Virginia Robinson Gardens Roadway and Parking Renovation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024110814
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation
Document Title
Virginia Robinson Gardens Roadway and Parking Renovation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/22/2024
Document Description
The proposed project is located at Virginia Robinson Gardens (Robinson Gardens), a 6.15-acre historic residence and botanic garden located at 1008 Elden Way in the City of Beverly Hills. The Robinson Gardens were originally built for Harry and Virginia Robinson in 1911, and Virginia Robinson deeded the property to the County of Los Angeles in 1974 for public enjoyment as an arboretum garden. The gardens surrounding the buildings contain an exotic range of plants and house one of the largest King Palm collections in the United States.
Robinson Gardens is on a hilltop surrounded by a residential community with public access served by a narrow single driveway. Over the past several years, storm events have significantly damaged roadways, parking areas, and a retaining wall. This infrastructure must be repaired to prevent more significant and costly damage. A 2023 feasibility study determined that a renovation was required to maintain safe public access.
The proposed project will renovate portions of the existing asphalt paved roadway and parking lot; replace an existing retaining wall; enhance existing drainage; and remodel related amenities.
Contact Information
Name
Jui Ing Chien
Agency Name
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
Job Title
Park Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Beverly Hills
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15301(d), 15302(c) and 15331
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed project, which includes the renovation of existing paved roadway and parking lot; the replacement of an existing retaining wall; the enhancement of existing drainage; and the remodeling of related amenities, is within certain classes of projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment in that it meets the criteria set forth in sections 15301 (d),15302(c) and 15331 of the State CEQA Guidelines and Classes 1 (c) and 2(e) of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G.
The proposed project involves restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety; replacement of existing structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity; and maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (1995), Weeks and Grimmer.
Based on the proposed project records, it will comply with all applicable regulations. There are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indications that they may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemption inapplicable.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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