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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of an Ordinance Approving Comprehensive Plan (P2022-0144-CP) and Zoning Map Amendment (P2022-0144-ZMA) to allow a Creative Office Development on a 4.46-acre site at 8833 National Blvd and 8888 W. Venice Blvd (Project).
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Meeting Date: December 12, 2022
Contact Person/Dept: Jeff Anderson, Contract Project Manager
Erika Ramirez, Current Planning Manager
Phone Number: (310) 253-5710
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing [ ] Action Item: [ ] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No []
Commission Name: Planning Commission Date: November 9, 2022
Public Notification: (Mailed) Property owners and occupants within a 500-foot radius and extended (11/10/2022); (Posted) City website (11/14/2022), Onsite Sign (11/14/2022); (Published) in Culver City News (11/10/2022); Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/08/2022).
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (12/08/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt an Ordinance approving Comprehensive Plan (P2022-0144-CPA) and Zoning Map Amendment (P2022-0144-ZMA), subject to conditions of approval (Attachment No. 1).
BACKGROUND
Request
Culver Crossings Properties LLC (Applicant) is requesting approval of the proposed development (Project) for a creative office campus that could include associated production spaces for multimedia content creation and capture. The Project will serve as the Culver City headquarters for Apple Inc.
Site Information
The Project, including both Culver City and LA segments, would be 536,000 square feet on a 4.46-acre site. The Comprehensive Plan proposes development standards that allow for the design and the uses of the proposed creative office development for the site (Attachment No. 2). The development includes two buildings, one that is four story and the other five story. Both buildings include 3 levels of subterranean parking. These subterranean parking facilities are interconnected allowing vehicle access between them.
The Project provides one building on National Boulevard (Building 1) that is located within the City of Culver City, and another building (Building 2) along Venice Boulevard and a portion of National Boulevard that is located within the City of Los Angeles. After construction, the two buildings would be connected when the shared wall along the National Boulevard frontage is opened. The buildings are proposed to frame an internal courtyard area of private open space available to the tenants of the building.
Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation
On November 9, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution Nos. 2022-P019, 2022-P020 and 2022-P021, recommending to the City Council certification of the Project EIR; approval of a Zoning Map Amendment to establish a Planned Development Zone; approval of a Comprehensive Plan; and approval of an Extended Construction Hours request, subject to Conditions of Approval.
During the public hearing, testimony was provided by 15 individuals, including community members and individuals representing businesses, agencies, and organizations. Most of the speakers spoke in support of the Project.
During the Planning Commission discussion, comments were centered around three topics; the 3-way traffic signal on Venice Boulevard, the amount of parking proposed, and the Washington Boulevard Parklet. Specifically, there was Commission direction to (1) include a condition pertaining to the anticipated 3-way traffic signal on Venice Boulevard; (2) to allow less parking to be developed if the applicant determined that reduced parking would be desirable; and (3) incorporate lawn or artificial turf (similar to Culver Steps) rather than decomposed granite in the flexible use area, a lighting design similar to Platform), and inviting seating areas into the Parklet. These comments and other questions prompted the recommendation of additional conditions of approval.
City Council First Reading Public Hearing
On December 5, 2022, the City Council held a public hearing to review and introduce the proposed Ordinance for Comprehensive Plan P2022-0144-CP and Zoning Map Amendment P2022-0144-ZMA, to approve a request for Extended Construction Hours, and to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Project (Attachment No. 1). The City Council was provided with the Planning Commission staff report and resolutions, preliminary development plans, and minutes for a detailed review of the Project. Following deliberations and discussion, the City Council introduced the Ordinance. The proposed Ordinance is now presented for adoption by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the project which includes a Mitigation Monitoring Program. Because there were impacts that could not be mitigated, a Statement of Overriding Considerations was also prepared. The EIR was certified, and the Statement of Overriding Considerations adopted by the City Council on December 5, 2022.
CONCLUSION
Adoption of the proposed Ordinance will permit the Project to move forward, resulting in the construction of the Crossings Campus Creative Office development. Staff recommends approval of the proposed Project including the findings for Comprehensive Plan P2022-0144-CP and Zoning Map Amendment P2022-0144-ZMA, as outlined in the proposed Ordinance (Attachment No. 1).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Ordinance (including Exhibit A; Zoning Map, Exhibit B: Conditions of Approval, and Exhibit C: Standard Code Requirements)
MOTION
That the City Council:
Adopt an Ordinance, amending the Culver City Zoning Map, as referenced in Title 17, Zoning, of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), Section 17.200.015, establishing Planned Development Zone No. 17 (Zoning Map Amendment, P2022-0144-ZMA) and approving a Comprehensive Plan (P2022-0144-CP) for the Project, subject to Conditions of Approval.