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An individual's actions should be presumed private,
while a government's actions should be presumed public.


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There's a lot wrong with the proposed new structure at Palms Blvd. and Motor Ave. Opinion below

Palms is still copyrighting its Web site Editorial below

DRAW THE LINE AT WOODBINE
Let's keep a small-town atmosphere in one little corner of Palms
A Sun editorial

Madhu Kumar, the L.A. City planning official who is writing a yea-or-nay report on the proposed new multi-use building on the northeast corner of Palms and Motor (green arrow on the map) is worried that the structure might be too big for our neighborhood.

If the structure just to the north of Palms Elementary School is approved as proposed, that would give a green light to other property owners on Motor Ave. to demand the right to put up similar buildings, she warned.

Is this what the neighborhood wants? she asked.

Yes it is. We need more stores and restaurants we can walk to — on Motor Ave. at and near Palms Blvd.

But there has to be a limit. We can't allow any massive structures on Motor north of Woodbine Ave.

We must draw the line at Woodbine.

We must protect the small-town atmosphere of the Motor-National dogleg — where Mentone touches Rose (even with its confusing three-way stop sign). We have an ice cream store, an antiques store, several restaurants, a small gourmet market, a cleaners — and a landmark bldg. that once housed our fire department (black arrow on the map; photo on the right).

That latter structure, with its multi-use apartments built over shops, must be preserved. This is a challenge that our community must rise to meet.

We say to developers: Thus far and no farther.

We draw the line at Woodbine.

DRAW THE LINE FARTHER SOUTH
Palms needs mixed-use bldgs., but not at the expense of a vision for the community
By Lee Wallach

I write to you and your readers in regards to a mixed-use project proposed on the northeast corner of Motor Avenue and Palms Boulevard, thus far known as Palms Garden. You recently supported it (and anything else south of Woodbine Avenue) in the Palms-Village Sun with an implication that the ENTIRE community is behind you.

There is a substantial contingent of residents and business owners on and around Motor Avenue that absolutely DO NOT support this project as it is currently proposed. In fact, our group, the Motor Avenue Improvement Association, was recently initiated specifically to request conditions on this and one other development, before they are approved.

While our members enthusiastically support development and vitality on Motor Avenue through mixed-use strategies, we do not accept any project at the expense of our current residents' livelihood or our vision for this community. Based on conversations with LOCAL stakeholders, we have requested, and are still fighting for, simple conditions that will improve the project for everyone, including current and future residents, visitors and commuters.

These conditions, with some explanation, are below:

Improve and increase parking.

One hundred subterraneian spaces, accessible only via an inconvenient alley, is not ample parking. Eighty spaces are reserved for residents, which leaves only 20 spaces for guests, patrons and employees of restaurants and other retail. Where will people park?

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

This project needs to be studied within the broader context of surrounding development. Since it is not the only new development, the impacts should not be defined as such. Typically, an EIR will address esthetics, traffic impacts, noise, air quality and other quality of life issues. An EIR is a common request from cities and/or citizens to developers based on a subjective review of the plans.

Adhere to current requirements for signage on buildings.

The Developer, C-R Management Company, should NOT be allowed to cover the entire building with identification signs. This is not Hollywood! The developer proposes to construct two 70-square-foot projection signs, one 25-square-foot sign, one 35-square-foot wall sign for EACH retail tenant, PLUS a 5-square-foot sign for EACH retail tenant!

Based on just two retail tenants (there will likely be more) this would amount to a minimum of seven signs that cover more than 245 SQUARE FEET! Compare to the CURRENT allowance, which is one 20-square-foot sign per retail tenant.

Repave and improve the alley and and its intersections.

This project will produce hundreds of new car trips, yet the developer recommends the alley as the only ingress/egress for parking at the building. This alley is currently an uneven single lane full of potholes, and it already accommodates four parking lots for the current businesses on the block.

Install a layer of fencing or relocate the entrance of the pocket park at the corner of the alley and Woodbine Avenue.

Currently, the entrance is a gap in the fence, which leads straight onto the alley. With the anticipated rise in traffic on the alley into the garage, we need to make entering and exiting the park safer by avoiding the potential of kids darting into the alley without slowing down.

No nightclub, bar, adult-oriented business or other use that would be unsuitable for children to pass by.

The project is across the street from Palms Elementary School.

Improve open space by not enclosing it within 65-foot-high walls.

Current plans depict a cramped courtyard with minimal landscaping trapped inside tall walls with no chance for sun or an enjoyable experience.

Contract with the community that these conditions will be implemented no matter who is in control.

Elected officials come and go, developers buy and sell. If this parcel is developed with a promise to adhere to the communities concerns, we want the contract to survive. Any guarantees will be in writing without the ability to disregard them at a later date, for any reason.

Finally, conditions that need no further explanation and that should be inherent in any project.

• Improved street parking.
• Restriction on left turn from alley onto Palms Boulevard.
• Alteration of building esthetics to adhere to designs of the current block.
• Restricted access to the alley for deliveries by time limit and operation hours.
• Hours of construction held at reasonable hours to impose minimal impact on businesses and residents.
• Information and consultation on the haul route for construction.
• Installation of lighting at night.
• No blanket alcohol license be pursued.

These conditions represent those of concerned citizens on Motor Avenue, and as much as we would like to see the vacant lot on the corner of Motor and Palms put to good use, we CANNOT in good faith support this developer’s plan as proposed.

Mar Vista finally stops copyrighting public records; now what about Palms?

Last month The Sun ran an editorial on its Westside Village page pointing out that the Mar Vista Community Council, which has jurisdiction over Northwest Palms ("Westside Village"), was still copyrighting its Web site despite the fact that the Mar Vista board had rejected that idea way back in February 2004.

No longer is that true.

Mar Vista board member Curt Steinauer reports that the site is now copyright-free, and a quick check of the URL at www.marvistacc.org shows that to be the case.

Unfortunately we cannot say the same about the Palms Neighborhood Council Web site, which has carried a copyright tag from its beginning and continues to do so. See the proof at www.Palms-California.us.

We believe that little matter should be corrected forthwith. There is no justification for placing a "private" tag on a Web site paid for by the people of the city of Los Angeles.