PPCC Library Integration Test

**Voting Members in Attendance:** Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Maryam Zar, JoAnna Rodriguez, Diana Daniele, Julia Nilsen, Allison Holdorff, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Janet Anderson, Courtney Macker, Haldis Toppel, Valeria Serna, John Evans, Kevin Niles, Hagop Tchakerian **Non-voting Members and Advisors:** Daphne Gronich, Dave Card, Michael Edlen, Lee Anne Sanderson, Jessica Rogers, Joanna Spak, Ella Nozar 1.**Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission.** The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. Quentin Fleming read the Mission Statement. 2.__**Introductions / Roll Call.** The President introduced the members and called the roll. 3.**Certification of Quorum.** The President certified quorum. 4\. **Approval of Minutes.** The minutes of February 13, 2025, were approved as distributed. 5\. **Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings.** The agenda was as distributed. Upcoming meetings: __March 13, 2025__ (MySafeLA: Fire Safe Council); __March 27, 2025__ (Topics TBA). 6\. **Treasurer’s Report.** The Treasurer reported that the Council’s bank balance is $109,428.08. y. **General Public Comment** _. [Note: the President deferred item 7 to the end of the meeting and called item 11.1 following the Treasurer’s Report.]_ 7.1. _Carl Mellinger_ (resident; arborist) commented on local tree protection after the fire. 7.2. _David Schwartz_ (resident, Area 3) disagreed with the initiative of rebuild restrictions particularly regarding retaining walls, stating that he heard a discussion about this topic on a local What’s App group. 8.**Reports, Announcements and Concerns.** 8.1. _From the Chair/Presiding Officer_. 8.1.1. The President announced that the PPCC Executive Committee has reiterated the longstanding PPCC policy re Density and Public Safety: <https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Policy-Statement-Density-Public-Safety.pdf> 8.1.2. The President has appointed Sharon Garrett as 2nd Alternate rep to the WRAC MTC. 8.1.3. The President reported on donations towards Palisades recovery/rebuilding. 8.1.4. The President announced that the Executive Committee has approved preliminary steps to be taken by the Rebuild Committee in connection with a possible survey of community opinion _(explained further in item 9.2 below)._ 8.2. _From Officers/Chair Emeritus_ – None. 8.3. _From At-Large and Area Representatives_. 8.3.1. JoAnna Rodriguez (Area 1 Representative) reported on the problems of the compromised hillside near Positano in the Castellammare area, which continues to erode. 8.3.2. Sharon Kilbride (Area 7 Representative) mentioned that mudflow breached Area 7 and flooded homes and streets for five days, making a huge clean up mess. 8.4. _From Organizational Representatives_ 8.4.1. Haldis Toppel (Theatre Palisades) asked everyone to please support Theatre Palisades Youth with a performance of the Gershwin musical “Crazy for You” at the Paul Revere Middle School theater. 8.4.2. Jessica Rogers (PPRA Alternate) mentioned that trees are being cut in the area. A tree was cut in half on her property by LADWP; there is a need to communicate better as this is changing the landscape of our neighborhoods. 8.5. _From Government Offices / Representatives_ (as available). Contact information for government representatives: <https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/government-contacts/>. 8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades. SLO Espin reported that a new drone pilot program as a mechanism for public safety is being started in the Palisades. However, there is a range issue in that it is limited in being viewed miles away from the LAPD’s station if the drone is too far away for the data to be viewed. 8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD11 (Councilwoman Traci Park) reported on local water quality, public works at Rustic Canyon, and underground power lines at Temescal Canyon. 8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Field Deputy, Mayor Karen Bass — Not present. 8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, West-Coastal Deputy, Sup. Lindsey Horvath, reported on Phase 1 clearance in the Palisades and stated that they are making good time in that process. 8.5.5. Samantha Gallegos, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) – Not present. 8.5.6. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) – Not present. 8.6. _From PPCC Advisors_ _and Liaisons_ — None. 9.**Reports from PPCC Committee.** 9.1. _Land Use Committee (LUC)_. The President read a report from LUC Chair Chris Spitz, who was unable to attend: “I’m pleased to report that the LUC has been holding regular working meetings to discuss and address land use issues related to the recovery. We are working in collaboration with the important Rebuild Committee, as will be explained following this Committee report. “The three motions on the agenda tonight are initial recommendations by the LUC to the PPCC board related to recovery and/or rebuilding. More recommended actions should be expected in the coming weeks. “We hope that the board will agree on the importance of these motions, in particular the first motion involving CC&Rs and retaining walls. We trust that you have all read the proposed statement and request of LADBS that is set forth in the agenda. ‘In brief, the request is an effort to help preserve community character by asking that LADBS notify homeowners who are seeking to rebuild, prior to issuance of permits, of the fact that CC&Rs apply to many properties In the Palisades, and encouraging them to ascertain whether their parcel is subject to CC&Rs. The motion also makes requests related to homes in Tract 9300 that are within the Civic League purview, as well as notices pertaining to applications for permits to build retaining walls, again intended as an attempt to preserve community character. ‘Please note that i personally reached out to HOAs and residents in various areas of the Palisades, including residents in Tract 9300. I received several responses indicating strong support for the motion; no one has told me so far that they oppose the statement and request.” 9.2. Rebuild Committee (RC): Committee Chair David Schwarz reported that the RC is trying to get a survey underway and financed by donations for legitimate community needs to help with the Palisades rebuild. 10\. **Old Business** – None. 11.**New Business.** 11.1. _Presentation & Q&A – The Path to Reconstruction_. Marmol-Radziner: Leo Marmol, FAIA, Managing Partner, and Jonathan Schnure, Studio Director. Additional presentation by Steven Somers of Crest Realty. _[Note: this item was called earlier in the meeting, following the Treasurer’s Report.]_ The presenters gave an extensive and informative presentation on “The Path to Reconstruction” and answered numerous questions. The President thanked them for speaking with PPCC. _[Note: see the written version of the presentation at the following link:_ [_https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25-0227_Marmol-Radziner-Path-to-Reconstruction-Presentation-Pacific.pdf_](https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25-0227_Marmol-Radziner-Path-to-Reconstruction-Presentation-Pacific.pdf) _]_ 11.2. _Proposed Motions sponsored by the PPCC LUC_. 11.2(a): Motion for Board approval of a statement and request regarding **CC &Rs and retaining walls.** The motion was made by the LUC (no second necessary because more than one voting member made the motion). Maryam Zar presented information about the motion and background. During discussion, questions were raised from meeting attendees about the section involving retaining walls. The board passed a motion (by Maryam Zar, second by Quentin Fleming) to desegregate (remove) the section involving retaining walls. A vote on the main motion (support for the Statement re CC&Rs with the retaining walls section removed) was then taken. _Result_ : unanimous vote in support of the Statement (without the retaining walls section). See approved Statement and request in Attachments below. 11.2(b): Motion to support a CW Park motion for a report back on creation of a **Climate Resiliency District**(originally recommended by the WRAC board). The motion was made by the LUC (no second necessary because more than one voting member made the motion). Maryam Zar presented information about the motion and background. After discussion, a vote was taken. _Result_ : the motion passed unanimously. See approved motion in Attachments below. 11.2(c): Motion to support a CW Park motion for a report back on inspection and repair of **fire hydrants**(originally recommended by the WRAC board). Maryam Zar presented information about the motion and background. After discussion, a vote was taken. _Result_ : the motion passed unanimously. See approved motion in Attachments below. 11.3. Proposed Motion sponsored by Maryam Zar and Chris Spitz. Motion to support a CW Park motion for a report back on **soils testing and remediation** by the City/BOE on parks, parkways and medians in the burn zone in Pacific Palisades. Maryam Zar announced that the motion was being made by herself and Chris Spitz. CD 11 Planning Deputy Sarah Flaherty provided background and information about the motion. After discussion, a vote was taken. _Result_ : the motion passed unanimously. See approved motion in Attachments below. 12.**Adjournment.** The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. _____________ **ATTACHMENTS: Item 11.2(a) –** Approved Statement and Request: **“PPCC Statement and Request to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety re CC &Rs - ****Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions”** “Many homes in Pacific Palisades are subject to recorded Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (“CC&Rs”), which are private agreements tied to the property’s title. These agreements regulate development standards, including structure size and height, setbacks, fence and wall heights, number and types of structures, landscaping, and aesthetic elements to create and preserve the neighborhood’s character. CC&Rs often impose stricter requirements than local building codes and may include additional aesthetic guidelines. Since CC&Rs are private agreements, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) has historically not reviewed them during the planning and permitting process to ensure compliance. However, in light of the Mayor’s and Governor’s executive orders expediting the “like-for-like’ rebuilding process—and the strong support from property owners and elected officials to maintain neighborhood character—Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) requests that LADBS inform all building permit, demolition permit and grading permit applicants in a single-family zone within the 90272 zip code area, as follows: **“Your parcel may be subject to recorded Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC &Rs), which are private agreements that may impose additional restrictions beyond LADBS approvals. LADBS is not responsible for ensuring compliance with CC&Rs. Applicants are advised to obtain a current title report to determine if CC&Rs apply and to review them with their consultants before commencing construction.” ** Moreover, with respect to parcels located in Tract 9300 in Pacific Palisades, we request that LADBS further inform all building permit, demolition permit and grading permit applicants in a single-family zone within Tract 9300 in Pacific Palisades, as follows: **“You are encouraged to contact the Pacific Palisades Civic League and to voluntarily comply with the Civic League Guidelines for development of single-family homes within Tract 9300 in Pacific Palisades. Contact office.ppcl@gmail.com.”** The method of providing such notifications to building permit, demolition permit and grading permit applicants could be to include the above notifications as part of the normal Plan Check Correction Comments issued to applicants, a new separate notification document provided to all building permit, demolition permit or grading permit applicants, or any other method of providing such notification, so long as such notifications are provided to applicants prior to the issuance of any building permit, demolition permit or grading permit.” **Item 11.2(b) – Approved motion:** “Pacific Palisades Community Council IPPCC) has been the voice of the Palisades community for 52 years. Although devastated by the catastrophic Palisades Fire, our beloved community is strong and is determined to rise again. PPCC accordingly supports Council File 25-0006-S38, which calls for a report back on creation of a Climate Resilience District for the directly impacted and adjacent areas of the Pacific Palisades Fire, as an important tool to assist in achieving our community’s goal of rebuilding the Palisades.” **Item 11.2(c) – Approved motion:** “Pacific Palisades Community Council, a member of the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC), supports Council File 25-0172, which calls for a report back on inspection and repair of the City's network of fire hydrants.” **Item 11.3 – Approved motion:** “Pacific Palisades Community Council supports Council File 25-0006-S67, which calls for a report back on a plan to test and remediate the soil at park property, parkways and medians in the burn zone in Pacific Palisades.” [Return to 2025 Minutes](https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/minutes-from-2025/)