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Thought for the beginning of spring: "Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" - Robin Williams
Why Not Here?
In response to the recent news that the LAPD had closed virtually all marijuana dispensaries in the North Valley (Northridge, Granada Hills and Chatsworth) TERA requested that the CD14 Council Office schedule a meeting with our representatives of the LAPD, so that we could better understand why Eagle Rock has not experienced the same level of success as depicted in reports regarding the North Valley. The meeting was recently held. Captain Murphy was the senior LAPD representative.
As has been the case in almost all meetings I have attended with the city, nothing is as simple as it appears; there are almost always challenges and obstacles explained that would only be known by the cognoscenti. We were not disappointed on this point. Getting substantive answers to questions is also never guaranteed, but was achieved at this meeting.
Captain Murphy acknowledged that a considerable number of dispensaries had been closed in the North Valley. However, he indicated that it was an over-statement to declare that all dispensaries in that area had been closed. The greatest success was probably experienced in the Chatsworth area.
With approximately 47 dispensaries overall in the Northeast Division, and 14 of the dispensaries located in Eagle Rock, it was agreed that Eagle Rock probably has the greatest density of dispensaries of any community in the Northeast Division. If you live in Eagle Rock this is probably no surprise.
As we turned to the pivotal question, Captain Murphy explained that his division continues to attempt to close dispensaries using their understanding of the law and guidance from the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's Office is responsible for assisting LAPD in understanding the law and actions they can and cannot take in enforcing the law. District Attorney Representatives who serve LAPD in the Northridge, Granada Hills and Chatsworth areas have provided guidance that empowers those LAPD personnel to take actions that have resulted in a large number of dispensary closures. In contrast, District Attorney Representatives who serve our local LAPD are more conservative, not allowing local LAPD to take many of the actions that have resulted in closures in the North Valley. Obviously, there is an opportunity for this to work better.
What is going to happen to make things better for Eagle Rock was the next topic of conversation. Captain Murphy explained that the inconsistent guidance from the DA's office was already recognized as an issue. He also indicated that additional training would help his staff. My sense is that the Captain was being straight with us, I believe we will see a gradual improvement in enforcement going forward. Identifying the problem is the first step to a solution. I feel that Captain Murphy has a clear vision of how to make it work better in the future and is committed to making it happen. TERA thanks CD14 for putting the meeting together and Captain Murphy for taking the time to meet with us.
State of the Town Meeting - Presentation On-Line
Go to http://www.tera90041.org/documents/TERAStateOfTheTown.pdf to view the presentation made by Councilmember José Huizar at TERA's public meeting on February 1.
Welcome Chase Bank
I think we can all agree that the building at the corner of Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevards looks better now than it has for years. TERA is very happy that Chase chose this location and made the decision to invest in renovating the building. However, there is one aspect of the building that we felt did not meet the requirements of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan. TERA expressed our concerns to Chase Bank. I am very happy to report that Chase has responded with a promise to address our concerns and not violate the guidelines of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan.
Using the Chase Bank project as a vehicle for readers to learn a little more about the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan, see further details of our concern, and Chase Bank's solution below in the Land Use section.
I am Not Going to Bother Calling …
This is a story of an Eagle Rock resident taking action and getting the positive response from government both in spirit and action. In late January MeHee Hyun noticed the safety compromises at Eagle Rock Park as a result of damage from the powerful windstorms that had brought havoc to so many parts of our community. Damaged fencing was the most significant issue. Ms. Hyun took the initiative to contact the Council Office, detailing the many safety issues, and asking the office to address the issues. As a courtesy, Ms. Hyun shared a copy of her email to the Council Office with TERA. When I followed up with the Council Office I very pleasantly discovered that the Department of Recreations and Parks had already completed a site visit and determined that the responsibility for remedial action resided with CalTrans. Zenay Loera, Northeast Director for Councilmember Huizar had communicated with Assembly Member Portantino's office, requesting CalTrans assistance. Portantino's office responded quickly and by the middle of March the fence had been repaired. A comprehensive safety review, to determine if any other safety-related actions are needed, is scheduled to take place by the end of the month.
This is an excellent example of what one person can accomplish. Too often I hear "I am not going to bother calling or emailing because nothing ever happens." While it is true that often that is the reality of a situation, this story is proof that it is not always that way. Don't let the mantra "I'm not going to bother because …" be an excuse for doing nothing! Follow Ms. Hyun's example and try to make change happen. Kudos to MeHee - she is my heroine today.
Public Meetings
Note the flyer below. The best way to assess the measure of a candidate is in person. Please plan on attending the Meet the Candidate meeting on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00 - Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.
 Bob Gotham, President
Not a member? Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm . Memberships begin at only $15.
Discounts are available for TERA Members at the following participating merchants. Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.
If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the eLetter, please email president@tera90041.org.
From the beginning Occidental College has supported the Take Back the Boulevard initiative. One more indication of the partnership the college has fostered with the community was evidenced at the last steering committee meeting when Mark Vallianotos joined the steering committee. Mark is the Policy Director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute and an Adjunct Professor at Occidental College. The knowledge and skill that Mark brings to our effort is invaluable. Welcome Mark!
The need to fully communicate with the community, making sure that Eagle Rockers have ample opportunity to express their opinions regarding how the Boulevard could be improved has been a key part of the plan from the beginning. For the next few weeks meetings will be scheduled with several individual Eagle Rock community organizations, providing the opportunity for feedback in a more intimate environment. It will also allow organizations to express opinions that may be unique to their specific community interests. In June the entire community will be invited to convene once more as we move closer to finalizing the elements that have been determined by the community and will be included in the final plan.
For more information regarding this initiative go to www.takebacktheblvd.org.
The initiative also will be found on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/takebacktheboulevard
Chase Bank - Specific Plan Concern
The Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan provides detailed guidance regarding the design of buildings located on Colorado Boulevard. The Plan attempts to ensure that the overall feeling on the Boulevard will be one of a vibrant, people friendly business community. Among the several guidelines in the Plan to help achieve that goal is a mandate regarding the amount of transparency (glass) that must be included in the walls facing the Boulevard and what will be visible:
"Transparency of Street Walls. At least 60 percent of the area of the first story Street Wall of any Project in Subarea II adjacent to Colorado Boulevard or Eagle Rock Boulevard shall consist of Transparent windows, doors, or openings affording views into retail, office or lobby space."
The Chase Bank plan does satisfy the requirement for the amount of transparency. However, as detailed in the original plan, the view would have been into a "dead space", an empty space that would be used for promotional signage displayed on a wall set back from the window and clearly visible from Colorado Boulevard.
We raised our concern to Chase Bank indicating that TERA would file an Appeal, effectively delaying the project, if our concern was not addressed. The Bank quickly responded with a solution that alleviates the dead space issue, thereby technically satisfying the Specific Plan's requirement of "views in retail, office or lobby space." The space that would otherwise have been "dead space" will now be developed as small meeting rooms. Optimally and most attractively, the view through the windows would have been a view of the lobby. That solution would have met both the letter and the spirit of the Specific Plan. However, given the advanced status of the construction, we feel that the Bank is making a good faith effort to reconcile an oversight without incurring unreasonable impacts to their budget or timeline.
A reasonable person could ask "why is this such a big deal?" It is the issue of precedence that motivated TERA to consider filing an appeal to this project. TERA does not want this project, in a very visible location, to establish the precedent of not respecting any aspect of the Specific Plan. It is true that we can unfortunately find locations where temporary signage, banners, etc. do not comply with the Specific Plan signage requirements. However, to my knowledge, all development or major rehabilitation projects, subsequent to the adoption of the Colorado Specific Plan, have complied with the Plan. Although we are not thrilled with the Chase solution, we are greatly appreciative of their efforts to comply with the Specific Plan. Most importantly, the solution alleviates establishing a precedent of not complying with the Specific Plan and that was TERA's primary concern.
The Eagle Rock Alumni Association invites one and all to the Gathering of Eagles - Honoring the 2012 Soaring Eagles Jim Albers W'46, Dana Wyatt W'64 and Lani and LaDell Stapp
Tickets are $30, no host bar. Early reservations are greatly appreciated! Deadline for ticket sales is April 23. For more information contact Mary Costa Denardo 323.256.1943.
Occidental College - 125 Year of Restlessness Join us to celebrate 125 years of restlessness. To kick off our yearlong celebration of Occidental's 125th anniversary this spring, we invite you back to campus to mark this special occasion with us. Founders Day 2012 will feature a carnival atmosphere with 1887-style games, a Ferris wheel, strolling singers, and roundtable discussions on finance, entertainment, and technology led by prominent Oxy alumni. In the evening at a festive dinner in Hillside Theater, President Jonathan Veitch will unveil his vision for the future of the College.
To register for Founders Day events click here: Founders Day - April 20, 2012
For more information, please contact Kimberly Uribe at kuribe@oxy.edu or 323.259.2523.
TERA members receive 10% off regularly priced merchandise at Owl Talk.
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