Pacific Palisades Community Council Next Meeting: May 9th via Zoom
ALERT: PPCC is aware of the lane closure on Pacific Coast Highway and we are working to get substantive responses from State and City officials as well as Caltrans regarding plans for repairs and a timeline for restoration of the lane along with full use of the roadway.
APRIL 25 PPCC MEETING RECAP
Updates from From the President & Board Members:
LAPD Patrols: Sgt. Scott Alpert talked with the PPCC about options for additional patrols in the Palisades, which are ultimately limited by resources. He noted that the LAPD could do more in the Palisades with discretionary funding from CD 11.
Rec Center Playground: Planning is underway for a new playground at the recreation center. Three design options have been presented.
Collapsed Bike Path: Zac Gaidzik, Supervisor Horvath’s Coastal and Westside Field Deputy, reported that the city and county had finally convened to discuss the failure of the Marvin Braude Bike Path failure along Will Rogers beach. Updates will be provided as the talks progress.
Chair Emeritus David Card: There was a dedication ceremony for the George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon. A sign at the entrance to the park details Mr. Wolfberg's many contributions to the city. Find out more here.
Area 4 Representative Karen Ridgley:
Provided an update on the Asilomar bluff project and noted cracks have been discovered at the Asilomar cul de sac. A geological evaluation has been requested and the area has been blocked off.
Noted two stop signs have been added on El Medio, however residents say drivers aren't stopping for them.
At-Large Representative Chris Spitz:
Provided an update on Senate Bill 9, which effectively does away with R1 zoning and was opposed by PPCC, WRAC, the City of Los Angeles and other municipalities. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge recently ruled in favor of a challenge to the bill brought by several charter cities, finding that SB is unconstitutional as applied to charter cities. While Los Angeles is also a charter city, we do not yet know whether an appeal will be filed or what effect the judge's ruling may ultimately have on zoning in Pacific Palisades. (See recent rolling analysis here.)
Shared information on proposed Assembly Bill 2560, introduced by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), which seeks to eliminate review under the California Coastal Act of 1976 as it applies to housing "density bonus" projects. The bill would, in effect, allow up to 50 percent more density in projects located in the Coastal zone without Coastal Commission review. However, the bill has now been amended with an exemption for areas without a Local Coastal Program (LCP). Pacific Palisades does not currently have an LCP, but may wish to implement one when our Community Plan is updated in a few years. The bill is one to watch as it could pave the way for changes in the Palisades, which faces the challenge of being in a very high fire hazard severity zone, where additional housing would slow evacuation efforts.
SPECIAL GUEST:
Hank Wright, Palisadian and HAM radio specialist
(Photo Courtesy of Hank Wright)
PPCC asked Hank and his colleagues (Greg Glenn pictured) to give a presentation about the communication power of HAM radios in our community, given the fact that copper land lines are being cycled out, in favor of fiber optic lines that will not be operable in the event of a power failure.
Hank Wright shared that American Legion Palisades Post 283 has a HAM radio communications system very similar to what the City of Los Angeles uses in emergencies and can communicate with the city if needed. To be effective, we need groups of people in each neighborhood of the Palisades to come together and form micro-networks that can be connected. Only then will this resource be useful for us in the event of an emergency.
Hank stressed the importance of emergency preparedness and encouraged each neighborhood to have a communications plan in place so any issues can be shared with emergency personnel. "Informing people how to communicate effectively is key because if you don't have that, that's when chaos ensues," he said. How to start? Take these simple steps to start and establish communication:
Listen and talk in a specific manner.
CERT training, Ham Radio operation, First Aid knowledge are all part of a plan for emergency response, but communication is key!
A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 4 and run through June 20 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net.
UPCOMING EVENT at the PALISADES LIBRARY
WED. MAY 1ST (4-6PM)
SAT MAY 4TH (11AM - 4PM) PPLA will provide refreshments from Sweet Laurel
GARDEN PARTY AT PALISADES LIBRARY
Come view the finished native pollinator garden and works by Pali High art and photography students at the Teens Leading Change Garden Party and Open House in the community room at the Pacific Palisades Library on: - Wednesday, May 1 from 4-6 p.m.
-Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friends of the Palisades Library will provide refreshments from Sweet Laurel Bakery.
Palisades Branch Library is located at 861 Alma Real. Parking options include free parking in the library lot and metered street parking.
The PACIFIC PALISADES RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION has partnered with Flock Security Systems to install license plate cameras around the Palisades to assist in public safety. See their letter, and invitation to join their effort, here.
From The Office of Councilwoman Traci Park
Michael Amster, West LA Field Deputy, reported that:
Real Time Crime: Councilwoman Park introduced a motion for Real Time Crime Centers to be integrated into all 21 LAPD divisions, up from the initial three divisions. The City Council approved the motion to expand the proposed surveillance program that would give the Los Angeles Police Department real-time access to private and business' security cameras.
Street Vendors: The vendor who had set up by the library decided to relocate elsewhere. If residents have concerns about vendors on sidewalks, contact 311. If there are concerns about food and health risks complaints should be made through the Department of Public Health with the county.
Potholes: Potholes from recent rains were filled on Sunset, Jacon Way and Palisades Drive.
Castellammare Landslide: He has been communicating a few times a week with CalTrans looking for updates and has offered assistance. Ultimately the slide is on a state highway and the authority to handle it is with CalTrans.
Will Rogers Road: The hill that slides with every rain is state property, but the street is the city's right of way. Streets LA has secured K Rails to help hold back future slides.
Asilomar Cul de Sac: BOE completed a report and have recommended a 30-foot repair with sand bags. The road had been damaged progressively over several years. The next step will be an evaluation by Geotech.
Senior Lead Officer: Brian Espin
The LAPD has gone 90 percent paperless. While it is a useful tool, the change in platform has posed challenges for putting together the crime report as information is in two different systems. Until a solution is found, the crime report will not include a description of individual crimes. Click here the latest Palisades Crime Report.
