Here's all about:

LANCC Minutes

LANC CONGRESS
August 4, 2007
L. A. DWP Building
111 N. Hope Street, Los Angeles

MINUTES

1. Meeting was called to order at 10:24 PM by Chair, Len Schaffer.

Roll Call: Delegates from the following member Neighborhood Councils were present:
Bel Air Beverly Crest, Central San Pedro, Coastal San Pedro, Downtown, Empowerment Congress S.E., Encino, Granada Hills North, Greater Toluca Lake, Greater Valley Glen, Harbor Gateway North, Harbor Gateway South, Highland Park, Historic Highland Park, Mar Vista, Northridge West, Pico Union, Reseda, Sunland Tujunga, Tarzana, Venice, West Hills, and Woodland Hills-Warner Center.

2. The minutes were unanimously approved.

3. Public Comment: In the future agendize ABC license approval to discuss the number of establishments allowed per block. A retail plan is needed for the city. Has the DWP budget really been explained? DWP has not planned for a population increase and is dependent on fuel that is decreasing in supply. Planning commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and have their own agenda. The fire department is still unable to communicate with the police.

4. Animal Issues: A task force has been set up; ask the city council to make it permanent. Ask for neighborhood notification peior to extermination. The pit bull training was rammed through, however there are liability issues. Cultural Arts: The department is grossly underfunded.

5. The Congress of Neighborhoods is being planned by the NCs and will be held on October 27, 2007. They have a $35,000 budget.

6. K-Mart lost 24 stores in their bankruptcy, Home Depot picked them up. They wanted to tear down the building but found out they would have to file an EIR. The property sits in a major activity area, according to the Foothill Corridor Plan. Home Depot submitted requests and they were granted, however they violate the specifc plan. The zoning department said no to the permits. An appeal was filed and the commissioners approved the permits. City councilwoman Wendy Gruel 245d it and sent it to the PLUM committee. The problem was about following procedure rather than stopping the building. NCs must know the facts before they take on these types of projects.

7. Ponte Vista in San Pedro was once navy housing. The acreage was put up for auction. Sixty-two and one half acres were zoned R1 under the Navy. The new owners want to build 2,300 condos and 16 buildings. Harbor City will feel the traffic impact. The builder since changed is development plans to 1,900 condos. which does not meet with the community plans. The NCs want to retain the R1 zone, and build 724 R1 houses with low and moderate income set asides. The San Pedro NCs need to work together on this. Hard ball negotiating is requested.

8. The NC presidents are not updated as to membership in LANCC. Ken Draper stated that the LANCC is not yet an effective group. Nor are LANCC members taking issues back to their prospective NCs. There are many issues going on that are not discussed. We have not developed in the right direction. LANCC needs to be re-energized and focus on city issues. Forming alliances is necessary. Perhaps a pilot program on regionalization should be tried. Should there be speakers to bring in people? Outreach needs to be done. Political power is the ultimate purpose of LANCC. Issues need full reports as back up.

9. New Business: Not discussed.

10. The meeting was adjourned at 1:34 PM.