Community meetings will be a key part of the future process. Initial meetings will include the sharing of relevant information such as traffic related statistics, analysis of the impact of alternative changes to the boulevard, safety data, etc. Below is a sample of the kind of information that will help us be more informed as the community makes decisions regarding the project.

In the latest series of ongoing enforcement raids by the Los Angeles Police Department, five more arrests were made for permit violations. The Department of Building & Safety also issued nine Orders to Comply to operators - this on top of the dozens of arrests and Building & Safety notices already levied against violators in the area.

Several months ago, Councilmember Huizar's office initiated meetings with LAPD, the City Attorney's office, the Department of Building and Safety. and others, including Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (Michael Larsen) and TERA (Bob Gotham), to work on a coordinated plan to address what is a growing problem throughout the City. The Mayor's Office joined in those regular meetings and the result is that the Northeast communities of Eagle Rock and Highland Park have become the focal point for an enforcement plan that will be replicated citywide.

The City Attorney's office is launching a pilot enforcement plan in Eagle Rock. Working with LAPD, they will dedicate two prosecutors to the area to deal with criminal and nuisance abatement enforcement.

Councilmember Huizar continues to work with the Mayor and the City Attorney on long-term policy changes to better regulate illegal massage parlors. An announcement on that plan is expected in the coming weeks

For more information, please contact the Northeast Field Office directly at (323) 254-5295.

Occidental College - Solar Energy Project: Occidental College has proposed a solar project, with solar panels to be installed on campus. Following is an introductory excerpt from a document published by Occidental College:

"As part of an effort to stimulate interest in alternative energy production, Occidental College proposes to install a 1-megawatt solar array on two undeveloped acres of the west-facing slope of Fiji Hill, and on cantilevered solar shade structures on an adjacent parking lot. The entire project would generate approximately 11% of Occidental's annual power usage. (Electricity accounts for more than two-thirds of the College's utility costs, and 75% of its direct carbon consumption.) The array would remove 1,250 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year - the equivalent of removing about 250 automobiles from the road. Half of the project's $7.7 million cost would be covered by a rebate from LADWP."

As part of the college's initial community outreach, Occidental College representatives met with TERA Board representatives and reviewed an early draft of the project proposal. TERA embraces the use of renewable and green resources. However, we also understand that adoption of new technology must be made with sensitivity to how it affects the immediate and greater neighborhood.

Our primary concerns were the loss of vegetation and natural habitat on Fiji Hill, and the potential glare factors to homes in the line of sight to the solar panels. We asked Occidental to more fully explore the potential for a smaller impact on the hillside by locating some of the solar panels on roof tops. Generously replacing the trees that would be lost on the hillside, elsewhere on campus was a second request.

In response to TERA's comments Occidental College conducted further studies to identify any missed alternate locations for solar panels other than Fiji Hill. No new opportunities were discovered but we now feel that the college made an earnest effort to identify alternate locations.

Responding to the inevitable loss of vegetation and natural habitat, the college has opened a hopeful and positive dialog with a powerful advocate for trees, Scott Wilson of Northeast Trees. It is his intent to urge for a replacement of trees greater than a 1:1 ratio. He is looking forward to a follow-up meeting with Occidental representatives in just a few days.

Finally, the potential for glare from the solar panels to be a nuisance for some residents in the area has been carefully studied by the college. The results of the study, as documented by Occidental, are as follows: "The calculation shows only neighbors roughly WSW to WNW of the array, and who can see the array, might see a reflection. Assuming sunny skies 365 days a year, a typical property might see a brief reflection between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., similar to the reflection off a car windshield, at a distance of three-quarters of a mile to a mile, primarily in June and July." This information indicates that the glare experienced by a select number of homes should not be extraordinary.

In addition to the institutional benefits, opportunities for larger community benefit from the migration to solar energy have been included in the negotiations with the manufacturer. Homeowners and small business owners in the 90041, 90042, and 90065 zip codes will be offered rebates on rooftop solar installations. The college will conduct solar power workshops for community members this summer. Finally, the solar installation will function as an educational tool.

Further outreach to the community is planned by Occidental College. In those meetings, the proposed project will be discussed in greater detail. It is inevitable and reasonable that concerns will be raised. The dialog between the larger community and the college, in order to discuss and hopefully resolve the concerns, is absolutely essential.

The TERA board appreciates the opportunity to offer comments and concerns early in the process. The developments, subsequent to our meeting with Occidental Representatives made us feel that our voice was heard and that the project moves in an environmentally positive direction. Consequently, TERA is happy to support this exciting project.