I am putting this post up after the post about LAPD Officer Simmons' event because that cause is most important to me, at this time.
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We had a defeat Wednesday evening when the Wilmington Neighborhood Council became the only one of the five, harbor area Neighborhood Council to vote in support of a motion to support Bob's current plan for building his weapon of mass development at Ponte Vista.
I covered that meeting on http://www.pontevista.blogspot.com/ and I mentioned that I am not willing to post negative comments about that Council on any other blog, other than my uncensored blog, which you will have to find in order to view any negative comments concerning Wilmington N.C.'s recent action.
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Mike Rosenthal seem to have gotten his dander up, since last he talked to the leader of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos. An article indicated that he may sue somebody if he has the Q Classification Condition placed on his three, currently zoned C1-1XL properties he owns at the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
As Glinda or Galinda might say, "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU"!
(I've got tickets for my threepeat of "Wicked").
Well, if a he wants to continue fighting, then we should oblige him, don't you feel? Or, perhaps if he states, in writing that he will only build single-family, detached houses, one per lot, on the six lots he owns, then I and others would be very willing to aide him in any way we can to support that type of redevelopment of the former McCowan's Market site.
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Although the Rudderless Steering Committee hasn't met yet, to determine how it might be willing or unwilling to support the placement of South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) at Angel's Gate, I have talked to many members of that group or R Neighborhoods Are 1 members and I think they also agree that placing a high school of that size, at Angel's Gate, is a very bad idea.
Many neighbors living in the Palisades area of San Pedro are being joined by others in OUR community to deal with this issue. They are still to new to have a name picked out, but their Email list grows daily, they have buttons that can be worn, and they have a passion for their neighborhood, much like the great neighbors living in Vista del Oro have for the McCowan's site redevelopment issues.
What make me even more proud of both groups is they will actually meet together to share ideas, learn what works and what does not work and come together as members of different neighborhoods who are working on issues that affect OUR community and not just their own issue.
At the Wilmington N.C. meeting, we had committee members from the SRHS 15 group joining with the folks speaking from other neighborhoods, against Bob's weapon of mass development.
On the SRHS 15 issue we are learning that the chief deputy for Dr. Vladovich is more than willing to discuss issues and that is more refreshing that what we have witnessed from the Facilities Division of LAUSD, so far.
Looking so soon, for positive alternatives is a plus for all sides of the issue, I feel.
Please remember that whoever says that an 810-1,215-seat senior high school at Angel's Gate is a "done deal" demonstrates some peoples' lack of willingness to become part of the processes to find the best solution for educating students in Dr. Vladovich's area.
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The Port of Los Angeles still wants to build a cruise ship terminal at Kaiser Point, in the outer harbor.
Well then, what benefits will the port provide to local residents who will have to deal with the traffic and other issues involved in placing a terminal for the largest cruise ships in the world literally at the end of San Pedro below the bluffs?
The south side of San Pedro should sure use a great community swimming pool. OUR community already has a pool at Peck Park, but it is miles away from where the Gaffey Street Pool was enjoyed by bathers for decades. I'm not suggesting that rebuilding the Gaffey Street Pool is the only option, but I am suggesting that residents should benefit for all the things they would have to put up with.
I continue to stick to my overhead Monorail dream, between a new parking structure near the existing cruise ship terminal, and the proposed Kaiser Point terminal. Heck, I am very willing to listen to any and all types of mitigation and ideas that would benefit all of us and not just the taxicab drivers who will be able to get larger fares by traveling through San Pedro than they can get now by dropping passengers off at Berth 93.
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March 6, 2008. I hope I have warned enough people repeatedly how we might see a parking lot formed in the travel lanes along Western Avenue because of the Grand Opening of the Marshall's Store on the top level of The Terraces.
I'll be posting photos of the area later on that Thursday's Odds and Ends 3. If you see me with my camera wave and remember you have been warned.
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The great neighbors living in the lower Toscanini/Strathmore area of Rancho Palos Verdes wish that cut-through drivers go through that neighborhood not faster than the posted speed limit.
There is a concerned group of residents and HOA members who are waiting for speed humps, sought for the last three years, to be installed along several streets.
I am also requesting that striping of Toscanini, east of Western Avenue be accomplished to make it appear that the travel lane is narrower and that parking areas have diagonal stripes to try and keep drivers from going too close to the curb. When these stripes are placed it provides the illusion of a narrower roadway and drivers seem to slow down naturally, because of the illusion.
Please also be warned, a Sargent with the LASD may be placing more patrol cars in that area to catch speeders and stop sign violators. I can't tell you when or where these deputies can be found, but look for increased enforcement in the future.
Now, unfortunately, I do have to mention that not all of the speeders and cut-through drivers live in San Pedro. Some neighbors living in R.P.V. also speed and cut-through that neighborhood of R.P.V., so all of us must take some quilt and work together as neighborhoods to try ans solve the problems.
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The loss of More San Pedro, an insert to the Saturday edition of The Daily Breeze has been confirmed.
With the loss, the newspaper has laid off Ms. Justina Ly and Ms. Rachel Jones.
More San Pedro served me quite well and I think many others in OUR community will be a bit angry when we look for it in The Daily Breeze, but it won't be there.
I wonder if the cannibals at the company that owns so many newspapers will also can San Pedro Magazine, the monthly free publication from the folks that publish the Independent-Press Telegram.
Perhaps the profit margin has shrunk so low that newspapers all have to become cookie-cutters of simply one type and L.A. is heading towards having only one newspaper similar in the lack of community coverage that U.S.A. Today is.
No wonder so many folks actually believed that the military shot down the doomed satellite because of the fuel on board.Saturday mornings used to all start with looking through More San Pedro before I went on to read the rest of the paper.
I am also sorry that another two journalists are losing their jobs. It is even worse when I feel the two of them did a great job for OUR community.
It looks like we are going to have to deal with Less San Pedro, and live with options that can be cut and pasted to just about any other newspaper in the L.A. area.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Next in a LOOOOOOOONG Line of Meetings Concerning the Proposed New High School
(left click over the announcement to enlarge on your P.C. or right click over it to save or print)This announcement appears to announce the first public meeting on the Environmental studies and reports that are necessary before any formal decision is made as to whether a new high school and where it will be located.
There may be the third and final meeting by the Facilities Division with their schematic illustrations of the proposed school, sometime in April.
This newly announced meeting and the two meetings already held by the Facilities Division, and the third meeting in April are all leading to the Scoping Study and the Initial Study which determines the paths the Draft Environmental Impact Report will take.
These two studies give all of us the chance to look at what LAUSD considers, initially, what environmental impacts might happen with a new school, and how impacted the items might be, on the environment.
These same series of studies were conducted for the Ponte Vista at San Pedro project, but it appears that this particular process may be running faster than we saw for Ponte Vista.
The upcoming meeting is the most important meeting of the four first meeting. This meeting is where the public can address their first concerns about the placement of the proposed and even if the new school should be built at all.
I expect that proponents and opponents of having the school built at Angel's Gate will want to have as many ducks in their row as possible, at this time.
This is where the public gets to claim how much the proposed school may impact their lives, transit issues, the local areas, and how import the public feels about a environmental issues that the proposed school may bring.
If you can only make one of the two closest future meetings, then this one is, by far, the one you should attend.
It's the public chance to chime in on what the impacts might be and how much of those impacts might impact the members of the public.
Ask Yourself
I am in communication with some individuals who either want to see South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) built in the Angel's Gate area, and others who object strongly to having the proposed 810-1,215-seat senior high school built in that area.
As one would expect, I do have a strong opinion on the issue and I have been able to create a list of questions I answered for myself and posed to some opponents of having the proposed school built where LAUSD wants it built.
But I think for folks to determine for themselves what they truly feel about this issue, your own answers, given to your own self or just a few folks, may help you fill in the reasons you have for how and why you feel the way you do.
But first, before I post the questions, I need to set a few ground rules.
If any of your answers include "because LAUSD owns so much land there", that is not really a fair answer. LAUSD owns property in many places in San Pedro where such a school could be built, and by stating that simplistic answer, it lets you not dwell with where that land actually is, and what routes and roadways are available.
I could very easily come up with at least ten good reasons for building a new school on that land, just as easily as I can come up with a different set of ten reasons why a school shouldn't be built there, but I am not the one answering your questions, you are.
So here goes, there are no points and either everybody wins or everybody loses, there will probably be no in-between on this one.
Does the Los Angeles Unified School District need another public non-charter senior high school built in San Pedro? If yes, why? If no, why not? If maybe or probably, then why?
If a new senior high school is truly needed, in your opinion, where should it be built, and why, should it be built in the area you fell it should be built at?
If a new senior high school is not truly needed in your opinion, then do you feel that San Pedro High School can handle more students? If yes, how?
How hard might you work to either support a new high school being built in San Pedro?
How hard might you work to oppose a new high school being built in San Pedro or where that high school may be located?
Do you feel LAUSD is being honest in their handling of the issue of a proposed new high school?
If yes, why? If no, why not?
OUR community is just beginning the processes that may bring a new senior high school to San Pedro. There are studies to be done, comments to be made and reviewed, public hearings to be held, and when it is all just about ready to be said and done, a vote by the members of the L.A. Unified Board of Education will be taken.
So you have time to ponder the questions and find your own answers.
As always, you may remain anonymous in any comments or answers to these questions you may wish to have published on this post.
As a matter of note, I do have answers to all of the questions I first asked myself, and I do have fairly strong opinions on this matter.
I do not however, live in a neighborhood that would ever come into view as a possible site for a new senior high school. I have an LAUSD elementary school in my neighborhood that I attended between September 1960 and June, 1967, so I am quite fond of my school, even though it is in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
I have really nothing to gain or lose concerning this issue beyond my purpose I have for doing what I do; If you don't stand for something, you can fall for anything.
I also have a lot to give back to OUR community that supported me and my family for several generations.
There is one answer that I will provide here that should, must, and needs to be the same answer for everyone to give.
If a new senior high school is built in San Pedro, what should it be named?
Well, this is an absolutely, positively, complete no brainer and the hardest slam dunk in the history of basketball. Either name it the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School (Muriel graduated from Banning and is a fantastic Pilot alum) or the John Olguin Senior High School.
Any answer other than those two options will come from somebody who is not worthy of being called a Real San Pedran!
As one would expect, I do have a strong opinion on the issue and I have been able to create a list of questions I answered for myself and posed to some opponents of having the proposed school built where LAUSD wants it built.
But I think for folks to determine for themselves what they truly feel about this issue, your own answers, given to your own self or just a few folks, may help you fill in the reasons you have for how and why you feel the way you do.
But first, before I post the questions, I need to set a few ground rules.
If any of your answers include "because LAUSD owns so much land there", that is not really a fair answer. LAUSD owns property in many places in San Pedro where such a school could be built, and by stating that simplistic answer, it lets you not dwell with where that land actually is, and what routes and roadways are available.
I could very easily come up with at least ten good reasons for building a new school on that land, just as easily as I can come up with a different set of ten reasons why a school shouldn't be built there, but I am not the one answering your questions, you are.
So here goes, there are no points and either everybody wins or everybody loses, there will probably be no in-between on this one.
Does the Los Angeles Unified School District need another public non-charter senior high school built in San Pedro? If yes, why? If no, why not? If maybe or probably, then why?
If a new senior high school is truly needed, in your opinion, where should it be built, and why, should it be built in the area you fell it should be built at?
If a new senior high school is not truly needed in your opinion, then do you feel that San Pedro High School can handle more students? If yes, how?
How hard might you work to either support a new high school being built in San Pedro?
How hard might you work to oppose a new high school being built in San Pedro or where that high school may be located?
Do you feel LAUSD is being honest in their handling of the issue of a proposed new high school?
If yes, why? If no, why not?
OUR community is just beginning the processes that may bring a new senior high school to San Pedro. There are studies to be done, comments to be made and reviewed, public hearings to be held, and when it is all just about ready to be said and done, a vote by the members of the L.A. Unified Board of Education will be taken.
So you have time to ponder the questions and find your own answers.
As always, you may remain anonymous in any comments or answers to these questions you may wish to have published on this post.
As a matter of note, I do have answers to all of the questions I first asked myself, and I do have fairly strong opinions on this matter.
I do not however, live in a neighborhood that would ever come into view as a possible site for a new senior high school. I have an LAUSD elementary school in my neighborhood that I attended between September 1960 and June, 1967, so I am quite fond of my school, even though it is in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
I have really nothing to gain or lose concerning this issue beyond my purpose I have for doing what I do; If you don't stand for something, you can fall for anything.
I also have a lot to give back to OUR community that supported me and my family for several generations.
There is one answer that I will provide here that should, must, and needs to be the same answer for everyone to give.
If a new senior high school is built in San Pedro, what should it be named?
Well, this is an absolutely, positively, complete no brainer and the hardest slam dunk in the history of basketball. Either name it the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School (Muriel graduated from Banning and is a fantastic Pilot alum) or the John Olguin Senior High School.
Any answer other than those two options will come from somebody who is not worthy of being called a Real San Pedran!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Let's Try to Figure This All Out, A Rambling Post
There are a number of San Pedrans who support Bob Bisno's weapon of mass development, Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
There are a number of people who don't want to see Papadakis Taverna close down and end one of the best, if not the best, Greek Restaurant in the nation. I don't want to see it closed, either.
There are a number of people who don't want to see SRHS 15 built, basically in their back yards.
Some of these numbers of people happen to be the same persons!
"We don't want to see Papadakis close, but we want to let Bob build 1,950 condominiums, while we completely oppose SRHS 15 from being built in the Palisades". This is an imagined quote that could possibly come from a number of individuals living in San Pedro or other communities.
They want change as long as it effects others. They want tradition as long as it effects them.
I guess I'm missing something somewhere.
I don't wish to see Papadakis Taverna close, I don't wish to have the lives of many San Pedrans and eastern Rancho Palos Verdians change by having to deal with 1,950 condos on Western Avenue, and I don't wish to have a high school placed in an area that cannot support the massive transit and transportation issues even an 810-seat senior high school would cause.
I guess it comes down to the fact that I don't wish to see major changes in OUR community.
But smaller, well managed, well supported changes don't seem to be too bad for OUR community.
When the developers of Target came to town, they worked with the residents of the area and their Neighborhood Council to create plans that would have less of an impact they could have, had the Target folks not worked with the local residents.
As "Highland Park", the 134-dwelling patio-home project goes through it courses of having the tank farm removed and all the contaminated soil removed, all of those responsible, talked with the neighbors and worked with the neighborhood organizations to keep all impact to a minimum.
In Vista del Oro, the great neighbors there, organized because of a weapon of mass development was initially proposed for that neighborhood. Working as a group, they finally got the attention of the developer of that site, and now, the organization is discussing with the developer, what is best for that neighborhood.
Unfortunately, there was no HOA at Mira Costa Terrace when Marshall's was being planned, but that store's developer worked with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Now we are faced with not one, but two entities desiring to bring huge changes to two separate areas in San Pedro, who don't seem to plan on working with the local neighborhood HOA's or Neighborhood Councils to deal with the monstrous changes these two developments would bring.
Ponte Vista and SRHS 15 are being brought to us by individuals and groups that seem to believe they know what is best for OUR community and we are not supposed to challenge, oppose, or even question, that extensively, those developers and their developments.
Come on people, I have documented three developments where the developers have found it better to work with the residents than against them. Even the developer of the Vue seems to have a soft spot for San Pedrans.
Let's be consistent in our thoughts, feelings, and actions. I am a slow-growther. I do recognize that change is the only constant, but those changes don't necessarily have to come at too great of an expense to OUR community.
With the construction of the Vue, Centre Street Lofts. LaSalle Lofts, Bank Lofts, and other downtown San Pedro projects, we are losing out on the chance to make a change that will benefit the downtown area and isn't really that big, compared to Ponte Vista or SRHS 15.
We all need another supermarket in downtown San Pedro. There, I wrote it, and it is a change from no development at all.
With all the new condo owners or renters coming in, we seem to have only two "large" supermarkets in the downtown area.
A new supermarket is needed and probably required to keep traffic issues in check for as long as possible. It is a change we all can appreciate, I believe.
We also MAY need a new high school, but we certainly don't need one that has such terrible access issues as one built at Angel's Gate would have.
What we don't need is a development on the north side of San Pedro that will be the biggest development ever in the area and will drastically change the nature of northwest San Pedro and eastern Rancho Palos Verdes for generation after generation.
So if you support Ponte Vista, but oppose SRHS 15 at Angel's Gate, please check your hypocrisy at the door, and realize that both project places, where they are proposed for, and with the size the developers wish for, are bad for OUR community.
There are a number of people who don't want to see Papadakis Taverna close down and end one of the best, if not the best, Greek Restaurant in the nation. I don't want to see it closed, either.
There are a number of people who don't want to see SRHS 15 built, basically in their back yards.
Some of these numbers of people happen to be the same persons!
"We don't want to see Papadakis close, but we want to let Bob build 1,950 condominiums, while we completely oppose SRHS 15 from being built in the Palisades". This is an imagined quote that could possibly come from a number of individuals living in San Pedro or other communities.
They want change as long as it effects others. They want tradition as long as it effects them.
I guess I'm missing something somewhere.
I don't wish to see Papadakis Taverna close, I don't wish to have the lives of many San Pedrans and eastern Rancho Palos Verdians change by having to deal with 1,950 condos on Western Avenue, and I don't wish to have a high school placed in an area that cannot support the massive transit and transportation issues even an 810-seat senior high school would cause.
I guess it comes down to the fact that I don't wish to see major changes in OUR community.
But smaller, well managed, well supported changes don't seem to be too bad for OUR community.
When the developers of Target came to town, they worked with the residents of the area and their Neighborhood Council to create plans that would have less of an impact they could have, had the Target folks not worked with the local residents.
As "Highland Park", the 134-dwelling patio-home project goes through it courses of having the tank farm removed and all the contaminated soil removed, all of those responsible, talked with the neighbors and worked with the neighborhood organizations to keep all impact to a minimum.
In Vista del Oro, the great neighbors there, organized because of a weapon of mass development was initially proposed for that neighborhood. Working as a group, they finally got the attention of the developer of that site, and now, the organization is discussing with the developer, what is best for that neighborhood.
Unfortunately, there was no HOA at Mira Costa Terrace when Marshall's was being planned, but that store's developer worked with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Now we are faced with not one, but two entities desiring to bring huge changes to two separate areas in San Pedro, who don't seem to plan on working with the local neighborhood HOA's or Neighborhood Councils to deal with the monstrous changes these two developments would bring.
Ponte Vista and SRHS 15 are being brought to us by individuals and groups that seem to believe they know what is best for OUR community and we are not supposed to challenge, oppose, or even question, that extensively, those developers and their developments.
Come on people, I have documented three developments where the developers have found it better to work with the residents than against them. Even the developer of the Vue seems to have a soft spot for San Pedrans.
Let's be consistent in our thoughts, feelings, and actions. I am a slow-growther. I do recognize that change is the only constant, but those changes don't necessarily have to come at too great of an expense to OUR community.
With the construction of the Vue, Centre Street Lofts. LaSalle Lofts, Bank Lofts, and other downtown San Pedro projects, we are losing out on the chance to make a change that will benefit the downtown area and isn't really that big, compared to Ponte Vista or SRHS 15.
We all need another supermarket in downtown San Pedro. There, I wrote it, and it is a change from no development at all.
With all the new condo owners or renters coming in, we seem to have only two "large" supermarkets in the downtown area.
A new supermarket is needed and probably required to keep traffic issues in check for as long as possible. It is a change we all can appreciate, I believe.
We also MAY need a new high school, but we certainly don't need one that has such terrible access issues as one built at Angel's Gate would have.
What we don't need is a development on the north side of San Pedro that will be the biggest development ever in the area and will drastically change the nature of northwest San Pedro and eastern Rancho Palos Verdes for generation after generation.
So if you support Ponte Vista, but oppose SRHS 15 at Angel's Gate, please check your hypocrisy at the door, and realize that both project places, where they are proposed for, and with the size the developers wish for, are bad for OUR community.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Redevelopment of McCowan's Site
If you have a P.C. you can left click over each page to make them large enough to read.
You can also right click over the pages to print them or save them. They are in a .jpg format.
You can also right click over the pages to print them or save them. They are in a .jpg format.
A Meeting Reminder
COASTAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MONTHLY GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
Monday, February 25, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Cabrillo Marina Community Building
Cabrillo Plaza
Berth 28
Directions: 22nd Street to Via Cabrillo Marina to Cabrillo Plaza Berth 28
Parking is available in the Cabrillo Plaza Berth 28 parking lot only
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Neighbors living in the Palisades and don't wish to have SRHS 15 in that area, are encouraged to attend, speak during the comments concerning items not on the agenda item, and demonstrate by showing up in numbers that you are willing to act against having the school placed in that area.
Neighbors living in Vista del Oro and don't wish to have condominiums or apartments built at the intersection of 20Th and Walker are encouraged to attend and speak during the agenda item concerning the Motion going before the Board to approve the demands to keep condos away and proceed with the potentially successful application of the Q Classification Condition that would be applied to the three, currently zoned C1-1XL lots. You can also demonstrate by showing up in numbers that you are willing to act against having condominiums or apartments placed in that area.
Heck, probably every stakeholder in Coastal's area may want to show up and demonstrate to Ms. Hahn, Supervisor Knabe, Mayor V., and "officials" in San Pedro, that Coastal is a powerful Neighborhood Council and its Board should be listened too, very, very seriously.
As for me, you may want to attend the Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commission that I sit on and listen to the seven of us talk about issues in a meeting room with ten times the seating than folks who will show up to listen to us.
But we are doing things and helping our City.
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I find the parking situation to be quite funny. It seems that folks can only park near Berth 28, but there are now signs telling us where Berth 28 actually is. Perhaps there are signs showing boaters where Berth 28 is, but unless you have an Ampvibcar, or a Duck, its going to be a bit tough to find the correct lot.
Just park in the lot closest to the building and you won't get towed.
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Monday, February 25, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Cabrillo Marina Community Building
Cabrillo Plaza
Berth 28
Directions: 22nd Street to Via Cabrillo Marina to Cabrillo Plaza Berth 28
Parking is available in the Cabrillo Plaza Berth 28 parking lot only
____________________________________________________
Neighbors living in the Palisades and don't wish to have SRHS 15 in that area, are encouraged to attend, speak during the comments concerning items not on the agenda item, and demonstrate by showing up in numbers that you are willing to act against having the school placed in that area.
Neighbors living in Vista del Oro and don't wish to have condominiums or apartments built at the intersection of 20Th and Walker are encouraged to attend and speak during the agenda item concerning the Motion going before the Board to approve the demands to keep condos away and proceed with the potentially successful application of the Q Classification Condition that would be applied to the three, currently zoned C1-1XL lots. You can also demonstrate by showing up in numbers that you are willing to act against having condominiums or apartments placed in that area.
Heck, probably every stakeholder in Coastal's area may want to show up and demonstrate to Ms. Hahn, Supervisor Knabe, Mayor V., and "officials" in San Pedro, that Coastal is a powerful Neighborhood Council and its Board should be listened too, very, very seriously.
As for me, you may want to attend the Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commission that I sit on and listen to the seven of us talk about issues in a meeting room with ten times the seating than folks who will show up to listen to us.
But we are doing things and helping our City.
________________________________________________
I find the parking situation to be quite funny. It seems that folks can only park near Berth 28, but there are now signs telling us where Berth 28 actually is. Perhaps there are signs showing boaters where Berth 28 is, but unless you have an Ampvibcar, or a Duck, its going to be a bit tough to find the correct lot.
Just park in the lot closest to the building and you won't get towed.
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Friday, February 22, 2008
More Information You May Need if You Wish to Fight Against the Placement of SRHS 15
Here is a flyer just produced by a new organization being built to fight against the building of South Region High School #15 near the intersection of 30Th Street and Alma Street, in San Pedro.
If you use a P.C., you can left-click over the flyer to make it large enough to read, OR
you can right-click over it to save image as, or print the flyer out.
In the illustration on the flyer, you can see a fairly well-remembered site plan for the proposed school. You should be able to make out three buildings that look like upside down "L" and three long rectangular buildings below each "L". These represent the three academies that may be built at the proposed school site. Two of the academies appear darker because those two will make up the initial building, with the third set of buildings built, if needed, in the future.
At this time, the Facilities Division of the L.A.U.S.D. is preparing a Notice of Preparation, along with a Scoping study and an Initial Study.
The Notice of Preparation is a document that spell out what is being intended to be built, in some detail.
The Initial Study is the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process wherein issues relating to the impact to the environment a school of its size would have on the area. It deals with soils, water, plants, animals, traffic, noise, and other environmental issues. The Initial Study places a statement of significance on each part of the areas that will be studied more in detail and initially considers whether items may have an insignificant impact to the environment all the way up to an impact that can't be mitigated, depending on the issue.
The Initial Study is important to see what the school district deems significant or insignificant, and how the later studies will be dealt with.
Case in point, when the Initial Study for SRHS 14 was done for the preferred site at Ponte Vista, it claimed that the soils and fill dirt would have a less than significant impact. But when the court finally demanded that Bob Bisno allow testers to actually test the soil at Ponte Vista, they determined that the filled in area would not support a school site, according to L.A.U.S.D. standards.
It will be quite interesting to read and then make public comments to the Scoping and Initial Studies, in the area of Traffic and Transportation. Especially if only Alma is considered the access road to and from the site.
If you use a P.C., you can left-click over the flyer to make it large enough to read, OR
you can right-click over it to save image as, or print the flyer out.
In the illustration on the flyer, you can see a fairly well-remembered site plan for the proposed school. You should be able to make out three buildings that look like upside down "L" and three long rectangular buildings below each "L". These represent the three academies that may be built at the proposed school site. Two of the academies appear darker because those two will make up the initial building, with the third set of buildings built, if needed, in the future.
At this time, the Facilities Division of the L.A.U.S.D. is preparing a Notice of Preparation, along with a Scoping study and an Initial Study.
The Notice of Preparation is a document that spell out what is being intended to be built, in some detail.
The Initial Study is the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process wherein issues relating to the impact to the environment a school of its size would have on the area. It deals with soils, water, plants, animals, traffic, noise, and other environmental issues. The Initial Study places a statement of significance on each part of the areas that will be studied more in detail and initially considers whether items may have an insignificant impact to the environment all the way up to an impact that can't be mitigated, depending on the issue.
The Initial Study is important to see what the school district deems significant or insignificant, and how the later studies will be dealt with.
Case in point, when the Initial Study for SRHS 14 was done for the preferred site at Ponte Vista, it claimed that the soils and fill dirt would have a less than significant impact. But when the court finally demanded that Bob Bisno allow testers to actually test the soil at Ponte Vista, they determined that the filled in area would not support a school site, according to L.A.U.S.D. standards.
It will be quite interesting to read and then make public comments to the Scoping and Initial Studies, in the area of Traffic and Transportation. Especially if only Alma is considered the access road to and from the site.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Down to Nine, Going for Six!
Tonight, the Land Use and Planning Committee for the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council held a meeting in which more insight to what may be built at the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
There was a fair number of VDONAC members in attendance and it appeared that almost their entire board showed up.
Yard signs are available now for a $5.00 donation and you can Email the group at VDONAC@gmail.com. You may also wish to have a newly created button for a buck's donation.
Here is what we found out at the meeting.
Mike Rosenthal is building three-single-family, detached houses on the three lots currently zoned for that type of residential unit. He is going to see how well those three houses sell before he decides what he'll do with the three lots, currently zoned C1-1XL.
Mr. Rosenthal told a reliable source that if the houses look like they will sell, then he is prepared to build three more single-family, detached houses, one to each lot currently zoned C1-1XL.
If he has trouble selling the three houses on the R1 lots, he told my source that he may go ahead and sub-divide the three remaining lots and place two houses per lot.
To build two houses per each C1-1XL lot, he will need to get approval to build a small lot subdivision. getting approval would come IF he successfully fought having the Q Classification Condition placed on the three lots, AND he get approval from the City Planners and, probably, approval by the L.A. City Council.
To be honest, for Mr. Rosenthal to build two houses per C1-1XL lot, it could take 12-18 months to accomplish that goal and it would face stiff opposition from VDONAC and Councilwoman Hahn.
Mr. Rosenthal has hired a lobbyist/consultant and he may be trying to get in favor with other Councilpersons. Whether Mr. Rosenthal is throwing money away is a matter only he can judge, at this point.
The processes are still going through placing the Q Classification Condition on the three C1-1XL lots. If that is successful, the lots will become zoned as QC1-1XL and they will have a building restriction placed on them that states that only residential dwellings comparable to the surrounding area may be built, no matter what the zoning remains.
The San Pedro Community Plan is starting a 12-18 month process whereby it will be renewed. This happens all over the City of L.A. and is ongoing in different areas of the City. If Mr. Rosenthal does, in fact, build three-single-family, detached residential units on the lots currently zoned C1-1XL, the new community plan will probably have the zoning revert back to R1-1XL, which is was some years before 1956, when the McCowan's Market that was recently demolished, was built.
Mr. Rosenthal seems to be fighting the clock, too. If he decides he wants two houses per C1-1XL lot, he has to try and get his small lot subdivision approved before the lots get stuck with the Q Classification Condition.
Probably in late March or early April, the Planning Commission will hold public hearings on Ms. Hahn-supported Q Classification Condition application. Interested parties will want to attend the meeting and voice either their approval of their opposition to having the Q Classification Condition placed on the three lots. The meetings will be held in downtown Los Angeles, but Ms. Hahn might provide a bus or two so neighbors and others interested in attending the meeting can get there easier.
One issue that may complicate Mr. Rosenthal's current attempts to find buyers, if he really does want to find buyers, is found on the Web site designed to market the three-single-family, detached houses.
www.20thstreetcustomhomes.com surely illustrates an extremely custom house. The floor plan illustration is of a single-story, three bedroom house with a detached two-car garage which has a small door on the other side of the garage than where house is located.
The photos and virtual tour are of a two-story house with an attached two-car garage. We still can't figure out this one and I hope somebody calls Mr. Rosenthal or the agent pictured on the site and inquire whether he is building a two-story house, or a single-story house, or whether he really is interested in selling the houses due to the major differences found on the site.
Oh well, I'm done.
There was a fair number of VDONAC members in attendance and it appeared that almost their entire board showed up.
Yard signs are available now for a $5.00 donation and you can Email the group at VDONAC@gmail.com. You may also wish to have a newly created button for a buck's donation.
Here is what we found out at the meeting.
Mike Rosenthal is building three-single-family, detached houses on the three lots currently zoned for that type of residential unit. He is going to see how well those three houses sell before he decides what he'll do with the three lots, currently zoned C1-1XL.
Mr. Rosenthal told a reliable source that if the houses look like they will sell, then he is prepared to build three more single-family, detached houses, one to each lot currently zoned C1-1XL.
If he has trouble selling the three houses on the R1 lots, he told my source that he may go ahead and sub-divide the three remaining lots and place two houses per lot.
To build two houses per each C1-1XL lot, he will need to get approval to build a small lot subdivision. getting approval would come IF he successfully fought having the Q Classification Condition placed on the three lots, AND he get approval from the City Planners and, probably, approval by the L.A. City Council.
To be honest, for Mr. Rosenthal to build two houses per C1-1XL lot, it could take 12-18 months to accomplish that goal and it would face stiff opposition from VDONAC and Councilwoman Hahn.
Mr. Rosenthal has hired a lobbyist/consultant and he may be trying to get in favor with other Councilpersons. Whether Mr. Rosenthal is throwing money away is a matter only he can judge, at this point.
The processes are still going through placing the Q Classification Condition on the three C1-1XL lots. If that is successful, the lots will become zoned as QC1-1XL and they will have a building restriction placed on them that states that only residential dwellings comparable to the surrounding area may be built, no matter what the zoning remains.
The San Pedro Community Plan is starting a 12-18 month process whereby it will be renewed. This happens all over the City of L.A. and is ongoing in different areas of the City. If Mr. Rosenthal does, in fact, build three-single-family, detached residential units on the lots currently zoned C1-1XL, the new community plan will probably have the zoning revert back to R1-1XL, which is was some years before 1956, when the McCowan's Market that was recently demolished, was built.
Mr. Rosenthal seems to be fighting the clock, too. If he decides he wants two houses per C1-1XL lot, he has to try and get his small lot subdivision approved before the lots get stuck with the Q Classification Condition.
Probably in late March or early April, the Planning Commission will hold public hearings on Ms. Hahn-supported Q Classification Condition application. Interested parties will want to attend the meeting and voice either their approval of their opposition to having the Q Classification Condition placed on the three lots. The meetings will be held in downtown Los Angeles, but Ms. Hahn might provide a bus or two so neighbors and others interested in attending the meeting can get there easier.
One issue that may complicate Mr. Rosenthal's current attempts to find buyers, if he really does want to find buyers, is found on the Web site designed to market the three-single-family, detached houses.
www.20thstreetcustomhomes.com surely illustrates an extremely custom house. The floor plan illustration is of a single-story, three bedroom house with a detached two-car garage which has a small door on the other side of the garage than where house is located.
The photos and virtual tour are of a two-story house with an attached two-car garage. We still can't figure out this one and I hope somebody calls Mr. Rosenthal or the agent pictured on the site and inquire whether he is building a two-story house, or a single-story house, or whether he really is interested in selling the houses due to the major differences found on the site.
Oh well, I'm done.
Odds and Ends 1
Howdy all,
As with my www.pontevista.blogspot.com blog, I will now start a weekly post dealing with recent developments on the efforts by thousands of local residents who seek to maintain the quality of life they have worked so hard for in San Pedro and surrounding areas.
Sometimes I will include items that are the same on both blogs. But I will try to separate the issues in the best ways I can find.
Please view the line breaks as the line between issues.
_________________________________________________
I begin with a really giant beg on everyone wanting to visit the new Marshall's Store with its grand opening of March 6, 2008, on the top level of The Terraces shopping area.
Both of the left turn pockets, one at the south entrance and the other at Caddington Drive have become extremely too short to handle the always-increasing vehicle traffic into the site.
During the late afternoon and dinner hours, the pockets get so backed up that traffic trying to continue northbound on Western Avenue is having trouble.
My beg is to consider visiting the new store at hours other than when it opens during the day and from between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM. You will be doing yourself more of a favor to you and your neighbors than you can do for me. I get to walk (after I get my hip replaced) to the new store and Terri can't wait to have it open.
The turning pockets all along Western will become more of a problem as the months and years progress, so please note that fact.
It is true that some of the mitigation suggested by Bob Bisno for his Ponte Vista development does involve lengthening SOME turning pockets, but unless and until he reconsiders the total number of units at he weapon of mass development, there really is absolutely no reason to have the current zoning of R1 changed on that site.
_________________________________________________
On Monday February 25, 2008, I think many of you living more towards the coastline of San Pedro might want to attend the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting.
It begins at 6:30 and is held at the Cabrillo Marina Community Center, behind the hotel in the Cabrillo Marina.
You might want to get there early because Bruce will probably have to count the attendees several times and it will probably be a record turnout, for that meeting.
Two major issues will have folks wanting to speak at that meeting. There is an agenda item to discuss a motion to support VDONAC and their call for having NO CONDOS at the site of the former McCowan's Market.
VONDAC is a group of neighbors who organized quickly, found a simple common goal to demand, and is working to preserve the quality of life in their neighborhood.
We all should be proud to have these great neighbors in OUR community.
There is another group, looking like it is forming about as quickly and strongly as VDONAC formed. This group of neighbors live primarily in the Palisades neighborhood of San Pedro and they are not sitting still while L.A.U.S.D. plans to build a senior high school, in their neighborhood, at Angel's Gate.
The new group's concern is not on the agenda Monday night, but folks are still welcome to stand up and speak on non-agenda items, so this would be the time for the new group to speak up.
These folks seem equally willing to fight to keep the quality of life they have worked so hard to achieve and maintain, and as I have very recently seen, they are growing in numbers, almost by the hour.
Here we are watching two newer groups band together as so many banded together to create R Neighborhoods Are 1, and I feel we should watch with pride and amazement as these regular neighbors, friends, co-workers, and everyday folks, fight for their own causes.
________________________________________________
On the McCowan's front, the Board of Governors of Coastal S.P.N.C. will be presented with a motion to demonstrate their support for keeping Condos away from the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue, in San Pedro.
Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) has yard signs, buttons, and determination to assist the owner/developer find that it is in every body's interest to build 6 beautiful single-family, detached houses on the six lots that comprised the former markets building site and parking lots.
________________________________________________
You may want to take a gander at www.20thstreetcustomhomes.com and tell me what is wrong with the illustrations.
O.K., I'll give you a hint or two. This is the Web site for the first three single-family, detached dwellings to be built on the three lots zoned for those types of dwellings at the former market's site.
The floor plan shows a three-bedroom house in a single-story illustration, with a detached, two-car garage.
The photo illustrations and the virtual tour are of a two-story house with an attached garage on the first floor.
A VDONAC Board member and I, along with my wife Terri, did our best to try to explain to ourselves why we only saw a floor plan for a one-story house, but viewed really great photos and a virtual tour of a two-story house. What is going to be built at 1193 W. 20Th Street. By looking at the Web site, we still can't tell.
_________________________________________________
South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) is proposed to initially be an 810-seat four-year senior high school comprised of two academies and built near the intersection of Alma Street and 30Th Street, in San Pedro.
While I believe there probably should be a new high school in San Pedro, I strongly suggest that its current "preferred location" is extremely bad.
There seems to be quite a few neighbors living in the Palisades neighborhood who agree with me.
I will be posting more information about the folks who also think that placing a high school along Alma Street, oh I mean ANOTHER high school along Alma Street, is a bad ideal.
The new group opposing the placement of the school doesn't have a name yet, but I think within a few days, they will be quite organized.
____________________________________________________
On the Ponte Vista issue, Bob is going to ask the Wilmington Neighborhood Council to approve motions concerning his mitigation ideas for traffic and also try to get that Board to endorse his current plans.
An agent for the Ironworkers Local 443 sent out a letter to members asking them to attend the meeting on Wednesday evening. I have more information on my Ponte Vista blog.
The L.A. Department of Transportation has issued their plans to have synchronized traffic signaling at 127 intersections in San Pedro and Terminal Island, by February, 2009. The have the funding planned and explained, too. In looking over the documentation, we find nowhere any funds coming from Bob Bisno. So Bob says HE will provide mitigation in the form of ATSAC funding, yet there is not dime one from Bob to pay for what is already funded, planned, and partially installed.
Several Rudderless Steering Committee members of R Neighborhoods Are 1 will also speak to the members of the Board of Wilmington N.C.. We hope to allow them the honor and privilege to do what four of the other Neighborhood Councils did in the area, and not specifically endorse any of Bob's current plans.
With five out of five, I think that will demonstrate a clean sweep for the benefit of all of us who live in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, and surrounding areas.
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council recently endorsed and sent to Ms. Gail Goldberg the Director of Planning for the City of Los Angeles, a letter stating their call, and our City's call for a new Environmental Impact Report to be circulated, with it necessary review and public comment period, for the Ponte Vista at San Pedro development
________________________________________________
Did you read in the article about Cafe Port Town's "temporary" closing, that another Condo project has become another lease-to-own, or rental property?
Along with Seaport Homes, "The Monster" on Western, that doesn't appear to have any residents yet, it seems that the percentage of condo units becoming lease-to-own or apartments, is growing.
__________________________________________________
On blogs where I write "OUR community" it means that we all live in one community, whether it is in San Pedro, eastern Rancho Palos Verdes, southern Lomita, southern Harbor City, and anywhere else large developments or big businesses affect our way of lives.
OUR community is made up of the very neighborhoods who are fighting for their goal of keeping what they have built together, strong, vibrant, and at the highest quality possible.
OUR community includes two neighborhoods, one in San Pedro and one in Rancho Palos Verdes who are working together to achieve traffic calming in the Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood.
Over 11,000 members of OUR community signed R1 petitions stating their call to keep the Ponte Vista site with the current zoning it already has.
OUR community is San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes, and the unincorporated areas surrounded by San Pedro. It is also parts of Lomita, Wilmington, Harbor City and even a far away as south Torrance.
OUR community does not like it when out of town developers come into OUR community and proceed to tell us what is best for OUR community. Folks, we know what is best for OUR community and we have known it for generations.
__________________________________________________
I'm done for now. Any comments?
As with my www.pontevista.blogspot.com blog, I will now start a weekly post dealing with recent developments on the efforts by thousands of local residents who seek to maintain the quality of life they have worked so hard for in San Pedro and surrounding areas.
Sometimes I will include items that are the same on both blogs. But I will try to separate the issues in the best ways I can find.
Please view the line breaks as the line between issues.
_________________________________________________
I begin with a really giant beg on everyone wanting to visit the new Marshall's Store with its grand opening of March 6, 2008, on the top level of The Terraces shopping area.
Both of the left turn pockets, one at the south entrance and the other at Caddington Drive have become extremely too short to handle the always-increasing vehicle traffic into the site.
During the late afternoon and dinner hours, the pockets get so backed up that traffic trying to continue northbound on Western Avenue is having trouble.
My beg is to consider visiting the new store at hours other than when it opens during the day and from between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM. You will be doing yourself more of a favor to you and your neighbors than you can do for me. I get to walk (after I get my hip replaced) to the new store and Terri can't wait to have it open.
The turning pockets all along Western will become more of a problem as the months and years progress, so please note that fact.
It is true that some of the mitigation suggested by Bob Bisno for his Ponte Vista development does involve lengthening SOME turning pockets, but unless and until he reconsiders the total number of units at he weapon of mass development, there really is absolutely no reason to have the current zoning of R1 changed on that site.
_________________________________________________
On Monday February 25, 2008, I think many of you living more towards the coastline of San Pedro might want to attend the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting.
It begins at 6:30 and is held at the Cabrillo Marina Community Center, behind the hotel in the Cabrillo Marina.
You might want to get there early because Bruce will probably have to count the attendees several times and it will probably be a record turnout, for that meeting.
Two major issues will have folks wanting to speak at that meeting. There is an agenda item to discuss a motion to support VDONAC and their call for having NO CONDOS at the site of the former McCowan's Market.
VONDAC is a group of neighbors who organized quickly, found a simple common goal to demand, and is working to preserve the quality of life in their neighborhood.
We all should be proud to have these great neighbors in OUR community.
There is another group, looking like it is forming about as quickly and strongly as VDONAC formed. This group of neighbors live primarily in the Palisades neighborhood of San Pedro and they are not sitting still while L.A.U.S.D. plans to build a senior high school, in their neighborhood, at Angel's Gate.
The new group's concern is not on the agenda Monday night, but folks are still welcome to stand up and speak on non-agenda items, so this would be the time for the new group to speak up.
These folks seem equally willing to fight to keep the quality of life they have worked so hard to achieve and maintain, and as I have very recently seen, they are growing in numbers, almost by the hour.
Here we are watching two newer groups band together as so many banded together to create R Neighborhoods Are 1, and I feel we should watch with pride and amazement as these regular neighbors, friends, co-workers, and everyday folks, fight for their own causes.
________________________________________________
On the McCowan's front, the Board of Governors of Coastal S.P.N.C. will be presented with a motion to demonstrate their support for keeping Condos away from the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue, in San Pedro.
Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) has yard signs, buttons, and determination to assist the owner/developer find that it is in every body's interest to build 6 beautiful single-family, detached houses on the six lots that comprised the former markets building site and parking lots.
________________________________________________
You may want to take a gander at www.20thstreetcustomhomes.com and tell me what is wrong with the illustrations.
O.K., I'll give you a hint or two. This is the Web site for the first three single-family, detached dwellings to be built on the three lots zoned for those types of dwellings at the former market's site.
The floor plan shows a three-bedroom house in a single-story illustration, with a detached, two-car garage.
The photo illustrations and the virtual tour are of a two-story house with an attached garage on the first floor.
A VDONAC Board member and I, along with my wife Terri, did our best to try to explain to ourselves why we only saw a floor plan for a one-story house, but viewed really great photos and a virtual tour of a two-story house. What is going to be built at 1193 W. 20Th Street. By looking at the Web site, we still can't tell.
_________________________________________________
South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) is proposed to initially be an 810-seat four-year senior high school comprised of two academies and built near the intersection of Alma Street and 30Th Street, in San Pedro.
While I believe there probably should be a new high school in San Pedro, I strongly suggest that its current "preferred location" is extremely bad.
There seems to be quite a few neighbors living in the Palisades neighborhood who agree with me.
I will be posting more information about the folks who also think that placing a high school along Alma Street, oh I mean ANOTHER high school along Alma Street, is a bad ideal.
The new group opposing the placement of the school doesn't have a name yet, but I think within a few days, they will be quite organized.
____________________________________________________
On the Ponte Vista issue, Bob is going to ask the Wilmington Neighborhood Council to approve motions concerning his mitigation ideas for traffic and also try to get that Board to endorse his current plans.
An agent for the Ironworkers Local 443 sent out a letter to members asking them to attend the meeting on Wednesday evening. I have more information on my Ponte Vista blog.
The L.A. Department of Transportation has issued their plans to have synchronized traffic signaling at 127 intersections in San Pedro and Terminal Island, by February, 2009. The have the funding planned and explained, too. In looking over the documentation, we find nowhere any funds coming from Bob Bisno. So Bob says HE will provide mitigation in the form of ATSAC funding, yet there is not dime one from Bob to pay for what is already funded, planned, and partially installed.
Several Rudderless Steering Committee members of R Neighborhoods Are 1 will also speak to the members of the Board of Wilmington N.C.. We hope to allow them the honor and privilege to do what four of the other Neighborhood Councils did in the area, and not specifically endorse any of Bob's current plans.
With five out of five, I think that will demonstrate a clean sweep for the benefit of all of us who live in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, and surrounding areas.
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council recently endorsed and sent to Ms. Gail Goldberg the Director of Planning for the City of Los Angeles, a letter stating their call, and our City's call for a new Environmental Impact Report to be circulated, with it necessary review and public comment period, for the Ponte Vista at San Pedro development
________________________________________________
Did you read in the article about Cafe Port Town's "temporary" closing, that another Condo project has become another lease-to-own, or rental property?
Along with Seaport Homes, "The Monster" on Western, that doesn't appear to have any residents yet, it seems that the percentage of condo units becoming lease-to-own or apartments, is growing.
__________________________________________________
On blogs where I write "OUR community" it means that we all live in one community, whether it is in San Pedro, eastern Rancho Palos Verdes, southern Lomita, southern Harbor City, and anywhere else large developments or big businesses affect our way of lives.
OUR community is made up of the very neighborhoods who are fighting for their goal of keeping what they have built together, strong, vibrant, and at the highest quality possible.
OUR community includes two neighborhoods, one in San Pedro and one in Rancho Palos Verdes who are working together to achieve traffic calming in the Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood.
Over 11,000 members of OUR community signed R1 petitions stating their call to keep the Ponte Vista site with the current zoning it already has.
OUR community is San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes, and the unincorporated areas surrounded by San Pedro. It is also parts of Lomita, Wilmington, Harbor City and even a far away as south Torrance.
OUR community does not like it when out of town developers come into OUR community and proceed to tell us what is best for OUR community. Folks, we know what is best for OUR community and we have known it for generations.
__________________________________________________
I'm done for now. Any comments?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Another Comment Worth Its Own Post
Mr. Mike Czako wrote a comment to one of my posts. His comments are more than worthy of having them put on a post of their own.
I will make some comments at the end of Mr. Czako's great, thoughtful and emotional words.
It is with honor that I can elevate Mr. Czako's words to this post.
____________________________________________________
Hello all, my name is Mike Czako and I live right here in the Palisades. I do not pretend to be an expert on politics, the LAUSD or the way the "system" works. I am just a local outsider looking in...a person who loves this community who has an opinion to share. This is the first time I am writing in to these blogs...I want to share some thoughts on the Angels Gate school proposal.
When I look at San Pedro I see one of the most beautiful coastal communities in the world. This is a town so rich with history that I have yet to see another community with so much “local” pride. And when you factor in the people, cultures, personalities and jaw-dropping views that come together...this makes San Pedro a wonderful melting-pot of a town and a truly special place.
I am writing in today because I oppose the school being built at Angels Gate. I oppose the fact that it will make Alma totally impassable and will paralyze our neighborhood. I oppose the sports fields that will literally be in our back yards, flooding bright lights and unnecessary noise pollution in our quiet coastal community. I oppose the fact that our already crowded streets will be over-run by more parked cars. And lastly I oppose LAUSD and our town leaders for “telling” us what they are going to do with our community as opposed to asking us.
I know this is a classic case of “nimby” (not in my back yard) / “pimby” (please in my back yard)...and I know that having new schools in the neighborhood can be a great asset to the community. And I want to make sure this point is understood...I want the children of San Pedro to have new schools, with new amenities and technology. I understand that newer schools may have the benefit of attracting better teachers. I want our kids to have the best of the best...they deserve it. BUT it just doesn’t make sense at Angels Gate. The impact on our community would be too much to bear.
The big questions that I do not have answers too is; do we need a new school, and where would we put it? I may be wrong, but I thought there was some talk about putting a new school in the Ponte Vista area?
One other thing I have been asking myself is “What are some other things we can do with that area of Angels Gate? What can we do that will help our community and really leverage everything that Angels Gate has to offer?”
I have two suggestions/case studies;
Lets look at what Manhattan Beach did with the former Metlox Pottery plant. Metlox was an abandoned ceramics factory with prime real estate (heart of Manhattan Beach.) The former plant was close to a main source of travel/tourism (LAX) with spectacular views. Now lets look at Angels Gate, it's an under-utilized portion of Fort MacArthur’s upper reservation. It is close to prime travel/tourism with our cruise ships traveling in and out of our beautiful port. And as we all know, the views at Angels Gate are breathtaking.
The folks in Manhattan Beach tore down the Metlox Plant and built a beautiful hotel and a quaint walk street with a few boutiques, shops and cafes/restaurants. Using that plan in San Pedro I believe it can work. Taking into consideration that most hotel guests will be coming in from the cruise ships, we can offer a shuttle system to and from the harbor therefore minimizing traffic concerns. And as far as the shops/boutiques and cafes are concerned, lets look at the downtown area with all the lofts being built. When these are finished that will bring in a more affluent consumer..lets keep these new people in San Pedro buying goods from us! Lets not have them travel to RPV or Long Beach. We would provide jobs for the people in San Pedro at the hotel and these new, locally owned shops. Can you picture a more perfect day, going to visit the Korean Friendship Bell, and taking a nice stroll to the shops and sitting with family having a great lunch enjoying the views all while supporting our local business’?
Another idea is we follow what our friends in San Francisco did with the Presidio. That also was a military compound with unbelievable views that was in a state of disrepair. They restored the buildings and turned them into residential and commercial spaces. George Lucas even moved his special effects company Industrial Light and Magic there. The Presidio is much larger that Fort MacArthur, but I am curious if we can follow their lead on a smaller scale. How nice would it be to restore such an important part of this town and bring it back to it's original glory. Along with providing housing we can hopefully follow what Lucas did and attract some business to that area. Since San Pedro has had so many movies filmed here and is so rich with Hollywood history can we attract a production company, or some sort of post-production house? This is also a town rich with artists so what if we could attract a video game company or advertising agency? If those ideas don’t feel quite right, I hope you see my point. If we can attract some type of business/industry that will not overwhelm that space provided I believe it can be a win-win for us. With the recent decline in the economy how excellent would it be to have some new business there, that would not only put a demand on housing but bring more people into town supporting our local business’?
Since LAUSD owns that land those ideas may prove to be impossible, and this all may be a mute point. Like I stated earlier, I am no expert on this subject but I just wanted to share a different point of view what some options for that land may be used for. Angels Gate is spectacular..and considering it’s prime real estate in Southern California that area holds endless possibilities and potential. And the one thing they want to use that land for is the worst option for the community...the traffic and parking situation will overwhelm our neighborhood and the lights/noise from the sports fields will disrupt our quiet coastal community. It just seems like such a wasted opportunity that we don’t use that land for something special. We all want to see San Pedro thrive...and yes there are some changes coming to this town, but lets embrace them, and find a way we can all benefit from these new lofts and changes to our port town! Let’s use that space for something that will benefit all of San Pedro.
____________________________________________________
Mr. Czako, I very much hope someday, to meet you and shake your hand. Your words should make all of us think so much more about who we are and what San Pedro and the surrounding communities wish to remain.
I am going to include a few facts now, and ask and answer some questions.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is proposing to build South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15), apparently to ease their felling that San Pedro High School is getting over crowded. Mr. Rod Hamilton stated that the current student population at the high school is approaching 3,600 students.
These approximately 3,600 students must use a campus that has "45 portable classrooms" currently.
I graduated from S.P.H.S. in 1973, Between the months of September, 1971 and June, 1972, the student body was made up of the largest three classes in the entire history of that school.
The Mystics, Class of 1972 was the largest class ever to graduate from the school and according to records and their reunion co-ordinator, that class had 1,053 graduates.
I'm a Ke-Alian. My class was the second largest class ever at S.P.H.S., with 958 graduates.
Our friends The Prometheans', Class of 1974, was the third largest class ever, with just 10 fewer graduates than my class had.
When we all attended S.P.H.S. there were approximately 15 or so portable classrooms and the two-story classroom building near the auditorium was years away from being built.
Also, we were a three-year high school at the time.
So let's compare. Between the dates I wrote there were at least 2,959 students attending the high school, and we all know that not all students who attended, graduated.
If the high school had been a four-year high school back when we attended, the approximate student body population would have been in the neighborhood of 3,945 students, having to share a smaller campus, with fewer classrooms than are on that campus today.
But the question still must be asked, do we need another high school in San Pedro, for the L.A.U.S.D.?
On this one, I have to lean towards the 'probably' side of the question.
Has L.A.U.S.D. proven to the parents, taxpayers, students, and others that San Pedro needs a third non-charter high school campus? I haven't heard real proof and I am on all kinds of information lists with the L.A.U.S.D. and since September, 1968, I have had a family member either teach or counsel at that school.
Now if I feel a third non-charter L.A.U.S.D. high school should be built to relieve potential over crowding at S.P.H.S., where should the school go?
Well, there is a sure slam dunk place it really shouldn't go, in my opinion. That location is currently the "preferred site" for SRHS 15, at the former upper reservation of Fort MacArthur.
Unless L.A.U.S.D. is willing to use their right of eminent domain to take two adjacent houses and lots on 30Th Street, there is no way any other reasonable ,realistic, responsible, and respectful access route to or from the "preferred site". Even this dramatic step could not create a better access route than placing the school on some other site, or sites.
Mr. Czako commented on the prospect of building an L.A.U.S.D. high school on the Ponte Vista site. The Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. still considers up to 24 acres of area within the fences of the Ponte Vista site, legally as their "preferred site" to build SRHS 14, but they have announced the cancellation of that school.
SRHS 14 originally was to be a 2,025-seat senior high school to ease suggested over crowding of Narbonne and San Pedro High Schools. In May, 2007, L.A.U.S.D. dropped their plans for such a large school and began to consider an 810-seat high school, in which 810-students who normally would have attended Narbonne High School, would have attended.
I must be fair to everyone and acknowledge that there is land that L.A.U.S.D. owns, other than the "preferred site" for SRHS 15.
Cooper High School is the little known and not highly attended L.A.U.S.D. high school, located in northwest San Pedro. Next to the high school is a science center that served many many students for decades.
A am loathe to suggest building a 810- seat high school in northwest San Pedro, but having an L.A.U.S.D. elementary school in my neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes, and noting traffic going to Dodson Middle School, also in Rancho Palos Verdes, allows me the leeway to suggest another alternative.
What about moving Cooper High School, which has a very low attendance, and the science center to the Angel's Gate property, that already has some L.A.U.S.D. instruction and campus space already operating?
What could be better than moving the science center to a site overlooking the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean, almost within walking distance of the White Point Nature Preserve? Of course having a marine wildlife rescue facility near a science center seem a bit too logical for L.A.U.S.D., some of us feel.
I know the Port of L.A. owns the land off of 22nd Street where the old tank farm was. It looks to be at least the 6-8 acres needed to build a small high school like the one envisioned at Ponte Vista, since last May.
See, Mr. Czako, you are not an outsider. You have shown all of us that having a wonderful vision of San Pedro is much more positive than having a negative view of where we love to live.
You have also provide some excellent examples of the reuse of the old Metlox site.
Thank you Mike Czako. You are one of the great reasons why San Pedro may still remain San Pedro for generations to come.
Yes Mike, change is the only constant, but looking beyond where politicians and bureaucrats keep their eyes level at, you can see where your ideas, coupled with the ideas from not just me, but so many others can keep the changes on the positive side of our peninsula.
I am sure, Mr. Czako, you have heard so many folks tell you why something can't happen. But you seem to write about what can happen.
When somebody tells us "it can't be done" I hope we all remember this sad, but almost unbelievable incident that "could not have been done" just 50 years ago.
This morning the Space Shuttle landed. On it was an individual who didn't do something for the first time ever. Unfortunately a son could not be with his mother as she passed away because he was in space, on the International Space Station. I feel so sorry for the son, but I bet his mother was so proud of her son being able to be where he was, when he was, that hopefully, gave her more peace.
Thank you again Mr. Czako, you do San Pedro proud.
I will make some comments at the end of Mr. Czako's great, thoughtful and emotional words.
It is with honor that I can elevate Mr. Czako's words to this post.
____________________________________________________
Hello all, my name is Mike Czako and I live right here in the Palisades. I do not pretend to be an expert on politics, the LAUSD or the way the "system" works. I am just a local outsider looking in...a person who loves this community who has an opinion to share. This is the first time I am writing in to these blogs...I want to share some thoughts on the Angels Gate school proposal.
When I look at San Pedro I see one of the most beautiful coastal communities in the world. This is a town so rich with history that I have yet to see another community with so much “local” pride. And when you factor in the people, cultures, personalities and jaw-dropping views that come together...this makes San Pedro a wonderful melting-pot of a town and a truly special place.
I am writing in today because I oppose the school being built at Angels Gate. I oppose the fact that it will make Alma totally impassable and will paralyze our neighborhood. I oppose the sports fields that will literally be in our back yards, flooding bright lights and unnecessary noise pollution in our quiet coastal community. I oppose the fact that our already crowded streets will be over-run by more parked cars. And lastly I oppose LAUSD and our town leaders for “telling” us what they are going to do with our community as opposed to asking us.
I know this is a classic case of “nimby” (not in my back yard) / “pimby” (please in my back yard)...and I know that having new schools in the neighborhood can be a great asset to the community. And I want to make sure this point is understood...I want the children of San Pedro to have new schools, with new amenities and technology. I understand that newer schools may have the benefit of attracting better teachers. I want our kids to have the best of the best...they deserve it. BUT it just doesn’t make sense at Angels Gate. The impact on our community would be too much to bear.
The big questions that I do not have answers too is; do we need a new school, and where would we put it? I may be wrong, but I thought there was some talk about putting a new school in the Ponte Vista area?
One other thing I have been asking myself is “What are some other things we can do with that area of Angels Gate? What can we do that will help our community and really leverage everything that Angels Gate has to offer?”
I have two suggestions/case studies;
Lets look at what Manhattan Beach did with the former Metlox Pottery plant. Metlox was an abandoned ceramics factory with prime real estate (heart of Manhattan Beach.) The former plant was close to a main source of travel/tourism (LAX) with spectacular views. Now lets look at Angels Gate, it's an under-utilized portion of Fort MacArthur’s upper reservation. It is close to prime travel/tourism with our cruise ships traveling in and out of our beautiful port. And as we all know, the views at Angels Gate are breathtaking.
The folks in Manhattan Beach tore down the Metlox Plant and built a beautiful hotel and a quaint walk street with a few boutiques, shops and cafes/restaurants. Using that plan in San Pedro I believe it can work. Taking into consideration that most hotel guests will be coming in from the cruise ships, we can offer a shuttle system to and from the harbor therefore minimizing traffic concerns. And as far as the shops/boutiques and cafes are concerned, lets look at the downtown area with all the lofts being built. When these are finished that will bring in a more affluent consumer..lets keep these new people in San Pedro buying goods from us! Lets not have them travel to RPV or Long Beach. We would provide jobs for the people in San Pedro at the hotel and these new, locally owned shops. Can you picture a more perfect day, going to visit the Korean Friendship Bell, and taking a nice stroll to the shops and sitting with family having a great lunch enjoying the views all while supporting our local business’?
Another idea is we follow what our friends in San Francisco did with the Presidio. That also was a military compound with unbelievable views that was in a state of disrepair. They restored the buildings and turned them into residential and commercial spaces. George Lucas even moved his special effects company Industrial Light and Magic there. The Presidio is much larger that Fort MacArthur, but I am curious if we can follow their lead on a smaller scale. How nice would it be to restore such an important part of this town and bring it back to it's original glory. Along with providing housing we can hopefully follow what Lucas did and attract some business to that area. Since San Pedro has had so many movies filmed here and is so rich with Hollywood history can we attract a production company, or some sort of post-production house? This is also a town rich with artists so what if we could attract a video game company or advertising agency? If those ideas don’t feel quite right, I hope you see my point. If we can attract some type of business/industry that will not overwhelm that space provided I believe it can be a win-win for us. With the recent decline in the economy how excellent would it be to have some new business there, that would not only put a demand on housing but bring more people into town supporting our local business’?
Since LAUSD owns that land those ideas may prove to be impossible, and this all may be a mute point. Like I stated earlier, I am no expert on this subject but I just wanted to share a different point of view what some options for that land may be used for. Angels Gate is spectacular..and considering it’s prime real estate in Southern California that area holds endless possibilities and potential. And the one thing they want to use that land for is the worst option for the community...the traffic and parking situation will overwhelm our neighborhood and the lights/noise from the sports fields will disrupt our quiet coastal community. It just seems like such a wasted opportunity that we don’t use that land for something special. We all want to see San Pedro thrive...and yes there are some changes coming to this town, but lets embrace them, and find a way we can all benefit from these new lofts and changes to our port town! Let’s use that space for something that will benefit all of San Pedro.
____________________________________________________
Mr. Czako, I very much hope someday, to meet you and shake your hand. Your words should make all of us think so much more about who we are and what San Pedro and the surrounding communities wish to remain.
I am going to include a few facts now, and ask and answer some questions.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is proposing to build South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15), apparently to ease their felling that San Pedro High School is getting over crowded. Mr. Rod Hamilton stated that the current student population at the high school is approaching 3,600 students.
These approximately 3,600 students must use a campus that has "45 portable classrooms" currently.
I graduated from S.P.H.S. in 1973, Between the months of September, 1971 and June, 1972, the student body was made up of the largest three classes in the entire history of that school.
The Mystics, Class of 1972 was the largest class ever to graduate from the school and according to records and their reunion co-ordinator, that class had 1,053 graduates.
I'm a Ke-Alian. My class was the second largest class ever at S.P.H.S., with 958 graduates.
Our friends The Prometheans', Class of 1974, was the third largest class ever, with just 10 fewer graduates than my class had.
When we all attended S.P.H.S. there were approximately 15 or so portable classrooms and the two-story classroom building near the auditorium was years away from being built.
Also, we were a three-year high school at the time.
So let's compare. Between the dates I wrote there were at least 2,959 students attending the high school, and we all know that not all students who attended, graduated.
If the high school had been a four-year high school back when we attended, the approximate student body population would have been in the neighborhood of 3,945 students, having to share a smaller campus, with fewer classrooms than are on that campus today.
But the question still must be asked, do we need another high school in San Pedro, for the L.A.U.S.D.?
On this one, I have to lean towards the 'probably' side of the question.
Has L.A.U.S.D. proven to the parents, taxpayers, students, and others that San Pedro needs a third non-charter high school campus? I haven't heard real proof and I am on all kinds of information lists with the L.A.U.S.D. and since September, 1968, I have had a family member either teach or counsel at that school.
Now if I feel a third non-charter L.A.U.S.D. high school should be built to relieve potential over crowding at S.P.H.S., where should the school go?
Well, there is a sure slam dunk place it really shouldn't go, in my opinion. That location is currently the "preferred site" for SRHS 15, at the former upper reservation of Fort MacArthur.
Unless L.A.U.S.D. is willing to use their right of eminent domain to take two adjacent houses and lots on 30Th Street, there is no way any other reasonable ,realistic, responsible, and respectful access route to or from the "preferred site". Even this dramatic step could not create a better access route than placing the school on some other site, or sites.
Mr. Czako commented on the prospect of building an L.A.U.S.D. high school on the Ponte Vista site. The Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. still considers up to 24 acres of area within the fences of the Ponte Vista site, legally as their "preferred site" to build SRHS 14, but they have announced the cancellation of that school.
SRHS 14 originally was to be a 2,025-seat senior high school to ease suggested over crowding of Narbonne and San Pedro High Schools. In May, 2007, L.A.U.S.D. dropped their plans for such a large school and began to consider an 810-seat high school, in which 810-students who normally would have attended Narbonne High School, would have attended.
I must be fair to everyone and acknowledge that there is land that L.A.U.S.D. owns, other than the "preferred site" for SRHS 15.
Cooper High School is the little known and not highly attended L.A.U.S.D. high school, located in northwest San Pedro. Next to the high school is a science center that served many many students for decades.
A am loathe to suggest building a 810- seat high school in northwest San Pedro, but having an L.A.U.S.D. elementary school in my neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes, and noting traffic going to Dodson Middle School, also in Rancho Palos Verdes, allows me the leeway to suggest another alternative.
What about moving Cooper High School, which has a very low attendance, and the science center to the Angel's Gate property, that already has some L.A.U.S.D. instruction and campus space already operating?
What could be better than moving the science center to a site overlooking the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean, almost within walking distance of the White Point Nature Preserve? Of course having a marine wildlife rescue facility near a science center seem a bit too logical for L.A.U.S.D., some of us feel.
I know the Port of L.A. owns the land off of 22nd Street where the old tank farm was. It looks to be at least the 6-8 acres needed to build a small high school like the one envisioned at Ponte Vista, since last May.
See, Mr. Czako, you are not an outsider. You have shown all of us that having a wonderful vision of San Pedro is much more positive than having a negative view of where we love to live.
You have also provide some excellent examples of the reuse of the old Metlox site.
Thank you Mike Czako. You are one of the great reasons why San Pedro may still remain San Pedro for generations to come.
Yes Mike, change is the only constant, but looking beyond where politicians and bureaucrats keep their eyes level at, you can see where your ideas, coupled with the ideas from not just me, but so many others can keep the changes on the positive side of our peninsula.
I am sure, Mr. Czako, you have heard so many folks tell you why something can't happen. But you seem to write about what can happen.
When somebody tells us "it can't be done" I hope we all remember this sad, but almost unbelievable incident that "could not have been done" just 50 years ago.
This morning the Space Shuttle landed. On it was an individual who didn't do something for the first time ever. Unfortunately a son could not be with his mother as she passed away because he was in space, on the International Space Station. I feel so sorry for the son, but I bet his mother was so proud of her son being able to be where he was, when he was, that hopefully, gave her more peace.
Thank you again Mr. Czako, you do San Pedro proud.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Will You Get Involved in the Upcoming Fight?
South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) is proposed initially, to be a 810-seat senior high school located near the intersection of Alma Avenue and 30th Street in San Pedro.
A opposition to having the school built on LAUSD land at the former Fort MacArthur Upper Reservation is in its infancy and is expected to grow, as the weeks, months and years progress.
IF, and let me repeat IF a new high school is actually built in San Pedro, it needs to be either the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School, or the John Olguin Senior High School, this is the only thing I am extremely certain of.
I will do my best to keep folks informed, via this blog, to upcoming meetings concerning the proposed school.
Are you for it or against it? Does San Pedro really need it? Where else could a new school be built? What about the Charter High School and the two existing High Schools already in San Pedro?
These are just some of the first questions that need answers, debate, and much more discussion.
A opposition to having the school built on LAUSD land at the former Fort MacArthur Upper Reservation is in its infancy and is expected to grow, as the weeks, months and years progress.
IF, and let me repeat IF a new high school is actually built in San Pedro, it needs to be either the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School, or the John Olguin Senior High School, this is the only thing I am extremely certain of.
I will do my best to keep folks informed, via this blog, to upcoming meetings concerning the proposed school.
Are you for it or against it? Does San Pedro really need it? Where else could a new school be built? What about the Charter High School and the two existing High Schools already in San Pedro?
These are just some of the first questions that need answers, debate, and much more discussion.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
An Illustration of Locations for SRHS 15
Using my memory of what we viewed at Thursday's meeting for South Region High School #15 (SRHS15), I have tried to illustrate the placement of the facilities for the proposed school.
Initially, the school with have up to 810-seats divided into two academys, with an option to place a third-405-seat academy, all within the blue-outlined area.
Also within the blue area will be the main parking lot, administration building, food services, multi-purpose facility, all classrooms, and plant facilities structures.
The green-outlined area will be comprised of the gym, possibly some additional parking, and the athletic fields, courts, and other athletic-oriented facilities.
The blue and green-outlined areas will be the area where students, faculty, staff, and visitors will have access to and be the area considered to be the campus of the proposed high school.
The red lines indicate the boundaries of the school and on the west side, along Alma Street, is a steep hill.
The yellow-outlined area is also owned by LAUSD. It is an outdoor-experience facility that will someday allow every 5Th grader in LAUSD, the opportunity to attend an overnight campout-type function.
The orange-outlined area is a non-LAUSD facility.
If you look on the left side of the illustration, you will see the only access to the proposed school, now being considered by the Facilities Department and the architects of the proposed school.
Mr. Rod Hamilton, of LAUSD claims that they are looking into the idea of using the roadway, shown as almost white, going from Gaffey Street, south of 30Th Street and through the yellow outdoor experience area, to allow more access to the proposed school. If you have driven by the fenced in road, you can see how steep it is now, and it would need improvements to have it be used as another access to the school.
Towards the top of the illustration, you should be able to plainly see 30Th street. this is where the majority of students may be forced to park if the Alma access is the only access for the proposed school.
Towards the bottom of the illustration, you should be able to view 36Th Street. At this time there are no plans to use the gate on the south side of the proposed campus site that intersects 36Th Street at Parker.
At this time, there are no apparent plans to allow access to the proposed school via the roads within Angel's Gate, except for the Alma access and possibly the Gaffey access by the old swimming pool.
My illustrations have been taken by memory and I hope to have a schematic illustration of the proposed campus' site, soon.
Initially, the school with have up to 810-seats divided into two academys, with an option to place a third-405-seat academy, all within the blue-outlined area.Also within the blue area will be the main parking lot, administration building, food services, multi-purpose facility, all classrooms, and plant facilities structures.
The green-outlined area will be comprised of the gym, possibly some additional parking, and the athletic fields, courts, and other athletic-oriented facilities.
The blue and green-outlined areas will be the area where students, faculty, staff, and visitors will have access to and be the area considered to be the campus of the proposed high school.
The red lines indicate the boundaries of the school and on the west side, along Alma Street, is a steep hill.
The yellow-outlined area is also owned by LAUSD. It is an outdoor-experience facility that will someday allow every 5Th grader in LAUSD, the opportunity to attend an overnight campout-type function.
The orange-outlined area is a non-LAUSD facility.
If you look on the left side of the illustration, you will see the only access to the proposed school, now being considered by the Facilities Department and the architects of the proposed school.
Mr. Rod Hamilton, of LAUSD claims that they are looking into the idea of using the roadway, shown as almost white, going from Gaffey Street, south of 30Th Street and through the yellow outdoor experience area, to allow more access to the proposed school. If you have driven by the fenced in road, you can see how steep it is now, and it would need improvements to have it be used as another access to the school.
Towards the top of the illustration, you should be able to plainly see 30Th street. this is where the majority of students may be forced to park if the Alma access is the only access for the proposed school.
Towards the bottom of the illustration, you should be able to view 36Th Street. At this time there are no plans to use the gate on the south side of the proposed campus site that intersects 36Th Street at Parker.
At this time, there are no apparent plans to allow access to the proposed school via the roads within Angel's Gate, except for the Alma access and possibly the Gaffey access by the old swimming pool.
My illustrations have been taken by memory and I hope to have a schematic illustration of the proposed campus' site, soon.
Councilwoman Hahn's Motion for a "Q" Qualified Classification
This post presents a .jpg copy of the motion presented by Councilwoman Janice Hahn and seconded by Councilman Bill Rosendahl, for requesting assistance from the Department of City Planning, and the City Attorney, to place a "Q" Qualified Classification on the three lots, currently zoned C1-1XL, on the site of the former McCowan's Market.
This motion puts into movement, the processes that may reach the result of restricting the three lots, purchased in about June, 2007, by Mr. Mike Rosenthal, on which the former market stood on, to only having one-single-family, detached residential dwelling per lot.
The date this motion was introduced by Ms. Hahn was January 29, 2008, which I feel, demonstrates Ms. Hahn's rapid and serious willingness to help the neighbors in the area of the former market's site.
I also feel that the neighbors living in that neighborhood and the leaders and members of VDONAC are thankful for Ms. Hahn's speedy action. They also should fell proud that they also demonstrated a resolve to act in what they feel is in the best interests of their neighborhood.
The processes established to place the "Q" Qualified Classification on the three-C1-1XL lots still continue to this day and will hopefully result in changing what can be built on the northeast corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue, no matter what Mr. Rosenthal wants to build.
However, I do need to remind folks that Mr. Rosenthal has entered into discussions with leaders of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC), and everyone is talking and trying to find a compromise that will work for everyone and allow Mr. Rosenthal to build whatever he builds without too much delay.
VDONAC has not changed its demand that only a total of six-single-family, detached houses be built, one per lot, on the six lots purchased by the current owner(s) in 2007.
This motion puts into movement, the processes that may reach the result of restricting the three lots, purchased in about June, 2007, by Mr. Mike Rosenthal, on which the former market stood on, to only having one-single-family, detached residential dwelling per lot.The date this motion was introduced by Ms. Hahn was January 29, 2008, which I feel, demonstrates Ms. Hahn's rapid and serious willingness to help the neighbors in the area of the former market's site.
I also feel that the neighbors living in that neighborhood and the leaders and members of VDONAC are thankful for Ms. Hahn's speedy action. They also should fell proud that they also demonstrated a resolve to act in what they feel is in the best interests of their neighborhood.
The processes established to place the "Q" Qualified Classification on the three-C1-1XL lots still continue to this day and will hopefully result in changing what can be built on the northeast corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue, no matter what Mr. Rosenthal wants to build.
However, I do need to remind folks that Mr. Rosenthal has entered into discussions with leaders of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC), and everyone is talking and trying to find a compromise that will work for everyone and allow Mr. Rosenthal to build whatever he builds without too much delay.
VDONAC has not changed its demand that only a total of six-single-family, detached houses be built, one per lot, on the six lots purchased by the current owner(s) in 2007.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Meeting Notes Concerning SRHS 15
South Region High School # 15 (SRHS 15) is being planned to be built as a two-academy senior high school, with a primary enrollment at construction completion of 810-students.
The plan actually envisions a 1,215-seat school site, but a third academy may or may not be needed for the other 405-seats that may or may not be needed.
Tonight's meeting was the second in a series of three meetings to get public comments and ideas about the "schematic" of the school and the site, prior to the formal Notice of Preparation and Scoping, and Initial Study for the new project.
The senior architect from CO Architects showed a PowerPoint presentation of illustration of what the campus might look like.
The preferred location of the new campus in along Alma Street, between about 30Th Street and 36Th Street, on the east side of Alma Street.
The campus would take up the area where Angels Gate Continuation School now stands, as well as areas with other older buildings remain on the site.
About one third of the total campus space would be taken up by the first two of three academys, and associated communal buildings, such as administration, food service, library, and such.
The other two thirds of the campus, basically south of the academic buildings would allow for a soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball courts, a gym with locker rooms, and other recreational activities. What is drastically missing, many people feel, is a swimming pool that LAUSD claims they can't afford.
The athletic fields would also be used for community uses, when school is not in session.
The school will have 2.5 parking spaces for each classroom. Initially there will be 30 classrooms, so that means there will be about 75-on campus parking spaces. Surely not anywhere near the number of spaces required to get any real relief from having off-campus parking.
The primary access to the school would be the one, and only one access along Alma Street, just south of 30Th Street, basically where it currently is now the access to the west side of Angels Gate.
The planners are thinking about using the access road that goes, basically from 31St. Street and Gaffey, up the steep hill and to the campus. I don't hold much hope for that happening.
There was a fairly decent crowd of at least 50 residents of the area and there were SPHS students using the meeting as a study tool for a class they are in.
Most of the comments and questions from the folks who got up to ask questions or provide verbal comments were centered around traffic, parking, noise, other environmental issues, and how they dissapprove of having a school with only Alma as the access point.
Rod Hamilton, the head of the facilities department for this area of LAUSD was invited to an HOA meeting in May. He might not be able to find a way to get out of going, but he sure may try.
The school is slated to open, at this time, in 2012 and have only 810 students. Mr. Hamilton spoke as if the third academy may never be needed or that funds might never be available to build it, even if it is needed at some future point.
The process will continue with a third meeting with the public, possibly in mid-April, followed by the issuance of the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study, which will all lead to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
During the processes, the public will have Internet access to public documents and will have time to provide both oral and written comments on the Initial Study and the DEIR.
The Initial Study states what will be studied and the projected importance of any mitigation that might be necessary.
The DEIR is a document that states the outcome of the studies identified by the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study.
Following the comment period of the DEIR, a Final Environmental Impact Report will be issued.
During all of the processes, the public has the right and are encouraged to make comments on anything and everything in the Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, and DEIR.
When the Final EIR is processed, then hearings will begin to determine if there are any more issues to consider.
If LAUSD gets their way, construction may begin as early as 2009. But there are lots and lots of issues that must be settled before any bulldozer knocks down the first structure.
If folks are concerned with the projected high school or any aspect of it placement, access, or facilities provided, they are encouraged to first contact the Homeowners Association for their neighborhood, if they have one.
The second step, or first step, if they don't have an HOA, is to contact LAUSD and/or Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The Web address for that group is:
http://www.cspnc.com/index.php. This group is one of the first Neighborhood Councils founded in the City of Los Angeles. One of their missions is to represent residents in the area.
More information about the proposed new school will be coming out, in the future, on this blog.
The plan actually envisions a 1,215-seat school site, but a third academy may or may not be needed for the other 405-seats that may or may not be needed.
Tonight's meeting was the second in a series of three meetings to get public comments and ideas about the "schematic" of the school and the site, prior to the formal Notice of Preparation and Scoping, and Initial Study for the new project.
The senior architect from CO Architects showed a PowerPoint presentation of illustration of what the campus might look like.
The preferred location of the new campus in along Alma Street, between about 30Th Street and 36Th Street, on the east side of Alma Street.
The campus would take up the area where Angels Gate Continuation School now stands, as well as areas with other older buildings remain on the site.
About one third of the total campus space would be taken up by the first two of three academys, and associated communal buildings, such as administration, food service, library, and such.
The other two thirds of the campus, basically south of the academic buildings would allow for a soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball courts, a gym with locker rooms, and other recreational activities. What is drastically missing, many people feel, is a swimming pool that LAUSD claims they can't afford.
The athletic fields would also be used for community uses, when school is not in session.
The school will have 2.5 parking spaces for each classroom. Initially there will be 30 classrooms, so that means there will be about 75-on campus parking spaces. Surely not anywhere near the number of spaces required to get any real relief from having off-campus parking.
The primary access to the school would be the one, and only one access along Alma Street, just south of 30Th Street, basically where it currently is now the access to the west side of Angels Gate.
The planners are thinking about using the access road that goes, basically from 31St. Street and Gaffey, up the steep hill and to the campus. I don't hold much hope for that happening.
There was a fairly decent crowd of at least 50 residents of the area and there were SPHS students using the meeting as a study tool for a class they are in.
Most of the comments and questions from the folks who got up to ask questions or provide verbal comments were centered around traffic, parking, noise, other environmental issues, and how they dissapprove of having a school with only Alma as the access point.
Rod Hamilton, the head of the facilities department for this area of LAUSD was invited to an HOA meeting in May. He might not be able to find a way to get out of going, but he sure may try.
The school is slated to open, at this time, in 2012 and have only 810 students. Mr. Hamilton spoke as if the third academy may never be needed or that funds might never be available to build it, even if it is needed at some future point.
The process will continue with a third meeting with the public, possibly in mid-April, followed by the issuance of the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study, which will all lead to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
During the processes, the public will have Internet access to public documents and will have time to provide both oral and written comments on the Initial Study and the DEIR.
The Initial Study states what will be studied and the projected importance of any mitigation that might be necessary.
The DEIR is a document that states the outcome of the studies identified by the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study.
Following the comment period of the DEIR, a Final Environmental Impact Report will be issued.
During all of the processes, the public has the right and are encouraged to make comments on anything and everything in the Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, and DEIR.
When the Final EIR is processed, then hearings will begin to determine if there are any more issues to consider.
If LAUSD gets their way, construction may begin as early as 2009. But there are lots and lots of issues that must be settled before any bulldozer knocks down the first structure.
If folks are concerned with the projected high school or any aspect of it placement, access, or facilities provided, they are encouraged to first contact the Homeowners Association for their neighborhood, if they have one.
The second step, or first step, if they don't have an HOA, is to contact LAUSD and/or Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The Web address for that group is:
http://www.cspnc.com/index.php. This group is one of the first Neighborhood Councils founded in the City of Los Angeles. One of their missions is to represent residents in the area.
More information about the proposed new school will be coming out, in the future, on this blog.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
57 Signalized Intersections and Installation Dates
Before we really begin, below in red, is the area where it appears that 127 signalized intersections will have ATSAC completely installed by (hopefully) February, 2009.
After viewing the map, FIFTY-SEVEN signalized intersections will be posted so that you can see where the work on these first intersections, actually are.
There are, however, some very important intersections not covered by the City of L.A.'s Traffic Department, as far as ATSAC installation goes. Those intersections, important in the Ponte Vista discussions are also posted below.
6
1st St. at Western Ave.
After viewing the map, FIFTY-SEVEN signalized intersections will be posted so that you can see where the work on these first intersections, actually are.
There are, however, some very important intersections not covered by the City of L.A.'s Traffic Department, as far as ATSAC installation goes. Those intersections, important in the Ponte Vista discussions are also posted below.
Here is the list of the FIFTY-SEVEN signalized intersections that will have ATSAC fully installed according to a timeline that will be addressed further down the post.
You will learn that between May, 2008 and February, 2009, these FIFTY-SEVEN intersections, including many on Western Avenue, will get the installation completed. There is no evidence, in the funding listed below, that Mr. Bisno has placed funds in the "Available Developer Fees" section. I believe he has stated that he would put something like "five-million dollars" into the funds available for traffic mitigation.
The information provided from traffic engineers from the City of Los Angeles, are stated below:
1
1st St. at Cabrillo Ave.
2
1st St. at Gaffey St.
3
1st St. at Harbor Blvd.
4
1st St. at Pacific Ave.
5
1st St. at Walker St.
1
1st St. at Cabrillo Ave.
2
1st St. at Gaffey St.
3
1st St. at Harbor Blvd.
4
1st St. at Pacific Ave.
5
1st St. at Walker St.
6
1st St. at Western Ave.
7
5th St. at Gaffey St.
5th St. at Gaffey St.
8
5th St. at Harbor Blvd.
5th St. at Harbor Blvd.
9
5th St. at Pacific Ave.
5th St. at Pacific Ave.
10
6th St. at Harbor Blvd.
6th St. at Harbor Blvd.
11
6th St. at Pacific Ave.
6th St. at Pacific Ave.
12
7th St. at Gaffey St.
7th St. at Gaffey St.
13
7th St. at Harbor Blvd.
7th St. at Harbor Blvd.
14
7th St. at Pacific Ave.
7th St. at Pacific Ave.
15
7th St. at Weymouth Ave.
7th St. at Weymouth Ave.
16
9th St. at Bandini St.
9th St. at Bandini St.
17
9th St. at Cabrillo Ave.
9th St. at Cabrillo Ave.
18
9th St. at Gaffey St.
9th St. at Gaffey St.
19
9th St. at Pacific Ave.
9th St. at Pacific Ave.
20
9th St. at Western Ave.
9th St. at Western Ave.
21
9th St. at Weymouth Ave.
9th St. at Weymouth Ave.
22
11th St. at Pacific Ave.
11th St. at Pacific Ave.
23
13th St. at Bandini St.
24
13th St. at Cabrillo Ave.
13th St. at Bandini St.
24
13th St. at Cabrillo Ave.
25
13th St. at Gaffey St.
13th St. at Gaffey St.
26
13th St. at Pacific Ave.
13th St. at Pacific Ave.
27
15th St. at Pacific Ave.
15th St. at Pacific Ave.
28
17th St. at Gaffey St.
17th St. at Gaffey St.
29
17th St. at Pacific Ave.
17th St. at Pacific Ave.
30
19th St. at Gaffey St.
19th St. at Gaffey St.
31
19th St. at Pacific Ave.
19th St. at Pacific Ave.
32
19th St. at Western Ave.
19th St. at Western Ave.
33
22nd St. at Gaffey St.
22nd St. at Gaffey St.
34
22nd St. at Mesa St.
22nd St. at Mesa St.
35
22nd St. at Miner St.
22nd St. at Miner St.
36
22nd St. at Pacific Ave.
22nd St. at Pacific Ave.
37
25th St. at Alma St.
25th St. at Alma St.
38
25th St. at Anchovy Ave.
25th St. at Anchovy Ave.
39
25th St. at Gaffey St.
25th St. at Gaffey St.
40
25th St. at Patton Ave.
25th St. at Patton Ave.
41
25th St. at Walker St.
25th St. at Walker St.
42
25th St. at Western Ave.
25th St. at Western Ave.
43
36th St. at Pacific Ave.
36th St. at Pacific Ave.
44
Byner Dr. at Western Ave.
Byner Dr. at Western Ave.
45
Capitol Dr. at Gaffey St.
Capitol Dr. at Gaffey St.
46
Chanel St. at Gaffey St.
47
Crestwood St. at Western Ave.
48
Gaffey St. at N/B Harbor Fwy On-Ramp
49
Gaffey St. at Summerland Ave.
Chanel St. at Gaffey St.
47
Crestwood St. at Western Ave.
48
Gaffey St. at N/B Harbor Fwy On-Ramp
49
Gaffey St. at Summerland Ave.
50
Gaffey St. at Westmont Dr.
Gaffey St. at Westmont Dr.
51
Harbor Blvd. at Harbor Fwy On/Off Ramps
Harbor Blvd. at Harbor Fwy On/Off Ramps
52
Ofarrel St. at Pacific Ave.
Ofarrel St. at Pacific Ave.
53
Park Western Dr. at Western Ave.
Park Western Dr. at Western Ave.
54
Summerland Ave. at Western Ave.
Summerland Ave. at Western Ave.
55
Trudie Dr./Capitol Dr. at Western Ave.
Trudie Dr./Capitol Dr. at Western Ave.
56
Western Ave at Westmont Dr.
Western Ave at Westmont Dr.
57
Weymouth Ave. at Western Ave
Now it is sadly true that the following signalized intersections are not listed, because these intersections fall completely within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes or Lomita, and would be installed by Caltrans and not the City of L.A.
Weymouth Ave. at Western Ave
Now it is sadly true that the following signalized intersections are not listed, because these intersections fall completely within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes or Lomita, and would be installed by Caltrans and not the City of L.A.
Western Avenue at Avenida Aprenda
Western Avenue at S. John Montgomery/Green Hills Drive
Western Avenue at Caddington
Western Avenue at Toscanini
Western Avenue at Palos Verdes Drive North
Western Avenue at S. John Montgomery/Green Hills Drive
Western Avenue at Caddington
Western Avenue at Toscanini
Western Avenue at Palos Verdes Drive North
Anaheim/Gaffey/Normandie/Palos Verdes Drive North....Five Points.
I don't have any documentation yet, on the status of Caltran's work on these intersections.
It is also demonstrated by ommission that the following freeway ramps are also not mentioned on the document.
Anaheim at Harbor Freeway
Pacific Coast Highway at Harbor Freeway.
Now, here is how the funds are found and dispersed:
Total Project Cost: $8,015,600.00
Funding:
$3,825,000 "MTA Share by Agreement"
$185,000 "Available Developer Fees." (These fees are already in the coffers)
$4,005,600 "Proposition C Funds Required in FY 2007-08 and Beyond Budtets"?
I will try, in the next few days, to get the SEVENTY other signalized intersections posted and try and get more information concerning the intersections near the Ponte Vista at San Pedro site that are not listed on either of the lists.
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Video Worth Watching
Were you a regular shopper of the McCowan's Market that was on 20Th Street and Walker Avenue? Were you an occasional shopper, like we were, at that beloved market?
It shouldn't matter how often you shopped there, I feel. The market had a character and a staff that was unique and special to all those who shopped there.
A vido has bee produced concerning the loss of that market. You can view it at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDGy7ZfdOzk.
You will see sites around San Pedro and you will also see views of the interior and exterior of the market. You will also see some of the many employees who worked at the store.
It is a touching video, produced by someone who loved the market and is sad that it is gone.
The video is titled: "R.I.P. McCowan's Market" and it should be viewed by members of OUR community.
It shouldn't matter how often you shopped there, I feel. The market had a character and a staff that was unique and special to all those who shopped there.
A vido has bee produced concerning the loss of that market. You can view it at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDGy7ZfdOzk.
You will see sites around San Pedro and you will also see views of the interior and exterior of the market. You will also see some of the many employees who worked at the store.
It is a touching video, produced by someone who loved the market and is sad that it is gone.
The video is titled: "R.I.P. McCowan's Market" and it should be viewed by members of OUR community.
Latest News on the McCowan's Site Issues
Earlier today, Barbara Dragich, the leader of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC), and other leaders of that group, met with Mr. Mike Rosenthal and some of his associates in the San Pedro offices of Councilwoman Janice Hahn.
A representative of Ms. Hahn was present at the meeting and remained firm that the Councilwoman would stand strongly with the neighbors living in the area, to find a way that all parties in the many issues find ways to compromise.
A reliable source indicated that Mr. Rosenthal has retained Svornich and Associates for representation and a member of that organization attended the meeting along with a few other associates of Mr. Rosenthal's.
Nothing was decided at the meeting, on the part of the neighbors. Mr. Rosenthal did apparently have some plans (for what, is anybody's guess) but had been 'advised' not to present them (from whom this advise came, I do not know, but my source believes the "advise" came, possibly, from Svornich's office).
For those of you not familiar with the name, Svornich, Rudy Svornich served as an L.A. City Councilman representing the 15Th District of L.A., which San Pedro is part of. Mr. Svornich and his associates also have a history of being retained by Bisno Development LLC, to assist lobbying efforts on the Ponte Vista at San Pedro project.
The process of creating a "Q Condition" on the three lots currently zoned C1-1XL is continuing. If the "Q Condition" is placed on the three lots, it means that construction is restricted, on those lots, to allow for only residential units that are comparable or compatible with existing residential units in the neighborhood. Since the vast majority of residential units in the neighborhood are single-family, detached houses, one per lot, then only a total of three single-family, detached houses could be built on the three lots that are currently zoned C1-1XL.
Simply having a meeting between the developer(s) and neighbors is not going to stop the processes from moving forward.
Plans continue to purchase lawn signs for neighbors and even non neighbors, to place on their front lawns a demand that NO CONDOS are built on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue. It is strongly hoped that every neighbor wants to show their support for VDONAC's efforts by placing a sign for all to see.
Buttons stating the same thing will be created and everyone will be encouraged to show their support throughout OUR community by wearing a button. I'll get them to Board members as soon as I can, so everyone that wants them, can get them.
The neighbors living in the neighborhood will make the decision on whether to accept the latest compromise from Mike Rosenthal, for a total of 10 houses, or whether they will keep their current demand for a total of six-single-family, detached houses, one per lot, on the six lots now owned by Mr. Rosenthal and possibly others.
Of course, the neighbors could also suggest a compromise of their own and present that to Mr. Rosenthal and see if he will agree to it.
No matter what happens from this point on, please know this, every member of the Vista del Oro neighborhood should be very proud of your efforts so far, and your willingness to go even farther to protect the quality of life in that neighborhood.
Strength in numbers, strength in conviction, strength in purpose, strength in character, the neighbors are willing to do what is necessary, now and in the future.
A representative of Ms. Hahn was present at the meeting and remained firm that the Councilwoman would stand strongly with the neighbors living in the area, to find a way that all parties in the many issues find ways to compromise.
A reliable source indicated that Mr. Rosenthal has retained Svornich and Associates for representation and a member of that organization attended the meeting along with a few other associates of Mr. Rosenthal's.
Nothing was decided at the meeting, on the part of the neighbors. Mr. Rosenthal did apparently have some plans (for what, is anybody's guess) but had been 'advised' not to present them (from whom this advise came, I do not know, but my source believes the "advise" came, possibly, from Svornich's office).
For those of you not familiar with the name, Svornich, Rudy Svornich served as an L.A. City Councilman representing the 15Th District of L.A., which San Pedro is part of. Mr. Svornich and his associates also have a history of being retained by Bisno Development LLC, to assist lobbying efforts on the Ponte Vista at San Pedro project.
The process of creating a "Q Condition" on the three lots currently zoned C1-1XL is continuing. If the "Q Condition" is placed on the three lots, it means that construction is restricted, on those lots, to allow for only residential units that are comparable or compatible with existing residential units in the neighborhood. Since the vast majority of residential units in the neighborhood are single-family, detached houses, one per lot, then only a total of three single-family, detached houses could be built on the three lots that are currently zoned C1-1XL.
Simply having a meeting between the developer(s) and neighbors is not going to stop the processes from moving forward.
Plans continue to purchase lawn signs for neighbors and even non neighbors, to place on their front lawns a demand that NO CONDOS are built on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue. It is strongly hoped that every neighbor wants to show their support for VDONAC's efforts by placing a sign for all to see.
Buttons stating the same thing will be created and everyone will be encouraged to show their support throughout OUR community by wearing a button. I'll get them to Board members as soon as I can, so everyone that wants them, can get them.
The neighbors living in the neighborhood will make the decision on whether to accept the latest compromise from Mike Rosenthal, for a total of 10 houses, or whether they will keep their current demand for a total of six-single-family, detached houses, one per lot, on the six lots now owned by Mr. Rosenthal and possibly others.
Of course, the neighbors could also suggest a compromise of their own and present that to Mr. Rosenthal and see if he will agree to it.
No matter what happens from this point on, please know this, every member of the Vista del Oro neighborhood should be very proud of your efforts so far, and your willingness to go even farther to protect the quality of life in that neighborhood.
Strength in numbers, strength in conviction, strength in purpose, strength in character, the neighbors are willing to do what is necessary, now and in the future.
Friday, February 8, 2008
New Compromise Offer
Mike Rosenthal has contact the leadership of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos with a new proposal. Also now he is willing to meet with the leaders of the group to review the compromise proposal.
Mike wants the neighbors' blessing on having just two single-family, detached houses on the south-east corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
His proposal for the north-east corner of that intersection is to construct two units on each of the four lots that made of the footprint in the store's building and the adjoining parking lot.
The total of units would be ten residential dwellings.
Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos have set their demands, at this time, for having only six single-family, detached houses on lots that made up the store's footprint and the two parking lots.
It should and must be up to the neigbors living in that neighborhood to either accept Mr. Rosenthal's proposal, study it further, come up with a counter compromise, or reject the offer.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 will back whatever the neighbors vote for.
Mr. Rosenthal has scheduled a meeting with some leaders and others to consider his proposal. At that meeting, he will probably be presented with pages and pages of filled out petitions that state the demand that NO CONDOS will be approved of at the corner in question.
I need to state a point of fact here. Just about everybody has traveled by The Cape. It is the cluster of small-lot single-family dwellings at 19Th Street and Western Avenue.
The Cape features small houses, basically no yards, and some common areas. Here is the little fact you may not know. The Cape is a condominium development. Those houses and undivided open spaces are legally considered to be in a condominium area.
Whether Mr. Rosenthal and/or the neighbors dealing with the former McCowan's Market site will suggest what are sometimes called "Patio Homes" or not, it a decision Mr. Rosenthal and the neighbors get to decide.
Whatever happens, I don't think we have seen another neighborhood take such quick and strong action since John McCowan thought about building condominiums in 1992. Oh yea, it is the same neighborhood!
San Pedrans and residents of other local communities can look with a great amount of pride at that neighborhood and those neighbors who stood up, shouted, organized, and said what they needed to be said. They got their messages throught to Councilwoman Hahn, her staff members, and the owner(s)/developer(s) of the site.
Whatever happens by Monday evening, I should be able to post the outcome on this blog.
Mike wants the neighbors' blessing on having just two single-family, detached houses on the south-east corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
His proposal for the north-east corner of that intersection is to construct two units on each of the four lots that made of the footprint in the store's building and the adjoining parking lot.
The total of units would be ten residential dwellings.
Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos have set their demands, at this time, for having only six single-family, detached houses on lots that made up the store's footprint and the two parking lots.
It should and must be up to the neigbors living in that neighborhood to either accept Mr. Rosenthal's proposal, study it further, come up with a counter compromise, or reject the offer.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 will back whatever the neighbors vote for.
Mr. Rosenthal has scheduled a meeting with some leaders and others to consider his proposal. At that meeting, he will probably be presented with pages and pages of filled out petitions that state the demand that NO CONDOS will be approved of at the corner in question.
I need to state a point of fact here. Just about everybody has traveled by The Cape. It is the cluster of small-lot single-family dwellings at 19Th Street and Western Avenue.
The Cape features small houses, basically no yards, and some common areas. Here is the little fact you may not know. The Cape is a condominium development. Those houses and undivided open spaces are legally considered to be in a condominium area.
Whether Mr. Rosenthal and/or the neighbors dealing with the former McCowan's Market site will suggest what are sometimes called "Patio Homes" or not, it a decision Mr. Rosenthal and the neighbors get to decide.
Whatever happens, I don't think we have seen another neighborhood take such quick and strong action since John McCowan thought about building condominiums in 1992. Oh yea, it is the same neighborhood!
San Pedrans and residents of other local communities can look with a great amount of pride at that neighborhood and those neighbors who stood up, shouted, organized, and said what they needed to be said. They got their messages throught to Councilwoman Hahn, her staff members, and the owner(s)/developer(s) of the site.
Whatever happens by Monday evening, I should be able to post the outcome on this blog.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
McCowan's Site Issues Continue to Change
It seems almost every other day, the owner(s)/developer(s) of the properties formerly used for McCowan's Market on 20Th Street and Walker Avenue come up with a different idea.
Here is a recap:
Between 15-18 condominium units on the lots currently zoned C1-1XL and three-single-family,detached houses on the three remaining lots, currently zoned for only that type of housing. That would allow for a total of 21 residences.
Duplexes on all six properties, which would require a zoning change for at least two of the lots zoned for only single-family housing. That would allow for a total of 12 residences.
Duplexes on the three lots currently zoned C1-1XL, a duplex on the lot currently zoned R1-1XL on the same side of the street as the three-C1-1XL lots. Building only single-family, detached housing on the two lots on the south-east side of the intersection of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue. That would allow for a total of 10 residences.
The Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) have demanded that only single-family, detached housing be built on each one of the six lots that make up the eastern corners of the intersection. That would allow for a total of 6 residences, all of the same type of housing.
"Little" issues have been brought to the attention of the owner(s)/developer(s) who have been informed about some of the following ways they may be thwarted:
With backing by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, the processes for placing a Q Condition on the lots currently zoned as C1-1XL, are moving forward and could be voted on in a matter of just a few months. The application of the Q Condition would restrict development on the three C1-1XL-zoned lots to having only dwellings built on the lots comparable to what is found on the majority of lots in the local neighborhood; Single-family, detached residences.
It is estimated that construction of underground parking that would be required for condominiums to be built on the former market's site would be approximately $40,000 per space and that, at least, 2.25 spaces are required for each 2-bedroom condominium units built above the underground parking.
A zoning change to allow for duplexes to be built on two of the three lots currently zoned only for single-family, detached housing could take 18 months.
It appears that there is growing opposition to whatever the owner(s)/developer(s) are coming up with, just about every day.
The owner(s)/developer(s) have the right to begin construction of apartments on the three lots currently zoned as C1-1XL, almost immediatly after the old market is demolished and hauled away, but they have not, as yet, submitted plans to build apartments.
The owner(s)/developer(s) have already claimed a hardship in print because they claim they are willing to "leave money on the table". Remember, nobody can lay "money on the cash register", for groceries, because McCowan's is gone.
________________________________________________
The neighbors living in the area of the Vista del Oro Neighborhood should be the ones voting on whether they should accept ideas from folks they have already stated they have no trust with.
It seems odd to me that a deal that would allow for only 10 total residences is trying to be struck long before any vote on a Q Condition which would allow for only one dwelling per lot on the three C1-1XL-zoned lots.
I have offered several more questions to those who will have the responsibility to vote on any and all compromises or deals. They are the ones that will have to live with their decisions while any and all construction begins.
Should they trust the developer(s)? Two words: Bob Bisno.
Should they wait and follow the progress of the processes that may lead to placing a Q Condition on the three properties? That should be their call.
Should Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and R Neighborhoods Are 1 support the decision made by vote of the neighbors who will be affected for years to come, with whatever they choose to accept? Absolutely, positively YES!
What group would be better served by a wait and see attitude and stance? The neighbors get to have their own say on this one.
Who benefits most from moving processes forward as fast as possible? Again, it the neighbors' and neighborhood's call, I feel.
Who stands to lose the most, by accepting a compromise to a stance already taken? Could it be the neighbors that started VDONAC? Thankfully, this is not my call.
Who is willing to live with their own decision while foundations are poured on whatever is built on the site? I am willing to support whatever comes from a majority of neighbors polled about the issue. It's their neighborhood, so it must be their call.
What would I do if placed in the same spot about making a call on a compromise? I am not in any hurry to answer this question.
12 is better than 21 and 10 is better than 12. But is 10 better than 6? I'm secure in knowing I don't need to answer this question.
So, what in the heck should the neighbors do? That's easy. Talk, write, meet, argue, debate, join together, seek counsel from elected leaders and their representatives, and be the strong neighborhood they have already shown they are. Be proud of the accomplishments VDONAC and the neighbors have continued to do.
Remember, there is one "decider" who didn't want to "rush to judgement" even long after "mission accomplished" was viewed by millions of Americans.
Here is a recap:
Between 15-18 condominium units on the lots currently zoned C1-1XL and three-single-family,detached houses on the three remaining lots, currently zoned for only that type of housing. That would allow for a total of 21 residences.
Duplexes on all six properties, which would require a zoning change for at least two of the lots zoned for only single-family housing. That would allow for a total of 12 residences.
Duplexes on the three lots currently zoned C1-1XL, a duplex on the lot currently zoned R1-1XL on the same side of the street as the three-C1-1XL lots. Building only single-family, detached housing on the two lots on the south-east side of the intersection of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue. That would allow for a total of 10 residences.
The Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) have demanded that only single-family, detached housing be built on each one of the six lots that make up the eastern corners of the intersection. That would allow for a total of 6 residences, all of the same type of housing.
"Little" issues have been brought to the attention of the owner(s)/developer(s) who have been informed about some of the following ways they may be thwarted:
With backing by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, the processes for placing a Q Condition on the lots currently zoned as C1-1XL, are moving forward and could be voted on in a matter of just a few months. The application of the Q Condition would restrict development on the three C1-1XL-zoned lots to having only dwellings built on the lots comparable to what is found on the majority of lots in the local neighborhood; Single-family, detached residences.
It is estimated that construction of underground parking that would be required for condominiums to be built on the former market's site would be approximately $40,000 per space and that, at least, 2.25 spaces are required for each 2-bedroom condominium units built above the underground parking.
A zoning change to allow for duplexes to be built on two of the three lots currently zoned only for single-family, detached housing could take 18 months.
It appears that there is growing opposition to whatever the owner(s)/developer(s) are coming up with, just about every day.
The owner(s)/developer(s) have the right to begin construction of apartments on the three lots currently zoned as C1-1XL, almost immediatly after the old market is demolished and hauled away, but they have not, as yet, submitted plans to build apartments.
The owner(s)/developer(s) have already claimed a hardship in print because they claim they are willing to "leave money on the table". Remember, nobody can lay "money on the cash register", for groceries, because McCowan's is gone.
________________________________________________
The neighbors living in the area of the Vista del Oro Neighborhood should be the ones voting on whether they should accept ideas from folks they have already stated they have no trust with.
It seems odd to me that a deal that would allow for only 10 total residences is trying to be struck long before any vote on a Q Condition which would allow for only one dwelling per lot on the three C1-1XL-zoned lots.
I have offered several more questions to those who will have the responsibility to vote on any and all compromises or deals. They are the ones that will have to live with their decisions while any and all construction begins.
Should they trust the developer(s)? Two words: Bob Bisno.
Should they wait and follow the progress of the processes that may lead to placing a Q Condition on the three properties? That should be their call.
Should Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and R Neighborhoods Are 1 support the decision made by vote of the neighbors who will be affected for years to come, with whatever they choose to accept? Absolutely, positively YES!
What group would be better served by a wait and see attitude and stance? The neighbors get to have their own say on this one.
Who benefits most from moving processes forward as fast as possible? Again, it the neighbors' and neighborhood's call, I feel.
Who stands to lose the most, by accepting a compromise to a stance already taken? Could it be the neighbors that started VDONAC? Thankfully, this is not my call.
Who is willing to live with their own decision while foundations are poured on whatever is built on the site? I am willing to support whatever comes from a majority of neighbors polled about the issue. It's their neighborhood, so it must be their call.
What would I do if placed in the same spot about making a call on a compromise? I am not in any hurry to answer this question.
12 is better than 21 and 10 is better than 12. But is 10 better than 6? I'm secure in knowing I don't need to answer this question.
So, what in the heck should the neighbors do? That's easy. Talk, write, meet, argue, debate, join together, seek counsel from elected leaders and their representatives, and be the strong neighborhood they have already shown they are. Be proud of the accomplishments VDONAC and the neighbors have continued to do.
Remember, there is one "decider" who didn't want to "rush to judgement" even long after "mission accomplished" was viewed by millions of Americans.
New Email Address
The Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) has a brand new Email address that you can use to ask for information, write comments to, and use which ever way will assist the group's efforts to stop the weapon of mass development from being push onto that neighborhood by an out-of-town developer.
VDONAC@gmail.com or vdonac@gmail.com will get you to the good folks who can provide information, answer questions, or read comments.
VDONAC@gmail.com or vdonac@gmail.com will get you to the good folks who can provide information, answer questions, or read comments.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
More News and Information Concerning VDONAC
Approximately 50 neighbors gathered, along with the leadership of the Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC), at a meeting of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council's Planning and Land Use Committee.
The meeting was held on Tuesday February 5, 2008 during the last two hours when the polls were still open to vote on Super Tuesday. The vast majority of those gathered sported "I Voted" stickers.
During the meeting, Gordon Teuber, an assistant to Councilwoman Janice Hahn answered many questions fielded by committee members and members of the audience.
Mr. Teuber emphasized that the Councilwoman's office would stand behind the demands and goals established by the leaders of VDONAC. Mr. Teuber went on to state that meetings have been held between the developer(s) of the area formerly used as McCowan's Market and its parking lots, and the Councilwoman's office.
No deals have been struct between anyone inside the offices of Councilwoman Hahn and Mr. Teuber stated that Ms. Hahn's offices would assist in any way, the neighbors and neighborhoods in the Vista del Oro neighborhood.
Ms. Hahn's office is closely monitoring the processes that hope to lead to the establishment of a "Q Condition" on the three lots that currently are zoned C1-1XL. The establishment and enforcement of the "Q Condition would restrict building of dwellings on those three lots to be comparable to the dwellings on the majority of properties in the surrounding neighborhood. In essence, only single-family houses could be built on the property, no matter what the current zoning is.
The leaders of VDONAC want you to know that they need everyone to telephone, Email, and write to Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Los Angeles Director of City Planning, Ms. S. Gail Goldberg, Ms. Betsy Weisman, the Director of Planning for the Harbor area, Mayor Villaraigosa, and anyone else who you can think of in trying to curtail this out-of-town's developer's weapon of mass development on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
You are all also encouraged to write letters to the editors of The Daily Breeze and Random Lengths News.
You are also encouraged to make comments on this blog, create your own post for addition to this blog, and visiting http://www.rneighborhoodsare1.org/ for news, information, and contact information.
Donations will be greatly appreciated and in a short time, I will post an address where you may send any donation you wish.
Yard signs have been designed and voted on by the Board of Directors of VDONAC. In about a week, or shortly a bit longer, yard signs will be available stating that there must be NO CONDOS ON 20Th STREET AND WALKER AVENUE!
In a week, the leaders will have buttons which they may request a donation for, that also states that NO CONDOS should be allowed on the corner.
The newspaper article that appeared in the Tuesday February 4, 2008 edition of The Daily Breeze was, unfortunately, not the best reporting work done at the newspaper.
A quote attributed to Ms. Barbara Dragich was used during the confusion by Ms. Dragich who thought the reporter claimed that duplexes were only proposed for the three existing lots that the former market stands and not all six lots owned by the owner(s)/developer(s) of the site.
Also, it appears that Mr. Mike Rosenthal, the recent owner of the former McCowan's Market may have caused the confusion, possibly in an attempt to sway the members of VDONAC. The confusion lasted about two seconds once the Board of Directors of VDONAC heard a more clear interpretation of what the owner(s)/developer(s) really want.
To have duplexes allowed via a zoning change to existing lots zoned for only single-family dwelling would set a very bad and dangerous precedent for the rest of the neighborhoods and could signal a dramatic change in the makeup of an entire neighborhood, many people feel.
Please return to this blog from time to time to learn more about what is going on with the Ponte Vista at San Pedro development, and the redevelopment of the lots on the eastern side of the intersection of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue.
Monday, February 4, 2008
News Release About McCowan's Site
The Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) has been organized to fight attempts by an out-of town developer to build up to 18 condominiums on the site of the former McCowan’s Market on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue, in San Pedro.
The group has demanded that only single-family houses are constructed on the three lots currently zoned for that type of housing, the developer now owns. The group also seeks to have only single-family housing built on the three lots that make up the site of the former market’s building.
In a late development, the developer has been found to be considering building duplexes on all six lots. That would require zoning changes for the three lots now zoned for only single-family housing.
VDONAC rejects this latest proposal by the developer because it would set a precedent for other lot owners to convert their single-family zoned lots to lots able to house duplexes or triplexes.
Leaders of the group, along with many neighbors in that affected neighborhood have been asked to attend a meeting on Tuesday February 5, 2008 at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House, at 6:30 PM. At the meeting, neighbors and anyone else may address the Planning and Land Use Committee and help them create a draft resolution to be presented to the Board of Directors of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, opposing any condominium development on the corner where the Market formerly operated.
In 1992 neighbors from that area successfully block an attempt to build seven condominium units on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue that were being considered, at that time, by Mr. John McCowan.
In a very short time, the Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos will have yard signs for display and they will be offered to neighbors all over the San Pedro area who also oppose having condominiums built on the site.
Information about the group and the issues they are dealing with can be found on this site and on the blog: www.rneighborhoodsare1.blogspot.com.
Shortly there will also be an Email address and phone number interested neighbors can call for more information.
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I guess we have to be ready for new tricks coming from the owners/developers, who claimed they wanted to build 18 condominiums on the site of the former market.
Now they want only twelve dwellings. But what they really want is a change of zoning on the three lots zoned for only single-family residences.
This would set a bad precedent for that local neighborhood, many people fear. So many San Pedrans live in homes passed to them by parents or other relatives. What would happen if Joe Schmoe passed away, left his single-family home to Jack and Katie Schmoe and they wanted to change the zoning so they could build a duplex on the site? Would the neighborhood turn into a neighborhood of duplexes or triplexes in the span of one generation?
I don't think the Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos want to be remembered for accepting that kind of change in that neighborhood.
So many lots have single-family homes in that area, that any change at this time, would signal the start of what may be a mass of tear downs and construction of more than one dwelling per lot.
I know a particular banker whos main accounts are finding people who will buy a lot that can be zoned for more than one dwelling, and then have the new buyers tear down a single-family house and build more dwellings on the lot that has a new zoning. It is his right to do his job, but I don't think that particular neighborhood should be subjected to the trauma it would cause so many families that have lived in that area for generations.
Vista del Oro is not like Tarragonna. It is much older and has a quality of life that is distinctive, wonderful and very San Pedro. It doesn't need or should want speculators coming in, buying adjoining properties and attempting to over develop the neighborhood.
The group has demanded that only single-family houses are constructed on the three lots currently zoned for that type of housing, the developer now owns. The group also seeks to have only single-family housing built on the three lots that make up the site of the former market’s building.
In a late development, the developer has been found to be considering building duplexes on all six lots. That would require zoning changes for the three lots now zoned for only single-family housing.
VDONAC rejects this latest proposal by the developer because it would set a precedent for other lot owners to convert their single-family zoned lots to lots able to house duplexes or triplexes.
Leaders of the group, along with many neighbors in that affected neighborhood have been asked to attend a meeting on Tuesday February 5, 2008 at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House, at 6:30 PM. At the meeting, neighbors and anyone else may address the Planning and Land Use Committee and help them create a draft resolution to be presented to the Board of Directors of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, opposing any condominium development on the corner where the Market formerly operated.
In 1992 neighbors from that area successfully block an attempt to build seven condominium units on the corner of 20Th Street and Walker Avenue that were being considered, at that time, by Mr. John McCowan.
In a very short time, the Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos will have yard signs for display and they will be offered to neighbors all over the San Pedro area who also oppose having condominiums built on the site.
Information about the group and the issues they are dealing with can be found on this site and on the blog: www.rneighborhoodsare1.blogspot.com.
Shortly there will also be an Email address and phone number interested neighbors can call for more information.
____________________________________________
I guess we have to be ready for new tricks coming from the owners/developers, who claimed they wanted to build 18 condominiums on the site of the former market.
Now they want only twelve dwellings. But what they really want is a change of zoning on the three lots zoned for only single-family residences.
This would set a bad precedent for that local neighborhood, many people fear. So many San Pedrans live in homes passed to them by parents or other relatives. What would happen if Joe Schmoe passed away, left his single-family home to Jack and Katie Schmoe and they wanted to change the zoning so they could build a duplex on the site? Would the neighborhood turn into a neighborhood of duplexes or triplexes in the span of one generation?
I don't think the Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos want to be remembered for accepting that kind of change in that neighborhood.
So many lots have single-family homes in that area, that any change at this time, would signal the start of what may be a mass of tear downs and construction of more than one dwelling per lot.
I know a particular banker whos main accounts are finding people who will buy a lot that can be zoned for more than one dwelling, and then have the new buyers tear down a single-family house and build more dwellings on the lot that has a new zoning. It is his right to do his job, but I don't think that particular neighborhood should be subjected to the trauma it would cause so many families that have lived in that area for generations.
Vista del Oro is not like Tarragonna. It is much older and has a quality of life that is distinctive, wonderful and very San Pedro. It doesn't need or should want speculators coming in, buying adjoining properties and attempting to over develop the neighborhood.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Time To Invest in Calendar Books or Electronic Date Reminders
Who says nothing is going on in San Pedro?
If you don't know about this proposed school, you might want to attend the meeting.
A new school proposed to be close to the area of Alma and 30Th Street and on land L.A.U.S.D. already owns near Angels Gate will bring traffic and parking issues into play with the neighborhood of single-family houses and multi-family units, probably on the north side of the old Fort MacArthur Upper Reservation.
It might be a good meeting to attend just to see how L.A.U.S.D. is going to get a large enough route to and from the proposed school site. Will they try and use Alma? Will they try and use the area that now contains the steep and narrow road inside the fence near Gaffey and 31St. Street?
Will they want to condemn two or three single-family homes to clear them out on the north side, to provide and access road to the porposed new school? Will they want to extend Emily, Parker, Meyler, or another street on the south side of the property and into the school site? Where in the heck are they going to put the access?
Perhaps those questions and whether they will provide off-street parking for students, faculty, and staff, or will they do what has been done at S.P.H.S. and not provide enough on-campus parking?
This meeting might be a good chance for the neighbors living on both the north side and the south side of the old reservation to come and learn more about the proposed 1,215- seat senior high school.
And you thought nothing ever happens in San Pedro.
If you don't know about this proposed school, you might want to attend the meeting.
A new school proposed to be close to the area of Alma and 30Th Street and on land L.A.U.S.D. already owns near Angels Gate will bring traffic and parking issues into play with the neighborhood of single-family houses and multi-family units, probably on the north side of the old Fort MacArthur Upper Reservation.
It might be a good meeting to attend just to see how L.A.U.S.D. is going to get a large enough route to and from the proposed school site. Will they try and use Alma? Will they try and use the area that now contains the steep and narrow road inside the fence near Gaffey and 31St. Street?
Will they want to condemn two or three single-family homes to clear them out on the north side, to provide and access road to the porposed new school? Will they want to extend Emily, Parker, Meyler, or another street on the south side of the property and into the school site? Where in the heck are they going to put the access?
Perhaps those questions and whether they will provide off-street parking for students, faculty, and staff, or will they do what has been done at S.P.H.S. and not provide enough on-campus parking?
This meeting might be a good chance for the neighbors living on both the north side and the south side of the old reservation to come and learn more about the proposed 1,215- seat senior high school.
And you thought nothing ever happens in San Pedro.
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