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Specific Plan at Risk? Sunday afternoon I went to Armon's for lunch. In addition to a great omelet, what I got was a serious scare about what may be going on in City Hall. My partner passed me a copy of the LA Weekly and pointed to page 16. On that page is an extended article concerning ordinances being passed that may reduce or eliminate the protection provided by community based Specific Plans. Here is the link to the article:
http://www.laweekly.com/2010-11-18/news/l-a-may-say-good-bye-to-eirs-and-public-notice/ I am sure, when you read the article, you will also find reason to be concerned. However, before we start any saber rattling, things are not always as they appear, even when they are found in a newspaper. I have made an urgent request to meet with our councilmember, Jose Huizar, to better understand what's going on. He has always strongly supported the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan. I will share with you the results of that conversation. You can count on TERA to fight any actions to reduce the protections of our Specific Plan. But first, we need to understand this issue from more than one perspective.
Median Banners: Merchants have been posting temporary banners in the median on Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. This is city property and posting banners there is both unsightly and illegal. According to the Council Office, the City has limited resources to police the inappropriate use of medians. Should you notice banners on medians, please email me (president@TERA90041.org) a photo of the banner, making it possible to identify the merchant. Also include the date, time and the approximate address of the banner location. I will encourage the Council Office to use this citizen assistance to crack down on this unsightly practice.
Center for the Arts - Bike Rack: One of the responses received regarding our last public meeting at the Center for the Arts was that a bike rack should be located at the Center to encourage alternate modes of transportation. I am happy to report that the Center has initiated a request for the installation of a bike rack.
Centennial Celebration:
TERA has taken a leadership role in planning for banners on Colorado and Eagle Boulevards as part of the next year's celebration. Details have been provided to the sign maker. We are now awaiting the cost quotation.
TERA is also providing administrative support to the Urban Forest Collaborative in their goal to plant new trees on main boulevards. I am happy to report that the Collaborative is receiving a $2,500 grant to support the project. Kudos to all who are supporting this effort.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - 2011: To those who responded to the first appeal, many thanks. To everyone else, please consider supporting TERA by hosting a dinner as part of our 2011 fund raiser. The 2010 event was a huge success. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, not just from dinner guests but from hosts as well. Please send me an email (president@TERA90041.org) and we will provide more information about hosting in spring, 2011.
Membership Has Benefits: Please patronize these merchants, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community. If you are not a member, please consider becoming a member now. You will know that you are supporting the quality of life in Eagle Rock. Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm and begin enjoying the merchant discounts.
On a lighter note, the TERA Board offers our wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving with this little bit of poetry:
 Bob Gotham, President
Colorado Terrace - Phase II:
Pride of ownership was strongly evident when the owner, Kurken Alyanakian, warmly welcomed several members of the TERA Board to Colorado Terrace last Saturday morning. Kurken's invitation to visit was in response to TERA's request to better understand the proposed Colorado Terrace - Phase II project. Colorado Terrace is probably the largest mixed use structure on Colorado Boulevard built in the last decade. As a result, any changes to the structure will have a noticeable impact on our community.
Like many Eagle Rockers, I have driven by the building for years with no clue as to what was inside. We met in a large, very pleasant community room on one of the higher floors in the building where we had a candid discussion. Then we toured the whole complex. It has an upscale feeling and is well maintained. To our surprise, virtually all apartments are occupied. The beautiful rose garden in the rear of the property was a great surprise as was the abundance of parking. More discussions by the TERA Board and potentially with Kurken are needed before we reach a position. Vons / Figueroa / La Loma - Addition:
For a couple of years we have known of Von's intention to add additional retail spaces adjacent to the existing supermarket. The design of the new development is still being refined, influenced no doubt by this less than robust economy. I have been assured that part of the final plan will include enhanced landscaping for the existing structure as well as any new development. Vons will share a rendering of the project once it has been finalized.
Occidental College / Swan Hall
Swan Hall is one of the historic Myron Hunt designed buildings on the campus. TERA studied the Swan Hall Rehabilitation - Environmental Impact Report and responded with serious concerns about the methods proposed for the rehabilitation. The historic credibility of this important building would have been significantly compromised with the proposed plan.
I am happy to report that Occidental has returned to the drawing boards, in an effort to adopt an approach more in keeping with historic preservation standards. This will likely increase the cost of the project, but better preserve the historic integrity of the structure. Kudos to Occidental for hearing and responding to the concerns expressed by TERA and other organizations. James Tranquada, Public Relations Officer for Occidental College, will present the revised plan to the TERA Board at an upcoming board meeting.
Q&A with LA's New Planning Director Occidental College Urban and Environmental Policy Institute and the LA Times will be sponsoring a Q&A with the city's new Planning Director, Michael LoGrande, on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in Johnson Hall Room 200. Times urban affairs and architecture writer Christopher Hawthorne will be the moderator. It's a public event, and we hope everyone will take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly to Mr. LoGrande.
BULKY ITEM DROP-OFF PROGRAM Bring your bulky items (couches, stoves, etc.) this Saturday to these dumpsters. If you are unable to, you can always call 3-1-1 to arrange a FREE future pickup. Please note that it is illegal to dump items on the street or sidewalk without making arrangements for collection.
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