Neighborhood Council - Minutes for May 2010

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Santa Monica Neighborhood Council
May 15, 2010 --- 10 AM
Ken Edwards Center

MINUTES

City staff: Lee Swain, Michael Collins, Miriam Mulder

1. OPA -- The 4th of July Parade will be on a Sunday this year. They
need more volunteers.

2. FOSP -- The FAA "test" of the 250 heading for prop planes flying
under Instrument Flight Rules is still the main concern in the
neighborhood, as many more planes are using the new heading than the
FAA estimates or admits.

3. Lee Swain, Director of Public Works, did a Powerpoint presentation
on the proposed Resource Recovery Center, including the existing site
plan, the proposed site plan, the project goals and benefits
(consolidating two transfer stations, enclosing on 3 sides, and adding
a roof), the anticipated schedule, and CEQA compliance. The City
Council has yet to review the final plans.

4. Wilmont -- Planning for June 5 Annual Meeting; ongoing Task Force
re long-term care; election form with LWV; family/artistic event at
park in October; 710 Wilshire.

5. PNA -- Planning for annual membership meeting; focusing on
environmental justice.

6. SM Airport -- 6-month FAA test for IFR flights only, however the
number of flights over the Sunset Park mesa and the hilly section of
Ocean Park far exceeds the number estimated by the FAA. The rationale
is to increase separation between the LAX and SMO departure flight
paths at the shoreline from 2.9 miles to 3 miles and thereby reduce
idling times and pollution.

7. LUCE -- Attorney Chris Harding has sent 4 letters calling for more
height, allowing office space on the second floor of commercial
buildings, expanding auto dealerships, and increasing "by right"
heights from 32 to 35 feet, which would reduce the incentive to build
affordable housing.

8. Development agreements -- The Dorchester is subject to a 1982
agreement -- 15 affordable units to be rented to tenants under rent
control. Some units seem to be out of compliance. The Arboretum and
Casa ___ on Ocean Avenue are now in compliance. Craig Jones
consolidated all the required affordable units into one building that
was never built. One attendee stated that there are 861
"inclusionary" (affordable) units in the city. Only 20% are Section 8,
which require annual inspections and income review. The other 80% are
not under any city authority and are not inspected. Kevin McKeown
stated that under a new city policy, inclusionary units have to use
the priority list, which includes the Section 8 list.

9. Election of new mayor -- May 25 Council agenda

10. 710 Wilshire Blvd. -- Valerie Griffin stated that St. Monica's
should be included in the traffic base for this development. Other
concerns include rear height limit (4 stories), no condos, the rear
facade, not enough open space, traffic on Wilshire/Lincoln, pedestrian
safety, and community benefits (community room, mid-cost restaurant).