Meeting Date: 05/03/06 06:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: LOCATION: Universal City Nissan, 3550 Cahuenga Blvd. West -818 769-8100
Free parking is available on site, across the street and on Cahuenga Blvd. West; Disabled entrance at the office building to the left of the showroom with an elevator to the second floor.
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (HHWNC)
JOINT MEETING AREA 2 (Cahuenga Pass/Universal City)- AREA 1 (Hollywood Knolls/Hollywood Manor and Lakeridge Estates) and HOUSING COMMITTEES
DATE: Wednesday, May 3, 2006
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Universal City Nissan, 3550 Cahuenga Blvd. West -818 769-8100
Free parking is available on site, across the street and on Cahuenga Blvd. West; Disabled entrance at the office building to the left of the showroom with an elevator to the second floor.
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, roll call and introductions
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Update on CLUB ICE
4. Presentation by LAFD Chief Stormes – Red Flag Day/No Parking Signs
5. Discussion on Zone Change for 33 lots at May 8, 2006 hearing. Possible motion and vote.
6. Discussion regarding Zone Variance for new construction at 7159 Woodrow Wilson requesting a height variance up to 49 feet in lieu of 36 feet as well as a front yard variance for a 4,787 square foot single family residence on a 9,480 square foot lot. Possible motion and vote.
7. Update on June 22, 2006 ‘Block Party’ at the Kodak Theatre
8. Discussion about 3020 Lakeridge Drive – request for a Private Street. Possible motion and vote.
9. Public Comments – Comments from the public on non-agenda items within the Committees’subject matter jurisdiction. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
10. Announcements
11. 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 Act.
Minutes of Joint Area 1 (Hollywood Knolls/Hollywood Manor/Lakeridge Estates and Lake Hollywood)- Area 2 (Cahuenga Pass/Universal city) and Housing Committees’ Meeting for Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council (HHWNC)
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Location: Universal City Nissan-3550 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, Ca 90068
Joint Area 1, Area 2 and Housing Committees’ meeting for Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council (HHWNC) – over 60 people in attendance
Call To Order: 6:00 pm by Michael George Vice President of the Cahuenga Pass Neighborhood Association.
Michael George introduced Area 2 Chair, Joan Luchs, of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council and President of the Cahuenga Pass Neighborhood Association.
Joan Luchs states:
1) This is a meeting of Joint Area 1, Area 2 and Housing Committees’ meeting of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council
2) Distributed Speaker Cards and Stakeholder Registration Forms and requested everyone that is not registered to fill out the form and anyone who wants to speak fill out a speaker card.
INTRODUCTIONS:
1) HHWNC Board Members: Paul Ramsey, (Chair Area 1)- and Frank DeFoe
(Chair of Housing Committee)
2) Introduced SLO-Robert Benavidez (North Hollywood LAPD)- Neighborhood Prosecutor-Brian Sotille (Deputy City Attorney)- Nuisance Abatement Deputy City Attorney- Jonathan Galatzan, LAPD Vice Investigator- Carol Sawamura and Sergent Jay Phillips – LAPD Supervisor of VICE Investigations.
3) Joan Luchs thanked Bob Bailey, General Manager of Universal City Nissan
for providing the meeting room and beverages.
4). Chief Mark Stormes-LAFD Battalion 5, Captain Mulvehill-LAFD Station 76
of Cahuenga Pass, Firefighter Cole-LAFD Station 76 Cahuenga Pass..
5) Attorney Ellia Thompson- Jeffer, Mangels, Butler and Marmaro.
6) Stacey Marble-Field Deputy for Councilman Tom LaBonge CD4.
7) Darnell Tyler-Director of West Coast Real Estate and Community Relations at
NBC/Universal Studios
Joan Luchs collected Speaker Cards and Stakeholder Registration Forms
Minutes:
Joan Luchs motioned to amend the minutes of February 23, 2006 to read as follows:
1.
Darnell Tyler, Director of West Coast Real Estate and Community Relations at NBC Universal, said that contrary to what appeared in an article in the Los Angeles Business Journal, NBC Universal has no commitment to sell any property at Universal City.
The motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and unanimously passed.
Update on Club Ice:
Joan Luchs introduced Jonathan Galatean, Robert Benavidez and Brian Sotille who gave a brief recap of the gang violence brought about by the presence of Club Ice and the community’s refusal to tolerate gang activity.
SLO Robert Benavidez agreed with Joan Luchs and stated Club Ice was catering to gang activity. LAPD found this situation unacceptable and took measures to resolve this problem. Brian Sotille, Neighborhood Prosecutor, thanked HHWNC, Cahuenga Business Owners and the community for the hard work and joint effort with the city and LAPD. He stated he attended a City Attorney Hearing with the Property Owner’s attorney Property Management Company and Club Ice owner, which were put on notice for alleged criminal nuisance activities. The meeting was very successful and the club owner’s agreed to self abate by shutting down operations as a nightclub and only continue operations as a restaurant.
Jonathan Galatzan, Nuisance Abatement Deputy City Attorney, stated when the owner’s of Club Ice, realized the seriousness of HHWNC, police and City Attorneys were the club owner, building and management immediately agreed to shut down the nightclub. Officer Carol Sawamura, VICE Investigations, expressed two avenues which still need to be pursued with Club Ice in order to insure the club operated solely as a restaurant even if new ownership occurs: 1. A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) revocation hearing, part of the City Planning Department, and 2. A Police Commission’s Permit revocation hearing. Both hearings wills be open to the public. Officer Sawamura will forward dates and times to SLO Robert Benavidez who will e-mail Joan Luchs when said information is available.
Joan Luchs stated the Police Department was able to change the Club Ice’s hours so that it’s only opened until 10:00 PM, Monday-Friday and closed Saturday and Sundays. Several questions were asked and answered. Joan Luchs thanked all parties involved in remedying the club issues and shutting down Club Ice as a nightclub.
LAFD/Red Flag Days and Signage:
Joan Luchs introduced Chief Mark Stormes of LAFD Battalion 5. Chief Stormes stated that he is part of a three member team which includes John Vidivich and Chief Frye, with support of DOT, The Fire Department, and that Councilmen LaBonge and Reyes got the ordinance passed for the Red Flag/No Parking Day program. This program is triggered by conditions of winds in excess of 25 mph and humidity below 15%.
Key Points of Red Flag/No Parking Include:
2-
A. Evacuation:
1. LAFD will identify choke points where fire engines may not have accessibility
thru some streets due to parked cars.
2. Streets affected in our community include: Ione Drive, De Witt Drive, Pyramid
Place and parts of Woodrow Wilson Drive.
B. Public Outreach by LAFD includes:
1. The LAFD will place a warning information placard on car windows the evening before, stating “This car is parked in a Red Flag/No Parking Zone. If Red Flag weather conditions exist tomorrow you will have to remove this vehicle by 10:00 AM.” Guarantees announcement of Red Flag Days the day before they occur.
2. Notification of Red Flag Days by calling 311, 911 Council Offices or DOT and listen to the 5 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm news.
3. Residents may register to be notified by e-mail or go to ‘Navigate LA’, scroll down and pull up your Council District.
Chief Stormes stated the LAFD is expecting to implement the Program by 8/1/2006. He emphasized the need for community support. He also provided the office number for Battalion 5 (213) 485-6275 and stated they are working on a web site in an effort to provide information on the officers involved.
City Requests Zone Change For 33 Lots in Cahuenga Pass and Hollywood Knolls:
Joan Luchs addressed the request to change the zoning from 33 Lots; 22 lots are located in Cahuenga Pass and 11 Lots in Hollywood Knolls. The Planning Department explained that the purpose for the Zone change request is to make the General Plan Amendment status of low density or R1, consistent with the current Zoning Designation of R3 per the outcome of AB283 Lawsuit.
1. A City Planner justified the request by stating that they want to “Split the baby” but a logical “split”, between R1 and R3 zoning would be R2. The city’s recommendation however is RD1.5 which will permit an owner to build one unit per 1,500 square feet of land but will also allow structures to be 45 feet tall which could be next to a single story, single family residence which would dwarf that house, negatively impact its value and privacy, take its sun and would not be compatible with the surrounding community which is R1.
2. It will also encourage other developers to seek a CUP ( Conditional Use Permit).
All 33 lots are zoned R3 and some of them have multiple units. These properties with multiple units should retain non-conforming rights in order to keep what they already have… so in the event that their property is destroyed by earthquake or fire, they should be allowed to rebuild what exists as long as their height remains a maximum of 30 ft. Currently none of the 33 lots that are multi-residential have a height in excess of 30 feet.
3.
3. Joan Luchs requested the community to attend the zoning hearing on Monday,
May 8th at 9 AM to oppose the RD1.5 Zoning which would allow new structures
a height of 45 ft. and 1 unit per 1500 sq. ft. of land. She recommends R3-1XL
which will allow multiple dwellings with a maximum height of 30 ft.
Ms. Luchs introduced Attorney Ellia Thompson of Jeffer Mangels Butler and
Marmaro, hired by Mr. Winn ( Owner of 3 Lost and 18 units). Ms.Thompson
stated that Frank Quan (Hearing Officer) told her that the Planning Department
looked over a few areas and decided the zoning needed to be changed in order to
make the General Plan Amendments consistent with the Zoning Designation.
Mr. Winn opposed the city’s request to change the zoning to RD 1.5 and asked
that other residents attend the hearing and oppose the zone change to RD1.5 as it
would permit a height of 45 ft. which would not be compatible with other nearby
SFR residences.
Stacey Marble – Field Deputy for CD4:
Ms. Luchs introduced Stacey Marble, Field Deputy for Councilman LaBonge.
Stacey Marble provided the following:
1. Information: Office in Toluca Lake; her contact number is (818) 755-7634;
e-mail ([email protected]).
2. Stacy informed us she is handling the parking problems in the area and that
the residents of Broadlawn and Oak Glen who submitted an application over 2
years ago, requesting preferential parking, are scheduled for a hearing May 24,
2006 before the Transportation Committee. Their Preferential Parking District’s
(PPD No. 84) application is likely to be approved.
Height Variance for 7159 and 7155 Woodrow Wilson Drive:
Ms. Luchs turned the Chair over to Paul Ramsey (Area 1 Chair) and Frank DeFoe (Housing Committee Chair) for HHWNC.
Mr. Ramsey and Mr. DeFoe addressed the Height Variance for 7159 and 7155/7153 Woodrow Wilson Drive. The owners, Aaron and Micah Belliston, presented their elevations to build two (2) 4,550 sq. ft. houses on 4,725 sq. ft. lots with a height of 49 ft. and 54 feet respectfully.
The hearing for the first height variance request is scheduled for 9 AM -Monday, May 15th at the Marvin Braude Center located at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd. The second hearing has not yet been scheduled. Mr. Ramsey requested more research be done before the owners return back to the HHWNC Area 2 and Housing Committees.
4.
Announcements:
Information packets were distributed regarding the June 22, 2006 HHWNC Biggest Neighborhood Block Party at the Kodak Theater; Entrance is Free; live music by Louie Cruz Beltrain Latin Jazz Band; emcee by jerry Penacoli (Host of TV’s Extra); Dance Contest; Celebrity Guests and Food and Beverages. Ms. Luchs spoke about the Neighborhood Outreach Program and encouraged everyone to attend.
3020/3022 Lakeridge Drive – Request for Private Street:
Mr. Ramsey and Mr. DeFoe discussed a request for a private street with property owner Tom Sullivan.
Major Points:
1) Tom Sullivan stated he has already received an approval from DWP for an. easement over their land.
2) He has plans for a 12 ft. retaining wall.
3) He stated that he will include Parcel 1 as part of his own property which he will up-grade and improve.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn was made and second at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted-
V.M. Broadnax
Priscilla Ortiz