COUNCIL MEETING: 11/12/96                    Santa Monica, CA

TO:       Mayor and City Council

FROM:     City Staff

SUBJECT:  Recommendation to Award a Contract to Impact Sciences,
          Inc. for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report on
          the Santa Monica Studios Project.

INTRODUCTION
This staff report recommends that Impact Sciences, Inc. be awarded
a contract in the amount of $69,535, with a 20% contingency, to
prepare an Environmental Impact Report on the Santa Monica Studios
project proposed by Santa Monica Studios (3025 Olympic Boulevard,
Santa Monica). The project consists of the conversion of the
studio's six acre site to film and television studio production
facilities.   The contingency amount is being recommended in order
to cover additional costs that may arise during the analysis of the
project's impacts and to expedite the review  process for the
project.                                                                                                       
BACKGROUND
The City Planning Division received applications from Santa Monica
Studios for a Development Review Permit, a Conditional Use Permit
(to permit the on-sale of alcoholic beverages), a Variance (to
permit a sculptural wall exceeding the Code-required height), and
a Text Amendment to allow residential buildings with a maximum
height of four stories or 45 feet. 

A total of 394,000 square feet of new construction is proposed for
the project with approximately 230,000 square feet of space devoted
to production and office uses located in four four-story buildings. 
One of these buildings will have ground floor retail and food
service for a 90 seat restaurant and a 250 seat food court.  Above
this space will be 75 apartments in approximately 100,000 square
feet of work/live space for artists.  The studios will also contain
two sound stages occupying about 15,000 square feet each with an
outdoor production stage located between these buildings.    

The Planning and Community Development Department has determined
that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be required to
evaluate the proposed project.  The EIR will examine a number of
potential environmental issues regarding the proposed project
including air quality, noise, light and glare, shadows, human
health, population, land use, housing, transportation, circulation
and parking, utilities, public services, construction impacts,
recreational resources, cultural resources, aesthetics, and
neighborhood effects.  Once an EIR is prepared, there will be a
public comment period during which time interested persons can
review and comment on the environmental analysis.  Public hearings
on the project will also be conducted by the Planning Commission
and City Council.  

A Request for Proposal to prepare the EIR for this project was
issued by the Planning and Community Development Department, which
is responsible for preparing City environmental documents.  Four
firms responded with proposals.  Staff recommends that Impact
Sciences, Inc. be selected to prepare the EIR due to their
competitive cost proposal and their experience in preparing similar
types of environmental reviews. For example, they prepared the
environmental analysis for the Warner Brothers Studios Master Plan
and are currently involved in the preparation of the EIR for the
NBC Studios project. In addition, Impact Sciences, Inc. and Myer,
Mohaddes Associates, Inc.(the traffic and circulation subconsultant
chosen for the project) prepared the first Master Environmental
Assessment (MEA) for the City and the first annual update of the
MEA.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City's costs for this EIR, including the requested twenty
percent contingency amount, will be fully paid in advance by Santa
Monica Studios.  Funds from the applicant in the amount of $69,535
will be deposited into the General Trust and Agency Fund Account
Number 80-000-000-00000-9750-04362.   Additional contingency funds
(up to a maximum of 20% of the original contract amount) will be
deposited by the project applicant to this same account if it is
determined by the Director of Planning & Community Development 
that the original scope of services needs to be amended to provide
additional environmental analysis.  Expenditures to cover the cost
of this additional analysis will be charged to this fund without
any financial impact to the City. 
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that upon receipt of $69,535 from
Santa Monica Studios, the City Council authorize the City Manager
to enter into a contract with Impact Sciences, Inc. at a cost of
$69,535, with a 20% contingency, for preparation of an EIR for the
proposed Santa Monica Studios project.