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February Full Board Meeting Teleconference
February 10, 2021 @ 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm PST
AGENDA – WHWCNC FULL BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL MEETING BY TELECONFERENCE
Click for January 13 Meeting Minutes
Council File 14-1057 Support Doc
West Valley Animal Shelter Support Doc
Motion Related to West Valley Animal Shelter
VIRTUAL MEETING TELECONFERENCING and PHONE NUMBER FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
In conformity with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 (MARCH 17, 2020) and due to concerns over COVID-19, the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting will be conducted entirely telephonically.
Every person wishing to address the Neighborhood Council must either dial +1 669 900 6833 or go online via Zoom and enter Webinar ID # 964 9371 2127 and then press # to join the meeting. When calling-in telephonically, the public is requested to dial *9, when prompted by the presiding officer, to address the Board on any agenda item before the Board takes an action on an item. Zoom users should use the “raise hand” feature.
*PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS – The public may address the Board on any agenda item before the Board takes an action on an item. Comments from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Public comment is limited to (1) minute per speaker.
*PUBLIC INPUT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that are within the Board’s jurisdiction will be heard during the General Public Comment period. Please note that under the Brown Act, the Board is prevented from acting on a matter that you bring to its attention during the General Public Comment period; however, the issue raised by a member of the public may become the subject of a future Board meeting.
General Public Comment is limited to(1)minute per speaker and 20 minutes total.
All Public comment is limited to 1 minute per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board.
AGENDA
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Public Announcements:
Office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield – if available (5 minutes)
Office of other Local and State Officials – if available (3 minutes each)
Other Local Agencies – if available (2 minutes each)
General Public Comment, by the Public, on Non-Agenda Items: Up to (1) minute per speaker.
The General Public Comment period is limited to 20 minutes for matters that are within the jurisdiction of
the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council.
Time allotted is subject to change at the discretion of the presiding officer.
________________________________________________________________________________________
- Organization, Operation, Policies, & Procedures: all votes taken require a roll call vote.
- Approval of Minutes: Board Meeting, January 13, 2021 (5 minutes)
See posted support document.
- Officer Reports (10 minutes)
President – Joyce Fletcher
A Budget Reallocation Meeting will be held this month and approved at the March Board Meeting.
Vice President – Sheppard Kaufman
Treasurer – Paul Lawler
Secretary – Karen DiBiase
Parliamentarian – Don Patterson
- Items for Discussion and Possible Action: all votes taken require a roll call vote.
Item No. (18) Governance Committee – Don Patterson, Chair
(21-018) Appointment of a Business Representative for Area 5
Discussion and possible action: (5 minutes)
Pursuant to Article V Section 6 of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws: Motion for the board, by majority vote, to confirm Lisa Meyer to serve as the Area 5 Business representative for the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council.
Item No. (19) Governance Committee – Don Patterson, Chair
(21-019) Appointment of At-Large Alternate Representative
Discussion and possible action: (5 minutes)
Pursuant to Article V Section 6 of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws:
Motion for the board, by majority vote, to confirm Bobbie Wasserman to serve as the At-Large Alternate representative for the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council.
Item No. (20) Governance Committee – Don Patterson, Chair
(21-020) Removal of Area 1 CBO board member for lack of board meeting attendance
Discussion and possible vote: (10 minutes)
Pursuant to Article V, Section 7of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws:
Absences: A Neighborhood Council Representative who fails to attend three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled monthly general Neighborhood Council Board meetings in any twelve (12) month period may be removed as a Neighborhood Council Representative by two-thirds of the quorum of the Board. Removal shall be effective after notice is given to the person being removed and confirmation of notice delivery is received. Notice must be sent, return receipt requested, to the Representative or Alternate’s last known address.
Motion for the board, by two-thirds vote of the quorum of the board, to confirm removal of Area 1 CBO representative Komalpreet Kaur-Batth for failing to attend three (3) consecutive board meetings in a twelve (12) month period.
Absent: September 9, 2020, October 13, 2020, November 10, 2020, December 9, 2020, January13, 2021.
Item No. (21) Governance Committee – Don Patterson, Chair (5 minutes)
(21-021) Appointment of Area 1 Alternate Representative
Discussion and possible action:
Pursuant to Article V Section 6 of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws: Motion for the board, by majority vote, to confirm Reina McCaughey to serve as the Area 1 Alternate representative for the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council.
Item No. (22) Public Safety and Transportation Committee – Sheppard Kaufman, Chair
(21-022) CF 14-1057-SB LAMC 85.02 / Safe Parking / Urgency Clause / Extension of Expiration Date
Discussion and possible action: (15 minutes)
WHEREAS, we recognize that the impacts of economic uncertainty and Covid-19 continue to impact all members of society and that there is a diversity of opinion on the best approaches to addressing issues related to homelessness; and,
WHEREAS, the following needs exists:
- To protect residents from situations where vehicle dwelling in and directly adjacent to residential areas may create unhealthful or dangerous conditions;
- To provide clear guidance for vehicle dwellers, residents of traditional housing, law enforcement, social services and other agencies on vehicle dwelling rules and regulations;
THEREFORE, the Public Safety & Transportation Committee makes the following motion: That the board of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council submit a Community Impact Statement in support of CF14-1057-SB and request that the City Council of the City of Los Angeles immediately renew and enforce LAMC 85.02. See posted support documents.
Item No. (23) PLUM Committee – Lauren Kaufman, Chair
(21-023) DIR-2020-882-DRB-SPP-MSP
New House – 4505 San Blas Avenue, Woodland Hills 91364
Discussion and possible action: (20 minutes)
As pertaining to DIR-2020-882—DRB-SPP-MSP for a 3-story, 2986 Sq. Ft. single-family residence at 4505 San Blas Avenue, Woodland Hills 91364, having held two (2) public PLUM virtual teleconference meetings for the application filed by the property applicant Katherine Omelchenko, concerning the new construction of a structure in the Girard Tract and the outer core of the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, the Planning, Land Use and Mobility committee hereby finds that:
WHEREAS, the Applicant has designed and substantially complies with the applicable regulations, findings, standards, and provisions of the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, the Girard Tract Specific Plan and the Baseline Hillside Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has provided plans for a staging area plan for receiving and storing construction materials, and a parking plan for construction workers; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has agreed to implement and will note on their plans, suggested improvements and modifications and conditions (see below) agreed upon with the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council to the submitted application; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has agreed to implement and will note on their plans, all of the agreed-to changes brought forth in hearings by the Mulholland Design Review Board; and
THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Planning, Land Use and Mobility committee recommends, for the findings and conditions stated herein, that the submitted application submitted by the applicant, Katherine Omelchenko, for the new construction of a three-story, 2,986 sq. ft. residence, which includes an attached 361 sq. ft. 2-car garage and parking for three (3) additional vehicles on a driveway over fill and gravel, receive the support of the Board of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council for the requested action contingent upon the following conditions:
Conditions
- All plans presented on at the Board Meeting of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council (WHWCNC) on January 13, 2021 shall be dated as such and re-submitted to Planning as an (updated) project application submittal.
- Additionally, all conditions herein shall be printed on the Project Summary page as a commitment to and acceptance of these conditions.
- The applicant and owner will not submit any significant further updated plans or changes without first presenting them to the WHWCNC for support.
- The Applicant shall provide traffic control and flaggers and post signs whenever there are materials deliveries or when hauling dirt, pouring concrete or conducting work that will disrupt traffic flow for more than 5 minutes. All equipment remaining on-site shall be stored in the on-site parking area.
- The Applicant shall submit a qualified transportation plan to City Planning and the Department of Building & Safety that will provide for transportation of crew and materials and will limit the number of construction crew vehicles to a minimum such that the project does not limit neighborhood parking.
- The Project will have sufficient planted planters and railing along the north edge of the rooftop parking to secure or prevent drive-off and hide automobiles.
FURTHERMORE, that the Board of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council advise the Los Angeles Department of City Planning and Council District 3 Councilmember Bob Blumenfield of its findings and this supporting resolution for the application presented to the WHWCNC Board on February10, 2021.
See posted support document.
Item No. (24) PLUM Committee – Lauren Coffman, Chair
(21-024) ZA-2018-7428-ELD-SPP-MCUP – Requested Applicant Changes
5500 N. Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Discussion and possible action: (20 minutes)
A MOTION for a resolution by the Board of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council to accept the listed changes to a project previously supported by the WHWCNC Board:
Requested Changes:
- Inclusion of two incentivized Uses (Community Serving Use and Local Serving Retail), utilization of the available development bonuses to ascend the Floor Area Ratio table for the Commerce District by two levels
- Accept a Reduced site-wide FAR of 2.5:1 (from 2.95:1)
- Reduce previously proposed 899 parking spaces in Building #1 to 804 spaces due to added columns to support Type I construction, which still meets 2035 WC Specific Plan requirements.
- Reduce height of Building #4 (Tower) from 450 feet (34 stories) to 340 feet (26 stories).
- Reduce Floor Area of Building #4 (Tower) to 803,000 SF (comprised of 44,165 SF for Medical Office Building Floor Area and 758,835 SF for Office Floor Area) in lieu of the approximately 1.1 million square foot building previously approved by the WHWCNC Board. Previously approved parking spaces for Building #4 to be retained.
As pertains to Case ZA-2018-7428-ELD-SPP-MCUP for the Speiker Senior Continuing Community Care Project which was approved by a vote of the Board of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council on July 8, 2020, and for which the Applicant (Speiker Senior Development Partners) has now made a request to amend and enhance the proposed project, the Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee hereby finds that:
WHEREAS the Board of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council has already voted to approve the plans and recommended considerations for the project at 5500 North Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367 and made a recommendation to Councilman Bob Blumenfield and the LA City Department of Planning that the project be approved for Warner Center; and,
WHEREAS the Applicant has agreed to continue and abide by the considerations already written into the WHWCNC Board approval of July 8, 2020; and
WHEREAS the requested changes presented to the PLUM Committee for consideration and evaluation at their January 21, 2021 meeting have been determined that they will actually enhance the construction of Building #1 and greatly improve the prospects of completing and leasing the Building #4 office tower; and
WHEREAS the requested changes will amplify the potential to attract new commercial prospects to the Commerce District of Warner Center and balance the project’s residential/commercial space equation required by the 2035 WC Specific Plan, and
WHEREAS a reduction of 95 of the previously proposed 899 parking spaces to 804 spaces because of an upgrade to Type I construction still fulfills the project’s Commerce District parking requirements specified in the 2035 WC Specific Plan, and,
WHEREAS the reduction in height of the Building #4 tower from 34 floors to 26 floors will reduce the building’s presence over the 101 Freeway exit ramp to Canoga Ave., and,
WHEREAS the PLUM Committee can see no negative ramifications for accepting the Applicant’s proposed changes to the previously approved submission from July 8, 2020.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee, for the findings and conditions stated herein, recommends that, regarding the reduction in project size as presented on February 10, 2021, the Board of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council adopt this resolution, to SUPPORT the proposed changes to the plans for a multi-use project at 5500 Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, 91367, which was previously supported by Board motion on July 8, 2020, including retention of the previous conditions for support.
Furthermore, the Board shall advise the Los Angeles Department of City Planning and Council District 3 Councilmember Bob Blumenfield of its updated support with conditions, for the modified project. See posted support document.
Item No. (25) Public Safety and Transportation Committee – Sheppard Kaufman, Chair
(21-025) WHWCNC Survey – related to CF-0002-SB Department of Transportation (LADOT) / Fiscal Year 2021- 22 Legislative Proposals
Discussion and possible action: (10 minutes)
MOTION to submit the following Community Impact Statement and survey support documents to the Office of Councilmember Blumenfield and City Council:
WHEREAS, we recognize that there are a variety of opinions regarding methods employed to create safer roadways for all, the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council sent an online survey to the 2,168 individuals on our contact list requesting feedback on a variety of methods to address the issues of excessive speed and reckless driving. The WHWC NC provides the following summary of the results as well as the attached comprehensive list of input (with individual emails redacted) for your review.
PARTIAL SUMMARY
Responses: 218
- 88% of the respondents were residents of Woodland Hills.
- A majority of respondents agreed that issues of unsafe driving, excessive speed, dangers to pedestrians & cyclists are growing problems and that there is a need for additional enforcement.
- 83% agreed (67% strongly/16% somewhat) increased penalties for repeat offenders and there was broad support that additional traffic officers were needed to solve the problem.
- 55% of respondents agreed (somewhat to strongly) that they would support a test program of ASE on roadways known to have significant reckless driving activity. 32% of respondents would not support (somewhat to strongly) ASE.
- The majority generally supported all of the potential solutions polled. Additionally, respondents provided specific ideas and requests regarding this issue.
cc: LAPD Topanga, LAPD Valley Traffic, Julia Thayne (Office of the Mayor) See posted support documents.
Item No. (26) WHIP Committee – Heath Kline, Chair
(21-026) WHWCNC CIS related to Council File CF-21-0002-S18
Opposition to SB 9
Discussion and Possible action: (15 minutes)
A recommendation from the WHIP Committee for a Board Resolution in support of City Opposition to SB 9 in Council File CF-21-0002-S18.
WHEREAS, SB9 requires cities (including Charter) and counties to provide for ministerial (by-right) approval of duplexes and a parcel map dividing a lot into two parcels
WHEREAS, SB 9 imposes and facilitates “lot splitting,” i.e., the subdivision of a parcel or parcels into additional buildable lots and removes the administrative and environmental reviews that currently apply to such process.
WHEREAS, SB9 provides for the ministerial (“by right”) approval of duplex (two residential units) construction and prohibits a local agency from requiring dedication of rights-of-way or offsite or onsite improvements for parcels created by a lot split.
WHEREAS, current R-1 zones have a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet which can be divided into 2500 square foot lots and then again divided into 1,250 square foot lots, thereby quadrupling density without CEQA review; and,
WHEREAS, SB 9 prohibits objective standards that would effectively limit the splitting of parcels; and
WHEREAS, in a city like Los Angeles, that already suffers from too little open space and tree canopy to mitigate climate change, the added development will only exacerbate those problems for mitigation; and,
WHEREAS, if passed, SB 9 will cause poorly planned housing development that will materially increase density, without creating the essential new infrastructure that the helter-skelter added density will require to sustain itself; and,
WHEREAS, SB 9 claims the statewide shortage of affordable housing as justification for its actions; and,
WHEREAS, there is no evidence that the unmanaged increased density will help alleviate our city’s problem of insufficient affordable housing; and,
WHEREAS, the state’s housing industry cannot construct enough housing for various reasons to fill the housing gap and match growth such that market forces can never drive down prices with surpluses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council support a Resolution of the Los Angeles City Council to include in its 2021 -2022 State Legislative Program OPPOSITION to Senate Bill 9 authored by Senator Atkins, which seeks to require cities and counties, including charter cities such as Los Angeles, to provide ministerial (“by right”) approval of a housing development containing two residential units (a duplex), and a parcel map dividing a lot into two equal parts (“lot split”), for residential use; and exempts environmental review; and would approve these projects without discretionary review, or a public hearing; thereby imposing bad planning and the undermining of local land use control and the concept of “Home Rule.”
Item No. (27) Community Services Committee – Joyce Fletcher, Chair
(21-027) WHWCNC CIS related to Stop the Closure of the West Valley Animal Shelter
Council File 20-1114 – COVID-19 / West Valley Animal Shelter / Long Term Plan
Discussion and Possible action: (15 minutes)
Motion for the board to support the draft motion submitted by Councilmember Lee and Councilmember Blumenfield to stop the proposed closure of the West Valley Animal Shelter as a municipal shelter. The
West Valley Animal Shelter must continue to be a fully functioning municipal animal shelter that
provides much needed services to the residents and animals of the West Valley.
Whereas the Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) Department’s draft Proposal dated June 26, 2020 to
turn the West Valley Animal Shelter into a privately run Community Resource Center would result in significant loss of City services for the people and animals of the West San Fernando Valley; and
Whereas it would result in overburdening the only other city animal shelter in the Valley, the East Valley Animal Shelter; and
Whereas it would be inequitable because the entire burden of the LAAS budget cut is being visited on one area of the City, the West Valley;
and is overwhelmingly opposed by the residents of the West Valley and Los Angeles; and
Whereas the citizens of the West Valley and Los Angeles have provided extensive taxpayer money to maintain the West Valley Animal Shelter and there are alternatives to the draft Proposal that would maintain the West Valley Shelter as a fully functioning municipal animal shelter;
Therefore, the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council strongly opposes the LAAS draft Proposal for the West Valley Animal Shelter. Further, the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Board supports the position of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) and the residents of the West Valley in demanding that the West Valley Shelter remain open as a municipal shelter.
See posted support documents.
- Area Reports – (15 minutes)
Area 1 – Aaron Quantz, Karen DiBiase, Komalpreet Kaur Batth, Mark Schwartz
Area 2 – Brian Drapkin, Paul Lawler, Sean McCarthy, Ray Cole
Area 3 – Nancy McLean, Angela Dawson, John Sandy Campbell, Alex Farassati
Area 4 – Don Patterson, Martin Lipkin, Dena Weiss
Area 5 – Peter Fletcher, Austin Rocker
Area 6 – Gilbert Yablon, Heath Kline, Lauren Coffman, August Steurer
Area 7 – Ginny Sand, Joyce Fletcher, Houtan Hormozian
At-Large – Sheppard Kaufman
Youth Member – Vacant
- Committee Reports (15 minutes)
Budget Committee – Paul Lawler and Joyce Fletcher, Co-Chairs
Community Services Committee – Joyce Fletcher, Chair
Education Committee – Vacant
Environmental & Beautification Committee – Karen DiBiase, Chair
Governance Committee – Don Patterson, Chair
Homelessness Committee – Ray Cole, Chair
PLUM Committee – Lauren Coffman, Chair
Public Safety and Transportation Committee – Sheppard Kaufman, Chair
Technology & Social Engagement (formerly Community Outreach) Committee – Peter Fletcher, Chair
WHIP Committee – Heath Kline, Chair
Ad-hoc – Westfield Promenade 2035 Project – Joyce Fletcher
Ad Hoc Committee – Measure A. Parks Program – Peter Fletcher
Ad Hoc Committee – Arts Fees and Cultural Amenities – Lauren Coffman
Announcements:
The next Regular Board meeting will be held on March 10, 2021 by teleconference. Please visit the calendar page at whcouncil.org for the complete details and to confirm the date and time.
Meeting dates for 2021 -2022 year: Full Board meeting are held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. Check the NC website calendar for a complete list of committee and board meetings. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Check the NC calendar for updated meeting schedules.
Due to COVID 19 ALL in person meetings have been moved to virtual teleconference.
HOWEVER, please check the www.whcouncil.org website calendar page for any changes that may occur.
Adjournment of Meeting:
*THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT – As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices and other auxiliary aids and/or services, may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting Joyce Fletcher, at (818-340-6554 or email j.fletcher@whcouncil.org or the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at (213) 978-1551 EmpowerLa@LACity.org
*PUBLIC ACCESS OF RECORDS – In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be viewed at our website: www.whcouncil.org or at the scheduled meeting. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda, please contact Joyce Fletcher at (818) 340-6554 or email j.fletcher@whcouncil.org
*PUBLIC POSTING OF AGENDAS – agendas are posted for public review as follows:
- www.whcouncil.org – go to the website Calendar page and click on the date – Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Check the calendar for any change of meeting date and/or time.
- You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to L.A. City’s Early Notification System at https://www.lacity.org/subscriptions
*RECONSIDERATION AND GRIEVANCE PROCESS – For information on the WHWCNC process for board action reconsideration, stakeholder grievance policy, or any other procedural matters related to this Council, please consult the WHWCNC Bylaws. The Bylaws are available at our website at www.whcouncil.org
SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCIÓN – Si requiere servicios de traducción, favor de avisar al Concejo Vecinal 3 días de trabajo (72 horas) antes del evento. Por favor contacte a Joyce fletcher de la Mesa Directiva, al j.fletcher@whcouncil.org o por correo electrónico avisar al Concejo Vecinal.
Notice to Paid Representatives – If you are compensated to monitor, attend, or speak at this meeting, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. See Los Angeles Municipal Code §§ 48.01 et seq. More information is available at ethics.lacity.org/lobbying. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at {213) 978-1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org
PUBLIC POSTING OF AGENDAS – Neighborhood Council agendas are posted for public review as follows:
- whcouncil.org and go to the calendar page and click on the date, board meeting and agenda
- You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to L.A. City’s Early Notification System at https://www.lacity.org/subscriptions