Meeting Date: 06/15/06 07:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Mulholland Tennis Club
2555 Crest View Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323-654-0550
Details: AREA 9 COMMITTEE MEETING
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
June 15, 2006
7:00 PM
Mulholland Tennis Club
2555 Crest View Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323-654-0550
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address any item of the Agenda prior to the committees taking an action. Comments from the public on Agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that is within the committees’ subject matters jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public Comment is limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless waived by the presiding chair of the meeting. Agendas posted for public review on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website (www.hhwnc.org) and Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. As a covered entity under Title 11 of the American with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator, Christine Jerian, at (213) 485-1360, or 311, or e-mail to ([email protected]).
AGENDA
1. Call to order/welcome
2. Q & A with Councilman LaBonge’s representative
a) Willow Glen repair/paving
b) Woodstock Road repair/paving
c) Tagging/Break-ins
d) McMansionization motion/ordinance (possible motion and vote)
e) Party House motion/ordinance (possible motion and vote)
f) Public questions/comments for CD4
3. Q & A with Los Angeles Fire Department representative(s)
a) Area 9/Upper Laurel Canyon fire evacuation procedures and routes
b) Red Flag Days
c) Public questions/comments for LAFD
4. Chairman’s Report
a) Splash Bash Neighborhood Council Stakeholder/Outreach Event at Hollywood and Highland, June 22nd, 7-10 PM
b) Bulwer Drive Development update. (possible motion and vote)
c) Area 9 building updates
d) Area 9 working group updates/open Area 9 Secretary position/Beautification
5. Public Comment
6. Adjournment
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The committees may reconsider and amend their action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The committees, on either of these two days, shall: (1) Make a Motion for Reconsideration and, if approved, (2) hear the matter and take an action. If the Motion to Reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A Motion for Reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A Motion for Reconsideration can only be made by a committee member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a Motion for Reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a committee member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the committee(s) chair(s) identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall all be in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown A
HHWNC AREA COMMITTEE #9
BRIAR SUMMIT/WOODROW WILSON/MULHOLLAND DRIVE
MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 15, 2006
In Attendance: Lindsay Graves, Hilary DeVries, Michael Walker, Albert Morrell, Victor Martinez, Adriane Baird, Jeannie Lim, Polly Ward, Jim Moore, Carol Sidlow, Lucy Wanda-Perna, Joe Perna, Harriet Schneidman, Neil Norman, Wendy Dytman, Bil Jaxon, Gabrielle Brill, Gail Reynolds Natzler, Joanne & Joe Leonard, Chad Saterlee, Tom O’Rourke, Anna Zimmerman, Jeffrey Eyster, Orrin Feldman, David Thornton, Joe Beaver, Marc Leger, Neil Williamson, Marilyn Roberts, Sharon Kleinbak, Jeff Pedersen, Stuart Ross, Chief Evan Williams (of LAFD, Station #97)- Renee Weitzer and Don Mensman (of Council Member Tom LaBonge’s office).
John Pogue called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. He first called on LAFD Battalion Chief Evan Williams to discuss fire prevention and evacuation procedures for our neighborhood (agenda items 3a-c). Chief Williams explained that our area is located between Battalions 5 & 14 and that, in the event of a fire, both would respond. He brought a map of evacuation routes (for us: Nichols Canyon & Laurel Canyon Blvds.) with most of the smaller streets redlined. He explained Red Flag days (4-7 days per year) when the combination of high temperatures, (90 degrees and higher)- low humidity and winds make for extreme fire hazard. He listed the ways to learn if it’s a red flag day: dial 311; consult the www.LAFD.org website; listen to the news media or furnish your e-mail address to the LAFD, who will then notify you of Red Flag days by e-mail. When he discussed the “no parking” rules on red flag days, Carol Sidlow asked what the point was if construction crews park vehicles and block the street- ignoring the rules? Chief Williams stated that the Fire Dept. will come out to ask the construction crews to move their vehicles, but that they cannot arrest an offender; you would have to call the LAPD. Gayle Natzler asked if there was a special number at LAPD to call that would get cars towed and Renee Weitzer (from Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s office) provided the towing number of the Dept. of Transportation (DOT): (213) 485-4184. Chief Williams noted that the Fire Dept. needs 12 feet of road width to get a hook and ladder thru – most streets in our area aren’t wide enough and they send in smaller vehicles with pumps. There was a discussion about LAFD getting through private gates: Chief Williams suggested that people who live behind gates purchase a lock box and leave a key or remote for the Fire Dept.- but assured everyone that LAFD has no problem getting through gates and will try to do so with minimum damage.
After Chief Williams concluded, John Pogue introduced Renee Weitzer, Chief of Staff and Doug Mensman, Assistant Planning Deputy in Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s office. They announced that Stacy Marble in the Toluca Lake Office (phone #: (818) 755-7630) would be our new Field Deputy. Renee started by saying she would look into sponsoring a motion that would require construction crews in neighborhoods like ours to comply with the No Parking rules on Red Flag days. She then mentioned that the Utility Dept. needs to do a survey of Willow Glen and once that is complete, the re-paving of Willow Glen will occur in the 2007-7 fiscal year (which begins next month). Orrin Feldman said he’d heard this could begin as early as next month. Woodstock Road already has caterpillars on site and Don Mensman said repairs should begin as early as mid July and will take approximately three months to complete. After the repairs are made, the road will be re-paved. Rory Fitzpatrick has assured Orrin Feldman that all of Woodstock Rd will be repaved – not just the section that was repaired, but all of Woodstock Rd, from Willow Glen to Woodrow Wilson. (Agenda items 2a & b). Bill Jaxon asked if Willow Glen is going to be widened, impinging on private property. Orrin Feldman suggested that those who have, over the years, added steps or other structures that impede on the public right of way should contact Councilmember LaBonge’s office and try to straighten any situation out quietly prior to the re-paving process commencing. Neil Williams inquired about when the broken storm drain (that Don Duckworth’s trucks crushed, contractor of the Bulwer Rd. homes) on Lulu Glen might be repaired, and Renee promised to bring it up in her next meeting with the Dept. of Building and Safety. Someone mentioned that although Woodrow Wilson had been repaved, the “Stop” Lines at the intersection of Willow Glen and Woodrow Wilson Dr were never repainted. Renee said someone should call Stacy Marble to tell her about this and she would facilitate it getting done. Neil Norman again asked about getting speed humps. Renee explained that residents submit a request to the DOT and they investigate and if they feel the street needs it, they will put the street on a list. Each Councilmember only gets 2-3 in his district per year, meaning it could be a long wait, even if approved, but if the homeowners want to pay for the humps, they can get them installed faster.
John Pogue discussed the recent rash of break-ins on Willow Glen & Woodrow Wilson, the increase of car thefts and burglaries in the past two months and the tagging incidents at 8119 Willow Glen and along Willow Glen to Zorada (agenda items 2-c). The police seem to know who the tagger is and when the damage he does exceeds a certain amount, he can be arrested. John asked everyone to be vigilant and to report any tagging they. Renee pointed out that the Hollywood Beautification Team will paint over the tagging ONLY if they obtain permission of the homeowner, so if this happens to you, be pro-active.
Renee Weitzer then discussed the McMansionization Ordinance that Councilmember Tom LaBonge sponsored, trying to control responsible growth in the Hillside communities, a copy of which was passed out to all stakeholders present. A similar ordinance concerning the flats will come to motion in about 6 months, but Gail Goldberg, Director of the Planning Dept.- did not want to add the Hillside ordinance to this. Renee urged everyone to write a letter to: Gail Goldberg; Director; Dept. of Planning; 200 No. Spring Street; Los Angeles, CA. 90012, urging her to include the ordinance in the Hills for consideration at that time. Gail Natzler proposed a motion that we support the McMansionization ordinance, and it was unanimously passed (agenda item 2d).
Renee then discussed Tom LaBonge’s Party House Ordinance, (agenda item 2e) which was also distributed. It prohibits the number of times a person can have a huge party, charging admission (i.e. a fund raiser) at their home. This is a real problem in some areas where people have these events every week. Eva Ballo moved to support the ordinance and David Thornton seconded the motion. It was unanimously passed.
John Pogue delivered an update on the recent MDRB meeting regarding Bulwer Dr which resulted in LaBonge’s office requesting an immediate EIR for the property before any further plans for either a third house or the road extension be permitted (agenda item 4-b). The MRDB unanimously concurred and we are awaiting Gail Goldberg’s written response. Renee pointed out that their office has red-flagged both the Building Dept and the Dept. of Public Works so that no permits (for either the third house or the road) can be issued while this matter is pending. Albert Morrell made a motion to have the stakeholders of Area 9 thank and support Tom LaBonge, the St. Monica Mountains Conservancy and their staff, and the Mulholland Design Review Board for requesting an EIR for the Bulwer Drive project, and that this motion should be brought to the full Board of the HHWNC for a vote, which – when passed – will then be sent to City officials, including the Mayor, City Planning Director and others. The motion was unanimously passed.
Wendy Dytman asked Renee Weitzer about the idea mentioned in the last meeting of a Neighborhood Prosecutor responsible for enforcing zoning and land use issues. Renee said that the Prosecutor’s office has not approved the idea, but that we all should write letters to City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo urging him to make such an appointment. Before concluding, Renee said she would bring Stacy Marble to our next meeting to introduce her to the group.
Orrin Feldman invited everyone to the HHWNC Splash Bash on June 22nd at Hollywood & Highland (Agenda item 4-a). Food, drinks, goodie bags, live music, kiddie events and fun for all. Go to the HHWNC website (www.HHWNC.org) and register as a stakeholder to be eligible to RSVP.
John Pogue next moved on to Area 9 Building Updates (agenda #4-c). Joe Beaver asked if there was an update on the Yehuda Arviv houses, the five incomplete homes on the NW side of Mt. Olympus. They have been purchased by new owners, who claimed that they had no idea that there’s a standing order in the courts that an EIR be done on the property before any new or additional construction be permitted. The new owners’ new architect, Area 9’s Jeffrey Eyster, reported that a survey and soil report had been ordered- two steps that must be completed in preparation for conducting an EIR. Orrin Feldman suggested that the new owners might not comply so easily; the first thing they asked Renee Weitzer in their meeting with her was how they could avoid having to do an EIR. We will have to wait to see how the new owners proceed.
John Pogue announced that Albert Morrell is heading up the Beautification Working Group and asked anyone interested to contact Albert (agenda #4-d). John Pogue again mentioned that Wendy Dytman, Area 9 Secretary is ready to resign her post after 3 and a half years and requested someone else volunteer for the position (there were no volunteers).
Carol Sidlow of the Lookout Mountain Alliance, an activist organization formed to preserve what’s left of the canyons, spoke, offering her organizations’ support and assistance on issues we have in common. She referenced the LA Times recent article about the success that Rustic Canyon Stakeholders had in getting the City Attorney look into building permits that were granted which flaunt the building codes and ordinances on the books. She urged everyone to check in with their website: www.lookoutmountainalliance.com .
Neil Norman passed out flyers and urged people to get involved in helping him raise the money to buy and preserve the 6.2 open acres of meadowland on Harlesden Court. He is working with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to acquire this land and the owner seems to be responsive, so it’s just about raising the money.
Gayle Natzler moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm; which was seconded.