Meeting Date: 01/15/14 06:30 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: Cinematographers Guild, 7755 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Details:

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
January 15, 2014
6:30pm
International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600
7755 Sunset Blvd 
(On the corner of Sunset and Genesee Ave) 
                         Los Angeles, CA 90046                        
 

 
Directions:  East of N. Fairfax Ave and West of N. La Brea Ave.  Building is accessible.  Parking is available in the rear of the building.
 
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board taking action on an item.  Comments from the public on non-agenda and agenda items will be heard during the Public Comment Period and, within the discretion of the presiding officer of the Board, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period.  Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board.  Agenda is 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 ww.hhwnc.org and on the Department Of Neighborhood Empowerment (www.lacityneighborhoods.com).  As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation 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 at 213-485-1360 or e-mail to [email protected].
 
 
ALL ITEMS LISTED ON THIS AGENDA ARE SUBJECT TO:
POSSIBLE ACTION, INCLUDING A BOARD MOTION AND
VOTING ON THE MOTION.
 
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION:  The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board, 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 Board 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 Board member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the Secretary 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.
 
 
AGENDA
 

  1. Call to order by President, Anastasia Mann

 

  1. Roll call by Secretary Kathy Bañuelos

 

  1. Minutes – Review and approve Board minutes from November 20, 2013 meeting (MOTION AND VOTE) (5 minutes)

 

  1. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann

 

  1. Public Official Reports

    • CD13 – Councilman Mitch O’Farrell
    • CD4 –Sharon Shapiro, Field Deputy, Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge
    • Mayor’s Office, Kimberly Rodriguez, Central Area NC Rep.
    • 43rd Assembly District, Eric Menjivar, Rep. from the Office of Assemblyman Mike Gatto
    • 46th Assembly District, Bill Hacket, Office of Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian
    • 50th Assembly District, Assemblyman Richard Bloom
    • 28th Congressional District, Michael Aguilera, Office of Congressman Adam B. Schiff
    • LAPD
    • LAFD
    • DONE – Barry Stone
    • Teddy Davis, Candidate for CD 4

 

  1. Community business

 

  1. Confirm next meeting date: February 19, 2014

 

  1. Vice President’s Report by Vice President Orrin Feldman (20 minutes)

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report by Michael Meyer (10 minutes)

    1. Vote to approve monthly expenditures report for November and December.
    2. Update on NC checking account

 

  1. Parliamentarian’s Report by Robert Mott (5 minutes)

 

  1. Secretary’s Report (5 minutes)

 

  1. Committee Reports (40 minutes)

 

  1. ISSUE COMMITTEES

    • Plum Committee Report (Orrin Feldman)

      1. 3249 Cahuenga Blvd. West (Planning Dept. Case no. DIR 2013-3673):

 
Proposed motion: The HHWNC board supports Y.H. LLC's application for approval from the Planning Department under the Ventura/Cahuenga Blvd. Corridor's specific plan for renovating the exterior facade, adding landscaping, and renovating a bathroom inside the building in order to be ADA compliant.  (MOTION AND VOTE)
 

  1. 1449-1451 Sunset Blvd. aka Sunset/Gardner Junction restaurant (Planning Dept.'s case no. is ZA 2012-2019-CUB):

 
At the Plum committee's meeting on December 11, 2013, the committee voted unanimously (5-0-0) to support the Sunset/Gardner Junction restaurant operators' application for a conditional use permit to sell a full line of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption. The committee's approval was made based on numerous requirements and conditions to which the applicants agreed.
 
Proposed motion:  The HHWNC board adopts the Plum committee's resolution to support the application, which is set forth in the committee's December 11, 2013 meeting's minutes.  (MOTION AND VOTE)
 

  1. Small lot subdivisions – The committee voted to recommend to the board that the board vote to support Council Member La Bonge's motion in the City Council recommending that the Planning Department study how to improve the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance and the Small Lot Subdivision Guidelines. The committee recommended that the rules could be improved to provide better driveways, better pedestrian access, more landscaping and open spaces, more parking, including guest parking and parking for service vehicles, as well as better vehicular access, and better security, and better trash pickup arrangements. The committee also recommended prohibiting rooftop living areas, and especially fire pits, in HHWNC's areas due to problems with noise and increasing fire risk(s) from such features.  (MOTION AND VOTE)

 

  1.  1707 Las Palmas – Smokin Pig Restaurant (Planning Dept.'s case no.  ZA 2013-2342-CUB):

 
The committee voted to recommend that the board support Mario Kattan's application for a conditional use permit, type 41, to sell beer and wine for on sale consumption as well as authorizing selling bottles of wine for off site consumption beginning after 10 am, but only if LAPD Hollywood Division advises the committee's chair that it does not intend to oppose the application at the upcoming Planning Department's zoning administrator's hearing.   (MOTION AND VOTE)
 

  • Elections Committee (Michael Meyer) – Update on Elections schedule and outreach plan.  Potential motion and vote on outreach expenses.

Review list of neighborhood associations and other groups to be included in outreach efforts.  Board members are encouraged to provide contact information for all such groups to the Election Committee.
 

  • Emergency Services Committee (Dietrich Nelson)

    1. Emergency Readiness of local theaters – Request for report from LA Fire Department at a future HHWNC meeting on emergency evacuation plans for theaters in Hollywood.  This item is in response to the fire alarm activation at the ArcLight Theater on Christmas Day. (MOTION AND VOTE)

 

  • Ad Hoc Sign Committee (Michael Meyer) – Distribution plan for “Please Slow Down!” signs.  Signs to be provided to Area Committee Chairs for posting in neighborhoods.

 

  1. AREA COMMITTEES

    • Area 3 (Robin  Moreno)

      1. Area 3 is requesting $250.00 from the full board for the purchase of a second mutt mitt and bags to be placed in a second location to be determined as well as $250.00 for Area 3 information cards that will be given to property managers and home owners within Area 3 for a total of $500.00.  (MOTION AND VOTE)

 

  1. Area 3 supports the application for a beer and wine license for 1707 Las Palmas on the condition that both LAPD and CD 13 support the application for a type 41 license. The vote was 9 yes, 1 no and 2 abstentions (Robin M.  & Jovan H.). 

 

  • Area 7 (Barbara Witkin)

    1. Area 7 requests that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council to approve an expenditure of up to $1,500.00 for an ice machine for Fire Station 41, located at 1439 North Gardner Street. (MOTION AND VOTE)

 

  1. Reports by other Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)

 

  1. Public Comments – Comments from the public on agenda items and non-agenda items within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction.  Public comments are limited to 2 minutes per speaker.

 

  1. Old Business

 

  1. New Business

 
13.   Adjournment
 

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING
January 15, 2014
International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600
7755 Sunset Blvd, L.A.

 

  1. Call to order by President, Anastasia Mann at 6:30 p.m.

 

  1. Roll call by Secretary Kathy Bañuelos: Anastasia Mann, Kathy Bañuelos, Orrin Feldman, Michael Meyer, Robert Mott, Jim Geoghan, Mary Prange, Jeffrey Papas, Dietrich Nelson, Jodi Galvan, Patricia Weber, Robin Moreno, Joyce Dyrector, Carmen Libaridian, Paul Darrigo, Barbara Witkin, Joshua Kopel and Clive Whitcher. Quorum established.

 

  1. Minutes – (Meyer/Papes) moved that the board approve the November 20, 2013 board meeting minutes. The motion carried with one abstention.

 

  1. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann welcomed the board back from the holiday and introduced the public official reports:

    • Jay Handel, independent election administrator (IEA) for HHWNC spoke about the upcoming election. The Mayor is seeking a 1% response rate from stakeholders for the his performance-based budgeting objective. Sunday, March 30th is the date for the HHWNC election. All board seats are open.

 

  • CD13 – Office of Councilman Mitch O’Farrell – Steven Whiddon reported on recent shootings in Hollywood and major street closures prior to the Oscars.
  • Mayor’s Office – No representative present.  Anastasia announced the Mayor's upcoming speech.
  • 46th Assembly District, Dora Esparza/Office of Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian – Dora announced their event on Jan. 25th and a free tree giveaway on Feb. 8th. Contact them for any issues on the state level.
  • 28th Congressional District, Michael Aguilera, Office of Congressman Adam B. Schiff, Mike Aguilera spoke about the House spending bill which will incorporate a clause to control helicopter noise to the FAA. On Jan. 22, a meeting will take place to talk about plans to expand open space under the Santa Monica Conservancy. He additionally asked the board to suggest candidates to be honored in March for Women's History Month.
  • Teddy Davis, candidate for CD 4, gave his experience covering politics for ABC News, as well his background working for the Mayor.  

 

  1. Community business – Anastasia explained to stakeholders the process of serving as a board member for HHWNC and asked them to vote. Sonya Young Jimenez, the new director of the Yucca Community Center and Las Palmas Senior Center, introduced herself.

 

  1. The next HHWNC meeting date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014

 

  1. Vice President’s Report: Vice President Orrin Feldman talked about two projects before the Mulholland Design Review Board and a moratorium on new conditional use permits for selling alcohol in the downtown Hollywood corridor.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report: Michael Meyer (Meyer/Papes) moved that HHWNC approve the Treasurer's report for monthly expenditures for November and December 2013. The motion carried unanimously. Michael gave an update on the process of using individual checking accounts instead of demand warrants for processing payments by NCs.

 

  1. Parliamentarian’s Report by Robert Mott: No report.

 

  1. Secretary’s Report: No report.

 

  1. Committee Reports:

    1. ISSUE COMMITTEES

 

  • Plum Committee Report (Orrin Feldman)

    • 3249 Cahuenga Blvd. West (Planning Dept. Case no. DIR 2013-3673): Orrin presented the motion to allow improvements to a recording studio. (Feldman/Kopel) moved, that the HHWNC board supports Y.H. LLC's application for approval from the Planning Department under the Ventura/Cahuenga Blvd. Corridor's specific plan for renovating the exterior facade, adding landscaping, and renovating a bathroom inside the building in order to be ADA compliant. The motion carried unanimously.
    •  (Feldman/Papes) moved that the board vote to support Council Member La Bonge's motion in the City Council recommending that the Planning Department study how to improve the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance and the Small Lot Subdivision Guidelines. The committee recommended that the rules could be improved to provide better driveways, better pedestrian access, more landscaping and open spaces, more parking, including guest parking and parking for service vehicles, as well as better vehicular access, and better security, and better trash pickup arrangements. The committee also recommended prohibiting rooftop living areas, and especially fire pits, in HHWNC's areas due to problems with noise and increasing fire risk(s) from such features. The motion carried unanimously.
    • 1707 Las Palmas – Smokin Pig Restaurant (Planning Dept.'s case no.  ZA 2013-2342-CUB): Tabled.
    • 1449-1451 Sunset Blvd. aka Sunset/Gardner Junction restaurant (Planning Dept.'s case no. is ZA 2012-2019-CUB): Orrin introduced this agenda items for a new restaurant with a train theme. Matthew Hayden, who represents United Events, said his client won his license in a city lottery but due to restrictions on CPUs, has not been granted approval to open. His client has made considerable changes to his original business proposal to sell a full line of alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption. He is hoping that limiting their hours will open the door to having their license granted. Stakeholder Tamara Bergman said she represented neighbors in supporting this CPU if they are limited to sales of only beer and wine for this proposal. (Feldman/Papes) moved that "The HHWNC board adopts the Plum committee's resolution to support the application, which is set forth in the committee's December 11, 2013 meeting's minutes."  The motion carried: (11-2-3).

 

  • Elections Committee, Michael Meyer spoke about the effort to get candidates registered by Feb. 13th.  The board has allocated $5,000 for outreach expenses. Board members were asked to outreach to any associations or groups in which they are involved. Incentives were discussed to get new people to run.

 

  • Emergency Services Committee: Dietrich Nelson spoke about a fire drill at the Arc Light theater in Hollywood on Christmas day which caused chaos as people could not see to reach the exits. (Nelson/Papes) moved that the LAFD be invited to address the board on what emergency evacuation plans are in place in Hollywood at the local theaters. The motion carried: 13-0-1.

 
Dietrich also announced a blood drive as well as a seven week CERT class starting March 5th. Sign up on the HHWNC website. 
 

  • Ad Hoc Sign Committee – Michael Meyer distributed “Please Slow Down!” signs to Area Committee Chairs for posting in neighborhoods. There are 32 signs in all.

 

  1. AREA COMMITTEES

 

  • Area 3 (Moreno/Papes) moved, "That Area 3 requests $250.00 for the purchase of a second mutt mitt and bags to be placed in a second location, to be determined as well as $250.00 for Area 3 information cards that will be given to property managers and home owners for a total of $500.00.  The motion carried unanimously.

 
Robin announced that Area 3 supports the application for a beer and wine license for 1707 Las Palmas on the condition that both LAPD and CD 13 support the application for a type 41 license.
 

  • Area 7 (Barbara Witkin). (Witkin/Moreno) moved, that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council approve an expenditure of up to $1,500.00 for an ice machine for Fire Station 41, located at 1439 North Gardner Street. The motion was tabled until the next board meeting.

 

  1. Public Comments:

Stephen Marks talked about a proposal, which he opposes, to build a three story apartment building in Area 2 on Fredonia Drive. He noted that it is primarily single family residences on a winding street with inadequate parking. He said there was no notice to residents on this project and wants Zoning to delay any movement on this project.
 
Amy Aquino, a founding member of the HHWNC, reported an instance of mansionization at 1604 Stanley where commercial interests are coming in and destroying property values in Area 7.
 
Alan Elliott added that the residents of that property were cited however, they still went ahead and built a 4500 sq. ft. home on the site.
 
Laura Shnitzer said she believes the house is lowing property values.
 
The stakeholders were asked to speak with their Area chairperson to request an emergency Area 7 meeting to respond to their concerns and take further action.
 
Tamara Bergman asked the board to put an item on the agenda at a future meeting.
 
Sheila Irani announced her candidacy for Council District 4 and spoke about her experience in city politics.
 
Amy Aquino asked why speed bumps were removed from Curson that were previously approved. Orrin addressed that issue and recommended she speak with the City Council office.
 

  1. Old Business: None.

 

  1. New Business: None.

 
13.   Adjournment: 8:28 p.m.
 

Minutes by Pat Kramer, Apple One.
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