Picfair Village Neighborhood Association

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PVNA Minutes: Jan 7

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January 7, 2019
Picfair Village Neighborhood Association General Meeting

Public Comment:
– Question about camper vans parked on neighborhood streets.  Recommendations to call police and call officer who covers Picfair Village – Sgt Torres 310-312-3516.
– Cars cannot be parked in one location on street for more than 72 hours.
– Question on how to dispose of Christmas trees;  Call 311, use the 311 app or place in green yard waste bin.
– Question on getting updated PVNA general meeting signs; Resident Angie Cibis (graphic designer) offered to help research.
– Comments on the purple painted street ‘bump-outs’ on Pico.  The city will be putting planters on these bump-outs. Residents are encouraged to submit feedback via the Pico Great Street Facebook page.
Update from Treasurer:
– Balance as of December 31, 2018  $969.14 and $73 in petty cash.
Update from Tania Missad on the South Orange Grove development:
– The residents lost the public appeal 5-1, but it’s unusual that 1 planning commissioner voted against the developer.
– The environmental impact study (EIS) was done and Tania will be sending an email with the results.
– The Missads and their neighbors filed a lawsuit with the city of Los Angeles against this development. They decided to proceed with the lawsuit after having 3 meetings with the developer where no concessions were made on the side of the developer.  Herb Wesson’s office has been mediating these meetings.
– On January 10th they took part in another meeting with the city to determine what both sides will accept regarding the development.
– This is the first lawsuit brought against a TOC (transit oriented community) project.  Timeline of the lawsuit is expected to be between 6 – 18 months.
– There will be one more appeal hearing on the results of the EIS.  Date/time to be advised.
– The Missads and their neighbors who are part of the lawsuit are seeking fundraising for legal fees.
– Feedback given that the size of the development being a zoning issue.
– Feedback given regarding resources to seek out for information regarding applying for affordable housing.
Update on PVNA Initiatives:
– Spring Social Event – to be advised.
– ‘Welcome’ for new residents – Michael Plante working with Tia Hughes on this initiative.
– Emergency preparedness / CERT update, meetings with team on RYLAN
– Feedback given on new city-developed app – ShakeAlertLA earthquake alerts sent to your phone.
**Meeting adjourned.

Special Appeal Hearing – Thursday, Oct 25

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PLEASE SAVE THE DATE AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD! 

The Special Appeal Hearing for the 5 story development being proposed at 1546 – 1550 S. Orange Grove Avenue is quickly approaching. This proposed Transit Oriented Community (T.O.C.) development is 55 feet high and does not comply with the Q Ordinance set in the neighborhood limiting height to 33 feet. It is the 1st T.O.C. development in Picfair Village and will help set precedent for future developments in the neighborhood.

WHEN: October 25, 2018 (Thursday)

WHERE: Van Nuys Council Chamber 

(14410 Sylvan Street, 2nd Floor, Van Nuys, CA 91401) 

TIME: Hearings begin at 8:30 a.m. (Please arrive by 8 a.m.)

HAVE YOUR VOICES HEARD!!

IT’S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STRONG SHOWING!!

Please let Geoff & Tania Missad know if you are planning on attending the appeal hearing on Thursday, October 25 so they can start getting an idea of how many people will be going and make sure they have a big enough bus to accommodate people wanting to get a ride up there and back. You can contact them at gmissad@gmail.com

There won’t be an official hearing time for the appeal until you arrive on the 25th, but hearings will start at 8:30 am so people should try to arrive around 8am.  The bus will likely depart around 7:15 to make it up to Van Nuys on time.   Donuts/pastries will be provided on the bus and if the hearing time gets delayed then lunch will also be provided.

They have created a flyer (below) and are hoping people could help pass them out around the neighborhood to make sure the word fully gets out, since some people don’t know what’s happening. The flyer is attached in case you are able to help distribute. They greatly appreciate all the help and support they’ve received from the neighborhood throughout this appeal.

Thank you.

Appeal Hearing Flyer2

PVNA Minutes: October 1

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October 1, 2018
Picfair Village Neighborhood Association General Meeting

Introductions:  Michael Plante introduced the new PVNA board members:
Michael Plante – president
Andrew Schulman. – vice president
Valerie Goodson – treasurer
Michael Osowski – secretary

Public Comments:
– 8th Annual Pumpkin Race – Oct 28th on Pickford between Sierra Bonita and Carmona (Click here for more information and to volunteer)
– Great LA Walk on Nov 17th from downtown LA to the beach on Pico – this year’s walk is honoring Jonathan Gold
– Comment on the importance of protecting our community in light of the recent large scale residential developments.
– Earthquake Brace & Bolt – offering financial assistance to have your house bolted has opened up for registration. Click here to sign up or email info@earthquakebraceandbolt.com. 877-232-4300
– Recode Zoning Advisory Committee meets monthly and this is a great way for LA residents to learn about the zoning process and land use/development – next meeting is Oct 24th 6-8pm

Update from treasurer on finances:  as of Sept 4th, we have $969.14

1546 – 1550 S Orange Grove Development: Tania Missed gave an update on the 1546-1550 S Orange Grove Ave development.

  • Background given that this is a TOC (Transit Oriented Community), 5 story, 28 unit proposed building.
  • The current development height exceeds existing Q Conditions.
  • Tania and Geoff Missad filed an appeal opposing this development.  This is the first appeal against a TOC in Los Angeles.
  • They hired Jamie Hall – an attorney that has worked on past land use cases.  He recommended getting a CEQA expert to do a cumulative analysis of the project – studies on how the development impacts traffic, infrastructure, water, etc.
  • Tania and Geoff also hired a surveyor to measure the actual distance from the development to the Pico/Fairfax transit stop.
  • The appeal hearing is set for October 25th 8:30am in Van Nuys regarding this development.  The Missads are coordinating / chartering a bus or some type of transit to the hearing.
  • She gave a reminder of their Go Fund Me page to help pay for the attorney and surveyor expenses.

To stay on top of information related to this development, please email Geoff Missad so he can add you to the Missads email list.

Comments to the Orange Grove development update:
– Orange Grove and Hi Point are sought after by developers.
– If the Missads win appeal or possible trial, it will set precedent for future LA development, and the interplay between TOC and Q Conditions.
– Liz Carlin gave comments – Herb Wesson’s office met with the developer, but she does not think that the developer will revise the development to decrease its size.  However, she brought up other options to fight this type of development:

  • Encourages residents to join / participate in city planning land use committee
  • Coordinate the talking points for the appeal on Oct 25th.  There is usually a time limit of just a couple of minutes for people to speak at the appeal so it’s important to be concise and not repetitive. (The Missads and their attorney will be coordinating talking points for those who are interested in speaking at the appeal meeting)

– 20 people at the general meeting expressed interest in attending the appeal
– There were recommendations to request discretionary funds from Herb Wesson’s office and the PVNA fund to help pay for the bus/transport to the hearing in Van Nuys.

New PVNA Initiatives:
**Sign up sheets were given for community members interested in getting involved in the below 3 initiatives. Register online HERE to participate in any of these initiatives**
– Neighborhood Social Events:  Holiday Lights/decoration walk through Picfair Village
– Welcoming New Residents:  providing welcome information and sharing what makes Picfair Village great with new residents
– New Disaster Preparedness program with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and LAEMD (Los Angeles Emergency Mgmt Dept) (see below)

A presentation was given by Chin and Dennis from CERT:
– CERT and the LAEMD would like to pilot a new ‘adopt a neighborhood’ program with Picfair Village to help get us prepared for a disaster/emergency
This will be a four-phase program and take place over approximately 12 months:
– Phase 1 – RYLAN (Ready Your LA Neighborhood) workshop
— question on if this could be done in conjunction with neighborhood watch?  (Answer: TBD)
– Phase 2 – Basic Skills Training:  turning off gas, water, etc.  “9 Easy Steps”  handout was given.
— Normally, CERT training lasts 7 weeks, 1 night/week, classes are approx 3 hours. (more info can be found here)
– Phase 3 – Team Formation:  block leads, incident command, organization, team dynamic
– Phase 4 – Follow up from CERT, practice drills, refresher training, etc.

***Register online HERE to participate in this initiative or the others listed above***

ADJOURN