El Sereno

NOTICE OF PREPARATION

DATE: September 26, 2014

TO: State Clearinghouse, Responsible and Trustee Agencies, and Interested Individuals, and Organizations

SUBJECT: Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the El Sereno Park Improvement Project (City Document No. NP-14-005-RP)

LEAD AGENCY: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (LADRAP) will be the Lead Agency pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the El Sereno Park Improvement Project. LADRAP requests your comments regarding the scope and content of the EIR.

Project Location:

The project site is within the boundaries of the existing El Sereno Recreation Center and Park located at 4721 Klamath Street in the community of El Sereno in the City of Los Angeles. The project site, which contains the Clubhouse and a paved area, is located immediately west of the park's main driveway and entrance on Klamath Street. The project site steps up from the driveway and is setback from Klamath Street by an undeveloped vegetated area. The Clubhouse, built in 1949, is an approximately 3,850 square foot, one-story, wood-framed, stucco building. The Clubhouse has two restrooms, a craft room, six storage rooms, a kitchen areas, an auditorium area with a stage, a water heater closet, an equipment room, a covered terrace, and a detached concession stand. The concession stand, measuring approximately 13 feet by 9 feet, located across the terrace from the Clubhouse is a small wood-framed structure. The Clubhouse has been closed to the public for a number of years and is currently being used as a park maintenance equipment storage facility.

Project Description:

LADRAP is proposing to replace the existing Clubhouse and the adjacent paved area with several new recreational facilities within in El Sereno Recreation Center and Park. A basketball court, batting cage, and pathway/jogging path would constructed within the existing building footprint of the Clubhouse. In addition, fitness equipment, picnic tables, benches, and drinking fountains would be installed in the paved area just north of the Clubhouse. All facilities would be accessible to American Disabilities Act standards. The intent of the proposed project is to increase usable park space in the community and serve existing park users.

Potential Environmental Effects:

Based on the findings of the Initial Study prepared for the proposed project, potentially significant impacts are expected to be confined to historic resources and construction noise. An EIR will be prepared to evaluate the project's potential impacts on these environmental topics and analyze alternatives. The alternatives will be developed to reduce environmental impacts that may be identified during the EIR process. All other environmental effects were found to have no impact or have a less-than-significant impact in the Initial Study and will therefore not be evaluated in greater detail in the EIR.

Public Comment Period:

The 30-day public comment period for this Notice of Preparation and Initial Study will commence on October 2, 2014 and conclude on November 3, 2014. Copies of this Notice of Preparation and the Initial Study will be available for review at the following locations:

• El Sereno Branch Library 5226 S. Huntington Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 225-9201
• Lincoln Heights Branch Library 2530 Workman Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 226-1692
• El Sereno Recreation Center 4721 Klamath Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 225-3517

A copy of the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study will be posted online.

Please submit comments in writing to the address provided below. Comment letters must be received by 5:00 p.m. on November 3, 2014.

Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Paul Davis
Fax: (213) 202-2611
E-Mail: paul.j.davis@lacity.org

If there are any questions regarding this Notice of Preparation, please contact Mr. Paul Davis, at (213) 202-2667