Bike Lanes on Foothill

What do you think about new bicycle lanes on Foothill Blvd.?  The Dept. of Transportation will present plans at next Monday's Land Use Committee meeting.  Please join us and invite your neighbors to attend too.  We especially want to get the word out to the local businesses.

Granny Flats moving forward ? Maybe ?

12-0600-S63 - City Council Referral
To Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee To Planning and Land Use Management Committee Housing Department report, dated September 26, 2012, relative to a report back regarding auxiliary dwelling units (granny flats) and illegal units.

Digital Billboards

The Court's tentative ruling announced at the start of the proceedings was to UPHOLD THE LOWER COURT'S RULING THAT INVALIDATED THE SECRET SIGN AGREEMENTS between LA and Clear Channel and CBS.  They went further to state that the lower court should have sought the removal of the permits (and signs) for the already 100+ digital signs erected under the terms of the settlement agreement. 

Zoning Code Revision - Council Vote on Funding This Friday (11/2) at 10 AM

Greetings All:

The City Council will be voting on a major funding component of the Department's efforts to comprehensively revise the City's Zoning Code.  If you can find the time to attend, we would appreciate your participation.  The meeting is currently scheduled for this Friday (11/2) at 10 AM:

JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ROOM 340, CITY HALL
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
Google Maps

You can find the agenda here (Item No. 1 - Council File No. 12-0600-S160):
http://ens.lacity.org/clk/councilagendas/clkcouncilagendas379487_11022012.pdf

The Council will be acting on an ordinance that temporarily increases the existing General Plan Maintenance Surcharge from 3% to 5% for a period of five years with a sunset clause.  This surcharge applies to any permit, plan check, license, or planning application fee.  This action would secure the funding necessary to initiate the project as outlined in our five-year work program and budget plan.  For details, please see the links at the end of this email.

Funding for this project will be coming from three different sources, all of which are General Fund neutral (meaning that no additional tax dollars will be going towards this initiative): 1) the General Fund to fund the existing Department of City Planning staff; 2) the General Plan Maintenance Surcharge to fund the additional City staff needed; and 3) the Construction Services Trust Fund (CSTF) to fund the consultants needed to accomplish these tasks.

The City Council approved funding from the CSTF for the first year of the five-year work program on June 19, 2012.  Funding from the CSTF will be granted on an annual basis as part of the Department's annual budgetary process.

BACKGROUND

The last time the City of Los Angeles did a comprehensive revision was when the current Zoning Code was first adopted in 1946.  It has since grown from an 84-page pamphlet to a 600+ page book does not reflect our 21st Century needs or vision.

The proposal will result in a new Zoning Code that:
Establishes clear & predictable language
More effectively implements the Goals & Objectives of the General Plan and Community Plans
Offers a wider variety of zoning options that protect and/or enhance our communities
Reflects the diversity of Los Angeles and allows each neighborhood to maintain a distinct sense of place
Accommodates the City’s current and future needs
Improves the built environment, economic vitality, & quality of life
Is an economic development tool that will help shore up the City’s tax base
The work program includes an enhanced public participation strategy that will include many opportunities for public involvement and feedback.  Our Department is committed to an open and transparent process that ensures that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to participate and contribute to the new land use and development standards.

The project will not: 1) override any existing Specific Plans or Overlays; or 2) result in the wholesale "up-zoning" of the City.  Although changes will eventually be pursued in order to implement the new Zoning Code, the proposed work program does not include any amendments to the current Zoning designations.  Any future changes will include notifications and public hearings.

OTHER INFORMATION

Below is a link to the Council File for the proposal.  It includes copies of the Department's funding request which outlines the proposed work program and budget plan, as well as other reports and comments submitted to date.

Council File No. 12-0460
http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=12-0460


Help us spread the word by forwarding this information to anyone you feel might be interested.

If you received this email via forwarded message from someone other than myself, and you want to obtain updates directly from the Department, please email erick.lopez@lacity.org and ask to be added to the interest list.  Please type "Add Me To Zoning Code Notification List" in the subject line.

If you are on  Facebook , please visit our Los Angeles City Planning - Code Studies page at http://www.facebook.com/LACityCodeStudies.  Click on the "like" button and you will receive updates in your news feed regarding this project and other proposed Zoning Ordinances as they become available.

As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or David Olivo at david.olivo@lacity.org; email is preferred.



--

Erick Lopez
City of Los Angeles | Department of City Planning
Code Studies | Office of Zoning Administration
erick.lopez@lacity.org | 213.978.1323



For updates on Code Studies projects, please "like" us on Facebook.

VHGC Historical Monument Status Update

Thank you to Councilman Alarcon for hosting a great presentation and Q&A time regarding historical monument status for the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. 

Over 50 neighbors attended the meeting.  Lloyd Hitt from Little Landers Historical Society gave a generous history of the Tuna Detention Camp.  Ken Bernstein, Manager, Office of Historic Resources at the Department of City Planning presented the process involved to gain historical monument status for the VHGC.

Join us at next Monday's Land Use Committee for more updates.  If you would like to be involved in working on the historical monument review by the City, please plan to attend upcoming STNC meetings for more details.  If you would like to sign the petition in support of monument status, please contact Councilman Alarcon's office at 818-352-3287.

--Cindy Cleghorn

Check out the new poll on the Montrose Patch:
 Poll: Should Verdugo Hills Golf Course Be a Historic Monument?

Even more significant is the question they pose in the Comments section:

Should the Verdugo Hills Golf Course remain open space and recreational land?
Tell us in the comments.

Please share with your neighbors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2012

CONTACT
David Graham-Caso
(213) 393-9196

ADVISORY for MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 at 7PM
Community Meeting to Focus on Alarcón’s Tuna Canyon Detention Station Preservation Motion
Motion to Preserve Tuna Canyon Detention Station Site As Historic Monument To Be Discussed at Community Meeting in Sunland-Tujunga

(SUNLAND-TUJUNGA, CA) – Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcón will host a Community Meeting in Sunland-Tujunga on Monday evening to discuss his recent motion to protect an important part of the cultural legacy of the Northeast San Fernando Valley.  On October 12, Councilmember Alarcón proposed including the site of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station, which is commonly known by local residents as the Verdugo Hills Golf Course, on the City’s list of Historical and Cultural Monuments.  The site has been facing the threat of a proposed residential subdivision, which would degrade the site’s historic value, remove natural open space and eliminate an opportunity to commemorate a significant historic resource.

“There is a rich and important history in the Northeast San Fernando Valley that must be protected so kids today and generations in the future can learn from our past,” said Councilmember Alarcón.  “I strongly believe that a housing development would be inconsistent with our goal to preserve the legacy of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station site and I am proud to work with partners in the Sunland-Tujunga community to protect the area.”

Monday’s meeting will feature a presentation by Lloyd Hitt, the President of the local Little Landers Historical Society, as well as information about how local residents can help advocate for the preservation of the Northeast San Fernando Valley’s cultural legacy.

WHAT:      Tuna Canyon Detention Station Preservation - Community Meeting

WHEN:      Monday, October 29
                   7:00PM

WHO:       Councilmember Richard Alarcón
                  Lloyd Hitt, President, Little Landers Historical Society
                  Ken Bernstein, City of Los Angeles Planning Department
                  An estimated crowd of more than 100 local residents

WHERE:   North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
                  7747 Foothills Blvd.
                  Tujunga, CA

SUNLAND-TUJUNGA NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

AGENDA 

LAND USE COMMITTEE MEETING

DATE:         Monday, October 15, 2012

LOCATION: North Valley Neighborhood City Hall

                  7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, CA 91042 (Corner of Wyngate & Foothill; Auditorium)

TIME:          7:00 PM

1. Call to Order – Introductions of LUC, CD7 staff, neighbors and guests.

Name	P	A	Name	P	A
Cindy Cleghorn			Elektra Kruger
Dean Sherer			Chaz vanAalst
Debby Beck			Arsen Karamians (a)
Bill Skiles			Lloyd Hitt (a)
Peter Moen			David Barron
Aram Avagyan			VACANT
Elaine Brown			CD-7
Nina Royal

2. RECOGNITION – Tomi Lyn Bowling, LUC Chair
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS – non agenda items
4. COMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATES / COMMENTS – non agenda items
5. VERDUGO HILLS GOLF COURSE – Oct. 10 presentation at STNC meeting – 171 attended
1. Tee’s on the Green CUP – update if any
6. CASE UPDATE: 10046-56 Samoa – now 48 unit affordable housing apartment development. Discuss possible communication to Dept. City Planning
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION:  LUC comment letter to Board of Building & Safety Commissioners re: Haul Route hearing to be held 10-16-12 at 9:30 a.m.  Proposal is for a 40 unit apartment complex at 8314-34 Foothill Bl. – ENV-2012-2045-CE – Haul route involving 14,000 cubic yards.  Noubar Karamanoukian
8.  UPDATES ON
1. [Arsen] 10023 Fairgrove – ENV-2012-2077-CE / ZA-2012-2076-F - FENCE HEIGHT - Installation of a 5 ft. high driveway gate / fence and 30 ft. long in lineal distance within the required front yard setback.  Shannon L. Seim
2. [Dean] 10105 Commerce Ave – DIR2012-2526-SPP – Change of use and tenant improvements for Community Center Place of Worship
3. 7939 Wentworth – AA-2012-2154-PMLA / ENV-2012-2152-CE / ZA-2012-2153-ZAA – Division of Land to two lots with a reduced driveway width of 10 ft in lieu of the required 20 ft. for each lot.  Nick Kazemi
9. LUC Budget Requests for the STNC

2.  STATUS UPDATES  - if any, of Key sites on Foothill Blvd. – Current status, uses, design, signage, future

             i.                                      8040 Foothill – former Kmart site

            ii.                                      7200 Foothill – Foothill Commerce Town Center

          iii.                                      8134 Foothill – currently Adult Day Care

          iv.                                      6736 Foothill – former Arigato

            v.                                      6630 Foothill – Best Quality Market

          vi.                                      6864 Foothill – Hertz Rent A Car

         vii.                                      7937 Foothill – Code Blue – former Coffee Stop drive thru

       viii.                                      Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

           ix.                                      Other

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a.     Neighborhood Watch – Tues. Oct 16 at 6:30 p.m.

b.     Next LUC Meeting is Nov 5

c.     VANC Planning Forum at CBS Studios – 6 p.m. RSVP required

d.    Next STNC Meeting is Nov. 14

12. Adjourn.

The public is requested to address the Board/Committee on any item of the agenda prior to the Board/Committee taking action on an item.  Comments from the public on Agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered and at the discretion of the presiding officer(s). Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda can be heard during Public Comments. Public Comment is limited to two minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer(s) of the Board/Committee.    **Time limits may take more or less time.   .Order of items on this agenda may be changed by the presiding officer.  ** All items may be acted upon whether specifically listed for action or not. 

In  compliance  with  Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that  are distributed  to a majority or all of the  board  in advance  of a meeting,  may  be viewed  at the STNC Office, 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, at our  website: www.stnc.org or  at the  scheduled meeting.  In addition, if you would like a copy of any record  related  to an  item  on the agenda, please contact the STNC office to schedule an appointment at (818) 951-7411.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assisted listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by contacting Cindy Cleghorn, at (818) 951-7411, toll-free at (866) LA HELPS, or e-mail secretary@stnc.org.   Agenda is posted for public review at: www.stnc.org; Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce 8250 Foothill Blvd. Unit B, Sunland; North Valley City Hall, 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga and Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick Street, Sunland.                                                                                                            Posted  10/12/2012  Remove after 10/15/12

BUDGET COMMITTEE AGENDA

COMMITTEE: Nina Royal, Ed Rock, Bill Skiles, David Barron, Melodee Patterson

DATE:            Monday, October 15, 2012

LOCATION:   North Valley Neighborhood City Hall

 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, CA 91042 (Corner of Wyngate & Foothill)

TIME:             6:00 P.M.

1.  Call to Order – Nina Royal, Treasurer

2.  Assign Notetaker

3.  Discussion regarding STNC Budget

4.  Future meetings 3^rd Monday of each month at 6 or 6:30 p.m.

IRP Meeting is Thursday at 6 p.m.

LADWP annually prepares a Power Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to provide a 20-year framework to ensure that current and future energy needs of the City of Los Angeles are met. In order to do so, the IRP lays out alternative strategies for meeting LADWP’s regulatory requirements and environmental policy goals for increasing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while maintaining power reliability and minimizing the financial impact on the city’s ratepayers.

A major goal of the IRP process is to ensure that our customers have ample opportunity to provide input and comments. Towards this end, you are cordially invited to attend a workshop regarding LADWP's 2012 Integrated Resource Plan. Your presence and participation in this process is valuable to us. Please join us:

October 11, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

111 N. Hope Street, A-Level Auditorium

Los Angeles, CA 90012