Councilmember: No More McMansions on Our Hillsides
Over-sized construction in residential areas is on its way out thanks to the Los Angeles City Council. Councilmember LaBonge and his colleagues voted unanimously on Wednesday to ask the City Attorney to draft the language for the Baseline Hillside Ordinance (BHO). Much like the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance (BMO) in effect since 2008 for non-hillside areas of Los Angeles, the BHO will require all future single-family homes to be built in accordance with the scale and character of the neighborhood.
The vote comes after a staff report from the Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved the amendments to existing building codes. Hillside communities have complained for several years about out-of-scale developments. Oversized developments have been on the Councilmember’s radar since May of 2006.
“Long overdue, this ordinance will assure architecture and scale of new developments will fit the contours of the hills,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “When it passes, we won’t see McMansions all over our hillsides. I thank the neighborhood Hillside Federation, the neighborhood councils and neighborhood associations who have been waiting for over a century to see this pass. I’d also like to thank Councilmember Ed Reyes for his leadership.”
Previous planning laws did not place restrictions on single-family units, encouraging those who sought to maximize space to build out-of-scale, box-like mansions—building actual living area to the maximum allowed height and width. The City Attorney will draft the ordinance to consider various aspects of new housing proposal including slope of the lot and height of the proposed structure. The ordinance will also require developments in special use areas, such as equestrian neighborhoods or lake districts, to maintain distinguishing characteristics of that neighborhood.
For more information or to track the motion, click here.
Councilmember, Principal and Community Thank Disney
John Burroughs Middle School Principal Steve Martinez and members from Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s staff unveiled the final product of collaboration between Disney and the school’s neighbors. A brand new brick façade of the auditorium steps, matching the original brickwork of the building, has been installed.
The Councilmember, who could not attend due to pressing issues at City Hall, applauded Disney for their efforts. “There was a need expressed by the community and Disney worked with the people to address it,” LaBonge said. “Disney has brought magic to John Burroughs Middle School.”
“What’s most impressive is Disney’s appreciation for the historical structure of the building and their willingness to work in collaboration with the community,” Martinez said. “The people at Disney demonstrated to us all how working together can make great things happen.”
Since its opening in 1922, the brick façade has been a key feature of the building’s remarkable Northern Italian Renaissance Revival styling. The frontage of the steps leading to the auditorium, however, was made of concrete which was out of character for the historic building. Prior to kicking off production of new film ‘Prom’ at the site, Walt Disney Studios offered their assistance to rejuvenate the building’s aesthetics.
“John Burroughs Middle School was the first location that we locked in for the movie due to its unique beauty both inside and out,” says ‘Prom’ director Joe Nussbaum. “The brick exterior will be a memorable look for the front of our high school.”
Adds producer Justin Springer, "We were more than happy to use our resources to restore the brick in front of the auditorium. It resulted in a beautiful look for our film and it was really nice to help out the community while we were at it.”
Disney proposed to build a veneer for the steps, matching each brick to the unique façade. Neighbors rallied around the idea and provided guiding designs. The resulting veneer was installed by a masonry expert hired by Disney.
John Burroughs Middle School serves the Hancock Park area. Though not officially named an historic landmark, the building is one of the few campuses built in the 1920s that remains in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Calling All Volunteers: Councilmember Moves to Utilize Federal Volunteer Funds
Councilmember Tom LaBonge moved to investigate the implementation of a Volunteer Division within the City of Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (Act) is the guiding force behind Councilmember LaBonge’s motion to grow volunteer staffs for city services whose staffs have been cut such as libraries, parks and animal shelters. The federal law increased funding for AmeriCorps and other non-profit volunteer agencies, so that qualified volunteers can earn a wage while serving.
“Because of the worldwide economic downturn, the City has unfortunately had to cut budgets and services,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “Opening our doors to volunteers by using incentives will attract the kind of peoplepower the City needs right now. It will also give people who are out of work a sense of pride and purpose until they get a new job.”
The Act (H.R. 1388), signed by President Obama in April 2009, is a tool to grow community volunteerism with a myriad of bonuses for applicants. Among its most notable incentives is its Summer of Service program for college-bound high school and middle school students who can earn up to $1,000 towards university costs. Additionally, it allows senior citizens under the Silver Scholarships to donate their salaries to the college tuition of a child, foster child or grandchild.
Councilmember LaBonge’s motion instructed the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to report to the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee (APHA), which the Councilmember chairs, in order to assess the feasibility of establishing a volunteer staff for the City utilizing the funds created by the Act. The CAO’s report to APHA will be heard on a date yet to be determined.
For more information or to track the motion, click here.
Councilmember Moves to Quiet Tour Bus PA Systems
Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced a motion on Tuesday to launch an investigation into the City's ability to restrict tour buses use of open-air public address systems in residential areas. The alternative, according to the Councilmember, could be to direct tour buses to use a headset system much like those being mandated in other tour-heavy cities, such as New York.
“I’m a supporter of the tourism industry of Los Angeles,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “I want to do everything possible to make sure a Los Angeles tour is a great experience for all who visit our city. I also want to lessen the impact of those tours on the neighborhoods. This modest change will address the issues brought to me by residents in high-tour areas.”
City offices have received numerous complaints about the sometimes blaring noise from tour bus megaphones and PA systems. Tour buses roaming through Hollywood neighborhoods often stop for photographs and commentary in front of noteworthy homes. A Hollywood resident whose house was the filming location for a popular 1970s horror film charges the chatter she hears from tour buses are usually accompanied by the movie's theme music. Some residents have counted as many as 100 stops per day in front of their homes.
New York City Mayor Bloomberg signed a tour bus ordinance in May to address similar challenges to the residents of New York—some of whom reportedly wear ear plugs. Tour buses will phase in headphones in July 2011 and all tour buses must be in compliance by July 2015.
For more information on this motion or to track its progress, click here.
ADA's 20th Anniversary: Councilmember Emcees Ceremony
Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. At City Hall, Councilmember LaBonge and other officials marked the occasion with performances and a film screening. The City of Los Angeles Department on Disability and the Los Angeles World Airports hosted the event.
"We are here to celebrate 20 years of civil rights protections for disabled people," Councilmember LaBonge said. "We need to push ahead and make certain the American Disabilities Act continues to even out the playing field for all Americans."
The act was the catalyst for major improvements in accessibility for disabled people. It also continues to be a guiding force for addressing civil rights issues.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmembers Tony Cardenas, Jan Perry and Bill Rosendahl joined other officials and community members in the City Hall celebration. Special guests included Olympic Gold Medalist and Founder of the Special Olympics of Southern California, Rafer Johnson, actress and comedian best known for her role on 1980s hit television series "Facts of Life," Geri Jewel, and from AMC's "Breaking Bad," R.J. Mitte. The Academy of Music for the Blind launched the celebration with a stunning performance. The Screen Actors Guild hosted a screening of the film “Sympathy for Delicious.” Director/actor Mark Ruffalo was among those on hand for a panel discussion about the film.
Bicycling Coalition: Look Forward to Working with Councilmember
Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltion (LACBC) joined nearly 60 cyclists at a walking and bicycling event at Shatto Park on Saturday. The LACBC hosted the event to champion Los Angeles' efforts to create friendlier roads for cyclists.
"It's a privilege to work with cycling advocates like the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltion," Councilmember LaBonge said. "I look forward to working with the cycling community to develop a network of bike-friendly streets."
You can view the Los Angeles Bicycle Plan Update, the city's long-term plan for improving bike transportation, by clicking here.
It identifies streets that are targeted for easier bike access with designated bike lanes or sharrows, which are shared lane markings.
Other speakers at the LACBC event addressed safety and other issues that face cyclists. Speakers included Jeff Jacoberger of the Mid-City West Neighborhood Council; Mike Russell of the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District; Megan Hirsch mother and author; Jackie Ruby a resident and recent 4th Street volunteer and Howard Krepak a lawyer who specializes in representing bicyclists. Residents and cycling enthusiasts began the day by taking a ride down Fourth Street to show support for Los Angeles to become a bicycling-friendly city.
Councilmember Cheers Increase in Local Film Production
Councilmember LaBonge applauded the recent increase in on-location filming, saying it shows that new incentives are helping to keep Hollywood in Los Angeles where it belongs. A quarterly report shows a 16 percent increase in area on-location filming.
"Los Angeles and the State of California are working to keep filming in Los Angeles," Councilmember LaBonge said. "This is the film capital of the world and we want to keep it that way."
Many of the nearly 16,000 entertainment industry professionals living in Councilmember LaBonge's district have been heavily impacted by the surge of "runaway filming" when production companies began to be lured to film in other cities by tax incentives and other benefits. Los Angeles City Council has passed a number of motions to combat runaway filming, including mandates to government agencies to improve relations to the film industry and increase accessibility to public spaces for filming. In 2009, the City Council voted unanimously to extend The Entertainment and Multimedia Tax Incentive to Downtown Los Angeles. The tax incentive was first issued to entertainment and multimedia businesses in the Hollywood and North Hollywood redevelopment areas in 1996 in order to stimulate economic growth in the areas.
Similar measures were enacted statewide. The California Film and Television Tax Credit introduced in July of 2009 was also implemented to encourage in-state filming.
It is advised for people in film-location areas to work with their Council offices in order to mitigate neighborhood issues.
A Taste of Hollywood for the Final Night of Tour LaBonge
Iconic Hollywood was the focal point of Wednesday’s Tour LaBonge, the sixth and final night of the Councilmember’s annual biking series. Nearly 100 cyclists and community members rolled through tinsel town to celebrate some of the cities highlights and to promote cycling in Los Angeles.
“I hope this annual tradition will inspire Angelenos to take a ride more often,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “It’s not only good for the environment; it’s good for the waistline.”
Paramount Studios was the first pit stop on the way to Pinks Hot Dogs, the famed Hollywood eatery in its 70th year on La Brea Avenue. Afterwards, Councilmember LaBonge led cyclists down Hollywood Boulevard, one part of the 18-block Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
The annual Tour LaBonge bike rides are fun events that promote cycling as an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and healthy form of transportation. Every ride includes a police escort that will lead, accompany and follow the biking group. The annual bike series will launch again in the summer of 2011.
Sections
Archives
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
