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Thanksgiving is past; we are now into the home stretch of the annual holiday marathon. I hope that all had a wonderful day of thanks and that everyone is better prepared than I am for the Christmas holiday that will be here before we know it. You will be challenged to find time to read the eLetter, as I will be challenged to find time to write it. But there are things happening that need to be brought to the attention of the Eagle Rock Community, even in these busy times.
Planning Ordinance Update: Based on what I read in the LA Weekly, the ordinance that was recently passed to refine the planning process for developers provoked great concern. A follow-up article, printed in the Los Angeles Downtown News, had a very different view. Chris Martin, a principal at architecture firm AC Martin was quoted as saying "This is the most significant step forward I've seen in all the years I've been at this." The fact that a community activist publication (LA Weekly) and a commercially oriented journal (LA Downtown News) took strongly opposing positions further fuels my concern that the community's ability to influence development is at risk.
As per my request, I recently had the opportunity to discuss TERA's concerns with our Council Member, José Huizar. At the outset of the discussion, I readily acknowledged that the current process is cumbersome and unduly burdensome to developers. There is no question that it should be improved. However, the re-engineering process needs to be careful to not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The remainder of my comments on this topic at this time is made without the benefit of having read the ordinance. My thoughts are founded on what I have read in various media and the meeting with José and members of his staff. The Council Staff promised to provide a summary of the ordinance for TERA's review.
Council Staff explained that a primary thrust of the new ordinance is to expedite all projects, but especially projects that fall within all proscribed guidelines (zoning, Specific Plans, etc.), and require no approvals for exceptions or variances. Projects that meet all established guidelines without exceptions would be quickly approved with little or no public scrutiny. Of prime importance, adherence to the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan would be preserved. From our conversation, the voice of the community appears to be the factor that is at most risk. Today, a period of public comment is not an absolute mandate for projects that would receive a virtual automated approval in the future. However, the current process does bring each project to the attention of the CD-14 Council Office. The Council Office typically strongly suggests that the developer conduct a dialogue with community representatives. I am not certain, but fear that the new streamlined process may be so slick that the Council Office will not even be privy to new projects.
Especially for projects that are mixed use or commercial, there is an implicit benefit of public feedback. For these types of projects, meeting all planning guidelines does not necessarily mean that the specific nature of the project fits into the fabric of the community or meets community needs. Acknowledging that a developer has the right to open a business the community does not need or want, the developer's potential for success increases when they can move forward with an informed view of the community's opinion. When Eagle Rock Development Projects succeed, Eagle Rock benefits. Let's preserve the partnership that exists today because of the opportunity for public comment as part of the life-cycle of a development project in Eagle Rock. Other aspects of the new ordinance may provoke additional concerns once the ordinance is fully digested. Based on the comments I have reviewed from other sources, once again the devil may really be in the detail. Of specific concern is if the ordinances are crafted in a way that includes the specificity that will avoid broad or unintended interpretations. I am looking forward to reviewing the document.
Council member Huizar acknowledged the validity of TERA's concerns. It was his understanding that the ordinance has already been passed. He promised to revisit the contents of the ordinance, especially with attention to the concerns I expressed. If warranted, he will propose that the ordinance be returned to the City Council for reconsideration. One has to wonder,under the new ordinance, would the project at American Tire (see land use report below) have proceeded totally under the radar, without Council Office or community awareness? More to come on this important issue.
New Marijuana Dispensary: In the Land Use Portion of this eLetter, a potential new dispensary is addressed. Contrary to what many have stated, TERA's position is not anti medical marijuana. TERA simply wants all medical marijuana dispensaries to be permitted and fully in compliance with all regulations. We do feel that the proliferation of illegal dispensaries in Eagle Rock is a problem that needs to be solved.
Let Your Inner Entertainer Shine:
Be part of TERA's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner event next spring.
Many thanks to those who have already responded!
This spring we are planning a fun and memorable evening of camaraderie, conversation and dining. A festive opening reception will kick off the evening. Then everyone will proceed to dinner parties at homes throughout Eagle Rock.
That's where you come in. Please consider hosting six to ten people in your home that evening. The cost of food and drink would be your contribution to TERA and would be tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
The goal is to have a fun event were people can meet neighbors and make new friends. At the same time, you are providing the financial resources that allow TERA to continue working on behalf of the Eagle Rock Community. Please help us to maintain this tradition that was so successful in 2010. Contact Maura Duval Griffin (moduval@sbcglobal.net) for more information.
Is This Important to You?:
If you find the information in this eLetter meaningful, and appreciate the work TERA is doing on behalf of this great community, you should be a TERA member. Some of you are, and your support is greatly appreciated. Most of the responses I receive to the eLetter are positive. However, most of the respondents are not TERA members. If you are not a member and like what TERA is doing, go to http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm and join now. Memberships begin at only $15.
Please patronize these merchants, save a little money, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community.  Bob Gotham, President
American Tire - 1916 Colorado Boulevard:
Do we need another marijuana dispensary in Eagle Rock? I don't think so. We thought we were getting a series of new medical offices at 1916 Colorado Blvd. At least, that is what was reported at the Design Review Board meeting by the developer's representative. TERA did a little digging around and discovered that the corporation that owns the property is recorded on a list of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (permitted and not permitted). The list implies that a dispensary at the American Tire address exists, which it does not. Confirmation of our suspicion came when Michael Larsen, President of the Neighborhood Council, did a little research and found a "Hardship Exemption Application" filed for a dispensary at this address last year.
If this is a fully permitted dispensary, the 1916 Colorado Blvd. address is likely to not be in compliance with the new requirement to be located a certain distance from churches, schools, etc. TERA alerted the Council Office of the developer's apparent goals. It was requested that if the dispensary would not be in compliance with latest regulations, action be taken to prevent any further proliferation of illegal dispensaries in Eagle Rock at this or any other locations.
In 2011, Eagle Rock will celebrate its 100th Birthday. To celebrate the Centennial, a committee of local community members is working to present Special Events throughout the year to celebrate Eagle Rock.
Whether you have been at previous Centennial meetings in the past or have heard recent talk around town, it brings me joy to announce that our Councilmember, Jose Huizar, has generously donated funds for a
commemorative Eagle Rock Centennial Calendar. The calendar celebrates and highlights the history of the last 100 years (1911 - 2011) of our community, Eagle Rock. These calendars are printed and available for sale for the low price of $5. Great for yourself and gifts!
Calendars may be purchased at the following merchant locations:
Funds generated from the sales of our calendars will help cover planned events. Check out the dates in our Centennial Commemorative Calendar such as Centennial Celebration Kick-Off Event, February 26, 2011!
I encourage everyone within the community to participate. We are all volunteers working together to celebrate this once in a lifetime event, we need you!
To learn more on how you can get involved with Eagle Rock's 100th Anniversary, visit our website at htp://www.eaglerockcentennial.com or email us at eaglerock100th@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your support.
Join us in welcoming the New Century for Eagle Rock by helping us give our trees loving care on the morning of January 8, 2011. There are dozens of established street trees in our neighborhood that will never reach their full health and canopy unless we weed, prune, mulch, and water. Pavers that are currently girdling the trees will be removed, allowing the trees to finally breathe!
This is the first of a series of Centennial Year events that will be a collaboration between the Centennial Tree Planting and TreePeople.
Volunteers must register through the TreePeople website. (http://www.treepeople.org) This ensures that we know how many people will come and that we can plan enough work for everyone. For this reason, the exact location of the event will not be announced until closer to the event, and only to volunteers registered through the website.
Thanks for your patience with this registration process, and hope to see you there!
Median Committee Meeting The next meeting of the Median Advisory Committee will occur on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Eagle Rock City Hall, 2035 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, 90041. An email with the agenda will go out later this week.
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