Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association

FALL 2003 Newsletter

LVNOC Update

During early summer the LVNOC [Local Voluntary Neighborhood Oversight Committee] and the city began to rethink the drawings which the community had so vehemently opposed. As the reader may remember, the greatest source of controversy had to do with the fact that the city was planning to cut 164 trees along the hills surrounding the play and picnic areas. At the time, the city proposed to replace this beautifully chaotic landscape with a series of retaining walls and ornamental plants. Luckily they were stopped by the passion and overwhelming consensus of nearby residents.

Late this spring we were told by the city that the project would have to be under construction by the summer or the funds would “dry up”. The LVNOC was then challenged to redefine a scope of work for the city designers to use as their guideline. After a bit of neighborly hustle and tussle we agreed on 14 major items (full list available at www.smcca.org ).

Within the city, the project design and management has changed hands at least twice and that has led to a delay. Fortunately they found a way to make it so funds won’t “dry up” after all. They are doing this by designating their own General Services Department as contractor. We were all relieved to have a little breathing space.

Thanks to the breathing room, I personally have had the opportunity to take a close look at an issue of great interest and concern: the proposed stairs connecting the parking lot to the picnic area. This idea was salvaged from the original Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks proposal and never seemed to get the attention it deserved. I got more and more involved in the subject of stairs that move through the existing foliage delicately yet are sturdy.
During this process, I observed different solutions to the problem in state parks where interventions are infinitely less invasive than the standard city park fare. I ended up with a fairly detailed proposal which still needs the input of the city’s designers and hopefully a civil engineer. The stairs would be somewhat z shaped as it meanders down close to the soil. Because there is an effort to work with the terrain, the stairs may not need the intermediate railings or solid walls that would make them bulky and intrusive.
The proposed landings and treads are wood over a concrete base and concrete edges. Steel handrails are attached perhaps only on one side. Right now Alice Gong and her crew at LA City Parks is working on incorporating these ideas and the input of members such as Nelson Willis and Carl Mellinger who, among other things, are taking a closer look at the proposed sprinkler system to make sure that it is effective and safe for oak trees.
There has been great enthusiasm and involvement in this project. We, the LVNOC and other neighbors continue to stay involved and keep a close eye on the project.

TOWARD A LIVABLE CANYON

Why do otherwise law-abiding citizens continue to allow gardeners to use illegal gas-powered leaf blowers? Would they drive without seat belts, endangering themselves, their family and innocent bystanders? Would they purposefully run through boulevard stops or smoke in “No Smoking” areas, putting others at risk?

What risk? Noxious fumes and unused gas and oil spit out from these two-stroke engines. According to an ARB study, after each use of a gas-blower, the air is polluted for days with minute, harmful Particulate Matter [PM] composed of pesticides, animal feces, pollens, molds and chemicals, particles of worn tires and dried motor oil from the street. This toxic airborne soup is blown into our homes, becoming a component of the very air we breathe. PM is permanently lodged and slowly builds up in our lungs. Children and others with asthma, allergies or pulmonary problems are more immediately and seriously affected.

The distractions caused by unwelcome sound, especially when it cannot be avoided in our own homes, make it unbearable. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, unwanted noise poses a health problem, as well as a social irritation, causing stress, anxiety and anger. The leaf blower fits this description perfectly.

What can you do? Gardeners, themselves added the requirement to LAMC 112.04(c) that employers also be fined, claiming that they would be required to use blowers by their employers, or be fired. Let them know this is not true.

1. Instruct your own gardener to use a rake, followed by a broom clean up. Blowers are used for longer periods for dust and debris on sidewalks, driveways and streets than for leaves on landscape.*
2. Instruct your gardener not to hose-down hardscape where the runoff will not flow into landscape. Water is the slowest, and most costly alternative.
3. Inform your gardener which areas do not have to be immaculate, but only “broom clean”. Where a few leaves or a little dust left when he is done will not matter, or even be noticed. This may vary at different times of the year. Perhaps your pay schedule could reflect this.
4. Email info@zapla.org for yard sign information, or make your own.
5. Inform your neighbors of the law and insist upon compliance.
6. Report a blower in progress to the official, but not-always-helpful, City report line at 877-275-5273, and ongoing, continuing blower violations to the Street Use Inspector at 213 485-3711.
7. Report each and every violation to our neighborhood prosecutor for West Los Angeles, Susan Strick at 310 575-8743 or 310 575-8745.
8. Report also to Lead LAPD Officer for West Los Angeles, Chris Ragsdale office, 310.575.8423 or voicemail 213 509-7002.
9. Give this newsletter to a neighbor who is not in compliance with the law.

For this law, other pertinent laws, and links to the ARB study on leaf blowers and other health facts, consult www.zapla.org. If you do not have Internet access, use a Los Angeles Public Library computer.

*Sidebar: Make it easier for your gardener.
?– Stack outdoor furniture and/or group it together and cover it to the ground.
?– Edging, in most cases, does not have to be done weekly, and can easily be done with a quieter, electric model. Provide several exterior electric outlets, and appropriate extension cord.
?– Provide easily movable trash bins, tarps and a tall handled “dust pan” for collecting leaves, dust and debris. These can easily be emptied into the trash or onto a tarp with one hand.
?– Select areas that can be cleaned on alternate weeks instead of every week.
?– Have trees trimmed just before heavy leaf-fall begins.
?– Ask your gardener how a landscape change could make the job easier.

Board Activities

The SMCCA is governed by a volunteer Board that meets the first Tuesday of most months at 7 pm at the Park, with exceptions for election days and holidays. Our Agendas are posted on our web site and may be emailed to you upon request. All members are welcome. Our next Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2004. Here are highlights of our activities since our last annual meeting..
Actions for a Cleaner Ocean. The project to divert our dry weather urban runoff to the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant has resulted in the upgrade of our beach from a Heal the Bay grade of “F” to “A.” The Board urged the City implement diversion year-round [except during rainy weather] instead of the originally planned mid-April to October timing. We have followed up with the City’s Watershed Protection Division, the Board of Public Works and the EPA to force this desirable change. Necessary contracts with participating cities have been prepared. Unfortunately, the system was not designed for remote control of diversion valves, despite our suggestion prior to the project. We have made suggestions for alternate means to control the valves, including by association volunteers or other City workers. We await reply to these suggestions and hope the WPD will think "out of the box."
Traffic Issues. Traffic is a continuing source of complaints. Commuters want to quickly navigate favorite shortcuts. Residents need to exit their driveways safely. As suggested by the neighborhood traffic study committee, edge lines have been painted on Entrada as a traffic calming measure. This is not a parking or passing lane and may only legally be used by cyclists. Also, the signal timing at the traffic light at Canyon School has been changed to reduce speeding. The "smart cross walk" has been implemented at Short Street and other suggestions are being investigated.
Death in Traffic. Recently, a resident's dog was struck and killed by a car in the upper canyon. The Municipal Code requires all dogs to be restrained on a leash of no more than six-feet in length. Unfortunately, an occasional rambunctuous animal or even a child may run into traffic. Traffic safety is everybody's job and we all need to be aware that often the persons who may be driving too fast on our narrow streets are . . .us! A reminder, 30 mph is the limit on Entrada and 25 mph on local streets or when school children are present.
Park Enhancements. Phase one tree planting at Canyon Park has been completed and addtional trees for the unshaded picnic area are the next priority. In addition, the SMCCA advocated and the Recreation and Parks department installed a woodcrete "split-rail" fence to keep vehicles off the front lawn after the park is closed.
email Alert System. Our alert system provides rapid notice of important matters to members with email access. Alerts have been sent re matters of public safety, Park trees, project status, and coyotes. Lists are not sold or shared and are used only to transmit information to members. Stay informed by including your email address with your membership renewal. If you request, we will send you Board Agendas by email. Agendas also are posted on our web site, www.smcca.org.
SMCCA Vision Statement. The Board has been discussing the development of a statement of Common Values / Principles for a possible neighborhood plan, residential height district or local zoning plan to include a possible overlay zone and floor area limits. The preliminary draft statement includes the following key points:
¨Landscaping. The current prevailing landscaping, especially the trees, has attracted many Canyon residents and is to be cherished and protected. Environmentally sensible relationships to the outdoors are desired.
¨Parking. Expanded houses require expanded on-site parking. There should be no Hillside “hardship” waivers re off-street parking
¨Scale of development. Houses should be kept to a scale proportionate to lot size and neighborhood conditions
¨Cultural History. The cultural history of the canyon should be recognized.
Please send us your ideas on this important issue