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As we approach that day of the year that is dedicated to giving thanks, we should include among the list of things that deserve our thanks, the passion of Eagle Rockers. No one has ever accused Eagle Rock of being a complacent community. Eagle Rockers demonstrate their civic pride in many ways.
Council District 14 and especially Eagle Rock have a long, proud history of getting out to vote. Over and again Eagle Rock has the highest percentage of voters in the City of Los Angeles. I don't expect this presidential election will be any different. Living in a community where residents respond to their obligation to participate in the democratic process is a gift to all of us, deserving our thanks. We have also survived a way-too-long campaign process in which I have found those who disagree with my voting preferences to do so in a respectful way, in no way endangering our friendship, often using it as a springboard to humor. There is a gift in being able to have that conversation in a civil tone. Most of all, can we all just agree to give thanks that it's DONE?
It doesn't take an election to rile us up either. From time to time, when an especially contentious issue arises, Eagle Rockers know how to put together a petition for or against whatever it is. I may not always agree with the substance of the petition, but I am thankful that I live in a community where people take an interest, where people are willing to get up out of an easy chair in front of a TV, and go seek the support of others who share similar concerns or goals. Today, the Bekins Estate and a proposed small-lot subdivision on Highland View are the subject of active petitions that have come to my attention.
The proposal on the table for the Bekin's estate is that it will eventually be owned by the Catholic Archdiocese and function as a retreat center for clergy. Many who live in the Hill Drive area have concerns and passionately oppose the project. They recently submitted a petition of opposition (several hundred names) to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC). Expressing an opposite view, support for the proposed retreat center was strongly voiced by the majority of attendees at the last ERNC meeting.
The Highland View petition is based on concern regarding a proposed development that will replace a single-family home property with a multi-family structure. This development would add to the existing presence of multi-family structures on the street, further compromising the small-town feeling of the collection of attractive 1930 - 1940 built bungalows populating much of the street. The passion demonstrated by the leaders of this campaign is commendable and "so Eagle Rock." More about this issue in the Land Use Section below.
Let us give thanks for those who rolled up their sleeves and are helping to clean up our streets as part of the Neighborhood Clean Up project. The willingness of so many to join others in cleaning up areas of the community that have been neglected is not found in every community. The beautiful art on power boxes throughout the city can be credited to artists who gave beautiful gifts to the community. Members of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, most of whom have full time jobs, dedicate precious personal time to making Eagle Rock a better place. We don't say "thank you" to them often enough.
And last, but certainly not least, we are so fortunate to have a Council Office that works for us. Most readers will not remember the days when local council staff was deaf to the community, when there was no warm welcome when one visited Eagle Rock City Hall, and even less of an inclination to listen. TERA is extremely grateful for the support our community and TERA have enjoyed since Jose Huizar became our Councilmember. Thank you to Jose and his team!
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to those below who, recently, or in the past, have generously given TERA a Lifetime Membership ($500). While new and renewing members are acknowledged routinely in this newsletter, it seems appropriate to annually express our thanks to our lifetime members, whose membership automatically renews every year.
Dean & Kathleen Aberman
Kurken Alyanakian
Barbara Aran
Coalition for Better Living
Colorado Terrace
DDCM Incorporated
Robert DeBlasis
Damon Dennis & Michael Schlueter
Bob Gotham & Michael Manuel
Kevin Grace & Marina Thompson
David Hanpeter & Rosalie Maxwell
MeHee Hyun & David Darling
David & Heather Klinger
John LeBlanc & Kathleen Long
Keith & Agnes Louie
Maria Nazario
Rebecca Niederlander & Michael Turmon
Allen & Marsha Nikora
Hilary Norton
Nilza Serrano
Paul Sislin
Christine & Jeff Stewart
Michael Tharp
Eric & Karen Warren
Thanksgiving Divorce
Eddie in Dallas calls his son in New York just before Thanksgiving and tells him, "I am sorry to tell you but your mother and I are going to get a divorce. I just cannot take any more of her moaning. We can't stand the sight of each other anymore. I am telling you first, Eddie, because you are the eldest, please tell your sister."
When Eddie calls his sister Julie, she says: "No way are they getting divorced, I will go over and see them for Thanksgiving."
Julie phones her parents and tells them both "You must NOT get divorced. Promise you won't do anything until I get over there. I'm calling Eddie, and we'll both be there with you tomorrow. Until then, don't take any action, please listen to me," and hangs up.
The father puts down the phone and turns to his wife and says. "Good news Eddie and Julie are coming for Thanksgiving and they are both paying their own way."
On behalf of the TERA Board, we wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings
______________________________________
Bob Gotham, President
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Your support as a member is essential to sustain our efforts to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. We can't do it without you! To join or renew your membership online via PayPal or credit card, visit our website at
www.tera90041.org
. If you would like a membership packet mailed to you, or to get more personally involved in TERA please send me a note indicating your interest (
president@TERA90041.org
). Thank you for your support.
Membership Has Benefits!
Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list below.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on
http://www.tera90041.org to see the member benefits offered by each merchant. If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the
e.letter, please email us at
president@tera90041.org
.
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We can expect to continue to see this type of project (small-lot sub division) repeated across our community for the foreseeable future. This type of development is based on building multiple individual residences in close proximity to each other with a minimum of open space. They are considered "individual" because residences never share a common wall. There will always be an inch or two of free space between walls that are close to each other. Initially the assumption was that this type of house would sell for a price-point that might be an entry home for new home buyers (low $4K's). However, as housing prices have escalated in Eagle Rock, so have the prices for these modest homes, now often selling for $500K and more.
TERA took the same position as the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. We asked for the sidewalk to be replaced and tree(s) planted in the sidewalk. Our rationale for supporting this development was based on the following.
- This is essentially a "by-right" project. Current zoning does not prohibit a small-lot subdivision; no zoning exceptions or waivers are necessary.
- The location of the house that will be demolished is in close proximity to existing multi-family structures, both across the street and to the north between the property and the 7 -11.
- The development company (Hey Day) has a track record of building quality projects in Eagle Rock.
Petitions have been circulated to try and oppose the project and preserve what remains of the small town charm found on this street. Ultimately the petitions should have been sent to the Department of City Planning. I would be surprised to see the City not approve a project that is essentially a by-right project.
Since the new residences would individually cost less to purchase than the single family home on the same property, whether this property development strategy qualifies as a step forward with gentrification would be an interesting discussion. More about this project in the land use section.
The good news is that new guidelines will be adopted in the future that will mandate overall more open space, including greater space between new structures and pre-existing adjacent properties.
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Recently Jim Tranquada, Director of Communications for Occidental College, came to the TERA Board to discuss several changes to the campus. Before exploring the changes, a few words about Oxy's connection to Eagle Rock are in order.
Communicating with the community is one of the ways that the College endeavors to be a good neighbor. Over the years, whenever TERA approached the college asking for a community meeting space, the college has responded with extreme generosity. Not only have they allowed us to use first class meeting areas with no charge, but made it a little sweeter by their tendency to surprise us with beverages and cookies.
The Athletics Pass, available to community members, is more evidence of their connection to the community. The Athletics Pass allows use of the Alumni Gymnasium Fitness Center, Patterson Field, Henry Track, McKinnon Tennis Center, Taylor Pool, and Rush Gymnasium on an as-available basis via the Oxy Access Card. To sign up for Community Access to the Athletic Facilities, visit the Card Office during office hours. More information is available at the college website.
Now, about the campus changes: Occidental College Is making several changes to the athletic venues on the campus. James Tranquada, Director of Communications for the College, recently met with the TERA Board to share with us what is proposed. Jim's overview to the presentation was as follows:
"Occidental is proposing long-anticipated improvements to its existing tennis, swimming and diving facilities to comply with NCAA and Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standards for intercollegiate competition. Its 86-year-old pool and four tennis courts built in 1977are inadequate for current needs. The college wants to upgrade these facilities in a way that is sensitive to the surrounding community. The new pool and tennis courts, designed by Moule & Polyzoides of Pasadena, will serve existing student-athletes and teams. We do not plan to add athletic programs or to increase the size of the student body."
Certain conditional use permits and zoning variances will be necessary for this project. Baseline concerns for any changes to the campus are the potential intrusion of athletic field lighting and/or noise to the surrounding residents. Parking is also another concern. We were assured that latest technology lighting will limit the "bleed" into the surrounding area. The amplification system will also be designed so as to minimize the sound beyond the campus. Way-finding signs will be present to direct students and guests to the areas of available on-campus parking.
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Eagle Rock Park - Recreation Center
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Did you know that the Eagle Rock Recreation Center features an architectural gem, albeit worse for the wear or the years? I did not until Jeremy Levine and Charlie Clark made a presentation to the TERA Board a few weeks ago. They informed us that the building which opened in 1949, and now functions as an athletic center as well as the center-piece of Concerts in the Park, was designed by Richard Neutra, a famous Austrian-American architect. Unfortunately, over the years neglect and architecturally insensitive changes have been made to the building, dimming much of its former appeal as an outstanding "modern" structure of the era.
Jeremy and Charlie are very early in the exploratory process filled with energy and enthusiasm for bringing back this iconic structure. TERA wishes them the best and looks forward to the opportunity to help them move forward.
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This Sunday morning, November 13th at 9am let's meet at the corner of Yosemite and Floristan for a Neighborhood Clean-Up and to plant drought tolerant succulents. Meet your friends and neighbors as we all work for a cleaner and more beautiful Eagle Rock.
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Take Back the Boulevard - Phase II
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Based on the success of acquiring the Grants, at a high level, the following changes may be anticipated. Many, but not all of the enhancements, will be located on the stretch of Colorado between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Eagle Rock Plaza.
* Reduce pedestrian crossing distances at key intersections.
* New mid-block crossing(s).
* Improved pedestrian lighting.
* New median safety islands.
* New / improved landscaping
* New medians
* Special emphasis on routes to school.
* Existing traffic signals - improve synchronization
* New traffic signals
* New left turn pockets
Community meetings will be held and more information will be provided as the detailed planning progresses.
Based on the grants won by TBTB some time ago, city engineers are now working on preliminary designs of future changes to Colorado Boulevard. The most visible changes will be in the area of Colorado between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Sierra Villa. The entire Colorado Boulevard Vision Plan, can be viewed at
http://www.tera90041.org/colorado_blvd_vision_plan.aspx
, will provide the high level guidance to the engineers. Current expectations are that changes to the boulevard won't be seen until late 2017. There will be community meetings before the plans are finalized. But the most extensive community outreach was done when the Vision Plan was developed.
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Love for Eagle Rock Boulevard
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 The Steering Committee for this initiative is composed of Allen Compton, Jane Demian, Kathleen Dunleavy, Bob Gotham, Severin Martinez, Sean Starkey and Mark
Vallianotos. The initial focus of the Steering Committee is to secure funding that will support the first phase, which is heavily oriented to community outreach. Many thanks to Jose Huizar for CD14's generous contribution to the effort. The financial support from the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is also greatly appreciated. This is a great start. However, we need to continue to search for additional funding due to the extraordinary start-up expenses that cannot be avoided. We are in the final phases of completing a grant application, hoping that we will win a grant from the City's Great Streets LA program. More to come in the first quarter of 2017.
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