Land Use Meeting - Approved
November 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM

Linda called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm

Present:  Linda van der Valk, Jelena Csanyi, Andre van der Valk, Teena Takata, Judi Daniels, Saul Daniels, Larry Heller, Jeff Hammond, Chuck Knolls, Mary Kaufman, Mark Levinson

Not here: Steve Columbus (excused), Vicki Briskman (excused), Dan Huffman (excused).

Stakeholder and Public Comments

9824 Baden Avenue - Teena commented she received an approval on 9824 Baden.  Judi noted she thought an approval on the adjacent parcel at 9814 Baden was also part of the approval.  We will double check what was received, and/or approved and likely will agendize this project on next month's LU meeting, since approval of the project was not consistent with our recommendations.

State Park - we are done with training right now but may do more later; we will continue to gather a volunteer list (please tell Teena Takata if you want to be on our contact list) and we will then notice you on State Park hikes and any future volunteer training.  We have about 50 trained volunteers and they presently are very active which is important with the State Park personnel to show the continued viability of our park.

Judi noted that Enhancements Committee is going to ask Metro about the status of the promised improvements on Devonshire.  They promised an attractive - split rail (faux wood) fence near to, and along Devonshire (and removal of chain link fence); Andre will confirm what was promised with DRB notes.

Charles Smith came and brought to our attention, the recent floods in the La Canada area that filled a water debris basin and caused mud flows in the area.  He has an 1888 debris dam, that used to have about a 19 acre area where the water could gather.  There is a spring up Mormon Creek that is one of the headwaters for the Los Angeles river.  In 1938 a series of dams or debris basins were constructed, but starting in East Valley, and they never got to West Valley.  At one time the County was to rebuild and raise the height by 19 feet, but that has not been done.  His property has not had the debris basin cleaned.  Committee members indicated it was their understanding various debris basins had been cleaned.  Linda will check with Millie Jones of County Supervisor's office

We need another stakeholder member for the committee.  We will have this on the next agenda.

The minutes for October were reviewed, with minor corrections.

11056 De Soto Avenue - Ramon Salazar, Verizon Wireless.  They were hoping to collocate on the existing pine pole, but it is at capacity presently.  They are trying to design a project that may be more in keeping with community wishes for that area.  There is high traffic near this area and more coverage is needed.  Little Rock - a rural-styled water tank was shown.  This would be in addition to the existing site.  There are issues with separation requirements - 12 feet normally with Sprint.  Why right next to existing installation?  Hoping to create a single impacted area.   Often they set a 25 year lease as they set up a lease for a tower.  A design that was presented for a 50 foot water tank is not expected to interfere with the existing 45 foot pole; the leasing companies generally run some internal studies to ensure the proposed exact placements will not interfere and they resolve any issues prior to construction.  Metro/PCS, Tmobile, Sprint, Verizon, Clear Wire, ATT - maybe six local carriers are all working to set up local installations to carry their traffic. 

20426 Corisco St.  Manufacturing Zone, there is an existing steel monopole in this area.  TMobile previously was approved at NW corner, with a 70 foot pole.  The goal now is to collocate on existing tower which brings it to 61 feet (now 51 feet) - intermod studies have been done to try to find the least amount of distance for separation that was needed between the two carriers (the existing carrier and the proposed new TMobile use) - generally 15 or 12 feet is needed but their studies show the 10 feet should be sufficient.  They feel the best visual mitigation would be achieved by using the proposed pine tree.  They are trying to fill a coverage gap along Nordhoff Street in that area.  The committee moved to approve the project as submitted; including approval of the extended height of the tower at 61 feet 1 inch.  Due to the industrial character of the area and tower location, we recommend that the tower be approved in the present configuration as a steel monopole.  Larry made the motion, Chuck seconded; the committee approved unanimously.

We discussed concepts from the ADU (accessory dwelling unit) hearing that Jelena and Linda recently attended.  Perhaps a guideline should be established that a horsekeeping eligible lot (that is over 17,500 square feet) should have separate guidelines to prevent negative impairment on horsekeeping.  We are also concerned with enforcement and ongoing issues with units being finished with ADU's with kitchens and other items that are not allowed as part of the rules, that people that are unrelated live in them but there is no enforcement.

Gruel hearing on Controller audit on Land Use issues.  Building and Safety doesn't follow through and has no system to check on a project as it nears completion.  Followup is not done; enforcement is poor.  They reportedly encourage community calls since they do not follow projects through to completion.  Building and Safety representative was reportedly surprised to hear about their deficiencies.   Building and Safety needs to work with licensing agencies to enforce.

Board member comments etc. - City rules may be changed, so that homeowners may become responsible for sidewalks - at least before a sale of the home occurs. 

Toy train on Sunday.  We may not meet in December. 

The meeting adjourned 8:46 pm