Meeting Date: 09/15/15 06:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: William & Ariel Durant Public Library
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PLUM COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 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. 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.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of July 6, 2015, PLUM meeting minutes.
3. General updates from Issue Chairs and Chairman.
4. 1830 El Cerrito Place – Area 5
Applicant seeks a variance allowing zero parking spaces for converted complex with six new dwelling units. Currently there are 14 parking spaces for 14 approved units, while the other six units are not "legal" due to lack of parking. Zoning mandates the building offer one parking space per unit.
5. 1400 N. Stanley Ave. – Area 7
Update from developer on changes made to the project after ZA hearing. Project small-lot subdivision with eight units.
6. 3003 Runyon Canyon Road – Area 6
Homeowner seeks to construct a 9,500 sq. ft. SFR, conversion of existing structure to a guest house and the construction of a swimming pool. Property is in the middle of Runyon Canyon Park.
7. Updates on Community Position Papers
8. Old Business.
9. New Business.
10. Public Comments.
11. Adjournment.
HHWNC PLUM Committee Meeting
Sept. 15, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: Cyd Zeigler, Casey Maddren, Carl Ripaldi, Jim Geoghan
Begin meeting: 6:03pm
Previous minutes approved
1830 El Cerrito Place
Certificate of occupancy for 14 units. Building is 20. Originally 14 kitchens, which led to them getting away with just 14 parking spaces. Six units currently being kept vacant. They are going to install a 20-bicycle rack. It is near public transit. Building is being restored to how it looked when it was built in 1941. They want to rent the units to people who do not require cars – they are figuring out how that would work. 680 S. Catalina was a project that had a similar issue. Zoning requires ½ parking space for each room with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2. These units will rent for $1,250-$1,500, well below the market rate for new units. Asking to legalize the current situation.
32 bedrooms in the building, not adding any floor area.
Parking is already a challenge with Runyon Canyon, but after dark spaces open up. Gearing marketing to people using public transportation and bicycles. Don’t see the possibility of leasing off-site parking. It is permit parking there. Possible to build a two-story parking structure? That causes problems for neighbors. No structural changes other than strengthening and improving infrastructure. Building is rent-controlled.
Ripaldi made comment about city promoting motor-scooters. Is there an opportunity to market to people with motor-scooters? There is a new generation of electric bicycles that’s coming.
How are the spots assigned? Trying to work it out. Maybe charge more for units with a parking spot.
Other older buildings often don’t have enough parking for units.
Casey motions to support – Carl seconds
Neighbor opposes. She had to include two-car garage to change the windows in her home. 32 bedrooms should not be allowed with only 14 spots. The neighborhood has changed. The renovations will attract more roommates. You’re going to have different kinds of people coming. Zoning allows 22 units, we have 20.
Motion to support the applicant passed, 4-0
1400 N. Stanley
ZA requested some changes at the ZA hearing. ZA has essentially taken issues like height and parking off the table – he is OK with these things.
Changes:
· Increased setback by 2 feet – took 1 foot from rear setback and 1 foot from trimming the building (the representative believes)
· Removed communal trash enclosure to create second guest parking spot
· Added trees
· Added landscaping on driveway between the units
· Added wall enhancement on driveway that’s visible from street
· Landscaped parkway between road and sidewalk
· Balconies on the front of the building are now open
3003 Runyon Canyon Road
Property owners do have rights. The natural environment of Runyon Canyon is going away. The canyon is bald. Runyon Canyon is out of control. There’s never been an EIR on Runyon Canyon.
This house should not be built in the middle of Runyon Canyon. Our previous city council member focused very little on Runyon Canyon. The park could have been saved years ago. Hopefully the city can buy the property.
Thank god there’s no zip line.
Option looks like they build and keep it residential, or the city buys the land and fails to keep it up. Resident doesn’t want the park any bigger. Police don’t ticket people going up the middle of the street in Vista.
According to MDRB they have said this is personal residential property. He has right to build his house. However, there are guidelines. MDRB has set eight recommendations including decreasing square footage to 5,500 sq. ft. Two areas to address: 1) One guideline is they have list of 10 houses closest to the project including square footage. Average of 10 closest homes is 3,600 sq. ft. Lots of talk about square footage. Concern is the guideline they’ve given. 2) Basement in flat is different from what is on hillside. A basement isn’t included in square footage, but this basement will be visible. Concern is that they’re more focused on landscaping and lighting.
Concerns about setting back the house and digging too much into the hill. Also traffic – they say no big entertaining but they are building a movie theater in the house.
Community Position Papers
Density – there’s a lot going on in relation to transportation. The pink line might be extended up from the Crenshaw line. We need more priority for transportation. We have a lot of density, we need solutions now. New metro CEO is from Denver and thinks there needs to be more of a community focus on transit. Need to get involved in the pink line conversation early.
Public Comment
Gardner Junction is open. It’s going to be great. They’ve done a good job. Extra parking, not much noise. If you take the time and we control ourselves, we can make a difference. The neighborhood helped make this project work.
The new design for 8150 Sunset looks terrible. There’s all this stuff all over it.