Steven reported that Minutes from Eastwood Coalition's presentations to the Proposition F Oversight Committee meetings can be found at: www.franklinHollywoodhills.org

Steven reported that the 7/11, Catholic Charities, and 1 other tenant/owner have been approached by the City regarding the possible relocation of F.S. #82.  No offers are known to have been made.

Steven also reported that while our own organization's F.S. #82 Committee was meeting at apartment building owner's, Jessie's, home, the City's Appraiser appeared to appraise her building.  However, there was no prior notice given of his appraisal appointment.  He was not permitted into the apartment to perform the appraisal, and therefore had to suffice with a drive-by appraisal. The downfall of a drive-by appraisal is the risk of a low-ball offer.

Residents and business owners, whose properties are threatened to be razed if the relocation of F.S. #82 goes ahead on Taft and Van Ness, met with District 13 Council Member Eric Garcetti along with members of the Hollywood-Gower Neighborhood Association, and Franklin-Hollywood Hills President, Fran Reichenbach.  Garcetti was moved by their presentation. He is the Chair of the Housing Committee and doesn't want to see families and businesses displaced. He said that the City is researching the idea of building a parking structure behind Florentine Gardens, for Florentine's patrons and for First
Presbyterian Church of Hollywood attendees. This way, F.S. #82 could be built between Florentine Gardens and Q-Topia, and add to the "civic center" feel of the area.  Garcetti supports this, and told the group that he will produce a letter stating his support. 

A resident homeowner (Suzie) from Taft said she was concerned about loss of property value if FS 82 is placed at the proposed location at Hollywood and Taft.

According to Fran, the Chief Legislative Analyst is preparing an Environmental Impact Report for both proposed locations. KC will follow up with the CLA (Avak Katoyian).

Roy Fitzpatrick (Deputy CD4) says that Councilman LaBonge supports placing Fire Station west of the freeway. The group applauded this position.

City Council report - Rory Fitzpatrick:

Regarding resurfacing of Taft Avenue: Street resurfacing is governed by the Bureau of Street Services. They survey streets and prioritize them for repavement or council offices pay for specific streets to be resurfaced out of their discretionary funds. (34.8 mi of requests are currently pending for CD4) There has been a steady decrease in resurfacing funds available to CDs each budget cycle. CD4 currently has about 9 mi available for the year. Awaiting new budget to see what the mayor is proposing for the next fiscal year.

Rory mentioned the property west of the Hollywood Sign has been sold. A large area was purchased from the Howard Hughes Trust for residential development. CD4 is opposed to the development. They are trying to purchase the  land from the developers to preserve as open space.

Concern was raised by a resident reporting that street cleaning on Hollywood Blvd. is not occurring because there are no parking restrictions.  Michelle Fleenor (Deputy CD4), along with Baydsar Thomasian (Deputy CD13) reported that the last known report from DOT was that the parking restrictions on the Blvd. were removed because of requests from local businesses. Michelle and Baydsar said they would check and see if street cleaning can occur early in the day in order to maintain the parking yet allow for street cleaning.  Baydsar will check to see if that can be accomplished without changing current parking restrictions.

They also reported on Tree trimming along our street's right-of-ways.  This is maintained by the City on a schedule and by the DWP as deemed necessary for access to - and maintenance of electrical lines.

Rory reported on the St. Andrews Place Stair Closure: The applicant has not yet submitted forms to the appropriate bureau for closure of the street. The Oaks Association has withdrawn their support for the closure. The city council office will adjust their support as well if the final forms are filed.

One neighbor asked what would happen to the property that Fire Station 82 occupies now? Community input suggests that it be used for parking. LAFD wants to use it for training.

A local resident from the SW corner of Wilton and Franklin was hit by a motorist 9 months ago. She would like to see better traffic control of NB Wilton motorists to WB Franklin to prevent common rolling stops. A 3-way stop light (such as Wilton and Hollywood has) would provide additional time for pedestrians to cross. CD4 to be in contact with resident. Michelle Fleenor (CD4) said that she would look into having a three-way stop light go in at the intersection.

Baydsar Thomasian, Field Deputy for CD13 - Garcetti's office:

Fire Station #82

Baydsar reported that Garcetti will support the relocation of Fire Station 82 to the area next door to the Florentine Gardens. The proposed compromise has yet to be accepted by the owner of the Florentine Gardens but the group was enthusiastic about this new position.

Mini-park proposal:

Baydsar reported that the SW corner of Hollywood and St. Andrews is being looked at for proposed residential green space. Security for the park will be determined in consultation with residents if and when the proposal is approved.

Hollywood and Western Metro Station Apartments Grand Opening:

The grand opening of housing above the Hollywood & Western Metro Station will take place Friday (4/09) at noon. We are all invited.

A neighbor raised a concern regarding the parking situation at the Metro Station complex. Baydsar said that she will check on the current allotment of parking for residents and future customers to help neighborhood anticipate the impact once a retail tenant moves in. There is still no retail tenant at the Hollywood/Western MTA station.  She also reported that these housing units are designated as low-income family housing.

RFP Development at Western/Hollywood (NW & SW corners)

Councilman Garcetti has been directing residents to voice their opinion at the NCs and to utilize them as conduit for a consensus report to the council. However, Garcetti acknowledges the grassroots voices of the local community organization and will hear their opinion regarding this project.

A neighbor asked what influence Hollywood Heritage has in new developments. The Hollywood Heritage Society doesn't have disproportionate input toward new development except as it relates to preserving historically significant buildings. Support from council members in the past has been for different, non-historical, styles such as those at Sunset and Vine, Hollywood Vine, and Hollywood and Western.

Residents brought up questions and concerns about security at the Metro Station. Since the handoff of security from LAPD to Sheriff, one resident counted only 4 patrols in one week at the Vine-Metro Station.  He stated that he would like to see this addressed to prevent encroachment of criminal activity.  Baydsar said that Councilman Garcetti will speak to Sheriff Baca regarding enforcement efforts.

Whole Foods Grocery Store Proposal

No representative was available this evening to provide an update due to Passover. Dave Monks (resident for 1.5 years) stated that our neighborhood was poised for change. Concerns about residential impact and community benefits (i.e. parks, green space, library, etc.) were raised. His concern is a plan of "Piecemeal development" vs. a "Planned Community- Benefit" plan. He went on to remind us that our neighborhood has a distinct ethnic diversity with some communication and cultural barriers.  All groups have been positive contributors to business and residential life.

Some residents are concerned about traffic and noise impacts from deliveries and customers. Parking impact (customer and employees) may not be adequately anticipated in current plans. The question was raised, "Is this the ideal space for Whole Foods?"

The area could be used for a neighborhood park. Maybe the current blighted parking lot could be used for residential and business parking. This parking lot could be hidden behind the park. Whole Foods is a high-end supermarket drawing customers from outside the neighborhood. Other possible locations for Whole Foods are the Rite Aid lot on Franklin and Western - while relocating Rite Aid to the retail space above Metro Station at Western. Underground parking will be negotiated with a developer.

RFP proposals for adjacent development are due on May 13th.

Safety Committee Update:

The Safety Committee will meet for the first time on next Tuesday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Gershwin Hotel.  Parking is limited.  Walk or ride if possible.

Crime Report: Senior Lead Officer Armen Sevdalian:

Crime stats - 1st quarter - part 1 crimes (violent) down 11.5% YTD. 3029 arrests; up 12.6% YTD. Motor vehicle burglary is still up. Don't leave any visible valuable items in an unattended car.

The Entertainment District BID will be utilizing wireless surveillance to assist
enforcement. Others may do the same. Sgt. Hamilton is working to put up cameras for monitoring. He met today with an FBI agent who works with a similar system. The outlook is positive. Ultimately, streets will be monitored from the police station and neighbors will be able to view this monitoring from their computers at home.

CAT (combating auto theft) program - Residents can learn more May 8th at Lemon Grove Park. This program gives the officers a permission slip to pull over any labeled vehicle in early a.m. (1am-5am). Tow companies purchased 1000 Clubs; 250 to go to Hollywood and will be issued to residents. $10 donation is requested for replacement of supply at cost from manufacturer.

Neighborhood watch and other brochures were provided for attendants. Two gang injunctions are in place right now. Two other gangs are targeted for monitoring and potential injunctions. Taggers of "JPK" and "White Fence" are being monitored and targeted.

New Business

CRA Redevelopment Plan: John McCoy - Community Redevelopment Agency Deputy Administrator:

John reported on the recent announcements of the redevelopment of the NW Corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Western Avenue east to Garfield, and from SW Corner of Hollywood and Western-The Mayor Bldg east to St. Andrew's Pl.

McCoy reported on the need to have a unified development rather than piecemeal. The redevelopment is primarily a residential mixed use (ground retail) development with market and low income housing (80/20). No sure indication yet of participants and quality of proposals. First meeting was encouraging. Proposal will be submitted in PDF and posted to website once the field has been narrowed (after May 13th). This proposal must address parking needs.  Proposals are to include community benefits.  We should focus on proposing such benefits as a meeting room. RFP proposals for this development are due on May 13th.

Thai Community CDC - Chancee Martorell, Executive Director of the Thai Community:

Chancee reintroduced herself and the Thai Community Development Center to our neighbors. Not only is the Thai CDC an experienced redevelopment agency, Chancee is an urban planner, trained in retail development and advocacy efforts. 

History goes back 10 yrs. to Thai Town demarcation. Her group focuses on returning ownership and control of economic decisions to community stakeholders that are affected by the decisions. Cultural Tourism Ordinance is a current project to get city to designate and fund tourist development focused on ethnic themes. Thai CDC is focused on education and outreach to residents for planning, land use, etc.

She proposed a residents' committee to address RFP comprised of all the affected neighborhood groups. The Thai CDC is active with the CRA and is currently working with them on their streetscaping project along Hollywood Blvd., from Western to Vermont.

A monthly newsletter:

KC announced plans to publish a neighborhood newsletter. This will be published in the four languages that are the most widely used in our community: English, Thai, Spanish, and Armenian.  We already have an Armenian and Thai translator in place, and KC put a call out for a Spanish translator volunteer. 

Next meeting for the Eastwood Coalition will be at the same location on May 4th.  We are changing the starting time of the monthly meetings in hopes to make it easier for everyone to attend.  NEW STARTING TIME IS 7:00pm. 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45pm.