Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

GWNC Acts on Land Use Applications and Forms Committee for Neighborhood Purpose Grants

gwncoctober2016meeting

At its December meeting, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC) voted overwhelmingly to support the recommendations of its Land Use Committee in opposing one project but supporting several others.

GWNC board members voted to oppose an application to demolish a duplex on one lot, divide it into four small lots and construct four new single-family dwellings, with a height adjustment to 34-feet instead of the standard 30-feet at 813 N. McCadden Place.  Land Use Committee members felt the project, as currently presented, doesn’t fit the architectural character of the neighborhood and that it would be too high in relation to other buildings on the street.  The Board voted 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstention to support the LUC’s recommendation.

Project Proposed at 813 N. McCadden
Project Proposed at 813 N. McCadden

The GWNC board also voted to support a Hardship Exemption for a remodeling project at 551 N. Bronson Ave (City Council File Number 14-0656-S26). In this situation, the homeowner applicant was seeking approval for an exception to the Larchmont Heights neighborhood’s current Interim Control Ordinance, which prohibits expansions of residential floor area that are greater than 20% of a home’s existing floor area. The existing residence is 1,195 square feet and the proposed addition is 586 square feet, which would bring the total to 1781. The Board voted 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstention to support the project.

The board also supported an application for a two-unit parcel map at 417-419 N. Norton Ave, where the applicant proposes to subdivide a duplex under construction on a single lot into two residential condominium units, each having two covered parking spaces, along with an attached garage and private driveway. (Planning department case numbers AA2016-3790-PMLA and ENV-2016-3789-CE.) The Board voted 14 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstention to support the application.

In addition, a four-unit apartment conversion to a 4-unit condominium at 121 N. Sycamore Ave. (case numbers AA-2016-3648-PMLA-CC and ENV-2016- 3649-EAF) won the GWNC’s support, by a vote of 14 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstention.

Lastly among land use and zoning issues, the board narrowly approved a Land Use Committee recommendation to support the City’s proposed ordinance amending Sections 12.03, 12.22, and 12.24 of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units and complying with State law. (The City Planning Commission will hold a hearing today – December 15 – to act on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) . The revised ordinance would regulate the construction of ADUs, aka Second Dwelling Units, within the City of Los Angeles, in compliance with state law. Case number CPC-2016-4345-CA.) The GWNC Board voted by a margin o f 9 yes, 0 no, and 5 abstentions to support the proposed code amendments.

In other non-land use business, the board accepted volunteers to serve on a new ad hoc committee to review applications for Neighborhood Purpose Grants, to be awarded to local non-profits and public schools. Board members Patricia Carroll, Colette Amin, Francis McFall and Nancy Kim volunteered to serve on the committee. More information in the application process will be made available after the committee meets.

The board also took action supporting motions presented by Windsor Square resident Jack Humphreville on behalf of the LA Neighborhood Council Coalition. The board voted unanimously to support the following efforts:

  • Creation of a Citizens Oversight Committee for Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing and Facilities solution (CF 16-1060)
  • Encouraging Neighborhood Councils to establish a Homeless Advocate Program during this crisis (CF 15-1138-S11)
  • Supporting CF 14-1499-S4 regarding Illegal Dumping, which addresses fine levels and enforcement practices

The  board did not take action on another motion proposed by Mr. Humphreville, calling for a station planning grant for high speed rail in Los Angeles. The motion was regarding CF 16-1068, which opposes the above-ground, high speed train route known as E2, as proposed by the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), and calls for a station planning grant to be allocated to the City of Los Angeles.

The next meeting of the GWNC will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Ebell of Los Angeles. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.

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