NEWS
Beautifying and Keeping our Neighborhoods Clean
The LA-32 Neighborhood Council Beautification Committee is taking active measures to keep our streets clean. Thanks to the Office of Community Beautification, who provided some free graffiti removal supplies, along with the purchase of additional supplies purchased by the LA-32 NC, our committed volunteers continue to hit the streets to keep them graffiti free.
Mounted Platoon at Debs Park
Look for the City of Los Angeles Police Department at your local park. The Mounted Platoon Division of the LAPD is being deployed to Ernest Debs Regional Park, to curb the unwanted criminal activity and undesirable elements, and to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience at the park.
LAFD Weekly Radio Drill
Every Monday night at 7:00pm, the Los Angeles Fire Department has a radio call in. Those neighbors who are C.E.R.T. trained can improve their communication skills with this weekly practice drill. All you need is a working ‘Walkie Talkie’ and the LAFD Frequency (contact LAFD) if you wish to call in and participate. Thanks to all our community C.E.R.T. members for your dedication and leadership in taking the training and becoming a first responder.
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
El Sereno “Super” Market Enhancements
Look for BIG improvements at your local markets...as in Big Saver Foods on Huntington Drive, who plan to double the size of the store with a multi-million dollar renovation, so it can better serve the needs of our community
The Kroger Company, owner of Food 4 Less is planning a major $6 million enhancement to their El Sereno store. The entire building is scheduled to undergo a major modernization with several new features being added, including an enhanced produce section and food service deli.
PERMIT REQUESTS
Puerto Escondido Restaurant, located at 3345 Eastern Avenue; received a recommendation from the LA-32 NC Land Use & Development Committee (LUDC) to renew their Beer and Wine License. To ensure that the license does not impose a safety hazard in the community, LUDC attached a list of strict conditions of approval. Puerto Escondido had also requested to deviate from the Los Angeles Municipal Code by requesting in increase in seating "Load Capacity". This request was denied by LA-32 NC because of the lack of onsite parking.
7-Eleven Convenience Store proposed at the corner of Valley Blvd & Highbury Avenue are requesting a Conditional Use permit (CUB) for the sale of Beer & Wine for off-site consumption. In addition, they are also requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUZ) to operate the store 24 hours. Approximately forty concerned stakeholders attended the LUDC meeting and spoke mainly against the request. Due to this response, the 7-Eleven representative has recently decided to put his proposal on hold.
Shell Gas Station at 4590 Huntington Drive came to LA-32 NC for a Conditional Use Permit (CUB) for the Sale of Beer & Wine for off-site consumption. Prior to the LUDC meeting, the committee received a few letters of opposition from members of the local business community, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Huntington Drive Elementary School. In addition, a local stakeholder submitted a petition of opposition with many signatures from homeowners who live within a 500 foot radius. Due to the strong community response and the existing sensitive land uses within the 500 foot radius, the LUDC decided to recommend denial of this request. The LA-32 General Board agreed and voted to deny recommending the permit as well.
A Mini Market proposed at 5111 E. Alhambra Ave came to LA-32 NC for a Conditional Use Permit (CUB) for The Sale of Beer & Wine for off-site consumption. The meeting brought out many concerned stakeholders who spoke about a recent spike in crime activity and the saturation of beer and wine licenses within the community. "Alhambra Ave currently has three licenses within a half-mile; we don't need another license", said a local stakeholder. LA-32 voted to deny the permit.
OTHER LAND USE PROJECTS
The LA-32 NC recently voted to deny any form of the SR710 Freeway expansion, either land or tunnel. The board felt that the freeway scoping meetings being held by Caltrans and MTA were unclear and misguiding to the community. "We just can't trust MTA or Caltrans", said one stakeholder.
Soto Street Widening & Mission Bridge, Multnomah Street to N. Mission Road (COMING SOON!!)
