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

Council member David Ryu Addresses Windsor Square Association Annual Meeting

Council member David Ryu Addresses Annual meeting of the Windsor Square Association last Thursday at the Ebell of Los Angeles
Council member David Ryu addressed the annual meeting of the Windsor Square Association last Thursday at the Ebell of Los Angeles

Windsor Square Association President Larry Guzin welcomed Council member David Ryu to his first address to residents of Windsor Square, as they gathered at the Ebell of Los Angeles for their annual meeting on Thursday, November 12.   Ryu presented an update on his 100-Days “report card,” now some 130 days into his term in office.  Ryu said the highlights of his first several months in office included the launch of his new website, designed to make it easy for constituents to contact him,  the convening of the first meeting of his Discretionary Funds Task Force in October,  introduction of ethics reform at the city council, and his continuing commitment to transparency and refusal to take funds from developers (he also noted that the website will list any meetings he has with developers). He also introduced his chief of staff Sarah Dusseault…and Nikki Ezhari, his senior field deputy for the area.

Ryu repeated his announcement, made earlier in the evening at Metro’s Metro Purple Line Extension meeting, that he would not offer his support for one of two Wilshire lane closure proposals without more detailed information about the impact on traffic. Following his remarks, Ryu answered questions from residents on a range topics, including coyotes and the city’s mobility plan.

WSA Year in Review

Association President Larry Guzin presented a recap of the association’s efforts over the past year, beginning with the several physical improvements, including investment of $11,000 in the refurbishing of the Larchmont landscaped median, replanting the Norton traffic triangle with new plants and trees, and – with assistance from Paramount Studios – the painting of the fence at Robert Burns Park, which the association installed several years ago.

Windsor Square Association Board member Steve Tator reported on the Association’s efforts to increase awareness of the presence of coyotes in the neighborhood with yard signs. Several residents reported the signs have been very effective in that effort. Tator pointed residents to the association’s website for more information from Los Angeles Animal Control Officer Hoang Dinh on how to respond if you see a coyote.

Helen Hartung, chair of the Windsor Square Association Tree Canopy Committee
Helen Hartung, chair of the Windsor Square Association Tree Canopy Committee

Helen Hartung, chair of the WSA Tree Canopy, reported on the Association’s efforts to inventory all the street trees –  in part to determine their overall health and develop a list of trees that need to be replaced, and also to determine which species are thriving and which are struggling in the current drought. Hartung advised residents to deeply water their parkway trees at least once a month. She cautioned residents considering removing grass from their parkways to consult the city’s guidelines for residential parkway plantings.

Anthony Gaddy reported on the Association’s efforts to provide 55-gallon water barrels to residents in case of emergency. Along with Gary Duff, Gaddy has arranged for homeowners to receive a 55-gallon barrel that will be delivered and set up in their home for $145.00 per home. A 55-gallon barrel will provide enough water for a family of 2 for one week and will last up to 5 years. Resident Nancy Banks won the raffle drawing for a free barrel. Gaddy urged all residents to consider participating in this program, whicht could prove life-saving in the event of an emergency.

John Welborne, chair of the Windsor Square Association Land Use Committee, reported on the progress of the Maurice and Paul Marciano art museum taking shape at the former Scottish Rite Temple on Wilshire Blvd. After several delays, the project is now moving forward and Welborne said they expect to have a temporary certificate of occupancy by May. The CIM-Farmers redevelopment project, currently in compliance with the Park Mile Specific Plan, is also moving along. The project calls for the construction of 35 single family homes on the empty parking lot at Wilshire and Mullen, and another 11 townhouses on the current parking lot that also contains the historic office tower. Lastly, Welborne reported, the recently paved parking lot at Wilshire and Bronson, installed by the Eastern Presbyterian Church, was not permitted and the city has cited the owners.

Larry Guzin, WSA President (left) and John Welborne (right)_ present "Squeaky Wheel" Award to Randy Esada (center)
Larry Guzin, WSA President (left) and John Welborne (right) present the Windsor Square Association “Squeaky Wheel” Award to Randy Esada (center) for efforts on the former Dorothy Chandler mansion.

On behalf of the Association, Welborne presented Randy Esada, resident of the 300 block of Irving Blvd, winner of the group’s  “Squeaky Wheel”  award for his tireless efforts to persuade the owner of Dorothy Chandler’s former home to paint it in colors appropriate to style of the house. Esada succeeded and the mansion has been restored to its former historically appropriate colors.

The “Squeaky Wheel” award is presented annually to a Windsor Square Resident whose persistence in addressing an issue that improves the life of the residents in Windsor Square.   The Windsor Square Association itself promotes public safety, social welfare, community education and the quality of living for residents of 1,100 homes in Windsor Square, between Beverly Blvd. on the north and  Wilshire Blvd. on the south, and between Arden Blvd. on the west and Van Ness Ave. on the east.

 

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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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1 COMMENT

  1. Your reporter accurately quoted me, but I misspoke about the number of new residential units on the former Farmers Insurance parking lots. On the lot between Mullen and Muirfield, CIM proposes only 23 units (instead of the 24 previously proposed). Three triplexes make nine units; and there are eight single-family homes in the center and six (formerly seven) single-family homes along Eighth. When added to the eleven townhomes on the west side of Mullen, the total now is 34 units on the two former parking lots.

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