GRVNC LUPC meeting

Aug 3, 2004

Boys & Girls Club

 Minutes

LUPC members in attendance: Sabrina Venskus (Chair), Laura Burns (Co-chair), Richard Carter, Zoe Garaway, Anne Giagni, David Hertz, Emily Winters,

LUPC members absent: Greg Fitchitt, Lydia Ponce
 
 

Sabrina Venskus called the meeting order at 7:10 pm and noted the presence of a quorum. It was acknowledged that Richard Carter has been appointed by Bridget Graham to represent District 3 on LUPC.

Approval of Minutes. The agenda identified approval of the minutes of the Committeeís July meeting as the first order of business. It was agreed to table this action until the next meeting in the absence of the recording secretary from the July meeting.

Appointment of new LUPC secretary and treasurer. It was agreed that this action should be tabled until the next meeting; Michael McGuffin agreed to serve as the recording secretary for the present meeting.

Update from Council Office of Planning Projects and Issues & Meetings. The expected representative from this office was not present so this report, identified in the agenda, was tabled.

Public comment (non-agendized topics).

Laura Burns provided an update on Lincoln Center. She reported that a meeting had recently been held with that projectís developers, who are expected to provide a new proposal, and that Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski has expressed interest in providing an opportunity for public input by sponsoring a community meeting later in the year. Laura also noted that Miscikowski has expressed interest in pursuing a CDO for Lincoln Blvd.

Sabrina Venskus reminded the Committee that posting locations for LUPC agendas still need to be identified in several Districts. Sabrina also provided handouts to describe concepts for neighborhood beautification projects prepared by Urban Rock Designs and announced that this group would make a presentation at the next LUPC meeting.

George Turski informed the Committee that a public meeting had been held today in Culver City to discuss a proposal to extend the Marina Freeway (I-90) to Fiji Way. George offered to provide more specific information to Sabrina.

 Formula retail chain stores. The issue raised at the last meeting to evaluate the establishment of an ordinance to limit or prevent formula retail chain stores in Venice or in parts of Venice was discussed. Sabrina introduced the idea that a community forum could be sponsored by LUPC and that a working group should be identified from volunteers willing to perform appropriate organization, planning, research, and outreach.

Two public comments were offered in support of the concept for adopting such an ordinance, by Carol Beck and by Melissa Bechtel. Melissa also provided information about the founding of a new organization, Venice Unchained that has initiated circulation of a petition in support of the concept of such an ordinance and received over 200 signatures in the past month (see: www.veniceunchained.org).

Upon the conclusion of public comments the follow action was taken:

MOTION by Sabrina Venskus and seconded by Emily Winters to sponsor and schedule a community forum to discuss proposal to recommend an ordinance or change to the Venice Specific Plan or other mechanism that would limit "formula retail stores" (chain stores) in our community. Motion passed by general consent. A sign-up sheet was circulated throughout the room to identify volunteers for a working group which will be responsible for organizing and coordinating the envisioned community forum.

Proposed rehabilitation center at 2432 Walnut. The issue of local concern regarding the proposed introduction of a 9-unit rehabilitation center at this residential address was introduced at the last LUPC meeting.

Public comments were offered by several persons, including Carol Beck, Elinor and Robert Crawford, George Turski, and Stan Swerling. These comments were generally in favor of the proposal stated in the meetingís agenda to limit the center to a single license and to 6 residents.

LUPC member Anne Giagni provided information about state regulation of such rehabilitation centers and clarified that a center is limited to 6 residents and that the center in question is applying for 2 separate permits. Michael McGuffin requested comments as to whether the issue could be mitigated by addressing parking issues.

Michael Roy, representing the proposed center, stated that two-permit centers are not too uncommon and expressed a willingness to ask staff members at the center to park on Venice Blvd. to minimize parking pressure.

MOTION by Sabrina Venskus and seconded by Zoe Garaway to support a limit of six residents at the proposed rehabilitation center located at 2432 and 2432_ Walnut Ave. in Venice, and to transmit this motion to the GRVNC Board for approval for transmittal to the state licensing board and the L.A. City Council. Motion passed with 4 in favor, none opposed, and with abstentions recorded for Laura Burns and Michael McGuffin.
 
  Abbot Lofts (1645-1657 Abbot Kinney Blvd.). A presentation was made by Tooley Interests and Koning Eizenberg, the developer and architects of the proposed mixed-use (retail and residential) project at the above address. Patrick Tooley identified the most significant variance in their proposed structure as a height limit of 42 feet (compared to the standard of 35 feet).

A period of questions and answers involving both the public (Elinor Crawford and Carol Beck) and LUPC (Sabrina Venskus, Laura Burns, Zoe Garaway, Anne Giagni, Michael McGuffin and Emily Winters) followed. Particular emphasis was on the precedent-setting implications of supporting a height variance; on the number and make-up of the projected population of residents; and on "green" architecture.

In addition, Patrick informed the group that the low-cost (MELLO) units on the site would be protected with 30-year entitlements and that community benefits associated with the proposed development include his perception that their plan will "energize" this "gateway" to Abbot Kinney Blvd; that this mixed-use plan is a better option than artistís lofts that would not encourage any public use; that the MELLO units and beach impact parking will be on site; and that they will exceed their minimum parking requirement by 4 spaces.

MOTION by Sabrina Venskus and seconded by Michael McGuffin for LUPC to express support, in the form of a Community Impact Statement (CIS), for the proposed development of Abbot Lofts; and further, that the CIS include at least the following elements: and further, that the CIS be submitted to the GRVNC Board for approval for submission to the Area Planning Commission, the L.A. City Council, and the L.A. Mayor. Motion passed by general consent. Frank Murphy & Associate development projects. The expected representative from this firm was not present so this presentation, identified in the agenda, was tabled.

Pioneer Bakery development project (512 Rose Ave.). A presentation was made by David Wall, the developer of a proposed mixed-use (retail and residential) property at the above address. A community workshop is tentatively scheduled on September 9, 2004. The current plan calls for nine variances, including a height variance to 40 feet. The residential units will be offered for sale. Seven of these (of the 75 offered) will be earmarked as very low income (MELLO); the expected range of sale prices was stated to be from $45,000 (for the low income units) to $500,000.

A period of questions and answers involving both the public (Carol Beck and Suzanne Thompson) and LUPC (Laura Burns and Richard Carter) followed the initial presentation.

Playa Vista Phase Two Development. Sabrina initiated discussion of a document that had been circulated to LUPC in advance of the meeting, titled Draft (August 2, 2004) LUPC FEIR Comments to L.A. City Council and PLUM Committee. Sabrina also read a petition modeled after one prepared by the Mar Vista Community Council and designed to collect signatures of stakeholders to request that approval of Playa Vista Phase Two be withheld.

MOTION by Laura Burns and seconded by Michael McGuffin to adopt the LUPC-prepared Draft report on FEIR, Vesting Tentative Tract Map, Plan Amendments and Development Agreement for Playa Vista Phase Two. Motion passed by general consent.

MOTION by Laura Burns and seconded by Anne Giagni to recommend opposition to the Playa Vista Phase Two development, based on the fact that the FEIR is inadequate and that the impact of this development on Venice will be significant and unacceptable; and further, to develop a Community Impact Statement (CIS) to articulate the rationale for this opposition, said CIS to be submitted to the GRVNC Board for consideration as an emergency agenda item. Motion passed by general consent.

MOTION by Sabrina Venskus and seconded by Zoe Garaway to adopt and officially endorse the presented petition to withhold approval of Playa Vista Phase Two. Motion passed by general consent.

 Adjournment. MOTION for adjournment by Michael McGuffin and seconded by Zoe Garaway. Motion passed by general consent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.
 
 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Michael McGuffin.