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Candidates Forum:
On February 8 the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock was packed. There were easily more than 200 people there, many reconciled to standing room only. The event was the Candidate Forum jointly hosted by TERA and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council.
We began the meeting by asking the candidates to make the following promise: "We would like to ask each candidate to publicly pledge, from now and for the remainder of their campaigns, to focus on community issues and solutions rather than personal attacks. Do you both agree?" Both candidates agreed to the pledge. We ensured that the questions posed (prepared confidentially prior to the meeting as well as submitted by meeting attendees) all focused on community issues. I have been told by many who have attended several of the candidate forums, that the pledge agreement and the nature of the questions created a tone and temper in this meeting was that distinctly different from other recent candidate meetings. This was an excellent opportunity to hear where the candidates stood on the issues.
Once again, the Eagle Rock Community showed that it cares about politics and that people with different political persuasions can sustain positive relationships. Many of my friends do not agree with my personal endorsement. However, that has not diminished the strength of our friendship or precluded us from having respectful conversations discussing our differences. My dream is that our representatives in Sacramento and Washington DC could model similar behavior.
Marijuana Dispensary - A Positive Report:
Once the initial ordinance regulating dispensaries was found unenforceable by a judge, many more new dispensaries popped up in Eagle Rock and throughout Los Angeles. Last June there were 12 dispensaries in the 90041 and 90065 zip codes. There is every reason to believe that the number escalated considerably above 12 in the interim. Today there are 9 dispensaries in our community, a move in the right direction. The LA City Council recently approved a new medical marijuana law. The new law establishes a limit of 100 on dispensaries throughout the city. Dispensaries allowed to continue to operate will be chosen by a lottery. Dispensaries must be located at least 1,000 feet from churches, schools and parks. Whether a lottery is the best way to choose surviving dispensaries is questionable.
As a final comment, TERA is not against the availability of medical marijuana at properly licensed and permitted dispensaries.
Massage Parlors - Not so Simple:
The first step in solving a problem is recognizing there is a problem. In that regard, I think we could say modest progress has been made on this issue. Even one massage parlor offering erotic services is illegal and negatively impacts the quality of life in a community. There is now wide-spread acknowledgement that there are many massage establishments offering erotic services in Eagle Rock. There are also many legitimate massage parlors here and they are not the subject of our attention!
The next step in solving a problem is often education. A prior eLetter indicated that the major problem was regulation (SB731) removed the ability of a city to regulate this business, moving all regulatory responsibility to the state. Since then, with the help of experts, I have become more familiar with SB731 and think it is more accurate to say that SB731 leaves considerable authority at the local level. However, brief but important language in the bill, which defines that massage parlors should be regulated at the local level consistent with a larger group of professional services, lends itself to interpretation. One of those interpretations is that massage parlors cannot be subjected to scrutiny that would not be employed with other non-massage businesses.
A second consideration is that if a sole proprietor or group of Massage Therapists working as a "spa" or massage business all have CAMTC (California Massage Therapy Council) certification, then the business become exempt from local zoning laws. Los Angeles treats massage establishments as adult entertainment. There is no mechanism, other than the verbal "promise" from the applicant, that all therapists are or will be CAMTC certified. The operative assumption here is that therapists who are CAMTC certified are legitimate therapists and would not be offering erotic services. Further complicating the issue is that the LAPD is unclear regarding the rules or enforcement.
Finally, the scarcity of government resources to provide the desired regulatory oversight is a factor, as it is in so many areas needing more enforcement.
Last week Michael Larsen and I attended at meeting at City Hall in which representatives the CAMTC (California Massage Therapy Council), members of the councilmember's staff, the city attorney's office, and the Vice Squad met to discuss alternative solutions. A substantive discussion of SB731 highlighted diverse understandings of selected aspects of the bill.
I probed as to why smaller cities surrounding Los Angeles and Eagle Rock in particular have been able to better manage this issue. Los Angeles' "deep pockets" (the greater risk of being sued because of the city's greater assets) and the paucity of regulatory resources were cited as the reasons Los Angeles could not implement similar control measures.
At the end of the meeting, promises by the City and CAMT were made to more carefully study SB731 so as to arrive at a clearer and consistent understanding regarding the measures the city could take. A possible amendment to SB731 and/or a new city ordinance were discussed with no final conclusion. In what I consider a bright moment of "thinking outside the box", the potential for the CAMT to become a more active resource in the regulation of massage parlors as a business will also be explored. Currently their authority is limited to matters relating to the certification of massage therapist. They have no authority over massage parlors as a business.
The problem is identified; we are deep into the education process. Now we look for action in the not too distant future.
Yosemite Recreation Center Attack
On February 3rd, a runner at the park was brutally attacked by several youths using skateboards as weapons. The runner's head was lacerated, his hand broken and broken ribs, neck and head trauma were also possible. All this brutalization was apparently in order to steal a cell phone. The injured individual showed up for help at the door of Michal Larsen, President of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, who lives in the area. Operating on the proven theory that if broken windows are fixed, crime goes down, Michael jumped into action immediately. Working with the Council Office Michael organized a cleanup of the park area on February 5, the weekend following the assault.
This is a beautiful park that is somewhat remotely located. Many Eagle Rockers do not know it exists. It is not unusual for there to be few people in the park, providing greater opportunity for those who would take advantage of others. In the past, there had been some talk of a dog park located in a section of the park. This might provide a presence in the park that would deter others who are criminally minded. Let me know your thoughts on a dog park at this location.
Membership Has Benefits - Welcome to Nest Studio:
Nest Studio is an interior and product design atelier located in Eagle Rock. Jessica Ahnert Davis, founder of Nest Studio offers interior designer services for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces - no project is too small or too large. She also has a line of bedding that she sells through her online storefront. Visit her blog to read about local design and culture and shop her store at http://www.nesteaglerock.com. TERA members receive 10% off on interior design services and bedding and also get free shipping by emailing her at jess@nesteaglerock.com.
Discounts are available for TERA Members at the following participating merchants. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.
Please patronize these merchants, save a little money, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community.  Bob Gotham, President
Colorado Terrace East:
Colorado Terrace, located at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and College View, is arguably the largest development project in Eagle Rock for a decade or more. And it is a building that many people feel is too large. The orange color has few fans and undeniably contributes to the sense of scale and size. Kurken Alyanakian, the owner of the complex, wants to build a similar structure (Colorado Terrace East) directly east of the existing building. He asked several community groups, including TERA for their support.
What is not understood by many is that the Specific Plan includes differing criteria based on where a building is located. Sub Areas I and III allow for larger, more aggressive development than is permitted in Sub Area II. Sub Area II, the densest commercial area, follows Colorado Boulevard from Windemere Ave east to Loleta Ave. Sub Area I, where Colorado Terrace is located, proceeds west from Windemere to the freeway. Sub Area III proceeds east from Loleta to Eagle Vista Drive. The entire Specific Plan, including maps of the sub areaas, can be found at the TERA website: http://www.tera90041.org/specplan.htm
Several months ago the TERA Board met with Mr. Alyanakian in a large, very attractive community room at Colorado Terrace. For most of us, it was the first time we had visited the building. Details (renderings, project specifications, etc.) of the proposed project were shared by Mr. Alyanakian. We informally discussed our initial reaction and the widely shared feeling in the community regarding the size and color of the existing structure. Based on comments made by Mr. Alyanakian, I am certain he would choose more subtle colors for the building were the existing structure being built today. The other thing that must be acknowledged is that the structures surrounding Colorado Terrace are not developed to their full potential according to the Specific Plan. If they were, the current building would not so significantly dominate that part of the neighborhood.
Mr. Alyanakian's pride of ownership was evident as he conducted a tour of the facility. The entire building is pleasant, clean and has a somewhat upscale feeling. Maintenance standards appear very high. A great surprise was the large garden area in the rear of the building. Fruit trees, roses, shaded seating for residents and other outdoor amenities were an unexpected plus.
After careful study by TERA's Land Use Committee (Maria Nazario, Marina Rimer, Bob Gotham), and with considerable assistance from Michael Tharp, the following position was presented to the TERA board and unanimously approved. TERA provided a conditional approval for Colorado East. A summary of the conditions is as follows:
A full description of the TERA position and renderings of the proposed project may be found on the TERA website at http://www.tera90041.org/Landuse.htm. Look for Colorado Terrace in the Land Use Section.
I am happy to report that Mr. Alyanakian has agreed to not pursue the zone change; the sidewalk green-scape will be installed by summer if the vacant commercial space is leased or by year-end otherwise. More neutral tones will be used for the exterior of the new structure. Additional plantings will be incorporated into the exterior of the existing building to further soften the impact of that structure. Mr. Alyanakian is also very close to finalizing a lease for the large vacant commercial space with a merchant that I predict will be a very welcome addition to the community. TERA greatly appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with the owner of this important property.
5036 Ellenwood - Up in Flames:
The bungalows at this location will go up in flames as part of a movie production. Once the movie shoot is complete, the remaining structures will be demolished making room for a new development. Many have expressed concern regarding the loss of these picturesque structures.
One of TERA's goals is historical preservation and I agree that the destruction of history is wrong and we should do everything we can to preserve it. Having said that, it's not as easy as one would think. Just wanting to preserve something we find of value is not sufficient. The property owner has the right to do what they want with their property. We were unable to find any supporting documentation that met the historical and preservation guidelines that would provide a basis for protection of the bungalows.
The positive side to this is that the new homes are going to be LEED Certified Platinum and environmentally sound. A rendering of the new project can be viewed at the TERA Website http://www.tera90041.org/Landuse.htm. Look for 5036 Ellenwood in the Land Use Section.
Colorado / Hartwick Going Up:
Preparation of the lot is complete and construction has begun at this location. A rendering of the completed project is provided at the TERA website http://www.tera90041.org/Landuse.htm. Look for Colorado / Hartwick in the Land Use Section.
Alejandro Jimenez Jaramillo, a graduating senior at Eagle Rock High School, has been named on of more than 3000 candidates in the 2011 Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.2 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2011.
Inclusion in in the Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 47th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement. The 3000 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment Further consideration is based on students' essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 semifinalists in early April.
A couple of months ago a reader made an astute comment. His point was that in order to encourage multiple modes of transportation, wouldn't a bike rack in front of the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock be appropriate. It was a great idea, not just for adults who embrace the more healthy transportation mode of biking, but also for the many young people who participate in events at the center.
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock leadership applied to the city for the bike rack. Within a few weeks it appeared - proof that your comments do make a difference.
On Saturday, May 21, Eagle Rockers will come together for the 2nd annual Guess Who's Coming to Dinner event. Plans are coming together for another fabulous evening. If you want to get involved email president@TERA90041.org.
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