Attention!
The Board of Directors of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council is having their meeting on Monday January 28, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Cabrillo Marina Community Center, Berth 28, in San Pedro. The building is located behind the hotel at the end of the Cabrillo Marina.
Here is your chance to support the opposition to building 15-18 condominium units at the site of the former McCowan's Market, which was located on the corner of 20TH Street and Walker Avenue, in San Pedro.
You will be able to meet many of the concerned residents of the local area around the former market and you will also have the chance to voice your opinion about the "weapon of mass development" that an out-of-town developer is attempting to push onto OUR community.
We shouldn't have to fight to keep the quality of life we enjoy in OUR community, but fight we must. And fight we will!
If I can get off my duff, there should be free buttons given out at the meeting so you can show your support as an opponent to the development of the condominium units.
Please try to attend the meeting. Please talk to your neighbors and friends about getting involved in this issue, as well as fighting the "weapon of mass development" which is Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
You may think that on 20Th and Walker, there will be just one building. But that one building housing 15-18 condominiums is extremely overly high density for that neighborhood of R1 homes and lots.
Please do not believe that all condominium units built on the site would be owner-occupied. Speculators and others may purchase units and rent them out. This is also an issue with the Ponte Vista development.
If the developer get his way, we have no idea how many units will be owner-occupied or lived in by more transient renters.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
More Blight From ANOTHER Out of Town Developer
Here is the body of an Email sent by an opponent of having condos built on the site of the old McCowan's Market.
It seems the current owner, Mike Rosenthal is using demolition contractors who not only work far past normal quitting times, they also leave a mess around the former market that so many of us remember and have fond memories for.
Here is what Barbara wrote:
This is the mess that crews left Saturday night after working well past 11:30 pm. The police were called and they stopped leaving broken glass, sharp metal pieces, and trash all over the side walk. This was not only and eyesore, but a very dangerous situation with children playing in the area. I took these pics to building and safety this morning and filed a complaint. This is no way to do work in our neighborhood. Rosenthal has no regard for anyone. Please continue with your efforts to get this stopped.
Thanks,
Barbara Dragich
Below is a photo Barbara took the morning after the work crew was stopped by the L.A.P.D.
This is now way for a developer to display, or have his contractors display how they work. If this is what we can expect from the developer, who know how whatever he builds will look like and it they will be constructed with the quality the houses in the neighborhood were constructed like.
_____________________________________________________
It seems the current owner, Mike Rosenthal is using demolition contractors who not only work far past normal quitting times, they also leave a mess around the former market that so many of us remember and have fond memories for.
Here is what Barbara wrote:
This is the mess that crews left Saturday night after working well past 11:30 pm. The police were called and they stopped leaving broken glass, sharp metal pieces, and trash all over the side walk. This was not only and eyesore, but a very dangerous situation with children playing in the area. I took these pics to building and safety this morning and filed a complaint. This is no way to do work in our neighborhood. Rosenthal has no regard for anyone. Please continue with your efforts to get this stopped.
Thanks,
Barbara Dragich
Below is a photo Barbara took the morning after the work crew was stopped by the L.A.P.D.
This is now way for a developer to display, or have his contractors display how they work. If this is what we can expect from the developer, who know how whatever he builds will look like and it they will be constructed with the quality the houses in the neighborhood were constructed like.
_____________________________________________________So now we have to deal with another out of town developer trashing OUR community and trying to lower the quality of life for the residents who live in the neighborhood.
Fighting against the prospect of having ANY multiple-family units built on the former site of the market is very important and a fight we all need to be involved in.
The local neighborhood has become organized and united. Now, with the help of all the great members of R Neighborhoods Are 1, we will use our time, energy, and strengths to keep OUR community with the highest quality of life possible.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Web Site Information About the R1 Houses
Here are two pages that make up the Web site: www.20thstreetcustomhomes.com.
You can view photos that illustrate what the exterior and interior of the three-single-family houses that the owner of the old McCowan's market is going to build on three R1 lots he owns on 20TH Street, in San Pedro.
Already, the old parking lot on 20Th Street is gone and permits to demolish the parking lot and building at the corner of 20Th and Walker are going through.
Whether the three houses will look out of place in the neighborhood, will be up to the eyes of the beholders.
I bet they would look more in place if there wasn't a condo building either right next door to one and across the street from the other two.
In the Daily Breeze article, the developer or somebody else suggest that traffic with condominiums would be less that traffic that was found when McCowan's was open.
I wouldn't argue that issue, but I will contend that there may not be "condominiums" eventually populated by folks, when everything is finally said and done. Remember Seaport Luxury Homes? Those "condominiums" were changed to lease to own apartments.
With the economy the way it is today, should we trust the only condominiums will stand forever at the site, if the developer gets his way? I think not! Even is the units were built as "condominiums" some, if not all, could become rental units.
Folks would still have housing, but they most likely be the owners of the units. Would they keep the value of the unit up if they weren't really paying the mortgage on the place?
Apartments seem to become vacant more frequently than owner-occupied units, don' they?
Let's work hard to keep the site of the McCowan's Market, the least dense as possible.
You may be interested in this little bit of trivia: If these three houses sell for $899,000 each, that is about $406.42 per square foot. A 600 square foot condo at Ponte Vista may go for $300,000, or about $500.00 per square foot. And that is not including dues and fees for living in that planned community.
I wonder what the developer of any condos that get approved of at 20Th and Walker will ask per square foot for his units?
Here is a link to Ms. Donna Littlejohn's article about the issue that was in The Daily Breeze on Sunday January 20, 2008: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8023686
You can view photos that illustrate what the exterior and interior of the three-single-family houses that the owner of the old McCowan's market is going to build on three R1 lots he owns on 20TH Street, in San Pedro.
Already, the old parking lot on 20Th Street is gone and permits to demolish the parking lot and building at the corner of 20Th and Walker are going through.
Whether the three houses will look out of place in the neighborhood, will be up to the eyes of the beholders.
I bet they would look more in place if there wasn't a condo building either right next door to one and across the street from the other two.
In the Daily Breeze article, the developer or somebody else suggest that traffic with condominiums would be less that traffic that was found when McCowan's was open.
I wouldn't argue that issue, but I will contend that there may not be "condominiums" eventually populated by folks, when everything is finally said and done. Remember Seaport Luxury Homes? Those "condominiums" were changed to lease to own apartments.
With the economy the way it is today, should we trust the only condominiums will stand forever at the site, if the developer gets his way? I think not! Even is the units were built as "condominiums" some, if not all, could become rental units.
Folks would still have housing, but they most likely be the owners of the units. Would they keep the value of the unit up if they weren't really paying the mortgage on the place?
Apartments seem to become vacant more frequently than owner-occupied units, don' they?
Let's work hard to keep the site of the McCowan's Market, the least dense as possible.
You may be interested in this little bit of trivia: If these three houses sell for $899,000 each, that is about $406.42 per square foot. A 600 square foot condo at Ponte Vista may go for $300,000, or about $500.00 per square foot. And that is not including dues and fees for living in that planned community.I wonder what the developer of any condos that get approved of at 20Th and Walker will ask per square foot for his units?
Here is a link to Ms. Donna Littlejohn's article about the issue that was in The Daily Breeze on Sunday January 20, 2008: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8023686
Friday, January 18, 2008
Another Very Good Cause to Fight For
R Neighborhoods Are 1 is about helping OUR community, all of OUR community, fight to keep what is best in OUR community.
Very recently we lost a dear, dear friend when the last McCowan's Market closed its doors on 20TH Street and Walker Avenue.
The paved parking on Walker between 20Th street and the alley was removed and there will be R1 homes built on that site, consistent with the land's current zoning.
Also, the parking lot directly next to the old store will be removed and one home on an R1 lot will be built.
The problem are good friends living in the nearby R1 homes are facing revolves around the land the actual store's structure was built on. It is zoned commercial and the new owner of the space is seeking to build at least 15 condominium (or perhaps apartments).
The neighborhood surrounding the store has single-family homes on R1 lots. There are multiple-family units on parts of 19TH Street, but there are still quite a few single-family homes on that street as well.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 is as it should be, dedicated to helping residents no matter where they live or how they feel they are being targeted.
In the following post, there will be more information about the project and information anyone can use to contact Councilwoman Janice Hahn and/or her aide, Mr. Gordon Teuber, concerning this project.
Ponte Vista is not the only weapon of mass development we are facing. Having so many multiple-family units built in an area of mainly R1 homes could do harm to the current residents of OUR community and cause more trouble for all of us, than it is worth.
Very recently we lost a dear, dear friend when the last McCowan's Market closed its doors on 20TH Street and Walker Avenue.
The paved parking on Walker between 20Th street and the alley was removed and there will be R1 homes built on that site, consistent with the land's current zoning.
Also, the parking lot directly next to the old store will be removed and one home on an R1 lot will be built.
The problem are good friends living in the nearby R1 homes are facing revolves around the land the actual store's structure was built on. It is zoned commercial and the new owner of the space is seeking to build at least 15 condominium (or perhaps apartments).
The neighborhood surrounding the store has single-family homes on R1 lots. There are multiple-family units on parts of 19TH Street, but there are still quite a few single-family homes on that street as well.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 is as it should be, dedicated to helping residents no matter where they live or how they feel they are being targeted.
In the following post, there will be more information about the project and information anyone can use to contact Councilwoman Janice Hahn and/or her aide, Mr. Gordon Teuber, concerning this project.
Ponte Vista is not the only weapon of mass development we are facing. Having so many multiple-family units built in an area of mainly R1 homes could do harm to the current residents of OUR community and cause more trouble for all of us, than it is worth.
More Information and a Very Interesting Letter
The following three documents are part of the initial actions by residents of the neighborhood near the old McCowan's Market and the site on 20TH Street and Walker Avenue.
The first piece is a flier which is calling for "NO CONDOS" on the site of the former grocery store.
You are most welcome to download it onto your computer and call the Councilwoman and/or her representative.
The next piece is a very interesting letter to the editor concerning the project. It appears to me by reading it, that perhaps the owner/developer had other things on his mind when he purchased the store in the first place.
It seems strange though that he would make all the remodeling changes he did if he was just going to close the store in the first place.
We did notice when we went to McCowan's on our last visit there that many of the items we looked at had their "sell by" dates some time ago. We actually bought a jar of jam that has a "Best by" date in 2006! I saw some cookies, which I did not buy, that had "sell by" in early 2006.
I agree with the letter submitted by Nick and Barbara.
No here is something else you can do. You can capture the form shown below and fill it out and mail it in, if you are of a mind to. While I think the folks in the immediate area should mail this form in, I think anyone else who has ever shopped at the store and/or visited the neighborhood near the store, and/or have friends who live in that area, should also fill out the form and mail it in.
Perhaps we can assist this developer to rue the day when Bob Bisno came to OUR community and brought with him his weapon of mass development. Bob has all of us watching more carefully when other developers come into town and attempt to lower the quality of life for the current residents so they can reap profits.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 is OUR neighbors helping OUR neighbors, no matter where they live.
The first piece is a flier which is calling for "NO CONDOS" on the site of the former grocery store.
You are most welcome to download it onto your computer and call the Councilwoman and/or her representative.
The next piece is a very interesting letter to the editor concerning the project. It appears to me by reading it, that perhaps the owner/developer had other things on his mind when he purchased the store in the first place.
It seems strange though that he would make all the remodeling changes he did if he was just going to close the store in the first place.
We did notice when we went to McCowan's on our last visit there that many of the items we looked at had their "sell by" dates some time ago. We actually bought a jar of jam that has a "Best by" date in 2006! I saw some cookies, which I did not buy, that had "sell by" in early 2006.
I agree with the letter submitted by Nick and Barbara.
No here is something else you can do. You can capture the form shown below and fill it out and mail it in, if you are of a mind to. While I think the folks in the immediate area should mail this form in, I think anyone else who has ever shopped at the store and/or visited the neighborhood near the store, and/or have friends who live in that area, should also fill out the form and mail it in.
Perhaps we can assist this developer to rue the day when Bob Bisno came to OUR community and brought with him his weapon of mass development. Bob has all of us watching more carefully when other developers come into town and attempt to lower the quality of life for the current residents so they can reap profits.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 is OUR neighbors helping OUR neighbors, no matter where they live.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy New Year, Now Let's Get Back to Business!
Happy New Year to all!
The quiet festive time may be coming to an end as we patiently, or as patiently as we can, await the news from the Los Angeles City Department of Planning, and what they feel is appropriate to be built at Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
Bob Bisno is still sticking to his plans to build 1,950 condominiums on 61.53 acres of land in northwest San Pedro. That would give that project a gross density of 31.69 units per acre. Of course not all the land inside the fences of Ponte Vista is able to be built on and since Bob claims that "40% of the land will be open space", it seems the housing will really be more dense than one can imagine.
There is still no logical reason for many folks to demand anything other than R1 and keeping the current zoning as it is at Ponte Vista, if Bob stands firm on his outrageous number of units. Unfortunately, Bob continues to strongly refuse to compromise in any real manner.
Bob and his bunch have produced a single page flyer that shows the difference between what he wants to build and what he believes would be offered if R1 was maintained at the site.
As one would expect, the figures and notes used to create the flyer cause it to have many errors and/or omissions on both sides of the page and it uses incorrect statements to get folks to favor his plans over keeping the site R1.
Back in August, 2006, Janice Hahn's Community Advisory Committee met for the very first time. At that meeting, both Bob and Councilwoman Hahn made statements and predictions. Bob claimed he would work with any and all groups to try and find solutions to problems folks had with his plans, back then.
There was talk, so very long ago, that the L.A. City Council would probably get to vote on the municipal laws and codes that would allow for construction of the project, by January of 2008.
Well, as we look at our calendars, it is now January, 2008 and we are nowhere near any type of vote by any council on what might be built at Ponte Vista.
This year may be the year OUR community goes before the Los Angeles Planning Commission and be heard in hearings and meetings to determine what may go forward for approval by the Planning Commission, concerning the Ponte Vista matter.
IF and when the Planning Commission finally arrives at a majority decision as to what should go forward to the City Council for consideration, we all need to stand firm and clear that if anyone suggests that Ponte Vista has the number of units Bob wants now, we must state firmly and hold our ground to R1, NO COMPROMISE!
"Compromise" has been heard by opponents of Bob's plans and by supporters, too. Unfortunately, Bob has not listened to anyone mentioning that word. In actuality, probably more folks really want a compromise, in terms of numbers of units, than support Bob's current plans.
If Bob won't listen, then we must continue our fight to keep the zoning as it currently is at Ponte Vista. If the Planning Department and/or the Planning Commission favors Bob's plans, then we must fight them, too.
Your Rudderless Steering Committee will meet this month to plan for things to happen in the near future. It is time to remember what we probably chose to ignore since August, 2007 and we all need to put the issues back into focus, as we move forward.
Some folks demand R1, no matter what. Some folks see as many as 1,500 units. My "dream" is for 1,080 units, but that can't even be considered if Bob sticks to his ridiculous number of units.
Others have between 1,100-1,300 units in mind, and that is called a compromise between what Bob wants and what strong R1 proponents demand.
Everyone has a right and probably an obligation to their fellow neighbors and OUR community to let others know what they can live with, at Ponte Vista. This must be a community issue, because it will impact all of us in our own generation and generations to come.
Please continue to visit the group's Web site at: www.rneighborhoodsare1.org and let everybody know how you feel.
As 2007 was so very interesting, as far as the Ponte Vista project goes, it looks like 2008 could either be a very active and confrontational year, or a year when we all can come together as a community to create a Ponte Vista that we can all be proud of.
The quiet festive time may be coming to an end as we patiently, or as patiently as we can, await the news from the Los Angeles City Department of Planning, and what they feel is appropriate to be built at Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
Bob Bisno is still sticking to his plans to build 1,950 condominiums on 61.53 acres of land in northwest San Pedro. That would give that project a gross density of 31.69 units per acre. Of course not all the land inside the fences of Ponte Vista is able to be built on and since Bob claims that "40% of the land will be open space", it seems the housing will really be more dense than one can imagine.
There is still no logical reason for many folks to demand anything other than R1 and keeping the current zoning as it is at Ponte Vista, if Bob stands firm on his outrageous number of units. Unfortunately, Bob continues to strongly refuse to compromise in any real manner.
Bob and his bunch have produced a single page flyer that shows the difference between what he wants to build and what he believes would be offered if R1 was maintained at the site.
As one would expect, the figures and notes used to create the flyer cause it to have many errors and/or omissions on both sides of the page and it uses incorrect statements to get folks to favor his plans over keeping the site R1.
Back in August, 2006, Janice Hahn's Community Advisory Committee met for the very first time. At that meeting, both Bob and Councilwoman Hahn made statements and predictions. Bob claimed he would work with any and all groups to try and find solutions to problems folks had with his plans, back then.
There was talk, so very long ago, that the L.A. City Council would probably get to vote on the municipal laws and codes that would allow for construction of the project, by January of 2008.
Well, as we look at our calendars, it is now January, 2008 and we are nowhere near any type of vote by any council on what might be built at Ponte Vista.
This year may be the year OUR community goes before the Los Angeles Planning Commission and be heard in hearings and meetings to determine what may go forward for approval by the Planning Commission, concerning the Ponte Vista matter.
IF and when the Planning Commission finally arrives at a majority decision as to what should go forward to the City Council for consideration, we all need to stand firm and clear that if anyone suggests that Ponte Vista has the number of units Bob wants now, we must state firmly and hold our ground to R1, NO COMPROMISE!
"Compromise" has been heard by opponents of Bob's plans and by supporters, too. Unfortunately, Bob has not listened to anyone mentioning that word. In actuality, probably more folks really want a compromise, in terms of numbers of units, than support Bob's current plans.
If Bob won't listen, then we must continue our fight to keep the zoning as it currently is at Ponte Vista. If the Planning Department and/or the Planning Commission favors Bob's plans, then we must fight them, too.
Your Rudderless Steering Committee will meet this month to plan for things to happen in the near future. It is time to remember what we probably chose to ignore since August, 2007 and we all need to put the issues back into focus, as we move forward.
Some folks demand R1, no matter what. Some folks see as many as 1,500 units. My "dream" is for 1,080 units, but that can't even be considered if Bob sticks to his ridiculous number of units.
Others have between 1,100-1,300 units in mind, and that is called a compromise between what Bob wants and what strong R1 proponents demand.
Everyone has a right and probably an obligation to their fellow neighbors and OUR community to let others know what they can live with, at Ponte Vista. This must be a community issue, because it will impact all of us in our own generation and generations to come.
Please continue to visit the group's Web site at: www.rneighborhoodsare1.org and let everybody know how you feel.
As 2007 was so very interesting, as far as the Ponte Vista project goes, it looks like 2008 could either be a very active and confrontational year, or a year when we all can come together as a community to create a Ponte Vista that we can all be proud of.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Rudderless Steering Committee Meeting
The Rudderless Steering Committee of R Neighborhoods held a productive meeting on Thursday September 13, 2007.
The discussions were lively and several issues have been added to the increasing tasks the committee members and other members of R Neighborhoods Are 1 can become very active in.
240 more names were collected on the R1 petitions and brought to the meeting for inclusion into the data base.
Signature gathering is still a very important issues for R Neighborhoods Are 1. Some of the focus has moved from local markets, where so many great shoppers have already signed the R1 petitions, to other venues. You may see R1 petition gatherers outside local schools where parents pick up their kids, and who have their families at stake from the over development planned by Bob Bisno.
We continue to strongly welcome folks who visit www.rneighborhoodsare1.org and download petitions, then take them to their local areas and collect signatures. You may also start seeing R1 petition gatherers at supermarkets in Harbor City and Lomita, in the coming weeks.
The Rudderless Steering Committee is recommending that you DO NOT vote for Mark Waronek in the upcoming November Lomita City Council election. Any of the other three candidates would be a much better improvement than having Mark serve another term.
If you think or feel that "nothing is going on right now with Ponte Vista", you are incorrect. Right now, representatives from Bob's organization are working with the L.A. City Planning Department and the Department of Transportation to find ways to get whatever Bob wants, through the planners.
The Rudderless Steering Committee (RSC) has been working on issues revolving the current discussions between Ponte Vista's developer and the various agencies in the L.A. City government.
There will be a letter-writing campaigned shortly to demand several things from the Planning Department and the Department of Transportation so that everyone will be well informed as the days and weeks pass by.
We will be asking folks to write letters, in their own words, demanding that all hearings, public comment meetings, Planning Department public meetings, and Planning Commission meetings be held locally. That is a benefit for all of us and demonstrates that supporters and opponents of Bob's outrageous plans must have meetings held locally.
There must be a completely new environmental report accomplished. So many of the issues in the first DEIR, such as traffic, student population, infrastructure, and issues relating directly to the human condition were not done anywhere near appropriate, in the first DEIR.
Information regarding all public documents must be made readily and easily available to those who wish to monitor the progress or lack of progress, throughout all the processes.
We should all demand and better timeline from the Planning Department, as to the progress of the development's plans and when we can expect to learn the important facts and findings that taxpayers pay for.
I hope there is a sample letter I can post on this site in about a week and a half, to give everyone a chance to see what areas they may wish to use in their own letters. We will also post addresses of folks who should receive the letter.
On the organization's Web site, listed above is an address. The RSC is announcing at this point that a legal defense fund is being started to ensure that the 11,000+ folks who have already signed the R1 petition and those who do so in the future can have better grounds to stand on, no matter what Bob tries to do.
Hiring an attorney is not inexpensive. We have been offered pro-bono legal counsel already and have utilized the knowledge of several attorneys already. But we must have a defense fund established to pay for the "big guns" who will represent our interests.
Of course, we also need continuing donations to provide the necessary materials for future mailings and items we can't pay for simply out of the pockets of the RSC members. Many members of the Rudderless Steering Committee have already donated hundreds of dollars to the cause out of their own pockets. We have one RSC member who has donated money in the thousands of dollars arena. We still need every one's financial support.
Your Rudderless Steering Committee continues to strongly demand that the current zoning of the Ponte Vista site, remain with its current zoning. We have been backed up by Councilwoman Janice Hahn's endorsement for keeping the current zoning structure and her Community Advisory Committee has also recommended to her that the number of units be equivalent to what R1 zoning allows for.
We hope to find a resolution being proposed to the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, stating that they oppose Bob's current plans for Ponte Vista gets passed, to deal with the ongoing confusion the first resolution brought.
There may be a chance that folks who signed the R1 petition may get a call from us attempting to clear up any issue with the information provided on the R1 petition. Many folks signed their names in two spots and we have found some information hard to read. Folks have been updating the data base, but there are many addresses and names that can't be updated.
Information is power and we all need to keep the information lines open and flowing. Everyone is encouraged to comment, question, and help in the fight to now allow this weapon of mass development coming into OUR community.
The RSC was informed that Seaport Homes was able to change from a purchase-condominium development to a rental project due to the developer's ability to finance the project without getting into too much debt. According to a reliable source in L.A. City government, the folks downtown were not all that surprised when the switch-a-roo took place.
The next RSC meeting is scheduled in two week's time. If you have any issues you feel should be brought up to the committee, please leave a comment or Email me directly at the address on the top of this blog. It seems that I will be able to use crutches to get to the meeting.
Thank you and be well.
The discussions were lively and several issues have been added to the increasing tasks the committee members and other members of R Neighborhoods Are 1 can become very active in.
240 more names were collected on the R1 petitions and brought to the meeting for inclusion into the data base.
Signature gathering is still a very important issues for R Neighborhoods Are 1. Some of the focus has moved from local markets, where so many great shoppers have already signed the R1 petitions, to other venues. You may see R1 petition gatherers outside local schools where parents pick up their kids, and who have their families at stake from the over development planned by Bob Bisno.
We continue to strongly welcome folks who visit www.rneighborhoodsare1.org and download petitions, then take them to their local areas and collect signatures. You may also start seeing R1 petition gatherers at supermarkets in Harbor City and Lomita, in the coming weeks.
The Rudderless Steering Committee is recommending that you DO NOT vote for Mark Waronek in the upcoming November Lomita City Council election. Any of the other three candidates would be a much better improvement than having Mark serve another term.
If you think or feel that "nothing is going on right now with Ponte Vista", you are incorrect. Right now, representatives from Bob's organization are working with the L.A. City Planning Department and the Department of Transportation to find ways to get whatever Bob wants, through the planners.
The Rudderless Steering Committee (RSC) has been working on issues revolving the current discussions between Ponte Vista's developer and the various agencies in the L.A. City government.
There will be a letter-writing campaigned shortly to demand several things from the Planning Department and the Department of Transportation so that everyone will be well informed as the days and weeks pass by.
We will be asking folks to write letters, in their own words, demanding that all hearings, public comment meetings, Planning Department public meetings, and Planning Commission meetings be held locally. That is a benefit for all of us and demonstrates that supporters and opponents of Bob's outrageous plans must have meetings held locally.
There must be a completely new environmental report accomplished. So many of the issues in the first DEIR, such as traffic, student population, infrastructure, and issues relating directly to the human condition were not done anywhere near appropriate, in the first DEIR.
Information regarding all public documents must be made readily and easily available to those who wish to monitor the progress or lack of progress, throughout all the processes.
We should all demand and better timeline from the Planning Department, as to the progress of the development's plans and when we can expect to learn the important facts and findings that taxpayers pay for.
I hope there is a sample letter I can post on this site in about a week and a half, to give everyone a chance to see what areas they may wish to use in their own letters. We will also post addresses of folks who should receive the letter.
On the organization's Web site, listed above is an address. The RSC is announcing at this point that a legal defense fund is being started to ensure that the 11,000+ folks who have already signed the R1 petition and those who do so in the future can have better grounds to stand on, no matter what Bob tries to do.
Hiring an attorney is not inexpensive. We have been offered pro-bono legal counsel already and have utilized the knowledge of several attorneys already. But we must have a defense fund established to pay for the "big guns" who will represent our interests.
Of course, we also need continuing donations to provide the necessary materials for future mailings and items we can't pay for simply out of the pockets of the RSC members. Many members of the Rudderless Steering Committee have already donated hundreds of dollars to the cause out of their own pockets. We have one RSC member who has donated money in the thousands of dollars arena. We still need every one's financial support.
Your Rudderless Steering Committee continues to strongly demand that the current zoning of the Ponte Vista site, remain with its current zoning. We have been backed up by Councilwoman Janice Hahn's endorsement for keeping the current zoning structure and her Community Advisory Committee has also recommended to her that the number of units be equivalent to what R1 zoning allows for.
We hope to find a resolution being proposed to the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, stating that they oppose Bob's current plans for Ponte Vista gets passed, to deal with the ongoing confusion the first resolution brought.
There may be a chance that folks who signed the R1 petition may get a call from us attempting to clear up any issue with the information provided on the R1 petition. Many folks signed their names in two spots and we have found some information hard to read. Folks have been updating the data base, but there are many addresses and names that can't be updated.
Information is power and we all need to keep the information lines open and flowing. Everyone is encouraged to comment, question, and help in the fight to now allow this weapon of mass development coming into OUR community.
The RSC was informed that Seaport Homes was able to change from a purchase-condominium development to a rental project due to the developer's ability to finance the project without getting into too much debt. According to a reliable source in L.A. City government, the folks downtown were not all that surprised when the switch-a-roo took place.
The next RSC meeting is scheduled in two week's time. If you have any issues you feel should be brought up to the committee, please leave a comment or Email me directly at the address on the top of this blog. It seems that I will be able to use crutches to get to the meeting.
Thank you and be well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
