Brentwood Community Council

September 5, 2006 Meeting Highlights

Sep 30, 2006

NEW PRIVATE SCHOOLS ALTERNATE ON BCC ?– At the September 5th meeting, the BCC approved the addition of Danielle McFadden as Private Schools Alternate.

CRIME UPDATE ?– In the absence of Sr. Lead Officer Phillip Enbody, Dennis Hinman provided the Crime Report, stating that crime is down 16% in West Los Angeles. Mr. Hinman also announced that the WLA Community-Police Advisory Board has formed a Graffiti Task Force to eradicate an ongoing graffiti problem in the alley between South Bundy Drive and Gretna Green Way, north of Goshen Ave. and south of Dorothy Street. The suspects are two to three young white males seen driving in an older model white 4-door Volvo between the hours of midnight to 3:00 a.m.

FREE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CLASS ?– Public Safety Representative, Bette Harris announced that the Los Angeles City Fire Department is providing free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) disaster preparedness classes on six Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., starting on October 18th at the Cheviot Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Avenue in Los Angeles. (Cross Street: Pico Boulevard.) The class will include earthquake preparedness, fire suppression, triage, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology, rescue team organization and management, and terrorism awareness. Must be 18 or over to attend. For more information: www.cert-LA.com or www.disasterprep.liejournal.com. To RSVP, call (310) 485-0324.

PUBLIC COMMENT ?– Chuck Dorman, Director, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System spoke about his commitment to work with the community and to have an open and transparent process for all projects proposed for the West LA VA Campus. Mr. Dorman presented the Fisher House as a very good program to site on the Campus for Veterans and their families, and he said this project should be supported by the BCC. Chairwoman Rosen clarified the longstanding BCC position, which is that the 1998 Congressionally mandated land use master plan must be fulfilled prior to the approval of any projects. This will prevent piece mealing projects so that the best uses for Veterans can be determined which are consistent with the surrounding community. Mr. Dorman stated that he did not support a land use master plan and indicated that he would not complete a land use master plan. Flora Gil Krisiloff commented that she was aware that the West LA VA is requesting an exemption from CARES to build housing for UCLA faculty and the Veterans State Home staff. Ms. Krisiloff asked why an exemption from the VA CARES process was being sought since this would circumvent the public process. Additionally, why is housing for non-Veterans being pursued when there is a great need for affordable housing for Veterans? Further discussion ensued and Mr. Dorman ended his public comment by announcing that the Fisher House is going to be built on the West LA VA Campus whether the community supports it or not.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 11 UPDATE ?– Andrea Epstein, Field Deputy to Councilman Bill Rosendahl announced that City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo had presented Loretta Ditlow with the Los Angeles Pearls/Senior Citizen of the Year Award. The City Attorney honored Ms. Ditlow for the vast body of work and accomplishments she has achieved over the years. Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen also acknowledged Ms. Ditlow?’s many contributions by adding, ?“You are our pearl as well.?” Council concurred with applause.

Ms. Epstein recapped the construction planned for the left-turn lanes for Sunset Blvd. eastbound to Riviera Ranch Road and Mandeville Canyon Road and a right-turn pocket installed at Sunset westbound to Mandeville Canyon Road. The Council Office has not received an exact date of construction and plans to look into the utilities that will be affected. The Bureau of Engineering estimates that construction will start within a month. Chairwoman Rosen asked that the community be alerted so they can avoid Sunset if possible during construction.

Regarding Hotel Angeleno, Ms. Epstein stated that the hotel had been sent a notice of noncompliance and must conform to the original Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.) by September 22.

BCC REITERATES VITAL NEED FOR LAND USE MASTER PLAN ON WLA VA CAMPUS - Chairwoman Rosen spoke about the three different land use issues at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Campus: the 400 acres subject to the CARES process, pending a decision by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nicholson; the Army Reserve property at Federal and Wilshire Boulevard; and the FBI Headquarters, proposed for a site adjacent to the Federal Building. Chairwoman Rosen read a letter from Congressman Henry Waxman regarding the importance of implementing a land use master plan at the WLA VA campus before various land use proposals are considered. Waxman?’s letter states, ?“I am currently working with Senator Feinstein and Supervisor Yaroslavsky to ensure that the land use master plan will be implemented prior to the completion of CARES.?” The Chairwoman suggested sending a letter of thanks to Congressman Waxman, Supervisor Yaroslavsky, and especially Senator Feinstein on behalf of the BCC.

Flora Gil Krisiloff moved that Chairwoman Rosen reiterate in a letter to elected officials and interested parties the BCC?’s long standing position that the 1998 Congressionally mandated land use master plan for the West LA VA be completed immediately, and that the BCC will not support piece meal projects. Ms. Krisiloff explained that piece meal projects lack public process and undermine the purpose of the land use master plan process. The BCC policy is consistent with the positions of Senator Feinstein, Congressman Waxman, and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who have recently reiterated the demand for the Congressionally mandated land use master plan. Ms. Krisiloff noted that Senator Feinstein recently authored legislation, which calls for the completion of the land use master plan prior to the completion of the VA CARES business plan process. Furthermore, CARES has halted new capital projects other than the State Veterans Home, Veterans National Park, expansion of the Cemetery and co-location of VA offices at the Federal Building over to the WLA VA Campus. Jackie Raymond seconded the MOTION, which passed with one abstention.

UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE PROJECT ?– Jeff Melvoin, Co-President of University Synagogue discussed plans to renovate the 60-year old building including modernization and upgraded security. The project involves sprucing up the interior entranceway as well as the exterior, and beautifying the front on Sunset Boulevard. Proposed plans include adding two stories of administrative space, and improving traffic flow. According to Architect Andrea Cohen Gehring, a system of open and solid fencing will be created for the side facing Sunset Boulevard as well as landscaping. A drop-off and queuing area will be introduced and fountains proposed. Most of the building will remain intact except for the eastern most corner that will receive the addition. A new elevator tower will contain a beacon lit at night. Regarding signage and lighting, Mr. Melvoin said the Rabbi plans to be a good neighbor.

Responding to questions, Mr. Melvoin said that the number of students will not be increased and the project is expected to start next October with duration of ten to fourteen months. Plans have already been submitted to the Planning Department. There will also be a traffic and haul route plan to be determined with the input of the neighboring private schools.

Chairwoman Rosen put together a committee of BCC members and community leaders to review plans, and work with the Synagogue to address the community?’s concerns including standards for lighting and signage.

BCC OPPOSES PALAZZO ENTERTAINMENT?’S PROPOSAL FOR VA GROUNDS ?– Media/Public Relations Representative Gerry Furth-Sides spoke of Palazzo Entertainment?’s Cirque du Soleil type project in three words: ?“traveling?…temporary?…and tent.?” Shows would be performed six nights a week from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. from February to June. The tent would accommodate three hundred guests per night. Tickets would range from $100 to $150. The Council opposed this project because it would be sited on the VA Campus but would not serve Veterans?’ interests, and there has been no analysis of the adverse impacts on the local community.

Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce President Jay Handal said that the Chamber cannot support this proposed use of the VA land, because it does not satisfy the mandate to benefit veterans and also because the Congressionally mandated land use master plan must first be completed.

The BCC passed a MOTION proposed by Jackie Raymond opposing the project. Chairwoman Rosen explained to Ms. Furth-Sides and Jonathan Carmi, Vice President, Operations, that the Council did not oppose the project itself, but rather the proposed use of land that has been dedicated for use by and for the benefit of Veterans.

NEXT BCC MEETING: TUESDAY, October 3, 2006 ?– The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Kaufman Library. The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are usually held in the Community Room of the Brentwood Kaufman Library. The BCC agenda is posted at the library one week prior to the meeting date. To receive the BCC?’s monthly agenda by e-mail, contact Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen at RosenFree@aol.com or visit the BCC website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/brentwoodcc.