Meeting Date: 03/04/15 06:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: William & Ariel Durant Public Library
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PLUM COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 6pm
William & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046
The quorum for Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council Planning, Land Use & Management Committee is three. Public comments on agenda items will be heard when the item is considered. Public comments on other matters within the committee's jurisdiction may be made during the Public Comment period. Public comments are limited to two minutes per speaker; That limit may be modified at the discretion of the committee. Speakers are requested to sign in at the meeting. Action may be taken on any agenda item except Public Comment, announcements and reports. You may request a copy of printed materials that are distributed at the meeting. You may record the meeting by audio, video or photographic means as long as it is not disruptive. Meeting notices and agendas are posted at the William and Ariel Durant Public Library and at the Fuller Ave. entrance to Runyon Canyon. If you need translation or accommodation for a disability, please call the city Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at least three business days in advance (213-978-1551, or toll-free 3-1-1). The city is a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you believe the council is not following the law or its own rules you may file a grievance in writing with copies to both the Chair and the Secretary. The HHWNC bylaws can be found at www.hhwnc.org. Please be respectful of others, even when you differ with them.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Feb. 11, 2015, PLUM meeting minutes.
3. General updates from Issue Chairs and Chairman.
4. 6523-6529 Holywood Blvd. (& Hudson)
Hollywood Dreams seeks a conditional use permit for alcohol sales and live music at 6523-6529 Hollywood Blvd. The permit would allow the sale of a full line of alcohol at four restaurants, in addition to the sale of a full line of alcohol and live entertainment in connection with one bar. Proposed hours of operation and alcohol sales are 11am-2am seven days a week.
5. HHWNC Development Map overview
Review the map of large-scale development projects within the neighborhood council boundaries and set a plan and calendar to effectively address them all.
6. Community Position Papers
Review and potentially vote on community position papers regarding scale, safety, setbacks, height and other related issues.
7. Laptop & Projector Purchase
Review and vote on motion to recommend the HHWNC purchase a laptop and projector to enhance the reviewing of plans and educate stakeholders on online resources.
8. Old Business
9. Public Comment
10. Adjournment
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PLUM Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 6pm
Minutes
The meeting was held at the William & Ariel Durant Public Library, 7140 Sunset Blvd..
Present: Cyd Zeigler (Chair), Jim Geoghan, Carl Ripaldi, Casey Maddren, Oren Katz
Also Present: Brian Dyer, Annie Gagen
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm.
The minutes of the February 11, 2015, PLUM Committee meeting were approved.
General Updates from Issue Chairs and Chairman
Report on Area 6 meeting. Representative of Friends of Runyon Canyon complained of being treated badly by other attendees. Ripaldi and Maddren offered perspectives on how the meeting could have run more smoothly.
Traffic, Jim Geoghan
The possibility of putting a traffic light on the west side of the bridge that crosses Cahuenga near the Ford Theatre is being studied. HHWNC members are interested in the outcome.
Hollywood Blvd. was closed for the premiere of Cinderella.
6523-6529 Holywood Blvd., Multiple Liquor Permits
Representative described project. Five full liquor permits are being sought for one bar and four restaurants. Permits were actually granted in 2011, but they must be reconsidered because square footage has changed. At request of Area 3, patios have been taken out. There have been no structural changes. Dyer explained that Hollywood Heritage had expressed concern about the facades. He also said there was concern about existing special-needs housing nearby on Hudson.
Dyer: Is the bar considered a club?
Rep: There is no dancing. Don't think would be considered a club.
Dyer: There have been problems with patrons of nearby clubs parking on Hudson, and also queuing on Hollywood Blvd..
Rep: Doesn't anticipate queuing. Acts performing will be small.
Zeigler: What is the distance of the door on Hudson from Hollywood Blvd.?
Rep: 150 feet.
Geoghan: Will there be sidewalk seating?
Rep: No.
Geoghan: Will there be glass windows on Hollywood side?
Rep: Can talk to architect.
Geoghan: There is concern about violence, in part because of recent murders in the neighborhood. What's LAPDs take on this?
Rep: Police are dealing with precedent of existing clubs. Developer will hammer hours out with LAPD. With the bar they asked for reputable operator, and they have obtained one. No specific critiques re restaurants.
Katz: Had heard from LAPD that they would like earlier closing. No later than 10:00 pm. LAPD will not endorse anything past 11:00 pm.
Rep: Have discussed other hours with LAPD.
Zeigler: Is there a pressing need for these hours?
Rep: If the bar closes earlier, then people go to other bars. Trying to provide flexibility for businesses.
Zeigler: Is it necessary to offer a full-line of alcoholic beverages?
Rep: Don't want to burden business owners with going back for change in permit later.
There was discussion of whether the permits can be transferred if the building is sold. Rep says no, but some PLUM members recall this happening in the past.
Ripaldi: The length of the building is 80 feet. Is this adequate capacity for valet? Will cars be backed up on Hollywood Blvd.?
Rep: It's the kind of thing we see at other places on Hollywood. Other businesses have shared valet.
Katz: There are 11 other businesses nearby that sell alcohol.
Maddren: Based on information prepared by BHS, State of California allows only 2 on-site liquor permits in this census tract. Currently there are 15, and the developer is asking for 5 more?
Rep: State Dept. of Alcohol Beverage Control code doesn't take into account that Hollywood is a regional center
Dyer: Hollywood wasn't considered regional center until 2011, when the Chamber of Commerce lobbied for the change in status. This was written into the Hollywood Community Plan Update, which was thrown out by the courts.
Rep: Believes 1988 plan does consider Hollywood a regional center. Does not agree with the State of California's approach which puts every census tract into the same category.
Zeigler: That's a valid observation, but the State says 2, and the developer is asking for 5 to sell a full line of liquor at all hours.
Katz: Would you consider minimizing hours of operation?
Rep: Maybe.
Annie Gagen: People would like one family retaurant. Please consider this.
Katz: Will these businesses offer happy hours?
Rep: The bar at least will be requesting it.
Gagen: There has been a problem with drugs on Hudson. Will you have security?
Rep: May have security, but don't want to do it. Hard to have security in family style restaurant.
After discussion, the following motion was passed by a unanimous vote:
While we want businesses in the area, we find the request for 5 full licenses troublesome. We would like to see that number reduced and the option for beer and wine explored. We support LAPD's request that service of alcohol stop by 10:00 pm. We would like the alcohol license density as laid out by the State of California adhered to.
HHWNC Development Map Overview
The committee reviewed a map of large-scale development projects within the neighborhood council boundaries. There was a discussion of upcoming meetings which would deal with some of these projects.
Highland & Franklin
There will be a joint meeting of Areas 3 and 4 on Monday, March 9 at which the developer will present the project.
7865 Sunset (Sunset & Fairfax)
Katz says feelings running very high on this project. Many residents concerned.
1737 Las Palmas
Dyer says that it was reported that demolition occurred before the permit was authorized. He will investigate.
Hollywood & Whitley
Is the existing building at this site historic?
Community Position Papers
Draft of density and scale paper presented to PLUM members. Members will offer feedback at next PLUM meeting.
Ripaldi and Nelson have prepared outline of safety factors that should be incorporated into the development process. Will get feedback and present it at the next PLUM meeting.
Laptop & Projector Purchase
The committee voted unanimously to present a motion at the the upcoming board meeting seeking approval of up to $1,000 for the purchase of a laptop, projector and possibly other audio-visual aids to enhance the reviewing of plans and educate stakeholders on on-line resources.
Public Comment
Cheri Smith: A sandwich shop near 7500 Sunset put up a fence. Do they need a permit?
It was suggested that the answer could be found by checking the address on ZIMAS or Navigate LA.
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.