Pacific Palisades Community Council
Updates and Meeting Recap
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR AREA EIGHT & AT-LARGE 2ND ALTERNATE positions on PPCC board APPROACHING: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5PM (PST) See more information here
Mark your Calendars for the 50th Anniversary Jubilee & Community Celebration
With more than 20 local organizations celebrating…
Public officials and elected representatives and Palisades community leaders from almost every local organizations will be present for a wonderful day pf community and a celebration of the volunteer spirit that helps make the Palisades wonderful.
There will be booths, music, food, presentations, balloons and crafts for kids, awards, speeches, recognition and even a grant made to our host location!
Aug. 24 PPCC Meeting Recap
Wildland Fire Meeting, PCH Taskforce Report, Landslide Development & More...
At our Thursday, Aug. 24 meeting, West LAPD's new Commanding Officer, Capt. Rich Gabaldon, took the time to introduce himself to the board. Capt. Gabaldon has spent 29 years with the LAPD and is excited to oversee the West LA area, noting the challenge of few resources for a 65-square-mile area. He has committed to keeping the beach detail as well as a Palisades patrol car, pulling it only as a last resort. Questions about monitoring open spaces and filling positions for 500 officers were answered.
The board was also informed about the Palisades Optimists 3rd Annual 5K Charity Run.Rich Wilken provided an update on the effort to reduce traffic congestion on the day of the run. the Optimists are working to get the word out about the event and also inform areas residents about possible impact on their morning. They'll be hanging doorknob hooks with information on doors of homes along the race route and are hoping the news outlets also help to inform people. Last year the route was reduced by half to lessen traffic congestion. See the route plan, below.
REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & CONCERNS
CD11 convened a Wildland Interface meeting, which included the LAFD, LADOT, LAPD, LA EMD, BSS, LA County Fire and more. Maryam Zar, Sue Kohl and Lou Kamer attended the roundtable and report as follows: (highlights shared by Sue at the meeting)
MAKING THE CALL: Orders to shelter in place or evacuation routes are determined by weather, wind and fire trajectory. Which roads will be impacted and where LADOT/Fire teams wish to send people are determined and instructions are implemented by LAPD. They change based on the emergency event.
Cameras that provide live feeds are closely monitored and may be viewed at Alert California.
EMERGENCY ALERTS: Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts with Notify LA. In areas where cell service is spotty they are also encouraged to keep a land line. Evacuation calls are currently only made to land-lines.
BE NEIGHBORLY: It's important to know your neighbors to help spread the word in an emergency. Also be aware of anyone living near you with special needs who may need extra assistance.
FIRE ROADS: In the event of an emergency, stay off fire roads. They are intended for firefighters/emergency personnel only and are not for use by the general public.
IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS: AT&T would like to work with County agencies to boost safety by boosting communications. They are hoping to have cell towers placed at the Getty Villa and up Mandeville Canyon, which would aid emergency responders in areas where communications are limited.
FIRE COUNCILS: Discussion of whether a fire/evacuation drill would be possible in the Palisades led to the suggestion of creating neighborhood Fire Councils. Each Fire Council would be a group of highly informed/trained residents who can help guide neighbors in an emergency.
This coming Thursday evening, MySafe:LA will be delivering an online virtual workshop on wildfire safety and resilience. As the “master” Fire Safe Council for the County of Los Angeles, they conduct a monthly virtual town hall via Zoom. Please visit this link to join: A Virtual Wildfire Workshop.
Murray Levy, Area One Primary Rep., sought support from the PPCC to resubmit our letter requesting a full EIR for the proposed development of four houses in Area One. Area residents are concerned about the impact of large-scale development on the hillside with narrow roads disrupting the community and the site of the landslide, as well as the impact on:
Tramonto Drive, which was narrowed after a slide in the '50s and is currently held up by an aging retaining wall.
Adjacent homes, which the developer's report says could be impacted by construction.
PCH, which regularly needs to be cleared of slide debris.
Storm drainage, which will be impacted when the developer extends Revello Drive 300 feet beyond the existing drainage pipe.
Neighborhood access. If a landslide is triggered it could take down more of Tramonto Drive and close off the PCH, creating access issues for homeowners.
Revello Drive, which was compromised in a landslide and rebuilt in the '80s to provide access to two homes. The rebuilt roadway portion is only 12 feet wide and if it fails, the existing homes will be isolated.
The developer's report states that the proposed homes will provide improved stability for the hillside, but residents point out that no concrete examples of this have been cited. Lastly, residents note that the proposed development is in violation of the Brentwood-Palisades Plan, which serves as a blueprint for construction/development, and mandates no building in geologically sensitive areas.
PCH Taskforce Report
(from Transportation Advisor Lou Kamer, and Chair Emeritus, Dave Card):
Potrero Canyon Bridge project: Sylvia Dhimdis (BOE Bridge division) reported that the draft report was submitted to the Public Works Board, and it will take up to 2 months for it to be put on the PW Board agenda. The report covers the scope of work, the name of the recommended contractor/consultant (name not given), funding, etc. No preliminary design, research, geotechnical investigation, or other work has or will commence until the report is approved by the Board, and a Notice to Proceed is issued, she reported. She hopes it will take less than two months.
Potrero Canyon Trail to Temescal: Kristen Ly (BOE Project manager) reported that BOE is drafting the scope of work, in coordination with the bridge. No further information.
Northbound PCH @ Chautauqua signage: Seems to be incorrect. LADOT has called a meeting with our Transportation Advisor to discuss how this should be fixed or replaced per their permit from Caltrans.
PCH barrier wall gaps: it has been one year since the request to address this issue was submitted. Caltrans maintenance has promises to discuss this at the above meeting. Fires, fatalities and crashes related to PEH pedestrians running across PCH have been raised.
Caltrans maintenance yard (at the bottom of Potrero) drainage: BOE has dug a temporary trench between the flooding area on PCH and a drain further back on the property. Caltrans mentioned that this temporary solution will once again fail during heavy rains. Follow up will be required with BOE.
Adaptive Signal programs (unique to Malibu at this time): Malibu reps mentioned that their adaptive signaling program is moving ahead to conduit construction. They are also reviewing congestion issues near Nobu.
CHP mentioned that fatality accidents are down and citations up. They also mentioned an online accident submission form they are now using for minor incidents that do not require officer assistance.
Other Palisades items not discussed:
PCH Adaptive Signals in LA: This has NOT yet been requested or discussed widely but is one of the most important things we can do to improve the safety and efficiency of everyone who travels PCH, not just locals.
Water Pooling on PCH: This is currently handed off between Caltrans and LACity/BOE. We need to fully understand the engineering issue and find a permanent solution to pump the water under PCH to the ocean or tie-in to storm drains.
Graffiti on Caltrans ROW: Ongoing battle to have crews come out and clean/paint quickly.
Highlands Trailhead Bathrooms Update:
Steve Cron, Area two Primary Rep., shared an update on the Highlands Trailhead bathrooms, which had been in disrepair for years.
Attached are some photos he took shortly after he first became the PPCC Area Two Rep in November, 2020. These bathrooms have a long, tortured history, and have been in this state of decay for many years. "When I first saw them in 2020, they were absolutely disgusting, and a serious health hazard and fire danger." Since then, a concerted effort has been made on the part of Steve, and TCA (organizational member of PPCC in the Environment category) to bring attention to these bathrooms and press the state to use its power to urge the owner of the property to repair and maintain the trailhead bathrooms, used by so many.
A few months ago, the CA Coastal Commission finally took charge of these bathrooms, imposing big fines on the owner, and forcing him to give the property back to the City, which is now in charge of remediating the property. Ultimately, the enclave that abuts the bathrooms will assume management and maintenance. While the bathrooms are still not functioning, the owner is obligated to fix them and repairs should be done within a couple months. As of now, the trash is now gone, as well as the graffiti, and Steve has been assured that they will soon fix the toilets and sinks on the inside to make them operational soon.
"We're not done yet, but it's a great start!" -- Steve Cron, PPCC Area Two Rep.
SLO Officer, Brian Espin, shared the Pacific Palisade's crime update. The majority of crime remains on the PCH, at PCH and Sunset, PCH and Temescal and up Los Liones. There has been an uptick in summertime crime with more through/foot traffic. Thieves are breaking into cars at trailheads and by the beach so don't leave valuables in your vehicle!
ISSUE UPDATES & LETTERS WRITTEN, PER POSITIONS TAKEN, SINCE LAST MEETING:
Metro TCN:
The Metro TCN program – a program to install numerous large digital billboards throughout the City – was heard in the City Planning Commission (CPC) on September 14. The program is strongly opposed by PPCC, by the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC), and by numerous other councils and organizations in Los Angeles. We are principally concerned with public safety impacts and visual pollution. The CPC (an advisory body to the City Council) nonetheless approved the program (and a related ordinance to allow the program) with minor suggested modifications. The program and ordinance will now go to the City Council for final approval.
Senate Bill 423:
This bill – which would allow streamlining of permits for multi-family residential projects, with the goal of achieving more housing density statewide – has passed in the legislature and is awaiting either signature or a veto by the Governor. PPCC opposes the bill unless amended to retain an exemption for projects in the Coastal Zone (a portion of the Palisades) and an unconditional exemption for projects in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (all of the Palisades); the Los Angeles City Council recently passed a motion by CM Traci Park, supporting the bill if amended to retain the Coastal Zone exemption and to include an unconditional VHFHSZ exemption. The bill was amended in the legislature (before passage) to include an exemption for areas in the Coastal Zone that are without a “local coastal program”; currently, the Palisades does not have such a program so the exemption would apply here. However, the bill still contains only a “conditional” exemption for the VHFHSZ. We understand that the City’s position on the bill will be brought to the attention of the Governor and that there will be a lobbying effort by the City before the Governor takes further action.
Native tree Planting CF-22-1469
PPCC took a unanimous piston to oppose this LA City Council motion, which would prohibit the planting of any kind of tree species, other than those which are labeled as being "native" to California. Our board, and many other environmental organizations including our own resilient Palisades, believe that this is far too restrictive of a standard and will eventually have the unintended consequence of negatively impacting our urban tree canopy as well as healthy biodiversity in and across Los Angeles. At out September 14 meeting we voted unanimously on a motion reflected in the following letter, which was written and sent this week. This letter was sent to City Councilmembers, with the supporting position paper.
City of Grants Pass and homelessness - Amicus Brief: In 2019, PPCC submitted a letter supporting an Amicus Brief by BCC in the in the controversial/infamous Boise (homeless camping) case in the U.S. Supreme Court. BCC is now submitting a new Amicus Brief, supporting a petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court, brought by the City of Grants Pass, Oregon, as a result of a disturbing 9th Circuit decision (further tying the hands of cities in terms of prohibiting overnight camping). The case (known as Grants Pass) has been widely reported in the LA Times and other news platforms. PPCC has been asked again to support BCC, and since timing is an issue (all briefs must be printed and filed in the Supreme Court by September 25), the EC resolved to submit this letter supporting the BCC amicus brief prior to the September 25th deadline.
BUY YOUR TICKETS
The PAB at Rustic Canyon Rec Center will arrange the 10th fundraiser called “Rustic Night” on the same day as your celebration, 09. 30, from 6-10pm.
This year marks the 100 Anniversary of the Uplifters Club House.
The theme for the night is “Havana Nights.”
At our Thursday, Aug. 24 meeting, West LAPD's new Commanding Officer, Capt. Rich Gabaldon, took the time to introduce himself to the board. Capt. Gabaldon has spent 29 years with the LAPD and is excited to oversee the West LA area, noting the challenge of few resources for a 65-square-mile area. He has committed to keeping the beach detail as well as a Palisades patrol car, pulling it only as a last resort. Questions about monitoring open spaces and filling positions for 500 officers were answered.
