Project Homekey – Ramona Motel, Los Angeles

2022020327

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

2/15/2022

2/15/2022

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

Jefferson Blvd and 12th Ave

90018

Ramona Motel, 3211 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018

Emergency Project

Pub. Res. Code Sec. 21080(b)(4); Guidelines Sec. 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 contains 19 units (studio rooms) and a manager’s unit (1 bedroom apartment). It was built in 1947, and has since had subsequent work done, including addition of storage and laundry area to north of the building, upgraded electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems over the years. The Project will be used for interim housing. The renovation scope of work includes repair of the roof, electrical system, plumbing system, water heater replacements, HVAC system replacements and parking lot resurfacing. The renovation scope also adds ADA units and adaption of some areas to meet the needs of for the future operators use. Other renovation items include fire extinguishers, exterior lighting, security camera system, ADA path of travel, removal of property blade sign, reconfigure the storage area and provide area for trash container, install landscaping along the southern end of the property facing Jefferson Blvd, installation of fencing for security and automatic gates for access to the parking area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65660 et seq., because it will be a "low barrier navigation center", 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 interim 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 contains 19 units (studio rooms) and a manager’s unit (1 bedroom apartment). It was built in 1947, and has since had subsequent work done, including addition of storage and laundry area to north of the building, upgraded electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems over the years. The Project will be used for interim housing. The renovation scope of work includes repair of the roof, electrical system, plumbing system, water heater replacements, HVAC system replacements and parking lot resurfacing. The renovation scope also adds ADA units and adaption of some areas to meet the needs of for the future operators use. Other renovation items include fire extinguishers, exterior lighting, security camera system, ADA path of travel, removal of property blade sign, reconfigure the storage area and provide area for trash container, install landscaping along the southern end of the property facing Jefferson Blvd, installation of fencing for security and automatic gates for access to the parking area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65660 et seq., because it will be a "low barrier navigation center", 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 interim 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. 65660, et seq., Pub. Res. Code Sec. 21080.27 & 21080.50

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 contains 19 units (studio rooms) and a manager’s unit (1 bedroom apartment). It was built in 1947, and has since had subsequent work done, including addition of storage and laundry area to north of the building, upgraded electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems over the years. The Project will be used for interim housing. The renovation scope of work includes repair of the roof, electrical system, plumbing system, water heater replacements, HVAC system replacements and parking lot resurfacing. The renovation scope also adds ADA units and adaption of some areas to meet the needs of for the future operators use. Other renovation items include fire extinguishers, exterior lighting, security camera system, ADA path of travel, removal of property blade sign, reconfigure the storage area and provide area for trash container, install landscaping along the southern end of the property facing Jefferson Blvd, installation of fencing for security and automatic gates for access to the parking area. The Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65660 et seq., because it will be a "low barrier navigation center", 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 interim 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.