2008 may actually get pretty interesting in the early months. We all should be looking for what the Ponte Vista Outreach Team is going forward with. Those folks have a much tougher job than I do, with their attempts to get more folks to support Bob's current plans.
______________________________________________________
A couple of months ago, my sister was called for a telephone survey which finally got around to being a push poll for Ponte Vista.
I haven't seen or heard any of the results of that telephone survey. Does anyone know the results of that survey? I have talked to a couple of the members of the press, but I have not read anything in The Daily Breeze, Random Lengths News, or the Palos Verdes Peninsula News about any recent survey.
I would imagine if there truly are lots and lots of members of OUR community that support Bob's current plans, the Outreach Team would be very happy to share all of their "good" news with the rest of us. Unless, of course, the telephone survey did not provide the results Bob and his Outreach Team were looking for.
As you may remember from an earlier post, my sister had to correct the person on the other end of the line about the fact that the project is not "Point Vista" as the caller originally claimed the project's name to be. My sister also corrected the caller when the caller pronounced the town's name as "San "Paydro".
____________________________________________________
Each year I try and follow the New Year's Resolutions I have made. To date, I have kept almost all of the resolutions I make, each and every year.
While I did not come up with many of these resolutions myself, I have found that changing the wording a bit helps to keep the resolutions fresh.
I also encourage anyone interested, to also adopt some of the resolutions I have used from other sources. If folks feel they need to have New Year's Resolutions, here are some you may want to use:
In 2008, I resolve to avoid driving a leather-covered bulldozer.
In 2008, I resolve to, once again, keep away from any spring wardrobe that uses chicken wire.
In 2008, I can have as many pairs of socks as I wish, all the while avoiding the purchase or wearing of any mink socks.
In 2008, I will try and be a nicer person.
In 2008, I resolve no keep out of my music collection, any Christmas albums featuring Frank Zappa and Marilyn Manson as a duet.
In 2008, I will continue to give up attempting to smoke cigarettes.
In 2008, I will do my best to keep at least 5 of my New Year's Resolutions.
____________________________________________________
I don't like using foul words on this blog, but I am going to allow one foul word to be typed because it may give you a year-end chuckle and it, kind of, demonstrates what 2007 has been like for me, personally.
My dad died on October 13, 2007. On October 11, he spoke the last words I ever heard him say.
Dad was given lots of morphine towards the end, and those of you who have taken morphine, Oxycontin, or codeine know that bodies have trouble, sometimes, with one particular function.
When I visited my dad on October 11, he needed a particular treatment. I had been talking with him a bit between the times he would be asleep and the times he commented about needing this particular treatment.
When the nurse and the nurse's aide came into his room to give him that particular treatment, I decided that my visit with my dad would only get worse, so I told him I would leave so he could get the particular treatment. Dad acknowledged my leaving as the nurse was about ready to question my dad.
As the nurse was pulling the drapes to give my dad this particular treatment, she asked him:
"Mr. Wells, where does it hurt?"
The last words I ever heard my dad say and the words that will go with me for the rest of my life, were these:
"My asshole!"
________________________________________________________
Happy New Year and have a safe and wonderful 2008!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
For Our Consideration
A wonderful and thoughtful individual sent me this "report card" from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) You know SCAG, it the group that Bob has used in advertisements and other ways to suggest they support whatever he wants to build.
Any of you can find this "report card" by visiting: http://www.scag.ca.gov/publications/pdf/2007/SOTR07/SOTR07_ReportCard.pdf.
I am sorry it is a bit tough to read, but I think you can get the idea the "report card" is stating.
By looking at the "report card" there should be no wonder why so many folks are questioning allowing Bob Bisno to build 1,950 condominiums in northwest San Pedro.
Mobility gets a "D-" for the area. Bob wants 1,950-units with tough access to the freeway, only one arterial for the entire project, no mass transit light rail lines nearby, and in an area that is thought to be a target for terrorists.
Housing gets a "D". Bob wants to build market-rate condominiums and 100 town houses, each costing more than One Million Dollars.
If Bob built the 724 single-family houses he states he would build (see flyer information) some of those houses would be mandated for low-income families and below market-rate pricing. Of course in Bob's flyer, he fails to mention that a percentage of the 724 single-family houses would be for low-income buyers and could be truly "affordable" to first time home buyers.
Education gets a "D-". I think we would agree that anything built at Ponte Vista would NOT be close to a "D-" as far as education goes. Taper Avenue School, with its regular and magnet programs is far superior to most of the elementary schools in L.A.U.S.D. Dodson Middle School also has a magnet program where students actually learn and achieve.
That leaves us with Narbonne. Unfortunately, I could imagine parents of high school age students living at Ponte Vista would opt for Mary Star's new campus, Rolling Hills Prep, or even trying to get into P.V.P.U.S.D.
If Ponte Vista were built out with 1,950-condos, Narbonne would either have to go year round or a new campus would finally be needed.
Air Quality also received a "D" grade. I think now that TraPac is moving forward and Conoco-Philips' refinery is so close to the Ponte Vista site, a grade for that particular area might really be an "F".
Ponte Vista sits in an area that doesn't get the breezes that Lomita gets and it is not south of 9th. Street, in San Pedro. Some of Ponte Vista is on a hill and some of the site in on flat ground, lower than just about anything else around it.
No matter what anyone studies and asserts in any EIR about air quality, they have to have lived in this area for some time to really know the weather and air pollution that comes with being on the east side of The Hill, and near the lowest parts of San Pedro.
Safety got a "B" grade for the region. Will residents feel safe when the "Cat Cracker" blows up again? Will Bob and/or the HOA for Ponte Vista shell out funds for more security at the largest single project in San Pedro? I hope so.
Employment also got a "B" grade. Let's hope there are nearby jobs for folks living at Ponte Vista and not living at Ponte Vista. As it is, there are fewer jobs available in the area, as there are folks living in the area. Perhaps if we can have a revitalization of downtown San Pedro and more jobs in the port, we all can work closer to where we live.
Income received a "C" grade. With market-rate pricing and even with some discounts of prices of units, it is going to take some real income to be able to buy anything at Ponte Vista.
I think I have read where folks would need an income greater than the $55,678 median household income listed in the "report card" to be able to buy most of the units at Ponte Vista.
Folks should have their own opinions when reading the "report card" What I and others find one way can be read much differently by Bob's supporters and I understand that.
I feel that building 1,950 market rate pricing condominiums at this time, in that area, is just too many units for an area that can't handle that many units and that many residents. But that is just my opinion. You are all welcome to your own opinions.
Happy New Year!
Any of you can find this "report card" by visiting: http://www.scag.ca.gov/publications/pdf/2007/SOTR07/SOTR07_ReportCard.pdf.
I am sorry it is a bit tough to read, but I think you can get the idea the "report card" is stating.By looking at the "report card" there should be no wonder why so many folks are questioning allowing Bob Bisno to build 1,950 condominiums in northwest San Pedro.
Mobility gets a "D-" for the area. Bob wants 1,950-units with tough access to the freeway, only one arterial for the entire project, no mass transit light rail lines nearby, and in an area that is thought to be a target for terrorists.
Housing gets a "D". Bob wants to build market-rate condominiums and 100 town houses, each costing more than One Million Dollars.
If Bob built the 724 single-family houses he states he would build (see flyer information) some of those houses would be mandated for low-income families and below market-rate pricing. Of course in Bob's flyer, he fails to mention that a percentage of the 724 single-family houses would be for low-income buyers and could be truly "affordable" to first time home buyers.
Education gets a "D-". I think we would agree that anything built at Ponte Vista would NOT be close to a "D-" as far as education goes. Taper Avenue School, with its regular and magnet programs is far superior to most of the elementary schools in L.A.U.S.D. Dodson Middle School also has a magnet program where students actually learn and achieve.
That leaves us with Narbonne. Unfortunately, I could imagine parents of high school age students living at Ponte Vista would opt for Mary Star's new campus, Rolling Hills Prep, or even trying to get into P.V.P.U.S.D.
If Ponte Vista were built out with 1,950-condos, Narbonne would either have to go year round or a new campus would finally be needed.
Air Quality also received a "D" grade. I think now that TraPac is moving forward and Conoco-Philips' refinery is so close to the Ponte Vista site, a grade for that particular area might really be an "F".
Ponte Vista sits in an area that doesn't get the breezes that Lomita gets and it is not south of 9th. Street, in San Pedro. Some of Ponte Vista is on a hill and some of the site in on flat ground, lower than just about anything else around it.
No matter what anyone studies and asserts in any EIR about air quality, they have to have lived in this area for some time to really know the weather and air pollution that comes with being on the east side of The Hill, and near the lowest parts of San Pedro.
Safety got a "B" grade for the region. Will residents feel safe when the "Cat Cracker" blows up again? Will Bob and/or the HOA for Ponte Vista shell out funds for more security at the largest single project in San Pedro? I hope so.
Employment also got a "B" grade. Let's hope there are nearby jobs for folks living at Ponte Vista and not living at Ponte Vista. As it is, there are fewer jobs available in the area, as there are folks living in the area. Perhaps if we can have a revitalization of downtown San Pedro and more jobs in the port, we all can work closer to where we live.
Income received a "C" grade. With market-rate pricing and even with some discounts of prices of units, it is going to take some real income to be able to buy anything at Ponte Vista.
I think I have read where folks would need an income greater than the $55,678 median household income listed in the "report card" to be able to buy most of the units at Ponte Vista.
Folks should have their own opinions when reading the "report card" What I and others find one way can be read much differently by Bob's supporters and I understand that.
I feel that building 1,950 market rate pricing condominiums at this time, in that area, is just too many units for an area that can't handle that many units and that many residents. But that is just my opinion. You are all welcome to your own opinions.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Ponte Vista: New Year, New Ads
I think we all may want to start watching for new advertisements coming from the Outreach Team and Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
I have been told that there may be advertisements featuring local individuals and local businesses which support Bob's plans for building 1,950 condominiums on 61.53 acres of land in northwest San Pedro.
There is also a one-page sheet of information that is floating around from Ponte Vista which claims to show what will be gained from having 1,950 condominiums built, against leaving the site with "Development Under Existing Zoning".
The one-page flyer also states that: "63% of Harbor Area residents favor Ponte Vista over the multimillion dollar mansion development alternative*".
* "Based on telephone polling after describing the real facts about the options for Ponte Vista."
I believe this is the very same telephone polling that also stated: "Ponte Vista would be a mix of single-family houses, town houses, and condominiums...". I am still waiting for anyone at Ponte Vista to show me any plan for "single-family houses".
Actually, 63% of persons surveyed stated that they favored housing at greater density than single-family, but did not state that it was for any specific number of units.
Also in fact: When the telephone polling was taken, the number of units applied for at Ponte Vista was 2,300-condominium units and NOT 1,950-condominium units which is what Bob Bisno has currently applied for.
Another point that should be noted, if you read the one-page propaganda sheet is that "Western Avenue Connection to Mary Star High School" had a check by it, under Bob's proposal, but had an "X" by it if the zoning remains as it currently is.
I have been writing that if the site remains R1, Bob is not necessarily obliged to provide access between Western Avenue and the new high school. On the sheet, it states basically, just that.
If we find, in the new year, folks in businesses and/or businesses themselves in advertisements supporting Bob's plans to build 1,950-units, it will be up to each and every one of us whether we wish to continue to patronize those businesses.
It is going to be very interesting to see how many folks actually are willing to put their own faces and/or businesses forward as supporting Bob's plans for his weapon of mass development.
Happy New Year!
I have been told that there may be advertisements featuring local individuals and local businesses which support Bob's plans for building 1,950 condominiums on 61.53 acres of land in northwest San Pedro.
There is also a one-page sheet of information that is floating around from Ponte Vista which claims to show what will be gained from having 1,950 condominiums built, against leaving the site with "Development Under Existing Zoning".
The one-page flyer also states that: "63% of Harbor Area residents favor Ponte Vista over the multimillion dollar mansion development alternative*".
* "Based on telephone polling after describing the real facts about the options for Ponte Vista."
I believe this is the very same telephone polling that also stated: "Ponte Vista would be a mix of single-family houses, town houses, and condominiums...". I am still waiting for anyone at Ponte Vista to show me any plan for "single-family houses".
Actually, 63% of persons surveyed stated that they favored housing at greater density than single-family, but did not state that it was for any specific number of units.
Also in fact: When the telephone polling was taken, the number of units applied for at Ponte Vista was 2,300-condominium units and NOT 1,950-condominium units which is what Bob Bisno has currently applied for.
Another point that should be noted, if you read the one-page propaganda sheet is that "Western Avenue Connection to Mary Star High School" had a check by it, under Bob's proposal, but had an "X" by it if the zoning remains as it currently is.
I have been writing that if the site remains R1, Bob is not necessarily obliged to provide access between Western Avenue and the new high school. On the sheet, it states basically, just that.
If we find, in the new year, folks in businesses and/or businesses themselves in advertisements supporting Bob's plans to build 1,950-units, it will be up to each and every one of us whether we wish to continue to patronize those businesses.
It is going to be very interesting to see how many folks actually are willing to put their own faces and/or businesses forward as supporting Bob's plans for his weapon of mass development.
Happy New Year!
Ponte Vista at San Pedro Makes Another List!
Ponte Vista at San Pedro has made it onto "The five worst development projects in south bay history" list. This list was created by The Aesthetic and can be found by visiting:
http://theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/baddevprojects.html
A big thanks for bringing this information to us is given to Banditos Yanquis from the blog:
life on the edge at: www.laharbor.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year!
http://theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/baddevprojects.html
A big thanks for bringing this information to us is given to Banditos Yanquis from the blog:
life on the edge at: www.laharbor.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Happy Every Day!
Howdy All!
Here are two examples of Holiday Card faces. One is actually from the Outreach Team for Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
The other card face is one I created.
Can you tell which one is from the Outreach Team at Ponte Vista?
Are you thinking it is the top illustration of a single-family Gingerbread house?
Or, are you thinking the card with the beautiful condominiums is from the Ponte Vista Outreach Team?
If you guessed that the Ponte Vista at San Pedro Outreach Team sent out a Holiday Card showing a single-family residence, then you are correct!!!!!!!
The card I created shows one of the buildings at Newport Bluffs Apartment complex, which was used for creating many of the illustrations of what Bob wants Ponte Vista to look like.
I hope you got a bit of a chuckle.
I hope everyone reading this blog has a wonderful holiday season. Whether you celebrate anything or not, we all should take time out to have a laugh or three. We need to keep things as they really should be and not sweat the little stuff.
Christmas for our family consists of having more fun that should be allowed and delivering more mirth and merriment than necessary.
Yes, for one Christmas meal, my mother used egg nog when making mash potatoes. It's the little things like removing a year-old tangerine from a son's Christmas stocking, that he avoided eating.
If you can't laugh at having half of the power knocked out by the wind, what can you laugh about? Gas, water, and electricity all got fixed, even though all three failed in the last two weeks. Everything is back on now and not one foul word was ever considered.
Please be well and try and make somebody happy.
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays, Have a great Haj, or Happy Festivus, or whatever you celebrate.
Today is the first day of winter and on December 25 it will be the celebration of the festival of Saint Steven.
Here are two examples of Holiday Card faces. One is actually from the Outreach Team for Ponte Vista at San Pedro.
The other card face is one I created.
Can you tell which one is from the Outreach Team at Ponte Vista?
Are you thinking it is the top illustration of a single-family Gingerbread house?
Or, are you thinking the card with the beautiful condominiums is from the Ponte Vista Outreach Team?
If you guessed that the Ponte Vista at San Pedro Outreach Team sent out a Holiday Card showing a single-family residence, then you are correct!!!!!!!
The card I created shows one of the buildings at Newport Bluffs Apartment complex, which was used for creating many of the illustrations of what Bob wants Ponte Vista to look like.
I hope you got a bit of a chuckle.
I hope everyone reading this blog has a wonderful holiday season. Whether you celebrate anything or not, we all should take time out to have a laugh or three. We need to keep things as they really should be and not sweat the little stuff.
Christmas for our family consists of having more fun that should be allowed and delivering more mirth and merriment than necessary.
Yes, for one Christmas meal, my mother used egg nog when making mash potatoes. It's the little things like removing a year-old tangerine from a son's Christmas stocking, that he avoided eating.
If you can't laugh at having half of the power knocked out by the wind, what can you laugh about? Gas, water, and electricity all got fixed, even though all three failed in the last two weeks. Everything is back on now and not one foul word was ever considered.
Please be well and try and make somebody happy.
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays, Have a great Haj, or Happy Festivus, or whatever you celebrate.
Today is the first day of winter and on December 25 it will be the celebration of the festival of Saint Steven.
A Post From "Fed Up"
I received a very long comment to the Odds and Ends 43 post.
The author, "fed up" wrote such and informative piece that I have decided to elevate it to a post of its own. I have done things like this in the past and welcome contributions of posts and comments from anyone.
When I elevate comments to post status, I don't want folks to think I agree or disagree with the content of the post. When someone contributes something that looks worthy of a post of its own, I don't need to agree or disagree with it.
"Fed up's" comment should be easier to read in this following format.
___________________________________________________
fed up has left a new comment on your post "Odds and Ends 43":
Some issues of note:
12-13-07 L.A. Times Councilman Richard Alarcon demanded an investigation into his claim that a confidential memo by city atty. Rocky Delgado regarding a 5800 unit housing project north of Sylmar. The memo advised the city to process the land-use application for Las Lomas.
12-13-07 la times : Playa Vista ruling won't be reviewed.
The CA. Supreme Court denied a request by Playa Vista on the appellate court ruling that halted work on the development's final phase. The court found the project's EIR flawed. The city's approval of phase 2 was based on an EIR that was "deficient in its analysis of land-use impacts, mitigation of historical archaeological resources and waste water impacts.
The projects final phase consists of a 1.1 BILLION dollar second phase of 2600 housing units and 250,000 sq. feet of office and retail space on 111 acres.
This would be in addition to phase 1 which consists of 3246 units and 3.2 MILLION sq feet of office and retail space.
12-11-07 L.A. Times Business Section: 60 MILLION dollar apartment-commercial complex going up at the corner of Federal Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.
Ever try to get through that intersection? Yet the planning commission approved it.
11-10-07 L.A. Times: Home Depot sues L.A. over store in Sunland-Tujunga.
The reason? A Councilwoman allegedly improperly worked with her constituents to block the chain from opening the store.
City atty. Rocky Delgado had no comment. It figures. (Home Depot) it wants to build their store without an EIR because they are going to use a existing building.
Forget the impact on the local area, it will stay the same. This building falls within the specific plan, for which it is not allowed.
11-9-07 L.A. Times: Artists sharply divided over project near L.A. River.
It would be three blocks long and 70 feet high. It has been described as aircraft-carrier sized, looking nothing short of a long wall. The planning commission has approved this project.
What a shock. Does anybody know of a project they have denied?
12-8-07 L.A. Times : Anaheim housing project isn't dead yet.
Suncal has asked for a rehearing. "It looks to me that the developer is trying to manipulate the process," said Annette McCluskey ,a spokeswoman for Save Our Anaheim.
9-28-07 L.A. Times: Large complex in noho (North Hollywood) gets ok.
This is a 1.3 BILLION dollar project, an apartment, retail and high rise office tower complex: 1.5 MILLION sq. feet of development on 15.6 acres.
This will be the largest transit oriented development in county history.
Neighbors to the project are concerned such an influx of people and high rises will affect the community.
12-8-07 L.A. Times: Plan fails to curb growth in valley.
A new city report found that developers could add 3 million sq. feet of commercial space to the Ventura Blvd. corridor under current zoning rules, despite concern s by residents that the area is overdeveloped.
The study did not count residential growth including large mixed-use developments because the rules only limit commercial growth.
Thousands of units have been added or approved for construction in the last few years, and some community activists say the city should count condos and apartments in assessing whether the area is overbuilt.
A recent Times search of city traffic records showed that while residential development on and near Ventura Blvd. was being planned and built, traffic worsened significantly at 10 major intersections.
Robert Duenas, senior city planner, said the plan as it's written now could easily allow more congestion and overbuilding than was intended.
Shocker. Does anybody else see a pattern here? EVERYBODY is getting screwed by the planning commision and developers.
ANYBODY who is really concerned about what is happening around here needs to start weighing in again.
Bob is not resting and neither should we. Are there any other commenters out there anymore? Seriously, if he gets his way, I see no reason why I should not be able to develop my lot on Trudie as a high-rise development. It already feels like PCH and my own EIR says nobody has anything to worry about.
As a "community benefit" everyone can come play on my lawn.
____________________________________________________
For the record, "fed up" uses the name of a street I live on, but I am not the author of "fed up's" comments.
As far as the Anaheim project goes, I have read where the Anaheim City Council has disapproved residential development in the "Anaheim Resort District".
There is a group named "S.O.A.R." which stands for Save Our Anaheim Resort District. It reported that the Anaheim City Council voted 3-2 to repealed the ordinance that allowed (residential) housing in the resort district of that city.
___________________________________________________
"Fed up" wonders why there are so few comments recently. I can understand that there could be quite a few folks who don't want to even think about Ponte Vista or weapons of mass development while the L.A. City Planning Department is reviewing the DEIR and coming up with their own recommendations about what should be built at Ponte Vista.
It is also a time of year when many people want to be interested in other, happier things. Fighting to keep the quality of life high in OUR community is a tough effort and I do think that there are many people who want to wait to see what the Planning Department comes up with before they get back on the band wagon.
There could be a large number of folks who are waiting to see if the Planning Department comes up with a number of units that is reasonable to them. It is quite believable to imagine that if the Planning Department comes up with a total unit count in the 1,200-1,300 region, many folks who signed the R1 petition will consider the range of units acceptable.
"Fed up" is correct that we still need to be aware and as alert as we can. There will always be a small number of people earnestly seeking news and views, concerning Ponte Vista. This is the case even now when the Planning Department is mum to giving out information.
Hopefully it is not too late, but there is a strong call in Rancho Palos Verdes to get our own City Council to assist us, living on the east side of our City. We need to help our friends and neighbors in surrounding communities to demand that a totally new EIR be done on the Ponte Vista project.
In noting that the Playa Vista EIR is flawed, "fed up" also demonstrates that even an EIR as complicated as Playa Vista's is, and flawed to boot, means that with all the problems with the Traffic and Transportation section of the Ponte Vista DEIR, the very incorrect student generation counts, and several other sections of the Ponte Vista EIR, there needs to be a new, more accurate, and up-to-date EIR done.
I still have my site meter on this blog. I get a report every week. Right now, the blog gets about 35 views per day. It is also important to note that many of those views last for a very short time and are probably folks who could not care less about Ponte Vista.
I hope fairly soon after the first of the year, we can learn more about what the Planning Department is considering. I can wait and I hope you can, too.
There is no need to rush through anything. The last time I drove by the Ponte Vista site, it was still there and hadn't slid off the face of the earth.
The author, "fed up" wrote such and informative piece that I have decided to elevate it to a post of its own. I have done things like this in the past and welcome contributions of posts and comments from anyone.
When I elevate comments to post status, I don't want folks to think I agree or disagree with the content of the post. When someone contributes something that looks worthy of a post of its own, I don't need to agree or disagree with it.
"Fed up's" comment should be easier to read in this following format.
___________________________________________________
fed up has left a new comment on your post "Odds and Ends 43":
Some issues of note:
12-13-07 L.A. Times Councilman Richard Alarcon demanded an investigation into his claim that a confidential memo by city atty. Rocky Delgado regarding a 5800 unit housing project north of Sylmar. The memo advised the city to process the land-use application for Las Lomas.
12-13-07 la times : Playa Vista ruling won't be reviewed.
The CA. Supreme Court denied a request by Playa Vista on the appellate court ruling that halted work on the development's final phase. The court found the project's EIR flawed. The city's approval of phase 2 was based on an EIR that was "deficient in its analysis of land-use impacts, mitigation of historical archaeological resources and waste water impacts.
The projects final phase consists of a 1.1 BILLION dollar second phase of 2600 housing units and 250,000 sq. feet of office and retail space on 111 acres.
This would be in addition to phase 1 which consists of 3246 units and 3.2 MILLION sq feet of office and retail space.
12-11-07 L.A. Times Business Section: 60 MILLION dollar apartment-commercial complex going up at the corner of Federal Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.
Ever try to get through that intersection? Yet the planning commission approved it.
11-10-07 L.A. Times: Home Depot sues L.A. over store in Sunland-Tujunga.
The reason? A Councilwoman allegedly improperly worked with her constituents to block the chain from opening the store.
City atty. Rocky Delgado had no comment. It figures. (Home Depot) it wants to build their store without an EIR because they are going to use a existing building.
Forget the impact on the local area, it will stay the same. This building falls within the specific plan, for which it is not allowed.
11-9-07 L.A. Times: Artists sharply divided over project near L.A. River.
It would be three blocks long and 70 feet high. It has been described as aircraft-carrier sized, looking nothing short of a long wall. The planning commission has approved this project.
What a shock. Does anybody know of a project they have denied?
12-8-07 L.A. Times : Anaheim housing project isn't dead yet.
Suncal has asked for a rehearing. "It looks to me that the developer is trying to manipulate the process," said Annette McCluskey ,a spokeswoman for Save Our Anaheim.
9-28-07 L.A. Times: Large complex in noho (North Hollywood) gets ok.
This is a 1.3 BILLION dollar project, an apartment, retail and high rise office tower complex: 1.5 MILLION sq. feet of development on 15.6 acres.
This will be the largest transit oriented development in county history.
Neighbors to the project are concerned such an influx of people and high rises will affect the community.
12-8-07 L.A. Times: Plan fails to curb growth in valley.
A new city report found that developers could add 3 million sq. feet of commercial space to the Ventura Blvd. corridor under current zoning rules, despite concern s by residents that the area is overdeveloped.
The study did not count residential growth including large mixed-use developments because the rules only limit commercial growth.
Thousands of units have been added or approved for construction in the last few years, and some community activists say the city should count condos and apartments in assessing whether the area is overbuilt.
A recent Times search of city traffic records showed that while residential development on and near Ventura Blvd. was being planned and built, traffic worsened significantly at 10 major intersections.
Robert Duenas, senior city planner, said the plan as it's written now could easily allow more congestion and overbuilding than was intended.
Shocker. Does anybody else see a pattern here? EVERYBODY is getting screwed by the planning commision and developers.
ANYBODY who is really concerned about what is happening around here needs to start weighing in again.
Bob is not resting and neither should we. Are there any other commenters out there anymore? Seriously, if he gets his way, I see no reason why I should not be able to develop my lot on Trudie as a high-rise development. It already feels like PCH and my own EIR says nobody has anything to worry about.
As a "community benefit" everyone can come play on my lawn.
____________________________________________________
For the record, "fed up" uses the name of a street I live on, but I am not the author of "fed up's" comments.
As far as the Anaheim project goes, I have read where the Anaheim City Council has disapproved residential development in the "Anaheim Resort District".
There is a group named "S.O.A.R." which stands for Save Our Anaheim Resort District. It reported that the Anaheim City Council voted 3-2 to repealed the ordinance that allowed (residential) housing in the resort district of that city.
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"Fed up" wonders why there are so few comments recently. I can understand that there could be quite a few folks who don't want to even think about Ponte Vista or weapons of mass development while the L.A. City Planning Department is reviewing the DEIR and coming up with their own recommendations about what should be built at Ponte Vista.
It is also a time of year when many people want to be interested in other, happier things. Fighting to keep the quality of life high in OUR community is a tough effort and I do think that there are many people who want to wait to see what the Planning Department comes up with before they get back on the band wagon.
There could be a large number of folks who are waiting to see if the Planning Department comes up with a number of units that is reasonable to them. It is quite believable to imagine that if the Planning Department comes up with a total unit count in the 1,200-1,300 region, many folks who signed the R1 petition will consider the range of units acceptable.
"Fed up" is correct that we still need to be aware and as alert as we can. There will always be a small number of people earnestly seeking news and views, concerning Ponte Vista. This is the case even now when the Planning Department is mum to giving out information.
Hopefully it is not too late, but there is a strong call in Rancho Palos Verdes to get our own City Council to assist us, living on the east side of our City. We need to help our friends and neighbors in surrounding communities to demand that a totally new EIR be done on the Ponte Vista project.
In noting that the Playa Vista EIR is flawed, "fed up" also demonstrates that even an EIR as complicated as Playa Vista's is, and flawed to boot, means that with all the problems with the Traffic and Transportation section of the Ponte Vista DEIR, the very incorrect student generation counts, and several other sections of the Ponte Vista EIR, there needs to be a new, more accurate, and up-to-date EIR done.
I still have my site meter on this blog. I get a report every week. Right now, the blog gets about 35 views per day. It is also important to note that many of those views last for a very short time and are probably folks who could not care less about Ponte Vista.
I hope fairly soon after the first of the year, we can learn more about what the Planning Department is considering. I can wait and I hope you can, too.
There is no need to rush through anything. The last time I drove by the Ponte Vista site, it was still there and hadn't slid off the face of the earth.
Odds and Ends 44
Well, if you wish to read the comment from "fed up" on the other post, please do.
I am going to elevate that very long comment to a post of its own and try and edit if for easier reading.
"Fed up" has some views and has watched, looked, and listened.
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As for Ponte Vista's site, you probably have noticed the billboards along S. John Montgomery Drive. These are illustrations of what Ponte Vista WILL look like, at least according to Bob and his bunch. In fact and in truth, there is still not a living person on this earth or orbiting Earth in a space station that can tell anyone what will be included at Ponte Vista. There has been absolutely nothing approved of, as far as zoning changes, types of residential units, or commercial spaces, at this point, except for what is in the imagination of the folks supporting Ponte Vista.
These billboards are also used to allow folks going to the new Mary Star High School campus, to see what MIGHT be built on the site. The billboards also serve as both advertising and propaganda for Bob. Bob clearly has the right to put these billboards on his property and use them to try and sway as many people as he can, so he can build what he wants. We don't need to be mad at Bob for his billboards. We know they are just illustrations of what may be at Ponte Vista, but I wouldn't put down any bets on whether anything at Ponte Vista will eventually look like any of the illustrations.
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It is true, and folks viewing the billboards should know that Bob, myself, and others strongly believe that if the site remains with its current zoning, Bob is under no obligation to continue providing any access through his property to the new high school campus. This is a fact of life that allows Bob to strongly suggest that he be allowed to create what he wants to create. It is like he is holding the public access through Ponte Vista over the heads of the students and parents going between Western Avenue and the new campus. Again, he has the right to do this and I am not troubled in the slightest by his propaganda.
If folks truly want R1 to remain at Ponte Vista, they need to understand that public access to Mary Star might very well be removed at any time.
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I am still seeing abandoned residential structures left open for entry. The units I am referring to are along Western Avenue and are not used by law enforcement in their training practices. These units should be closed up, per L.A. City Code.
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Has anyone living within the limits of the City of Los Angeles complained that there should be green or blue tarps placed along the border fencing of Ponte Vista?
I am going to elevate that very long comment to a post of its own and try and edit if for easier reading.
"Fed up" has some views and has watched, looked, and listened.
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As for Ponte Vista's site, you probably have noticed the billboards along S. John Montgomery Drive. These are illustrations of what Ponte Vista WILL look like, at least according to Bob and his bunch. In fact and in truth, there is still not a living person on this earth or orbiting Earth in a space station that can tell anyone what will be included at Ponte Vista. There has been absolutely nothing approved of, as far as zoning changes, types of residential units, or commercial spaces, at this point, except for what is in the imagination of the folks supporting Ponte Vista.
These billboards are also used to allow folks going to the new Mary Star High School campus, to see what MIGHT be built on the site. The billboards also serve as both advertising and propaganda for Bob. Bob clearly has the right to put these billboards on his property and use them to try and sway as many people as he can, so he can build what he wants. We don't need to be mad at Bob for his billboards. We know they are just illustrations of what may be at Ponte Vista, but I wouldn't put down any bets on whether anything at Ponte Vista will eventually look like any of the illustrations.
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It is true, and folks viewing the billboards should know that Bob, myself, and others strongly believe that if the site remains with its current zoning, Bob is under no obligation to continue providing any access through his property to the new high school campus. This is a fact of life that allows Bob to strongly suggest that he be allowed to create what he wants to create. It is like he is holding the public access through Ponte Vista over the heads of the students and parents going between Western Avenue and the new campus. Again, he has the right to do this and I am not troubled in the slightest by his propaganda.
If folks truly want R1 to remain at Ponte Vista, they need to understand that public access to Mary Star might very well be removed at any time.
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I am still seeing abandoned residential structures left open for entry. The units I am referring to are along Western Avenue and are not used by law enforcement in their training practices. These units should be closed up, per L.A. City Code.
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Has anyone living within the limits of the City of Los Angeles complained that there should be green or blue tarps placed along the border fencing of Ponte Vista?
Friday, December 14, 2007
Odds and Ends 43
Nothing to report on Ponte Vista.
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The SRHS 15 update meeting was attended by "30-40 people" or "probably about 20 people" depending on who I heard from.
The main issue concerning some of the folks, according to what I heard, was that there should be no student parking in the surrounding neighborhood, if and when the school is built.
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The SRHS 15 update meeting was attended by "30-40 people" or "probably about 20 people" depending on who I heard from.
The main issue concerning some of the folks, according to what I heard, was that there should be no student parking in the surrounding neighborhood, if and when the school is built.
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Saturday, December 08, 2007
The South Region High School #15 Continues
South Region High School #15 (SRHS 15) is proposed to be a 1,215-seat senior high school designed to ease the over crowding at San Pedro High School.
There continue to be funds to move this project forward because it is more likely that San Pedro High School would have to go year-round if over crowding is not eased.
This condition is different at Narbonne High School. That school is not as impacted by over crowding as San Pedro High School appears to be. That is why South Region High School #14 has had work suspended on it, but work continues on SRHS 15.
The update meeting for SRHS 15 is still scheduled for Monday December 10, 2007 in the auditorium of San Pedro High School. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM.
Ms. Roberta Jones-Booker, the community relations representative for the project runs a tight ship and meetings scheduled by her start and end as scheduled.
Now that it looks like there may be a new high school in San Pedro, I still feel very strongly that it should be named the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School. But that is something that would be decided in the distant future and the project has many hurdles to get over before it gets a name.
There continue to be funds to move this project forward because it is more likely that San Pedro High School would have to go year-round if over crowding is not eased.
This condition is different at Narbonne High School. That school is not as impacted by over crowding as San Pedro High School appears to be. That is why South Region High School #14 has had work suspended on it, but work continues on SRHS 15.
The update meeting for SRHS 15 is still scheduled for Monday December 10, 2007 in the auditorium of San Pedro High School. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM.
Ms. Roberta Jones-Booker, the community relations representative for the project runs a tight ship and meetings scheduled by her start and end as scheduled.
Now that it looks like there may be a new high school in San Pedro, I still feel very strongly that it should be named the John and Muriel Olguin Senior High School. But that is something that would be decided in the distant future and the project has many hurdles to get over before it gets a name.
Friday, December 07, 2007
R.I.P. South Region High School 14
Below is a letter I received in the mail on December 7, 2007.
It looks like the proposed South Region High School 14 has gone "buh-bye", at least for quite some time.
I hope to receive a similar letter concerning South Region High School 15 in the near future. There is a meeting scheduled for December 10, 2007, beginning at 6:00 PM at San Pedro High School's auditorium concerning SRHS 15. If we are lucky, the meeting will either be cancelled, or it will be very short!
It looks like everybody wins, except for the few folks living in Lomita who want a L.A.U.S.D. high school in their city. Maybe the far future holds hope for those folks, but I doubt if any of us should hold our breath.
It looks like the proposed South Region High School 14 has gone "buh-bye", at least for quite some time.
I hope to receive a similar letter concerning South Region High School 15 in the near future. There is a meeting scheduled for December 10, 2007, beginning at 6:00 PM at San Pedro High School's auditorium concerning SRHS 15. If we are lucky, the meeting will either be cancelled, or it will be very short!
It looks like everybody wins, except for the few folks living in Lomita who want a L.A.U.S.D. high school in their city. Maybe the far future holds hope for those folks, but I doubt if any of us should hold our breath.
Odds and Ends 42
It appears that another good week has passed for all of us. Construction on the new Marshall's and the Chevron Station are continuing.
I saw some workers doing something on the Ponte Vista site. If it was cleanup they were doing, that is great!
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Last call for folks to make their comments about the Marymount College Expansion Project, by attending the R.P.V. Traffic Safety Commission hearing on the subject. As mentioned on other posts, the hearing will be on Monday December 10, 2007 at Hesse Park, beginning at 7:00 PM
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Please be well and have a wonderful week.
I saw some workers doing something on the Ponte Vista site. If it was cleanup they were doing, that is great!
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Last call for folks to make their comments about the Marymount College Expansion Project, by attending the R.P.V. Traffic Safety Commission hearing on the subject. As mentioned on other posts, the hearing will be on Monday December 10, 2007 at Hesse Park, beginning at 7:00 PM
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Please be well and have a wonderful week.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Odds and Ends 41
Some folks are becoming more involved with sharing information and working together on development issues all over Southern California.
The Anaheim City Council recently rejected plans to have residential units built in the "resort" area of that City.
Organized groups are sharing information and helping each other deal with developments and developers who, they feel, are trying to take away some quality of life issues that existing residents and others enjoy. As these become more aware of each other and rely on help from different groups, it may be more of a sign that citizens are trying to rest more control over their environment, than politicians would like them to have.
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As I have written before, there will be a hearing by the Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commission, dealing with the Traffic and Circulation section of the Marymount Expansion Draft Environmental Report. The hearing will be held, beginning at 7:00 PM at Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend and provide comments concerning the expansion project.
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Construction work is continuing on the new Marshall's, on the upper level of The Terraces Shopping Center. When I last visited the site, I noticed that the old side entry at the former Do-It Center site has been walled up. It appears if folks park on the Caddington side of the parking area, they will need to walk around the theater portion, to get to the entrance of Marshall's.
I am not fond of walling up the former side entrance. It will make parking more difficult on the Western Avenue side of the center. I haven't heard if anything is going to be built in the area of the side parking lot, so I suppose I should ask someone at the R.P.V. Planning Department if that extra parking area may go away.
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I highly doubt that any "low income" housing is being actively considered along Western Avenue, at this time, in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
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The Anaheim City Council recently rejected plans to have residential units built in the "resort" area of that City.
Organized groups are sharing information and helping each other deal with developments and developers who, they feel, are trying to take away some quality of life issues that existing residents and others enjoy. As these become more aware of each other and rely on help from different groups, it may be more of a sign that citizens are trying to rest more control over their environment, than politicians would like them to have.
_____________________________________________________
As I have written before, there will be a hearing by the Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commission, dealing with the Traffic and Circulation section of the Marymount Expansion Draft Environmental Report. The hearing will be held, beginning at 7:00 PM at Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend and provide comments concerning the expansion project.
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Construction work is continuing on the new Marshall's, on the upper level of The Terraces Shopping Center. When I last visited the site, I noticed that the old side entry at the former Do-It Center site has been walled up. It appears if folks park on the Caddington side of the parking area, they will need to walk around the theater portion, to get to the entrance of Marshall's.
I am not fond of walling up the former side entrance. It will make parking more difficult on the Western Avenue side of the center. I haven't heard if anything is going to be built in the area of the side parking lot, so I suppose I should ask someone at the R.P.V. Planning Department if that extra parking area may go away.
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I highly doubt that any "low income" housing is being actively considered along Western Avenue, at this time, in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Mixed Signals about SRHS 15
Early this morning I stopped by Albertson's to get some hot chocolate on my way to P.T. I met Dr. Vladovich who was also visiting the Starbucks in the store and I took the opportunity to ask him about SRHS 14 and SRHS 15. His answers are found in a post just after this post.
Dr. Vladovich said that there would probably be a new bond measure needing approval to build SRHS 14 and SRHS 15, because the funding that has been approved so far only allows for new school construction to ease over crowding of year round schools.
So there I was, fat, dumb, and happy that we wouldn't have to worry about these two schools in the near future.
Later on the very same day, well just around 11:00 PM, I opened my mail to find this announcement of a community meeting for SRHS 15.
Who is correct? I don't know. I would imagine if there is no money for a school, the Facilities Division and their Community Outreach Department would not be having a meeting concerning SRHS 15, but stranger things have happened.
One thing that does give me a chuckle is that it appears that someone in the Community Outreach Department thinks there are three L.A.U.S.D. schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, instead of just Crestwood and Dodson. Thank you very much, Community Outreach, but we don't think we would like a L.A.U.S.D. high school in 90275.
I certainly don't mind if folks think "San Pedro" has a 90275 zip code. In many of our hearts we are always going to be "San Pedrans" even though we live in Rancho Palos Verdes.
December 10 will find some of us dealing with the SRHS 15 issue and others of us at the Traffic Safety Commission hearing on the Marymount College Expansion project.
My two cents about SRHS 15 includes how and where would the access to the school be if it was actually built where it was invisioned on May 15, 2007?
Dr. Vladovich said that there would probably be a new bond measure needing approval to build SRHS 14 and SRHS 15, because the funding that has been approved so far only allows for new school construction to ease over crowding of year round schools.
So there I was, fat, dumb, and happy that we wouldn't have to worry about these two schools in the near future.
Later on the very same day, well just around 11:00 PM, I opened my mail to find this announcement of a community meeting for SRHS 15.
Who is correct? I don't know. I would imagine if there is no money for a school, the Facilities Division and their Community Outreach Department would not be having a meeting concerning SRHS 15, but stranger things have happened.
One thing that does give me a chuckle is that it appears that someone in the Community Outreach Department thinks there are three L.A.U.S.D. schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, instead of just Crestwood and Dodson. Thank you very much, Community Outreach, but we don't think we would like a L.A.U.S.D. high school in 90275.
I certainly don't mind if folks think "San Pedro" has a 90275 zip code. In many of our hearts we are always going to be "San Pedrans" even though we live in Rancho Palos Verdes.
December 10 will find some of us dealing with the SRHS 15 issue and others of us at the Traffic Safety Commission hearing on the Marymount College Expansion project.
My two cents about SRHS 15 includes how and where would the access to the school be if it was actually built where it was invisioned on May 15, 2007?
Information Concerning SRHS 14 and SRHS 15
I had a short chat with a member of the L.A.U.S.D. Board of Education and I learned some things that I had not known until our little conversation ended.
First, South Region High School #14, with its "preferred" site continuing to be on the Ponte Vista property and South Region High School #15, with its "preferred" site being on L.A.U.S.D. land on the old former upper reservation of Fort MacArthur MAY be built sometime in the distant future.
Currently there is funding to build schools to ease over crowding of "year round" schools". According to the board member, it will probably take another approval of a school bond measure to get the funds to build both SRHS 14 and SRHS 15.
Right now, there simply no money available to go forward with either school, according to the board member.
This was of some news to me because I felt we were all made to believe that the facilities division of L.A.U.S.D. already had the money for these two schools set aside from a prior school bond measure.
Also, according to the school board member, it will be quite some time before any new "preferred" site for SRHS 14 is looked into.
So now it seems to me that both SRHS 14 and SRHS 15 should be kept in the back of our minds, but there are many other issues in OUR community that need to be considered well before we need to revisit the two new proposed high schools.
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The Daily Breeze editorialized today that they feel a new high school to serve the students in Lomita merits more discussion. Whether that is truly what should happen suggests to me that if folks living in Lomita want to bring a high school into their city, perhaps they should form a education committee or commission to explore all avenues. I don't feel it should be up to the City Council to deal with L.A.U.S.D. and where to place a new school.
Interested residents of Lomita should come together to deal with school issues and let the City Council govern the City of Lomita. It would be quite correct that if individual members of the City Council wish to participate in an education committee or commission, they should do so, just like any other resident of Lomita.
First, South Region High School #14, with its "preferred" site continuing to be on the Ponte Vista property and South Region High School #15, with its "preferred" site being on L.A.U.S.D. land on the old former upper reservation of Fort MacArthur MAY be built sometime in the distant future.
Currently there is funding to build schools to ease over crowding of "year round" schools". According to the board member, it will probably take another approval of a school bond measure to get the funds to build both SRHS 14 and SRHS 15.
Right now, there simply no money available to go forward with either school, according to the board member.
This was of some news to me because I felt we were all made to believe that the facilities division of L.A.U.S.D. already had the money for these two schools set aside from a prior school bond measure.
Also, according to the school board member, it will be quite some time before any new "preferred" site for SRHS 14 is looked into.
So now it seems to me that both SRHS 14 and SRHS 15 should be kept in the back of our minds, but there are many other issues in OUR community that need to be considered well before we need to revisit the two new proposed high schools.
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The Daily Breeze editorialized today that they feel a new high school to serve the students in Lomita merits more discussion. Whether that is truly what should happen suggests to me that if folks living in Lomita want to bring a high school into their city, perhaps they should form a education committee or commission to explore all avenues. I don't feel it should be up to the City Council to deal with L.A.U.S.D. and where to place a new school.
Interested residents of Lomita should come together to deal with school issues and let the City Council govern the City of Lomita. It would be quite correct that if individual members of the City Council wish to participate in an education committee or commission, they should do so, just like any other resident of Lomita.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Working With The Marymount College DEIR
I hope folks got a chance to read the article concerning the Marymount College's Draft Environmental Impact Report, for an expansion project that has been considered for quite some time now.
I have decided to move comments, questions, answers, and readers' comments from this blog to one of my other blogs, with a really long URL: http://miravistaranchopalosverdes.blogspot.com/
As the process for reading and commenting on the DEIR progresses, it would be better to keep this issue on a blog that is more concerned with Rancho Palos Verdes, I feel.
On the other blog, I will try my best to answer questions as objectively as I can. The DEIR is very long and we have until January to submit comments, concerning the DEIR and the proposed expansion of facilities at the campus.
As I hope you read in the Daily Breeze article, there are already folks who are opposed to the expansion as it is laid out in the DEIR and many individuals seek to have one of the alternatives to the plan, approved.
I do feel that everyone living on the south and east side of The Hill, including those neighbors who live close to Western Avenue, in San Pedro, may want to read the DEIR and create their own opinions on the matters.
If individuals want to really get into the Marymount DEIR, it might be a good idea to consider reading the work of the Western Avenue Task Force. The documents, findings, and recommendations came out before Ponte Vista was able to be considered by the volunteers and creators of the documents, and it appears there has never been a real challenge to the findings and/or recommendations made by the Task Force. I found the work they did and the work I read to be very valuable as a great starting point to learn about traffic issues along Western Avenue.
On the Mira Vista blog, I would like folks to ask questions that folks can look for answers to, make comments about the DEIR and their opinions about the expansion project, and share with others what they feel should be shared.
Everyone has a right to create comments to be submitted to the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Department and Planning Commission, about the project. I will submit my own comments after I finish studying the DEIR. I am not going to make my comments known before the end of the comment period and I am going to be as objective as I can be.
Let's see what supporters and opponents of the expansion project have to say and not get in their way of saying it. It would be wrong for anyone to think or feel that I am either a supporter or an opponent of the expansion project. As it is, I haven't had the time to do an adequate review of the DEIR and I don't think I will want to swing one way or the other, until the comment period has ended.
I know Mr. Tom Redfield, the gentleman who was in the article, in the Daily Breeze. I haven't talked to him about this particular issue and it would be incorrect to think I agree with him.
Folks should also know that I am a Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commissioner and our Commission will have a public hearing on the issue on December 10, 2007, beginning at 7:00 PM in the R.P.V. Council Chambers at Hesse Park, in Rancho Palos Verdes. Everyone is welcome to come and make their own comments about the expansion issue. We will listen, take notes, and consider what folks really think about the project.
So I am remaining as unbiased as I can on the expansion issue. But as a Traffic Commissioner, folks should know that I am very concerned about traffic issues in Rancho Palos Verdes and surrounding communities.
I have decided to move comments, questions, answers, and readers' comments from this blog to one of my other blogs, with a really long URL: http://miravistaranchopalosverdes.blogspot.com/
As the process for reading and commenting on the DEIR progresses, it would be better to keep this issue on a blog that is more concerned with Rancho Palos Verdes, I feel.
On the other blog, I will try my best to answer questions as objectively as I can. The DEIR is very long and we have until January to submit comments, concerning the DEIR and the proposed expansion of facilities at the campus.
As I hope you read in the Daily Breeze article, there are already folks who are opposed to the expansion as it is laid out in the DEIR and many individuals seek to have one of the alternatives to the plan, approved.
I do feel that everyone living on the south and east side of The Hill, including those neighbors who live close to Western Avenue, in San Pedro, may want to read the DEIR and create their own opinions on the matters.
If individuals want to really get into the Marymount DEIR, it might be a good idea to consider reading the work of the Western Avenue Task Force. The documents, findings, and recommendations came out before Ponte Vista was able to be considered by the volunteers and creators of the documents, and it appears there has never been a real challenge to the findings and/or recommendations made by the Task Force. I found the work they did and the work I read to be very valuable as a great starting point to learn about traffic issues along Western Avenue.
On the Mira Vista blog, I would like folks to ask questions that folks can look for answers to, make comments about the DEIR and their opinions about the expansion project, and share with others what they feel should be shared.
Everyone has a right to create comments to be submitted to the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Department and Planning Commission, about the project. I will submit my own comments after I finish studying the DEIR. I am not going to make my comments known before the end of the comment period and I am going to be as objective as I can be.
Let's see what supporters and opponents of the expansion project have to say and not get in their way of saying it. It would be wrong for anyone to think or feel that I am either a supporter or an opponent of the expansion project. As it is, I haven't had the time to do an adequate review of the DEIR and I don't think I will want to swing one way or the other, until the comment period has ended.
I know Mr. Tom Redfield, the gentleman who was in the article, in the Daily Breeze. I haven't talked to him about this particular issue and it would be incorrect to think I agree with him.
Folks should also know that I am a Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Safety Commissioner and our Commission will have a public hearing on the issue on December 10, 2007, beginning at 7:00 PM in the R.P.V. Council Chambers at Hesse Park, in Rancho Palos Verdes. Everyone is welcome to come and make their own comments about the expansion issue. We will listen, take notes, and consider what folks really think about the project.
So I am remaining as unbiased as I can on the expansion issue. But as a Traffic Commissioner, folks should know that I am very concerned about traffic issues in Rancho Palos Verdes and surrounding communities.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
L.A. City Not Complete With ATSAC
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the L.A. County portion of synchronization of signals along Western Avenue (The section along Western Avenue between 111Th. Street and Summerland Avenue) has been completed, according to Supervisor Don Knabe.
What some thoughtless individuals seem to suggest is that I misled individuals into thinking the the system is complete with the intersections controlled by L.A. City Department of Transportation. As I am quite sure intelligent readers would have learned, is that the L.A. City's portion of ATSAC is NOT complete.
The City of L.A. has approved providing ATSAC with the intersections it controls, no matter what ever happens at Ponte Vista.
Supporters of Bob's current plans, whatever they are, suggest that I have not informed folks of the truth. Fortunately for the many of us who have not been brainwashed by Bob and his minions, we know that ATSAC has been completed along the stretch of Western Avenue fronting the Ponte Vista site, and for at least one mile in each direction, along Western Avenue.
Reading items from Ponte Vista and supporters of Ponte Vista allow us to learn that they are much more interlocked together and are still fighting for things it still appears, OUR community does not want imposed on us.
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Now it seems the folks at Ponte Vista are having to use individuals who will not identify themselves to push their agenda along. That is sad. I thought Bob Bisno claimed to be above board with the community and always tried to use the truth, openness, and identifiable supporters to push his project through.
Now we are seeing individuals being used to further Bob's causes who won't supply us with their true identity. What have they got to hide?
There was an advertisement in today's More San Pedro Magazine which alluded to the new access road to Mary Star of the Sea High School.
In the add, it was claimed that once Bob receives the entitlements for Ponte Vista, he will build a road, at his expense, to Mary Star, from Western Avenue.
But, did you know that if Bob is allowed to build under the current zoning at Ponte Vista, he has repeatedly stated, in public, that he would be under no obligation to provide such a road to Mary Star.
So, if Bob is entitled to build only R1 housing, then he has stated that there will be no road to Mary Star.
What is the truth? If Bob is entitled to build as few as 1,100 units, which would change the zoning, would he still provide funding and land for the road? Must the L.A. City Council approve a minimum number of units for Bob to willingly build the road? What entitlements is Bob writing about? Must the entitlements be for 1,950-units for him to provide the road?
While the issues are still being dealt between Bob and the Planning Department, is Bob's recent advertisement a true and honest statement of fact? I guess we will have to see.
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I live in Rancho Palos Verdes. The signal at my closest intersection on Western is controlled by Caltrans and is one of the intersections that has had ATSAC completed.
The entire ATSAC project is not complete, as I have stated several times before, and everybody who is in the know, knows that.
The City of L.A. needs to finish their part. They stated they would do it, no matter what Bob builds at Ponte Vista. So why do we really need the number one "community benefit" Bob has repeatedly claimed HE would provide. We are getting it anyway, no matter what Bob says, does, claims, or tries to do.
Now that ATSAC has been installed, south to Summerland Avenue, it is time for everyone to actually watch, drive, review, and form opinions on how traffic is actually doing. Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? Has it stayed the same? We ALL need to be judges on what WE feel is happening along the, already ATSAC portion of Western Avenue.
There is enough intersections between Summerland Avenue and points north for supporters of Bob's to TRY to claim that since ATSAC hasn't been completed along all of Western Avenue, to 25TH Street, we shouldn't judge Western right now. I contend that since Summerland, Crestwood, Park Western, Trudie/Capitol, Caddington, Toscanini, Delesonde/Westmont, and Avenida Aprenda give all of us enough intersections to judge how it is going.
The sad truth that we now must learn is that, if ATSAC is truly completed along the Caltrans-controlled intersections of Western Avenue, this is about as good as it will ever get.
So the future only holds for more vehicles, more trips, more stores, and more cars on Western, in the ATSAC-controlled areas.
Let Bob's supporters claim what they want to claim, we will have the knowledge, by driving on Western Avenue, what the real truth is.
______________________________________________________
Perhaps Bob, his supporters, and some scared individuals have bent the truth so much, it finally broke. Just an imaginative thought.
What some thoughtless individuals seem to suggest is that I misled individuals into thinking the the system is complete with the intersections controlled by L.A. City Department of Transportation. As I am quite sure intelligent readers would have learned, is that the L.A. City's portion of ATSAC is NOT complete.
The City of L.A. has approved providing ATSAC with the intersections it controls, no matter what ever happens at Ponte Vista.
Supporters of Bob's current plans, whatever they are, suggest that I have not informed folks of the truth. Fortunately for the many of us who have not been brainwashed by Bob and his minions, we know that ATSAC has been completed along the stretch of Western Avenue fronting the Ponte Vista site, and for at least one mile in each direction, along Western Avenue.
Reading items from Ponte Vista and supporters of Ponte Vista allow us to learn that they are much more interlocked together and are still fighting for things it still appears, OUR community does not want imposed on us.
_____________________________________________________
Now it seems the folks at Ponte Vista are having to use individuals who will not identify themselves to push their agenda along. That is sad. I thought Bob Bisno claimed to be above board with the community and always tried to use the truth, openness, and identifiable supporters to push his project through.
Now we are seeing individuals being used to further Bob's causes who won't supply us with their true identity. What have they got to hide?
There was an advertisement in today's More San Pedro Magazine which alluded to the new access road to Mary Star of the Sea High School.
In the add, it was claimed that once Bob receives the entitlements for Ponte Vista, he will build a road, at his expense, to Mary Star, from Western Avenue.
But, did you know that if Bob is allowed to build under the current zoning at Ponte Vista, he has repeatedly stated, in public, that he would be under no obligation to provide such a road to Mary Star.
So, if Bob is entitled to build only R1 housing, then he has stated that there will be no road to Mary Star.
What is the truth? If Bob is entitled to build as few as 1,100 units, which would change the zoning, would he still provide funding and land for the road? Must the L.A. City Council approve a minimum number of units for Bob to willingly build the road? What entitlements is Bob writing about? Must the entitlements be for 1,950-units for him to provide the road?
While the issues are still being dealt between Bob and the Planning Department, is Bob's recent advertisement a true and honest statement of fact? I guess we will have to see.
__________________________________________________
I live in Rancho Palos Verdes. The signal at my closest intersection on Western is controlled by Caltrans and is one of the intersections that has had ATSAC completed.
The entire ATSAC project is not complete, as I have stated several times before, and everybody who is in the know, knows that.
The City of L.A. needs to finish their part. They stated they would do it, no matter what Bob builds at Ponte Vista. So why do we really need the number one "community benefit" Bob has repeatedly claimed HE would provide. We are getting it anyway, no matter what Bob says, does, claims, or tries to do.
Now that ATSAC has been installed, south to Summerland Avenue, it is time for everyone to actually watch, drive, review, and form opinions on how traffic is actually doing. Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? Has it stayed the same? We ALL need to be judges on what WE feel is happening along the, already ATSAC portion of Western Avenue.
There is enough intersections between Summerland Avenue and points north for supporters of Bob's to TRY to claim that since ATSAC hasn't been completed along all of Western Avenue, to 25TH Street, we shouldn't judge Western right now. I contend that since Summerland, Crestwood, Park Western, Trudie/Capitol, Caddington, Toscanini, Delesonde/Westmont, and Avenida Aprenda give all of us enough intersections to judge how it is going.
The sad truth that we now must learn is that, if ATSAC is truly completed along the Caltrans-controlled intersections of Western Avenue, this is about as good as it will ever get.
So the future only holds for more vehicles, more trips, more stores, and more cars on Western, in the ATSAC-controlled areas.
Let Bob's supporters claim what they want to claim, we will have the knowledge, by driving on Western Avenue, what the real truth is.
______________________________________________________
Perhaps Bob, his supporters, and some scared individuals have bent the truth so much, it finally broke. Just an imaginative thought.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Odd and Ends 40
Here is a bit of recap of what is going on and some of the things that have been happening recently.
The current plans for Ponte Vista at San Pedro are still under review, consideration, and updating by the Los Angeles City Planning Department and representatives of Bob Bisno's organization.
There are no reasons to comment on any rumors anyone has heard or passed along. We need to let the system works at its snail pace and not get too frustrated with them.
The new fencing on the Ponte Vista site to allow access from Western Avenue to the new campus of Mary Star of the Sea High School is progressing. Folks are hoping to open the new campus in December.
The folks working on the new Marshall's were awaiting clearance from L.A. County Fire Inspectors before continuing on creating the new store where the old Do-It Center once was.
There is parking available on the side and behind The Terraces Shopping Center, on the top level.
The two Chevron Stations closest to Ponte Vista, towards San Pedro, both have their pumps down. The Gaffey Chevron seems to be getting new pumps and the Chevron at Crestwood Street is getting a makeover with new pumps, new canopy, and a new store where the maintenance bays used to be.
I haven't been following the suit that Y&S Auto Body brought against the Kinder Morgan/JCC Homes project on Gaffey. I know that not only the area where Kinder Morgan was, but also areas outside their original boundaries need to be completely cleaned up before J.C.C. Homes finalizes the deal to build 134 Patio Homes.
Both the Torrance and Lomita City Councils now look to be very interested in questioning development in their two cities. More and more Torrance residents are feeling burned by development projects that have been approved and are really beginning to clog up their traffic.
Target hopefully is still on target to get the new store built on Gaffey.
New money has been offered into the redevelopment near downtown San Pedro and along the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Corridor.
________________________________________________
Let's hope we can all enjoy the rest of 2007!
The current plans for Ponte Vista at San Pedro are still under review, consideration, and updating by the Los Angeles City Planning Department and representatives of Bob Bisno's organization.
There are no reasons to comment on any rumors anyone has heard or passed along. We need to let the system works at its snail pace and not get too frustrated with them.
The new fencing on the Ponte Vista site to allow access from Western Avenue to the new campus of Mary Star of the Sea High School is progressing. Folks are hoping to open the new campus in December.
The folks working on the new Marshall's were awaiting clearance from L.A. County Fire Inspectors before continuing on creating the new store where the old Do-It Center once was.
There is parking available on the side and behind The Terraces Shopping Center, on the top level.
The two Chevron Stations closest to Ponte Vista, towards San Pedro, both have their pumps down. The Gaffey Chevron seems to be getting new pumps and the Chevron at Crestwood Street is getting a makeover with new pumps, new canopy, and a new store where the maintenance bays used to be.
I haven't been following the suit that Y&S Auto Body brought against the Kinder Morgan/JCC Homes project on Gaffey. I know that not only the area where Kinder Morgan was, but also areas outside their original boundaries need to be completely cleaned up before J.C.C. Homes finalizes the deal to build 134 Patio Homes.
Both the Torrance and Lomita City Councils now look to be very interested in questioning development in their two cities. More and more Torrance residents are feeling burned by development projects that have been approved and are really beginning to clog up their traffic.
Target hopefully is still on target to get the new store built on Gaffey.
New money has been offered into the redevelopment near downtown San Pedro and along the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Corridor.
________________________________________________
Let's hope we can all enjoy the rest of 2007!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Something Good is Going on at Ponte Vista!
If you drive by the main entrance of the Ponte Vista site, you will notice new fencing being installed along S. John Montgomery Drive.
The folks at Ponte Vista, along with the folks at the new Mary Star of the Sea High School are putting in fencing so students and parents can use S. John Montgomery Drive from Western Avenue, to the new campus.
I know I am among a very, very small number of folks who believe access to Mary Star from Western Avenue is not what I would like to see, but so many others wish for this access, there really is no fighting it.
The fencing, designed to protect both the public and Bob Bisno's site, will help secure the route and provide safe passage to and from Western Avenue and the new campus, slated to open in December.
For OUR community, this installation of fencing is a good thing for everyone, I believe.
In this time of thanksgiving, I hope we all can understand when something good for all of us happens, and try not to put down the fence. The fence was needed and it is being installed. I am thankful for that.
The folks at Ponte Vista, along with the folks at the new Mary Star of the Sea High School are putting in fencing so students and parents can use S. John Montgomery Drive from Western Avenue, to the new campus.
I know I am among a very, very small number of folks who believe access to Mary Star from Western Avenue is not what I would like to see, but so many others wish for this access, there really is no fighting it.
The fencing, designed to protect both the public and Bob Bisno's site, will help secure the route and provide safe passage to and from Western Avenue and the new campus, slated to open in December.
For OUR community, this installation of fencing is a good thing for everyone, I believe.
In this time of thanksgiving, I hope we all can understand when something good for all of us happens, and try not to put down the fence. The fence was needed and it is being installed. I am thankful for that.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Nov. 19 Lomita City Council Meeting/SRHS 14
On November 19, 2007, the Lomita City Council held what the then Mayor stated as a "regular meeting". To me and everybody in the room, there was nothing "regular" about it.
The meeting included the installation of the new makeup of the City Council, the ceremony for the outgoing Mayor of Lomita, the election of a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, then the one and only new item on the agenda, the consideration of whether the City Council would engage in any discussion concerning SRHS 14 and a proposed idea of placing it at Lomita Park.
"I'll be honest with you, it still hurts". These were part of the final remarks from outgoing and now former Mayor (gee doesn't that read pretty?) Mark A. Waronek. Mark was graceful in his departure and many folks came to give him proclamations, resolutions, and other printed material, as well as a ceremonial plaque, with a gavel on it.
The Council Chamber was packed to overflowing with residents of Lomita, Southeast Torrance, and one individual from Rancho Palos Verdes.
It seems just about everyone in the chamber and outside in the overflow area came to hear the consideration brought by Councilman Waite, concerning whether the City Council should create a workshop, or something else, to deal with possibly placing the 810-seat South Region High School 14, (SRHS 14) on PART of Lomita Park and maintenance yards for the City of Lomita and L.A. County.
Councilman Waite's proposal as he stated it, was to have the Council create a workshop or have meetings to consider whether placing SRHS 14 on Walnut Street, or someplace else, would be best for the residents of Lomita.
I understand what Councilman Waite and Councilwoman Dever were positive to consider, but I think that the City Council does not have a "dog in the fight" in considering where L.A.U.S.D. should or should not place a school. We have all seen what happened when L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa tried to place his hands into L.A.U.S.D. I also know what powers the City Council for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes doesn't have over the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
I think first, that City Councils should react to what decisions the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. tries to do, but I don't feel they should engage in attempting to bring a L.A.U.S.D. school into any city.
During the public comment portion of the evening, I lost count on how many individuals got up to speak. One thing was absolutely certain though, not one single person, whether they lived in Lomita, Torrance, R.P.V., or anywhere else, said one word in support of placing SRHS 14 at Lomita Park, or anywhere else in Lomita.
When it came time for a motion, newly re-elected Councilman Suminiaga stated a motion to drop any discussion, by the City Council, on where to place SRHS 14. The motion was seconded by newly installed Councilman Blackwood seconded the motion.
During the debate, Councilwoman Dever stated that she felt the Council members should consider doing something towards finding a place for SRHS 14.
Councilman Waite seemed to share Dever's view and also thought that the Lomita location was just one of many sites to consider.
Councilman Suminiaga was steadfast in his resolve to have the Council drop any further discussion. Councilman Blackwood stated that what he said in his recent successful campaign was enough (he didn't like the idea in the first place) and he didn't elaborate any further.
Newly elected Mayor Margaret Estrada didn't comment much at all and it was tough to gauge her feelings......until the vote.
When the motion was called to a vote by the Councilmembers, Councilmen Suminiaga and Blackwood, along with Mayor Estrada, voted "yes" to drop any further discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Dever and Councilman Waite, voted "No". Three agains two, the motion to drop further consideration by the Lomita City Council on having any meetings, workshops, or further discussion on SRHS 14, passed.
The meeting was adjourned with loud applause and much joyous shouting.
_________________________________________________
As many readers of this blog know, I have been aligned with a number of individuals who have gathered quite a bit of information on SRHS 14.
It was very clear to me, during the meeting, that not only did the vast majority of the room not understand practically anything that has been truly going on, officially, with SRHS 14, it looked to me that even the City Council Members themselves, have any real knowledge about SRHS 14.
I don't think it is any body's fault and I do feel that a whole bunch of folks really jumped the gun, especially two members of the Lomita City Council. It appeared to me that most of the folks speaking about SRHS 14, really know little about it, in the first place.
But what an impact it was to see so many individuals speak so much and get so riled up about just considering whether folks should talk about the subject. I was very, very impressed that, even though so many folks know so little about the issue, yet are so passionate about not having an L.A.U.S.D. senior high school, in their neighborhood or in their city.
For the folks who really don't know too much about SRHS 14, there is lots and lots of information about this issue, inside this blog.
But to make it easier, right now, here are some real facts.
South Region High School was originally slated to be a 2,025-seat Senior High School to ease the overcrowding of both Narbonne and San Pedro High Schools.
The site which was, AND STILL IS the "preferred" site for SRHS 14, is within the boundary of the Ponte Vista at San Pedro Development, in northwest San Pedro.
Earlier this year, the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. dropped plans for one-2,025-seat school, in favor of building two new schools. SRHS 14 became a 810-seat school devoted to ease overcrowding at Narbonne High School. South Region High School 15 (SRHS 15) is now being planned as a 1,215-seat school with its "preferred" site being on the former upper reservation of the old Fort MacArthur, now called "Angels Gate".
The Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. is considering multiple sites in Lomita, Harbor City, and Harbor Gateway, to place SRHS 14. One possible site is Lomita Park, but folks have acknowledged that it has problems and they are continuing to search out other sites including the Mulligan Recreation area/Sepulveda, sites on 240TH. Street and other streets.
The only Notice of Preparation and Initial Study for SRHS 14 has been done on the Ponte Vista "preferred" site.
Whether anyone from the City of Lomita has contacted L.A.U.S.D. about Lomita Park is something folks will have to find out for themselves, because I don't know.
Neither Mr. Rod Hamiliton, Mr. Don Lancaster, or anybody from the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. were in attendance, as far as I am aware of, at the Lomita City Council Meeting.
I think what I learned from the meeting is just the thought of putting SRHS 14 anywhere near Lomita Park, will certainly get folks out, boiling, and ready to blow the roof off of any meeting place.
If folks on the Lomita City Council wish to consider SRHS 14 again, perhaps they should do it as individual residents of the City of Lomita and not as elected officials.
I hope the Lomita City Councilmembers got the message, but perhaps some of them will want to bring up the issue in the future, in some other manner. Were palms greased? I don't know. Did some of the Councilmembers have a hidden agenda? Some folks in the audience thought so, but I don't know. Might we have to come together sometime in the future to go to bat to keep Lomita Park free from SRHS 14? Perhaps. But I would suggest to elected officials in the City of Lomita and elsewhere, watch what developments you support, it could cost you your elected position.
That reminds me, so long Mark!
The meeting included the installation of the new makeup of the City Council, the ceremony for the outgoing Mayor of Lomita, the election of a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, then the one and only new item on the agenda, the consideration of whether the City Council would engage in any discussion concerning SRHS 14 and a proposed idea of placing it at Lomita Park.
"I'll be honest with you, it still hurts". These were part of the final remarks from outgoing and now former Mayor (gee doesn't that read pretty?) Mark A. Waronek. Mark was graceful in his departure and many folks came to give him proclamations, resolutions, and other printed material, as well as a ceremonial plaque, with a gavel on it.
The Council Chamber was packed to overflowing with residents of Lomita, Southeast Torrance, and one individual from Rancho Palos Verdes.
It seems just about everyone in the chamber and outside in the overflow area came to hear the consideration brought by Councilman Waite, concerning whether the City Council should create a workshop, or something else, to deal with possibly placing the 810-seat South Region High School 14, (SRHS 14) on PART of Lomita Park and maintenance yards for the City of Lomita and L.A. County.
Councilman Waite's proposal as he stated it, was to have the Council create a workshop or have meetings to consider whether placing SRHS 14 on Walnut Street, or someplace else, would be best for the residents of Lomita.
I understand what Councilman Waite and Councilwoman Dever were positive to consider, but I think that the City Council does not have a "dog in the fight" in considering where L.A.U.S.D. should or should not place a school. We have all seen what happened when L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa tried to place his hands into L.A.U.S.D. I also know what powers the City Council for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes doesn't have over the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
I think first, that City Councils should react to what decisions the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. tries to do, but I don't feel they should engage in attempting to bring a L.A.U.S.D. school into any city.
During the public comment portion of the evening, I lost count on how many individuals got up to speak. One thing was absolutely certain though, not one single person, whether they lived in Lomita, Torrance, R.P.V., or anywhere else, said one word in support of placing SRHS 14 at Lomita Park, or anywhere else in Lomita.
When it came time for a motion, newly re-elected Councilman Suminiaga stated a motion to drop any discussion, by the City Council, on where to place SRHS 14. The motion was seconded by newly installed Councilman Blackwood seconded the motion.
During the debate, Councilwoman Dever stated that she felt the Council members should consider doing something towards finding a place for SRHS 14.
Councilman Waite seemed to share Dever's view and also thought that the Lomita location was just one of many sites to consider.
Councilman Suminiaga was steadfast in his resolve to have the Council drop any further discussion. Councilman Blackwood stated that what he said in his recent successful campaign was enough (he didn't like the idea in the first place) and he didn't elaborate any further.
Newly elected Mayor Margaret Estrada didn't comment much at all and it was tough to gauge her feelings......until the vote.
When the motion was called to a vote by the Councilmembers, Councilmen Suminiaga and Blackwood, along with Mayor Estrada, voted "yes" to drop any further discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Dever and Councilman Waite, voted "No". Three agains two, the motion to drop further consideration by the Lomita City Council on having any meetings, workshops, or further discussion on SRHS 14, passed.
The meeting was adjourned with loud applause and much joyous shouting.
_________________________________________________
As many readers of this blog know, I have been aligned with a number of individuals who have gathered quite a bit of information on SRHS 14.
It was very clear to me, during the meeting, that not only did the vast majority of the room not understand practically anything that has been truly going on, officially, with SRHS 14, it looked to me that even the City Council Members themselves, have any real knowledge about SRHS 14.
I don't think it is any body's fault and I do feel that a whole bunch of folks really jumped the gun, especially two members of the Lomita City Council. It appeared to me that most of the folks speaking about SRHS 14, really know little about it, in the first place.
But what an impact it was to see so many individuals speak so much and get so riled up about just considering whether folks should talk about the subject. I was very, very impressed that, even though so many folks know so little about the issue, yet are so passionate about not having an L.A.U.S.D. senior high school, in their neighborhood or in their city.
For the folks who really don't know too much about SRHS 14, there is lots and lots of information about this issue, inside this blog.
But to make it easier, right now, here are some real facts.
South Region High School was originally slated to be a 2,025-seat Senior High School to ease the overcrowding of both Narbonne and San Pedro High Schools.
The site which was, AND STILL IS the "preferred" site for SRHS 14, is within the boundary of the Ponte Vista at San Pedro Development, in northwest San Pedro.
Earlier this year, the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. dropped plans for one-2,025-seat school, in favor of building two new schools. SRHS 14 became a 810-seat school devoted to ease overcrowding at Narbonne High School. South Region High School 15 (SRHS 15) is now being planned as a 1,215-seat school with its "preferred" site being on the former upper reservation of the old Fort MacArthur, now called "Angels Gate".
The Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. is considering multiple sites in Lomita, Harbor City, and Harbor Gateway, to place SRHS 14. One possible site is Lomita Park, but folks have acknowledged that it has problems and they are continuing to search out other sites including the Mulligan Recreation area/Sepulveda, sites on 240TH. Street and other streets.
The only Notice of Preparation and Initial Study for SRHS 14 has been done on the Ponte Vista "preferred" site.
Whether anyone from the City of Lomita has contacted L.A.U.S.D. about Lomita Park is something folks will have to find out for themselves, because I don't know.
Neither Mr. Rod Hamiliton, Mr. Don Lancaster, or anybody from the Facilities Division of L.A.U.S.D. were in attendance, as far as I am aware of, at the Lomita City Council Meeting.
I think what I learned from the meeting is just the thought of putting SRHS 14 anywhere near Lomita Park, will certainly get folks out, boiling, and ready to blow the roof off of any meeting place.
If folks on the Lomita City Council wish to consider SRHS 14 again, perhaps they should do it as individual residents of the City of Lomita and not as elected officials.
I hope the Lomita City Councilmembers got the message, but perhaps some of them will want to bring up the issue in the future, in some other manner. Were palms greased? I don't know. Did some of the Councilmembers have a hidden agenda? Some folks in the audience thought so, but I don't know. Might we have to come together sometime in the future to go to bat to keep Lomita Park free from SRHS 14? Perhaps. But I would suggest to elected officials in the City of Lomita and elsewhere, watch what developments you support, it could cost you your elected position.
That reminds me, so long Mark!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
County Signal Synchronization Complete!
Below is the body of a press release released on August 24, 2007 and followed up in Supervisor Don Knabe's recent Newsletter. ________________________________________________
Traffic Signal Synchronization Project Complete
In The South Bay The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes and Long Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.
The $933,524 project focused on coordinating the timing of signals along three major streets in the South Bay. Over 100 total intersections were synchronized on the following three roads: Artesia Boulevard from Sepulveda Boulevard to Vermont Avenue, Carson Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to Santa Fe Avenue, and Western Avenue from 111th Street to Summerland Avenue.
This project is part of the County’s ongoing program to enhance traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Prior projects have shown travel times through these synchronized routes are reduced by as much as 24 percent during peak travel hours and as much as 29 percent during other periods of the day.
“It is important that we constantly look for ways to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic on our roads,” said Supervisor Knabe. “By synchronizing these traffic signals, both the residents of these cities and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel these routes will benefit.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Press Release was released by Mr. David Somers, the Press Contact for Los Angeles County, Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe. _____________________________________________________
Thank you, Glenn Cornell, the President of the Rolling Hills Riviera Homeowners' Association, for delivering this information to me. I bet we all know that something has happened to the timing of the signals on Western, especially if you live west of Western and have to turn left, onto Western. Our signal timing seemed to get longer.
So now what can Bob offer, as a "community benefit"? Is he now going to help the City of L.A. fund their portion of the synchronizations of the traffic signals on Western Avenue from 1St. Street, to 25Th Street? Will he continue to push the community benefit that is more than a mile away from any dirt at Ponte Vista? Did L.A. County get its check from Bob for the synchronization between Palos Verdes Drive North and Summerland, like he promised? I bet not!
And another thing that ticks me off, Louis Dominquez and so many other supporters of Bob's blight claim they support "the project". What in Sam Hell is "the project"? Is it 2,300-units? Is it 1,950-units? Is it whatever Bob wants it to be? I don't think even Louis knows what the real project is.
Wait a minute! I think I finally know. It's not "the project", it's "the projects". That must be it! Perhaps we just can't hear the "s" when it is spoken and it must be left out of the writings, these folks create.
The only problem is that Bob has absolutely no intention of building any housing that lower income folks can afford, so I guess when you leave the "s" off the word, it means that it is going to be the "projects" for the rich folks.
Ah, that felt good. I had been wondering what "the project" meant when it is used by Bob's supporters. Now I know and it makes much more sense. It must also mean when you keep the "s" off the end of "project", you keep the (s)h*it folks out of your glamour condos. Now Bob, that is not very nice.
Sorry about the slip of the fingers and tongue.
Traffic Signal Synchronization Project Complete
In The South Bay The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes and Long Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.
The $933,524 project focused on coordinating the timing of signals along three major streets in the South Bay. Over 100 total intersections were synchronized on the following three roads: Artesia Boulevard from Sepulveda Boulevard to Vermont Avenue, Carson Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to Santa Fe Avenue, and Western Avenue from 111th Street to Summerland Avenue.
This project is part of the County’s ongoing program to enhance traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Prior projects have shown travel times through these synchronized routes are reduced by as much as 24 percent during peak travel hours and as much as 29 percent during other periods of the day.
“It is important that we constantly look for ways to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic on our roads,” said Supervisor Knabe. “By synchronizing these traffic signals, both the residents of these cities and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel these routes will benefit.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Press Release was released by Mr. David Somers, the Press Contact for Los Angeles County, Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe. _____________________________________________________
Thank you, Glenn Cornell, the President of the Rolling Hills Riviera Homeowners' Association, for delivering this information to me. I bet we all know that something has happened to the timing of the signals on Western, especially if you live west of Western and have to turn left, onto Western. Our signal timing seemed to get longer.
So now what can Bob offer, as a "community benefit"? Is he now going to help the City of L.A. fund their portion of the synchronizations of the traffic signals on Western Avenue from 1St. Street, to 25Th Street? Will he continue to push the community benefit that is more than a mile away from any dirt at Ponte Vista? Did L.A. County get its check from Bob for the synchronization between Palos Verdes Drive North and Summerland, like he promised? I bet not!
And another thing that ticks me off, Louis Dominquez and so many other supporters of Bob's blight claim they support "the project". What in Sam Hell is "the project"? Is it 2,300-units? Is it 1,950-units? Is it whatever Bob wants it to be? I don't think even Louis knows what the real project is.
Wait a minute! I think I finally know. It's not "the project", it's "the projects". That must be it! Perhaps we just can't hear the "s" when it is spoken and it must be left out of the writings, these folks create.
The only problem is that Bob has absolutely no intention of building any housing that lower income folks can afford, so I guess when you leave the "s" off the word, it means that it is going to be the "projects" for the rich folks.
Ah, that felt good. I had been wondering what "the project" meant when it is used by Bob's supporters. Now I know and it makes much more sense. It must also mean when you keep the "s" off the end of "project", you keep the (s)h*it folks out of your glamour condos. Now Bob, that is not very nice.
Sorry about the slip of the fingers and tongue.
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