Meeting Date: 08/29/06 06:30 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90046
Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrance at back door closest to parking area next to disabled parking spot.
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
August 29, 2006
7:00 PM
Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90046
Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrance at back door closest to parking area next to disabled parking spot.
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board taking action on an item. Comments from the public on non-agenda and agenda items will be heard during the Public Comment Period and, within the discretion of the presiding officer of the Board, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board. Agenda is posted for public review: on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park, and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website ww.hhwnc.org and on the Department Of Neighborhood Empowerment (www.lacityneighborhoods.com). As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator at (310) 732-4628 or e-mail to [email protected].
AGENDA
1. Call to order by President
2. Roll call by Secretary
3. Minutes – Review and approve prior July 26, 2006 minutes (Please see attached) (Vote) (5 minutes)
4. President’s Report (10 minutes)
a) CIM GROUP COURTESY UPDATE re Hollywood Blvd. (Hollywood & Highland owners): For Info Only – Terry Migliaccio, VP. (5 minutes)
b) Appointment of representative to attend Mayor’s 2nd Annual Community Budget Day
c) Appointment of representative to serve on Neighborhood Council Liaison Committee
d) Area 6 Chair open position
5. Bylaw Changes: Motion and vote (10 minutes) (Please see attached)
6. Committee Reports (20 minutes)
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
i) Area 2:
aa) Update on 8/28 Club Ice Revocation Hearing
ii.) Area 3:
aa) MOTION: “The Area 3 and Business Development & Planning Committees saw a presentation from Elizabeth Peterson and applicant, David Judaken, on the plan approval for the Mood nightclub at 6623 Hollywood Blvd. A motion to support with the volunteered conditions and the parking agreement amended was made, seconded and passed. The Board is asked to support this motion.” (Please see attached)
bb) MOTION: “The Area 3 Committee asks the Board to support conditionally the new use application for the restaurant known as “East” at 6611 Hollywood Blvd. to have a Type-47 ABC License and the attached volunteered conditions. In addition to these the applicant Mr. David Judaken has agreed to the condition that there will be posted signs on the premise notifying patrons that the backup parking lot is Schrader and Wilcox, and also to ask the lot operator to post this information at the said lot. The area 3 and Business Planning joint meetings of 8/8 & 8/22 saw presentation and voted to support this conditionally at the latter meeting.” (Please see attached)
cc) MOTION: “On Tuesday, August 8th, the HHWNC joint meeting of Area 3 and Business Development and & Panning committees saw a presentation by Lee Rabun on behalf of Galindo LLC for a C.U.P. plan Approval and expansion of the Day After nightclub located at 6757 Hollywood Blvd. to have outdoor dining on a back patio. The applicant delivered volunteered conditions including no amplified music on any outdoor patio and a valid parking lease from the property owner. After much discussion the motion to support was made, seconded, and passed. This is a motion for the HHWNC Board to support the application. A hearing was held on August 7th and a request by President Mann to keep the file open was agreed to by the ZA and the applicant.” (Please see attached)
iii) Area 5: FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES DUE TO POTENTIAL BYLAWS IMPACT (Possible vote)
aa) MOTION: “The Board authorizes that Area Chairs may represent their Area of HHWNC regarding compatibility of projects at Planning Boards or hearings subsequent to a vote from a meeting held jointly with the appropriate issue committee.” Motion passed at Areas 1, 2, 5, and 8 and the Housing and Human Services joint meeting.
b.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i) Emergency Services, Police & Fire (EMS):
aa) MOTION: “At the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council EMS Police & Fire Issue committee meeting held on August 15th, 2006, at the Will & Ariel Durant Library, a presentation was given by Stacy Marble, Deputy Field representative for Council District 4, from Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s office, requesting that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council support Mr. LaBonge in his motion that the “First Fridays” emergency preparedness public awareness movement be reinvigorated, for the sake of raising public awareness towards preparing for any upcoming catastrophes-especially earthquakes”. Motion was then made, and seconded, to support Mr. LaBonge’s motion.
(Motion passed at EMS Committee meeting with 5 in favor of motion, zero opposed and zero abstentions.)”
bb) MOTION: “At the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council EMS Police & Fire Issue committee meeting held on August 15th, 2006, at the Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library, a presentation of a moratorium was given by Tricia LaBelle, founder of the Hollywood Hospitality Association ( a Hollywood Area-based nightclub owners association dedicated to helping improve the Hollywood area quality of life for its residents and business owners) , and after committee discussion, a motion was made, and seconded, at the EMS committee meeting that HHWNC support the following moratorium:
Please see attached regarding Hollywood Hospitality Association
(Motion passed at EMS Committee meeting with 5 in favor of supporting, zero opposed and zero abstentions.)”
ii.) Housing, Social and Human Services, Religious and Charitable Organizations, Planning and Support:
aa) MOTION: “The HHWNC Housing Committee Meeting approved the following project on April 4, 2006 subject to the Council Office DRC review. We request this item be placed on the August 29 board meeting: 1714-1736 McCadden Place 1727-1729 Las Palmas Project DS Ventures (bounded by Yucca, McCadden, Las Palmas, and Hollywood Blvd. frontage buildings, “Yucca/McCadden”) 218 total unites (made up of one, two, and three bedroom units) 22 of the units are affordable units. 620+ planned parking spaces subterranean. No variances requested. Requested: (1) A zone change from C4-2D to C4-2, (2) A by-right parking adjustment for proximity to a transportation corridor, and inclusion of affordable housing units, and (3) Request for a Zoning Administrator’s setback adjustment.
Recommend that DS Ventures be granted the requested variances by the City. Request that DS Ventures look into incorporating “Old Hollywood” elements to the design, such as arches and art deco elements.
Move the following to the Board of Directors at their next available Board meeting, subsequent to the Council Office DRC’s review.
Ayes – 6
Nays – 0
The DRC has completed its review.”
11. Other Business
12. Public Comment
13. Adjournment
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board, on either of these two days, shall: (1) Make a Motion for Reconsideration and, if approved, (2) hear the matter and Take an Action. If the motion to reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A Motion for Reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A motion for reconsideration can only be made by a Board member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a motion for reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a Board member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the Secretary identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall all be in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING APPROVED MINUTES
August 29, 2006, 7:00 PM
Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.- Hollywood, CA 90046
1. Call to order by President Anastasia Mann: 7:07 p.m.
2. Roll call by Secretary: Present: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Paul Ramsey, Joan Luchs, Paul Woolsey, Conrad Schoeffter, Michael Meyer, Ken Jones, John Pogue, Rena Dheming, Anne Marie Lardeau, Claire Guy, Dennis Lytton.
3. July 26, 2006 Minutes were approved as amended.
a) Presentation by CIM GROUP: This was a courtesy update presented by Terry Migliaccio, CIM Group vice president, as the proposed development is not in HHWNC’s area: The project is on Hollywood Blvd across from the Hollywood & Highland complex, which also is owned by CIM Group.
b) DONE Project Coordinator Rose Arcadia announced that the Mayor’s 2nd Annual Community Budget Day is coming up: Sept. 9th. She encouraged the Board to participate in helping formulate the City’s budget for next year by sharing their vision of what should be financed. There are 7 regions in the City; GHNNC is part of the Central region. Two board members volunteered to attend: Rena Dheming and Paul Woolsey, as well as stakeholder Henry Mars. Gary Nestra was to be contacted also to see if he could go.
c) Appointment of representative to serve on Neighborhood Council Liaison Committee:
No action.
4. President’s Report including opening statements.
Anastatia announced that the Area 6 Chair position on the Board might be open due to Steve Howard indicating he may need to resign due to a move. Anastasia said she hopes to determine whether a replacement is needed by the next meeting. Dan Bernstein said, once there is a determination that the position is open, there needs to be an announcement and wait 30 days so nominations can come in.
Introduction: Independent Election Administrator Josua L. Barbosa introduced himself and said he will be administering the upcoming election.
Stakeholder comment: Business owner Tonia M. Jost of Tonia Salon, 3313.5 Barham Blvd.- L.A. told the Board she is looking for help in getting two street signs installed on the alley by her shop. She would like the alley to be named “Princess Alley”, which she says was the alley’s original name.
Council Member Tom LaBonge’s Field Deputy Stacy Marble invited the Board to a special event to reopen the Griffith Park Observatory on Wed.- Oct. 18th.
In other news, the Highland/Franklin traffic extension project will be starting in the next couple of weeks and will be in effect after afternoon rush hour.
5. Bylaw Changes: (Mann/Luchs) moved to approve the bylaw changes previously approved at the Stakeholder’s Meeting. The Board unanimously approved this motion.
6. Committee Reports
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
i. Area 2: Club Ice relocation. Stacy Marble reported that, on August 28, a revocation hearing was held with regard to Club Ice located on Cahuenga Blvd. West. The Councilmember’s office was seeking to revoke the club owner(s)’ permit due to numerous police calls and complaints: From Feb. 2004 – 2006, the police emergency hotline “911” was called 141 times, there were four shootings involving gangs, numerous safety issues, vandalism, two murders, and defacing of public property. At the hearing, it was discovered that the nightclub was operating under a restaurant permit. Presently, the Zoning Administrator is considering a proposal from the new owner, “The Griddle” to take over at the location. The comment period will be open for two weeks as to whether they should allow the owner to lease that space to The Griddle or require them to get a new conditional use permit. The Board will send a letter of support of Councilmember LaBonge’s motion, which addressed safety issues in mentioning Club Ice.
ii. Area 3:
aa: (Woolsey/Luchs) presented a motion to support the Mood nightclub at 6623 Hollywood Blvd.- which is requesting a license change:
“The Area 3 and Business Development & Planning Committees saw a presentation from Elizabeth Peterson and applicant, David Judaken, on the plan approval for the Mood nightclub at 6623 Hollywood Blvd. A motion to support with the volunteered conditions and the parking agreement amended was made, seconded and passed. The Board is asked to support this motion.” (Please see attached) The Board voted: 9-0-4. The motion carried.
bb: (Woolsey/Ramsey): The Area 3 and Business Planning joint meetings of 8/8 & 8/22 recommended conditional support for this project:
“The Area 3 Committee asks the Board to support conditionally the new use application for the restaurant known as “East” at 6611 Hollywood Blvd. to have a Type-47 ABC License and the attached volunteered conditions. In addition to these the applicant Mr. David Judaken has agreed to the condition that there will be posted signs on the premise notifying patrons that the backup parking lot is Schrader and Wilcox, and also to ask the lot operator to post this information at the said lot.” The Board voted: 13-0-1. The motion carried.
cc: (Woolsey/Lardeau) presented a motion recommending support of the Day After nightclub’s expansion plans:
“On Tuesday, August 8th, the HHWNC joint meeting of Area 3 and Business Development and & Panning committees saw a presentation by Lee Rabun on behalf of Galindo LLC for a C.U.P. plan Approval and expansion of the Day After nightclub located at 6757 Hollywood Blvd. to have outdoor dining on a back patio. The applicant delivered volunteered conditions including no amplified music on any outdoor patio and a valid parking lease from the property owner. After much discussion the motion to support was made, seconded, and passed. This is a motion for the HHWNC Board to support the application. A hearing was held on August 7th and a request by President Mann to keep the file open was agreed to by the ZA and the applicant.”
While the recommendation was to support this motion, since the owner was not able to attend due to a conflict in schedule, the Board voted to table this until a presentation can be made.
iii) Area 5: (Meyer/Ken) presented this motion which asks for autonomy by the Committee chairs in representing the Board at City hearings:
“The Board authorizes that Area Chairs may represent their Area of HHWNC regarding compatibility of projects at Planning Boards or hearings subsequent to a vote from a meeting held jointly with the appropriate issue committee.”
The motion was passed at Areas 1, 2, 5, and 8 and the Housing and Human Services joint committees’ meeting. Michael said that the basic problem is in finding time to review each and every request for new developments. However, at their joint committee meeting, they decided that they could not come up with a “cookie cutter” policy that applied to all proposed developments in their areas. Rather than proposing a policy, they proposed this motion.
During discussion, there was a question about whether this motion would conflict with their bylaws. The bylaws state that, only the president can represent the board’s official position. The Board had asked City Attorney Darren Martinez to review this motion. Michael said the motion is to request that Area Committees could represent themselves and the board at other advisory boards and agencies. While they can express their position on an issue, they still need a letter expressing the Board’s official support.
Conrad recommended that Committee Chairs express their views as private individuals and if they spoke eloquently, they could still have influence. Dan Bernstein said the Committee Chairs could carry a letter from the President to any city department, asking a decision be postponed until the Board can make an official decision. Since the City Attorney’s opinion seemed to contradict the motion, Anastasia said the motion could not be put on the table.
b.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i) Emergency Services, Police & Fire (EMS):
aa) (Dheming/Meyer) presented this motion, which reminds the public about First Fridays emergency preparedness:
“At the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council EMS Police & Fire Issue committee meeting held on August 15th, 2006, at the Will & Ariel Durant Library, a presentation was given by Stacy Marble, Deputy Field representative for Council District 4, from Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s office, requesting that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council support Councilman LaBonge in his motion that the “First Fridays” emergency preparedness public awareness movement be reinvigorated, for the sake of raising public awareness towards preparing for any upcoming catastrophes-especially earthquakes.” (Motion passed at EMS Committee meeting with 5 in favor of motion, zero opposed and zero abstentions.) The Board voted unanimously to approve this motion.
bb) (Dheming/ Schoeffter) presented this motion to support the Hollywood Hospitality
Association’s proposed moratorium on new dance hall licensing in Hollywood.
“At the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council EMS Police & Fire Issue committee meeting held on August 15th, 2006, at the Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library, a presentation of a moratorium was given by Tricia LaBelle, founder of the Hollywood Hospitality Association (a Hollywood Area-based nightclub owners association dedicated to helping improve the Hollywood area quality of life for its residents and business owners)- and after committee discussion, a motion was made, and seconded, at the EMS committee meeting that HHWNC support the following moratorium.”
(Motion passed at EMS Committee meeting with 5 in favor of supporting, zero opposed and zero abstentions.)
Tricia LaBelle, the founder of the HHA, gave a presentation to the Board documenting her non-profit’s reasons for asking for a temporary moratorium on granting new conditional use permits for dance hall licensed establishments in Hollywood until more parking, public transportation, public safety, and other issues are addressed.
During discussion, Paul Woolsey spoke about the Board’s role in reviewing each establishment’s merits rather than putting a ‘strait jacket’ on their role as the Board. He pointed to their role in helping successful establishments get licensed in Hollywood as indication that they are doing a great job at this.
Dennis said he believed the motion was out of order, that theoretically, it violated the Brown Act.
Michael said he felt the attachment was very poorly written and too vague.
Anne Marie said she would oppose it based on the fact that it affects each area so much.
Anastasia asked whether the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has approved it. She was told they had. She then said she felt the Board could not make a blanket statement in supporting this moratorium since it could have a far-reaching impact.
Joan said she didn’t think it was the Board’s job to create moratoriums and suggested referring study of this to Area 3.
Paul Ramsey said that traffic is really the main issue; it is not being addressed by City government. Orrin suggested parking requirements for each facility be examined rather than approving a moratorium.
Conrad asked that Area 4 be included in any further discussions on this.
Matthew A. Portnoff, attorney for Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP spoke against the moratorium. He said that it was a self – interested concept to retain the licensing by precluding new businesses from getting started. From a legal perspective, he said the City could not adopt a position on a moratorium; that it was not constitutional and wouldn’t pass muster with the City Attorney.
Anastasia recommended the Area Committees take a look at this further and hear about what rules and regulations HHA might recommend for any new business. However, she thought the moratorium might violate the Constitution of the U.S.
When the question was called, the Board voted 1-12-0 in opposition to this motion.
This matter was referred to Areas 3 and 4 to set up a meeting to further discuss this issue.
ii.) Housing, Social and Human Services, Religious and Charitable Organizations, Planning and Support:
aa. (Ramsey presented this motion on behalf of Frank DeFoe, Housing Chair. Lardeau seconded.)
“The HHWNC Housing Committee Meeting approved the following project on April 4, 2006 subject to the Council Office DRC review. We request this item be placed on the August 29 board meeting: 1714-1736 McCadden Place 1727-1729 Las Palmas Project DS Ventures (bounded by Yucca, McCadden, Las Palmas, and Hollywood Blvd. frontage buildings, “Yucca/McCadden”) 218 total unites (made up of one, two, and three bedroom units) 22 of the units are affordable units. 620+ planned parking spaces subterranean. No variances requested. Requested: (1) A zone change from C4-2D to C4-2, (2) A by-right parking adjustment for proximity to a transportation corridor, and inclusion of affordable housing units, and (3) Request for a Zoning Administrator’s setback adjustment. Recommend that DS Ventures be granted the requested variances by the City. Request that DS Ventures look into incorporating “Old Hollywood” elements to the design, such as arches and art deco elements. Move the following to the Board of Directors at their next available Board meeting, subsequent to the Council Office DRC’s review. Ayes – 6, Nays – 0 The DRC has completed its review.”
During discussion, Joan said this project has changed since April 4, 2006, when it came before the Housing Committee. She recommended that it is inappropriate to vote on it, as the Housing Committee Chair was not present and that the changes have not been shown to other members of the Housing Committee, of which she is a member.
Paul Woolsey said that Area 3 has withdrawn support for this project since the developer has not provided a traffic study or addressed height restrictions.
Anasasia asked for clarification on the variances being requested.
Amit Thakkar, the representative for D.S. Ventures, stated that they are requesting a zone change and parking adjustment. He said they have received approval from Area Committees and have presented to the Design Review Board.
Paul Ramsey said that there was misinformation on this: At the last hearing, he expected it to be continued but later found out it had been approved. He said there is still a conflict over height limits. Amit responded saying they have met approved height limits.
Anastasia asked whether their presentation could be rescheduled until Frank is present to address this motion’s questions. The architect, Navy Banvard, promised to be brief in his presentation which showed the plans and proposed design for townhouses, penthouses, landscaping and parking for the development at Las Palmas, McCadden and Yucca.
Orrin Feldman, Vice Chair, then stepped in for Anastasia, who left the meeting.
Orrin said the consensus was that they had not heard enough on a committee level. The question was whether to send this back to the Joint Area or Housing Committee to work with them or whether to proceed on taking a vote.
Rena said she felt the development dwarfs all the surrounding buildings. She said she would not support project that will be a nightmare for residents.
Michael said he still had many unanswered questions such as why the motion stated no variance was requested, and then asked the Board to support a variance request. He also wanted more information on their parking plans.
Joan said she thought the Board should table the motion.
Amit asked to clarify the parking questions. He said they are replacing parking that is there with 209 new spaces. He also said there is no height limit on this parcel.
Conrad asked to be included in any upcoming committee discussions on this project. He said they need to also take into account another 270-apartment proposal in that area and address traffic.
Joan said the Joint Meeting that was held was prior to any architectural changes.
The Question was called. The Board voted: 0-6-4. The motion failed.
(Luchs/Guy) moved to refer this proposal to the Joint Area 3 and 4 and Housing Committee. For a meeting. The Board voted: 10-0-1. The motion carried.
11. Other Business: None.
12. Public Comment: Rachel Paap addressed the Board on the need for an Animal
Welfare Program representative or committee. Orrin said that there were several issue committees which had some jurisdiction and interest in animal welfare issues, but that the current bylaws did not provide for creating a new standing committee solely with regard to animal welfare issues. Several issue committee chairs expressed interest in working with Ms. Paap to determine what concerns might need to be addressed.
Joan asked what was happening with the printing of business cards; she requested it be put on the next agenda.
13. Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Pat Kramer, Apple One.