Franklin Ave is like this several times a day.

The new community plan has been released for public comment this week. There are 4 zoning changes that Beachwood Canyon residents need to comment on immediately if we are going to preserve our quality of life and the residential character of our community north of Hollywood Blvd.
 
Ms. Richardson, the Planning Administrator, is writing her report within days to submit to the L.A. Planning Commission. This Commission will hold a hearing December 8th and we will be there to make sure these dangerous zoning shifts have not been included in the Hollywood Community Plan. We'll remind you of that meeting as we get closer to it.

It is impossible to understate the lasting damage that will result if items 1, 2, and 3 below are implemented. They would forever destroy our community north of Hollywood Blvd.

SAMPLE EMAIL - Use this or your own email - but send ASAP.

To: mary.richardson@lacity.org

Subject: Hollywood Community Plan Dangerous Zoning Changes Opposed.

1) SA 4.9, 4.10, 4.11: The plan is proposing to allow the businesses on Franklin Avenue between Canyon and Tamarind to be able to triple in size (from 0.5:1 to 1.5:1). There is already insufficient parking available on the streets in that area. Most of the buildings were built before parking spaces were required on the property. The traffic on Franklin Avenue is already congested to a crawl every day. Any increase would make the situation a nightmare. There are too many non-residents visiting the Franklin Strip businesses (bars, restaurants, etc.) and parking in the area. The community is suffering from the impacts of people wandering through the area after midnight when the bars close and from the associated noise. The character and health of the neighborhood will be lost if these businesses are allowed to triple in size/density.
 
2) SA 4.3B: The plan is proposing to change the zoning of the apartments at Argyle and Yucca and the grove of trees at the former Little Country Church of Hollywood to commercial space and to more than double the floor area ratio (from 2:1 to 4.5:1). The area is already heavy with commercial projects and three more are on the way. No more encroachment into residential areas should be allowed. The Little Country Church of Hollywood was designated a Historic Cultural Monument and the land, including the trees that were brought from all parts of the globe, should remain so. There should be efforts to either create a park dedicated to the memory of the Little Country Church or some other appropriate landmark project. There is already a surplus of existing undeveloped and under developed commercial space on Hollywood Blvd. Blvd6200 south of this property is breaking ground soon, negating the need for more commercial property. This is truly an effort to pave paradise and put up a parking lot.
 
3) SA 4.3: The plan is proposing to increase by 50% the floor-area ratio (from 3:1 to 4.5:1) on all four corners of Hollywood Blvd and Vine St. and both sides of Vine St. up to Yucca St. This change would allow the projects planned and in the planning stages to be skyscrapers. The Metro Station should not dictate density when the surrounding infrastructure cannot support the growth. This is the area where the Millennium Project is planned. That project, if approved under the existing plan will be two 40-story buildings! If the new plan is approved they could be even larger. This zoning change would turn the area into a Manhattan-style skyscraper zone. That kind of development belongs in downtown L.A. and along Wilshire Blvd. It would ruin the whole look and feel of Hollywood. Metro stations are for moving residents from our residential community to the business centers of town yet this proposal aims at creating a metropolitan center of

Will this be the future for Hollywood & Vine?

congestion around each station. The infrastructure is not capable of sustaining the increase in traffic resulting from this new density.

4) The former

Caltrans lot located on the north east side of Franklin at Dix & Ivar that was transferred to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy needs to be designated as open space yet it is not listed or even acknowledged in any way as part of the proposed Hollywood Community Plan. This land was purchased with funds contributed by the MRCA bonds, the neighborhood and private donors. Please include this in the plan.

I hope you will include these changes in your report to the L.A. Planning Commission.    

Sincerely

 
Your Name and Address Here

Recent fire drill causes problems on Deronda - photo by Paul Martin Smith

The Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association is hard at work building a website to highlight viewing spots outside our area for that primo shot of the Hollywood Sign. The photo on the right was taken only weeks ago during a drill. This is Deronda just below Rockcliff. When tourist season starts up again, this narrow road gets packed with misguided tourists. This road is valuable to our emergency first-responders on their way to the access gate at the very top of Deronda.

What if tourists could use this new website as a guide to get that photo and see park areas that were built for their enjoyment? We are working with WordPress and using a Swift Theme. If any of you out there are familiar with this software and want to help guide us in this effort, we're happy to work with you.

Also, when the weather gets brighter and crispier, we will be taking shots of the journey up into Bronson Park and the Caves. We're also planning on outlining the hike and the drive up to the Griffith Park Observatory and some of the highlights of that area. Are there other areas that tourists might enjoy that would also provide a great opportunity for a photo of the Hollywood Sign? Would you like to share those spots with us?

Your help is greatly appreciated and now is truly the best time to build and expand this site.

Check out the progress so far. It will be changing a little bit at a time every day:

 www.TheHollywoodSign.org 

Please contact us at info@BeachwoodCanyon.org or call 323-462-BCNA (2262).

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Open your pantry for those less fortunate

We are thankful for all we have. Let's now share and give to the community in need. Cheremoya will be collecting canned goods for our annual Canned Food Drive.

Monday Nov 14, through Friday, Nov 18 you can drop your donation in the marked containers located in front of the main office of Cheremoya Avenue School (Beachwood/Franklin/Cheremoya).

Thanks in advance for your help this Thanksgiving Holiday.

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By Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom Labonge

There's never been a better or more important time to consider volunteering your time and talent in the City of Los Angeles. And with the season of gratitude and giving right around the corner, won't if feel gratifying to give something back to your community?

The City continues to face financial challenges that have resulted in significant staffing shortages and resulting cuts to City services. I therefore urge those who are able and willing to volunteer in whatever way they can to make the City of Angels and better place to live.

Tom Labonge in our Village 2010

The National Park Service has a "Volunteer in Parks" program encouraging Americans to care for the country's park system. As a "Volunteer in Parks" member, participants work along side the National Park Service staff and greatly contribute to park operations. The program allows volunteers to perform a wide variety of functions, including, but not limited to: design of visitor brochures, photography, museum artifact preservation, campground hosting, nature walk guidance as well as cleanup efforts.

I introduced a motion in the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee this summer that has now been approved by the full City Council, calling on the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) to report with recommendations on establishing a "Volunteer in the Parks" Program in Los Angeles, similar to the one operated by the National Park Service, to further enhance RAP's volunteer program and maximize volunteer service during this budget crisis. Think of the implications for Griffith Park!

Everyone has something to offer. If you are passionate about preserving open space in Griffith Park or providing homeless services in your community or if you want to devote some time to your local library branch, you'd be an excellent volunteer and a tremendous asset to your neighborhood, your community and the City of Los Angeles.

Reprinted by permission from the November 2011 issue of the Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com 

On November 8, 2011 between 2:50 a.m. & 3:00 a.m. a car traveling southbound on Beachwood Drive ran the stop sign at Scenic Avenue and struck a parked Mercedes Benz on the South/West Corner of the 2100 Block of Beachwood Drive on the west side of the street.

New neighbor wakes up to result of hit and run driver.

There was no evidence the suspect vehicle ever applied the brakes and the impact was so great that the Mercedes was pushed about 4-6 feet forward into another parked car. A resident witnessed the suspect vehicle to be a Jeep/Chrysler type SUV, possibly silver in color with severe front end damage, which fled the scene after backing out of the trunk of the Mercedes dragging car parts southbound on Beachwood Drive. Some parts of the accident were dragged all the way to the 76 Station at the corner of Beachwood Drive & Franklin Avenue, where it was believed the suspect vehicle proceeded west bound on Franklin due to the location of the parts found. There were parts with possible identifying markings from the suspect vehicle at the scene of the incident which we are hopeful can be traced to the suspect who we urge to come forward to the LAPD.

Please be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle in the neighborhood and if observed report it to the police immediately. The victim of the incident just moved to Beachwood Drive November 7th and was supposed to start a new job today and is now without a car. Please be alert as this is not how we want new neighbors to be welcomed to the neighborhood.

If you see anything, here's the victim's email: socalsweet99@yahoo.com.

Thanks to Gregory Randall for sharing this information.

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Please plan to attend and support local neighbor, Remy Jaffe. Stop by his booth at the Studio Sale.  

Xiem Clay Center

www.xiemclaycenter.com

1563 N. lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

626-794-5833

Friday, Nov 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Find Remy Jaffe's booth. Support local artists!

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Plan a great evening!

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Please check him out.

Chuck's owner passed away - he's a favorite in the shelter but needs a home right away.

Here's what Chuck says:

"My name is Chuck and I'm a neutered male, tan Golden Retriever and Chow mix. The shelter staff thinks I'm about 10 years old. I've been at the shelter since September 27, 2011. Please come get me as I'm used to being in a warm home with my loving elder owner."   

Owner passed away - Chuck needs a loving home.

BurbankAnimalShelter@ci.burbank.ca.us  

contact@thevbas.org