February 19, 2016
I t's Your Venice -- Get Involved!
Your VNC Board of Officers Takes Action
Metro Bus Depot
At Tuesday's Board meeting, your elected representatives took a number of actions to protect our community on issues of emergency preparedness, sidewalk repair and public art. The Board also heard Metro's initial presentation regarding affordable housing plans for the Main Street bus depot.  

In land use news, Board members narrowly recommended approval of a Land Use Plan amendment to amend the definition of "remodel,' while rejecting a proposal to revise Historical and Cultural Resource listings.  

The evening's marathon hearing concerned LUPC's motion regarding support for an application to change 417 Ocean Front Walk from apartment to hotel use.  With a record number of speaker cards submitted, your Board of Officers voted 10-6-1 to recommend denial of the change of use.

Also addressed was the notable issue regarding violations of Conditions of Approval by a Rose Avenue restaurant, with the Board voting to postpone the Planning Department's "Plan Approval" for one year, to enable the applicant to develop a record of compliance for official review.

Your Board of Officers is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, March 15, and is always ready to hear neighborhood concerns and solution suggestions.  We carry your voice to City Hall.  
Venice Neighborhood Council Election

5 June 2016 the entire Board of the Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) is up for election.  Between now and the election, each office will  be described here, along with other fascinating facts regarding VNC elections.   Consider running.  You would be terrific!   Candidate filing begins 21 Feb 2016.

There are 21 seats on the  Board - 7 named offices, each with its unique duties, and 14 Community Officer seats.  

There are two types of stakeholders: 

(1) Community Interest stakeholders do not live, work, or own property  within the VNC area, but they have substantial and ongoing participation within VNC's boundaries.  For example, they may  be in a community organization such as, but not limited to, educational, non-profit and/or religious  organizations. One of the 14 Community Officer seats is available for occupation by a Community Interest stakeholder.   This is the only VNC office Community Interest stakeholders can run for and/or vote for.  The candidate  with the most votes wins.

 (2)  Non-Community Interest stakeholders live, work, or own real property within the VNC boundaries.  These  stakeholders can run for and fill the other 13 at-large Community Officer seats.  These stakeholders can cast  one vote for each of the named offices and only one (1) vote for a Community Officer seat.  If they choose, that  vote can be cast for a Community Interest Community Officer candidate.  The 13 candidates with the most  votes win the 13 at-large Community Officer seats.

The reason voters can cast only one vote for any Community Officer seat is to minimize the possibility of  the Board being taken over by a slate.  It seems strange, but it works.  Since these election rules were adopted, the make-up of the Community Officers has consistently been of many different points of view, not just one. 

Election Timeline:

Sun., 21 Feb:  Candidate filing period begins
Thu., 25 Feb:  First Candidate mixer

Click here for times, places and more. . .
Sun., Feb 21:  Big Blue Bus Major Service Changes

In anticipation of the opening of the Expo Light Rail Line in Spring 2016, BBB's next Service Change is scheduled for Sunday, February 21, 2016 and is the second phase of a major redesign of Big Blue Bus routes. Our goal is to provide greater service, better connectivity and more convenient transportation options for customers throughout the region.
More. . .                          

In a move that could create much-needed affordable housing in Venice, Councilmember Mike Bonin recently proposed building housing on the site of a controversial Metro bus yard that closed last month. In his capacity as a member of the Board of Directors of LA County Metro, the region's transportation agency, 

CM Bonin succeeded in shutting the bus yard and making sure it would not to be sold to the highest bidder for use as office or commercial space.
More. . .                          
February:  Street Resurfacing/Striping - Rose Ave. Bike Lane
Jessie Holzer, CD11 Transportation Deputy, reported at the VNC's Neighborhood Committee Meeting that Rose Ave. will be resurfaced in February between Dimmick and Lincoln. Re-striping to provide for Bike Lanes on Rose has been proposed as part of this project. 

The re-striping would result in changes to the Left Turn lane pockets at 7th and Rose - two options are being explored:

1.  Elimination of both EastBound and WestBound left turn pockets on Rose Ave (in order to retain all parking at that intersection)

2. Elimination of the EB left turn pocket. Retaining the WB left turn pocket, but removal of 3 parking stalls on Rose at the intersection.

More. . .               
VNC working with NC Emergency Preparedness Alliance
Created in preparation for the upcoming El Nino season ahead, the Neighborhood Council Emergency Preparedness Alliance has provided the following valuable information for Venice stakeholders and promises increased communication across NCs for important public safety issues going forward.

Flooding is the most severe weather threat and the costliest nature disaster facing Venice and the nation.  Know your risk - there are a number of things you can do before, during and after a flood to reduce your risk.

More. . .               
El Nino is Here!  Are you Prepared?

Los Angeles Department of Sanitation has pre-filled sandbags at the following intersections:

Oakwood and Superba
Linden and Milwood
Sixth and Santa Clara
Fire Station 63 at 1930 Shell
Beaches and Harbor County Lot at Washington and Ocean Front Walk

In addition, sand and sandbags are available at the following locations:

Fire Station 5 - Westchester / Playa del Rey: Sandbags and sand
8900 S. Emerson Avenue
Fire Station 67 - Playa Vista / Playa del Rey: Sandbags only
5451 Playa Vista Drive
Fire Station 62 - Mar Vista: Sandbags only
11970 Venice Blvd.
More. . .                        
Heal Healthy at Home - Meals on Wheels West

More. . .                           
Receive Bi-Weekly City Planning Early Notification Reports
One way to avoid the surprise of sudden construction next door is to learn about it in advance.
You can make your voice known to the City and to building permit applicants before it's too late to appeal!

Sign up to receive the City Planning Department's bi-weekly email, which lists new applications filed for construction in Venice.  
More. . .                       

Your Venice Neighborhood Council Wants You!
The Neighborhood Council system is growing.  VNC is, too.  Learn more about us  here .

In addition to seeking new Board members and Committee Chairs, we are always looking for good people to serve on VNC committees.  

Now is the perfect time to get involved!  

For more information, contact  Mike Newhouse  or  Marc Saltzberg .              
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Venice Neighborhood Council
PO Box 550
Venice, CA 90294
310-421-8627