3E.LAND USE

3E.1 Introduction . 
3E.2 Existing Setting 
3E.2.1 Project Site.. 
3E.2.2 Project Area ..
3E.2.3 Existing Land Use and Zoning Designations .
3E.3 Applicable Plans, Policies, and Goals 
3E.4 Impacts and Mitigation
3E.4.1 Methodology 
3E.4.2 Project Impacts 
3E.4.3 Cumulative Impacts.
 to index 

3E.1 INTRODUCTION

Land use refers to the use of land for various activities, including commercial, industrial, recreational, and residential uses. Local land use policies and development regulations control the type of land use and the intensity of development permitted on private property. Changes in land use patterns that result from new development can affect the character of an area and result in physical impacts to the environment. This section of the EIR focuses on the proposed project's consistency with local land use policies/ regulations, land use issues, and the potential impacts on land use.  to index

3E.2 EXISTING SETTING

The LAUSD proposes the development of several new high schools in the San Fernando Valley to alleviate overcrowded conditions at existing schools and accommodate increases in student population. The proposed new high school site is located in the Northridge community on the northeastern portion of the California State University Northridge (CSUN) campus. The Northridge Community Plan governs land use, which is part of the City of Los Angeles General Plan. to index
3E.2.1 Project Site

The project site is located on the northeastern portion of the CSUN campus at Zelzah Avenue and Halsted Street. The site is bound on the north, west, and south by properties and facilities of CSUN, and on the east by Zelzah Avenue. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the project site served as the location for portable classrooms until the construction and renovation of permanent classrooms were completed in 1998. The approximately 5.3-acre project site is relatively flat, contains vegetation, and has been vacant since 1998 (Chandler, 1998). The immediate vicinity is surrounded primarily by single-and multi-story modern or improved structures, including campus residences, multiple-family residences, public facilities, and commercial uses. The site fronts Zelzah Avenue, a four-lane throughway that contains high traffic volumes. to index

3E.2.2 Project Area

The project site is located within the Northridge Community Plan Area, which is a part of the City of Los Angeles General Plan. The Northridge Community Plan Area covers approximately 10 square miles of land, located approximately 22 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. Northridge is bounded by the Ronald Reagan Freeway (SR 118) on the north, the Los Angeles County Flood Control Channel (Bull Creek) on the east, Roscoe Boulevard on the south, and Tampa Avenue on the west. to index

3E.2.3 Existing Land Use and Zoning Designations

 The Northridge Community Plan, one of 35 community plans that are encompassed by the City of Los
Angeles General Plan, governs the proposed project site. According to the Northridge Community Plan (City of Los Angeles, 1998b) and the Northridge Community Plan Map, the project site is designated as a PF (public facilities) zone. The site is vacant and is surrounded primarily by athletic facilities, residences, and commercial uses. The surrounding land uses consist of structures between one and four stories in height (see Figure 3E-1). The following list presents existing land uses by area, beginning with the area north of the project site on Zelzah Avenue, continuing clockwise, and ending with the area on Zelzah Avenue northwest of the project site. Figure 3E-2 illustrates the existing land uses that surround the project site.

· North Area: Rose crown Hall is a four-story student dormitory located north of the project site, fronting Zelzah Avenue. A portion of the dormitory's first floor is also the headquarters for the CSUN Police Department.

· Northeast Area: This block is located on the east side of Zelzah Avenue bordered by Halsted Street to the
south and Superior Street to the north. The land uses on this block include single-and multiple-family residences, open space, and a child and family guidance center.

· Eastern Area: There is no block located directly to the east of the project site. Halsted Street divides the
northeast block from the southeast block.

· Southeast Area: This block is located on the east side of Zelzah Avenue bordered by Plummer Street to the south and Halsted Street to the north. The land uses on this block include CSUN student housing, single-and
multiple-family residences, the CSUN Hillel Jewish Student Center, and open space.

· South Area: CSUN facilities, including tennis courts and a parking lot, are located south of the project site,
fronting Zelzah Avenue. 

· Southwest Area: CSUN facilities, including athletic fields and an access road, are located southeast of the
project site. The project description indicates that these athletic fields would be available for high school use.

· West Area: CSUN facilities, including athletic fields, a bungalow, and a utility shed, are located west of the
project site. 

· Northwest Area: CSUN facilities, including four-story student dorms are located to the northwest of the
project site. to index

3E.3 APPLICABLE PLANS, POLICIES, AND GOALS

The General Plan is the basic planning document of a city or county and acts as a "blueprint development. Every city and county must adopt a general plan with seven mandatory elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. Depending on the community's location, general plans also contain special topics, including local coastal plans, waste management, hazardous waste, seismic hazards, floodplain management, and airport land use. 

Local land use decisions must be consistent with the community's general plans: zoning, subdivision approvals, use permits, and public works. However, because of the sovereign immunity doctrine, State government public works projects and permit decisions do not have to follow local general plans. Further, State law allows school districts and special districts to override county and city general plans and zoning to carry out their own public works projects. Therefore, the LAUSD is not required to comply with local planning laws. However, in an effort to minimize land use inconsistencies, the LAUSD will attempt to comply with local policies and regulations to the greatest extent feasible. 
Figure 3E-1
Land Use Design

Valley New High School 1

View of the Project Site and tennis courts bordering
the south end of the site.

View of the Project Site and Rosecrown Hall, a four-story
campus residence, bordering the north end of the site.

View of the Guidance Center and CSUN dorms located
across from the Project Site on the east side of
Zelzah Avenue.

V A L L E Y N E W H I G H S C H O O L V A L L E Y N E W H I G H S C H O O L ADRESS OF SCHOOL HERE, NORTHRIDGE, CA. 9XXXX ADRESS OF SCHOOL HERE, NORTHRIDGE, CA. 9XXXX 
Aspen Environmental Group
Figure 3E-2
Land Uses in the Project Area

Valley New High School 1

N 0 250
Scale in Feet
125

Zelzah Avenue

Superior Street

Halsted Street
Plummer Street
Tennis Courts

Valley New High School #1 Site
Parking Lot

Softball Field
Baseball Field

Kinesiology Field

Soccer Field
Track and Field
University Park Apartments

Multiple Family
Residential

Child & Family
Guidance Center

Open Space

CSUN Student
Housing Lindley
Avenue Annex 

The plans, policies, and goals for this project were established after reviewing the LAUSD Guidelines, the City of Los Angeles Zoning Code, the CSUN Master Plan, and the Northridge Community Plan. The applicable plans, policies, and goals are outlined below. Analysis of the applicable plans, policies, and goals are provided in Section 3E.4.2, Impact E3.

LAUSD Guidelines
The following guidelines issued by the LAUSD should be considered and complied with on a project-by-
project basis:

1. If the project is for classroom facilities, it may be inconsistent with the city or county zoning ordinance
only if each of the following steps occur: 

a. Two-thirds of the LAUSD Board of Education have voted to render the zoning ordinance
inapplicable;
b. The action taken by the Board was not arbitrary or capricious; and
c. Within ten days of taking the action, the Board has given the [city or county] notice of the action.

2. If the project is for non-classroom facilities, it must be consistent with the zoning ordinance of the City (or
County) of Los Angeles. Non-classroom facilities include, but are not limited to warehouses, administrative buildings, and automotive storage and repair buildings.

For on-site improvements affecting drainage, road conditions, or grading, the LAUSD is required to comply with city or county ordinances:

a. Regulating drainage improvement and conditions;
b. Regulating road improvements and conditions; and
c. Requiring the review and approval of grading plans.

For off-site improvements, the LAUSD is required to give consideration to (but is not required to comply
with) the specific requirements and conditions of city or county ordinances relating to the design and construction of off-site improvements. 

If portions of the project qualify for exemption from the city zoning ordinance and portions do not, the project must be consistent with the zoning ordinance. Exemptions are only available if all or substantially all of the proposed facilities of consequence included in the project area are exempt.

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code
The City of Los Angeles Zoning Code (City of Los Angeles, 2001) regulates land use by zoning designation. The zone that pertains to this project is PF (public facilities). The City of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code (§ 12.04.09) provides regulations for land classified in the PF zone. The Planning and Zoning Code (§ 12.04.09) permits several uses for the PF zone including agricultural uses, public parking facilities, public services, and schools. Regarding school development, the zoning code permits use of PF land for "public elementary and secondary schools."

CSUN Master Plan
The CSUN Master Plan establishes the policies and goals for University planning and development. The CSUN Master Plan (CSUN, 1998) was reviewed for guidelines that may pertain to the proposed project. The guidelines address issues of site, open space, building, circulation, and landscape. One of the structural design guidelines from the CSUN Master Plan that applies to the proposed project states: 

While allowing for individual design, building character shall always be complimentary to the unity of the campus as a whole. 

The CSUN Master Plan also contains a Master Plan Map that illustrates future projects proposed by CSUN. The CSUN Master Plan Map was reviewed for University related projects that may be affected by the proposed project. CSUN has several projects that are currently undergoing construction and has proposed several projects to be completed in the future. Section 3E.4.2 discusses the proposed project's affect on CSUN projects.
Northridge Community Plan
The Northridge Community Plan outlines goals and policies for various types of land use issues, including those associated with new school development. The school related land use policies from the Community Plan are organized in the following sections: Recreational and Park Facilities, Land Use Policies, and Coordination Opportunities for Public Agencies. The applicable goals, and policies from the Northridge Community Plan are outlined and analyzed in Section 3E.4.2, Impact E2. to index

3E.4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
3E.4.1 Methodology
Land use patterns and characteristics provide the basis for the evaluation of land use impacts. Issues considered in identifying the land use impacts include whether a proposed project creates a physical division within the community, and the review of a project's consistency with local plans and policies to the greatest extent feasible. This assessment considers these issues in the impact section (3E.4.2).

Criteria for Determining Significance
The criteria used to determine the significance of an impact are based on the model initial study checklist in Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines. The proposed project may result in significant land use impacts if it would:

· Include features that could physically divide an established community · Increase the use of existing recreational facilities, including neighborhood and regional parks, such that substantial physical deterioration of the existing facilities would occur or be accelerated 

· Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.  to index

3E.4.2 Project Impacts
Impact E1: Include features that could physically divide an established community.

Construction. Construction nuisances may cause temporary disturbances to sensitive receptors located
in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Construction nuisances related to the proposed project
include:

· Temporary increase in construction-related particles in the air might affect outside areas in the immediate
vicinity of the project site. Effects on air quality indoors would be minimal. See Section 3A, for air quality
details

· Temporary increase in noise levels during hours of construction. Noise levels related to construction would
exceed existing noise levels. See Section 3F.

· Temporary disturbance in usual traffic flows due to parking of various construction items. Traffic may be
redirected near and at the project site for the safety of the passersby.

· Temporary safety issues stemming from the construction site. During construction, the public and authorized
personnel have the potential to be exposed to hazards. In order to maintain public safety, public entry will be
prohibited due to the potential occurrence of hazards.

The proposed project features and nuisances due to construction are expected to have a less than
significant impact on the community because they would not physically divide the community.

Operation. In general, it is unlikely that school features would physically divide an established
community since school facilities tend to unite rather than divide communities, and are viewed as land
uses that serve the community in which they are located. The proposed project site is located on a
vacant parcel on the northeastern portion of the CSUN campus. The University contains facilities
available for community use. Development of the proposed project features on this site would coincide
with existing land uses in the vicinity and would not hinder community use of these existing facilities.
Therefore, the proposed project features would not physically divide the community (less than
significant impacts).

The proposed high school would front Zelzah Avenue, a north-south street that currently consists of
high traffic volumes. Traffic associated with operation of the new school (i. e., students, faculty, etc.)
would increase traffic on Zelzah Avenue. As a result, commuters using Zelzah Avenue could possibly
be limited to those traveling to and from the CSUN campus or to and from the proposed new high
school. Section 3H provides a thorough discussion of traffic-related impacts and mitigation measures.

Mitigation Measures. See Section 3H for mitigation measures developed for traffic issues. Mitigation
is not required to address the other issues.

Impact E2: Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with
jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal 

program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental
effect.

The land use policies, plans, and goals that apply to this project were obtained from reviewing four
sources. These sources include the City of Los Angeles Zoning Ordinance, LAUSD Guidelines, CSUN
Master Plan, and the Northridge Community Plan. The policies outlined in these sources address
issues of school design, school sites, school expansion, and recreation. The proposed project is
compatible with the applicable policies, plans, and goals as discussed in Section 3E.3.

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code. The zoning that pertains to this project is PF (public facilities).
The City of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code (§ 12.04.09) permit several uses for the PF zone
including agricultural uses, public parking facilities, public services, and schools. Regarding school
development, the zoning code permits use of PF land for "public elementary and secondary schools."
The proposed project complies with the City of Los Angeles Zoning Code.

CSUN Master Plan. The following structural design guideline from the CSUN Master Plan applies to
the proposed project, which states:

While allowing for individual design, building character shall always be complimentary to the
unity of the campus as a whole.

Structures surrounding the project site include single story athletic fields and single to four story
residential and commercial uses. The athletic fields and other surrounding uses on the campus are
characterized by both modern and dated designs. The proposed project would consist of single to four-story
structures and would be characterized by a modern design. Because the structures of the
proposed project would be similar in height and design as the existing structures, the proposed project
would be complimentary to the unity of the campus as a whole.

The CSUN Master Plan also establishes the policies and goals for University planning and
development. The CSUN Master Plan and Master Plan Map were reviewed for structural design
guidelines as well as for University related projects that may be affected by the proposed project. The
guidelines address issues of site, open space, building, circulation, and landscape. Review of current
and planned projects by CSUN, as well as correspondence with the CSUN Public Relations Director,
John Chandler, and Campus Architect, Deborah Wylie, reveals that the CSUN projects would not be
affected by the District's proposed project.

Northridge Community Plan. The proposed project is subject to several land use policies and goals
established in the Northridge Community Plan. The applicable policies and goals of the community
plan are outlined by land use type and analyzed below.

The two Recreational and Park Facilities (RPF) policies/ goals that apply to this project are listed below. 

RPF-1 The plan encourages shared use of existing school facilities for the general public after hours
and on weekends. School grounds should be made available so as to facilitate after-hours
recreational uses.

RPF-2 Goal 6: Appropriate locations and adequate facilities for schools to serve the needs of the
existing and future population.

Recreational facilities associated with the proposed project include the shared use athletic field, which is
a property of CSUN, and new basketball courts, which will be the property of the new school. The
new basketball courts would be available for public use during non-school hours. Thus the proposed
project would provide additional recreational facilities for community use after-hours. Establishing
additional recreational uses complies with the policy on recreational facilities and provides a beneficial
impact for the community.

The proposed new school would alleviate crowding at Monroe High School and would provide an
opportunity to construct an academy high school. The project site was identified as a preferred location
for the new high school because of its location on the CSUN campus and its relatively close proximity
to Monroe High School, which is about 2.5 miles east. The proposed project complements Goal 6,
outlined in the Parks and Recreation portion of the Community Plan, therefore no significant impacts
are anticipated.

Applicable policies of the Northridge Community Plan include the following:
6-1.1 Encourage compatibility in school locations, site layout and architectural design with
adjacent land uses and community character and, as appropriate use schools to create a
logical transition and buffer between differing uses.

6-1.2 If new school sites are proposed, site schools in a manner, which complements the existing
single-family and multiple-family residential neighborhoods.

6-1.3 Proximity to noise sources should be avoided whenever possible or the school design
should buffer classrooms from such noise.

6-1.4 Expansion of existing schools should be preferred over the acquisition of new sites.
Policy 6-1.1 discusses the land use issue of new use compatibility with community character and
architectural design. The Northridge community is characterized by modern and improved residential,
commercial, and public facilities uses. The height of existing uses in the vicinity of the project site
range from one to four stories. The new high school would have a modern design and consist of
buildings no higher than four-stories; therefore, the proposed project would be consistent with policy
6.1.1. No significant impacts are anticipated. 

Policy 6-1.2 discusses the land use issue of school site compatibility with existing residential
neighborhoods. As mentioned in the discussion of Policy 6-1.1, the new high school would complement
existing land uses.

Policy 6-1.3 discusses the land use issue of school location and design to buffer noise impacts. From a
land use perspective it is necessary to address the location and design of the new school as a method of
reducing noise impacts. According to the noise analysis in Section 3F, traffic on Zelzah Avenue is the
primary source of noise. The proposed new school would be exposed to the same noise levels as
existing uses. The proposed new school would be designed to limit the amount of noise exposed to
classrooms. Section 3F provides more information regarding noise issues.

Policy 6-1.4 discusses the preference for expanding existing schools over the acquisition of new school
sites. The LAUSD cannot use existing school sites, such as James Monroe High School, because this
school (like others in the Valley) is currently operating over capacity. Monroe has a peak capacity of
3,766 students. This school currently needs 2,718 two-semester seats to meet shortfall on its year-round
calendar. Section 2 of this report includes additional information on other schools in the Valley
planning area.

In addition, the LAUSD considered the use of the Former Prairie Elementary School site. This site
was not identified as the location for the new high school because its size is too small to accommodate
academic, administrative, and recreational facilities and its location is too far from the CSUN athletic
facilities to readily use them, therefore a high school at this site would need to supplement these
facilities from another location.

LAUSD is consistent with this policy since in making its decision regarding the Zelzah Court site, the
LAUSD considered and evaluated other potential alternatives. The Zelzah Court site was preferred as
the site for the high school since it provides the best location to take advantage of CSUN's academic
facilities to develop an academy high school and it allows for the shared use of CSUN's collegiate
athletic facilities, which provide 10 acres of recreational uses to the school.

The Northridge Community Plan also includes the following policy regarding coordination
opportunities for public agencies

· Consider large vacant parcels as the first alternative to accommodate the demand for new schools, if they are
needed, prior to the displacement of existing uses.

The proposed project would not displace existing uses and would not conflict with the preferred
alternative to site new schools at large vacant parcels. The proposed project would be located on an
approximately 5.3-acre site that is virtually vacant, with the exception of a small bungalow owned by
CSUN. The bungalow is vacant and is used by CSUN as an emergency office. The proposed project
does not require removal or displacement of the bungalow and would therefore be consistent with the
status of the bungalow as an existing use. In addition, the site is designated as a public facilities (PF) 

zone, which permits development of schools (City of Los Angeles, 2001). Thus, the proposed project
is consistent with this policy.

Mitigation Measures. The proposed project is consistent with applicable plans and ordinance and
therefore no mitigation is required.

Impact E3: Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community
conservation plan.

Native wildlife habitat does not exist within one mile of the site. The Northridge Recreation Center is
located less than 1.5 miles to the west of the project site. This open area does provide native habitat for
wildlife, although urban-adapted bird and mammal species utilize the park habitats. Two other
urbanized parks exist about one mile southwest and southeast of the site. Most native organisms in the
site vicinity, specifically those present in the site vicinity, were replaced with those typical of highly
developed urban areas. No sensitive resources have been identified on or near the site (URS, 2001b).

The project would not have a significant, wide-ranging effect on the natural environment, and would be
consistent with all habitat conservation plans and natural community conservation plans that may be
applicable to the area. Impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required. to index
3E.4.3 Cumulative Impacts
In terms of land use, cumulative impacts occur when a proposed project affects current or planned land
uses within a community. As discussed in Section 3E.4, the proposed project would not affect current
or planned projects on the CSUN campus or within the community. In addition, the proposed project
was designed to complement existing land uses and meet the educational needs of communities in the
City of Los Angeles, including the community of Northridge. The proposed high school would
improve the existing land use of the project site by creating a productive use for the currently vacant
parcel, and increase the density of the immediate project area. The proposed project would not create a
significant land use impact for the community. The improved use of the vacant parcel would provide a
significant beneficial land use impact for the community.

The project site is currently vacant and the LAUSD proposes to build multi-story buildings up to four
stories high that would include 38 classrooms, a library, an auditorium, a fitness center, gymnasium
and other support facilities, administrative offices, a cafeteria and food service area, a student store,
and underground parking. These facilities will accommodate approximately 1,243 students, 888 of
which would be on campus at any one time. A total of 74 staff including teachers, school
administrators, counselors, clerical, and librarian staff would be required to support the student
population and required ancillary facilities. A subterranean parking garage accommodating up to 228 

cars would be constructed under the school. Students would walk, take public transportation, be driven
to school by parents, or drive themselves while three to six buses would transport Special Education
students to the school. The proposed project represents an improved use of the project site and an
increase in the density of the immediate project area. No significant impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.  To index

3F. NOISE

3F.1 Introduction
3F.2 Existing Setting
3F.2.1 General Characteristics of Community Noise  
3F.2.2 Noise Environment in the Project Area . 
3F.2.3 Sensitive Receptors 
3F.3 Applicable Regulations
3F.4 Impacts and Mitigation
3F.4.1 Methodology
3F.4.2 Project Impacts
3F.4.3 Cumulative Impacts

 to index 

3F. 1 INTRODUCTION
This section addresses noise impacts associated with the proposed project. It analyzes both potential
noise impacts caused by the construction and operation of the school and potential noise impacts to
students of the school. Sections 3F. 2 and 3F. 3 describe the existing setting as it relates to noise and
applicable regulations, respectively. Section 3F. 4 describes impacts and mitigation measures including
the methodology and criteria for determining significance. Mitigation measures are proposed for any
impact determined to be significant.

Sound is mechanical energy transmitted by pressure waves in a compressible medium such as air.
Noise can be defined as unwanted sound. Sound is characterized by various parameters that include the
rate of oscillation of sound waves (frequency), the speed of propagation, and the pressure level or
energy content (amplitude). In particular, the sound pressure level has become the most common
descriptor used to characterize the loudness of an ambient sound level. The decibel (dB) scale is used
to quantify sound intensity. Because sound pressure can vary by over one trillion times within the
range of human hearing, a logarithmic loudness scale is used to keep sound intensity numbers at a
convenient and manageable level. Since the human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies within
the entire spectrum, noise measurements are weighted more heavily within those frequencies of
maximum human sensitivity in a process called "A-weighting," written as dBA.

A number of different types of metrics are used to characterize the time-varying nature of sound. These
metrics include: the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq ), the minimum and maximum sound levels
(Lmin and Lmax ), percentile-exceeded sound levels (Lxx ), the day-night level, and the community noise
equivalent level (CNEL). The following are brief definitions of these metrics and other terminology
used in this section:

· Sound. A vibratory disturbance created by a vibrating object, which, when transmitted by pressure waves
through a medium such as air, is capable of being detected by a receiving mechanism, such as the human ear
or a microphone.

· Noise. Sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or otherwise undesirable. 

· Decibel (dB). A unitless measure of sound on a logarithmic scale, which indicates the squared ratio of sound
pressure amplitude to a reference sound pressure amplitude. The reference pressure is 20 micro-pascals.

· A-Weighted Decibel (dBA). An overall frequency-weighted sound level in decibels that approximates the
frequency response of the human ear.

· Maximum Sound Level (Lmax). The maximum sound level measured during the measurement period of
interest.

· Minimum Sound Level (Lmin). The minimum sound level measured during the measurement period of
interest.

· Equivalent Sound Level (Leq). The equivalent steady state sound level, which in a stated period of time
would contain the same acoustical energy.

· Percentile-Exceeded Sound Level (Lxx ). The sound level exceeded x percent of a specific time period. L10 is
the sound level exceeded 10 percent of the time.

· Day-Night Level (Ldn). The energy average of the A-weighted sound levels occurring during a 24-hour
period, with 10 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels occurring during the period from 10: 00 p. m. to
7: 00 a. m.

· Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL). The energy average of the A-weighted sound levels occurring
during a 24-hour period with 5 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels occurring during the period from
7: 00 p. m. to 10: 00 p. m. and 10 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels occurring during the period from
10: 00 p. m. to 7: 00 a. m.

Ldn and CNEL values rarely differ by more than 1 dB. As a matter of practice, Ldn and CNEL values
are considered to be equivalent and are treated as such in this assessment. In general, human sound
perception is such that a change in sound level of 3 dB is just noticeable, a change of 5 dB is clearly
noticeable, and a change of 10 dB is perceived as doubling or halving sound level. to index

3F. 2 EXISTING SETTING
3F. 2.1 General Characteristics of Community Noise
A noise environment consists of a base of steady "background" noise that is the sum of many distant
and indistinguishable noise sources. Superimposed on this background noise is the sound from
individual local sources. These can vary from an occasional aircraft or train passing by to virtually
continuous noise from, for example, traffic on a major highway.

To describe noise environments and to assess impacts on noise sensitive areas, a frequency weighting
measure, which simulates human perception, is customarily used. It has been found that A-weighting of
sound intensities best reflects the human ear's reduced sensitivity to low frequencies and correlates well
with human perceptions of the annoying aspects of noise. The A-weighted decibel scale (dBA) is the
one cited in most noise criteria. Decibels are logarithmic units that conveniently compare the wide
range of sound intensities to which the human ear is sensitive.

Noise levels are generally considered low when they are below 45 dBA, moderate in the 45 to 60 dBA
range, and high above 60 dBA. Noise levels greater than 85 dBA can cause temporary or permanent 

hearing loss. Examples of low daytime levels are isolated natural settings, such as the Grand Canyon
(20 dBA), and quiet suburban residential streets (43 dBA). 2 Examples of moderate level noise
environments are urban residential or semi-commercial areas (55 dBA) and commercial locations (60
dBA). Although people often accept the higher levels associated with very noisy urban residential and
residential-commercial zones (63 dBA), as well as industrial areas (65 to 70 dBA), they nevertheless
are considered adverse noise levels.

Various environments can be characterized by levels that are generally considered acceptable or
unacceptable. Lower noise levels are more expected in rural or suburban areas than in commercial or
industrial zones. Nighttime ambient levels in urban environments are about seven decibels lower than
the corresponding average daytime levels. The day-to-night difference can be less in rural areas away
from roads and other human activity. Areas with full-time human occupation that are subject to
nighttime noise that does not decrease relative to daytime levels are often considered objectionable.
Noise levels above 45 dBA at night can result in sleep interference. to index

3F. 2.2 Noise Environment in the Project Area
The dominant noise source in the project area is traffic noise from the major streets serving the subject
area (see Figure 3F-1 for an illustration of the major roadways in and near the study area). Secondary
noise results from commercial and institutional activities (E.g., truck deliveries, recreational activities,
and air conditioning compressors), and residential noise sources (E.g., passenger vehicles and landscape
maintenance operations). Ambient noise levels in the project area are typical of that experienced in
urbanized areas throughout Los Angeles.

Noise measurements were recorded at five locations (see Figure 3F-1 for monitoring locations)
surrounding the project site. Noise monitoring was conducted in the project area on April 4, 2001 to
quantify existing conditions using an impulse integrating sound level meter (Quest Technologies -
Model 2800). Table 3F-1 provides the recorded early afternoon ambient noise conditions in the study
area. Noise conditions are described in terms of: Equivalent Sound Level (Leq ), a measurement that
accounts for the moment-to-moment fluctuations due to all sound sources during the measurement
period (in this case 15 or 17 minutes) combined; the maximum sound level (Lmax ) reached during a
sampling period; and the minimum sound level (Lmin ) reached during a sampling period. The existing
ambient Leq noise levels ranged between 55.9 dBA to 68.9 dBA. The loudest noise levels recorded
during the measurement periods were associated with the high traffic levels on Zelzah Avenue and
Halsted Street.

2 The descriptors and decibel levels of noise sources in this discussion are typical of those that have been recorded in various
studies, including USEPA, 1971 and Beranek, 1971. Individual locations meeting these descriptions can have levels that differ by a few decibels. 
Figure 3F-1
Noise Monitoring Locations

Valley New High School 1

N 0 250
Scale in Feet
125

1 Noise Monitoring Locations

Zelzah
Avenue

Superior Street

Halsted Street
Plummer Street
Tennis Courts

Valley New High School
#1 Site

Parking Lot

Softball Field
Baseball Field

Kinesiology Field

Soccer Field
Track and Field
University Park Apartments

Multiple Family
Residential

Child & Family
Guidance Center

Open Space

CSUN Student
Housing

Lindley Avenue
Annex

1
5

2
4
3 

Table 3F-1 Ambient Measured Noise Levels of the Project Area Location
# Description
Survey Length Leq Lmax Lmin Notes

1 West side of Zelzah Avenue at the confluence of Zelzah Avenue and Halsted Street 16 minutes 66.7 81.2 46.7 The maximum noise level was from a bus driving by. Other noise sources include an athletic event announcer, cars, and batting.
2 West side of Zelzah Avenue at the southeast corner of Rosecrown Hall. 16 minutes 62.6 78.2 47.4 The maximum noise level was from a bus driving by. Other noise sources include cars and music.
3 Middle of the western perimeter of the site 17 minutes 57.2 77.4 48.2 Sources include athletic field use sounds, lawn mower, cars, and batting.
4 Middle of the southern perimeter of the site 15 minutes 55.9 72.9 50.1 Sources include tennis matches, music, athletic event public announcement, cars, and batting.
5 Southeast corner of Halsted Avenue and Zelzah Avenue 17 minutes 68.9 88.1 50.6 Sources include athletic events public announcement, music, cars, batting, and conversation.
All measurements are in dBA; Measurements taken on 4/ 4/ 01 between 12: 00 pm and 1: 30 pm. Leq= Equivalent Sound Level, a measurement (in this case 15 to 17 minutes) that accounts for the moment-to-moment

fluctuations due to all sound sources during the measurement period, combined. Lmax= The maximum sound level reached during a sampling period
Lmin= The minimum sound level reached during a sampling period

To further characterize existing noise levels in the project area, noise from traffic traveling on adjacent
streets (Zelzah Avenue and Plummer Street) in the project area was modeled using the Federal
Highway Administration Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108) (FHWA, 1999) and a. m.
peak hour traffic data provided by the project traffic engineer. Table 3F-2 summarizes traffic noise
modeling results for existing conditions.

Table 3F-2 Summary of Traffic Noise Modeling for Existing Conditions
Roadways Sound Level at 50 Feet from Centerline (Leq) Sound Level at 75 Feet from Centerline (Leq) Sound Level at 100 Feet from Centerline (Leq)

Zelzah Avenue 62.4 59.0 56.6
Plummer Street 59.2 56.1 54.3 Notes: Where barriers are located between the roadway and adjacent receptors, the predicted sound level would

be approximately 3– 5 dB less. to index

3F. 2.3 Sensitive Receptors
A land use survey was conducted to identify sensitive receptors (E.g., schools, hospitals, churches,
recreational facilities) in the general vicinity of the proposed project. Refer to Figure 3F-1 for the
location of the sensitive receptors within the study area. Sensitive receptors identified include: three
student dorm buildings, the closest of which are approximately 200 feet north and northwest from the
project site; Rosecrown Hall (first floor is the headquarters for CSUN's Public Safety, the upper floors
are residences for students and staff) approximately 150 feet north of the project site; a multifamily
residential complex north of Superior Street and east of Zelzah Avenue, approximately 350 feet from
the project site; a Child and Family Guidance Center on the corner of Superior Street and Zelzah
Avenue, approximately 150 feet from the project site; single and multifamily residential complexes
north of Halsted Street, approximately 300 feet from the project site; CSUN student housing on Zelzah
Avenue bounded by Halsted Street and Plummer Street, approximately 100 feet from the project site; a
fraternity house and single family residences on the south side of Halsted Street, approximately 350 feet 

from the project site; the CSUN Hillel Jewish Student Center on the north side of Plummer Street,
approximately 350 feet from the project site; a church and single family residences on the south side of
Plummer Street, approximately 600 feet from the project site; and a church on the southeast corner of
Zelzah Avenue and Praire Street, over 1,000 feet from the project site. to index

3F. 3 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
Federal and State Standards and Regulations
Federal. There are no Federal noise standards that directly regulate environmental noise from
construction or operation of a project of this type. However, it should be noted that the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has developed guidelines on recommended maximum noise
levels to protect public health and welfare (USEPA, 1974). Table 3F-3 provides examples of protective
noise levels recommended by USEPA. With regard to noise exposure and workers, Office of Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations safeguard the hearing of workers exposed to
occupational noise. Refer to 29 CFR Section 1910.95 for a list of permissible noise exposures.

Table 3F-3 Summary of Noise Levels Identified as Requisite to Protect
Public Health and Welfare With an Adequate Margin of Safety Effect Level Area

Hearing Loss Leq( 24)< 70 dB All areas
Ldn< 55 dB Outdoors in residential areas and farms and other outdoor areas where people spend widely varying amounts of time and other places in which quiet is a basis for use. Outdoor Activity Interference and
Annoyance Leq (24)< 55 dB Outdoor areas where people spend limited amounts of time, such as school yards, playgrounds, etc.

Ldn< 45 dB Indoor residential areas Indoor Activity Interference and
Annoyance Leq( 24)< 45 dB Other indoor areas with human activities such as schools, etc. Source: USEPA, Information on Levels of Environmental Noise Requisite to Protect Public Health and Welfare with an

Adequate Margin of Safety, March 1974. Note: Leq (24) = Represents the sound energy averaged over a 24-hour period.
Ldn = Represents the Leq with a 10 dB nighttime weighting.

State. California requires each local government entity to perform noise studies and implement a noise
element as part of their general plan. California Administrative Code, Title 4, has guidelines for
evaluating the compatibility of various land uses as a function of community noise exposure. The State
land use compatibility guidelines are listed in Table 3F-4.

Local Regulations and Standards
City of Los Angeles. The proposed project lies within the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles. The
City of Los Angeles has established policies and regulations concerning the generation and control of
noise that could adversely affect their citizens and noise sensitive land uses. Chapter XI of the
Municipal Code presents the City of Los Angeles Noise Standards. The standards are intended to be
used to control noises in actions for conditional use activities and consideration of certain noisy
commercial uses such as automobile repair businesses, cleaning establishments, and carpenter shops.  to index

Table 3F-4 Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Environment COMMUNITY NOISE EXPOSURE -Ldn or CNEL (db) LAND USE CATEGORY
50 55 60 65 70 75 80
Residential – Low Density Single Family, Duplex, Mobile Home

Residential -Multi-Family
Transient Lodging -Motel. Hotel
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes
Auditorium, Concert Hall, Amphitheaters
Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks
Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries
Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional
Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture

Normally Acceptable Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements.
Conditionally Acceptable New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features are included in the design.
Normally Unacceptable New construction or development should be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirement must be made and needed noise
insulation features included in the design.
Clearly Unacceptable New construction or development generally should not be undertaken.

Source: State of California General Plan Guidelines, Office of Planning and Research, June 1990. 

Daytime levels are to be used from 7: 00 a. m. to 10: 00 p. m. and nighttime levels from 10: 00 p. m. to
7: 00 a. m. At the boundary line between zones, the presumed or measured minimum ambient noise
level of the quieter zone shall be used. Refer to Table 3F-5 for the City of Los Angeles guidelines for
noise compatible land use. According to the noise ordinance in Section 112.04 of the Los Angeles
Municipal Code, "no person shall operate or cause to be operated any machinery, equipment, tools, or
other mechanical or electrical device or engage in any other activity in such a manner as to create any
noise which would cause the noise level on the premises of any other occupied property, or, if a
condominium, apartment house, duplex, or attached business, within any adjoining unit, to exceed the
ambient noise level by more than five (5) decibels" (City of Los Angeles, 1982, amended 1986).

Table 3F-5 City of Los Angeles Guidelines for Noise Compatible Land Use Day-Night Average Exterior Sound Level (CNEL dB)
Land Use Category 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Residential single family, duplex, mobile home A C C C N U U Residential multi-family A A C C N U U

Transient lodging, motel, hotel A A C C N N U School, library, church, hospital, nursing A A C C N N U
Auditorium, concert hall, amphitheater C C C C/ N U U U Sports arena, outdoor spectator sports C C C C C/ U U U
Playground, neighborhood park A A A A/ N N N/ U U Golf course, riding stable, water recreation, cemetery A A A A N A/ N U
Office building, business, commercial, professional A A A A/ C C C/ N N Agriculture, industrial, manufacturing, utilities A A A A A/ C C/ N N
Source: Los Angeles City General Plan, Noise Element, 1999 A = Normally acceptablE.Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon assumption buildings involved are conventional
construction, without any special noise insulation. C = Conditionally acceptable. New construction or development only after a detailed analysis of noise mitigation is made
and needed noise insulation features are included in project design. Conventional construction, but with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning normally will suffice.
N = Normally unacceptable. New construction or development generally should be discouraged. A detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made and noise insulation features included in the design of a project.
U = Clearly unacceptable. New construction or development generally should not be undertaken.

Section 112.05 states that construction and industrial machinery shall not exceed a maximum of 75 dBA
at a distance of 50 feet except where compliance is technically infeasible. The burden of proving
infeasibility falls upon the persons charged with a violation, that is, they must show that "use of
mufflers, shields, sound barriers and/ or any other noise reduction device or technique during the
operation of the equipment" cannot meet the criterion.

Chapter IV, Article 1, Section 41.40 of the Municipal Code specifies hours allowed for construction
activities (City of Los Angeles, 1982, amended 1984 and 1990). Construction or other noise generating
activities shall not disturb occupied sleeping quarters between 9 p. m. and 7 a. m., nor may such activity
occur for commercial purposes on or within 500 feet of residential property between 6 p. m. and 8 a. m.
In addition, no person, other than an individual homeowner engaged in the repair or construction of his
single family dwelling, shall perform any construction or repair work of any kind before 8: 00 a. m. or
after 6: 00 p. m. on Saturday or Federal holiday, nor at any time on Sunday. 

Los Angeles Unified School District. The LAUSD has established maximum allowable noise levels to
protect students and staff from noise impacts generated by traffic in terms of Leq or L10. These
standards were established based on regulations set forth by the California Department of
Transportation and the City of Los Angeles. The District's noise standards are presented in Table 3F-6.
A noise level increase of 3 dBA or more over ambient noise levels is considered significant and
would require mitigation to achieve pre-project ambient levels.

Table 3F-6 Acceptable Operational Vehicular Noise Levels Established by LAUSD Location L10 Noise Level Leq Noise Level
Exterior 70 dBA 67 dBA Interior 55 dBA 52 dBA

The LAUSD and its contractors shall conform to City standards for construction noise impacts on
adjacent land uses. For school sites, the standard will be that construction activities will not interfere
with educational activities. For most projects, close coordination with adjacent schools and their
administrators will be required. to index

3F. 4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
3F. 4.1 Methodology
There are two criteria for judging noise impacts. First, noise levels projected for the planned facility
must comply with the relevant Federal, State, or local standards or regulations. Mitigation of noise
impacts on worker safety and health is enforced by OSHA (by CAL OSHA in California), but
effectiveness depends on the vigilance of supervisors in seeing that workers use protective gear in high
noise environments. Noise impacts on the surrounding community are enforced through local noise
ordinances, supported by nuisance complaints and subsequent investigation. It is assumed that all
existing regulations applicable to the construction or operation of the proposed project would be
enforced.

The second measure of impact recognized by noise analysts is the increase in noise levels above the
existing ambient level as a result of the introduction of a new source of noise. A change in noise level
due to a new noise source can create an impact on people. The degree of impact is hard to assess
because of the highly subjective character of individuals' reactions to changes in noise. A judgment
commonly used in community noise impact analyses associates long-term noise increases of 3 to 10
dBA with "some impact." Noise level increases of more than 10 dBA are generally considered severe.
In the case of short-term noise increases, such as those from construction, the 10 dBA threshold
between "some" and "severe" impact is often replaced with a criterion of 15 dBA. These noise-averaged
thresholds are to be lowered when the noise level fluctuates, or the noise has an irritating
character with considerable high frequency energy, or if it is accompanied by subsonic vibration. In
these cases, the impact must be individually estimated. 

Criteria for Determining Significance
For this analysis, impacts would be considered significant if adopted local standards, noise elements, or
ordinances would be exceeded in noise level, timing, or duration. The following three significance
criteria are considered in this assessment.

· The project would increase the ambient noise level above ordinance-specified limits for the land use zoning
· An increase in noise levels of 15 dBA or more would occur over a period of at least one day at a sensitive
receptor with any ambient noise level, permanent increases of 3 dBA would also be significant

· Expose future students of the proposed project to existing or projected noise levels in excess of established standards and thresholds. to index

3F. 4.2 Project Impacts
3F. 4.2.1 Construction
Construction noise can be created from on-site and off-site sources. On-site noise during construction
would occur primarily from heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment during activities such as
ditching, grading, backfilling, etc. Offsite noise sources would occur from trucks delivering material
and equipment to and from the job-site, as well as from vehicles used by workers commuting to and
from the proposed job site.

Construction noise of the project would generate short-term impacts. In order for the reader to
identify with the range of noise (dBA) intensities, Table 3F-7 lists typical sound levels measured in the
environment and the subjective human response to the various intensities of noise.

Table 3F-7 Typical Sound Levels Measured in the Environment and Industry
Common Sounds A-Weighted Sound Level in Decibels Subjective Impression
Oxygen Torch 120 Rock Band 110 Pain Threshold

Pile Driver at 50 feet 100 Ambulance Siren at 100 feet 90 Very Loud
Garbage Disposal 80 Vacuum Cleaner at 10 feet 70 Moderately Loud
Quiet Urban Daytime 50 Quiet Urban Nighttime 40
Bedroom at Night 30 Quiet Recording Studio 20 Just Audible
10 Threshold of Hearing
Sources: Aviation Planning Associates. 1978. Calculations of Maximum A-weighted Sound Levels (dBA) Resulting from Civil Aircraft Operations; 1979. Seminar on Noise Control Plan Development.

Table 3F-8 provides a typical list of construction equipment with typical noise ranges that would be
used to construct the proposed school (USEPA, 1974). 

Table 3F-8 Noise Emission Characteristics of Construction Equipment Equipment Typical Range
Dozer 82-95 Truck leaving construction site 72-80
Backhoe 80-92 Ditching machine 80-90
Motor crane 78-87 Front end loader 80-90
Pickup 70-85
Note: Levels are in dBA at 50-foot reference distance. These values are based on a range of equipment and operating conditions.

Impact F1: An increase in noise levels of 15 dBA or more occurring over a period of at least one day
at a sensitive receptor with any ambient noise level.

Land uses in the project area are residential, educational, and institutional. It is projected that
construction of the proposed project could take up to 18 months to complete. It is anticipated that
sensitive receptors and residences in the vicinity of the project area would be adversely affected by on-site
construction noise generated by the numerous pieces of construction equipment operating within the
construction zone. Based on the information presented in Table 3F-8 above, short-term average on-site
construction noise levels would be in the order of 75 to 85 dBA, 50 feet from the construction site, or
69 to 79 dBA at 100 feet. (100 feet is the approximate distance of the closest sensitive receptors that
are east of the site.) Noise levels described above would be potentially significant, but would be
reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of Mitigation Measures F-1 through F-4,
described below.

Noise levels from off-site traffic-related construction sources (delivery trucks, automobiles, and haul
trucks) would be adverse (approximately 70 to 80 dBA at 50 feet), but intermittent and limited to
daytime hours. Therefore, impacts associated with off-site construction sources are considered to be
less than significant. The LAUSD has adopted the following measures as part of the project to ensure
construction noise is reduced.

· LAUSD will provide at least 72-hour advance notice at the commencement of construction to all sensitive
receptors, business, and residences adjacent to the project construction area. The announcement shall state
specifically where and when construction will occur. Notices shall provide tips on reducing noise intrusion,
for example, by closing windows facing the planned construction and identify a contact person.

· LAUSD will maintain properly functioning mufflers on all internal combustion and vehicle engines used in
construction to reduce noise to the maximum feasible extent.

· LAUSD will monitor construction noise levels to ensure compliance with the noise ordinance. In the event of
complaints by nearby residents or receptors, the LAUSD will monitor noise from the construction activity to
ensure that construction noise does not exceed limits specified in the noise ordinance. Measurements shall be
conducted at adjacent residential uses. In the event that construction noise exceeds the specified limits,
appropriate measures will be implemented to limit noise to acceptable levels.

· If found to be necessary on a case by case basis, the LAUSD shall direct construction contractor to install
noise curtains along the construction perimeter adjoining noise sensitive land uses. Noise thresholds not to be
exceeded shall be included in the construction contractors contract with the LAUSD. 

With regard to worker exposure to high noise levels, all project personnel who could potentially be
exposed to sound levels in excess of 85 dBA will be provided personal protective equipment in accord
with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and guidelines. Therefore,
noise impacts on project personnel would be adverse, but less than significant.

Mitigation Measures. Implementation of the LAUSD's construction noise measures would assure less than significant impacts. No additional measures are needed. to index

3F. 4.2.2 Operations
Similar to construction noise, long-term operational noise can be created from on-site and off-site
sources. On-site noise during operations would occur primarily from operations of mechanical
equipment associated with air conditioning and other building facilities and other sources such as
periodic landscape maintenance and school-ground and athletic field play. Off-site noise sources would
occur from increased vehicle trips to the site.

Impact F2: Exposure of persons to an increase of 3 dBA or more of noise relative to no project
conditions or generation of noise levels in excess of health standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies, including those of LAUSD.

Operational activities that could be noisy would include student activity on site, public address systems,
bells, alarms, outdoor bands, crowds at large events, students playing outdoors in different athletic
fields (a baseball field, soccer field, and the basketball/ tennis courts), and vehicular circulation. These
sources could generate short-term noise levels between 60 to 70 dBA adjacent to the school site, but
would be limited to school hours, with a few exceptions for special events.

With regard to off-site noise, modeled a. m. peak hour traffic noise levels in the project area under
existing conditions, future conditions (year 2004) without the project, and future conditions (year 2004)
with the project are summarized in Table 3F-9. As described in Table 3F-9, the incremental increase
of the modeled noise levels estimated to be generated along roads adjacent to the project is under the
3.0 dBA incremental significance criteria. These incremental increases (0.5 dBA along Zelzah Avenue
and 0.2 dBA along Plummer Street) represent potential impacts that are considered less than
significant to adjacent sensitive receptors.

Table 3F-9 Comparison of Noise Modeling Results dBA Leq at 50 Feet from Centerline
Roadway and Location Existing (2001) Future (2004) Without
Project Future (2004) With Project Modeled Increase Caused by Project

Zelzah Avenue 62.4 62.6 63.1 +0.5
Plummer Street 59.2 59.3 59.5 +0.2
Note: Where barriers are located between the roadway and adjacent residences, the predicted sound level would be approximately 3 dB less.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required. 

Impact F3: Exposure of future students of the proposed project to existing or projected noise levels in
excess of established LAUSD standards and thresholds.

Implementation of the proposed project could potentially expose students to noise levels that exceed the
LAUSD's interior or exterior noise standards of 52 and 67 dBA Leq, respectively. Although the
modeled noise levels presented in Table 3F-9 are below such levels, the actual ambient noise levels
measured for this project (see Table 3F-1) indicate some levels are elevated over the District's exterior
threshold. These noise levels could represent a potentially significant impact that could adversely affect
the health and welfare of students at the proposed school. To ensure compliance with the interior
noise standard, the District has committed to designing the proposed school with acoustic-rated
windows and solid core doors. In addition, all windows and doors would be well fit with weather-stripping
to reduce air leaks and all classrooms would be fitted with forced air ventilation so that
windows and doors would remain closed during school (or peak traffic) hours. With regard to exterior
noise, if the District finds that exterior noise levels on the school grounds are consistently exceeded, the
District would place a sound wall along Zelzah Avenue to reduce noise levels to less than the exterior
noise standard value. The wall could be placed at the edge of the roadway easement for maximum
effectiveness and should be high enough to block the line-of-sight of traffic (i. e., five feet).

Mitigation Measures. Implementation of the Districts design criteria discussed above would assure
less than significant impacts to future students of the proposed school. No additional measures are
needed. to index

3F. 4.3 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative noise impacts could potentially occur from the development of other projects within the
proposed project study area. Eleven related projects have been identified within the project study area
(see Figure 2-8). These projects include commercial, residential and academic uses. Noise from the
construction and onsite operations of these projects is expected to be localized and thus impact the areas
immediately surrounding the proposed project. Off-site operational noise sources would be limited to
sporadic vehicle trips that would not significantly increase noise levels along adjacent streets.
Therefore, noise levels from these cumulative projects are not expected to contribute to cumulatively
considerable impacts on the proposed project area. Cumulative impacts associated with the proposed
project and the identified cumulative projects are anticipated to be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required  To index

3G. PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES

3G.1 Introduction 
3G.2 Existing Setting
3G.3 Applicable Regulations
3G.4 Impacts and Mitigation
3G.4.1 Methodology
3G.4.2 Project Impacts
3G.4.3 Cumulative Impacts.

 to index 

3G. 1 INTRODUCTION
For each of the public services and utilities included in this section, existing infrastructure and levels of
service are described, as well as improvements required to accommodate the project-induced demand
for additional public services. This section identifies current levels of service or capacity, as
appropriate, and assesses the quantities of services necessary for construction and operation of the
project. Services for the new school are assessed in terms of location, existing and projected service
ratios, response times, and other service objectives as applicable. Cumulative impacts are determined
with consideration of projected development in the study area. Where impacts on public services are
determined to be significant, mitigation measures are recommended to ensure adequate delivery of
public services to the project.

The analysis in this section is based on information obtained from public service providers, which
include the City of Los Angeles Police Department, the LAUSD Police Department, the City of Los
Angeles Fire Department, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Utility
providers usually include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the City of Los Angeles
Department of Public Works, Bureaus of Sanitation and Engineering (Appendix E). Service providers
from adjacent jurisdictions may include the County Sheriffs Department, respective city fire
departments, school and park districts, and other public facilities. to index

3G. 2 EXISTING SETTING
Public Services
Fire Protection
The primary fire protection provider for the project site is Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)
Station 70, which is located approximately one mile from the project site. The adequacy of fire
protection for a given area is based on required fire-flow, response distance from existing fire stations,
and the Fire Department's ability to respond to the demand for fire protection. Table 3G-1 describes
the resources, staffing, and distance from the project site for the existing fire stations available for
initial response to the project site.

Table 3G-1 Existing Fire Stations Available for Initial Response Station
No. Address Resources Staffing Miles from Proposed Project
70 9861 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91324 2 Engines, 1 Truck 11 1.0 103 18143 Parthenia St.. Northridge, CA 91335 1 Engine 4 1.2

87 10241 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344 1 Engine 4 2.9 *73 7419 Reseda Blvd., Reseda CA 91335 1 Engine, 2 Trucks 6 3.1
Sources: LAFD 2001a and LAFD 2001b. * If needed / called upon at the request of another station. 

According to the LAFD, the fire hydrant flow requirements that include water pressure and volume are
currently being met for the surrounding land uses (LAFD, 2001a), which include public facilities (E.g.,
CSUN and a family guidance center) and residential areas such as single-family homes and multiple-family
residences (E.g., apartment complexes).

Police Protection
The Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department (LAUSDPD) and the City of Los Angeles
Police Department (LAPD) would provide police protection for the proposed school. The LAUSDPD
would be the primary provider of police protection for the new school site.

LAUSD Police Department. In 1984, California legislation was enacted that enabled the LAUSD to
form and maintain a police department. California Police Officer Standards and Training were met,
and the previous Security Section was retitled to Police Department. As the Security Section evolved
into the Police Department, "police officer" became the official title for all sworn personnel.
Currently, the department consists of over 305 staff, including (LAUSDPD, 2001a):

· 1 Chief
· 1 Assistant Chiefs
· 9 Lieutenants
· 16 Detectives
· 28 Sergeants
· 250 Police Officers.

Duties of the LAUSDPD are designed to protect life and property. These duties involve the following:
· The prevention and control of acts of violence throughout the LAUSD
· Investigation of crimes against the LAUSD, its students, and staff
· Apprehending and arresting suspects
· Preparation of reports
· Liaison with other police agencies.

The LAUSDPD is responsible for providing law enforcement services to 910 schools and centers,
covering 708 square miles, and protection of 877,922 students and 65,311 regular District employees
on a 24-hour operational basis (LAUSDPD, 2001a). The Department employs two primary modes of
operation: the Resident Officer Program and the Patrol Operations. In the Resident Officer Program,
there is at least one police officer at every high school and most middle school campuses. Patrol
Operations involves police officers patrolling in marked police vehicles throughout the LAUSD.
Response times for Patrol Operations vary depending on the location of the school facility and patrol-unit.
The response to a normal call averages approximately 10 minutes or less but in an emergency
incident (E.g., life or death), the response time averages approximately 5 to 6 minutes (LAUSDPD,
2001b). 

Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPD would be the secondary provider of police protection
services for the new school site and would supplement LAUSDPD services by serving as "backup".
The project site is within the Northridge Community area in the Operations Valley Bureau of the
LAPD's Reporting District (RD) No. 1651. The Devonshire Police Station serves the neighborhoods
of Chatsworth, Granada Hills, North Hills, and Northridge as well as parts of Canoga Park and
Winnetka. The area covers roughly 53.9 square miles and has an estimated population of 240,000
people (LAPD, 2001a).

Devonshire Police Station is the primary police station serving the project area. The station is located
at 10250 Etiwanda Avenue, approximately 1.6 miles northwest of the proposed project location. The
Police Division employs 272 sworn officers, not including IOD (injured on duty) officers or officers on
vacation. The average response time to a high priority call is approximately 8 minutes (LAPD, 2001b).
During the last six months, the following crimes were reported in the area surrounding the proposed
site (LAPD, 2001c):

· 115 burglary/ theft from motor vehicles
· 54 burglaries
· 66 grand theft autos
· 18 aggravated assaults
· 15 robberies
· 6 sexual assaults.

California State University Northridge Police Department (CSUNPD). The CSUNPD would not be
the primary police department to respond to crimes and emergency incidents on the proposed project
site because the site would be annexed to the LAUSD. Thus, the project site would be out of the
jurisdiction of the CSUNPD. However, the CSUNPD would respond to a crime in progress or
emergency incident (life or death) situation. Once the situation is under control, the CSUNPD would
report the situation/ incident to the proper police department (i. e., LAUSD or LAPD) for follow up.
The extent of public service and protection to the proposed project site by CSUNPD would be limited
(CSUNPD, 2001).

Schools
The proposed project is within LAUSD's Valley Planning Area. The LAUSD provides elementary,
middle, and high school education to the Northridge community. Table 3G-2 lists current enrollment
and existing classroom capacities for these schools, and Figure 2-5 shows their location in relation to
the project site. Monroe High School, which is near the proposed school site is operating above its
capacity. There are no plans to increase operating accommodations for existing schools in the LAUSD
despite the number of schools that are operating over or nearing over their designated space allocations.

It should be noted that all schools in the LAUSD are on year-round calendars and most have multi-track
programs. Year round calendars have allowed schools to increase their capacity by approximately 23
percent. 

Table 3G-2 Current Enrollment and Existing Classroom Capacities for Nearby Schools
School Name Peak Capacity Seats short at Peak
High Schools
Monroe 3766 3805 North Hollywood 3579 1555

Polytechnic 3292 2116 San Fernando 3723 1371
Van Nuys 3686 2255 Middle School
Fulton 2497 475 Madison 2466 555
Sepulveda 2567 1806 Sun Valley 2395 1031
Van Nuys 1417 708 Elementary School
Bassett 1311 92 Fair 1518 161
Hazeltine 1127 460 Langdon 1035 598
Noble 1518 391 Oxnard 897 207
Plummer 1334 1219 Sylvan Park 1173 69
Valerio 1334 322 Van Nuys 621 115
Vaughn 897 115 Victory 1242 460

Parks and Recreation Facilities
The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is responsible for operating and managing parks
within the City of Los Angeles. Governed by the Public Recreation Plan and the Open Space Element,
the Department also performs and oversees all of the planning efforts and activities concerning City
parks, recreational facilities, and open space.

There are no public parks or recreation facilities within a quarter-mile of the proposed school site. The
nearest recreation facility is the Northridge Park and Recreation Center, which is located on Reseda
Boulevard and Lemarsh Street, approximately 1.4 miles northwest of the project site.

In addition to Northridge Park and Recreation Center, two other parks are within the project vicinity,
which include Dearborn Park and Vanalden Park. Dearborn Park is 2.4 miles to the southeast on
Nordhoff Street and Aldea Avenue and Vanalden Park is 2.1 miles to the southwest on Vanalden
Avenue.

The Northridge Community Plan (City of Los Angeles, 1998b) classifies parks according to the
following three types: regional, community, and neighborhood. There are no regional parks in
Northridge. In order to accommodate adequate recreation and park facilities that meet the needs of the
residents, the community has adopted certain policies. The following policies apply to the project site: 

· To preserve and improve the existing recreational facilities and park space. Recreation facilities and park
space are designated in the Open Space (OS) Zone, which provide such protection.

· Better utilization and development of recreational facilities at existing parks. The District and City's
Department of Recreation and Park should develop programs to fully utilize their respective sites.

These two policies were designed to conserve, maintain, and better utilize existing recreation and park
facilities, which promote desirable recreational experiences.

In addition to existing recreational facilities serving the project area, the proposed high school would
include basketball courts and a fitness center for student use. Students would also have supervised
access to the athletic facilities at the CSUN campus.

Water Supply
The Department of Water and Power (DWP) exclusively supplies water to the project area. Three
sources are used by DWP to meet water requirements: local groundwater, the Los Angeles Aqueduct
System (LAA), and purchases from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).
The following are brief descriptions of the three DWP water sources.

Los Angeles Aqueduct. LAA consists of two aqueducts. Construction of the first LAA, the Owens
River Aqueduct, was completed in 1913. The 233-mile Owens River Aqueduct transports snowmelt
from the eastern slopes of Sierra Nevada. In 1940, the aqueduct was extended 105 miles north to the
Mono Basin. The Mono Basin Project extended the length of the first LAA to 338 miles and increased
the capacity of the system to almost 300 million gallons per day (gpd) [336,000 acre feet per year
(AF/ Y)]. To meet the City's increasing water demands, a second LAA was completed in 1970 to
transport additional water from the southern Owens Valley to Los Angeles. Completion of the second
LAA increased the LAA capacity to almost 500 million gpd (560,000 AF/ Y). However, recent court
decisions to provide additional aqueduct water to benefit the environment in the Mono Basin and the
Owens Valley have limited the City's aqueduct deliveries. As a result, long-term projections for LAA
deliveries are about 350,000 AF/ Y, which would satisfy about half of the City's water needs.
Currently, the main source of water that supplies the proposed project area is the LAA, which supplies
80 to 100 percent of the area's water. The remainder of the water comes from wells and/ or purchased
water from the MWD (DWP, 2000).

Local Groundwater. The City is entitled to 110,000 AF/ Y of groundwater from local basins. Since
1970, local wells have produced about 95,000 AF/ Y accounting for approximately 15 percent of the
City's water supply. During emergencies or prolonged drought periods, additional groundwater can be
extracted.

Metropolitan Water District. MWD serves 27 agencies in Southern California encompassing 5,200
square miles with a population of nearly 16 million people. MWD is a regional water "wholesaler" as
opposed to DWP, which acts like a water "retailer" providing water directly to individual customers 

rather than water agencies. Since 1970, the City has purchased an average of 125,000 AF/ Y of water
from MWD, or 20 percent of the City's total supply. The City's annual MWD purchases can vary
significantly depending on the need to supplement LAA deliveries during dry conditions (DWP, 2000).

DWP Water Distribution Facilities. DWP water distribution facilities are currently operating within
normal parameters. DWP currently maintains the following water distribution facilities in the vicinity of
the proposed school site:

· One 8-inch-diameter cast iron water main in Lindley Avenue between Lassen Street and Halsted Street
· Point of Connection (POC) is a cast iron water main located at the corner of Halsted Street and Lindley Ave.

Stormwater
The storm drain( s) inlets and pipes that transport surface water runoff from the proposed school site are
located along several adjacent streets. West of the project site on Halsted Street at the corner of White
Oak Avenue are two storm drain inlets that connect to a storm drainpipe that is parallel with White Oak
Avenue. The storm drainpipe along White Oak Avenue runs to the south. Northeast of Halsted Street
at the corner of Superior Street and White Oak Avenue are three storm drain inlets, while to the
southeast at Plummer Street and White Oak Avenue, four storm drain inlets exist. Additional storm
drain inlets are at the corner of Plummer Street and Lindley Avenue, which connects to a storm
drainpipe that runs parallel to Lindley Avenue. All stormwater that enters these storm facilities flows
into the L. A River, which ultimately outlets into San Pedro Bay (BOS, 2001a).

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps, the
proposed school site is outside the 100-year flood boundary. The Valley District office has no record of
drainage problems in the streets fronting the proposed site. The flood control facilities serving the
subject site are under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and any
remodeling of or connections to their system requires the proper permit from the County (BOS, 2001).

Wastewater Infrastructure
The sanitary sewer system that serves the area of the proposed school site is operated under the
jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation. The Bureau
of Sanitation provides planning and financial management, and maintains and operates the wastewater
collection and treatment system. The Bureau of Engineering provides design and construction
engineering.

Wastewater Collection System. Wastewater service and planning areas are determined by natural
drainage patterns and do not generally conform to City boundaries. The proposed school site falls
within the planning area of the Wastewater Engineering Services Division, Valley Area. Wastewater
collected within the Valley Area is routed to the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP)
in Van Nuys. The sewer systems are referred to as sewer outfall and interceptor components. For new
projects, the project engineer would determine which sewer line the project would be connected. The 

City would then identify the specific major sewer outfall and interceptor that would transport
wastewater from the project site to the treatment plant. According to the City map from the Wastewater
Engineering Services Division, there are three 8-inch sewage collector lines that run adjacent to the
site. One of the lines is along Halsted Avenue, another along Zelzah Avenue, and the third is along
Lindley Ave (BOS, 2001a).

Treatment Plant. Wastewater from the project area is treated at the TWRP in Van Nuys at the
intersection of Victory Boulevard and Woodley Avenue on the edge of the Sepulveda Flood Control
Basin. The TWRP was designed as an advanced tertiary treatment facility with the ability to process an
average dry weather flow of 80 million gpd of wastewater (BOS, 2001a; BOS, 2001b). The present
service area is limited to areas that are direct tributaries to the Additional Valley Outfall Relief Sewer
(AVORS) upstream of the plant, and the East Valley Interceptor Sewer (EVIS). AVORS is an outfall
sewer that takes sewage from the sewage system of the service area to a larger sewage system, which in
this case is the Hyperion Treatment Plant (HTP).

The advanced tertiary treated effluent from TWRP is used by the City for irrigating nearby parks, golf
courses, and greenbelt areas, or is discharged to the L. A. River. However, the TWRP treatment
process is activated sludge, followed by coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and de-chlorination. Waste
sludge that cannot be processed and treated is returned to AVORS for transport to the Hyperion
Treatment Plant for treatment (BOS, 2001b).

Solid Waste Disposal
The management of solid waste in the City of Los Angeles involves public and private refuse collection
services as well as public and private operation of solid waste transfer, resource recovery, and disposal
facilities. The Bureau of Sanitation provides collection services primarily to single family residences
and some of the smaller multi-family residences. The City is also responsible for collecting waste from
the City Hall complex, some public buildings, parks, and fire stations, but does not collect solid waste
from public schools.

Multi-family residences, such as apartment complexes and condominiums and most other non-residential
properties (including public schools), are served by private collectors contracted directly by
individual property owners to collect and transport their materials for disposal or recycling. With
regard to the project site, private contractors would haul solid waste from the site to landfills. The
solid waste facility used by the LAUSD would depend on the private solid waste contractor. These
private haulers have access to a number of landfill and transfer stations located throughout the City and
County (LAUSDEHS, 2001). Landfills that may serve the proposed project and their approximate
capacities are listed in Table 3G-3. 

Table 3G-3 Landfills that May Serve the Proposed Project Site
Class III Landfill Operation Days/ Week Facility Address Permitted (Tons) Average (Tons)
Remaining Permitted

Capacity (Tons)

Waste Management/ Bradley Landfill 6 9227 Tujunga Ave Sun Valley 91352 10,000 4,961 14,629,100

Sunshine Canyon 6 14747 San Fernando Los Angeles 93144 6,600 3,481 23,720,000
Source: CIWMB 2001.

Library Facilities
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system services several different communities, in addition to
serving its own community, with a Central Library. The Central Library houses 2.2 million books and
other materials; however, the LAPL system as a whole houses approximately 6.5 million books and
other materials. With seven regional branch libraries, more than 60 branch libraries, and two
bookmobiles (which consist of a total of five individual bookmobiles), the LAPL is a major resource for
individuals, libraries, and other organizations such as the LAUSD (City of Los Angeles, 1998b). The
LAPL system provides: handicapped access; electronic technology; substantial shelving and seating
capacities; and access by car, bus, and foot. The nearest library branch to the project site is the
Northridge Branch, approximately 1.3 miles to the southwest.

According the draft Joint Participation Agreement between the LAUSD and CSUN, the Oviatt Library
on the CSUN campus would be available for use by students of the proposed new school during school
hours. The library also serves the surrounding community and faculty and students of the university
(CSUN, 2001). The Oviatt Library provides educational, cultural, information services and resources,
and houses a series of collections such as government documents, juvenile literature, periodicals and
newspapers, special collections, fine arts, and instructional material.

Energy Conservation
The DWP would provide electricity and the Southern California Gas Company would supply natural
gas to the project. The largest existing component of electricity and natural gas use is residential users
(City of Los Angeles, 1998a). to index

3G. 3 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
Water Supply
Los Angeles City Ordinance No. 163532. Ordinance No. 163532 requires that no building permit be
issued for any industrial, commercial, or multi-family residential structure unless the City's planning
department establishes that xeriscape will be included with the project. A point system has been
developed to evaluate the degree of compliance. The square footage of the lot in question determines
the number of points necessary. This review system is administered on an ongoing basis. 

Water Consumption. DWP has implemented several programs aimed at reducing water consumption
by residential consumers. In April of 1998, the City of Los Angeles enacted the Emergency Water
Conservation Ordinance that requires all water users in the City to install low-flow (less than 3 gallons
per minute) showerheads, to put displacement devices in tank-type toilets, and to reduce flush volumes
to 3.5 gallons. Low-flow showerheads and displacement devices are provided to all residential
customers by the DWP. Since July 1988, over 1.3 million low-flow showerheads have been given out.
The DWP is also responsible for implementing other residential conservation programs that include the
Ultra-Low-Flush Toilet Replacement Program (responsible for the replacement of more than 500,000
toilets), the Technical Assistance Program (providing financial incentives for commercial/ industrial
conservation retrofitting), and a water rate structure that rewards conservation and penalizes wasteful
water use.

Working Within Public Right-of-Way. All proposed water facility modifications, rearrangements,
relocations, system improvements, new installations, and abandonments within the public rights-of-way
(ROWs) are subject to DWP approval. In addition to DWP approval, all work within the public ROWs
such as water main and service installations and sidewalk and roadway improvements are subject to the
Los Angeles Department of the Public Works approval, in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

Stormwater
Projects that involve storm drain facilities to be built within the public right-of-way or involve public
facilities require permits and approvals for stormwater-related facilities issued by the Development
Services Division of the Bureau of Engineering. If a private drainage line from the proposed school
site were to connect to the public drainage system immediately adjacent to the site, the District would
be required to file for a Storm Drain Connection Permit. If no public drains are available for
connection with the private line, the Development Services Division would require that the District
submit for a Class B Permit, to construct a drainage line within the public right-of-way to connect to
the nearest public drainage line.

Sewage/ Wastewater Infrastructure
City of Los Angeles Ordinance No. 166,060 (Sewer Allocation). This ordinance limits the annual
increase in the wastewater quantity discharged into the HTP system to five million gpd. Special Order
No. SO06-0691 changed the design peak dry weather flow for sanitary sewers from three-quarter depth
of the pipes diameter to one-half depth to implement the City-adopted goal of no overflows or
diversions from the wastewater collection system. Engineering personnel at the Bureau of Engineers
implement the ordnance.

Solid Waste Disposal and Landfills
ISWM Act of 1989 (Public Resources Code 40050 et. seq.) or Assembly Bill 939. Pursuant to the
California Integrated Solid Waste Management Act of 1989, the City of Los Angeles is required to 

reduce the amount of solid waste disposed in landfills 25 percent by 1995 and 50 percent by the year
2000. Contracts that include work that will generate solid waste, including construction and demolition
debris, have been targeted for participation in source reduction, re-use, and recycling programs. The
contractor is urged to manage solid waste generated by the work, to divert waste from disposal in
landfills, particularly Class III landfills, and to maximize source reduction, re-use, and recycling of
construction and demolition debris.

Solid Resources Management Specification. The Solid Resources Management Specifications
(SRMS) were developed by the City of Los Angeles in response to Assembly Bill 939. The SRMS are
contractor guidelines and requirements for re-use, salvage, and recycling of construction, demolition,
and land clearing materials. to index

3G. 4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
3G. 4.1 Methodology
Criteria for Determining Significance
The criteria used to determine the significance of proposed project impacts to public services and
utilities are based on the model initial study checklist in Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines.
The proposed project may result in significant impacts if:

· It would result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities; need for new or physically altered governmental facilities; the construction of
which could cause significant environmental impacts in order to maintain acceptable service ratios; response
times, capacity, or other performance objectives for any of the following public services and utilities:

-Fire Protection
-Police Protection
-Schools
-Parks and Recreation Facilities
-Water/ Wastewater Facilities
-Water Drainage Facilities
-Library Facilities.

· Sufficient water supplies are not available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or if
new or expanded entitlements are needed

· It would be served by a landfill with insufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
disposal needs

· Comply with Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste
· It would result in a substantial increase in the consumption of non-renewable energy resources or if it would
wastefully consume energy resources. to index

3G. 4.2 Project Impacts
Projected needs for public services and utilities during project construction and operation have been
assessed. Where construction-related and operational activities exceed the existing supply/ demand 

capacities and/ or response time/ performance criteria for any of these services, significance levels are
identified and if necessary, appropriate mitigation is recommended.

Impact G1: Fire Protection

Construction
A high demand for fire protection services during construction is not anticipated. Fire protection
services could potentially be required during construction in the event of an accident. Existing services
would be able to accommodate such an occurrence. Temporary closure of traffic lanes on adjacent
streets is not anticipated to be needed to accommodate project construction. Therefore, access for fire
units responding to emergencies would not be impeded. In addition, proposed project construction is
not expected to result in a population increase that would increase demand for services beyond existing
levels. No significant impacts to fire protection services are expected during project construction.

Operation
According to the LAFD, the required fire-flow for this project is in adequate condition. Thus, no
improvements to the water system are anticipated (LAFD, 2001a).

Since the intent of the proposed project is to relieve overcrowding at existing LAUSD facilities, no new
enrollment beyond existing levels is expected to result from project implementation. As such, a
population increase that would result in increased demand for public services is not expected.
Therefore, it is unlikely that the proposed project would require improvements to the existing water
system and potential impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G2: Police Protection
Construction
A high demand for police protection services during construction is not anticipated. The construction
site would be secured (with fences and gates) to prevent trespassing and vandalism, and avoid accidents
involving the public. No temporary closure of traffic lanes on adjacent streets to accommodate project
construction is anticipated. Therefore, access for police units responding to emergencies would not be
impeded. In addition, proposed project construction is not expected to result in a population increase
that would result in increased demand for services beyond existing levels. No significant impacts to
police protection services are expected during project construction. 

Operation
The proposed project is intended to relieve overcrowding at existing LAUSD facilities; no new
enrollment beyond existing levels is expected to result from project implementation. The LAUSDPD
and the LAPD would provide police protection to the proposed school and should not be significantly
affected by the operation of the proposed school. The LAUSDPD Patrol Operations involves regular
patrols of school sites within specified areas. Since the proposed school is in close proximity to
Monroe High School, the proposed school would be included in that patrol route (LAUSDPD, 2001b).
The LAUSDPD would not be significantly impacted by the new school, nor would the LAPD, who
currently patrols the area regularly. Because of the lack of a net increase in demand of LAUSDPD
services and the "back-up" nature of support provided by the LAPD, potential impacts would be less
than significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G3: Schools
While year-round calendars with multi-track programs give partial relief to the LAUSD's overcrowding
problems, construction of new schools would further relieve overcrowding. The proposed project
would provide school service for a total of 1,243 students, but the approximate number of students on
campus at any one time would be 888, thus would relieve overcrowding at Monroe High School. The
proposed project would result in a beneficial impact by relieving current overcrowding conditions.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G4: Parks and Recreation Facilities
Since the intent of the proposed project is to relieve overcrowding at existing LAUSD facilities, no new
enrollment beyond existing levels is expected to result from project implementation. Instead, existing
students would be transferred to a new location and an increase in the demand for parks and recreation
facilities is not expected. Therefore, it is unlikely that the proposed project would require improvements
to the existing park system.

The school would provide additional recreational facilities such as a fitness center and basketball courts.
Also, the proposed school site would have supervised access to the athletic facilities on the CSUN
campus. Thus, no increases on the demand for recreational facilities or elimination of any recreational
facilities are expected. It is anticipated that the proposed project site would have no significant impacts
on the parks and recreation system within the project area.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G5: Water/ Wastewater Facilities 

Construction
New water/ wastewater treatment facilities would not be required nor would existing facilities require
expansion to accommodate new sources of water/ wastewater from the proposed school. Wastewater
would not be generated at the project site during construction since there would be no functioning
plumbing system until construction of the school is completed. Portable toilets would be provided at
the site for use by construction workers. Waste from these portable toilets would be collected and
disposed of at an off-site location. The amount of wastewater that would be generated during
construction activities would not be substantial. As a result, there would be no significant impacts to
the sewer system during project construction.

Operation
As described in the Wastewater Collection System section, the proposed school's sanitary sewer system
depends on which outfall and interceptor, is selected by the project engineer. To identify potential
impacts to the project areas wastewater facilities, wastewater discharges at the proposed school site
have been projected for current conditions, and for conditions under operation of the proposed school
(please refer to Table 3G-4). The projections indicate that operations of the proposed school would
generate about 10,656 gallons of wastewater per day. Implementation of the proposed school is not
expected to significantly add additional wastewater over what is currently generated in the project area
during a given day.

Table 3G-4 Estimated Wastewater Discharges with Proposed School
Type Description Average Daily Flow per Type Description (Gpd/ unit) Amount of Units per use Average Daily Flow (Gpd)
Estimated Waste Water Generation of Site Operations of the Proposed School
School: High School a 12/ student 888 students 10,656 Notes: Gpd = gallons per day

a The sewage generation factor for schools based on student capacity covers the following facilities: classrooms and lecture halls,
professors' offices, administration offices, laboratories for classes or research, bookstores, student/ professor lounges, school cafeterias, auditoriums and fitness center.

Source: Exhibit K. 2-11 Sewage Generation Factors, Draft LA CEQA Thresholds Guide

The LAUSD would be required to obtain a "will serve" letter from the service provider prior to the
commencement of construction. It is anticipated that the relatively minor amount of wastewater
generated by the operations of the proposed school would not exceed wastewater treatment
requirements that the LARWQCB imposes on the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP). In
addition, the TWRP is designed to handle an average dry weather flow (ADWF) of 80 million gpd.
From January 1995 to December 1999, the average monthly flow for this plant was 64 mgd and ranged
from 50 million gpd to 78 million gpd (BOS, 2001b). Therefore, the wastewater treatment provider has
adequate capacity to handle wastewater during the operation phase of the proposed school site.

Potential impacts to the project area sewer system and related facilities are anticipated to be less than
significant. 

Mitigation Measure. No mitigation is required.
Impact G6: Water Drainage Facilities
Construction
As identified in the stormwater part of Section 3G. 2, if new construction of stormwater drainage
facilities or expansions and remodeling of existing facilities are required, the contractor would need to
acquire the necessary permit from the Los Angles County of Department of Public Works. Thus,
during project construction, drainage patterns at the proposed project site would be temporarily
disrupted due to excavation and grading activities. After construction is complete, drainage conditions
on site would be restored similar to existing conditions with surface water runoff transported to adjacent
streets and into the local storm drain system. The quantity of runoff leaving the site may be somewhat
reduced during project construction compared to existing conditions due to the exposure of bare ground
surface (allowing water to infiltrate the ground) and to the fact that some water would pool in excavated
areas rather than run off the site. These temporary changes in drainage conditions at the site are not
considered significant.

Construction activities such as site grading could cause site soils to be vulnerable to erosion from runoff
during a storm event. Potential impacts related to onsite erosion during construction activities are
considered adverse, but less than significant with implementation of Mitigation Measure G-1
described below.

Operation
It is anticipated that storm drainage from the proposed school would produce more runoff from the site
then what the current uses produce, because the proposed school would have some impervious surfaces
such as buildings and asphalt that currently do not exist at the site. However, as described in Section
3G. 2, the proposed project site and existing local drainage lines are outside the 100-year flood
boundary and the drainage facilities are in adequate condition. Therefore, potential impacts are
anticipated to be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure for Construction
G-1 Prior to the stabilization of the construction site area, the District or its contractor shall prevent
sediment flows from entering storm drainage systems by the construction of temporary filter
inlets around existing storm drain inlets. The sediment trapped in these impounding areas shall be
removed after each storm event.

Level of Significance after Mitigation. Construction impacts would be less than significant with
implementation of Mitigation Measure G-1. 

Impact G7: Library Facilities
The LAPL System includes the Northridge Branch Library, which is 1.3 miles southwest of the project
site. While there is the potential that students from the proposed school may want to access the
resources of the public library, it is not expected that their use would significantly impact this existing
service branch. The student population for the proposed school would come from the surrounding
neighborhood, which would likely be using the public library system. Thus, the development of the
proposed high school is expected to generate less than significant potential impacts to the public library
system.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G8: Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and
resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed

Construction
The only substantial use of water during project construction would be for dust suppression purposes.
Non-potable or "gray" reclaimed water from the DWP would be used as necessary to control fugitive
dust at the construction site. Construction impacts to water supplies are anticipated to be less than
significant. The use of reclaimed water for dust suppression purposes would decrease the demand for
potable water.

Operation
To identify potential impacts to the project area's water supply, water consumption factors for the
project were estimated based on water consumption being approximately 20 percent more than the
wastewater generated. Relevant wastewater generation factors are provided by the City of Los Angeles
(see Table 3G-4). Since the proposed school is designed to accommodate up to 888 students at one
time, the proposed school would result in the consumption of approximately 12,782 gallons of water
per day. School staff would also contribute to water use and are generally accounted for in this
conservative estimate.

As previously mentioned, water lines in the project area are adequate to serve the proposed school and
no substantial improvements to the system are anticipated. However, if the facilities are inadequate for
the schools domestic and fire flow demands, the District would be required to make the necessary
financial arrangements for the needed system improvements. Water supply and water delivery impacts
systems are expected as a result of project implementation.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.
Impact G9: Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's
solid waste disposal needs. 

Construction
As described in Table 3G-3, the Bradley Landfill has a permitted daily capacity of 10,000 tons, but
averages only about 4,961 tons per day. The Sunshine Canyon has permitted daily capacities of 6,600
tons, and averages about 3,481 tons per day. To ensure optimal diversion of solid resources generated
by the project during construction, the contractor shall submit a Solid Resources Management Plan
(Mitigation Measure G-2) to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. In addition, while excess
uncontaminated soil could legally be disposed in a landfill, this would be a wasteful use of limited
available space. See Mitigation Measure G-3 for proposed mitigation to reduce the amount of soil that
would be disposed of at the landfill. Potentially significant impacts to the permitted daily capacity of
the landfill selected to receive project construction and demolition debris could be reduced to a less-than-
significant level through the implementation of Mitigation Measures G-2 and G-3, which are
described below.

Operation
Based on the City of Los Angeles, Draft LA CEQA Threshold Guidelines, the proposed school would
generate approximately 11 pounds of solid waste per student per school day. Therefore, assuming the
school would accommodate 888 students at one time, the proposed school would generate
approximately 9,680 pounds per day. 3 Operation of the proposed school would increase the amount of
solid waste generated in the project area but there is sufficient landfill capacity in area landfills to
accommodate the solid waste generated by the proposed new school. Therefore, the operation of the
school is expected to have less-than-significant impacts on solid waste facilities.

Mitigation Measures
G-2 To ensure optimal diversion of solid resources generated by the project during project
construction and operation, the District shall submit a Solid Resources Management Plan to the
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation for review and comment. The Plan should provide,
at a minimum:
· A construction waste recycling plan that will identify waste reduction, re-use, recycling, and disposal strategies for the construction debris generated by the project

· A list of recycled content construction products that may be incorporated into the new development
· A plan for incorporating space allocation for collection and storage of recyclable materials, such as
glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, cardboard, steel cans, and other materials generated during the
operational life of the project.

G-3 In order to avoid wasteful use of limited available space, the District shall make a fair attempt
to locate a buyer for the clean excavated soil. If the soil cannot be sold as fill, the above-mentioned
landfills may accept the materials for free for their daily cover operations or for a

3 This value is based on the value presented in the City of Los Angeles, Draft CEQA Threshold Guide for
commercial uses. 

tipping fee. In addition, the Bureau of Sanitation may accept the materials for free for landfill
post-closure construction purposes. However, these arrangements would need to be made in
advance and copies of soil reports may be required.

Level of Significance after Mitigation. Impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level after
mitigation.

Impact G10: Comply with Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
Construction
The Solid Resources Management Plan (Mitigation Measure G-2) that would be required to be
submitted to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation would include all applicable Federal, State
and local statutes and regulations for the project construction phase, which includes waste reduction and
recycling efforts of construction waste to the greatest extent practicable. This effort would result in
impacts that are less-than-significant.

Operation
The new school would participate in the LAUSD's Waste Reduction and Recycling Program (Program)
that is administered by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety in order to meet AB939 goals
(LAUSDEHS, 2001). Materials that would be recycled include paper, polystyrene trays, and milk
cartons and pouches. It is anticipated that operations of the proposed school would generate only
municipal waste such as paper and food garbage, and would comply with all Federal, State, and local
statutes and regulations related to solid waste. Therefore, potential impacts are considered to be less-than-
significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.

Impact G11: It would result in a substantial increase in the consumption of non-renewable energy
resources or if it would wastefully consume energy resources.

During construction of the project, the use of construction equipment and work vehicles would consume
non-renewable fuels, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas. Use of fuels for construction would
not result in a substantial or long-term increase in energy consumption. Air quality mitigation measures
A-1 through A-6 would help to ensure that equipment and vehicles are running efficiently.

The new high school would require electrical and natural gas services during construction and operation
of the school. The school design will meet Title 24 requirements of the California Building Code that
require efficient use of energy during construction and operation of the school. Thus, the project would
have a less-than-significant impact on energy resources. 

In addition, LAUSD will participate in the State's program to replace or retrofit old school buses.
About $50 million has been allocated in the state budget to provide monies for the low emission
program. The program's goal is to phase out or retrofit all aging buses throughout the state. The
LAUSD's participation in this program will further reduce their consumption of energy during the
operation of the new high school. (Buses will only be used to transport special education students to
this school; no other busing is proposed.)

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required. to index

3G. 4.3 Cumulative Impacts
It is expected that the eleven cumulative projects would be reviewed and analyzed by the appropriate
planning agencies to determine public service and utilities demand. Any significant increase in the
demand for public services, and/ or exceedance of utility capacity would have to be mitigated on a
project-by-project basis. The project itself represents only a minor incremental increase in the demand
for public services and utility capacity. Therefore, cumulative impacts associated with the proposed
project and the cumulative projects discussed in Section 2 are considered to be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures. No mitigation is required.  To index

3H TRANSPORTATION/ TRAFFIC

3H. 1 Introduction 
3H. 2 Existing Setting
3H. 3 Applicable Regulations
3H. 4 Impacts and Mitigation

 to index 

3H. 1 INTRODUCTION
This section presents the transportation/ traffic analysis conducted for the project and summarizes the
traffic counts and analysis undertaken by Meyer, Mohaddes Associates, Inc. for the proposed new high
school project site (Appendix F). It includes the methodology, findings, and conclusions used in this
traffic impact analysis. A total of seven key intersections in the vicinity of the project site were
analyzed. The analysis assesses the effects of the additional trips expected to be generated by the new
school. The traffic impact analysis also takes into account other traffic growth due to specific
development projects in the surrounding area and overall ambient growth in background traffic. to index

3H. 2 EXISTING SETTING
The street network in the project vicinity, the existing traffic volumes, and the levels of service at the
affected study area intersections are described below. Figure 3H-1 shows the study intersection
locations. 1
Figure 3H-1
Study Intersection Locations

Source: MMA, 2001

NOT TO SCALE
N

Halsted St.
Plummer St.

Nordhoff St.

Reseda
Bl.
Zelzah
Av.
Balboa

Bl.

Lassen St.
Devonshire St.
Louise

Av.

Project Site
LEGEND

CSUN Campus Boundary
Study Intersection 

Street Network
The street network describes the characteristics of the streets and intersections in the immediate vicinity
of the project site. These include the number of lanes, stoplights or signs, left or right turn lanes, street
parking, and parking restrictions. The streets that are located in the immediate vicinity of the project
area include Zelzah Avenue, Reseda Boulevard, Balboa Boulevard, Devonshire Street, Lassen Avenue,
Halsted Street, Plummer Street, and Nordoff Street.

Zelzah Avenue. Zelzah Avenue is a north-south, four-lane roadway providing direct access to CSUN
and the proposed project. Within the study area, Zelzah Avenue provides on-street parking and is
separated by a continuous left-turn median. Within the study area, Zelzah Avenue is fronted primarily
by residential uses on the east side and the CSUN campus on the west side.

Reseda Boulevard. Reseda Boulevard is a north-south, four-lane major highway providing direct
access to SR-118. Within the study area, Reseda Boulevard provides on-street parking and is fronted by
residential and commercial uses. Within the study area, Reseda Boulevard is separated by a continuous
turn-lane.

Balboa Boulevard. Balboa Boulevard is a north-south, major highway providing three travel lanes in
each direction. Within the study area, Balboa Boulevard provides on-street parking with peak period
restrictions in both the northbound and southbound direction. Balboa Boulevard provides access to SR-118
and is fronted primarily by commercial and residential uses.

Devonshire Street. Within the study area, Devonshire Street is an east-west, major highway providing
two to three lanes in each direction with parking restrictions on certain segments. Devonshire Street is
fronted primarily by residential and commercial uses.

Lassen Street. Lassen Street is an east-west roadway, which provides two travel lanes in each
direction. Within the study area, Lassen Street provides on-street parking in the westbound direction
and generally no-parking restrictions in the eastbound direction. Lassen Street is fronted primarily by
residential uses.

Plummer Street. Plummer Street is an east-west, residential roadway providing two travel lanes in
each direction. On-street parking is generally permitted with restrictions on certain segments.

Nordhoff Street. Within the study area, Nordhoff Street is a six-lane, east-west roadway fronted
primarily by residential and commercial uses. Peak period parking restrictions are enforced in the peak
direction of travel. Nordhoff Street is separated by a continuous left-turn median.

Simi Valley Freeway (State Route-118). The Simi Valley Freeway serves as the major east-west
transportation facility for the northern San Fernando Valley area. It originates at the Foothill Freeway 

(I-210) and extends to the west into Ventura County. Near the project area, this freeway is currently
three lanes in the eastbound direction and four lanes in the westbound direction.

San Diego Freeway (I-405). The San Diego Freeway is located to the east of the project site and runs
in a north-south direction through the San Fernando Valley. It branches off from the Golden State
Freeway (I-5) to the north and travels south into Orange County. Near the study area, I-405 is
currently four lanes in each direction.

Existing Transit Operations
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides transit services within
the study area. The following briefly describes the services currently available:

MTA Line 158. Route 158 provides service between Chatsworth and Sherman Oaks via Devonshire Street,
Arleta Avenue, Branford Street, and Woodman Avenue. Major activity centers include: Chatsworth
Transportation Center, Northridge, Granada Hills, Panorama City, Van Nuys, and the Sherman Oaks Fashion
Square.

MTA Line 166. Route 166 provides service along Lankershim Boulevard, Glenoaks Boulevard, Osborne Street,
Nordoff Street, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

MTA Line 167. Route 167 provides service between Chatsworth Transportation Center and Studio City via De
Soto Avenue, Plummer Street, Woodman Avenue, Roscoe Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue. Major
activity centers include Northridge Fashion Center, CSUN (Project Site), North Hills, and LA Valley College.

MTA Line 168. Route 168 provides service between San Fernando and Chatsworth via Paxton Street, Van Nuys
Boulevard and Lassen Street. Major activity centers served include: Pacoima, Arleta, V. A. Hospital, CSUN, and
the Chatsworth Transportation Center.

MTA Line 236. Route 236 provides services along Balboa Boulevard, Woodley Avenue, Victory Boulevard, and
Van Nuys Boulevard between Interstate 101 and State Route 118.

Existing Traffic Conditions
LOS Definitions. The efficiency of traffic operations at a location is measured in terms of level of
service (LOS), which is a description of traffic performance at intersections. The level of service
concept is a measure of average operating conditions at intersections during an hour. It is based on
volume-to-capacity (V/ C) ratio with the ability to carry (the capacity) compared to the level of traffic
during the peak hours (volume). Levels range from A to F with A representing excellent (free-flow)
conditions and F representin