Neighborhood Council - minutes for May 16, 2009

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Santa Monica Neighborhood Council

May 16, 2009 --- 10 AM

Ken Edwards Center

MINUTES

The meeting was chaired by Jeanne Dodson.

Calendar review: Future NC meetings are scheduled for June 13, July
16, August 15.

1. Neighborhood updates

a. FOSP - Zina noted that the May FOSP meeting included a
presentation re the Santa Monica Pier Centennial, the Annual Meeting
is scheduled for May 30, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals May 8th
ruling upheld the injunction against the Category C and D aircraft
ban, a large family day care will open in an R-1 zone with staff
approval but no public hearing or appeal process, CCSM is planning a
new affordable housing project in Sunset Park, and BBB is starting a
new weekend Tide Ride to serve the Annenberg Community Beach House.

b. PNA - Catherine discussed the proposed Pico Neighborhood Library
(PIO wants it located on Pico, PNA doesn't want it located at Virginia
Avenue Park); the Expo Line may use the City Yards for maintenance
(next to Mountain View Trailer Park and Stewart Park); Neighborhood
Conservation will be discussed at a June workshop; the Civic Center
workshop took place on May 11th; and PNA is working on a
"platform" (mission statement, goals, etc.).

c. Wilmont - Jeanne stated that the Annual Meeting is scheduled for
June 20th at the Main Library, with their NRO, music from St. Monica's
students, a panel discussion about LUCE/development, and food. Wilmont
wrote a letter to City Council re the Jonathan Club lease. Parking
issues continue unresolved. Betty stated that the old trees on
California near 20th were over-pruned, which may kill them, and that
the supervisors of the crews don't even know the names of the trees
they're trimming.

2. Jonathan Club - The extension of the club's beach parcel leases was
discussed by Council in closed session on May 12th, and there will be
a public hearing at the June 12th Council meeting.

3. Minutes - The minutes of the April meeting were approved with
corrections.

4. Neighborhood Conservation - A workshop at the Civic Auditorium East
Wing is scheduled for June 2nd. According to the April 29th Council
staff report, the consultants have divided the city into 11
"neighborhoods" and will select two of them to create a pilot plan for
development and for conserving the neighborhood. Then the principles
will be applied to the whole city. Concern was expressed about
receiving only one day warning for the interviews with the
consultants.

5. Civic Center - The focus of the May 11th workshop was redevelopment
priorities in that area. It was suggested to read the "Wrap-up" for
the May 12th Council meeting re this topic. Catherine noted that she
has been asking for a city-wide map showing development plans, so that
new proposals can be viewed in context, rather than piece meal.

For example, the zoning map shows commercial zones on Santa Monica
Blvd., Broadway, and Colorado that extend back the width of 3 parcels
on the side streets, so that the residential zones on the numbered
streets are only about 6 parcels wide.

6. 301 Ocean Avenue - This 47-unit apartment building, constructed in
the 1950's by the first woman mayor of Santa Monica, Clo Hoover, was
landmarked. However, the developer, Trammell Crow, is appealing the
landmark decision and will try to convince the Council to overturn
that designation at the June 9th Council meeting in order to demolish
the building and replace it with luxury condos. The tenants have
already been Ellised, as of March and have set up a website at
http://301oceanavenue.org The FOSP Board voted to send a letter to
Council urging them to affirm the Landmarks Commission decision and to
save the building.

Respectfully submitted, Zina Josephs