Westfield Village Draft Environment Impact Report Released
Last week the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Westfield’s revised The Village. If you enjoy reading hundreds of pages, check it out here: The Village at Westfield Topanga
Check out some coverage of these developments in the Daily News.
As much as anyone loves Costco, all should be aware that this project is going to be traffic nightmare. Here are some highlights from that portion of the EIR describing intersects with unmitigatable traffic issues, just in phase 1. Interestingly some 70+ intersections are affected, and many modifications would require widening roads onto private property.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Vanowen Street (Intersection #1). No feasible project-level
improvements could be found to mitigate the impacts observed at this intersection. Due to the
physically constrained nature of this location, improvements such as roadway widening and lane
reconfiguration would likely result in substandard improvements or require the demolition of a
commercial building on the southwest corner or the encroachment into a high school campus on
the northeast corner. Service stations are located on the other two corners.
Therefore, no feasible project-level physical mitigations are available and the impact would
remain significant and unavoidable.
The update of the WCSP is considering the removal of the raised median along Topanga
Canyon Boulevard. If this were accomplished, a physical improvement could be implemented
here that would mitigate the Project impacts. This will be discussed at the end of the chapter.
Owensmouth Avenue & Erwin Street (Intersection #8). No physical mitigations were
identified for this location. This is a physically constrained location; additional physical
mitigations may conflict with planned improvements along Owensmouth Avenue. The
implementation of the project-level TDM program is unable to fully mitigate the significant impact
at this location. This location would remain significantly and unavoidably impacted under the
WCSP significant impact criteria; however, it would not be significantly impacted under the
LADOT Traffic Study Policies and Procedures criteria.
US-101 Westbound On-Ramp & Burbank Boulevard (Intersection #19). Intersections 19 and
20 make up the north side of the Topanga Canyon Boulevard/US-101 interchange. A number of
different interchange configurations were tested but none offered substantial congestion relief
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without the demolition of current residential or commercial buildings, or the total reconstruction
of the US-101 overpass. Therefore, no feasible improvements could be found to mitigate the
impacts observed at this intersection, and the project impact would remain significant and
unavoidable.
The update of the WCSP is considering the removal of the raised median along Topanga
Canyon Boulevard. If this were accomplished, a physical improvement could be implemented
here that would mitigate the Project impacts. This will be discussed at the end of the chapter.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard (Intersection #20). No feasible
improvements could be found to mitigate the impacts observed at this intersection. (See
discussion above for Intersection 19.) Due to the physically constrained location and proximity
to the US-101 freeway, improvements such as roadway widening and lane reconfiguration
cannot be accommodated without significant modification to the intersection, the adjacent US-
101 ramps, and the US-101 overpass. Therefore, no physically feasible mitigations are
available and the project impact would remain significant and unavoidable.
The update of the WCSP is considering the removal of the raised median along Topanga
Canyon Boulevard and parking prohibitions along Burbank Boulevard. If these were
accomplished, a physical improvement could be implemented here that would mitigate the
Project impacts. This will be discussed at the end of the chapter.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS
Phase 1
As discussed in Chapter 4, the Phase 1 project is projected to generate approximately 9,719 net
new daily trips on a typical weekday. Using the project trip distribution also described in
Chapter 4, the number of trips that may be added to any particular arterial corridor was
projected and the extent of the projected addition of 1,600 or more daily trips was determined.
This threshold represents approximately 16% of the daily traffic; those corridors with 16% of the
traffic assignment were identified as a potentially affected corridor. Figure 57 illustrates the
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extent of this area along each of the corridors leading to/from the project site during Phase 1.
Corridors to which 1,600 or more daily trips are projected to be added by the Project include:
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Vanowen Street and Ventura Boulevard
- Victory Boulevard between Randi Avenue and Canoga Avenue
The presence of congested cumulative conditions and the availability of local street(s) providing
a parallel route of travel in the vicinity of congested portions of the corridors were then
investigated for each of the corridors. The following discusses the results of this investigation
for each corridor:
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Vanowen Street to Burbank Boulevard – The three
intersections along the Topanga Canyon Boulevard corridor from Vanowen Street to
Burbank Boulevard projected to operate at LOS E or F include:
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Vanowen Street
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Victory Boulevard
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Marylee Street
Several alternative routes are available that bypass the section of Topanga Canyon
Boulevard between Vanowen Street and Burbank Boulevard. Shoup Avenue is an
attractive alternate route to Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Residential streets that provide
access from Topanga Canyon Boulevard include Schoolcraft Street and Kittridge Street
to Randi Avenue. Due to the discontinuous street system west of Topanga Canyon
Boulevard, these two streets are identified as potential routes for cut-through traffic to
access the alternate arterial routes.
A potential alternative route that would avoid the section of Topanga Canyon Boulevard
between (just north of) Vanowen Street and Burbank Boulevard could be Topanga
Canyon Boulevard to Schoolcraft Street to Shoup Avenue to Burbank Boulevard. The
arterial traffic cutting through these neighborhoods to access Shoup Avenue could be
considered a neighborhood intrusion impact.
Another potential route to bypass the Victory Boulevard intersection is Kittridge Street to
Randi Avenue/Nevada Avenue to Oxnard Street and to Shoup Avenue or back to
Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The arterial traffic cutting through these neighborhoods to
access Shoup Avenue could be considered neighborhood intrusion impacts.
Although these routes are potentially less attractive, traffic from Topanga Canyon
Boulevard could access the residential streets south of Oxnard Street to gain access to
both Shoup Avenue and Owensmouth Avenue. Therefore, the potential arterial traffic
could be considered a significant neighborhood intrusion impact.
- Victory Boulevard, Topanga Canyon Boulevard to Canoga Avenue – The two
intersections along the Victory Boulevard corridor from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to
Canoga Avenue projected to operate at LOS E or F include:
- Victory Boulevard & Topanga Canyon Boulevard
- Victory Boulevard & Canoga Avenue
Erwin Street can serve as a bypass to the section of Victory Boulevard between
Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Canoga Avenue. No parallel alternative routes via
local residential streets are available; however, residential streets may be used to
access Erwin Street.
Potential alternative routes to Erwin Street include Victory Boulevard to Randi Avenue or
Glade Avenue and on to Erwin Street. The arterial traffic cutting through these
neighborhoods to access Erwin Street could be considered neighborhood intrusion
impacts.
As discussed, a potential alternative route that would avoid the Topanga Canyon
Boulevard & Victory Boulevard intersection could be Victory Boulevard to Randi Avenue
to Kittridge Street to Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Again, the arterial traffic utilizing this
route could be considered significant neighborhood intrusion impacts.
On the basis of the above investigation, three neighborhoods were identified that may be
subject to significant neighborhood intrusion impacts upon completion of Phase 1. They include
the areas bounded by the following:
- Schoolcraft Street to the north, Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the east, Vanowen Street to the south, and Shoup Avenue to the west.
- Kittridge Street to the north, Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the east, Victory Boulevard to the south and Randi Avenue to the west.
- Victory Boulevard to the north, Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the east, Oxnard Street to the south and Randi Avenue/Nevada Avenue to the west.
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WHWC NC PLUM Meeting Re: Costco Gets Ugly, John Alderson “I don’t want to come here anymore.”
These videos are from the November 8th meeting of the PLUM committee. Apparently whatever changes Costco/Westfield made to the previous proposal were minimal and unsubstantial, and things got pretty ugly. Westfield’s chief snake oil salesman John Alderson’s head practically exploded in the second video. Good stuff.
Update: (insert the Unsolved Mysteries “Update” music here) Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council member Jim Anderson tells me that there have in fact been no changes to the plan. Further, the Costco portion of the project and The Village portion of the project have been somewhat separated. In my opinion this is so that Westfield can have even less accountability when they completely fail to build The Village and all the community is left with is a big box Costco.
My question to “Done Deal” Dennis Zine, who stated that he would not vote for this plan, is, “well, now what since they refuse to change it?”
Popularity: 15%
Westfield Topanga’s Fashion Night Out Comes And Goes With Little Fanfare, Publicity
This past Friday September 10th, Westfield Topanga held their “Fashion Night Out.” Sadly I didn’t know about it until after it happened, or I would have posted about it. There is a recap of it on Fashion Isn’t Rocket Science.
Liz writes:
Although it wasn’t very well advertised, the events sounded like fun. Unfortunately, due to the meager amount of advertisements, it was super SLOW. The stores were almost empty. It was kind of sad.
The only place I saw this promoted was in Dennis Zine’s weekly newsletter, which went out an hour or two before the event.
Councilman Zine is proud to announce that Westfield Topanga is the official San Fernando Valley location for 2010 Fashion’s Night Out, the biggest fashion celebration in history taking place today, Friday, September 10th. Westfield Topanga, and over 50 of its major retailers, are planning an evening of luxurious events, upscale giveaways, and of course, incredible shopping deals that will make it the Valley destination for the night. Some of the retailers participating in the evening’s events are AIX Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, BeautiFeel, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Betsey Johnson, Carlton Hair International, charles david, Chinese Laundry, Coldwater Creek, Cole Haan, Dermalogica, Elli, Flip Flop Shops, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Free People, Gap, Guess, Guess by Marciano, Jimmy Choo, Journeys, Kate Spade, Kay Jewelers, Lucky Brand Jeans, Madison, MAXSTUDIO.COM, Metropark, and Napoleon. For more information, please visit http://www.fno.lacity.org/index.htm.
Popularity: 5%
King Zine Announces Costco Is In Fact A Done Deal
So, Dennis, it wasn’t a done deal? Glad to see the community, the Neighborhood Council, etc. was able to have some input here. Insert sarcasm here, folks.
A $50 million Costco will be the anchor tenant at The Village at Westfield Topanga, a mixed-use project planned for Victory Boulevard and Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Woodland Hills, officials said Tuesday.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Dennis Zine issued a formal announcementabout the 146,000-square-foot warehouse store, which said they will create 300 jobs and generate an estimated $1 million annually in revenue. The store is slated to open in late 2012.
Costco is the first tenant to be announced for The Village, which includes plans for an upscale hotel and office and retail space. The project area extends between Victory Boulevard and Erwin Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Owensmouth Avenue.
Popularity: 5%
Dennis Zine, “Costco Is A Done Deal” – But Community Meeting Tonight Anyways
Just a remind that tonight is the community meeting with Westfield regarding the revised The Village Project. The gather will be from 5 to 8pm between the dining terrace and Nordstrom in the former Ruehl store at Topanga Plaza mall. Technically, the letter says you should RSVP via e-mail to TheVillage@Westfield.com.
At the July 14th Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting, which I attended, the council’s chairperson Karen Koe recounted a disturbing encounter she had with LA City Councilman Dennis Zine. It was a meeting, I believe, of NC chairs of the various Neighborhood Council’s in his district. Zine had posed the question to them of what were the major concerns of constituents in their neighborhoods. Koe mentioned to Zine that there was some concern regarding Westfield’s revised The Village plan, ergo Costco.
Zine said to Koe, in her words not mine, “Let me stop you right there. Costco is a done deal. There’s no way I am going to refuse a huge tax base like that for the city.”
People in the room were visibly and audibly disturbed by that recount of Zine’s comment. For me, it’s not even about the Costco any more. Matters like this simply require community consensus and feedback. What Zine essentially said is that the community’s input here in unimportant. He has made the decision and deal for everyone. It is important that our elected representatives represent our interests, not their own.
That’s not good, folks. Several people, including one at the meeting, remarked that Zine is planning to run for City Controller, and he needs the developers on his side. But you know what, he needs the community, too.
It was also noted by others with knowledge of the plan at the meeting that Costco has said the deal would be dead without the gas station. This gas station will probably not be a slam dunk for them, as there is technically a creek in the corner of the property where it is to be placed. See the attached Daily News article for some detail about that.
Popularity: 6%
Westfield To Hold Workshop For The Village Changes, Community Urged To Attend
The Village Proposal (annotations added)
If you care about Woodland Hills, you should download this PDF to read about Westfield’s proposed changes for The Village. Then, you should come to their workshop and voice your opinions and concerns on Wednesday July 28th. See my annotated illustration above for a diagram of the proposed project.
Popularity: 7%
Westfield To Ram Costco Down Woodland Hills’ Throat, Whether We Want It Or Not
This is very sad. Dennis Zine is not doing us any favors by being so in the pocket of Westfield on this one. I’ve seen the Costcos like the one they want to put in. A giant parking lot, a giant warehouse store, and their needless Costco gas station. Why? I am not for this project. Obviously due to the economy exploding “The Village” was doomed, but where is the community input on these changes?
Three years after announcing it would build an upscale mixed-use project in Warner Center that would rival Century City, Westfield LLC has dramatically scaled back its $750 million plan for the mall connecting its Topanga and Promenade complexes.
In a letter dated July 6 and sent to some households in Woodland Hills, Westfield executives blame the economic recession for their decision to eliminate the housing component and slash office and retail space at The Village at Westfield Topanga.
However, the plan also adds 146,000 square feet for a retail anchor – which sources confirm will be a Costco – in a nod to the changing consumer desires.
“What you envision in 2007 is not going to be what you envision in 2010,” said Westfield spokeswoman Katy Dickey. “It’s reflective of the changing economy and consumer demand.” She declined to say how the more modest development will impact development costs.
The biggest addition to the project is a 146,600-square-foot store that sources confirm will be a Costco. Plans call for the discount warehouse – which would include a gas station and tire center – to be built on the south side of Victory Boulevard, across from the upscale Nordstrom’s at Westfield Topanga.
“It’s a drastic change,” said Joyce Pearson, who chairs the Woodland Hills/Warner Center Neighborhood Council. “I think that is part of what everyone is going to have to grapple with. Is this going to be a good match with Woodland Hills?”
Plans for The Village were announced with great fanfare in 2007, a year before the mortgage meltdown plunged the economy into the worst recession in decades. With the real estate market still struggling and the retail sector just beginning to rebound, the mall owner reduced the size of the 1.8 million square project by 804,000 square feet, or 45 percent.
This particular line is priceless, “However, the plan also adds 146,000 square feet for a retail anchor – which sources confirm will be a Costco – in a nod to the changing consumer desires.” How big of a check did Westfield have to write to the Daily News to get that sentence in there. This is the consumer desire? To have a Costco in that lot? I’m a consumer, and I sure don’t remember getting that survey in the mail or attending that focus group.
Popularity: 9%
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