SR-111296-6C
Contract 6563 eCCS) 6C
PCD SF OS f /share/ccreportlsmscon NOV 1 2 1996
COUNCIL MEETING November 12. 1996 Santa MOnica, California
TO Mayor and City Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT RecommendatIon to Award a Contract to Impact SCiences, Inc for
Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report on the Santa MOnica StudiOS
Project
INTRODUCTION
This staff report recommends that Impact SCiences, Inc be awarded a contract In the
amount of $69,535, With a 20% contmgency. to prepare an EnvIronmental Impact Report
on the Santa MOnica StudiOS project proposed by Santa MOnica StudiOS (3025 OlympiC
Boulevard, Santa MOnica) The project conSists of the conversion of the studiO'S SIX acre
site to film and teleVISion studiO production facilitIes The contingency amount IS being
recommended In order to cover addItional costs that may arise dunng the analYSIS of the
proJect's Impacts and to expedite the review process for the project
BACKGROUND
The City Planning DIVISion received applications from Santa MOnica StudiOS for a
Development Review Permit, a Conditional Use Permit (to permit the on-sale of alcoholic
beverages), a Vanance (to permit a sculptural wall exceeding the Code-reqUired height),
and a Text Amendment to allow residential bUildings With a maximum height of four stones
or 45 feet
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NOV , 2 1998 ~
A total of 394,000 square feet of new construction IS proposed for the project with
approximately 230,000 square feet of space devoted to production and office uses located
In four four-story bUIldings One of these bUildings Will have ground floor retail and food
service for a 90 seat restaurant and a 250 seat food court Above thIS space Will be 75
apartments In approximately 100.000 square feet of work/live space for artists The studIOS
Will also contain two sound stages occupYing about 15.000 square feet each WIth an
outdoor production stage located between these bUildings
The Planning and Commumty Development Department has determined that an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Will be required to evaluate the proposed project The
EIR Will examine a number of potential environmental Issues regarding the proposed
project Including air quality, nOise. light and glare, shadows. human health, population, land
use, hOUSing, transportation, Circulation and parkmg, utilities, public services, constructIon
Impacts, recreational resources, cultural resources, aesthetiCS. and neighborhood effects
Once an EIR IS prepared, there WIll be a public comment period durmg which tIme
Interested persons can review and comment on the environmental analYSIS Public
heanngs on the project Will also be conducted by the Plannmg Commission and City
CouncIl
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A Request for Proposal to prepare the EIR for thiS project was Issued by the Planmng and
Community Development Department, which IS responsible for preparing CIty
environmental documents Four firms responded with proposals Staff recommends that
Impact SCiences, Inc be selected to prepare the EIR due to their competitive cost proposal
and their experience In preparing Similar types of environmental reviews For example, they
prepared the environmental analysIs for the Warner Brothers StudIos Master Plan and are
currently Involved m the preparatIon of the EIR for the NBC Studios project In addition,
Impact SCiences, Inc and Myer, Mohaddes Associates, Inc (the traffic and circulation
subconsultant chosen for the project) prepared the first Master Envlfonmental Assessment
(MEA) fOf the City and the first annual update of the MEA
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City's costs for thiS EIR, mcludmg the requested twenty percent contingency amount.
Will be fully paid In advance by Santa MOnica Studios Funds from the applicant In the
amount of 569,535 Will be deposited Into the General Trust and Agency Fund Account
Number 80-000-000-00000-9750-04362 AddItional contmgency funds (up to a maximum
of 20% of the original contract amount) Will be deposited by the project applicant to thiS
same account If It IS determmed by the DIrector of Planmng & CommunIty Development
that the ongmal scope of services needs to be amended to proVide additional
environmental analysIs Expenditures to cover the cost of thiS additional analysIs Will be
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charged to this fund without any fmanclallmpact to the City
RECOMMENDA liON
It IS respectfully recommended that upon receipt of $69,535 from Santa MOnica Studios.
the City Council authonze the City Manager to enter Into a contract with Impact SCiences,
Inc at a cost of $69,535, with a 20% contingency, for preparation of an EIR for the
proposed Santa Monica StudioS project
Prepared by Suzanne Fnck, Director of PCD
Dean C Sherer, Acting Planning Manager
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