1537 S. Hayworth (New Condominiums) ENV-2025-5561-CE
Summary
SCH Number
2026080594
Public Agency
City of Los Angeles
Document Title
1537 S. Hayworth (New Condominiums) ENV-2025-5561-CE
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/18/2026
Document Description
The Applicant proposes a Tentative Tract Map to merge two (2) existing lots into one (1) ground lot resulting in total lot area of approximately 13,761 square-feet, for the purpose of 30 new
condominiums in a proposed multi-family residential building. On October 17, 2024, the Department of City Planning issued a Class 32 Categorical Exemption (ENV-20205018-CE) to permit the demolition of two (2) existing single-family dwellings and two (2) detached garages, and the construction, use and maintenance of a five (5)-story multifamily residential building containing 30 dwelling units, including three (3) units restricted to Extremely Low Income
Households, in conjunction with an approval for the Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentive Program (Case No. DIR-2020-5017-TOC-HCA). The project site is located at 1537-1541 South Hayworth Avenue within the Wilshire Community Plan. The proposed project is 57 feet in height and comprises 38,499 square feet of floor area. Demolition permits for the existing improvements were issued on August 27, 2024; however, at the time of writing, demolition had not yet begun. A building permit for the multi-family building was issued on March 5, 2026; however, at the time of writing, construction had not yet begun.
The project proposes the cut and export of 9,682 (12,064 with a 25-percent swell factor) cubic yards of soil and the fill of 31 cubic yards. No import of soil is proposed. The project proposes the removal of eleven (11) existing on-site trees and the planting of ten (10) trees, consisting of 10 ground floor on-site trees. The three (3) Street Trees adjacent to the site were originally proposed for preservation subject to the discretion of the Urban Forestry Division. However, for purposes of conservative analysis and the requirements of CEQA, Planning has analyzed the worst-case potential for removal of all street trees. At the time of writing, the Urban Forestry Division has
approved the removal of one (1) of the three (3) Street Trees. This environmental analysis does not authorize the removal of any street trees without prior approval of Urban Forestry, in compliance with LAMC Sections 62.169 and 62.170 and their applicable findings. Note, no Street Tree or protected tree may be removed without prior approval of the Board of Public Works/Urban Forestry (BPW) under LAMC Sections 62.161 - 62.171.
Contact Information
Name
Dan Daneshrad
Agency Name
Hayworth Building LLC
Job Title
Applicant
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Enrique Pardo
Agency Name
Pardo Land Use Consultants
Job Title
Representative
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Dylan Lawrence
Agency Name
City of Los Angeles, City Planning Department
Job Title
City Planning Associate
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Hayworth Ave & Saturn St
Zip
90035
Other Location Info
PROJECT LOCATION: 1537-1541 South Havworth Avenue
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15332 / Class 32
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Determination – Class 32 Categorical Exemption Applies A project qualifies for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption if it is developed on an infill site and meets the conditions as follows: (a) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with the applicable zoning designation and regulations; (b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (c) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species; (d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. (a) The project is consistent with applicable general plan designation, applicable policies, and applicable zoning designations. The subject site is located within the Wilshire Community Plan. The site is zoned [Q]R3-1-O and has a General Plan Land Use Designation of Medium Residential. As shown in the case file, the project is consistent with the applicable Wilshire Community Plan designation and policies and all applicable zoning designations and regulations. The project was previously approved in conjunction with the TOC Affordable Housing Incentive Program (Case No. DIR2020-5017-TOC-HCA).
(b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. The subject site is wholly within the City of Los Angeles, on a site that is approximately 0.32 acres. The surrounding area is characterized by level topography, improved streets and residential uses. The adjacent property to the north is improved with a two (2)-story, 12-unit multi-family residential structure. The adjacent property to the south is improved with a singlefamily dwelling and three (3) units in a multi-family building. The abutting properties to the rear of the site, to the west, are improved with an eight (8)-unit condominium building and an eight (8)-unit multi-family residential building. There is also a 50-unit multi-family residential building currently under construction. Across Hayworth Avenue to the east is a single-family dwelling constructed in 1940, one (1) recently constructed three (3)-story, eight (8)-unit apartment building, and a three (3)-story, 12-unit multi-family apartment building. (c) The project has no value as a habitat for endangered species, rare, or threatened species. The site is previously disturbed and surrounded by development and therefore is not, and has no value as, a habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. Moreover, a Tree Report, prepared by Shelley Sparks, ISA Certified Arborist #WE-10883A, on April 19, 2023, states that there are 11 non-protected trees, three (3) Street Trees, and no Protected Trees on-site. The 11 non-protected trees are proposed for removal. The three (3) Street Trees onsite were originally proposed for preservation subject to the discretion of the Urban Forestry Division. However, for purposes of conservative analysis and the requirements of CEQA, Planning has analyzed the worst-case potential for removal of all street trees. At the time of writing, the Urban Forestry Division has approved the removal of one (1) of the three (3) Street Trees. (d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. The project will be subject to Regulatory Compliance Measures (RCMs), which require compliance with the City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance, pollutant discharge, dewatering, stormwater mitigations, and Best Management Practices for stormwater runoff. These RCMs will ensure the project will not have significant impacts on noise and water. Furthermore, the City of Los Angeles Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Calculator resulted in the proposed project having a net increase of 113 daily vehicle trips and a net increase of 704 daily VMT. Based on the VMT Calculator, the project is not required to perform VMT analysis under the VMT standards. The applicant team submitted a Construction Noise Analysis prepared by DKA Planning in January 2024, which details methods that would be used to ensure compliance with the City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance. Therefore, no foreseeable cumulative impacts are expected. Interim thresholds were developed by DCP staff based on CalEEMod model runs relying on reasonable assumptions, consulting with AQMD staff, and surveying published air quality studies for which criteria air pollutants did not exceed the established SCAQMD construction and operational thresholds. Therefore, the project would not result in any significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. (e) The proposed project has been reviewed by City staff and can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project is for the merger of two (2) lots into one ground lot for a maximum of 30 condominium dwelling units. The building that would be subdivided was approved in conjunction with the Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentive Program (Case No. DIR-2020-5017-TOC-HCA) and previously received a Class 32 Categorical Exemption from CEQA (Case No. ENV-2020-5018-CE). At the time of writing, a building permit has been issued but construction has not yet begun. The project site will be adequately served by all public utilities and services given that the construction of a residential building will be located on a site that has been previously developed with a single-family home and that is consistent with the General Plan. Therefore, the project meets all of the Criteria for the Class 32. As the project has been found to be categorically exempt from CEQA, the project is not anticipated to have a negative effect on the environment and no mitigation measures are required.
CEQA Section 15300.2: Exceptions to the Use of Categorical Exemptions
The City has considered whether the proposed project is subject to any of the five (5) exceptions that would prohibit the use of a categorical exemption as set forth in State CEQA Guidelines
Section 15300.2. There are five (5) Exceptions which must be considered in order to find a project exempt under Section 15332: (a) Cumulative Impacts; (b) Significant Effect; (C) Scenic Highways;
(d) Hazardous Waste Sites; and (e) Historical Resources.
(a) Cumulative Impacts. All exemptions for these classes are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time is significant.
The project is located at 1537-1541 South Hayworth Avenue in the Wilshire Community Plan.
According to SCAQMD, individual construction projects that do not exceed the SCAQMD’s recommended daily thresholds for project-specific impacts would not cause a cumulatively considerable increase in emissions for those pollutants for which the Air Basin is in nonattainment. Interim thresholds were developed by DCP staff based on CalEEMod model runs relying on reasonable assumptions, consulting with AQMD staff, and surveying published air quality studies for which criteria air pollutants did not exceed the established SCAQMD construction and operational thresholds. Construction-related daily emissions at the project site would not exceed SCAQMD’s regional or localized significance thresholds. Therefore, the project’s contribution to cumulative construction-related regional emissions would not be cumulatively considerable and therefore would be less than significant. Construction of the
project also would have a less-than-significant impact with regard to localized emissions.
As noise is a localized phenomenon and decreases in magnitude as distance from the source increases, only projects and ambient growth in the nearby area could combine with the proposed project to result in cumulatively considerable noise impacts. The applicant retained a consultant to prepare a noise and vibration study for the site. The study, prepared by DKA Planning, in January 2024, details methods that will be used to comply with the City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance. Therefore, the project would not result in significant impacts related to noise.
(b) Significant Effect. A categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances.
As mentioned, the project proposes the merger of two (2) lots into one (1) ground lot resulting in approximately 13,761 square-feet in lot area, for the construction, use, and maintenance of a new five (5)-story, 38,499-square-foot, 30-unit condominium building measuring approximately 57 feet in height. The project site is located in an area zoned and designated for such development and all surrounding lots are developed with single- and multi-family
buildings. The proposed building will be five (5) stories, with two (2) subterranean parking levels in an area that is currently developed within buildings that range in height from one to four stories. In conjunction with the TOC Affordable Housing Incentive Program approval (Case No. DIR-2020-5017-TOC-HCA), the proposed building will not be unusual for the vicinity of the subject site and will be similar in scope to future residential buildings in the area that use the TOC Affordable Housing Incentive Program in exchange for affordable housing. Thus, there are no unusual circumstances which may lead to a significant effect on the environment.
(c) Scenic Highways. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway.
As it relates to development along a Scenic Highway, the only State Scenic Highway within the City of Los Angeles is the Topanga Canyon State Scenic Highway, State Route 27, which travels through a portion of Topanga State Park. State Route 27 is located approximately 12 miles to the west of the subject property. Therefore, the subject site will not create any impacts within a designated state scenic highway.
(d) Hazardous Waste. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project located on a site which is included on any list complied pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
In regard to Hazardous Waste sites, according to Envirostor, the State of California’s database of Hazardous Waste Sites, neither the subject site, nor any site in the vicinity, is identified as a hazardous waste site. As such, the project would not be developed on a site identified as a hazardous site pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
(e) Historic Resources. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
The project site is improved with two (2) existing single-family dwellings and two (2) detached garages built in 1925 and 1938; the existing improvements were approved for demolition in
conjunction with the Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentive Program (Case No. DIR-2020-5017-TOC-HCA). At the time of writing, demolition permits have been issued but demolition has not yet commenced on-site. Office of Historic Resources staff confirmed via email on August 6, 2024, that the site has not been identified as a historic resource by local or state agencies, and the project site has not been determined to be eligible
for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources, the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments Register, and/or any local register; and was not found to be a potential historic resource based on the City’s HistoricPlacesLA website or SurveyLA, the citywide survey of Los Angeles.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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