iv.a.2 shading - department of city planning a 2 shading... · for the purpose of this analysis,...

City of Los Angeles IV.A.2-1 Loyola Marymount University Master Plan Project Draft EIRENV-2008-1342-EIR January 2010

IV.A.2 Shading

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This section addresses the potential for the Proposed Project to cast shadows on off-site land uses. The

following analysis is based on information from field observations and shadow diagrams prepared for

the Project. For the purpose of this analysis, shading refers to the placement of land uses in shade,

preventing direct access to sunlight, by off-site shadows cast by project-related buildings or structures.

The consequences of shadows on land uses may be positive, including cooling effects during warm

weather, or negative, such as the loss of natural light necessary for solar energy purposes or the loss of

warming influences during cool weather. Shadow effects are dependent upon several factors, including

the local topography, the height and bulk of a project’s structural elements, the shade-sensitivity of

adjacent land uses, the season and consequent length of shadows, and the duration of shadow projection.

2.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The creation of shadows and the accompanying shading of land uses are not statutorily regulated in the

City of Los Angeles, and no other regulations governing shade or shadows are applicable to the Proposed

Project site or Proposed Project. As discussed in Section IV.A.1, Aesthetics and Views, the Westchester-

Playa Del Rey Community Plan contains general provisions regarding visual quality for development on

the LMU campus, but does not contain specific regulations for shade and shadow control. Guidelines for

evaluating shading impacts are also included in the Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide.

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

LMU’s Westchester campus occupies approximately 142 acres atop the Westchester Bluffs, which rise

approximately 120 feet above the Ballona Wetlands and Playa Vista. The LMU campus is generally

bordered on the north by the Westchester Bluffs, on the south by W. 78th and W. 80th Streets and Lincoln

Boulevard, on the east by McConnell Avenue, and on the west by the Westchester Bluffs. The setting of

the LMU campus is suburban in nature; it is surrounded by low-density, single-family residential

neighborhoods to the east, west, and south. Playa Vista, a mixed-use multi-family residential and

commercial community development, lies to the north and west at the foot of the bluffs.

The LMU campus itself is topographically varied. Burns Campus, which represents the older “core” of

the LMU campus, occupies the relatively flat blufftop at approximately the same elevation as the

residential neighborhoods to the east. Burns Campus is developed with a mix of uses; most academic

buildings are located on this campus, with student housing occupying the northeast corner and athletic

IV.A.2 Shading


facilities concentrated at the southern end. The tallest structure on the LMU campus is the Chapel Tower

associated with Sacred Heart Chapel, which stands approximately 135 feet above grade.

The Leavey Campus, west of Burns, is located along the bluff and physically connects Burns and Hughes

Campuses. Leavey Campus is developed with the Drollinger Parking Plaza, student residential housing

(which stands up to approximately 71 feet above grade), and the William H. Hannon Library (which

stands approximately 55 feet above grade).

The main entrance to the LMU campus from Lincoln Boulevard is provided through Hughes Campus.

Hughes Campus contains University Hall, which stands approximately 64 feet above grade or

approximately 139 feet above mean sea level, and is partially set into the terraced hillside to its east. LMU

Drive provides access from Lincoln Boulevard to the campus core. Residences located immediately south

and southeast of Leavey and Hughes Campuses are situated at a higher elevation than the campus.

3.1 Shade-Sensitive Uses

Shade-sensitive uses in proximity to the LMU campus include the single-family residences bordering the

campus to the east (along McConnell Avenue), west (along Fordham Road), and south (along W. 78th

Street and W. 80th Street), as well as multi-family housing and athletic fields in Playa Vista north and west

of the campus at the foot of the Westchester Bluffs. Figure II-3, Campus Aerial Photo, depicts the

relationship between the campus and surrounding uses.

The location and orientation of residences along these streets relative to the LMU campus vary and affect

their susceptibility to shading from the campus. The east edge of campus directly abuts the back yards of

residences along the west side of McConnell Avenue. The campus edges along W. 80th Street and

Fordham Road are separated from residences by the streets. Taller, shade-generating residence halls on

Leavey Campus are separated from residences to the south by Leavey Field near the corner of W. 78th

Street and Fordham Road, campus open space, and Altavan Avenue. University Hall is separated from

residences to the east by campus open space, Altavan Avenue, and Campion Drive. Hughes Campus also

sits at a lower elevation than the residential neighborhood bounded by these roadways, such that the roof

of University Hall is set slightly below the residential streets to the east. Panoramic views beyond the

campus are available from this neighborhood.

The multi-family residential uses in Playa Vista to the north of the LMU campus are separated from the

campus by elevation (an approximately 120-foot differential) and a horizontal distance of approximately

200 feet, due to the presence of the sloping bluffs.

IV.A.2 Shading


No other off-site land uses that could be considered sensitive to shading by LMU buildings are located in

close proximity to the campus.

3.2 Existing Off-Site Shading

Shade diagrams were prepared to illustrate the off-campus shade/shadow effects of existing development

on LMU’s campus during the summer solstice and winter solstice. These diagrams are shown in Figures

IV.A.2-1 through IV.A.2-4 and are discussed below. Based on the latitude of the campus, the shortest

shadows would be cast at the height of summer, the summer solstice (June 21), because of the position of

the sun nearly directly overhead. The longest shadows would be cast around the winter solstice

(December 21), with the longest shadows occurring in early morning (7:30 AM). Shadows would be

intermediate in length during the spring and fall equinoxes (March 21 and September 21).

3.2.1 Summer Solstice

Figures IV.A.2-1 and IV.A.2-2, previously referenced, illustrate shadows that are cast by existing

on-campus development during the summer solstice between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Shadows are cast to

the west in the morning, but remain confined to the campus. Existing on-campus development does not

cast shadows on the single-family residences on Fordham Road or other streets west of Burns Campus,

since that portion of Burns Campus is largely developed with surface parking and athletic fields, as well

as a few one-story buildings. Shadow projections are minimized by 12:00 PM and remain confined to the

campus as they progress eastward through 5:00 PM. Therefore, no off-site shadows are cast from 9:00 AM

to 5:00 PM.

3.2.2 Winter Solstice

Figure IV.A.2-3 and Figure IV.A.2-4, previously referenced, illustrate shadows cast by existing

on-campus development during the winter solstice between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.1 In the morning,

shadows are cast to the west and project across the bluffs and into portions of Playa Vista, but these

shadows retreat onto campus by 10:00 AM. No single-family residences west of Burns Campus, along

Fordham Road or other nearby streets in this neighborhood, are shaded since the southwest corner of

Burns Campus is largely developed with athletic fields, parking, and one-story buildings. Shadow

projections are minimized by 12:00 PM and are confined to the campus as they begin to project eastward

during the early afternoon. At 3:00 PM, shadows are cast to the northeast, but remain on the campus.

1 Since the sun sets earlier during the winter solstice, the study time period for evaluation of the winter solstice(9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) is shorter than that of the summer solstice (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

IV.A.2 Shading


Therefore, the only off-site shadows cast between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM occur over the bluffs and a

portion of Playa Vista for approximately 1 hour.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS

4.1 Methodology

Facilities and operations sensitive to the effects of shading include residential, recreational, and

institutional (e.g., schools, nursing homes); commercial, pedestrian-oriented outdoor spaces or

restaurants with outdoor eating areas; plant nurseries; and existing solar collectors. These uses are

considered sensitive because sunlight is important to function, physical comfort, or commerce.

A project’s potential for shading adjacent shade-sensitive land uses is determined by identifying the

height and bulk of proposed project components, such as buildings and trees; mapping the “footprint”

(location, shape, and size) on the project site of the project components of concern; and calculating and

diagramming the shadows that would be cast by those components during the most extreme, or

conservative, conditions: winter solstice (December 21) when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky and

shadows are the longest, and summer solstice (June 21) when the sun is at its highest point and shadows

are the shortest. Shadow length and bearing (the direction in which they are cast) is dependent on the

location (latitude and longitude) of the project site, which dictates the angle of the sun relative to the

project site; at the latitude of Los Angeles, the maximum shadow a building can cast is approximately

equivalent to three times its height, during the winter solstice.

The potential for off-site effects is dependent on the distance and direction between the project site and

the nearest shade-sensitive land uses. In accordance with the Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide,

shade/shadow analyses are generally undertaken when there is potential for shade-sensitive uses to be

placed in shadow by a proposed project for 3 or more hours, at which point shading may be considered

to interfere with activities on that off-site property.2

Potentially significant shade and shadow impacts associated with the Proposed Project were evaluated

based on diagrams that illustrate projected shading effects on adjacent uses from development on the

LMU campus after Proposed Project buildout. The study analyzed shadows cast on all land uses adjacent

to the campus during the summer solstice and winter solstice.

2 City of Los Angeles. Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide, (2006) A.3-2.

IV.A.2 Shading


The generation of new shadows is dependent upon the final placement and configuration of buildings on

the LMU campus. Because of the long-term nature of the Proposed Project, the precise siting and

configuration of buildings and other facilities proposed by the Proposed Project have not been finalized

and will be determined based on the evolving academic and administrative needs of LMU over the next

20 years. The LMU Specific Plan proposes the establishment of Planning Areas defining the locations of

future academic/residential, athletic facilities, and open space facilities, as shown in Figure II-5, Proposed

Campus Planning Areas.

A conceptual site plan is presented in Figures A.2-5 through A.2-8 for the purpose of characterizing

potential shading impacts. However, in order to account for variations in future building siting and

configuration, the following analysis of Proposed Project impacts is based on buildout of allowable uses

within each of the proposed Planning Areas, subject to the maximum height restrictions set forth in the

proposed Specific Plan, described below under Project Design Features. Although not presented in this

section, conceptual diagrams depicting unarticulated, rectilinear campus buildings, subject to the setback

and height restrictions of the proposed Specific Plan, were analyzed for shadow projections. The analysis

of Planning Areas rather than actual building locations (and assumption of maximum building height

buildout closest to the campus boundary) results in a conservative analysis since actual shading likely to

occur is less than that analyzed.

4.2 Significance Thresholds

The Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide indicates that a project impact would normally be considered

significant if:

SS-1 Shadow-sensitive uses would be shaded by Proposed Project-related structures for more than

three hours between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (between late

October and early April), or for more than four hours between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM

Pacific Daylight Time (between early April and late October).

Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines does not contain a sample initial study checklist question

addressing shade and shadow impacts. Accordingly, only the threshold contained in the Los Angeles

CEQA Thresholds Guide is used to evaluate significant impacts.

4.3 Project Design Features

The proposed LMU Specific Plan would institute height restrictions on campus that are at least as strict as

those permitted under the current zoning. The proposed Specific Plan would establish three Height Areas

on the campus, as illustrated in Figure II-8, Proposed Height Areas. Height Area 1 corresponds to

IV.A.2 Shading


Hughes Campus, Height Area 2 corresponds to Leavey Campus, and Height Area 3 corresponds to Burns

Campus.

The building height limit on Hughes Campus, or Height Area 1, would be maintained at 139 feet above

mean sea level. The building height limit on Leavey Campus, or Height Area 2, would be maintained at

75 feet above grade. Within Burns Campus, or Height Area 3, the proposed Specific Plan defines the

building height limits through a series of setbacks from the campus boundaries parallel to McConnell

Avenue, W. 80th Street, and Fordham Road, as summarized in Table IV.A.2-1, Proposed Height

Restrictions for Height Area 3. No new buildings would be permitted within 39.9 feet of these campus

boundaries. Buildings within 40 to 74.9 feet of the boundaries would have a height limit of 25 feet;

buildings within 75 to 149.9 feet of these boundaries would have a height limit of 37.5 feet; and buildings

150 feet or more from these boundaries would have a height limit of 75 feet. This ensures that buildings

closest to the single-family residences along these campus boundaries maintain lower building heights

and that taller buildings are concentrated on the interior portion of the campus.

Table IV.A.2-1Proposed Height Restrictions for Height Area 3 a

Distance from McConnell Avenue, W. 8th Street,and Fordham Road Campus Boundaries (feet)

Height of New Buildings(feet above adjacent grade)

Between 0 and 39.9 No new buildings

between 40 and 74.9 25

between 75 and 149.9 37.5

150 and over 75

a For ease of reference, a standard one-story building is 25 feet tall and a standard two-story building is 37.5 feettall.

Additionally, new buildings proposed under the Proposed Project are intended to be similar in massing

to the existing buildings to remain, with attention to the spatial enclosure of forecourts and courtyards,

pedestrian permeability, and pedestrian connectivity.

4.4 Project Impacts

SS-1 Would shadow-sensitive uses be shaded by Proposed Project-related structuresfor more than three hours between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM PacificStandard Time (between late October and early April), or for more than fourhours between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (betweenearly April and late October)?

IV.A.2 Shading


Shade diagrams were prepared to illustrate potential shade/shadow impacts resulting from Proposed

Project implementation during the summer solstice and winter solstice. Figures IV.A.2-5 through

IV.A.2-8 provided are illustrative and for conceptual purposes only. As previously discussed, the shortest

shadows would be cast at the summer solstice, the height of summer, and the longest shadows would be

cast around the winter solstice. Proposed Project shadows would be intermediate in length during the

spring and fall equinoxes (March 21 and September 21). For purposes of this analysis, the summer

solstice represents the extreme condition between early April and late October, while the winter solstice

represents the extreme condition between late October and early April.

It should be noted that certain segments of the surrounding residential neighborhood that are currently

unshaded by campus structures would remain unshaded despite proximity to the campus. Since the sun

travels from east to west, shadows from campus structures are not projected directly to the south.

Therefore, the single-family residences along W. 80th Street directly south of Burns Campus would not be

shaded by the improvements in the southern portion of campus. As previously stated, residences to the

east of University Hall would not be shaded by any new structures since the Specific Plan would limit

new buildings on Burns Campus to a height of 139 feet above mean sea level, which is the elevation at-

grade of residences to the east.

4.4.1 Summer Solstice

Figures IV.A.2-5 and IV.A.2-6, which are illustrative and for conceptual purposes only, illustrate

shadows that are cast by the campus following the Proposed Project buildout during the summer solstice

between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. As shown, off-site shadow lengths and trajectory are substantially similarto those under existing conditions despite the improvements along the campus perimeter described

above. Shadows are cast to the west in the morning from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM (noon), but are confined

to campus. Shadow projections are minimized by 12:00 PM and remain confined to the campus as theyproject eastward through 5:00 PM. Therefore, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, no shading of off-site uses

would occur. Since no new off-site shadows are projected, the Proposed Project would not result in new

off-site shadows for more than 4 hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM during the summer solstice.Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

4.4.2 Winter Solstice

Figure IV.A.2-7 and Figure IV.A.2-8, which are illustrative and for conceptual purposes only, previously

referenced, illustrate Proposed Project shadows that are cast by buildings and structures on the campusfollowing Proposed Project buildout during the winter solstice between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.3 In the

3 Since the sun sets earlier during the winter solstice, the study time period for evaluation of the winter solstice(9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) is shorter than that of the summer solstice (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

IV.A.2 Shading


morning at 9:00 AM, shadows are cast to the west over the bluffs and onto portions of Playa Vista. By

10:00 AM, these shadows retreat onto campus. Shadows generated by other portions of the campusremain on site throughout the morning. Shadow projections are minimized by 12:00 PM and are confined

to the campus as they begin to project eastward during the early afternoon. At 3:00 PM, shadows project

to the northeast, but remain on the campus. Therefore, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, no shading ofoff-site uses would occur for more than 2 hours. Therefore, implementation of the Proposed Project

would not result in new off-site shadows for more than 3 hours between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM during the

winter solstice. For this reason, impacts would be less than significant.

4.5 Project Design Features and Mitigation Measures

PDF-SH-1 The Proposed Project shall comply with the height and setback restrictions established by

the proposed LMU Specific Plan.

Since no significant impacts were identified, no mitigation is required.

4.6 Level of Impact After Mitigation

All Proposed Project-specific shading impacts would be less than significant; therefore, no significant

unavoidable shading impacts would result from Proposed Project implementation.

4.7 Cumulative Impacts

Shade/shadow impacts are typically confined to a project site’s immediate surroundings, and the majority

of the related projects identified in Section III, General Description of Environmental Setting, are too

far from the Proposed Project site to result in cumulative shade/shadow impacts in the vicinity of theLMU campus. The Proposed Project would contribute to shading of the bluff, Playa Vista Phases I and II,

and the Playa Vista Plant during the winter equinox, as stated above. Three related projects, Playa Vista

Phases I and II and the Playa Vista Plant, are located at the base of the Westchester Bluffs adjacent toLMU. However, these related projects would not contribute to shading of the portion of the bluff affected

by the Proposed Project, since buildings do not cast shadows to the south at the latitude of the Los

Angeles region. Therefore, the Proposed Project, considered together with related projects, would resultin a less than considerable contribution to cumulatively significant impacts related to the shading of

sensitive land uses in the area surrounding the campus.

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