PPCC Library Integration Test

2. _2) Said fund shall be specifically targeted to address the Purposes set forth in Section 2 of the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan, which are to assure all new development harmonizes with and enhances the surrounding neighborhood. To this end, the use of the fund shall include, but not be limited to, installation of compatible off-site streetscape improvements. Possible unifying items could include street furniture, street signs, exterior lighting and lampposts, sidewalk and crosswalk treatments, and plant materials. At a minimum, off- site improvements should extend to both sides of Sunset from La Cruz to Via de la Paz, around the perimeter of the Village Green, and on Swarthmore on the first block south of Sunset.”_

_Discussion_ : (1) Sue Kohl offered a friendly amendment. After the word ‘parcel map’, subject the following to the middle of para 2 “to that end”, Sue suggested deletion so that the amended motion would read: _Amended Motion # 3_ _“The applicant has requested that the City approve a request for a parcel map to vacate public land to the applicant consisting of a 20-foot-wide alley extending north from Sunset Boulevard to the existing alley located behind the existing Mobil Station, the 20-foot-wide alley between Swarthmore Avenue and Monument Street and a lane of Sunset Boulevard, where it widens in front of the existing Mobil Station. Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) recommends approval of the parcel map, in reliance upon the applicant’s commitment to contribute to funding of off-site harmonizing streetscape improvements in conjunction with community entities such as PRIDE, the Village Green Committee, Palisades Beautiful, and the Palisades Business Improvement District (BID). To this end, the use of the fund shall include, but not be limited to, installation of compatible off-site streetscape improvements. Possible unifying items could include street furniture, street signs, exterior lighting and lampposts, sidewalk and crosswalk treatments, and plant materials. At a minimum, off-site improvements should extend to both sides of Sunset from La Cruz to Via de la Paz, around the perimeter of the Village Green, and on Swarthmore on the first block south of Sunset.”_ Sue stated her rationale being the last meeting where Mr. Caruso effectively agreed to the substituted language. No objections were made to the friendly amendment. (2) Reza Akef stated he was disappointed that the community room was removed from the project. The alley is quasi-public and private anyway and we know that the City won’t improve the alley anyway. Reza requested a friendly amendment for Caruso Affiliated to look into retaining the community room. Mr. Caruso responded by saying that the parking allocation for the community room is too difficult without community support for a variance. A variance would be a great idea since many people would walk or come there during off hours. The prior community room would require $3.5 million in parking. At the time Mr. Caruso is not pursuing a community room because certain community individuals are demanding the project to be fully parked. Reza asked if one of the theaters could be designed with community room meetings in mind. Mr. Caruso thought it is a great idea to incorporate a theater to be used for community meetings. Ideas to pursue are that variance or a theater design. Rick Caruso encouraged residents to attend public City hearings to state a desire for the two ideas proposed. Reza Akef agreed to withdraw his request for a friendly amendment. Barbara Marinacci offered a friendly amendment to add Pacific Palisades Garden Club to the list. No objections were made to the friendly amendment. _Action_ : Sue Kohl read Motion #3 as modified by the two friendly amendments. The motion passed with 17 yes votes; one abstention (Area 1); one no vote (Historical Society). MOTION (3) – FINAL LANGUAGE. _“The applicant has requested that the City approve a request for a parcel map to vacate public land to the applicant consisting of a 20-foot-wide alley extending north from Sunset Boulevard to the existing alley located behind the existing Mobil Station, the 20-foot-wide alley between Swarthmore Avenue and Monument Street and a lane of Sunset Boulevard, where it widens in front of the existing Mobil Station. Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) recommends approval of the parcel map, in reliance upon the applicant’s commitment to contribute to funding of off-site harmonizing streetscape improvements in conjunction with community entities such as PRIDE, the Village Green Committee, Palisades Beautiful, Pacific Palisades Garden Club and the Palisades Business Improvement District (BID). To this end, the use of the fund shall include, but not be limited to, installation of compatible off-site streetscape improvements. Possible unifying items could include street furniture, street signs, exterior lighting and lampposts, sidewalk and crosswalk treatments, and plant materials. At a minimum, off-site improvements should extend to both sides of Sunset from La Cruz to Via de la Paz, around the perimeter of the Village Green, and on Swarthmore on the first block south of Sunset.”_ 10\. **New Business.** 11\. **General Public Comment.** 11.1. Marge Gold talked about the formation of the Village Green germinating within the PPCC. The park has been run by the Village Green for 40 years without public support. Repairs are needed to the brick and trees. On the website there is information as to where the donations are sent. palisadesvillagegreen.org. 11.2. Gabrielle Gottlieb spoke regarding the pole top distribution stations. The installations are not safe in a residential area. Pictures were shown of a teenage boy sliding into a pole in Arleta, CA with the transformers coming down and the possibility of oil causing an explosion. The installation on Sunset near Allenford is considered “safe” because it is not in an intersection and is not on a residential street. The El Medio proposed location has lots of kids from the high school near and is by surrounding homes. No doubt power upgrades and installations are needed but the up-grades need to be done safely. Gabrielle said the pole tops are needed now but have to be outside of residential neighborhoods, not near sidewalk and not in spots where there is a history of traffic accidents; locating on Sunset would be better and the community needs to rally behind getting the substation built. Another resident was concerned about siting near churches as opposed to schools – that doesn’t seem to make sense. The Chair encouraged residents to attend the LADWP community meeting. Rick Mills responded that LADWP did not present to PPCC as if there were alternatives but their most recent notice does give options for alternate locations. 11.3. A resident spoke out against the large and hideous power poles in the public rights of way (PROWs). 11.4. Ted Weitz stated that there is an overburdening of all of the easements that utilities, cable companies, and phone companies have and the town is looking extremely blighted. Jennifer Malaret replied that the City has the right to use easements in the public right of way for these purposes and referred to PPCC’s minutes which have extensive information on this topic particularly with regard to cell phone towers. 12.**Adjournment.** The acting Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:02 PM. **ATTACHMENTS** __**ITEM 9.1 – PPCC LETTER RE VILLAGE PROJECT MND (MOTION #2)** **_PPCC Executive Committee MND Considerations_** \- Factors Considered by the EC in Deciding to Act on an Emergency Basis to Submit PPCC Comments on the Palisades Village Project MND The Palisades Historical Society’s request for postponement of a vote on Motion #2 at PPCC’s February 25, 2016 meeting prevented the Board from voting on the motion prior to the City’s deadline for submission of comments. Given the impossibility of a Board vote on the matter prior to the deadline and broad-based expression of community support for the project evident to the Executive Committee, the only course of action available to the Executive Committee to present the community's sentiment on the MND to the City was to take emergency action under Article V, Sec. 3(B) of PPCC’s bylaws. The following factors were considered by the Executive Committee prior to taking action to authorize a letter in support of the City’s adoption of the MND: