To: UCLA Faculty, Homeowner Associations, Community Councils, Other interested parties From: Tracy Dudman, UCLA Capital Programs
Subject: Residential Conference Center Informational Meeting
After careful review of the comment letters received during the Notice of Preparation period for the UCLA Residential Conference Center (“the Project”), the University has gained invaluable input on the environmental issues that will be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (“Draft EIR”). The University has received extensive and detailed comments from the internal UCLA community, the local residential community, and the local business community and the University thanks all of these constituencies and other respondents for their interest in the Project.
Given the volume of responses received to date, the University has decided to move forward with the preparation of the Draft EIR, without convening the informal meeting the University had tentatively planned for late February. At this time, the University has no new information to present to the public regarding the design of the Project; however, we remain open to receiving comment letters regarding environmental issues, mitigation measures, and alternatives during preparation of the Draft EIR. The University is committed to fully analyzing all environmental issues in the Draft EIR, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and University policy.
We anticipate that the Draft EIR will be available for a 45-day public review period beginning in May 2011. During the 45-day review period, UCLA will host a Public Hearing to discuss the Project and provide a public venue to receive verbal and written comments on the Draft EIR. If you have any questions or comments regarding the foregoing, please contact Tracy Dudman at t.dudman@capnet.ucla.edu or send written comments to:
Tracy Dudman, Senior Planner, UCLA Capital Programs, 1060 Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095
isn't pushing so hard and fast just going to enrage the community and lead to lawsuits and slowdowns in the end? Maybe a less cowboy attitude would actually be more productive in the long run
ReplyDeleteThank you for making this information available - Very helpful, however more attention might be given to what benefits might be anticipated when academics are on an increasingly stringent budget and less likely to attend expensive conferences. Additionally, the future of academic communication is most likely in videoconferencing and not in large group meetings. Any new building should be constructed for the future of education and communication - not the past. Sincerely, E.W. Fonkalsrud, MD
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, in my discussions with many faculty members, including Chairmen of several Divisions and a few Departments of the Medical School and Hospital, there appears to be little interest in coming to the upper campus for various lectures or other educational programs in a Conference Center other than on rare occasions. It is therefore difficult to identify who on the UCLA campus would hold future scientific and educational programs in the Conference Center which would indicate the need for such a large facility with housing for visitors in 280 rooms. A new Conference Center designed to use the input from the faculty with regards to their anticipated educational needs for the next few decades would appear to be more prudent. Best wishes, E.W. Fonkalsrud, MD