Caruso’s Environmental Review Released

By FRANCES SHARPE | Editor-in-Chief

Developer Rick Caruso’s environmental review for his Palisades Village project was released by the Los Angeles City Planning department on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The 472-page Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), plus eight appendices totaling 6,375 pages, provides a detailed look at how Caruso Affiliated plans to mitigate any potential impacts in more than 15 areas, including traffic, noise, air quality and geology and soils.

According to the document, LA City Planning has concluded that “the mitigation measure(s) outlined on the attached page(s) will reduce any potential significant adverse effects to a level of insignificance.”

“We are excited to share a very detailed, comprehensive plan that sets the highest standards in responsible and community-based redevelopment,” Caruso told the Palisadian-Post.

“We thank the community for all of their input over the past couple of years and we look forward to creating a wonderful project for this special community.”

At previous community meetings, some residents—especially those who live in the Alphabet Streets surrounding the proposed project—have expressed an eagerness to review the traffic study.

The 234-page traffic study, which was approved by LADOT, looked at a total of 10 intersections during morning (6-9 a.m.) and evening (3-6 p.m.) peak hours and found the project will have no significant impact on local traffic.

Public comments about the project are still being accepted by the city, and residents are invited to attend two upcoming public hearings.

Caruso will appear before the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board (DRB) for a Final Design Review on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in Gilbert Hall at Palisades Charter High School. 

On March 24, the Deputy Advisory Agency and the City Planning Commission will conduct a joint public hearing on the Palisades Village project beginning at 9 a.m. at City Hall, Public Works Boardroom Room 350.

To view the MND, visit cityplanning.lacity.org and click on “Environmental Review” then click on “Negative Declaration Public Notices” then hover the pointer over Feb. 18, 2016 and click on ENV-2015-2715.