The City of Los Angeles (City), care of the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering (BOE), is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed project. The proposed project would demolish the Celes King III Indoor Pool building and pool (Celes King III Pool) and convert the site into a community front lawn and playground area.
The City is requesting input from public agencies on the scope and content of the environmental information relevant to that agency’s statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project, in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15082(b). Public agencies may need to use the EIR when considering any permit or other approval that that agency must issue for the proposed project. In addition, the City requests comments from other interested parties, stakeholders, and the general public on the scope of the environmental issues related to the proposed project.
The Scoping Comment Period began on June 21, 2018 and concluded on July 20, 2018.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The proposed project would conduct required hazardous materials abatement, drain water from the existing Celes King III Pool, and demolish the Celes King III Pool building. Following demolition, construction activities would include infill of the pool pit, rough grading of the site, utility installations, landscaping and hardscaping, and installation of playground and shade structures.
PROJECT LOCATION:
The project site consists of the Celes King III Indoor Pool and is located in the southeast quadrant of the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex at 5001 Rodeo Road in the West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Community of the City of Los Angeles. The project site is bounded by a paved surface parking lot to the west, a tennis shop to the north, tennis courts to the east, and Rodeo Road to the south. Generally, the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex is bounded by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Expo Line light rail transit system to the north (along Exposition Boulevard), Dorsey High School to the east, residential land uses to the south across Rodeo Road, and commercial uses to the west. Regional access to the project area is provided via Interstate 10 (I-10) and Interstate 405 (I-405). The project site is served by Rodeo Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the south, La Brea Avenue to the west, Exposition Boulevard to the north, and Farmdale Avenue to the east.
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS:
An analysis of potential environmental effects is provided in the Initial Study Checklist prepared for the proposed project. Potential impacts associated with the proposed project may include: Air Quality; Cultural Resources; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Noise; Transportation/Traffic; and Tribal Cultural Resources.
PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING:
A public scoping meeting was held to obtain input on the scope and contents of the EIR, as well as to present information on the proposed project design. This meeting will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, at Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, Ira C. Massey Child Care Center, 5001 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, California 90016.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
The Notice of Preparation/Initial Study (NOP/IS) was made available for a 30-day public review period, commencing on June 21, 2018 and concluding on July 20, 2018. The comment review period is closed. The NOP/IS is available for review at the link below:
Rancho Cienega Celes King III Pool Demolition Project
A Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is available for review for the proposed Rancho Cienega Celes King III Pool Demolition Project (proposed project) located in the southeast quadrant of the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex at 5001 Obama Boulevard in the West Adams-Baldwin Hills – Leimert Community of the City of Los Angeles. The proposed project includes the demolition of the existing Celes King III Pool building and installation of a playground and landscaping on the site. The proposed project would conduct required hazardous materials abatement, drain water from the existing Celes King III Pool, and demolish the Celes King III Pool building. Following demolition, construction activities would include infill of the pool pit, rough grading of the site, utility installations, landscaping and hardscaping, and installation of playground and shade structures. The proposed playground would be centrally located in the southern portion of the project site, where the existing Celes King III Pool building is currently located. The surface of the playground would consist of soil rubber material. Proposed playground equipment would include a jungle gym and swings, or similar play structures. Benches would be provided within and around the playground area. The lawn area would be located to the north of the playground area and would include landscaped elements. Trees, hedges, and planters would be located throughout the project site. The design of the community front lawn and playground would incorporate lighting and other security measures. Demolition and construction activities would last approximately 12 months. Following construction, the community front lawn and playground area would be passive recreation uses.
The Draft EIR identifies less than significant impacts for air quality; greenhouse gas emissions; and transportation and traffic. Impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials; construction noise; and tribal cultural resources would be less than significant
with the implementation of mitigation measures. Implementation of the proposed Project would result in significant impacts to a historical resource. With implementation of mitigation measures, the impact to a historical resource (Celes King III Pool building) would be reduced but would remain significant and unavoidable.
The copy of the Draft EIR is available for review at the following locations:
- Baldwin Hills Branch Library, 2906 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90016
- Jefferson/Wright Memorial Branch Library, 2211 W Jefferson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90018
- Council District 10 Office, 1819 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006
- City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering, EMG, 1149 South Broadway, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90015
A copy of the EIR can also be accessed online at: Rancho Cienega Celes King III Pool Demolition Project
The 45-day public review period starts March 28, 2019 and ends May 13, 2019.
Comments must be received in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 13, 2019 by e-mailing to Shokoufe.Marashi@lacity.org (please include “Celes King III Pool Project” in the subject line), or by mail to:
City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Bureau of Engineering, EMG
Attn: Shokoufe Marashi
1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Mail Stop 939
Los Angeles, CA 90015
A public meeting will be held during the Draft EIR public review period to solicit comments from interested parties on the content of the Draft EIR. This meeting will be held at the following date, time, and location:
Thursday, April 11, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Rancho Cienega Sports Complex
Ira C. Massey Child Care Center
5001 Obama Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90016
If you have any questions, please contact Shokoufe Marashi at (213) 485-5759 or via
e-mail Shokoufe.Marashi@lacity.org (Include Rancho Cienega Celes King III
Demolition Project in the Subject Line).
|
Report |
Review Status | Public Review Period |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Preparation | Closed | |
| Initial Study | Closed | |
|
Environmental Impact Report |
Closed | |
| Appendices | ||
| APPENDIX A Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, and Comments Received on the Notice of Preparation | ||
| APPENDIX B Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Analysis Technical Memorandum, AECOM, March 2019 | ||
| APPENDIX C Cultural Resources Assessment, July 2018 | ||
| APPENDIX D Noise and Vibration Impact Study, August 2018 | ||
| APPENDIX E Traffic Impact Analysis, KOA Corporation, March 2019 |