Notice of Intent To Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration

In accordance with Section 15072 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, this notice is to inform agencies and the public that the County of Los Angeles intends to adopt an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration/ (IS/MND) for the following proposed project:
Project Title: MacLaren Community Park Project
Description: The proposed project includes development of a new community park that would include one regulation-size soccer field with a superimposed softball field; tennis and basketball courts; a flex event lawn; a walking promenade; a fitness area, a family gathering/barbeque area and book exchange/chess tables; two play areas (for pre-school and grade school) with rubber surfacing; a water feature; a children’s discovery garden; a children’s play mound, a native botanic garden, bioswales; a raised performance pavilion/gazebo; restrooms; and storage.The project would include field/court lighting with shields to ensure minimal to no spillover lighting or glare at adjacent residences as well as security lighting. The project would include demolition of approximately 130,000 square feet of unused and underused buildings and removal of paved areas, grassy areas and mature trees. The project would remove portions of the existing 20-foot-tall perimeter wall (mainly along the eastern park boundary) and replace it with new fencing which would extend around the park perimeter. Access to the park would be from Durfee Avenue, Kerrwood Street and Gilman Road. The project does not include parking because the new park is intended to primarily serve the local community. However, until the remainder of the MacLaren Hall property is redeveloped (to the extent this occurs), the existing parking lot on Durfee Avenue (with approximately 138 spaces) would be available for use by park users. 

Project Location: The project site is a 5.6-acre portion of the County-owned 13.65 MacLaren Hall property at 4024 Durfee Avenue in the City of El Monte. The MacLaren Hall property borders the project site on the north, west and south. Seven single-family homes are located directly across Gilman Road from the project site to the east. As discussed in the IS/MND the project site is not a listed hazardous materials site pursuant Government Code §65962.5. 

Public Review Period: September 22, 2021 to October 12, 2021
Lead Agency: County of Los Angeles
Contact Person: Burt Kumagawa, Project Manager County of Los Angeles, Chief Executive Office Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
Asset Management Branch, Room 754, 500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012: bkumagawa@ceo.lacounty.gov