City Council

(18) 24-1377 CD 4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) NO. ENV-2017-5424-EIR [STATE CLEARINGHOUSE (SCH) NO. 2020100057], FINAL EIR (COLLECTIVELY, HILTON UNIVERSAL PROJECT EIR), STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS, MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM, and RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS, PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT (PLUM) COMMITTEE REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to a Vesting Zone Change and Height District Change for the property located at 555 East Universal Hollywood Drive. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: 1. FIND, pursuant to Sections 21081.6 of the Public Resources Code, that the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (LACPC) has reviewed and considered the information contained in the EIR No. ENV-2017-5424-EIR (SCH No. 2020100057) dated November 2023, and the Final EIR, dated June 2024 (collectively, Hilton Universal City Project EIR), as well as the whole of the administrative record. 2. CERTIFY the following: a. The Hilton Universal City Project EIR has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. b. The Hilton Universal City Project EIR was presented to the LACPC as a decision-making body of the lead agency. c. The Hilton Universal City Project EIR reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the lead agency. 3. ADOPT the following: a. The related and prepared Hilton Universal City Project EIR Environmental Findings. b. The Statement of Overriding Considerations. c. The Mitigation Monitoring Program prepared for the Hilton Universal City Project EIR. 4. ADOPT the FINDINGS of the LACPC as the Findings of Council. 5. PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE, dated September 12, 2024, to effectuate a Vesting Zone Change and Height District Change from C2-1, RE15-1-H, and PB-1 to (T) (Q)C2-2D across the entire property; for the Hilton Universal City Project (Project) which involves the construction of an approximately 300,000 square-foot, 18-story Hotel Expansion Building addition to the existing 24-story Hilton Universal City Hotel, the Hotel Expansion Building would be comprised of 395 guestrooms, a spa, three restaurants, an indoor/outdoor bar, two pools, a single-level lobby lounge/bar connecting to the existing hotel building, a meeting room addition to the ancillary building, and an expansion of the existing three-level parking garage. Upon completion, the Project would provide 890 guestrooms and 696,609 square feet of floor area, resulting in a Floor Area Ratio of 2.2:1 for the 7.26-acre site; for the property located at 555 East Universal Hollywood Drive, subject to Modified Conditions of Approval. 6. ADVISE the applicant, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.32 G: ....property shall not remain in a Q Qualified classification for more than six years unless during that time: (1) there is substantial physical development of the property to allow for one or more of the uses for which the Q Qualified classification was adopted; or (2) if no physical development is necessary, then the property is used for one or more of the purposes for which the Q Qualified classification was adopted... When these time limitations expire, the Q Qualified classification and the authority contained therein shall become null and void, the rezoning proceedings shall be terminated, and the property thereafter may only be utilized for those purposes permitted prior to the commencement of such rezoning proceedings. 7. ADVISE the applicant that, pursuant to California State Public Resources Code Section 21081.6, the City shall monitor or require evidence that mitigation conditions are implemented and maintained throughout the life of the project and the City may require any necessary fees to cover the cost of such monitoring. 8. ADVISE the applicant that, pursuant to State Fish and Game Code Section 711.4, a Fish and Game Fee and/or Certificate of Fee Exemption is now required to be submitted to the County Clerk prior to or concurrent with the Environmental Notice of Determination filing. Applicant: Hillcrest Real Estate, LLC Representative: Edgar Khalatian, Mayer Brown, LLP Case No. CPC-2017-5423-VZC-HD-CUB-CUX-SPR Environmental No. ENV-2017-5424-EIR Fiscal Impact Statement: The LACPC reports that there is no General Fund impact as administrative costs are recovered through fees.