Brentwood Community Council
Agenda – Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 7:00 – 9:30p.m.
Brentwood Kaufman Library – 11820 San Vicente Blvd.
Email: rklein@earthlink.net Telep: (310) 472-2908
1. Call to Order and Introductions
2. Correction and Approval of Minutes – March 3, 2009 Meeting
3. Treasurer¡¯s Report – Steve Gilbert, Treasurer
4. Public Safety Report
¡¤ Phillip Enbody, Senior Lead Officer
¡¤ Raymond Klein, BCC Public Safety Representative
5. Government Reports
¡¤ Ellen Isaacs, Representative of Assemblyman Mike Feuer
¡¤ Stephen Cheung and Jennifer Badger, West Area Directors, Mayor of Los Angeles
¡¤ Chelsea Dickerson, State Veterans Home construction update
¡¤ Jessyca Avalos, Field Deputy, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
6. (A) Proposed Widening of Sunset Blvd. Between Barrington and 405.
Michael C. Hunt, Transportation Engineer, Special Projects Section of DOT
See Supplemental Information Attached.
(B) 405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project. Michael Barbour,
Project Director, L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
7. Proposed Los Angeles Emergency Mass Notification System. Steve Dargan, L.A. Emergency Management Department
8. Report on West L.A. Community Plan Impact on Wilshire Blvd. Jackie Raymond, SBRA
See Report From Bette Harris and Marylin Krell Attached
9. BCC Committee Reports
¡¤ Andrea Epstein, Environmental – Recycling
¡¤ Wendy-Sue Rosen, Chair, Land Use
10. Public Comment – two minute limit per speaker
11. Announcements
12. Motion to Adjourn
Agenda Items May Be Taken Out Of Order NEXT BCC MEETING: May 5,2009
Supplemental Information for April 7 Agenda
Item 6. Widening of Sunset Blvd.
Michael Hunt:
>From our preliminary analysis, the average vehicle delay decrease during the AM Peak Period will be up to 89.4 sec/veh, which is a 41.2% decrease; while the average vehicle delay decrease during the PM Peak Period will be up to 116 sec/veh, which is a 66.2% decrease in PM delay. It should be noted that these values are preliminary and may change before the meeting. They are also based upon the additional eastbound thru lane as well as the proposed I-405 freeway improvements being completed.
A very rough time and cost estimate of the additional costs to widen both sides of Sunset, in lieu of one side, is approximately 30 to 35% longer time period and approximately $1M to $2 Million more in cost.
Item 8 West Los Angeles Community Plan
Bette Harris, with additions by Marylin Krell
The City Planning Department will facilitate the development of a revised West Los Angeles Community Plan, taking into account the population growth forecasted for the next 20 years. The department conducted a series of programs to educate the public on the process and to elicit input regarding a vision for various major thoroughfares in West Los Angeles.
My area of attention was Wilshire Boulevard as the north side is in Brentwood.
I attended a meeting, which started with a 2-hour walk along the north side of Wilshire Boulevard. We were asked to complete Planning Dept. forms for each property, noting our observations of the street, sidewalk, landscaping, street lighting, etc. Later, we convened in a meeting to discuss our vision for the future. I was the only resident in the Wilshire group. The other members were either Planning Department staff or consultants hired by the Planning Department. One LADOT (Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation) employee participated as well.
We were asked to give our vision of the future of West Wilshire Boulevard for the next 10-20 years. The leading staff member from the Planning Dept. started by giving her vision of a boulevard with four-story mixed use buildings and two major hubs at Bundy and Barrington, where high rises might be built, considering that these corners are already transit nodes. She said that the Planning Dept. views transit corridors such as Wilshire Boulevard as ideal locations to accommodate growth.
I and others are very concerned about the Planning Dept.¡¯s ¡°vision¡± for Wilshire Boulevard as conveyed that day. Local residents are well acquainted with the gridlock experienced when heading east on Wilshire or other east-west corridors in the late afternoon. The Wilshire and Bundy intersection had an ¡°E¡± rating in 2003 and an ¡°F¡± rating estimated for 2006. The Wilshire and Barrington intersection had a ¡°B¡± rating, but that was prior to the construction of the Landmark project which is to be built there and which was estimated to change the rating to ¡°C¡±.
Marylin Krell, SBHA President has arranged an SBHA meeting with two city planners on Thursday, May 21st at the Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist on Bundy at Goshen to discuss ideas for future development for Wilshire Blvd. Prior to that meeting, she will schedule a walk on Wilshire Saturday May 9 similar to the City¡¯s Walking Tour in March, and a meeting with interested BCC and SBRA members the last week of April. Anyone interested in this meeting should contact Marylin at Mkrell1026@aol.com.
Marylin Krell is asking that written suggestions/questions be e-mailed to her prior to the May 21st meeting: Mkrell1026@aol.com. She will compile these comments and send them to the Planning Dept. prior to the meeting. She will report on this at the May BCC meeting.
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BRENTWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Highlights of the March 3, 2009 Meeting
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Phillip Enbody, Senior Lead Officer
¡ñ Officer Enbody reported that of the two new Captains for West LAPD a month ago, one has already left. Captain De la Torre remains and eventually there will be another new Captain.
¡ñ Construction burglaries have returned (items such as flooring and new appliances are being stolen). To protect personal property, have someone stay in the house overnight.
¡ñ Someone was recently shot in the midst of a robbery. Give up your property rather than risk physical injury.
¡ñ Envelopes that contain a message about the importance of not leaving any property visible in cars and look similar to a ticket are being placed on all cars in South Brentwood.
¡ñ A garage clicker was stolen from one car near Sunset and Church that led to multiple burglaries in the garage and over $10,000 in damages.
Raymond Klein, BCC Public Safety Representative
¡ñ The recent West LAPD Community Police Advisory Board meeting discussed the lack of continuity in Captains (13 different Captains in the past 14 years) and the loss of officers (initially 16, then another 7). There were 247 officers two years ago and 216 today – 31 fewer. Other Councils in West L.A. are writing letters to the Police Commission and their Councilperson expressing disapproval and outrage about the lack of continuity of Captains, loss of police, fewer cars on the street, and slower response time. Wendy-Sue Rosen said we need to put our voice on record, and moved that the Chairman write a letter of disapproval and the motion passed unanimously.
¡ñ Stephen Cheung, representing the Mayor¡¯s office, said that there was a mis-communication about the loss of an additional 7 officers. He said that the Assistant Chief would appoint a new Captain that he hoped would stay a long period of time. In October, there should be over 10,000 officers, which would be the highest number ever. Councilperson Bill Rosendahl joined the meeting and explained that the reason West L.A. does not have more officers is that areas of violent crime take precedence in police deployment.
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES AND LEADERS HONOR WENDY-SUE ROSEN
Raymond Klein began by presenting Wendy an award on behalf of the BCC, engraved to state: “Our heartfelt gratitude for your generous gift of time, talent, energy and passion for our community and your strong leadership of the Brentwood Community Council.” Wendy was then presented with a Certificate of Commendation from Senator Feinstein in recognition of Wendy¡¯s “leadership in the areas of land use and environmental activism,” her “important work . . . to protect our water, preserve our mountains, and safeguard our wildlife.” Councilman Bill Rosendahl made a special appearance on election night to honor Wendy, calling her “a living legend,” and presenting her with a Resolution from the City of Los Angeles, signed by every Councilmember and City-wide elected official. Councilman Rosendahl said that the BCC, under Wendy¡¯s leadership, reaffirmed his belief in the efficacy of grassroots community activism. Rebekah Rodriguez-Lynn then presented Wendy with a Certificate of Appreciation from State Senator Fran Pavley in honor of Wendy¡¯s “outstanding commitment to the environment through [her] unwavering leadership” and “passionate activism,” which stands as “an example for all to follow.” Louise Rishoff presented Wendy with a Certificate of Recognition from State Assemblymember Julia Brownley, honoring Wendy as a “Community Activist Extraordinaire,” who has devoted her “time, talents, and boundless energy” to leading the BCC as Chair, working to protect the “surrounding Santa Monica Mountains” and “the waters of the Santa Monica Bay,” and for her “countless civic activities.” Louise, who also worked with Wendy when Louise was then-Assemblymember Fran Pavley¡¯s District Director, said that Wendy is like the team¡¯s Mighty Mouse and a true community treasure. Wendy was presented with a letter of appreciation from U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman in honor of her remarkable tenure as BCC chair, stating that Wendy “passionately and tirelessly advocated for the issues important to Brentwood and Los Angeles,” and “skillfully and expertly led the BCC to navigate complicated issues,” including matters of historic significance such as those involving the federal land located in West Los Angeles. Wendy was presented with a Certificate of Commendation from County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky on behalf of the Board of Supervisors for the County of Los Angeles, recognizing that Wendy has “served with distinction” as Chair of the BCC for the past three years, as well as her service to the community, the environment, and nature through her leadership roles. Stephen Cheung presented Wendy with a Certificate of Commendation from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Stephen, the Mayor¡¯s Field Deputy, expressed his personal gratitude for Wendy¡¯s strong advocacy on behalf of the community, which has provided a direct link to the Mayor¡¯s Office. Finally, State Assemblymember Mike Feuer, who flew in from Sacramento, personally presented Wendy with a Certificate of Recognition for her “visionary and passionate leadership” of the BCC and on a number of environmental and quality-of-life issues, representing “community activism at its finest.” Mike, who named Wendy the “Woman of the Year” in 2007, said that the State of California would be a monumentally better place if there were a dozen Wendy-Sue Rosens, as this community has been monumentally benefitted by her leadership, work, and the way that she inspires others by way of her example.
GOVERNMENT REPORTS
Ellen Isaacs, Representative of Assemblyman Mike Feuer
Ellen Isaacs reported that the State has a budget and a summary is on the website. Despite all the cuts and tax increases, everyone was equally unhappy. A draft EIR on phase 2 of the Expo line is out and comments are due by March 13.
Stephen Cheung and Jennifer Badger, West Area Directors, Mayor of Los Angeles
Stephen Cheung distributed a poster describing the 2009-2010 budget process and the budget survey results. This year, 6,000 surveys were completed, up from 2,600 last year, but that is out of a 4 million potential. Westside Los Angeles has 2 representatives participating. Because of complaints about billboard enforcement, LADBS increased the number of inspectors from 3 to 20.
Chelsea Dickerson, State Veterans Home
Chelsea Dickerson reported that March and April construction plans include completing drywall, roof air handling, the garden terrace, and underground fire/water safety installation. They are expecting overtime hours in March of 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am to 4:00pm Saturday, then back to the normal schedule of 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday. For questions or comments, call 310-651-5066. The project is 370,000 sq ft, and includes 396 beds – 84 for elderly, 252 for skilled nursing, and 60 for long-term. Wendy-Sue Rosen expressed concern for the size and impact of the State Veteran’s Home buildings on the neighboring community and said that the original plans didn¡¯t make it seem so large. She requested plans and renderings for landscaping and asked if the landscape would mitigate/soften the impact of the mass of the buildings.
Jessyca Avalos, Field Deputy, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
Jessyca Avalos left her report with Raymond Klein. The report said that DOT did a study of no right turn on red during evening rush hours going north on Barrington to east on Sunset, and concluded that such restrictions are not warranted. As an alternative, other groups at DOT are working on a signal timing adjustment on Sunset between Barrington and the 405 to improve eastbound congestion during PM peak hours.
PARKING METERS AND RATES
Amir Sedadi, Assistant General Manager of the Department of Transportation, explained that the General Manager in 2003 decentralized many functions in the Department and relating to parking, signs and meters. A new General Manager came in 2006 and had a study done which is available on the website regarding meters that were faulty and hard to use, and their hours of operation and rates. The latest technology was studied that would improve revenue and also customer service and convenience. Rather than changing 40,000 meters at once, a pilot program was done for about 15%, including the pay stations in Brentwood Village. The Mayor proposed, and all 15 members of the City Council approved, new rates of $1.00 minimum and the doubling of all rates above $.75. Hours of meters were also changed in many areas from 8 to 6 to new hours of 8 to 8, and in entertainment areas where more parking turnover is needed, hours were extended to midnight on Friday and Saturday and Sunday hours were added. Instead of incremental increases in rates, there has been no change in rates in Brentwood Village since 1988 and no change on San Vicente since 1990. Ken Marks asked about the failure of various DOT personnel to return calls and emails, and the failure to furnish various materials requested and sometimes promised. Mr. Sedadi apologized for not getting back to Mr. Marks in a timely manner. Jennifer Wenger-Turchen said she had no problem receiving responses from DOT and complimented the Department on its implementation of the pay stations in Brentwood Village. Mr. Sedadi said that Carolyn Jackson is the Department¡¯s liaison with Council offices and neighborhood councils. Wendy-Sue Rosen asked where the record could be found of the changes in rates and hours, and Mr. Sedadi replied that it was done by ordinance as a budget action in the City Council files but without community input. Mr. Klein mentioned that widespread frustration with the lack of transparency and communication has resulted in the current negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding between DOT and neighborhood councils.
ZONING ENFORCEMENT
George Wolfberg, a member of the Pacific Palisades Community Council (¡°PPCC¡±), described some of the experiences that motivated the PPCC to unanimously adopt a resolution for a two-year pilot project to move zoning enforcement in Brentwood-Pacific Palisades from LADBS to the Department of Planning. Following a general discussion, Wendy-Sue Rosen, who expressed reservations about whether Planning would do a better job of enforcement and about how the pilot project would work and its cost, moved the adoption of the following resolution (distributed with the Agenda) which was seconded and approved with 12 votes in favor, 2 votes against, and 2 abstentions.
WHEREAS, The Brentwood Community Council (BCC) believes that current City building and zoning enforcement is inadequate to protect the ambiance of our community. Changes the City has made to be ¡°more developer friendly¡± and to mandate a fee-supported inspection regime in the Building and Safety Department appear to be a major reason for the current situation.
WHEREAS, The department is rewarded for expediting construction and covering the cost of its inspection and plan checking operations. Zoning code enforcement is not viewed as fee supported and is a low priority. Decisions of Zoning Administrators are routinely ignored and not enforced. Clearly, spec builders, developers and some homeowners are ¡°gaming¡± the system to encroach on setbacks and violate height limits. The BCC has been informed of over height fences erected and hedges planted after Certificates of Occupancy were issued. The City inspectors have refused to issue citations after complaints were made to the City.
RESOLVED: That the BCC requests that the City of Los Angeles transfer responsibility for enforcement of the Zoning Code and Zoning Administrator determinations and Community Specific Plans from the Department of Building and Safety to the Department of City Planning. As an interim step, and to verify the validity of this concept, a two-year pilot project should be initiated in the Brentwood-Pacific Palisades Community Plan area. A committee should be established to include residents and property owners in the area, appointed by the Member of the City Council for the 11th Council District. This committee should be charged with evaluating this pilot program and reporting back to the City no later than 18 months after initiation of the program.
BILLBOARDS, SIGN ORDINANCE, AND SIGN DISTRICTS
Wendy-Sue Rosen moved the adoption of the following resolution (distributed with the Agenda).
The resolution was drafted by Dennis Hathaway, who heads the Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight, in connection with the new sign ordinance currently before the City Planning Commission, and the purpose is to convey the opinions of the BCC to the Commission. The motion was approved with 12 votes in favor, 1 vote against, and 2 abstentions.
RESOLVED: That the Brentwood Community Council requests that the City Council and City Planning Commission,
1. Involve neighborhood councils and community organizations in a full discussion of how the proposed sign ordinance revisions affect their neighborhoods. Stakeholders must have the opportunity for informed input before the city council takes any action on the ordinance.
2. Support regulations to limit the height, size, number, and placement of signs to protect communities from visual clutter and blight.
3. Support the prohibition of digital signs to protect residents and communities from unwanted light trespass and pollution, potential traffic safety hazards, and excessive energy usage.
4. Support the prohibition of any signs that cover doors or windows.
5. Oppose elimination of the distinction between off-site and on-site signs. Instead, strengthen the off-site sign ban currently in place by removing the city’s discretion to grant exceptions in supplemental use districts, specific plans, and approved development agreements. These exceptions have led to a degrading of the city’s visual environment and a crass commercialization of public space.
6. Enact meaningful penalties for illegal signage that will act as a real deterrent to this unlawful activity that is currently blighting our city, and make provision for the recovery of “ill-gotten gains” from companies that reap large financial return from illegal signs.
7. Establish criteria for sign districts that include a mandatory reduction of billboards and other forms of off-site signage in the community plan area. Include regulations that protect adjacent neighborhoods from any light trespass and other negative effects from the allowed signage.
8. Oppose the grandfathering of current applications for sign districts that would allow them to proceed through the approval process under the existing, more liberal provisions that do not include mandatory sign reduction and protections for surrounding neighborhoods.
9. Oppose the establishment of any new sign districts until a definitive ruling has been received from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the World Wide Rush v. City of Los Angeles case. Allowing any new sign districts could lead to further injunctions of the sort that have undermined the city’s ability to enforce the current off-site sign ban, and could result in a significant proliferation of supergraphic signs and other types of outdoor advertising.
SHORT-TERM POLICY OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION
A presentation was made by Hillary Norton, Executive Director of FAST, which, along with METRO and the Music Center, sponsored a study by RAND of short-term solutions to improve mobility. Ms. Norton said that L.A. can¡¯t build its way out of its traffic problem by building more freeways and widening roads. She urged people to visit the website, FASTLA.ORG, sign up for email, and be able to participate in good traffic ideas. The traffic ideas include: improved signal timing within and between cities; peak hour parking restrictions; paired on-way streets; traffic demand management such as telecommuting and shuttles; congestion pricing such as single drivers paying to be in a car pool lane; variable curb parking rates; pre-tax payments to employees in lieu of paying for leased parking; discount pricing of employee passes; dedicated bus lanes; cordoned congestion zones; fuel taxes; and a network of bike lanes.
LAND USE COMMITTEE REPORT
Wendy-Sue Rosen, Chair of the BCC Land Use Committee, reported on the Committee¡¯s activities.
¡ñ Terra Cotta
The Terra Cotta development project calls for approximately 10,000 square feet of building space that will be dedicated to commercial retail and restaurant uses, but will have just 12 parking spaces. The parking is grossly insufficient for the project, especially given the dearth of parking in the area. The BCC Land Use Committee believes that the City erred in failing to require more parking on the theory that the new owners¡¯ have grandfathered rights that allow them to construct such a large project without sufficient parking. The BCC Land Use Committee has dedicated substantial time and effort in negotiating with the new owners of the Terra Cotta property. A good faith effort was made to resolve the community¡¯s disputes concerning the lack of adequate parking, but the property owners¡¯ representatives did not respond in kind. Consequently, the BCC is supporting an appeal filed by the BHA. BCC members and members of the Brentwood community are encouraged to testify at the public hearing on March 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM.
Wendy thanked (1) BCC Land Use Committee member Bryan Gordon for hiring an attorney to the proposed settlement agreement and (2) BCC Legal Counsel Larry Watts for his review and edits of the draft agreement. She also thanked everyone who showed up to testify at the prior public hearing on the Terra Cotta matter.
¡ñ SugarFISH
The BCC Land Use Committee and South Brentwood met with the representatives of SugarFISH regarding its application for a Conditional Use Beverage permit (CUB). The BCC asked SugarFISH not to serve alcohol at its outdoor seating area because the screening structure required by Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) would have protruded into the building’s public accessway, narrowing pedestrian passage. The BCC also requested that alcohol not be served outdoors in order to partially mitigate noise pollution in the neighboring South Brentwood community because the outside dining area is adjacent to residential units in South Brentwood. SugarFISH agreed to these requested terms and will resubmit a revised application to the Planning Dept.
¡ñ Skirball Cultural Center
The Skirball Cultural Center has proposed building the final phase of a project that it applied for in 1984. It will add 32,000 square feet of building space. Skirball is asking for exemptions from code-required parking and to exceed its originally allowed staff and student numbers. The BCC Land Use Committee will try to set up a meeting with the Rabbi next week.
¡ñ Curtis School
The Curtis School reached out to the BCC Land Use Committee to make a presentation on its Master Plan for the Institution. It will be upgrading its campus, but will not be seeking an enrollment increase. This Institution is in CD-5, however its representatives will be keeping us informed because we are the adjacent community.
¡ñ Stephen S. Wise
Stephen S. Wise has applied for a categorical exemption from conditions that are mitigation measures required as part of its certified Environmental Impact Report for the project. Bel Air Skycrest has hired an attorney and will be advised on how to proceed.
REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Wendy-Sue Rosen read Bette Harris¡¯ report. New BCC members or positions are Said Jabbari as Volunteer Services Alternate, Chuck Kahn as Mandeville Canyon Association Representative, Flo Chapgier as Mandeville Canyon Associaion Alternate. There are openings for Public Schools Alternate, Congregational/Ministerial Alternate, and Member-at-Large.
NEXT BCC MEETING: APRIL 7, 2009