Meeting Date: 11/05/14 06:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: William & Ariel Durant Public Library
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PLUM COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 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.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Oct. 1, 2014, PLUM Committee meeting minutes.
3. General updates from Issue Chairs and Chairman.
4. 3770 N. Cahuenga Blvd. – Patricia Weber, Area 2 Chair
Discussion of and possible action on plans for Carl's Jr. seeking to rebuild on their current location with improvements and new signs. The proposal includes 37 onsite parking spaces and 64 indoor seats. There is no increase in square footage currently being requested. The rebuild will leave the roof, 2×4 studs and concrete slab in place. For more information, click here.
5. 7500 Sunset Blvd. – Barbara Witkin, Area 7 Chair
Discussion about and possible action on the scoping meeting and plans for this address. Faring Capital is proposing two (2) new mixed-used buildings that will include two entire blocks on the south side of Sunset Blvd. Gardner Street to Sierra Bonita (East Building) and Sierra Bonita to Curson (West Building). The project proposes demolition of the existing structures to be replaced with two buildings with 235 residential unit apartments built above 30,000 total square feet of commercial retail use of the ground floor. For more information, click here.
6. Development Workshop Report – Barbara Witkin, Area 7 Chair
Report on Area 7 “development workshop” meeting held Oct. 22. For more information, click here.
7. Infrastructure discussion – Casey Maddren, Infrastructure Chair
Report and discussion on recent infrastructure issues in the area and how they affect future development.
8. Development of Position Papers – Cyd Zeigler, PLUM Chair
Discussion and possible action on forming task forces for the PLUM Committee to write position statements on key area development issues. Discussion will include prioritizing issues and potential appointments of ad hoc committee members.
9. Public Comments.
Comments from the public on agenda items and non-agenda items within the Committee's subject matter jurisdiction.
10. Adjournment.
The next HHWNC PLUM Committee meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 1, at 6pm at the Durant Library.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Planning & Land Use Management Committee
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Minutes
PLUM Committee members present:
Cyd Zeigler (PLUM), Jim Geoghan (traffic), Oren Katz (business), Casey Maddren (infrastructure)
Area chairs present:
Barbara Witkin (Area 7), Brian Dyer (Area 3), Patricia Weber (Area 2)
Issue chairs present:
Dietrich Nelson (EMS), Carl Ripaldi (Environment), Annie Gagen (Youth)
The meeting called to order by Chair Cyd Zeigler at 6:05 pm.
IT WAS VOTED to approve the minutes from October 10, 2014 with following corrections on page 2:
"Several stakeholders mentioned 7107 Hollywood Blvd." should be changed to read, "Several stakeholders expressed concerns about 7107 Hollywood Blvd."
Under 8150 Sunset Project Concerns add "consideration of historic structure".
1. General Updates
Jim Geoghan gave update on traffic.
Studios cannot control dates for premieres on Hollywood. There is an effort to limit closures. Many events are rejected.
2. Report on Development Workshop
Oren Katz gave update. The purpose of the event was to gauge what stakeholders want. Stakeholders were asked to prioritize concerns, and then broke into small groups to discuss these concerns.
Barbara Witkin listed some of the issues discussed:
* Increase in traffic is major concern.
* Safety, with more street lighting being suggested.
* Reduce liquor service and bar hours.
* Restrict rooftop noise.
* Security cameras should be included in new developments.
* Better sidewalks, wider sidewalks and parkway landscaping.
* Limited sidewalk dining and recessed dining areas on street.
* Clean streets, kiosks for dog waste.
* There was some disagreement over desirability sidewalk bike racks.
Katz added that Council needs to emphasize walkable streets. Since much multi-use space is currently empty, including empty storefronts, why are developers focussing on mixed-use projects? Believes there should be no rooftop decks on any buildings. Also would like to maintain existing heights as much as possible. There should be more pubic space.
Katz also expressed concern about how construction will impact streets, access for emergency vehicles, and public transit.
More workshops are planned for other areas.
Darren Embry of Faring Capital (developer of 7500 Sunset) was present, and said that the developer would like to know what restaurants, shops, stakeholders want.
Some of those present expressed their opinions on the push for higher density development in Hollywood. Annie Gagen said that proximity to Metro stop should not be used to justify higher density. There was some discussion of the fact that the MTA at one time planned to create a subway stop at the Hollywood Bowl. Carl Ripaldi said that the MTA decided against that plan because travel to the Bowl is seasonal. Ripaldi suggested making Bowl a transit hub with underground parking.
Eyvoughn Shane says streets are overcrowded, traffic is bad.
Valorie Keegan reminded attendees that the Hollywood Community Plan Update has been set aside, so street standards have not been modified.
Brian Dyer said that development based on smart growth theory is not sound. He believes reducing parking does not solve congestion problems. Would like this to be addressed in workshops.
3. 3770 Cahuenga, Carl's Jr.
Presentation by reps & Area 2 chair Patricia Weber. This major renovation is part of scheduled long-term maintenance of site. No square footage will be added, no change in entrance/exits, loss of just one parking stall, upgrading landscaping. Dates of construction: start four-six months from now, 120 days duration. Property will be fenced during construction. Oren asked if it is possible to provide more shade since landscaping is being upgraded. Ripaldi suggested desert landscape to save water, also asks if Carl's has design standards other than signage.
Signage was discussed. The sign will be free standing and will be illuminated at night during business hours. It will not be digital.
Reps were asked if there was asbestos in the existing building. They responded that asbestos abatement is a standard procedure in this process, and that the building will be evaluated and all necessary measures taken.
IT WAS VOTED to support the applicant’s bid and put this project on the agenda for the November 19 HHWNC board meeting.
4. 7500 Sunset Blvd.
Barbara Witkin gave an overview of the project. Mixed-use. 236 residential units and 30,000 sf commercial on ground. Will extend for two blocks, from Sierra Bonita to Curson and from Curson to Gardner. Asking for alcohol permit for 3 of 4 restaurant spaces.
Various concerns were expressed re:
* Traffic
* Ingress/Egress
* Rooftop Activity
* Height, Density, Insufficient Setbacks
* Construction Impacts
* Architectural Style
* Materials
* Poolside Noise
Gagen suggested it would be desirable to create more units for families.
A scoping meeting will be held on November 19 in which the developer will be present to answer questions and discuss concerns. This is the beginning of the Environmental Review process. Witkin urges stakeholders to come to mtg. Info posted on HHWNC web site. Reps from Department of City Planning will be available at the meeting.
Darren Embry said that the developer was anxious to meet with community and get feedback. Has already tried to address concerns about parking.
It was emphasized that the deadline to submit comments on the project to the City is 4:00 pm on December 4.
Gagen asked how comment will be handled. Cyd Ziegler and Barbara Witkin are discussing how to handle comments given time constraints.
5. Gabe Kramer of Marathon Communications, representing developer of 8150 Sunset, was introduced.
6. Infrastructure Update
Casey Maddren said he believed it would be useful for the board to hear presentations from city agencies on the state of infrastructure in Hollywood. Ziegler asked that schedule be discussed with himself and Chair Anastasia Mann. Gagen expressed a desire to have the presentations made to the full board rather than sub-committees.
7. Position Papers
Zeigler proposed that the HHWNC prepare position papers on areas of concern to the NC in order to take a more pro-active approach in engaging the city on development issues. It was suggested that ad hoc committees be formed to write papers on the issues discussed in development workshops, with the hope that draft papers could be produced in approximately three months time.
Two ad hoc committees were formed:
Safety/Walkable Streets
Bill, Carl Ripaldi, Dietrich Nelson
Scale/Density
Casey Maddren, Annie Geegan, Cherilyn Smith
PLUM will announce committees have been formed, asking those interested to contact people mentioned above.
8. Public Comment
Need more community involvement. Could Facebook be used to reach stakeholders?
Ripaldi asked that environmental considerations be addressed by PLUM committee. Zeigler responded that environmental considerations are incorporated into PLUM purview.
9. Upcoming Meetings
Town Hall Meeting re Hollywood Fault Line
November 20, 6:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood
1760 N Gower St.
HHWNC Executive Committee
November 14, 1:30pm at California Canteen
Jim Geoghan spoke about legal actions brought by Hollywood residents against City of LA. Robert Silverstein has won four cases against the City. The City Council recently entertained a motion to retain outside counsel to help with litigation.
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Cyd Zeigler at 7:55 pm.
Minutes recorded by Casey Maddren.