, office buildings, hotels and mixed-­‐use projects for various clientele. High profile projects include the Fallbrook Mall in West Hills (1960), the Melodyland Theater in Anaheim (1963), the Sunset Media Tower in Hollywood (1971), Cedars Sinai Medical Offices (1978-­‐1980) and Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance (1987). By 1983, Starkman's firm was ranked 98th in size among Engineering News Record magazine's top 400 firms. d)
Historic Significance of 1341 Vine Street 1341 Vine Street appears to be historically significant as a largely intact example of a mid-­‐20th century supermarket building and an example of New Formalist architecture as applied to a supermarket in Los 24
Oliver, Myrna, “Maxwell Starkman, 82; Architect for Sony Plaza, Museum of Tolerance”, Los Angeles Times January 05, 2004. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐15 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
Angeles.25 The building’s distinctive architectural features include the curtain wall elevations and stylized concrete piers. The piers, projecting slab roof and decorative glazed tile cladding are signature elements of the New Formalist style (refer to Figure IV.D-­‐1, Project Site and Adjacent Potential Historic Resources). The building has sustained several alterations since its construction, including 1994 Northridge earthquake repairs. A folded plate roof originally along the Vine Street elevation shaded an unenclosed area. This portion of the building is now filled in, forming bays with aluminum-­‐framed glazing. The original folded plate roof is now concealed. Despite these alterations, many of the buildings’ character-­‐
defining features remain intact and it continues to convey its historic significance.26 Once ubiquitous throughout Los Angeles, intact examples of mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings are now rare.27 e)
Evaluation for the California Register Eligibility 1341 Vine Street appears to meet the criteria for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources.
Because 1341 Vine Street meets criteria for listing in the California Register, the building is considered to be a historical resource for the purposes of CEQA under California Register Criterion 3 as an intact example of a mid-­‐20th century supermarket building and an example of New Formalist architecture as applied to a supermarket in Los Angeles.28 For property photograph, refer to Figure IV.D-­‐1, Project Site and Adjacent Potential Historic Resources. 1341 Vine Street has retained integrity of location, design, setting, feeling, and association. While integrity of materials and workmanship have been compromised by alterations, the building retains sufficient integrity to convey its significance.29 ii)
Potential Historic Resources Adjacent to the Project Site 1)
1313 Vine Street The AMPAS Pickford Center, south of the Project Site, has been previously evaluated as an individually significant historic resource. It is listed in the Historic Resources Inventory under status code 7N or “needs to be re-­‐evaluated.” According to the former CRA’s Historic Survey Matrix, 1313 Vine Street had been previously evaluated through survey and received a code evaluation of 4S or “may become eligible for listing on the National Register as a separate property.”30 A 1983 survey determined that the building “appeared eligible for the National Register.” The 2010 Hollywood Redevelopment Survey building found 1313 Vine Street eligible for listing in the National Register. For property photograph, refer to Figure IV.D-­‐1, Project Site and Adjacent Potential Historic Resources. 25
Historic Resources Group, Academy Square Historic Resources Analysis, July 2015, page 24. 26
Ibid. 27
Ibid., pages 24-­‐25. 28
Ibid., page 25. 29
Ibid. 30
Status code of 4 would become 7 when a new code system was implemented in 2003.
Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐16 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
a)
Radio and Television Associations 1313 Vine Street was built in 1947 as a radio and television studio facility for Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting.31 It was part of a group of comparable facilities in the immediate area that included the NBC Radio City West complex at Sunset and Vine streets (now demolished), the former ABC/TAV studios located on Vine Street just north of Sunset (façade only remaining), the CBS Columbia Square complex at Sunset and Gower streets, and the former Columbia Studios complex (later used for television production) on the south side of Sunset at Gower. 1313 Vine Street originally contained sound stages and supporting functions for radio and television production and continued to be used as a television studio until the early 1990s. The building was acquired by AIDS Project Los Angeles in the early 1990s and was used as a headquarters for their operations. AIDS Project Los Angeles sold the building to Accord Interests in 2000, and AMPAS acquired the building in 2001. b)
Architectural Associations 1313 Vine Street was designed by noted Los Angeles architect Claud Beelman. It is a good example of the Late Moderne architectural style which incorporated the sweeping horizontal lines and machine-­‐
tooled decorative details of Streamline Moderne and the geometric rigor and smooth surfaces of the International Style. While the earliest examples appeared in the late 1930s, Late Moderne achieved its greatest popularity in large-­‐scale commercial and civic buildings of the late 1940s and 1950s. Character-­‐
defining features of the Late Moderne style include a horizontal emphasis, concrete construction, exposed concrete or stucco, flat roofs, perforated screens, and projecting window frames. Other local architects working in the style include A.C. Martin, Welton Becket, and Stiles O. Clements. Claud Beelman (1884-­‐1963) received the Harvard Scholarship awarded by the Architectural League of America. After working in various cities of the Midwest from 1914-­‐21, he came to Los Angeles and formed a partnership with Alexander Curlett. Throughout his career, Beelman’s works are significant for their high level of quality in design and materials. Over a 35-­‐year span, his buildings represent several architectural styles, having made significant contributions to each. Notable buildings designed by Beelman during the 1930s include: the Hollywood Wilcox Post Office (1937); the Thalberg Administration Building on the MGM Studios (now MGM/Sony) lot in Culver City (1938-­‐39); and the redesign of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Hall on Pershing Square (1938), which has since been demolished. Each of these represent Beelman’s shift from the more flamboyant Art Deco style to the more restrained Moderne, which he would continue to use throughout the 1940s. Between 1950 and his death in 1963, Beelman shifted to the more severe aesthetics of the Corporate Modern style. Major office buildings designed by Beelman include the Superior Oil Building (1953) and the United California Bank Tower (1957), both in downtown Los Angeles; and the Occidental Petroleum building in Westwood (1961). c)
Historic Integrity Historic photographs of 1313 Vine Street show that the Vine Street façade originally incorporated two large display windows on the projecting bays flanking the central courtyard. These windows have since been removed. The building has also been subject to numerous alterations of the original interior spaces used for radio and television production. Many exterior features, however, particularly on the 31
Department of Parks and Recreation Historic Resources Inventory form, 1980. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐17 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
iconic Vine Street façade, remain intact. These character-­‐defining features include32 the U-­‐shaped building plan, overall simplicity of form and details, recessed entry courtyard, porthole pierced columns, entrance canopy, rectangular-­‐pierced decorative screens, casement ribbon windows, scoring on concrete walls, decorative concrete garden walls, terraced garden beds, exterior decorative cast iron and decorative stair railings. d)
Historic Significance 1313 Vine Street appears to be significant for its associations with the entertainment industry in Hollywood and for its distinctive design and form. Recognized as one of the oldest extant structures in Hollywood that was specifically designed for television production,33 1313 Vine Street is significant for its association with the development of radio and television broadcasting as an important component of the entertainment industry in Hollywood. It is also significant as a notable example of the Late Moderne architectural style and as a representative example of the work of architect Claud Beelman, who is recognized today as one of the leading Los Angeles architects of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. e)
Evaluation for the California Register Eligibility 1313 Vine Street appears to be significant under California Register Criterion 1 for its association with the development of radio and television broadcasting as an important component of the entertainment industry in Hollywood.34 Constructed in 1947, it is one of the oldest structures extant in Hollywood that was specifically designed for television production, and is a rare example of Hollywood’s early ascendance as an important center for television production. 1313 Vine Street also appears to be significant under California Register Criterion 3 as representative of the work of leading Los Angeles architect Claud Beelman. It is a fine example of the Late Moderne style and a rare example of Beelman’s mid-­‐career work.35 Integrity of design has been compromised due to the removal of two distinctive display windows on the Vine Street façade. The majority of character-­‐defining features, however, remain intact. 1313 Vine Street has also retained integrity of materials, workmanship, feeling, association, and location.36 For these reasons, 1313 Vine Street appears to be eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Places. Because 1313 Vine Street meets the criteria for listing in the California Register, the building is considered to be a historical resource for the purposes of CEQA. It should be noted that while 1313 Vine Street is located close to the Project Site, its eligibility for the California Register is evaluated in this EIR because the significance of a historical resource is materially impaired and constitutes a substantial adverse change in the significance of that historical resource, if the Project would materially alter the immediate surroundings of the historical resource such that (a) it could no longer be listed in, or be eligible for listing in, the California Register or (b) it could no longer be included in a local register of 32
Identified by Chattel Architecture, Historic Resource Impacts Evaluation Studio Center, Mutual-­‐Don Lee Broadcasting System Building, December 15, 2000.
33
Los Angeles Times, “Mutual-­‐Don Lee Ground Broken,” March 20, 1947.
34
Historic Resources Group, Academy Square Historic Resources Analysis, July 2015, page 30. 35
Ibid. 36
Ibid. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐18 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
historical resources or identified as an historical resource in an historical resource survey.37 Furthermore, as discussed below, the Project would have no impact to the integrity or significance of 1313 Vine Street after implementation. The 1313 Vine Street property would remain intact and continue to convey its historic significance. 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS A.
Thresholds of Significance i)
Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines In accordance with guidance provided in Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines, the Project could have a significant impact on cultural resources if it were to: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines. b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines. c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geological feature. d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries. ii)
City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide e) As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, the determination of significance shall be made on a case-­‐by-­‐case basis, considering the following factors: f)
i)
Whether, or the degree to which, the project might result in the permanent loss of, or loss of access to, a paleontological resource; and ii)
Whether the paleontological resource is of regional or statewide significance. As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide 2006, a project would normally have a significant impact upon archaeological resources if it could disturb, damage, or degrade an archaeological resource or its setting that is found to be important under the criteria of CEQA because it: i)
Is associated with an event or person of recognized importance in California or American prehistory or of recognized scientific importance in prehistory; ii)
Can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable archaeological research questions; iii)
Has a special or particular quality, such as the oldest, best, largest, or last surviving example of its kind; 37
CEQA Guidelines, section 15064.5(b) (1). Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐19 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
iv)
Is at least 100-­‐years-­‐old38 and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity; or v)
Involves important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods. g) As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide 2006, a project would normally have a significant impact on historical resources if it would result in a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource. A substantial adverse change in significance occurs if the project involves: B.
•
Demolition of a significant resource; •
Relocation that does not maintain the integrity and significance of a significant resource; •
Conversion, rehabilitation, or alteration of a significant resource which does not conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; or •
Construction that reduces the integrity or significance of important resources on the site or in the vicinity. Project Impacts Threshold (a): The Project could have a significant impact on cultural resources if it were to cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Impact (a): The Project would have a significant impact on a cultural resource with demolition of 1341 Vine Street building, which meets the criteria for listing in the California Register and, thus, is considered to be a historic resource as defined in State CEQA Guidelines. 1341 Vine Street appears to be historically significant as a largely intact example of a mid-­‐20th century supermarket building and an example of New Formalist architecture as applied to a supermarket in Los Angeles. Once ubiquitous throughout Los Angeles, intact examples of mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings are increasingly rare with only a handful remaining today.39 1341 Vine Street appears to be significant under California Register Criterion 3 as an intact example of a mid-­‐20th century supermarket building and an example of New Formalist architecture as applied to a supermarket in Los Angeles. 1341 Vine Street has retained integrity of location, design, setting, feeling, and association and is considered to be a historic resource under CEQA. Therefore, the demolition of 1341 Vine Street (supermarket structure) would remove a historic resource and impacts would be significant. 38
Although the CEQA criteria state that "important archaeological resources" are those which are at least 100 years old, the California Register provides that any site found eligible for nomination to the National Register will automatically be included within the California Register and subject to all protections thereof. The National Register requires that a site or structure be at least 50 years old. 39
Historic Resources Group, Academy Square Historic Resources Analysis, July 2015, pages 24-­‐25. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐20 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
Threshold (b): The Project could have a significant impact on cultural resources if it were to cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Impact (b): The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of archeological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant. As previously discussed, the results of the archaeological records search indicate there is one archaeological site located within a 0.5-­‐mile radius of the Project Site. No archaeological survey has been conducted for the Project Site. Construction activities would involve excavation of the Project Site to the depth of 45 to 50 feet below existing grade in order to construct the four-­‐level subterranean parking structure and foundation elements of the Project, thereby creating a potential to disturb any undiscovered archaeological resources. If a unique archaeological resource were to be discovered during construction of the Project, work shall cease in the area of the find until a qualified archaeologist has evaluated the find in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in PRC Section 21083.2. Personnel of the Project shall not collect or move any archaeological materials and associated materials. Construction activity may continue unimpeded on other portions of the Project Site. The found deposit would be treated in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in PRC Section 21083.2. Compliance with these regulatory requirements would ensure potentially significant impacts do not result. Therefore, impacts on archaeological resources would be less than significant. Threshold (c): The Project could have a significant impact on cultural resources if it were to directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geological feature. Impact (c): The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of paleontological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts associated with paleontological resources would be less than significant. Surface deposits throughout the Project Site and surrounding area consist of soil on top of terrestrial older Quaternary Alluvium derived as alluvial fan deposits from the Hollywood Hills to the north. The upper layers of these deposits in the area typically do not contain significant fossil vertebrate remains. Findings of the paleontological resource records search (from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) revealed that there are no known fossil records associated with the Project Site; however, four vertebrate fossil localities, LACM 6297-­‐6300, were collected from depths between 47 and 80 feet below the surface from nearby locations. In the Rancho La Brea and Hancock Park region, fossil vertebrates have been recovered at shallower depths. The paleontological resource records search concluded that shallow excavations in the older Quaternary Alluvium would be unlikely uncover significant vertebrate fossils. Moreover, there are no known paleontological resource sites known by the City to exist at or immediately surrounding the Project Site.40 Thus, also given the highly urbanized setting of the Project Site and the distances from the Project Site to known deposit sites, the presence of paleontological resources at the Project Site is not anticipated. However, deeper excavations that extend down into older deposits may encounter significant vertebrate. The Project could require 40
City of Los Angeles, Citywide General Plan Framework Final Environmental Impact Report, certified August 2001, Figure CR-­‐2, Vertebrate Paleontological Resources in the City of Los Angeles. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐21 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
excavation to a depth of 45 to 50 feet below the existing grade to construct the four-­‐level parking structure and foundation elements. If paleontological resources are discovered during excavation and grading activities, the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety shall be notified immediately, and all work shall cease in the area of the find until a qualified paleontologist evaluates the find. Construction activity may continue unimpeded on other portions of the Project Site. The paleontologist shall determine the location, the time frame, and the extent to which any monitoring of earthmoving activities shall be required. The found deposits would be treated in accordance with federal, State, and local guidelines, including those set forth in PRC Section 21083.2. Compliance with these regulatory requirements would ensure potentially significant impacts do not result. Therefore, impacts on paleontological resources would be less than significant. Threshold (d): The Project could have a significant impact on cultural resources if it were to disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries. Impact (d): The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of human remains below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to human remains would be less than significant. No known human burials have been identified on the Project Site or within recorded resources located in the vicinity. (See also the analysis of archaeological resources above.) The Project would require excavation to potential depth of 45 to 50 feet below the existing grade to construct the four-­‐level parking structure and foundation elements of the Project. As such, it is possible that human remains could be discovered during construction activities. Since human remains could be located subsurface, impacts to these resources would be unknown until encountered during excavation. However, if human remains are encountered unexpectedly during construction demolition and/or grading activities, State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that work shall stop immediately and no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to PRC Section 5097.98. If the remains are determined to be of Native American descent, the Coroner has 24 hours to notify the NAHC, and the NAHC will immediately notify the person it believes to be the most likely descendent. The most likely descendent has 48 hours to make recommendations to the Applicant, or representative, for the treatment or disposition, with proper dignity, of the human remains and grave goods. If the Applicant does not accept the descendant’s recommendations, the Applicant or the descendent may request mediation by the NAHC. Compliance with these regulatory requirements would ensure potentially significant impacts do not result. Therefore, impacts on human remains would be less than significant. Threshold (e): As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide 2006, the determination of significance shall be made on a case-­‐by-­‐case basis, considering the following factors: i) Whether, or the degree to which, the project might result in the permanent loss of, or loss of access to, a paleontological resource; and ii) Whether the paleontological resource is of regional or statewide significance. Impact (e): The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of paleontological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to paleontological resources would be less than significant. The impact for this threshold would be identical to that which is described under Impact (c) above. Please see that discussion. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐22 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
As discussed under Impact (c), the Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of paleontological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to paleontological resources would be less than significant. Threshold (f): As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide 2006, a project would normally have a significant impact upon archaeological resources if it could disturb, damage, or degrade an archaeological resource or its setting that is found to be important under the criteria of CEQA because it: i) Is associated with an event or person of recognized importance in California or American prehistory or of recognized scientific importance in prehistory; ii) Can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable archaeological research questions; iii) Has a special or particular quality, such as the oldest, best, largest, or last surviving example of its kind; iv) Is at least 100-­‐years-­‐old and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity; or v) Involves important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods. Impact (f): The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of archeological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant. The impact for this threshold would be identical to that which is described under Impact (b) above. Please see that discussion. As discussed under Impact (b), The Project would involve deep excavation into soils where there is potential for the existence of archeological resources below the Project Site. However, with compliance with regulatory requirements, impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant. Threshold (g): As set forth in the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide 2006, a project would normally have a significant impact on historical resources if it would result in a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource. A substantial adverse change in significance occurs if the project involves: -­‐ Demolition of a significant resource; -­‐ Relocation that does not maintain the integrity and significance of a significant resource; -­‐ Conversion, rehabilitation, or alteration of a significant resource which does not conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; or -­‐ Construction that reduces the integrity or significance of important resources on the site or in the vicinity. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐23 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
Impact (g): The Project would have a significant impact on a historical resource with demolition of the 1341 Vine Street structure that meets the criteria for listing in the California Register and, thus, is considered to be a historical resource as defined in State CEQA Guidelines. i)
Demolition of a significant resource The Project would demolish all three existing buildings located on the Project Site. Because the Project would demolish the historically significant supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street, the Project would involve the demolition of a significant historical resource. (Also see discussion under Impact (a) above.) Therefore, the demolition of 1341 Vine Street (supermarket structure) would remove a historical resource and impacts would be significant. ii)
Relocation that does not maintain the integrity and significance of a significant resource Relocation of the 1341 Vine Street building was considered and rejected because dismantling the existing building would likely damage substantial portions of the wood and steel framing. A licensed structural engineer evaluated the feasibility of relocating the 1341 Vine Street Building and determined that it would be infeasible.41 As such, the Project does not include the relocation of any significant historical resource. All buildings located on the Project Site, including the supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street, would be demolished as part of the Project. Therefore, the demolition of 1341 Vine Street (supermarket structure) would remove a historical resource and impacts would be significant. Conversion, rehabilitation, or alteration of a significant resource which does not conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings The Project would not convert, rehabilitate, or alter any building. All buildings located on the Project Site, including the historically significant supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street, would be demolished. Therefore, the demolition of 1341 Vine Street (supermarket structure) would remove a historical resource and impacts would be significant. iii)
Construction that reduces the integrity or significance of important resources on the site or in the vicinity The Project would demolish the supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street The Project does not include the demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of any other historical resource in the vicinity of the Project Site. The development of the Project has the potential, however, to alter the immediate surroundings of the AMPAS Pickford Center at 1313 Vine Street. As discussed above, the significance of a historical resource is materially impaired and constitutes a substantial adverse change in the significance of that historical resource, if the project would materially alter the immediate surroundings of the historical resource such that (a) it could no longer be listed in, or be eligible for listing in, the 41
Correspondence from Craig M. Chamerlain, S.E., Nishkian Chamberlain, Structural Review Report – “Big Lots (aka Buzzfeed)” Building, April 20, 2015. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐24 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
California Register or (b) it could no longer be included in a local register of historical resources or identified as an historical resource in an historical resource survey.42 In addition, the LA CEQA Thresholds Guide states that if “new construction is proposed, give key consideration to compatibility with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the historical resource(s). Determine the impacts to the setting and character of the area as well as whether the new construction might indirectly reduce the viability of a district or grouping of historical resources.” Because the Project would add height and density in an area currently developed with single-­‐story buildings, surface parking and landscape areas, the immediate surroundings of 1313 Vine Street would be altered. The Project would not affect the integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, or feeling of the 1313 Vine Street property. The building, its parking lot and landscape areas would remain intact in their current locations and would not be materially altered. For these reasons, integrity of association would also remain unaffected by the Project because all of the existing physical elements would continue to convey the property’s important historic associations after implementation of the Project. The integrity of setting for the 1313 Vine Street property would not be affected by the Project. 1313 Vine Street occupies a full city block that provides the majority of the property’s setting and this block would not be altered by the Project. In addition, the blocks surrounding 1313 Vine Street, including the Project site, have been substantially altered since the construction of 1313 Vine Street building so that the property’s original physical context no longer exists. The 1313 Vine Street building is located on the east end of the adjacent block to the south of the Project Site, fronting Vine Street. The proposed new construction on the east side of the Project Site is compatible in scale and massing to 1313 Vine Street. However, the proposed Building B would be located at the in the southeastern corner of the Project Site. The maximum building envelope for Building B would reach up to 118 feet high, which would be substantially taller than the approximately 30-­‐foot 1313 Vine Street building. However, the Building B would be physically separated from the AMPAS Pickford building by Homewood Avenue. This separation would effectively buffer the 1313 Vine Street property from any encroachment by the new construction associated with the Project. The Project would have no impact to the integrity or significance of 1313 Vine Street after implementation. The 1313 Vine Street property would remain intact and continue to convey its historic significance. Therefore, the Project would not alter the setting or surroundings of the 1313 Vine Street property in a manner that would reduce its integrity or historic significance. Therefore, impacts to surrounding historical resources would be less than significant. 4.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS A.
Paleontological Resources The study area for cumulative impacts to paleontological resource is the extent of the related project sites (as listed in Section III, Environmental Setting). In this area, Project construction activities would be very unlikely to impact paleontological resources at the Project Site due to the subsurface materials at 42
CEQA Guidelines, section 15064.5(b) (1). Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐25 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
the Project Site, the urbanized setting of the Project Site, and the distances from the Project Site to known paleontological resources. Development of the related projects could have impacts if paleontological resources were found during construction activities. However, it is unknown whether or not significant resources will be found. The potential for an individual project to affect significant paleontological resources is unknown, but given the number of related projects, it is probable that development of the related projects could have impacts on significant paleontological resources. Nonetheless, the Project’s compliance with regulatory requirements would avoid Project-­‐related impacts related to paleontological resources. This includes monitoring, recovery, treatment, and deposit of fossil remains in a recognized repository. The incremental effects of the Project would not contribute to a significant cumulative impact on paleontological resources. B.
Archaeological Resources The study area for cumulative impacts to archaeological resource is the extent of the related project sites (as listed in Section III, Environmental Setting). In this area, Project construction activities could disturb or destroy previously unknown archaeological resources and, thereby, contribute to the progressive loss of these resources. Development of the related projects could have impacts if archaeological resources were found during construction activities. However, it is unknown whether or not significant resources will be found. The potential for an individual project to affect significant archaeological resources is unknown, but given the number of related projects, it is probable that development of the related projects could have impacts on significant archaeological resources. Nonetheless, the Project would not contribute to a cumulative impact related to archaeological resources. The Project’s compliance with regulatory requirements would avoid Project-­‐related impacts related to archaeological resources. Regulatory requirements include monitoring, treatment of any discovered cultural resources, preparation of a final report, and curation of discovered materials in an approved facility. The incremental effects of the Project would not contribute to a significant cumulative impact on archaeological resources. Therefore, all project-­‐related impacts would be less than significant, and the Project’s contribution to significant cumulative impacts would be less than cumulative considerable. C.
Historic Resources Section 15355 of the State CEQA Guidelines states: “Cumulative impacts” refer to two or more individual effects which, when considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts. (a) The individual effects may be changes resulting from a single project or a number of separate projects. (b) The cumulative impact from several projects is the change in the environment which results from the incremental impact of the project when added to other closely related past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant projects taking place over a period of time. For an analysis of cumulative impacts, the collection of intact mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings throughout Los Angeles was considered. Additional recent or proposed demolition or alteration of similar supermarket buildings in Los Angeles may result in a cumulative impact. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐26 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
Commonplace throughout Los Angeles during from the mid-­‐1950s through the 1970s, intact supermarket buildings that exhibit the design characteristics associated with the mid-­‐20th century are relatively rare today. In general, commercial retail buildings are often renovated or redesigned to adapt to changes in population, demographics, retailing trends and technology. The exact number of intact mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings in Los Angeles is not known but the results of recent historic resources surveys made available by the City of Los Angeles does give a good indication of what is existing, as discussed below. The Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources maintains a public website for SurveyLA, a citywide survey to identify and document historic resources representing significant themes in the City’s history. SurveyLA is ongoing but the survey results for 32 of the City’s 35 Community Plan Areas are available to the public. In addition to the SurveyLA data, the Office of Historic Preservation has also provided data from other recent surveys conducted by the City or the former Community Redevelopment Agency.43 SurveyLA has identified four mid-­‐century supermarkets that appear eligible for historic designation as representative examples of property type and/or architectural style. All four were found eligible for listing in the California Register. Historic Resources Group is aware of one other mid-­‐century supermarket building located in Highland Park, which has not yet been identified through SurveyLA, but also appears to meet criteria for local listing. SurveyLA has also identified one mid-­‐ 20th century supermarket property, the Tresierras Supermarket in Pacoima, which was found significant as a longstanding business within the community and not as a representative example of property type or architectural style. Because this property was found eligible under a separate context than that of the supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street, it is not relevant to this discussion. In addition to the mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings, three small neighborhood market buildings from the mid-­‐20th century were also identified through SurveyLA as representative examples of a property type. These smaller markets are not analogous to the supermarket property type but are included here as a point of reference. A list of the mid-­‐20th century market buildings identified through recent survey is included in Appendix D. In summary, only four mid-­‐20th century supermarkets have been identified through SurveyLA. Historic Resources Group is aware of one other example. Although survey results for 10 additional Community Plan Areas are forthcoming, it is unlikely that a large number of additional properties will be discovered through the survey process, and it is fair to say that the total number will ultimately be fairly small given the size of the City. Despite the small number, because there are no foreseeable demolitions or alterations of mid-­‐20th century supermarket buildings in Los Angeles, the Project would not result in a cumulative impact. 5.
MITIGATION MEASURES The following mitigation measures (MM) are recommended: MM CUL-­‐a1 Prior to demolition of the supermarket building at 1341 Vine Street, the building shall be documented according to Historic American Building Survey standards to include large format photography, measured drawings and written narrative. 43
SurveyLA, website: http://www.preservation.lacity.org/surveyfiles/Hollywood_CRA_Survey_Report_0.pdf, accessed: March 6, 2015. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐27 IV.D. Cultural Resources City of Los Angeles March 2016
Copies of the documentation shall be offered to Hollywood Heritage, the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Los Angeles Public Library and the South Central Coast Information Center at California State University, Fullerton. MM CUL-­‐a2 Require the Project applicant to allow local preservation organizations and historical societies to document the 1341 Vine Street building and/or remove significant historic elements for archives. 6.
LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION However, even with implementation of mitigation measures MM CUL-­‐a1 and MM CUL-­‐a2, for the demolition of 1341 Vine Street, impacts associated with historical resources would be significant and unavoidable. Academy Square Project Page IV.D-­‐28 IV.D. Cultural Resources