SR-400-009 (6)
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COUNCIL MEETING: February 13, 1990
Santa Monica, California
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
city Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize City Manager to Award
contract to Richard Morehouse Associates for preparation
of an EIR for the North of Wilshire Rezoning, Rate and
Standards Program
INTRODUCTION
This staff report recommends that the City Council authorize the
City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Richard
Morehouse Associates in the amount of $78,650 to prepare an EIR
on the Proposed North of Wilshire Rezoning, Rate and Standards
Program.
BACKGROUND
On November 21, 1989 the city Council direc:ted staff to prepare
an environmental impact report on the issues related to
downzoning, revised development standards, and the proposed
construction rate and management program for the area bounded by
Ocean Avenue, Montana Avenue, 14th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.
As part of the action, the City Council directed the City
Attorney to prepare an Ordinance extending the moratorium in the
North of Wilshire neighborhood for a period of ten months in
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order to allow time for preparation of the Environmental Impact
Report (EIR).
An Initial study was prepared that identified a number of
potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. Once
the Initial study was completed, a request for proposal to
prepare the ErR was issued by the Planning Division, and three
firms responded with proposals. Staff lS recommending that
Richard Morehouse Associates be selected to prepare the EIR,
since in the proposal and during consultant interviews Richard
Morehouse demonstrated considerable understanding of the issues
related to this project. Although the two other firms, Planning
Center and EIP Associates, were qualified, Richard Morehouse
Associates was determined to be the leading candidate.
Once the EIR is completed, there will be a public comment period
during which time interested persons can review and comment on
the environmental analysis. Public hearings on the proposed
project and EIR will be conducted by the Planning Commission and
Ci ty Council. It is anticipated that the EIR will be out for
public comment in April, and hearings before the Planning
Commission will occur during June and July.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
To undertake this project account number 01-200-266-00000-5506-
00000 needs to be increased in the amount of $78,650. Funds are
available in the General Fund reserves for this purpose.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the City council:
1. Appropriate $78,650 from the General Fund Reserves to
account number 01-200-266-00000-5506-00000
2. Authorize the City Manager to negc)tiate and execute an
Agreement with Richard Morehouse Associates at a cost of
$78,650 for preparation of an EIR on the Proposed North
of Wilshire Rezoning, Rate and Standards Program.
Prepared by: Paul Berlant, Director of Planning
Suzanne Frick, Principal Planner
Johanna GUlliCk, Associate Planner
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