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Parking Project Going to Planning Commission!
Details Could Damage Community

The streets near Colorado Boulevard are already parked bumper to bumper like here on La Roda on a typical Wednesday morning. Can it get much worse?

A plan to address the parking needs of incoming Eagle Rock businesses is advancing quickly through the process in L.A., which will have a sizable impact on the community of Eagle Rock, and possibly the entire city. The plan, called the "Community Parking Pilot Project" was started with funding from a State grant, attached to the storefront improvement program, both established and administered by the Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization corporation (ERCPR).
The pilot plan is the brainchild of Mott Smith of Civic Enterprise Associates. His firm was hired by the ERCPR to try to do something to address the parking dilemma faced by new businesses who try to open in Eagle Rock's commercial corridors.
Smith and associates came up with some interesting long term proposals and ideas, but mostly analyzed and defined the specific causes that make opening a pedestrian friendly business, like a restaurant in a historic or classic storefront, nearly impossible.
The biggest roadblock to opening a business like that is current parking requirements. The problem is that new businesses must provide parking for their customers, and the commercial lots in Eagle Rock are so small that there is hardly any room left on the lots to build a building after the required parking spaces are cut out of it. In fact, those same requirements all but completely prevent anything other than a newly constructed fast food style restaurant like one in a mini-mall from opening.
So Mr. Smith came up with a plan. He had gotten his inspiration from seeing how Old Town Pasadena solved their parking problem. Years ago, they were in a similar dilemma, and solved it partly by building huge parking structures, and partly by starting a "parking credit system" where businesses wanting to open could buy "parking credits" instead of providing the required parking. The number of credits related to the number of spaces available in the new parking structures, and once they were all sold out, no more could be sold.
A parking credit system for Eagle Rock would be similar, but instead of credits that relate to spaces in a parking structure, the credits would relate to unused street and public parking spaces identified in a parking survey. It sounds kind-of "iffy" and, well, it kind-of is.
But the parking survey was done of every public and private parking space within the Colorado Blvd. commercial area. The Mayor's and Councilman's office authorized LADOT (Los Angeles Department of Transportation) personnel to do the survey, and it was done in the summer of 2005. They do know how many spaces are available at every hour of the day and night in the Colorado Blvd. area.
Thus, the data was then available to construct a program that would sell parking credits to new businesses who need parking spaces to open. The program is down on paper now, and is going through the legislative process as an amendment to the Colorado Blvd. Specific Plan.
As I was just explaining the concept of the parking credit program, I'm sure that many of you, who are familiar with the parking situation in Eagle Rock, may be somewhat alarmed, knowing that parking on many blocks is impossible already. You may fear that allowing other restaurants in these areas will take an already difficult situation and make it impossible.
I was worried about that, too, when I first heard of the plan. But, at the four or five presentations I witnessed given by Mott Smith, he always added that the credits do signify a real parking space, and businesses will only be able to purchase credits that relate to spaces near their business.
So it seemed that all was well, that is, until I got a copy of the actual text of the plan. After I read it, I found out that all was not well. The actual plan allows spaces that are nowhere near a prospective business to be counted and sold as credits.
This would allow parking needy businesses like restaurants to be built close to restaurants already existing. The people who own these restaurants know there's a problem with parking. The people who patronize these restaurants know there's a problem with parking. And the people who live near these restaurants (like me) really, really, know there's a problem with parking.
On Vincent Avenue, next to Casa Bianca Restaurant, are people whose lives on five nights of the week are made miserable. They must make sure they get their parking spot by 4:00 p.m., or they'll have to park blocks away. If they are parked in a garage or driveway, they hope they won't have any emergency that they'll need to drive to, because they often find their driveway, and their exit, blocked by restaurant goers.
Sometimes they are appalled to find drivers so bold and blatant that they will actually drive right up and park on the front lawn. On my block, near Cafe Beaujolais, and the Thai place, even I must go halfway up La Roda on Friday or Sunday evenings to find a spot.
My point is, while it may be fine to sell credits that relate to spaces somewhere near a business, it is not fine to allow a place to open whose parking spaces are five blocks away.
It would be a shame to throw out all the work that has been done to create this plan, so maybe before it goes in cement, this part of the plan should go back to the drawing board.
Ideally, only credits relating to spaces within a one block radius of a prospective business should be sold to meet the business's parking requirements. That way, already overcrowded blocks, whose high parking usage is already identified in the survey, could not get another restaurant. That way, residents who already are in parking hell, would not find their situation getting even worse.
Another idea would be to "red flag" certain blocks. Some blocks are already over saturated with restaurants with insufficient parking (some with none at all!). Maybe new businesses wanting to open on these blocks should not be allowed to use the credit system.
Additionally, any parking plan that contains the words "Pilot Program" should be flexible enough to adapt and change to suit changing conditions, without needing an act of congress to change it. There is no flexibility in this program, it is a "one-size-fits-all" and it probably shouldn't be.
Furthermore, as it is a trial program, it should regularly be paused and reviewed to see how it is working and how it is impacting nearby residents. At present, it will only be reviewed every five years, but there is no requirement for public outreach to monitor its wider impacts. Perhaps every year, or after the first thirty percent of available credits are sold, the program should be required to reach out to residents within 500 feet of the program, as well as the businesses using the program, to see how it is affecting them.
There is a chance to change this plan before it goes in cement, and your voice will make a critical difference. If this plan goes through and there are no nearby residents to show up and express their concerns, it will most likely pass right through without a change. Anyone living within 500 feet will have the most impact, and if you live in the first two to three houses from the commercial area, so much the better.
The City Planning Commission is the next one to hear this plan, and they must approve it before it can proceed to the next level. They can send it back to the planning department for changes. It is a public hearing and you are invited to show up and express your opinions. It will be on Thursday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m. in the down town L.A. City Hall, room 1010.
If you would like to ride down in a bus or carpool, call me, Tom Topping, and I'll put you on the list to go. 323 255 1053

Drug Rehab Planned for Glen Iris
Meeting to be Held April 11
Residents on Glen Iris Street in Eagle Rock were alerted last month of a plan to convert an existing apartment complex on their street into a drug rehab facility, and have pleged to do everything they can to prevent it from happening.
Mia Barry, long time Eagle Rock resident who lives just across the street was alerted to the plan when a neighbor who was living in the apartment complex gave her a copy of the eviction notice. It was from owner, Hector Garza, and read, "I am giving all tenants a NOTICE OF 60 DAYS to vacate the apartments, because I am converting the building in (sic) a drug rehab facility called SPRING HEALTH HOUSE."
The apartment building, located at 5091 Glen Iris Avenue, is less than twenty years old and appears to be in good shape. The owner, Hector Garza, is an Eagle Rock resident.
The history of drug rehab centers like this one started with proposition 36, which mandated that drug offenders be given treatment instead of jail time. Prop. 36 remains controversial four years after it was passed by 61 percent of the voters in the year 2000. Opponents, including many law enforcement officials, say there are better ways to spend the $120 million the state appropriates annually to counties to run their programs.
The licensing program, run by the California Health and Human services agency, Department of Alcohol and Drug programs, has a vast website with step by step instructions on how to open a non-medical drug rehab facility. Included is information on how to overcome community opposition to a prospective facility, how to drum up community support, and how to identify areas of community support and opposition. Advice on how to get support from local media is there as well. There is apparently no public process required, and these facilities can generate from $900 to $3500 per month per bed for the owners.
The information of the vast website advises new rehad owners to pay attention to the proximity of liquor stores (7-11 is 1 block away) and schools, (St. Dominic is two blocks) when selecting a site for a facility. State Law created these facilities, and they may be funded by the county with medicare/medical funds. The only local approval mentioned is by the local fire authority, in this case the L.A Fire Department, who will determine the maximum number of beds allowed, that will comply with local fire regulations.
The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce has gotten involved, circulating a petition at their latest board meeting opposing the drug rehab facility. Chamber members living nearby have pledged to take on the fight as well, concerned that family members will be in danger when passing near the facility.
Meanwhile neighbor Mia has been calling her state and city representatives, and having her neighbors call as well. The City Councilman's office asked them to stop calling, saying they already knew about the problem, and the State Assemblyperson, Carol Liu, and State Senator Jack Scott's office have not responded yet to their calls.
Former Chamber President Michael Nogueira has tentatively scheduled a meeting on April 11 at the 20th Century Women's Club, where resident's can voice their concern's, if the proposed facility is not stopped soon. The city and state representatives will be invited and encouraged to attend, as well as the candidates for the 44th Assembly district, which Carol Liu now represents.

Local Business Man on Armenian TV
Local businessman Ray Patel, owner of the Welcome Inn on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, appeared on ABC-TV Live (Armenian Broadcasting Network) last week to inform the Glendale Community about the broken promises of developer Rick Caruso. Caruso, a former L.A. Police Commission President, developed the Grove near Fairfax, and is the developer for the Americana Mall at Brand and Colorado as well as another contentious development across from the Santa Anita Mall in Santa Anita.
The Glendale development sits right next to Mr. Patel's other property, the Best Western Golden Key motel. Patel feels that the proximity of the trash transfer facility directly across from his motel, will hurt his business as his patrons may be awakened in the early morning hours by the trash pick-up activity.
Early in the process, Patel had expressed his concerns to Caruso, who promised in writing that no trash loading would occur adjacent to the motel. Patel accepted that promise and did not oppose Causo at the public hearings. When final design plans were unveiled, the trash pick-up was still there, causing great dismay for Patel.
"All I want is for the man to keep his word," said Patel in a recent interview.
Glendale City leaders were not concerned about the broken promise and have ignored Mr. Patel's complaints. The interest of the Armenian media was piqued, as Mr. Vrej Agajanian, termed the most influential man in the four city area, (Glendale, Burbank, Montrose and La Cañada) was interested in telling the story. He invited Patel and his Lawyer, Jeffrey Springer, to appear and tell their tale on camera. It was broadcast live on Charter Cable channel 26, and is scheduled to repeat many times.

Amending the Specific Plan-
Will that also Expand It?
There is one thing I don't quite understand about this specific plan parking amendment, and it worries me.
While the specific plan's borders are well defined in the 1992 document, the parking pilot program extends beyond that. While the "Community Parking Pilot Area" stretches on Colorado between College View and Loleta Avenues, it also includes Eagle Rock Boulevard, and stretches south to Yosemite, which poses some questions:
Can the reach of a specific plan extend beyond it's designated boundaries?
Does the extending the parking pilot area bring with it the plan's other restrictions and requirements?
When two parts of a law conflict, which takes precedence? How will it be interpreted?
I know what you're thinking. Why don't I ask them? I would, except from my observations and experiences, I know that no one can accurately answer that question. It doesn't matter what anyone says at this point. That call will only be made by the people charged with enforcing the plan- and that answer will vary according to the whim of the inspector.
That's right. That's how it's done now. That's how they do it. Fire inspectors- Building and Safety- it doesn't matter who they are, they decide and interpret these laws on the spot. And they usually do it in whatever way is most beneficial to them- whether it's what's easiest; what will generate the most fees; or give them the greatest sense of power, it's a roll of the dice, you never know what's going to turn up.
It's just another day in the life for an organization known as the City of Los Angeles.

George’s Shoe Repair Celebrates 25 Years in Eagle Rock
George Boiadjian, owner of George's Shoe Repair, celebrated 25 years in business last week, throwing a huge party for family, friends and community members. After his first ten years, he torn down his old building and built the two level mini-mall that was a huge source of controversy, and a huge fight for the then fledgling resident association.
Boiadjian was persistent and didn't give up, finally finding a loophole in city regulations allowing him to build his dream.
At the Party he said, "I don't think we're going to survive another twenty five." He thanks the people who supported him, and helped him survive. He added "Eagle Rock is picking up. Day by day it's getting better."
For the party, George rented a jumper for the kids, had plenty of food on hand and hired a local Eagle Rock band to provide the entertainment. About 200 attended.

Kerry & Heinz to Tour Becerra's District
Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) will lead Senator John Kerry (MA) and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, on a tour of the 31st congressional district next Monday, April 10.
As Congress continues its work on comprehensive immigration reform, the Kerrys are visiting the 31st congressional district to better understand the implications of the various immigration proposals currently on the table.
On Monday morning, the Kerry's will visit a health clinic, a school and a hotel and will be given the opportunity to hear directly from students, workers, patients, doctors, teachers and immigrants.
Scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and Noon PST, the tour will include a media availability. A more detailed schedule will be released later this week.
Media inquiries should be directed to Steve Haro at 202.225.8355.

Oak Tree Ordinance Passes
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti won the unanimous support of his colleagues for a revised and revitalized Native Tree Ordinance that protects Los Angeles' vital forest canopy and regulates the removal of oak, walnut, bay and sycamore tree species.
"Who would have thought of Los Angeles as one of our nation's great forests?" said City Council President Eric Garcetti. "We don't look like Yellowstone to the naked eye, but trees are a vital part of our city's infrastructure. They improve our air quality, help control floods and conserve water and energy. They also raise property values and contribute to a higher quality of life in the city."
Though often caricatured as a "paved paradise", Los Angeles' 700,000 street trees, 800,000 trees in parks, and estimated 20 million trees on private property constitute the nation's largest urban forest. Tree protections help reduce "heat island" effects, preserve ecological balance, and both clean the air and provide oxygen.
"Today we are protecting our heritage, our vital native habitat," said Clare Marter Kenyon, the chair of the mayor-appointed Community Forest Advisory Committee. "When trees go, animals go too. In the twenty-six years since the original Native Tree Ordinance was passed, we've seen encroachments on rare and threatened plant communities. The badly needed steps we're taking today will leave a green legacy in our city for future generations."
After a year of outreach and meetings, the recommended changes to the original Oak Tree Protection ordinance approved in 1980 include: Extending protection to the Southern California Black Walnut, the Western Sycamore, and the California Bay species; requiring a permit for protected tree removal/relocation on all property in Los Angeles; reducing the threshold of truck diameter from 8 inches to 4 inches; calculating the required replacement mitigation utilizing a value formula; allowing small trees to be used as replacements if they will have a greater chance of survival than the larger sizes; and including civil penalties, such as withholding permits for development of property if the protected trees are removed without a permit.
Chief Forester George Gonzalez in the Bureau of Street Services may be reached for further detail on our city's urban forest at (213) 485-5675.

EXTRA EXTRA!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
This is the first in a series of EXTRA editions of the Boulevard Sentinel- Black and white, only eight pages long and they come out only as needed and serve to alert only the areas that will be impacted by something BIG happening.
The Boulevard Sentinel EXTRA will be published for the same reason the Boulevard Sentinel is: to publicize and alert the community about upcoming issues that are important to you. It will be published on an emergency basis, and only when it is too timely an issue to wait until next month. When a potentially powerful impact for you and your neighbors appears, the Boulevard Sentinel EXTRA will close the gap.
I have been successful at curtailing some of the more sneaky and sly behaviors of community leaders who sometimes act like they'd rather you didn't know what they are doing. They don't like it when I put it out there to the community, and they have responded by carefully scheduling their crafty behaviors.
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections are the best and latest example.
Since I am never late publishing the Boulevard Sentinel, it has been easy for some of them to make sure the Sentinel has NO say about who gets elected. For the last three elections, the list of candidates only goes out after the paper comes out, and the elections are always held before the end of the month. Coincidence? You tell me!
Actually, they are paying me the greatest complement. They know that the Boulevard Sentinel carries a substantial amount of credibility- and that it can make a big difference in the final result on any community issue. I have no choice but to throw down the gauntlet- and I do it for you- the reader, the community member.
So take a look at issue #1 of the Boulevard Sentinel EXTRA- consider if something there might affect you, and consider what you might want to do about it.

Specific Plan to be Amended?

Easier Than We Thought!

Regarded as negative by business property owners, and positive by a local homeowner association that worked hardest to create it, the Colorado Specific Plan, which was adopted in 1992, has demonstrated both the best and worst of community planning.
It has been a plan full of extreme results with at least one property owner losing his home over a fight about moving an interior wall 16 feet within his auto repair shop, while other ugly new projects like the behemoth senior housing on Colorado across from Sizzler are completely allowed by it. It has been contentious from the beginning, and a constant source of community in-fighting and polarization.
It is credited with achieving results viewed as positive by the champions of the "plan," claiming that the boulevard had been moving into decline, until the "plan" stopped it, turning it around. (Of course, Boulevard Sentinel readers know that the main reason for the revival of the boulevard is the Boulevard Sentinel's unfailing advocacy on behalf of all the local businesses. Prospective businesses saw that someone would be on their side, which made this area a much more inviting place.)
Some who view it as gospel, regard it as an untouchable document that dare not ever be touched.
Others, like the local homeowner's group, and the neighborhood council, seem fixated on the belief that the "plan" cures all ills, and have been pushing to extend it down Eagle Rock Boulevard, and up York as well.
Vigilant business owners in that area have heard about these efforts, and have viewed them with alarm. The previous City Councilman, now the Mayor, tiptoed around the issue, knowing that any such action on his part would most likely result in him having to align with one side which would alienate him from the other- a losing proposition for any ambitious politician.
So things seemed to remain in a sort of standoff, with Eagle Rock experiencing a couple of years of peace.
That may be changing.
When the new "parking pilot program", exposed elsewhere in this issue, was being brainstormed, it was barely mentioned, and downplayed in fact, that it would come up as an amendment to the Colorado Specific Plan.
It was a well kept secret.
For pushers of the parking program that was probably the smart thing to do. They are the ones who knew as well as anybody how contentious it might be. They knew as well as anyone that people might get upset. They knew that letting that bit of information out might jeopardize the parking plan they are determined to ram down the collective throats of Eagle Rock residents and business.
The cat's out of the bag. Better take a close look at it. It's not all furry and cute. It has claws and sharp teeth. Someone is bound to get hurt.
The Specific Plan will probably be amended by this parking program. It looks like the precedent will be set, and a new method established by which these types of plans can be amended. It will make up the new handbook on amending specific plans citywide.
Here's how:
#1- Don't call it a specific plan amendment.
Call it a process, call it a project, call it a program, call it anything that will delay people from learning what's really happening.
#2- Make sure outreach is done to all the local groups.
You need to show that all the groups in town were made aware of this amendment (Oops, I'm sorry, we weren't supposed to call it an amendment!)
#3- Publicize the concept, conceal the details.
Once you get the concept approved by everyone, how they might feel about the details is unimportant.
#4- Schedule the public hearing so few people can attend.
Usually, an 8:30 a.m. weekday public hearing in downtown L.A. will prevent almost anyone from being able to attend. (Hmm, next Thursday, April 13th should be good- it fits perfectly)
#5- If necessary, thwart all opposition by rescheduling at the last minute.
If it looks like people do care enough to miss work and show up, postpone or cancel the meeting suddenly due to lack of quorum, homeland security issues, etc.
This amendment has been created and promoted with the utmost cunning, and it's a safe bet that Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilman Huizar are full fledged participants, as well as a safe bet that they covered their tracks well enough to never be caught for it.

Glassell High Progress
Last week's action by the Board of the LAUSD to unanimously adopt a Resolution of Necessity to acquire Parcel F by eminent domain to build a comprehensive high school for Glassell Park and the surrounding communities, was the outcome of 3 1/2 years of tenacious advocacy.
Beginning in the Youth & Education Committee of the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council and joined by other Neighborhood Councils, community groups, and dedicated individuals, we worked closely with the Outreach Department and Real Estate arm of the LAUSD to engage the community through numerous meetings, forums, and petition drives.
A special thanks to Jackie Goldberg for her unwavering support and thanks to our Councilmembers for their support as well. Of the many community members who have brought us this far, there are 1/2 a dozen who were there at the beginning, who organized meetings and slogged through the LAUSD events, and showed up and spoke at almost all the LAUSD meetings where this item was being addressed. They deserve a big thank you.
Helene Schpak
Vice-Chair,
Glassell Park Neighborhood Council

Eagle Rock:

Jan 11, 1949

It is very unusual to see snow in Eagle Rock. Well, on Jan 11, 1949 it snowed six inches. I skipped school that day and used my sled on the hill in front of my house. By the time I took this picture much of it had melted. The Line 45 bus on Yosemite Dr. skidded in the ice and snow and ended up on the front lawn of Eagle Rock High School.
The buildings have all been replaced since then. You can see the wrecker pulling the bus back to the street. The bus was a 6600 type 36 passenger. Alan Weeks (Photos)

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