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Nov. 9, 2004 7:00 p.m. I. MTA Buses Run Amuck 1. Dana Coffey – Sector General Manager a. Garfield route/red line is the source of bus traffic and cannot be moved. b. No-speeding order was issued to drivers. Disciplinary action will be taken if problems persist in the future. c. LAPD is ticketing double-parked cars that augment the bus traffic and cause traffic problems d. Sectors overlap in neighborhood. Some cross-sector coordination issues occur. Please voice concerns and MTA will assist in forwarding comments to appropriate persons. 2. Q&A a. Q: (Rudy Kovar) Can MTA use the empty lot on east side of Western Ave. as mixed use development to accommodate ground level bus hub with residential above? A: Higher-up decision. Not managed at the sector manager level. Site may work as an administrative office if not residential development. Will inquire about feasibility study. b. Q: How has bus traffic changed in the 30 years that Garfield has been used a bus route? A: Increase in traffic citywide. Mandated by courts to add more buses. Traffic cannot be diminished in the short run, only displaced. c. Q: Can buses use Griffith Park as a turnaround? A: Too far. Delay would pre-empt service on current routes. Displacement must consider impact on destination neighborhoods. Suggestions are always welcome for review. d. Q: Does MTA routinely plan for mitigation of residential impact? A: Right now it relies upon fielding comments from neighborhoods through sector program. e. Q: What has worked in other neighborhoods? What are the parameters that MTA would like neighborhoods to work within on proposing solutions? (ex. suitability of street surface) A: Traffic on particular lines in this neighborhood is high frequency for long durations. Stop and start points need to be concrete pads to save street (installed by city based upon wear). Buses may be rerouted during “dead-head” trips when buses are out of service. f. Q: How did MTA obtain right to use Garfield as a turnaround? A: Less restrictive process 30 years ago. Physical requirements were primary condition. g. Q: Could the SE corner of HWD/Western be an alternative turnaround? A: Will take under consideration h. Q: Is enforcement sufficient? A: It is increased. May need to be improved further but has improved. i. Q: What are the mitigation standards with increased traffic over time? A: Uncertain and definition of service increase is uncertain while the increase is undisputed. j. Q: How does MTA goal of customer service take into account non-riding residents? A: MTA tries to be impartial and request uniform enforcement when it comes to double parking and the like. Both groups art considered whenever changes are made or requested. k. Q: Could routes be combined to create a loop and eliminate turnaround? A: It will be examined. It may negatively impact on-time performance but will be considered. 3. Team of Eastwood reps will follow up with MTA II. Fire Station 82 1. Eric Sanjurjo – CD4 a. Commission approved purchase of Florentine Gardens. Owners are fighting eminent domain and haggling over price but they will probably only delay and not stop the process. b. Nov 18th CD4 Community Congress – info. to follow c. Council and city officials are talking about city action to fund emergency services in wake of Measure A failure. Looking for local solutions. d. CD4 needs feedback on street cleaning and sanitation petition for no overnight parking on the boulevard. Office needs letter of support from Eastwood stating preferred parking restrictions. e. Chris Parker present - biggest celebrity, ever. f. Taft speed humps - markings done, humps to follow 2. Baydsar Thomasian – CD13 a. McKenzie (owner, FG) threatening to sue the city. Eminent domain proceedings will be required. b. LAPD surveillance cameras to be installed on Hollywood Blvd from Sycamore to Vine with help of business owners. c. Capt Downing reports that crime is down 59.4% in Hollywood. d. Graffiti abatement program running through CD13 offices. III. Hollywood Blvd. Face-Lift 1. Meeting Dec. 7 (see flyer) 2. Project must go through Selection Panel, ERN approval*, CRA agency, City Council* resulting in at least a year of waiting before development begins. (*opportunities for public comment) 3. CRA considering extension of project onto Western Ave. Would have to be mixed use development with low income housing because it was not part of the original RFP. May absorb some of the currently proposed housing in the RFP. 4. Gershwin to update us with info when they receive it. IV. Whole Foods Project on Hold 1. EIR process to incorporate individual and group input. All are welcome to submit public comments. 2. Comments should not be restrained by strictly environmental concerns. Comments used to frame the report. 3. ALWAYS mention alternatives. City will consider proposed alternatives and should provide explanation on rejected alternatives. V. Franklin Avenue is Greener 1. City’s NMF Grant funded tree planting on Franklin. 2. 30 more trees to go in on Saturday. Volunteers meeting at Immaculate Heart Parking Lot on Garfield; beginning 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. 3. Other streets can place trees but must contact the city for approval (mention parkway placement). 4. Good opportunity for H.S. students to complete community service hours. VI. Crime Report 1. Not available VII. Block Updates VIII. Public Comment 1. Upcoming events a. L.A. Bicycle Coalition – Annual Awards Gala Friday Night at the Roosevelt to honor Eric Garcetti and many others for being bike friendly folks $85/ea. b. Cindy – Block Party for Garfield Neighborhood Watch. Next meeting, January 4th, 7:00p.m. |
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