Subject: 826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Mr.
Transcript of Subject: 826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Mr.
February 12, 2015 Job No. 14-01166
Demetri Darmos Kings826 LP
Subject: 826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study
Dear Mr. Darmos:
Rincon Consultants. Inc. I 80 North Ashwood Avenue
Ventura. C11llorn11 93003
105 64 4 4455
fAl 644 4240
1nloOrmconc on suit ants .com www.11nconconsult1nts com
Rincon Consultants, Inc. is pleased to submit this shadow study for the proposed 34-unit residential development at 826 N. Kings Road in West Hollywood. Rincon is an environmental consulting firm that has been in business since 1994 and has conducted shadow studies for hundreds of projects throughout southern California, including several in West Hollywood.
The proposed residential building at 826 N. Kings Road would be five stories in height with subterranean parking. The primary concern with respect to shadows is the project's impact upon the adjacent residential building at 848 N. Kings Road.
In order to determine the effects of the proposed building on the building at 848 N. Kings Road, shadows were modeled using a combination of SketchUp and Kerkythea software programs. Existing and proposed buildings and trees/foliage were entered into the model based on architectural plans and georeferenced. Scenes were then established in the 3d modeling software, depicting the shadow conditions at different times and days throughout the year. Finally, the scenes were rendered into images and compiled into shadow diagrams for analysis.
The attached diagrams compare existing and post-project shadow conditions on the following days:
• Vernal equinox (March 21) • Summer solstice Gune 21) • Autumnal equinox (September 21) • Winter solstice (December 21)
Shadows are longest on the winter solstice because the sun is lowest on that day. The change in shadow conditions for each of the four days is described below.
EXHIBIT 0 Environm e ntal Sci e ntists Pl ann ers En g in e ers
Vernal Equinox
826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Page2
• At 10 AM, south-facing balconies on all floors of the building at 848 N. Kings Road are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building at 826 N. Kings Road would completely shade balconies on first floor units during the AM hours, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
• At 12 PM, all floors continue to be partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building would shade balconies on first floor units, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
• At 3 PM, the first and second floors continue to be partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building shade balconies on first floor units, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
• At 5 PM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building would shade only the easternmost first-floor balconies.
Summer Solstice
• At 9 AM, balconies on all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees/foliage and the building at 848 N. Kings Road itself. The proposed building would not further shade any floors.
• At 12 PM, balconies on all floors remain partially to fully shaded by existing trees/ foliage and the building at 848 N. Kings Road itself. The proposed building would not further shade any floors.
• At 3 PM, balconies on all floors remain partially to fully shaded by existing trees and the building at 848 N. Kings Road itself. The proposed building would not further shade any floors.
• At 6 PM, balconies on all floors remain partially to fully shaded by existing trees and the building at 848 N. Kings Road itself. The proposed building would not further shade any floors.
Autumnal Equinox
• At 10 AM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building would completely shade balconies on first floor units during the AM hours, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
• At 12 PM, all floors continue to be partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building would shade balconies on first floor units, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
• At 3 PM, the first and second floors continue to be partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed building would shade balconies on first floor units, but upper floors would be less shaded than under current conditions.
Environmental Sci e ntists Plann e rs En g ine e rs
826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Page3
• At 5 PM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage as well as by the building at 848 N. Kings Road itself. The proposed building would shade only the easternmost first-floor balconies.
Winter Solstice
• At 8 AM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed structure would fully shade the lower three floors.
• At 10 AM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed structure would fully shade the lower three floors.
• At 12 PM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed structure would fully shade the lower three floors.
• At 3 PM, all floors are partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage. The proposed structure would fully shade the lower three floors.
Conclusions
The only time period during which the proposed project would increase overall shadows on the building at 848 N. Kings Road is on and around the winter solstice. Even during that time period, the increase in shading is incremental as the lower three floors of the south facing wall are already partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage.
The proposed project was approved by the West Hollywood Planning Commission pursuant to a Oass 32 In-Fill Development Project Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA Guidelines Section 15332(d), which applies to Class 32 exemptions, does not identify shade/ shadows among the list of impacts that would prohibit the use of this exemption. Moreover, the proposed project would not result in significant shade/ shadow impacts due to unusual circumstances. The Class 32 exemption anticipates that in-fill structures will be in close proximity to one another; therefore, a new structure casting shadows onto an adjacent property is not unusual and appears to be within the ordinary use of the Class 32 exemption.
***** We appreciate the opportunity to assist with this assignment. Please let me know if you have any questions about this shadow study.
Joe Power, AICP CEP Principal
Env ir onmental S ci ent is ts P l anne rs Eng i neers
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
10:00am ·Existing
12:00pm • Existing
10:00am - Proposed
12:00pm ·Proposed
The red line indicates the extl!nt of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Vernal Equinox Shadows
r Figure la
KlltflS 826 LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
' , 3:00pm - Existing
I
• -5:00pm • Existing
-3:00pm - Proposed
5:00pm • Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Vernal Equinox Shadows
r
.......................................... ............................................. ............................................ .............................................. ........................................... , ··························-···············~ ................................................ ............................................ ··········································· ·························-················· ............................................. .. ..... ... .... ... .. .. . . ....... ·-----·---------- --------•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• t .................................................................. ........
Figure lb Klnp 826 LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
9:00am - Existing
12:00pm • Existing
9:00am - Proposed
12:00pm - Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Summer Solstice Shadows
r Figure 2a
Klngs826LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
3:00pm - Existing
p
-6:00pm - Existing
3:00pm - Proposed
6:00pm - Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Summer Solstice Shadows
r
........................................... , ............................................. ............................................... ............................................... , ............................................ , ············································ ................................................ .............................................. ···········-································ ;~~~~~~~:;::::~::;:: :::::: ::::::: :::::::::: i
Figure2b Klnp826LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
10:00am - Existing
12:00pm - Existing
10:00am - Proposed
12:00pm - Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Autumnal Equinox Shadows
r Figure 3a
Klnga 828 LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
I , 3:00pm • Existing
I
I
• -5:00pm • Existing
-3:00pm • Proposed
S:OOpm - Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Autumnal Equinox Shadows
r
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........... ,. ...... ., ........... fO ........ ~ ••••••••••••• ............................................... ,
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Figure3b Kings 826 LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
8:00am - Existing
10:00am - Existing
8:00am - Proposed
10:00am - Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Winter Solstice Shadows
r Figure4a
Klnp 126 LP
826 N. Kings Road Residential Development Shadow Study
12:00pm - Existing
I ] j
3:00pm • Existing
12:00pm - Proposed
3:00pm • Proposed
The red line indicates the extent of shadows created by existing trees/foliage.
Winter Solstice Shadows
r Figure4b
Klngs828LP
April 22, 2015 Job No. 14-01166
Demetri Darmos Kings 826 LP 999 N. Doheny Drive, #1109 West Hollywood, CA 90069
• Rincon Consultllntl, Inc.
180 North Ashwood Avenue
Ventura. Cahlorn11 93003
105 &•• •455 FU 6U '240
info Or mconconsultanrs. com www. rinconconsuttants . com
Subject: 826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Follow-up
Dear Mr. Darmos:
Rincon Consultants, Inc. is pleased to submit this follow-up to our February 12, 2015 shadow study for the proposed 34-unit residential development at 826 N. Kings Road in West Hollywood. Rincon _is an environmental consulting firm that has been in business since 1994 and has conducted shadow studies for hundreds of projects throughout southern California, including several in West Hollywood.
The proposed residential building at 826 N. Kings Road would be five stories in height with subterranean parking. The primary concern with respect to shadows is the project's impact upon the adjacent residential building at 848 N. Kings Road. The purpose of this follow-up study is to compare the shadows associated with the approved design to those of two potential options that would represent the maximum development footprint under City of West Hollywood zoning. These include: (1) a 4-story building option with 7-foot north side setback; and (2) a 5-story building option with an 8-foot north side setback.
As before, shadows were modeled using a combination of SketchUp and Kerkythea software programs. Existing and proposed buildings and trees/foliage were entered into the model based on architectural plans and georeferenced. Scenes were then established in the 3d modeling software, depicting the shadow conditions at different times and days throughout the year. Finally, the scenes were rendered into images and compiled into shadow diagrams for analysis.
The attached diagrams compare existing and post-project shadow conditions on the following days:
• Vernal equinox (March 20) • Summer solstice Oune 21) • Autumnal equinox (September 23)
Environment a l Sci e ntists Pl a nners En g ineers
r • Winter solstice (December 21)
826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Page2
Shadows are longest on the winter solstice because the sun is lowest on that day. The change in sh_~dow conditions for each of the four days is described below.
Vernal Equinox
• At 10 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM, shadows associated with the 4-story design would be similar to those of the approved design, while shadows associated with the 5-story design would be abcmt 11-12 feet higher on the south facing wall of the building to the north.
• At 5 PM, the same situation would occur, but only the easternmost end of the building to the north would be shaded by any of the potential designs.
Summer Solstice
• Neither the approved design nor either of the alternate designs would shade any portion of the building to the north at any time of day.
Autumnal Eguinox
• At 10 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM, shadows associated with the 4-story design would be similar to those of the approved design while shadows associated with the 5-story design would be about 11-12 feet higher than under the approved design.
• At 5 PM, the same situation would occur, but only the easternmost end of the building to the north would be shaded by any of the potential designs.
Winter Solstice
• At 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM, the approved design, the 4-story design, and the 5-story design would all fully shade the south facing wall of the structure to the north. As noted in the February 12, 2015 study, all floors of the structure are already partially to fully shaded by existing trees and foliage at all times of day on the winter solstice.
Conclusions
The four-story alternative design would have shadow impacts similar to those of the proposed project while the five-story alternative design would have greater shadow impacts. Given that both of these alternative designs comply with City of West Hollywood development standards for the project site, the fact that they would have impacts similar to or greater than those of the approved design further suggests that the proposed project would not create an unusual shadow condition or impact and that the Oass 32 In-Fill Development Project Exemption previously granted to the project would apply under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Environmental Scientists Planners Engineers
*****
826 N. Kings Road Shadow Study Page3
We appreciate the opportunity to assist with this assignment. Please let me know if you have any questions about this shadow study.
Sincerely, RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC.
·~ Joe Power, AICP CEP Principal
Environmental Scientists Planners Engineers
March 20, 10:00am
Approved Design
March 20, 12:00pm
Approved Design
Red line represents the emmt of shedows In the 8fJPf0118d design.
r
4 Story Design with T Setback 5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Vernal Equinox Shadows
March 20, 3:00pm
4 Story Design with T Setback
March 20, 5:00pm
Red line f9pt81f1Jnls Iha elll8nt of sh8dows In Iha ll/1fJKJYed deSgll.
r
5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Vernal Equinox Shadows
Figarelb K11199•LP
June 21, 9:00am
June 21, 12:00pm
Approved Design
Red Hne rep19senls the extent of shedows In the approved de/l/gn.
r
4 Story Design with T Setback 5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Summer Solstice Shadows
828 N. Kk1gl Rom Rmldlnllll De\llapmeilt ....._....,. June21, 3:00pm
Approved Design
June 21, 6:00pm
Red line represents the eJdrJnt of shadows In the~ design.
r
4 Story Design with 7' Setback 5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Summer Solstice Shadows
Figure2b
Approwid Design
September 23, 12:00pm
r .. : -·1 .. ·~· I " ," r_J,.,.;._•e.:. ...
Approved Design
Red line represents the emmt of shedows In the epptO'ied design.
r
4 Story Design with T Setback 5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Autumnal Equinox Shadows
Figme3a Klllf8mLP
828 N. ~ Riied Rlllderllll Deollojlmenl ....... ......, September 23, 3 :OOpm
September 23, 5:00pm
Red line re(Jf8stmts the extent of shadows In the 8fJPIOV9d deflgn.
r
5 Story Design with 8' Setback
Autumnal Equinox Shadows
Jligure3b Klill'•LP
December 21, 8:00am
Red line 1&prell19nts the extent of shadows In the approved deflgn.
r Winter Solstice
Shadows
828 N. I01191 Rolld ~ Dontlupin• Shedow91udy
December 21, 12:00pm
December 21, 3:00pm
Red line reptesents the eld8nt of shedows In ttre BPPIOved design.
r
5 Story Dellgr'I wllh 8' Selbllck
Winter Solstice Shadows
F!gme4b