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Meetings
and News
Our annual board member
elections will be held in June. Any LCA member may nominate themselves
to serve on the board. Once the new board is in place, an internal election
will be held to fill officer positions.
We are also conducting
a membership drive. If you would like to join the LCA, please send a check
for $25 for your first year's membership to: Laurel Canyon Association,
P.O. Box 69A20, Los Angeles, CA 90069-0A20
Laurel Canyon
Community Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2006, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mulholland Tennis Club
LCA President Cassandra Barriere opened the meeting with a report on the
activities of the Laurel Canyon Association over the past year. She also
reported on the status of LCA as a member of the BelAir Beverly Crest
Neighborhood Council, one of the most respected NC’s, and the discussions
at the BABCNC meeting of 3/22/06.
Cass reported on a Special Planning and Land Use meeting on April 8 from
9 am to 1 pm at the Les River Community Center in Bel Air. The meeting
will address Hillside Development, Grading, and Excavation and is open
to the public. Details are at www.babcnc.org.
Cass also reported on a presentation at the BABCNC meeting on crime; crime
is down in our area. Gangs have moved west of the 405 Freeway.
Cass reported that Vice President Jim Nelson could not be at the meeting
because he has pneumonia. Jim is a member of the BABCNC Planning and Land
Use Committee; Board member Tom O’Rourke reported on Land Use issues.
Meeting participants asked for clarification on how LCA determines which
Land Use and Development issues to endorse. LCA works with residents,
stakeholder groups, and City agencies to manage development so that it
conforms to L.A. City regulations and is supported by Infrastructure (access,
haul routes, etc.). LCA supports the City’s Variance process as
a tool to determine the need for exceptions in specific cases. When disputes
arise among residents, LCA will act as an mediator to explain these processes
and sometimes, to help to resolve disputes. In certain instances, LCA
will agree among its Board to endorse a project or voice objection to
a project should it not conform to the standards of Canyon living. In
March 2006, LCA passed a resolution that all such endorsements or objections
would be approved first by Board members. Board members who wished to
voice their own opinions would identify them as such.
Krista Pleiser, Field Deputy for Councilman Jack Weiss (rep Laurel Canyon)
reported on a new City ordinance:
1) PROTECTED TREE ORDINANCE: There are now 4 species of trees protected
from removal or relocation, Oak trees, including the Valley Oak, California
Live Oak, and Scrub Oak; Southern California Black Walnut; Western Sycamore;
and California Bay.
And she reported on three new proposed ordinances:
1) An ordinance protecting mountain RIDGELINES is being studied by the
Los Angeles Department of City Planning. This would restrict construction
and preserve views of natural skylines.
2) A NUISANCE ordinance is also before City Council. The measure would
affect nightclubs, bars, and restaurants and would require a public hearing
to be held within 45 days after any violent crime took place at any of
these establishments. Hearing would help to determine whether the establishment
is in compliance with its operating conditions or if additional restrictions
need to be imposed.
3) An ordinance promoting GREEN BUILDING. If a project follows the guidelines
set forth in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green Building certification, Plan check fees will be waived.
For more information on these ordinances, please see www. lacity.org.
Krista also reported on GOOD NEIGHBOR CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES, a set of
requirements for all residential construction, that must now be posted
along with permits at all constructions sites. Practices include start
and stop times, restrictions on noise and construction on weekends, and
a number to call for complaints.
RESTRICTIONS ON LARGE DUMPSTERS; the Dept. of Building and Safety will
no longer issue permits for large dumpsters on our smaller streets, only
small dumpsters will be approved along with guidelines like placing reflectors
on dumpsters.
For information regarding specific construction projects or to voice a
complaint, Krista provided the following contact information:
LA Dept. Building & Safety: 1-800-LA4 BUILD
Krista.pleiser@lacity.org
Vice President Tom O’Rourke added that if anyone has a problem relating
to construction spilling into and blocking streets, to call the Fire Department.
Secretary Janet Hahn reported that elections for LCA Board members will
be held in June, according to the Association’s By-laws. A list
of requirements to run for a Board position will be posted on the web
site by April 15. There are currently 5 open positions for Board members.
Board members must also be members of LCA.
Janet also reported that membership renewals and a new membership drive
are underway.
Rick Sereeni reported on the LAUREL CANYON DOG PARK. There has been as
strong interest expressed in the community to reclaim part of the Park
for kids. Originally, the park was intended for both kids and dogs, where
dogs can run off leash. Over time, the kids play area has become overrun
by dogs and dirtied by dog feces, so that parents will not allow their
kids to use the park. As more young families have moved into the area,
there is a strong interest in returning part of the park to kids.
Rick proposed a needs assessment to divide the park and separate the two
areas. By a show of hands, the majority of the community members present
supported the proposal.
Funds are available from the City to accomplish the division and clean
up the kids’ area.
The process would
be as follows:
1) Inform the community of the need for a reassessment
2) Circulate a petition
3) Go to local bodies such as the Wonderland Avenue School and the BABCNC
for input
4) Ask for a resolution to be passed by BABCNC
5) Take the resolution to Councilmen Weiss and La Bonge (Laurel Canyon
East)
6) Ask the Commissioners of the Dept. of Parks and Recreation for the
needs reassessment.
Rick urged people who were passionate about the issue to become involved
on the committee.
A possible timeline could be;
1) A preliminary hearing in 1 to 2 months.
2) A resolution for a needs assessment within 5 months
3) By the end of the year there could be a decision.
LCA Member Ed Mann is looking for volunteers to become trained on CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team) techniques. If there is enough interest,
possibly a community training course could be held at Wonderland Avenue
School. If interested, please e-mail secretary@laurelcanyon.org.
Minutes Approved by the LCA Board on April 6, 2006.
For the latest newsletter
from Councilman Jack Weiss:
www.lacity.org/council/cd5/c05pr2a.htm
Believe it or not
there is a canyon newspaper serving a variety of neighborhoods in the
central Santa Monica Mountains area:
www.canyon-news.com
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Your Laurel Canyon Association
Emergency Information
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Geology and Climate
Early Canyon History
View From Lookout Mtn, 1906
20th Century Canyon History
Flora and Fauna
Residential Styles
Wonderland School
Recreation
Community Resources
Quality of Life Issues
What To Do: Fire
What To Do: Rain & Flood
A Blueprint For Paradise
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