SOUTH BRENTWOOD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Meeting at the Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist on Bundy
Call to order:
President Marylin Krell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
She distributed comment cards, agendas, and sign-in sheets.
Notable people in attendance were introduced.
Marylin thanked Debbie Simmons and the church for allowing us to meet in their beautiful venue. She also thanked members who brought refreshments and Lynne Babbitt for bringing a beautiful arrangement of flowers from her garden.
Business:
We voted to change the name of our organization so it would include the entire neighborhood population of single family and multifamily residents. South Brentwood Homeowners’ Association is now officially South Brentwood Residents’ Association.
Program:
“Planning for the Future of Wilshire Blvd†A presentation by Michelle Sorkin and Susan Robinson, Los Angeles City Planning Department.
Marylin introduced Michelle and Susan and explained that they offered to meet with us as an outreach to our community because although North Wilshire Blvd. is technically in the Brentwood Pacific Palisades Community Plan, it will obviously be affected by decisions of the West Los Angeles Community Plan which is now being updated.
The program focused on the emerging vision for West Wilshire Blvd. which extends from Federal Blvd. to Centinela Ave. The goals, policies, and implementation should project forward twenty years. Adopted in 2001, the “Citywide Smart Growth Plan†Framework Element guiding principles include: Grow strategically in higher intensity and mixed-use districts, centers and boulevards, particularly in proximity to transportation corridors and transit stations; Conserve existing residential neighborhoods; Enhance neighborhood character through better development standards; Create more small parks, pedestrian districts, and public plazas.
State laws require that every community must reduce emissions by 15% of today’s levels by 2020 and must demonstrate that their housing and transportation plans reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our future plans must consider land use and urban design, parks, open space and the urban forest, public services and infrastructure and mobility, or how easily you can get to where you want to go. These plans involve walking, as well as buses, bikes, etc. Children, seniors, and the disabled must be accommodated in these plans. New development plans must be inextricably linked to transportation.
The existing Wilshire Blvd. CDO (Community Design Overlay District) provides guidelines and standards for development projects on Wilshire Blvd. Regulations include: Buildings must be oriented to Wilshire, Ground floor must have transparency, Design on private property is regulated, but doesn’t include streetscape items.
Major existing issues for our area include: Wilshire Blvd is a major conduit to the 405; sign clutter; lack of street trees and pedestrian crossings; poor transitions to residential; and shallow lots prevent parking behind buildings.
A Community Plan Implementation Overlay (CPIO) may be created which would allow for customized development regulations like height, FAR and parking. They “would like to seek the input of architects and designers in the preparation of a CPIO.â€
Susan and Michelle asked: What function does West Wilshire serve today? To its nearby residents? To others in the region? Is it an employment center, restaurant row, shopping district?
Regarding the next steps, the planners suggested we start talking. What are your initial thoughts? What is your vision for Wilshire Blvd? How do we best work together in the future?
“Future of Mass Transit Status Update†A presentation by Jodi Litvack, Project manager, Westside Long Range Subway Extension.
Four billion dollars are currently available for this subway going west due in part to the passage of Measure R. As the plans stand now it would travel under Wilshire and have four stops between the 405 freeway and the ocean. The first subway station on Wilshire west of the 405 could be at the Federal, the VA hospital, Barrington, or at Bundy.
Environmental and traffic studies are now in progress.
The Wilshire corridor will be moving a huge volume of people. This form of better transportation could possibly change the character of an area. Would the area concentrate on business, shopping, eating, etc? It is difficult to envision what balance will exist in the future. The reality is the subway probably will take 20 years or more to complete.
Recommendations will be presented next summer.
Questions and answers:
Our community’s frustration in the lack of enforcement of existing codes, our inability to learn what is being proposed and a feeling of not being included in land use decisions was expressed.
A suggestion was made that Wilshire Blvd. business and property owners be included in these discussions.
Many questions remain unanswered. Questions can be sent to:
Michelle Sorkin at michelle.sorkin@lacity.org or Susan Robinson at susan.robinson@lacity.org
The next step:
1. Several members expressed an interest in further meetings to provide input to the WLA Community Plan as it applies to West Wilshire Blvd. Jackie Raymond, Lauren Cole and Marylin Krell offered to be in the group. Others interested can contact Marylin.
2. A Scoping Meeting will take place June 16th at 6 PM.
The City of Los Angeles will be preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the New Community Plan and will hold a scoping meeting on June 16th from 6-8 p.m. to assist in identifying issues to be addressed in the EIR. The meeting will be held at HENRY MEDINA WEST LOS ANGELES PARKING ENFORCEMENT FACILITY, 2ND FLOOR, 11214 W. EXPOSITION BLVD, LOS ANGELES, 90064.
During the scoping meeting, participants will have the opportunity to provide input to the West Los Angeles Community Planners and consultants preparing the EIR.
Visit http://www.planning.lacity.org/ to stay informed of the Community Plan progress and view other opportunities to participate. Click on Plans and Ordinances, then New Community Plan Program, then West Los Angeles.
E-mail contact: planning@lacity.org
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
(approximately 35 people present)
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynne Babbitt
Please note:
Susan and Michelle brought handouts to the meeting but forgot to mention them! Please contact Marylin Krell mkrell1026@aol.com for a copy:
• West Wilshire Blvd Community Design Overlay District
• Park and Pay Station Lot Locations in Los Angeles
• Article: America’s streets aren’t ready for Aging Population
• Framework Element Guiding Principles
• Power Point handout (I also have the electronic version if you want it emailed to you)
