Project Homekey – Avenue Hotel, Los Angeles

2022020304

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

2/14/2022

2/14/2022

Elizabeth Ben-Ishai

Chief Executive Office – Homeless Initiative

Principal Analyst

Lead/Public Agency

Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Room 754
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 974-2566

EBen-Ishai@ceo.lacounty.gov

Vermont Ave and Oakwood Ave

90004

Avenue Hotel, 321 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004

Emergency Project

Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(c)

The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 73-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing. The hotel was built in 1989, recently renovated between 2017 and 2019. The most recent remodel included an update of all fire and security systems as well as finishes for each unit. The second-floor laundry room will be reconfigured for eight residential washers and dryers (1 washer and dryer per 10 units) for one central laundry room for the development. The ice-cubby and partial storage area will be adapted to be a new unit on each residential floor. The additional 3 units will bring the total unit count to 76 units, of which 75 will be for chronically homeless households and one manager’s unit. All units will vary in size: approximately between 300 and 500 square feet. Each unit will be reconfigured to include new kitchens in each unit, ADA mobility upgrades to an additional eight units for a total of 11 mobility units, and audio/visual upgrades for seven units. The regularity of the unit layout will make kitchen renovations consistent and easily executable across room types. All unit and common area will be renovated to include fire sprinklers and ensure compliance with all applicable building codes. Common areas on the first floor will be adapted to include one property management office, four supportive service offices, a community room, and retain a lobby and secured entryway. The parking area will be adapted to include a long-term bicycle parking storage area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use, and 15332 (Infill Development) because the Project is urban in-fill development that is consistent with the applicable general plan and zoning, is within in a city on a site of no more than five acres, has no value as habitat, will not result in significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality and will be adequately served by existing utilities and public services. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Class 1 of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, and is not in a sensitive environment and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste site lists compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.

Categorical Exemption

Class 1 (Existing Facilities) Guidelines Sec. 15301 and Class 32 (Infill Development) Guidelines Sec. 15332.

The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 73-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing. The hotel was built in 1989, recently renovated between 2017 and 2019. The most recent remodel included an update of all fire and security systems as well as finishes for each unit. The second-floor laundry room will be reconfigured for eight residential washers and dryers (1 washer and dryer per 10 units) for one central laundry room for the development. The ice-cubby and partial storage area will be adapted to be a new unit on each residential floor. The additional 3 units will bring the total unit count to 76 units, of which 75 will be for chronically homeless households and one manager’s unit. All units will vary in size: approximately between 300 and 500 square feet. Each unit will be reconfigured to include new kitchens in each unit, ADA mobility upgrades to an additional eight units for a total of 11 mobility units, and audio/visual upgrades for seven units. The regularity of the unit layout will make kitchen renovations consistent and easily executable across room types. All unit and common area will be renovated to include fire sprinklers and ensure compliance with all applicable building codes. Common areas on the first floor will be adapted to include one property management office, four supportive service offices, a community room, and retain a lobby and secured entryway. The parking area will be adapted to include a long-term bicycle parking storage area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use, and 15332 (Infill Development) because the Project is urban in-fill development that is consistent with the applicable general plan and zoning, is within in a city on a site of no more than five acres, has no value as habitat, will not result in significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality and will be adequately served by existing utilities and public services. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Class 1 of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, and is not in a sensitive environment and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste site lists compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.

Statutory Exemption

Gov. Code Sec. 65650, et seq.; Pub. Res. Code Sec. 21080.50 & 21080.27

The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 73-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing. The hotel was built in 1989, recently renovated between 2017 and 2019. The most recent remodel included an update of all fire and security systems as well as finishes for each unit. The second-floor laundry room will be reconfigured for eight residential washers and dryers (1 washer and dryer per 10 units) for one central laundry room for the development. The ice-cubby and partial storage area will be adapted to be a new unit on each residential floor. The additional 3 units will bring the total unit count to 76 units, of which 75 will be for chronically homeless households and one manager’s unit. All units will vary in size: approximately between 300 and 500 square feet. Each unit will be reconfigured to include new kitchens in each unit, ADA mobility upgrades to an additional eight units for a total of 11 mobility units, and audio/visual upgrades for seven units. The regularity of the unit layout will make kitchen renovations consistent and easily executable across room types. All unit and common area will be renovated to include fire sprinklers and ensure compliance with all applicable building codes. Common areas on the first floor will be adapted to include one property management office, four supportive service offices, a community room, and retain a lobby and secured entryway. The parking area will be adapted to include a long-term bicycle parking storage area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use, and 15332 (Infill Development) because the Project is urban in-fill development that is consistent with the applicable general plan and zoning, is within in a city on a site of no more than five acres, has no value as habitat, will not result in significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality and will be adequately served by existing utilities and public services. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Class 1 of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, and is not in a sensitive environment and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste site lists compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.