Neighborhood Council - minutes for December 2009
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December 12, 2009 --- 10 AM
Ken Edwards Center
MINUTES
The meeting was chaired by Jeanne Dodson.
Calendar review: Future NC meetings are scheduled for Jan 16, Feb 20,
March 20
1. Leaf blowers - A 1991 city ordinance banned the blowers based on a
health issue, as they blow mold spores into the air. The ordinance was
amended in 1995, but not enforced. On the January 12 Council agenda,
Councilmember McKeown will request that the enforcement be shifted to
the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, so residents will
receive warning letters before being cited, as they do with water mis-
usage.
2. Santa Monica Airport - The FAA has changed the flight path for
piston airplanes using Instrument Flight Rules. Instead of gaining
altitude over PenMar Golf Course, they will be taking off over Sunset
Park and heading for Santa Monica Pier for the next six months. An air
quality study published by UCLA shows a toxic plume downwind from the
runway, with elevated levels of ultrafine particles. The legal battle
between the city and the FAA is continuing regarding the city's
ordinance banning C and D aircraft (which it has not been allowed to
implement since passage in March 2008).
3. Sports bars - The Parlor, in the 1500 block of Wilshire, was
licensed as a restaurant, not a bar. The parking variance ended 15
years ago, and the owners are using the second story of the building
without a CUP. Other similar businesses, such as South in the 3000
block of Wilshire, and Busby's in the 3100 block of Santa Monica
Blvd., are also operating late at night, impacting nearby residential
neighborhoods.
4. Mayor Genser -- He entered the hospital suffering from back pain
and respiratory complications, but is gradually getting better.
5. New City Manager -- Rod Gould will be starting work on January 22.
His salary will be $285,000. He has worked previously in Poway and San
Rafael.
6. SMMUSD - Samohi student Megan Kilroy has won a national honor. The
Samohi orchestras and choirs will be performing in Barnum Hall this
month, as well as the 5th grade "Ballroom Madness" program. The
polling results for a parcel tax are not encouraging. A 2/3 vote which
is needed for passage.
7. Fire Department -- The Dispatch System reverted to a local dispatch
system this week, partially paid for with Homeland Security
funding.
8. Eddie's Liquor -- This parcel, at the NE corner of Pico and 20th,
came up during the Pico neighborhood "Can We Talk?" meeting as a
possible location for the new library. The property is owned by a
blind trust.
9. SMC -- Jeanne Dodson suggested that traffic could be reduced and
student convenience increased if the required Language Lab practice
for foreign language classes could be done online. She will contact
the Board of Trustees.
10. Bergamot Transit Village -- A "float up" community meeting will be
held regarding a Development Agreement for the former Paper Mate
factory site at Olympic & 26th. It's owned by Hines, a Texas firm. The
city sued the former owner, Gillette, and won a $68 million settlement
to clean up the soil and ground water. The property is zoned for
310,000 sq ft. The proposal calls for 969,000 sq ft.
11. Water conservation -- A recent state law is more restrictive, so
the city had to update its law regarding lawns, keeping water onsite,
etc. (Sustainable Economy Plan)
12. Affordable housing -- Catherine Eldridge noted that "assets" are
not considered when prospective tenants are screened for affordable
units, only income.
13. Parking fees -- Jeanne noted that Wilmont residents want the 2-
hour free parking in Promenade parking structures maintained. Kevin
stated that the new fee structure is based on the Walker Report. Zina
noted that 45 minutes in the Civic Center structure cost her $4.80,
and 1 1/2 hour cost $8.
14. Art museum in Civic Center -- The Broad Foundation is negotiating
with the City Manager re building a museum and endowing it. The city
would lease the land to the museum for 99 years at a nominal fee and
provide parking. Mayor Villaraigosa has recently expressed interest in
locating the museum in L.A.
15. LUCE -- The Planning Director has offered to do presentations to
the neighborhood organizations re the Draft LUCE document, which was
released on November 24. It includes a reduction in commercial
(300,000 sq ft per year less), and an increase in housing (City
Council will decide what % will have to be "affordable"). In an effort
to preserve existing affordable housing, in order to get a demolition
permit, developers will have to show that they're not "diminishing"
the neighborhood.
16. Bundy Village and Medical Park -- A 1.3 million sq ft development
at Bundy and Olympic, it will generate over 20,000 daily car trips and
impact 15-17 major intersections in Santa Monica. An L.A. Planning
Commission hearing is scheduled in January. Catherine noted that other
large developments are planned nearby in Santa Monica, including the
expansion of New Roads School on Olympic, the Paseo Nebraska (also on
Olympic), a new 180-seat theater at the SMC Academy on Stewart, the
Agensys development at 1800 Stewart (formerly Richlar), the Papermate/
Bergamot development, Colorado Creative Center, Roberts Business Park,
and Village Trailer Park.
17. Development Map -- A map of "pending projects" in the city was
handed out (those not yet approved). It didn't include projects that
have already been approved but not yet completed. The EIR's are
currently done project-by-project, but regional assessments are needed
to show the cumulative impact of all the projects in a given area. The
Draft EIR for the LUCE is due out in January.
18. Expo Maintenance Yard -- A sound wall will be built first. The
Final EIR is due out in January.