LADOT Methodology for Assessing Development Project Impacts for CEQA T-1 Threshold

LADOT Methodology for Assessing Development Project Impacts for CEQA T-1 Threshold:

The assessment of project impacts, particularly in relation to their consistency with the City's development policies and standards, follows a specific methodology:

• Conformity with City of Los Angeles Policies: A project that aligns with and does not hinder the City's established development policies and standards is generally considered consistent.

• Review of Relevant Documents: Project Applicants are tasked with reviewing the documents and ordinances listed in Table 2.1-1. These documents include City plans, policies, programs, ordinances, and standards that are pertinent to determining the project's consistency.

• Attachment D: Plan Consistency Worksheet: This resource provides a set of questions that must be addressed to guide the assessment of whether the project conflicts with City circulation system policies. It's important to note that a simple "yes" or "no" response to these questions does not automatically establish a conflict. Instead, the Project Applicant must provide supporting information to determine whether the proposed project obstructs the City's implementation of any adopted policy or program intended for environmental protection. It is not considered an impact solely because there's a conflict with adopted transportation-related policies or standards that may require administrative relief or legislative change.

• Public Right-of-Way and Street Dedication: In cases where the project seeks to vacate a public right-of-way or requests relief from a mandated street dedication, an evaluation should be conducted to determine whether the right-of-way in question is necessary to fulfill a long-term mobility need. This need is defined in documents like the Mobility Plan 2035, transportation-specific plans, or other planned improvements scheduled for the future.

In essence, this methodology emphasizes the importance of assessing whether a project aligns with City policies and standards without automatically deeming a conflict based solely on policy conflicts that may necessitate administrative or legislative adjustments. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the proposed project does not impede the City's ability to carry out its adopted policies and programs designed for environmental protection and sustainable development.

LADOT Methodology for Assessing Cumulative Development Project Impacts for CEQA T-1 Threshold:

The evaluation of cumulative impacts can take either a quantitative or qualitative form. It involves reviewing each of the plans, ordinances, and policies that were examined to assess potential conflicts with proposed projects. This review should consider cumulative impacts that might arise from the proposed project when combined with other development projects within the study area.

For the purposes of the cumulative analysis, "related projects" should encompass known development projects located within a radius of one-half mile (2,640 feet) from the project site. To compile the list of related projects, consultation with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning (LADCP) and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) may be necessary. Additionally, the City's Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS) database can be utilized to help identify development projects that have submitted applications to the City of Los Angeles. Collaboration with LADOT is important to take into account planned transportation system improvements within the study area.

The analysis should focus on whether there would be a significant impact that results from contributions by both the proposed project and other projects. For example, a cumulative impact could arise if the proposed project, along with other future development projects located on the same block, were to hinder the City's capacity to meet the transportation needs as defined by the City's transportation policy framework. In essence, the cumulative impact analysis aims to evaluate the combined effects of multiple projects on the transportation system and ensure that these effects are consistent with the City's transportation policies and goals.

Please contact us if you need help preparing a transportation assessment report for a development project in the City of Los Angeles LADOT.