Main

September 30, 2008

FREE BUSINESS SEMINAR

 

Council President Garcetti and the Los Angeles Community Development Department invites you to a Free Business Seminar.

Tuesday, October 14th - 6:30pm

Lockwood Elementary School, 4345 Lockwood Ave.

This free resource seminar will highlight the economic benefits that small and large business owners can realize if they are located in the State Enterprise Zone.

Most of South Atwater Village is within the East Los Angeles State Enterprise Zone, for more information go to..

http://www.lacity.org/CDD/bus_statecred.html

September 03, 2008

Albina Ferreyra, Atwater Field Deputy for Council President Eric Garcetti

Albina Ferreyra is Council President Garcetti's new Echo Park and Atwater Village Field Deputy. For five years, Albina represented the communities of Highland Park, Cypress Park, Mt. Washington and Glassell Park for Councilmember Ed P. Reyes. Within those five years she initiated and produced numerous community improvement projects, clean up events, community meeting and solved constituent complaints on a daily basis.

Albina will be productively using the knowledge she gained to improve and assist the communities of Echo park and Atwater Village. Albina can be found working out of the Hollywood District Office, located at 5500 Hollywood Blvd at Western Ave intersection. The office phone number is 323.957.4500 and her email address is albina.ferreyra@lacity.org

July 18, 2008

The Atwater Village Voice, 2nd Issue - Summer 2008

Click here to download the Atwater Village Voice (large pdf file)

---

The Atwater Village Voice is a quarterly publication by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC). For more information about the AVNC visit them on-line at www.atwatervillage.org

July 08, 2008

LAND DEVELOPER SEEKS TO BUILD “SELF STORAGE” BUSINESS IN NORTH ATWATER VILLAGE

Land Developer seeking conditional use permit to authorize a storage building for household goods in the M2 Zone within 500 feet from a residential use.

 

Site Address: 5410 – 5440 N San Fernando Road West

 

Click here to download development project summary (large pdf file)

May 30, 2008

AVNC Bylaws Revision Committee Meeting, Thurs. June 5, 7PM

UPDATE - RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 5 FROM MAY 28!

Meeting of the Bylaws Committee
7:00 PM Thursday June 5, 2008

Christ's Church at Griffith Park - Community Room
3852 Edenhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90039

1. Call to Order & Roll Call (7:00 PM) (5 min)

2. Public Comments - Public comments are welcomed, but limited to 2 minutes per speaker.

3. New Business: a.) OP Presentation and Action: Revising the AVNC Bylaws (Phillip Alexander)

4. Next Meeting T.B.A.

5. Adjournment (7:45PM)

Atwater Village Monthly Report - June 2008

Update on current issues in Council District 13, Office of Councilmember Eric Garcetti

Click here to download Atwater Village Report - June 2008 (pdf file)

www.cd13.com

May 20, 2008

Public Support for DWP Festival of Lights Walking Nights needed ASAP

from Tim Warner (AVNC Co-Chair)

I know it's only May but we need help in sending a message to the DWP and city. Last year the DWP had a a "green week" of walking only nights during the Holiday Festival of Lights. Despite being the week of Thanksgiving the turnout was good. Immediately following the festival the AVNC along with the GGPNC and many local residents wrote letters to the DWP and city encouraging the walking nights to continue. In addition, the council encouraged the DWP and city to explore the possibility of making the entire festival a permanently walking-only event (less car exhaust in the air, less traffic, a family-friendly free thing to do, etc).

To date no one has received any response from the DWP or city and the DWP has made no announcements regarding keeping the walking nights. Some local community members are planning on attending a June 7 DWP meeting to once again show support for the walking nights and make another attempt to get an answer.

If you would like to see the walking nights continue we need you to speak up. Here are some options:

1. Post here so the responses can be printed out and submitted by the residents attending the June 7 meeting.
2. Better yet, write letters to the DWP, Councilman Tom LaBonge, Councilman Eric Garcetti, Parks & Rec, and cc the AVNC and/or the GGPNC.
3. Go to the June 7 meeting - 9am at the DWP cafeteria, 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Here are the addresses:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Board of Commissioners
Room 1555-H, 15th Floor
111 North Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/comment/EmailComments.ladwp?act=show&contentId=LADWP002263

Councilman Tom LaBonge
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Room 480
councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Councilman Eric Garcetti
200 North Spring Street,
Room 470
Los Angeles, California 90012
councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department
Office of Board of Commissioners
1200 W. 7th Street, Suite 762
Los Angeles, CA 90017
rap.commissioners@lacity.org

AVNC
3371 Glendale Blvd, Unit 105
Los Angeles, CA 90039
board@atwatervillage.org

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC)
PO Box 27003
Los Angeles CA 90027-0003
GGPNC@GGPNC.org

May 05, 2008

ATWATER VILLAGE GETS A NEW VOICE: "THE VILLAGE VOICE"

Click here to download AVNC's community newsletter: The Village Voice (pdf file)

April 29, 2008

Atwater Village - Community Day, May 10th!

Saturday, May 10th, 2008 - 9:00am to 3:30pm, at the Chevy Chase Rec. Park (4165 Chevy Chase Drive, L.A., CA 90039)

Live music, arts & crafts, bouncy tent for the kids and MUCH MORE....

Click here to download event flier (pdf file)

Sponsored by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council, L.A. City Council District 13 and Christ's Church at Griffith Park.

Griffith Park Burn Area Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project

Griffith Park's Wildlife Need Your Help!

Please join in the effort to help Griffith Park recover from the fire.

Volunteers are needed for habitat restoration.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays this Spring, volunteers will be removing invasive plants that are quickly overgrowing the burn area. These invasive plants are competing with the native plants for light, water, and nutrients. The wildlife of Griffith Park need you to help the

native plants that provide their food, water, and shelter.

We will begin with a training about native and non-native plants in Griffith Park, so don't be late! If you have them, please bring your own gloves and/or pruners. A limited supply of gloves tools will be available (most work can be easily done by hand). Please make sure to wear long- sleeved shirts, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toed shoes.

You may also need sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat. For more information, or to arrange specific times, dates, parking, etc:

Please contact:

Andrea Epstein, Volunteer Coordinator

Department of Recreation and Parks

Email: andrea.epstein@lacity.org

Tel: 213.928.9290

Thank you for partnering with Los Angeles City, Department of Recreation and Parks, in our mission to enrich the lives of the citizens of Los Angeles by providing safe, welcoming parks and recreation facilities and affordable, diverse recreation and human services activities for people of all ages to play, learn, contemplate, build community and be good stewards of our environment.

School teachers (6th grade and up) are encouraged to volunteer with their classes and can contact their regular transportation providers for free or reduced school-day-use of their school buses for this service learning field trip.

click here for information flier (pdf file)

AVNC Crime & Safety Committee Meeting - May 6, 6PM,

Atwater Village Neighborhood Council
Crime & Safety Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Atwater Branch Library
3379 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039

Topics: RECENT BURGLARIES IN BUSINESS COMMUNITY, OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN BUSINESS WATCH

Speakers: LAPD CAPTAIN & SENIOR LEAD OFFICER FOR ATWATER VILLAGE & COUNCIL DISTRICT 13 REPRESENTATIVE ON BUSINESS WATCH. CAROL MOORE FROM THE AV NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH WILL BE PRESENT AS WELL.

April 27, 2008

Legion Lane Nature Park meeting Sat. 5/3/08 @ 11:00am

 

Please Join Council President Eric Garcetti and the  Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Saturday, May 3rd - 11am at 3781 Legion Lane (the dead end off of Sunnynook) to discuss a potential park site at this location.

We would love to hear your input and ideas.

A brief description of the potential project will be given, with lots of time for Questions and Answers.

For more information, contact CD13 at 323-957-4500.

HELP THE ATWATER VILLAGE BRANCH LIBRARY!

The Mayor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-09 calls for a cut of $5.19 million dollars from the Los Angeles Public Library system budget – a 22% cut from last year’s budget.  The cuts will affect the budget for new books, staffing and hours of operation.  Our libraries serve all age groups, ethnic groups and special interest groups in our respective communities.  The Los Angeles Public Library and Friends of Atwater Library are asking for your help in preserving the much needed monies for the library system.  We are asking that you, members of your family, friends and neighbors send a letter to the Mayor and the City Council (click here for sample letter / email, pdf file) restoring the 2007-08 budget so the libraries can continue to buy books, maintain staff and hours.

The City Council Budget & Finance Committee is meeting on May 1, 2008 so please send your letter or email of support for the libraries right away.  Thank you for your support.

Click here to email the Mayor and L.A. City Budget & Finance Committee Members

Fax the Mayor at 213.978.0656

Fax the Committee Chair at 213.485.7683

April 03, 2008

CHICK REPORT IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL TO REDEPLOY OFFICERS

Los Angeles— Calling Los Angeles “… one of the most underpoliced big cities in America,” City Controller Laura Chick, issued a report today identifying ways to increase civilian staffing of the Los Angeles Police Department and put more officers out fighting crime on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

 

“We found over 500 positions that could potentially be filled by civilians, freeing up sworn personnel to perform more traditional policing functions. The last chapter of the report lays out a clear plan, implemented over a three year period that would put these already trained, experienced veteran police officers, back out in neighborhoods where we need them,” said Chick at a news conference with LAPD Chief Bill Bratton.

 

“Over and over again we hear the soundbite, “Let’s get officers out from behind desks and out on our streets.” Yet we continue to impose hiring freezes for civilian positions resulting in a vacancy level ranging up to 640 and currently hovering at 608 vacant positions. Who do we think is performing this essential backup work?,” continued Chick.

Continue reading "CHICK REPORT IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL TO REDEPLOY OFFICERS" »

March 26, 2008

Atwater Village Specific: Service Phone Numbers for Los Angeles River

Click here to download phone number list (pdf file)

February 29, 2008

GARCETTI ANNOUNCES PUBLIC SAFETY EVENTS IN GLASSELL PARK

 

Month-long series of community events follows gang-related shootout.

On the heels of a gang-related shootout on Drew Street, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti announced that he will host a series of events to listen to community concerns and engage local residents in efforts to make their neighborhood safer.

“My top priority is making sure that our neighborhoods are safe places where families can thrive.  We need to empower residents to work with each other and the police to stop the gang violence in Northeast L.A.  These community events will give local families an opportunity to share their ideas for making their neighborhood safer and to learn about what they can do to help,” said Garcetti.

The month-long series of community public safety events will include a Public Safety Summit with Garcetti, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, and other city officials.  Participants in the Summit will have the opportunity to express their concerns, share ideas, and hear an update on current public safety efforts.

Garcetti will also host a Leadership Academy focused on public safety issues in the community.  Workshops will be held by representatives of the L.A. Bridges gang prevention program, Human Relations Commission, local schools, and the City Attorney's Office.  Participants will learn how to organize a successful neighborhood watch, participate in Garcetti’s anti-graffiti program, Uniting Neighborhoods to Abolish Graffiti (UNTAG), and become effective partners with LAPD Senior Lead Officers.  The Garcetti Leadership Academies are held regularly and have trained more than 1,000 local residents to be effective advocates for their community.

All events will begin at 9 a.m., and the schedule of events includes:

• Saturday, March 8:  Public Safety and City Services Outreach event to update residents on public safety issues and invite them to the Public Safety Summit and Leadership Academy.  Washington Irving Middle School, 3010 Estara Avenue.
• Saturday, March 15:  Glassell Park Public Safety Summit with Garcetti and Bratton.  Washington Irving Middle School, 3010 Estara Avenue.
• Saturday, March 22:  Leadership Academy on public safety in Glassell Park. Glassell Park Community Senior Center, 3750 Verdugo Road.
• Saturday, March 29:  Community Picnic and Resource/Job Fair.  Juntos Park, 3135 Drew Street.
For Garcetti, this series of events follows seven years of working to improve public safety in this part of the Glassell Park neighborhood.  His efforts have included leading efforts to establish a neighborhood watch, coordinating neighborhood clean-ups, organizing door-to-door outreach events to inform local residents of anti-gang programs and other public safety resources available to them and their family members, and hosting community resource fairs to educate local residents on the city resources and community services available to them.  Although violent crime is down significantly in the area, last Thursday’s tragic events demonstrated the need for this comprehensive response.
More information about the Public Safety Summit and Leadership Academy will be posted at www.ericgarcetti.com as it becomes available.  Residents can also register to participate in events by calling 323/957-4500.

February 23, 2008

GARCETTI STATEMENT REGARDING GANG SHOOTINGS IN NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES

Yesterday's gang shootings in the Glassell Park area once again demonstrated our city's need to make safe communities our top priority.

In the last few years, we have poured additional resources into this area to stop the gang violence that has plagued the neighborhood for decades. LAPD and other law enforcement officers have been active in the neighborhood and were able to intervene immediately to bring safety back to the community. I want to thank the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department who did a stellar job of responding to this incident. I am committed to working with the police department to make sure it is getting the resources it needs to protect our communities.

I am also committed to creating more opportunities for young people to give them positive alternatives to gang life, including continuing a program I started last year called At the Park After Dark, which kept the Glassell Park Recreation Center open late into the evenings during
the summer.

L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti

www.cd13.com

February 19, 2008

Light Festival and CD4 Community Congress

January has come and gone and we are nearing the end of February. Although the DWP's lead event manager was reminded by two members of our community to schedule the promised January meeting at which we were to have assessed the success or failure of November's Light Festival pilot walking nights, it did not take place.

Our experiences in 2007 remind us how important it is that, instead of top-down solutions, the DWP work hand-in-hand with the public to make meaningful change. If our push for reform results in the event's conversion to a slo-mo bus ride or a longer bifurcated event, it will only pollute in a different way. There are indications that this might happen and will have to continue to work to ensure it does not.

For those who are able to attend, the meeting below presents an opportunity to register with DWP's top management that we want the 2008 Light Festival in Griffith Park be free of combustion engines and greenhouse gasses.

Bernadette Soter
Chair
Parks, River and Open Space Committee (PROS)
Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC)

February 18, 2008

AVNC BOARD EXPERIENCES YET ANOTHER RESIGNATION

The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) accepted the resignation of Christine Anthony as Non-profit Representative and Election Committee Chair at its monthly board meeting, February 14th, 2008 – Valentine’s Day. Ms. Anthony resigned from her position as Non-profit Representative and Election Committee Chair via email on January 31, 2008. In her email she did not state her reason for resigning. (Click here for 01/31/2008 resignation email).

Ms. Anthony was elected as one of two Non-profit Representatives in the October 6th, 2007 AVNC general board election. She also served as North Atwater Resident Representative during her previous tenure on the AVNC Board.

Ms. Anthony was also Project Manager for the Metrolink Derailment Memorial at Seneca Ave and Los Feliz Blvd., including the dedication ceremony in January of last year attended by many of the City’s dignitaries and relatives of those killed at the derailment in January 2004.  Ms. Anthony was also responsible for contracting with the City for the landscaping and maintenance of the area and hosted a small commemoration ceremony this past January for those able to attend. This exclusively AVNC funded project took just short of 3 years and cost approximately $15,000.00 to complete.

Since the seating of the new Board in November 2007, only three months ago, there have been two resignations from the Board, Diane Serafino and now Christine Anthony and one resignation by Lenore Solis as Secretary.

February 15, 2008

CHICK BLUEPRINT CALLS FOR REFOCUSSING, REORGANIZING, REINVENTING LOS ANGELES’ ANTI-GANG EFFORTS

Los Angeles—Calling it, “A time for action…now,” City Controller Laura Chick released her wide ranging and highly anticipated Blueprint on ending gang violence.

“During the last two decades, there have been countless studies, reports, consultants, City Council ad-hoc committees, new programs and hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars spent to stem the gang crisis.  And what do we have to show for it?  The recent in-depth Advancement Project study painted a grim picture, which my report echoes, of a disjointed maze of services that don't reach the intended “at risk” youth population,” said City Controller Chick.

“Now what?  It is important to note what my report does not say.  There is no call for immediate new dollars, but there is a plan spelled out on how to spend the money more wisely and efficiently.  New programs are not advocated, but rather the redesign, refocus and merging of existing programs is proscribed,” said Chick.

“The report does not recommend the creation of a new department with additional layers of bureaucracy, but directs the creation of the Anti-Gang Office which will operate directly under the Mayor.  This will be a centralized, empowered entity that has the oversight and responsibility of our many anti-gang efforts.    To ensure public transparency, the City Controller’s Office will issue status reports beginning six months from today, along with conducting periodic fiscal and performance audits,” said Chick.

Continue reading "CHICK BLUEPRINT CALLS FOR REFOCUSSING, REORGANIZING, REINVENTING LOS ANGELES’ ANTI-GANG EFFORTS" »

January 30, 2008

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR APPROVES ADJUSTMENTS FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON CASITAS AVENUE

 

The Zoning Administrator at the L.A. City Department of Planning approved all requested adjustments for the “Casitas Village” housing development at 3234-3274 Casitas Avenue.

 

Click here for Zoning Administrator ruling on adjustment requests (pdf files)

AVNC Arts and Education Committee meeting - Monday, Feb. 4

Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC)

Arts and Education Committee meeting

Monday, February 4, 6:45-7:45pm

Atwater Village Branch Library

3379 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Click here to download meeting agenda (pdf file)

For more information contact Tim Warner at twarner@atwatervillage.org

Commission Seeks Your Input on Preservation Ordinance

The Office of Historic Resources and the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) invite you to participate in a special Commission policy workshop on February 7, 2008 - a meeting that will provide the first public forum to discuss a significant overhaul of the City's historic preservation ordinance.

The staff of the Office of Historic Resources (OHR) is proposing important changes aimed at strengthening demolition review procedures, clarifying criteria for historic designation, and enhancing notification of private property owners. The City of Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Ordinance, originally approved by the City Council in 1962, created the procedures for the designation and protection of significant Los Angeles buildings and sites as Historic-Cultural Monuments. While the Ordinance has undergone several minor, procedural modifications, it has never been comprehensively updated to give our City a state-of-the-art historic preservation program.

The Cultural Heritage Commission has scheduled an initial public workshop on these ordinance amendments for February 7, 2008, 10:00 a.m. in Room 1010 of City Hall (200 N. Spring St., in downtown Los Angeles). This meeting will also include a presentation on the OHR's work program for 2008, and an update on SurveyLA, the Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey. We also welcome your written comments and suggestions on these proposals as the OHR and Commission finalize a draft ordinance for submission to the City Council later this year.

Continue reading "Commission Seeks Your Input on Preservation Ordinance" »

Update from CD13 on the vacant Kmart store at 3150 San Fernando Rd

January 30, 2008

In the summer of 2004 Home Depot Corporation announced the purchase of a multi-year lease for the K-Mart store at 3150 San Fernando Road on the same day that K-Mart announced they would be closing the store.  By January of 2005, the city had enacted an Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) for the area in Glassell Park bounded by the Metro-link tracks, the commercial strip to the east of San Fernando Road, the city of Glendale, and Fletcher Drive.  That meant that no structure within those boundaries could be significantly altered in any way or demolished without a hardship exemption.  The former K-Mart site fell within those boundaries.  At the time there was lots of speculation in the area as the real estate market had heated up considerably.  The ICO provided a tool wherein the city and the community could weigh in more closely on land use decisions that would affect the area for years, if not decades to come. During this time the community organized to make a case against having a Home Depot at that location and Home Depot hired a consulting firm to build support within the community for one of their stores.  Several public meetings were held.  Some compromise concepts were discussed.  Home Depot submitted applications to the city's planning department for improvements and upgrades to the existing building so that when the ICO was lifted, they would be able to build their store.As the ICO was set to expire, we enacted the "Fletcher Square" portion of the Community Design Overlay Zone.  This covered the exact geographical area that the ICO covered and it prohibited retail spaces larger than 75,000 square feet.  After some initial activity, the site sat quiet for several months.  In the Fall of 2007 our office learned that Home Depot may be reconsidering its desire to build a store there and in December this was confirmed.The lease hold is now up for sale and Home Depot is looking for a buyer.  We have referred several interested parties their way over the last month and continue to do so.  Ideas expressed by the communities of Atwater Village and Glassell Park range from mixed use with retail to a new Police station to affordable housing, to an accessory use for the new LACC college at the Van de Kamps site.  We are all very excited to have this new opportunity; to work with someone on a development the community can support that will be in keeping with an improved San Fernando Road corridor.

Mitch O'Farrell
District Director, Constituent Services
City Council President Eric Garcetti

www.cd13.com

January 21, 2008

DIANE MIDDLETON RESIGNS FROM BOARD OF NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

Commissioner Diane Middleton resigns from her position on the Board of Neighborhood Commission citing considerable challenges in the Neighborhood Council system.

The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners ("Commission" or "Board") is comprised of seven members, each from a different background and a different part of the city. They are appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by the City Council. The Commission is responsible for setting and overseeing policy. That includes approval of contracts, leases, and rules and regulations. The Commission holds regular public meetings every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, and may hold special meetings to conduct business.

http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com/commissioners.htm

--- Diane Middleton Resignation Letter ---

January 16, 2008

Deputy Mayor Larry Frank

Office of the Mayor

200 North Spring Street, Suite 303

Los Angeles, CA  90012

RE: Resignation as Commissioner

Dear Larry:

I wish to express my thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for the opportunity to serve in his administration as a Commissioner on the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners.

As you know, our Commission meets in the evening at various locations throughout the city.  This has provided the opportunity to learn about many of the 89 Neighborhood Councils and their communities.

Some of these Neighborhood Councils are vibrant, diverse, and truly committed to making their neighborhood a better place for all residents.  Seeing the well functioning neighborhood councils has been the most positive aspect of serving as a commissioner.

Additionally, I truly appreciated the opportunity to work with the other BONC Commissioners who are intelligent, committed, and politically astute.  Likewise, many of the DONE staff are truly outstanding and could make a terrific contribution to improving the Neighborhood Council system if given the chance.

The challenges have been considerable.  Foremost among these is that in the 27 months I served as a Commissioner there were 4 general managers at DONE.

Continue reading "DIANE MIDDLETON RESIGNS FROM BOARD OF NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION" »

CD13 / Atwater Village Monthly Report, January 2008

Update on current issues in L.A. Council District 13, Office of Councilmember Eric Garcetti.

Click here for January 2008 report (pdf file)

www.cd13.com

January 17, 2008

"Bring the Farmer to Your School" program comes to Atwater Ave Elementary School

Atwater Village, CA – The Atwater Village Farmers’ Market has found yet another way to bring local, fresh produce to Atwater Village!  In a collaborative effort, the (AVFM) has coordinated a farmer visit to Atwater Elementary School using LAUSD and SEE-LA’s Bring the Farmer to Your School program.

On January 23rd, from 8:20 a.m. – 12:10 p.m., Farmer Eli Sheiman, of Tutti Frutti Organic Farms, will visit the Atwater Elementary School classroom and teach over 250 students about life on the farm.  The children will learn that carrots grow form the ground, and that they don’t just appear at the produce aisle at the market!  Students will learn many things, such as the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bugs for growing fruits and vegetables.  The students will be able to taste tangerines, apples and carrots straight from Eli’s farm, and learn that carrots can actually have a sweet, flavorful taste.  “I like the kids to have a connection with where their food comes from, how it affects their bodies, and become excited about eating healthy” – Farmer Eli Sheiman.

The Farmer Eli’s visit is being funded by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council, who share with the (AVFM) their commitment to the health of the Atwater community.

For the past six years, SEE-LA and LAUSD have been collaborating and operating the Bring the Farmer to Your School program.  This program is committed to teaching children in lower-income communities about health, farming, and fresh fruits and vegetables.  “SEE-LA is proud to bring its valuable programs into the same communities where we also operate our farmers’ markets”. – Pompea Smith, CEO, SEE-LA

The Atwater Village Farmers’ Market is located on Glendale Ave. and Larga Ave. at 3250 Glendale Blvd. in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.  Free parking is available off Larga Ave.

The Market is operated by Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA) as a nonprofit community activity.

LANDSCAPING COMPLETED FOR $15,000 METROLINK TRAIN CRASH MEMORIAL AT LOS FELIZ BLVD AND SENECA AVE

Landscaping was completed for the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) funded Metrolink Train Crash Memorial. The memorial, which approximately cost  $15,000.00 and took just short of 3 years to complete, was installed to commemorate those who died in a January 26, 2005 Metrolink train crash by Costco Wholesale on Los Feliz Blvd.

The memorial is located at the intersection of Los Feliz Blvd and Seneca Ave.

For more information about this AVNC funded project contact Christine Anthony, project manager, at canthony@atwatervillage.org.

---

For more information about how the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council spends its’ funds visit http://www.done.lacity.org/onlinefunding/ncfunding.aspx. Select "Atwater Village Neighborhood Council" from pull down menu.  

--

Click here for photos of the Metrolink Train Crash Memorial site 

January 15, 2008

RECENTLY ELECTED AVNC BOARD EXPERIENCES ITS SECOND RESIGNATION IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS

The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) received the resignation of Lenore Solis as Board Secretary effective January 11, 2008. Ms. Solis, who served as Board Secretary for just under 3 months, resigned from her position as Board Secretary via email on January 11, 2008. In her email she stated that her reason for resigning is to return to study a “specialization course on the treatment of criminal addicts”. In her email, Ms. Solis also states that she will continue on as a member on the AVNC Board and its Crime / Public Safety Committee. (Click here for 01/11/2008 resignation letter)

 

---

Ms. Solis was elected to serve as the Religious Representative on the AVNC Board in the October 6th, 2007 general election. She had previously served as Business Representative during the 2004-2006 AVNC Board term before resigning that position on April 25, 2006. (Click here for 04/25/2006 resignation letter)

---

 

AVNC Board Meeting Minutes (Unapproved)

January 10, 2008 – Unapproved Meeting Minutes (pdf file)

December 13, 2007 - Unapproved Meeting Minutes (pdf file)

December 17, 2007

AVNC BOARD SUCCESSFULLY FILLS VACANT POSITIONS

At its 2nd general meeting (December 13, 2007) the newly elected Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) Board successfully filled the 3 special interest representative and 1 business representative board seats, thus giving the Neighborhood Council’s governing body its first full board since July of 2005.

The new AVNC Board appointees are:

Business Representative

Spencer Collins, an architectural designer and business owner of Tyler Spencer Design Studio (3362 Glendale Blvd) who loves Atwater Village and enjoys riding his bike to work along the river. Mr. Collins, who was present at the meeting, received a unanimous vote by the board.

Special Interest

Caroline Netzorg, a previous candidate and an Atwater Village home owner and park-lover that feels “passionate about bettering our community”. Ms. Netzorg, who was present at the meeting, received 10 votes.

Special Interest

Lance Sandman, a previous candidate and a third generation resident of Atwater Village. Mr. Sandman, who was present at the meeting, received 12 votes.

Special Interest

Amador Solis, an employee of Lenore M Solis & Assoc (3315 Glendale Blvd) and son of Lenore Solis (AVNC Board Member). Mr. Solis was not present at the meeting nor did he submit a written statement. Ms. Solis, his mother, spoke on his behalf. Mr. Solis received 10 votes.

---

For more information about the AVNC visit them online at www.atwatervillage.org

December 14, 2007

Urgent Need For Action on L.A. City Mansionization Ordinance

What:  Please attend the L.A. City PLUM Committee meeting at 2 PM on December 18 in City Hall. There is no similarly effective tool quite like your showing up. In addition, you may wish to contact the City Council in advance to express your views.
Why:  The December 18 meeting of the L.A. City PLUM Committee will mark the third time that this body has heard the Mansionization Ordinance. Currently, the City does not regulate oversized homes that disproportionately impact their neighborhoods and the environment. The proposed Ordinance curtails gross overbuilding while it allows homes of more generous size than are permitted by similar measures in surrounding cities. Work on the proposed Ordinance was sponsored by Councilman Tom LaBonge, and seconded by Councilmembers Ed Reyes, Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Bill Rosendahl, Eric Garcetti, and Herb Wesson. The measure was drafted and recommended by City Planning on June 14. The Council has yet to see this work.
PLUM History:
  • At the July 24 PLUM meeting, the Planning Department and the City Attorney's office were directed to review the proposed Ordinance.  In addition, Councilman Jack Weiss directed Planning to offer two changes: a menu of ways for a community to opt out of the Ordinance and a suggestion concerning enclosed porches.
  • On October 18 the City Attorney's office released the formal version of the proposed Ordinance. The house size limitations were essentially unchanged. There was no change in the porch provision.
  • On November 20 the Planning Department again appeared before PLUM with a menu of ways for a community to opt out of the Ordinance.  Councilman Weiss again asked for an expanded menu, and asked Planning to provide an economic analysis of the effects of the proposed ordinance. No funding is offered for the economic analysis, which would require months of study, and, according to an expert in the field, can be anticipated to find a positive effect on property values.
  • Still another PLUM meeting is scheduled for December 18. Councilman Weiss has spoken publicly in favor of neighborhood-by-neighborhood regulations, rather than a citywide rule. The bureaucracy and time that this new approach envisions is, unfortunately, endless. None of us will live to tell the tale.  
Action:  The most common criticism of the  criticism of the Ordinance is that it is too modest. Indeed, it is not tailored to protect individual neighborhood character, which must come via overlay zones, specific plans, and community plan updates. However, while we fiddle, construction continues on houses that are out of scale for our neighborhoods, that invade the privacy of their neighbors, that overuse scarce resources, and that place home ownership further out of reach for the next generation, including our children. Please:
1. Attend and get others to attend the PLUM hearing on December 18. Submit a speaker card. Please remember that your presence at City hearings is only recorded if you submit a speaker card; this is always true. Whether you favor or oppose the proposal, ask that the item be forward to the full Council.
2. As individuals and organizations, call, e-mail, and write to the L.A. City PLUM Committee (Councilmen Reyes, Weiss, and Huizar), strongly urging that the Mansionization Ordinance move forward to the full City Council. Copy Council President Garcetti and your own Councilmember.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. It seems important to end government inaction

November 26, 2007

PUBLIC HEARING ON CASITAS 27 SINGLE-FAMILY UNIT HOUSING PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 12TH

Elevation_7_11_07.jpg

A public hearing on the proposed 27 single-family unit housing project, dubbed “Casitas Village”, at 3234-3274 Casitas Avenueis scheduled for December 12th, 2007. Click here for Public Hearing Notice (pdf file).

 

At the December 12th hearing the Deputy Advisory Agency (L.A. City Planning Department) will consider to permit the construction of 27 new single-family homes in accordance with the Small Lot Ordinance No. 176,354 on a 60,075 net square foot site in the RD3-1 Zone with 54 parking spaces. The maximum permitted density on this site is 20 units. However, the applicant is utilizing a 35% Density Bonus, Pursuant to Government Code 65915 to provide seven additional units, of which 7%, two dwelling units, will be set aside for very low income purposes.

 

The Deputy Advisory Agency will also consider a Zoning Administrator's Adjustment to permit a reduced horizontal open space dimension of 8.5 and 10 foot in lieu of the required 15-foor for common open space; an eight-foot encroachment into a 15-foot building line for the construction, use and maintenance of front yard private patios (A Building Line Removal is proposed under a separate application); An eight-foot encroachment into the 15-foot front yard setback of a RD3 Zone Lot for the construction use and maintenance of porches and patios (If the Building Line is removed under separate application prior to the issuance of a building permit); Reduced spaces between buildings and passageways allowing four inches between buildings in lieu of the 20-foot required and 12-foot passageways; and to allow more than 50% paving in the front yard.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain testimony from Atwater Village stakeholders and/or other interested persons regarding the proposed housing development. The decision maker will consider all the testimony presented at the hearing, written communication received prior to or at the hearing, and the merits of the housing project.

 

Written communication may be mailed to the City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Expedited Processing Section, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 721, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (attention: Christina Toy Lee, Case no. VTT-69268-SL-DB)

 

For more information about this hearing contact Christina Toy Lee at 213.473.9723

 

---

 

“Casitas Village” consists of a 27 homes on a 1.33 acre lot (60,075 net sq.ft.). Each home would be 3 story high and consist of 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, home office and a 2 car garage. The approximate price range of units would be in $800,000 to $900,000.

 

Click here for “Casitas Village” site plans (large pdf file)

 

Click here for Filing Notification and Distribution package from L.A. Dept of Planning (large pdf file)

November 19, 2007

Fill a Vacancy Position on the AVNC Board

The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council Needs You!!

Sign Up! Help Out! Get Involved! You Can Make a Difference!

New Board Members will serve until the next official election to take place Oct., 2009.

The following 4 positions are available: 1 Business Representative and 3 Special Interest Representatives

The Deadline to Apply is Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 5:00 PM.

To apply, follow these 3 easy steps:

 

1) Complete a one-page application stating who you are and what your Stakeholder status is (resident, business owner or employee, churchgoer, park user, community group member, etc.). Write up to 100 words telling why you want to serve on the AVNC Board. Use the application at www.atwatervillage.org or at the Atwater Village Public Library, 3379 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039and follow the delivery instructions noted here.

2) Mail or hand deliver your application and statement to 3371 Glendale Blvd Unit 105, Los Angeles Ca. 90039. (323) 634 AVNC Applications must be received at the post box no later than 5:00 PM. Thursday Dec 6, 2007

3) Come to the Dec 13, 2007 Board Meeting and speak for up to 2 minutes about why you want to serve. You will be notified of the location.

Click here to download application (pdf file)

November 16, 2007

Multi-family owner and manager seminar