A Community Plan meeting was held on January 31, 2013.
The Department of City Planning is currently reviewing community
feedback and will present updated Community Plan text, Land Use and
Zoning Recommendations, and revised Equinekeeping “K” District and
Community Plan Implementation Overlay District to the North Valley
Area Planning Commission for review and comment at the Marvin Braude
Constituent Center, located at 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard (First
Floor), Van Nuys, CA 91401 on April 18, 2013 at 4:30pm.
The following week, on April 25, 2013 after 8:30am, the City
Planning Commission will be presented with an overview of the
Proposed Sylmar Community Plan, and will make a recommendation
regarding the proposed plan prior to going before the City Council
Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee. This meeting will
be held at the Van Nuys City Hall Council Chamber (2nd Floor),
located at 14410 Sylvan Street, Van Nuys, CA 91401.
With regards to equine keeping issues raised, the Proposed Plan
overall maintains and preserves most of the equine keeping areas.
However, the department understands that several pockets may be
affected by the proposed changes and is currently reviewing those
areas. Many residents raised concerns about which zones horses are
allowed to be kept and what the purpose of amending the existing
Equinekeeping District is. For your reference:
Where Can You Keep Horses?
A-1, A-2, RA, or RE zoned lots with a
minimum of 17,500 square feet
R-1 and RS lots with a minimum of 20,000
square feet
MR2 zoned lots for commercial animal-keeping
What does the Equinekeeping “K” Supplemental Use
District Do?
Prioritizes a lifestyle of equinekeeping in
a neighborhood
Allows for shorter distances between
equinekeeping areas on a lot and houses
Emily V. Yllescas of City Planning highly
encourages you to stay involved throughout the process and provide
comments on all aspects of the Proposed Plan, including not only
what you are opposed to, but also aspects you are in favor of. The
Department of City Planning will take in all comments in preparing
its recommendation to the City Planning Commission.
Emily V. Yllescas
Department of City Planning
Policy Planning Division | Valley
p: 818.374.5058 f: 818.374.9955
e: emily.yllescas@lacity.org
Proposed Plastic Bag Ban
The City of Los Angeles is proposing to adopt
and implement an ordinance to ban single-use plastic carryout bags,
charge a fee on paper bags, and promote the use of reusable bags at
specified retailers in the City of Los Angeles. The Draft
Environmental Impact Report is now complete and available for your
review and public comment.
Significant Environmental Effects of Project: The analysis in the
Draft EIR concluded that the proposed project would not result in
any significant adverse impacts on the environment. However, it
would result in beneficial impacts on air quality, biological
resources, and hydrology and water quality.
Public Review Period: The Draft EIR was available for public review
from January 25, 2013 to March 11, 2013. Written comments were due no later than March 11, 2013 to Karen Coca,
Division Manager, Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division/Bureau
of Sanitation, 1149 S. Broadway, 5th Floor, Mail Stop 944, Los
Angeles, CA 90015.
DWP is providing Notice that they are beginning
the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed
Foothill Trunk Line Unit 3 proposed project. The project involves
replacing water pipes along Foothill Blvd. Construction is projected
for late 2014 to late 2019. You may want to
read the entire Notice of Preparation which describes the
project. The
Initial Study is available for review online. There was a public
scoping meeting on February 13.
You may submit public comments on the initial
study by 5pm March 1. Please indicate contact name and return
address in your comments and submit your comments to:
LADWP
Attn: Nancy Chung
111 North Hope Street, Room 1044
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Jeanne
Rowe, a long standing board member on the Sylmar Neighborhood
Council, passed away early February 2013. Her goal on the council was to include and
serve as many neighbors, businesses and issues that effect the
community as possible.
She was a Sylmar resident since
1960. She began her business, Rowe Accounting Service in 1962. Her clients
over the a 45 year period have included legal, educational, and general
office, Orange Julius stores, contractors, plumbing, electrical,
construction, retail.
She was a past president of the Sylmar Chamber
of Commerce and served on many boards including:
Mission College Foundation, SF Emblem Club #37, Co-Founder Foothill
Advisory Booster Association, Active Board Mission Community Police
Council, Support of Corral #12, SIBL, Friends of Library. She was a
great example of community service and will be remembered fondly.
January 2013 Board Meeting Debrief
At the January 2013 Board meeting, Bart Reed
from the Transit Coalition
made a presentation about challenges using bus transportation to get
to school. The Board has heard previous presentations and agreed to
write letters in support of bus landing pads.
Consideration was given to a request for support
of a height variance on a 362 unit apartment complex at 16325 Silver
Oaks Drive. Allowance was sought for height of 45’ for 2 and 3 story
apartments in lieu of the required 35’. The overall project has
already been approved by City Planning; the only item in question
was the height variance. The proposed motion regarding the variance
failed.
I-5/SR-14 HOV Connector Project : The California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Sunday, December 23rd,
2012, opened a new elevated high occupancy vehicle (HOV, or carpool)
lane connector between Interstate 5 (I-5) and the Antelope Valley
Freeway (SR-14). The HOV connector allows motorists using the I-5
and SR-14 HOV lanes to transfer between freeways without exiting the
carpool lane. Benefits include reduced congestion, improved traffic
flow, enhanced safety and improved traffic operations on both
freeways.
I-5 HOV from SR-118 to SR-170 Project: The
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is getting ready
to open the new I-5/SR-170 HOV Connector that will allow HOV-to-HOV
transfers between I-5 HOV lanes and SR-170 HOV lanes.
Please join us for our next board meeting on
Thursday, February 28, 6:30pm at a location to be announced.
Crime Snapshot
On Jan. 7, the LAPD released its year-end citywide crime statistics
for 2012, showing that overall, crime has continued to decline in
the City for 10 years. The City has seen a 39% drop in homicides
since in 2005 . Serious crimes such as homicide, rape, burglary and
theft in 2012 were also down 19% compared with 2005.
Total violent crimes in 2012 were 8.2% lower than in 2011 and 40.2%
lower than in 2005. Total property crimes were up .2% over 2011, but
were still lower 23.6% lower than in 2005. To see the LAPD 2012
Crime Snapshot report, visit
http://tiny.cc/kjgmqw.
Community Plan for Sylmar: January 31
The draft EIR Community Plan for Sylmar is
available for review:
There will be an Open House / Public Hearing at
Sylmar High School on January 31. The Open House will be from 5-6:30
and the Public Hearing from 6:30-8pm.
The deadline date to submit comments was
December 11, 2012.
Sediment Information
Public comments were due for the Sediment Management Strategic Plan
on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. The plan includes proposals for
the Pacoima reservoir located upstream from the Lopez Flood Control
Basin in northeast Sylmar.
Notification of Site Stabilization Work at the L.A. County May
Sediment Placement Site in Sylmar
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works will conduct
grading work at May Sediment Placement Site, located in Sylmar just
east of the Olive View Hospital, starting in mid-May and going
through October 2012. This grading work will further stabilize the
Site. More...
El Cariso Park Project Proposes to Remove 50+ Trees
Update: As a result of the March 5, 2012 public meeting, a Community
Advisory Committee is being organized to provide further input into
this project. More...
CPR Training a Success!
Congratulations to all the attendees who completed the excellent and
successful CPR training on May 31, 2012 at the Sylmar Recreation
Center sponsored by the Sylmar Neighborhood Council and L.A. City
Fire Department Fire Station 91. Stakeholders were trained by
experienced L.A. City Fire Department CPR Trainers to apply
life-saving techniques to both adults and children. Our community is
now better prepared for emergencies. Thanks to the Trainers and the
Stakeholders who each will receive a CPR Certification Card.
Congratulations!”
Sylmar Sign Completes Improvement Project
The Sylmar Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce
installation of a long anticipated monument sign marking the “Vista
at Sylmar“.
The concrete structure completes a median streetscape project at San
Fernando Road and Truman Street. The complete project included the
removal of asphalt from four existing medians and landscaping with
trees, groundcover and shrubbery. This attractive landscape
improvement, which is expected to grow out within two seasons, will
serve as an aesthetically pleasing portal to the community of
Sylmar.
The CRA/LA allocated nearly $350,000 towards improving this much
blighted area of San Fernando Road in Phase I. The landscaping of
the medians will serve as a beautiful entryway to “The Vista at
Sylmar“; welcoming patrons and motorists to the area. The BID
recently planted 36 trees, installed decorative banners and will
complement all of this with decorative benches and litter
receptacles at bus stops and other locations along San Fernando
Road.
The Sylmar Business Improvement District was formed under the
auspices of the Los Angeles City Council. The boundares of the BID
are along San Fernando Road, between Hubbard Street and Polk Street.
The commercial property owners within this district pay a
self-imposed annual assessment to improve the economic vitality of
the area as well as create an aesthetically pleasing environment for
those that work, live and patron the corridor.
This is an exciting time for the continued revitalization of Sylmar!
Provided by BID President Al Avila
SNC Helps with LAFD Fence Painting December 2011
On Saturday, December 10 while some folks were making Christmas
cookies, others joined members of the SNC to paint a wall at LAFD
Station #91. Organized by the SNC Green Committee, Sylmar HS under
the tutelage of Steve Lis, and Adopt-A-Project under the leadership
of Pablo Martinez.
SNC Community Clean Up December 2011
The SNC had a great turn-out at our community clean up on Sunday,
December 4.
Bridal Paths Incorporated in New School Design
During the September 2011 SNC meeting it appeared that the team
planning the new school design was unaware of the existing horse
trail on the Bledsoe side of the school or its future in the design
of the school. Stakeholders were concerned about the need for the
horse trail as part of the equestrian trail structure and culture of
Sylmar. Concern was especially high as the community had been
promised at previous community meetings that the trails would remain
in tact.
As a result of that meeting, the Board further reached out to those
involved in the design. The LAUSD Facilities Team, which oversees
the construction, made a presentation at the October meeting. In
fact the path was incorporated into the design. Their diagram showed
the placement of the intact bridal path. It will be eight feet in
width with a galvanized steel railing that will match the appearance
of the railing on the other side of Dronfield.
The right of way space will be for sidewalks and the horse bridle
trail. It will be approximately 20 feet wide consisting of the eight
to ten-foot wide trail, a ten-foot wide sidewalk and approximately
two feet in width of fencing and landscaping. Driveways will be
paved. Site map with
trail.
Got Mining? Sediment? October 2011
In early 2011 the Land Use Committee discussed a proposed Surface
Mining Project planned by
Sakaida and Sons for a location south of the Pacoima Dam and
east of Pacoima Canyon Rd. According to a
Notice of Preparation
filed April of 2007 the project is planned for 25 acres of a 73 acre
site. The site is located on LA County land just outside of the City
of Los Angeles.
The SNC Board heard a presentation by Don Sakaida in June 2011 and
issues were discussed. The Board has reached out to County
Supervisor Yaroslavsky, who represents Slymar, and to Supervisor
Antonovich, who represents the actual location of the proposed mine.
Sakaida and Sons held a meeting October 2011 to hear from specific
constituencies as part of the Environmental Impact Report process.
The SNC was represented by Directors George Ortega and Roy Smith at
the meeting. The project was clarified to be for the purpose of
mining decomposed granite, not sand and gravel as was previously
documented in the 2007 NOP. Decomposed granite does not generate as
much dust. It is planned for use in the San Fernando Valley,
predominately in the public sector.
The type of proposed mining was discussed. It is to be a surface
mine. Strip mining means your product is buried by other material,
and you need to remove and dispose of that material along with
excavating your desired product. Surface mining means you product is
on the surface and only the desired product is removed. Once the
mine is finished regarding and replanting may take place for
cosmetic purposes.
Concerns were raised about the volume and direction of trucks going
in and out of the mine. The mine could be accessed by Hubbard or
McClay from the 210 freeway. The current plan calls for access via
Hubbard Street. Use of Maclay St./Harding St. requires approval by
the responsible parties to the private road portion of Harding
street. It is expected that the high level of truck volume would be
115 round trips a day.
At this point it seemed that truck volume, route, and timing were
open for discussion. Also of concern was the amount of dust the
project could generate and the impact on neighbor’s health, visual
impact to the community, and how the property would be used at the
conclusion of the mining. Initial plans call for reintroduction of
native plants at the conclusion of the project.
Public Scoping meetings will be scheduled, so please check back for
those dates.
Councilman Alarcon and the Sylmar Business Improvement District are
pleased to announce the completion of their project to upgrade the
medians on San Fernando Road.
This project was presented at the March 2010 SNC meeting by Duran
Villegas, Community Redevelopment Agency Project Manager, East
Valley Region. He described the development process, including a
home ownership assistance program.
The Sylmar Streetscape project covers San Fernando Road from Hubbard north to Polk. They
completed the Phase One Truman St. and San Fernando Blvd. landscaped
medians projects. View the
map and rendering of the medians. The project encompasses four small medians with
shrubs, trees, and a “Welcome to Sylmar” sign.
The
project was budgeted for about $300,000 to complete and was paid for by
the CRA which is funded by property taxes from properties within the
project area. Maintenance
for the project will be covered by the Sylmar Business Improvement
District, a program whereby local merchants agree to tax themselves
to pay for specific improvements to their community.
Before
During
After
Sylmar Clean Up A Resounding Success
The neighborhood clean-up event on September 11, 2011 was a
resounding success reported Don Neal, SNC VP of Communications.
Over 200 people showed up to "clean up" Sylmar. They cleaned around
Sylmar High School, Sylmar Park, Foothill and Glenoaks Blvds. Many
students and teachers (Freddy Ortiz, Mr. Nunez, Mr. G, Steve List,
Ray Rivera, Mary McLeod) from Sylmar HS (as did students from Link
Crew, Leadership-Dan Loscos, Horticultural, and the Baseball team),
Options for Youth students and teachers, and the Valley Panthers Pop
Warner teams and parents, and Eugene Hernandez, came and worked gave
it their all. Joseph Montesdeoca and Venesha Acosta, with the
EduCare After-School Program, were also there with a group of
students. We had many adults to supervise, but most of the credit
goes to the students. Many community members expressed their thanks
as we came by cleaning.
Javier Lujan, Options for Youth, deserves a lot of credit for
organizing this event. The Sylmar Neighborhood Council helped and
sponsored the food (Sheri Lincoln, Ricarado Benitez, Hiral Bhakta,
and Don Neal). Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes himself, showed up and
helped clean, along with Tania Soto, and others from his office.
Angelica Ayala was there from the Mayor's office, and many adults
from Sylmar community showed up and helped. Graffitti Busters and
the City Sanitation Dept. and workers were a great help for the
heavy lifting and supplies.
The Sylmar Neighborhood Council would like to also thank
Councilmember Richard Alarcon's newest Field Deputy in the Sylmar
area, Maria Ochoa, who reminded us that Councilmember Richard
Alarcon's young "City Ambassadors" (Brenda, Mariela, Amy, And Liz),
student volunteer Judith Meza, along Paul Dumont from the North
Hills West Neighborhood Council and his six sober-living community
members walked Glenoaks with Richard Benitez, from the Sylmar
Neighborhood Council, and a group of students.
They worked longer than any other group, and Don personally had to
go out and tell them they had done enough, and to head back to the
staging area for lunch. Councilman Richard Alarcon's office informed
residents of the opportunity for bulky item pick ups, and Maria took
photographs of problem areas where sidewalk renovation and paving
needs to happen. On behalf of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council we
would like to thank all for their noteworthy efforts.
We were very pleased at the turn out and the amount of clean up that
actually got done. It was uplifting and inspiring to see everyone
out there trying make our community better. These are the types of
community partnerships and events we all need to foster. Let's
everyone start thinking about doing this again, perhaps, in a bigger
way. Great job by everyone involved!
Click on image below for a larger view.
Sylmar Alum Wins Big in Microsoft Contest
Just before the 2011 fall semester began for UCSB student Alberto
Perez (Sylmar High School alum) read the SNP newsletter and saw that
Microsoft was having a "Win Big" contest. He immediately decided
that he would enter Sylmar High School in Microsoft Store's contest.
The contest required participants to submit a response to the prompt
of how the school/organization that was being nominated could
benefit from the grand prize of $50,000 worth of Microsoft
software/products.
As a past SNP and Voice member at Sylmar High School, he wrote about
the collaborative efforts between the Sylmar Neighborhood
Partnership and College Summit, which have helped in the
contribution of Sylmar High School's recent success.
Then, last week he received an e-mail informing him that his
proposal and Sylmar High had been selected as a semi-finalist in the
contest, and the next step was to get friends and family to vote. So
then Alberto, like many others who have been using social media
websites to raise awareness around issues of interest, took this to
Facebook and posted the link on his profile and on groups he was
connected to, in an effort to win the contest.
Finally, on Tuesday (Oct. 12th), he received a call with the good
news, they let him know that Sylmar had won the $10,000 first prize
for winning the L.A. region.
Congratulations to Alberto and Sylmar High School for winning a
great prize and being able to continuously provide positive
experiences here at Sylmar HS for our students.
On the day of our June 23, 2011 meeting, we received a
notification by the CRA/LA for a project within our Community. This
project was previously under a different lead agency applying for
zone change, variance etc., and presented by Mr. Kurken Alyanakian.
At that time the board voted to appose the project due to
inconsistencies with the plan, poor outreach to the surrounding
community and less than cooperative manner to incorporate and
address community concerns.
This project is now under CRA/LA as the lead agency. As it stands
our position will be of non-support until we receive additional
"information of significant changed" to the project as stated by the
City Attorney.
The project consists of a mixed-use of commercial space combined
with 150 units of Senior Citizen housing. It is located at 12415 –
12421 San Fernando Road and 14938 Astoria Street, Sylmar, CA 91342,
consists of two motel buildings of six units each, a Laundromat and
a single-family residence. Both motels are completely vacant and
boarded up. The Laundromat is vacant and boarded up. The
single-family residence at 14938 Astoria Street is occupied by a
family of five individuals.
CRA Project
Description.
SNC Position On Lopez Canyon Upheld by Superior Court
The Superior Court of the State of California has agreed with our
position that Lopez Canyon requires an Environmental Impact Report
and more oversight.
Read the Court's Findings on Lopez Canyon from May 2011.
At the May 23, 2010 Land Use meeting the committee discussed how
Lopez Canyon had been a landfill and had been designated for open
space. However, it has become a site for a trucking school. A City
hearing was held April 15, 2010. A new appeal was filed May 5, 2010.
The committee recommended that the SNC board take a position against
the development.
At the June 24, 2010 SNC board meeting the board passed a motion to
support an appeal by the Community Alliance for Open Space (CAFOS)
of an approved industrial use of the Lopez Canyon Landfill for a
Truck Driving Academy.
At that meeting discussion about Lopez Canyon showed maps and
described the project, saying that Lopez Canyon has 660 acres,
including “440 acres of” buffer zone. Two-thirds is planned to start
being opened up as recreational open space. The Truck Driving
Academy takes up a miniscule amount of space. The one-and-a-half
acres where the Academy would be can’t be used for open space, It’s
already being used for similar activities. The City is using the
space to train heavy equipment operators.
In support of the appeal comments noted that the Academy violates
the General Plan by changing open space zoning to industrial use. A
number of other NCs support the appeal. SNC boardmember Mr. Krall
believed that this is about not allowing the City to violate the
Plan and set a precedent. SNC boardmember Mr. Bhakta added that
Sylmar Stakeholders “have suffered” because of such actions and
precedents.
The SNC is pleased to have played an important role in supporting
our community for the betterment of Lopez Canyon.
SNC Tackles Mining, Charter School Town Hall, & Equestrian
Improvements at May 2011 Meeting
The landowner of the mining project near Gavina Ave. by the Pacoima
Dam is doing an Environmental Impact Report; the SNC is following it
and will provide more information as it becomes available. The SNC
will hold a Town Hall Meeting to address the proposal to turn Sylmar
High School into a Charter School; date and location to be
determined. $5,566 was allocated towards a project to remove and
replace existing burnt, old and graffitied wooden horse rails
between Glenoaks and Excelsior on Foothill Blvd. with new rails,
hedges, shrubs and irrigation.
The SNC-sponsored Race for Youth
raised more than $11,000 for Police youth programs. Volunteers are
needed to study the feasibility of the SNC having a Fall Olive
Festival. The Fire Department will cite homeowners who have not
cleared brush from their property. Don Neal, current board member,
was elected as V.P. of Communications.
Sylmar BID Ground Breaking
The Sylmar Business Improvement District (BID) Ground Breaking was
held Thursday, May 12 at the median on San Fernando Road & Truman
Street. The Ground Breaking was attended by SNC President Quyen
Vo-Ramirez and Director Chris Shows. The SNC had a presentation
about the BID at our March 2010 meeting
and had passed a motion to support the BID at the September 25, 2008
meeting.
From left: Duran Villegas, CRA/LA Project Manager; Chris Shows,
Sylmar Neighborhood Council member; John Meisner, CRA/LA
Construction Supervisor; Sal Martinez, Martinez Landscape;
Councilmember Richard Alarcon; Al Avila, President, Sylmar BID;
Susan Levi, Sylmar BID Consultant; Quyen Vo-Ramirez, President,
Sylmar Neighborhood Council.
The Sylmar BID includes a total of 43 parcels represented by 31
individual property owners fronting San Fernando Road. Nearly one
mile long along San Fernando Road, from Hubbard Street to Polk
Street. The commercial property owners within this district pay a
self-imposed annual assessment of about $2,000 each to improve the
economic vitality of the area as well as create an aesthetically
pleasing environment for those that work, live and patron the
corridor.
Council District 7, the CRA/LA and the BID have formed what is an
excellent example of a public private partnership. The CRA/LA has
allocated nearly $350,000 towards improving this much blighted area
of San Fernando Road in this first phase. The landscaping of the
medians will serve as a beautiful entryway to “The Vista at Sylmar”
welcoming patrons to the area.
The
BID has recently planted 36 trees, installed decorative banners and
will complement all of this with decorative benches and litter
receptacles at the bus stops along San Fernando Road.
Phase I
Landscape 4 medians at Truman
Installed 36 street trees
Installed graphic pole banners
Bus Stop benches
Bus Stop litter baskets
Phase II
Install 5 additional medians on SF Road
Landscape railroad right-of-way
Install bike path rest area: shaded seating, water fountain, bike
racks More Photos
Dig
In For A Green Library A Grand Success!
The Sylmar Neighborhood Council’s Green
Committee launched its inaugural event on April 9, 2011, from 7:30
a.m. to 2 p.m. with ceremonies from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. We selected the
Sylmar Public Library as our site. This project was presented by the
Sylmar Neighborhood Council.
Presentation to the SNC
Our goals were:
to establish drought-resistant landscaping
around the library located at Polk and Glenoaks in Sylmar (14561
Polk Street, Sylmar 91342)
to install an underground water-reduction
irrigation system which will save at least 80% of water usage
to create signs to be placed throughout the
new foliage to indicate the common and scientific names of the
plants/tree/shrubs
to place a permanent sign in front of the
library which would indicate the sponsorship of the Sylmar
Neighborhood Council and of other donors to this project
to place a permanent notebook inside the
library to present the history of this project including the
names of the elected, sponsors, donors, and companies and how
they were involved. It would further include information about
each aspect of the project, including the kinds of plants and
the particulars regarding the irrigation system so that others
may reproduce the results at
residential/commercial/institutional locations.
to provide the opportunity for students
groups to continue volunteering to maintain the site (and earn
hours toward their high school volunteer graduation requirement)
to further the library’s goal of making this
facility a community center where youth and adults may study,
use the computers for work or for obtaining work, offer a
variety of activities, such as an Adult Literacy Program, and so
forth.
Preparing to plant
It is our hope that this project will not only
be a huge success but will also make the Sylmar Public Library in
particular and the City of Sylmar in general a model for such
programs in other communities. It would give a new face to the
northeast Valley and would encourage a feeling of ownership and
pride by all stakeholders in this region.
Watch the LA Cityview
Channel 35 video on the project:
We made this a community-wide activity and we
thank the following for participating:
Sylmar NC Board Members
Sylmar NC Green Committee Members
David Levin, SNC Secretary
Electeds: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Alex Padilla,
State Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, City Councilmember Richard
Alarcón
Congressmembers Howard Berman and Brad Sherman made generous
contributions, including an American flag which flew over the U. S.
Capitol
Attendees listen to presentation by Electeds
Mr. Robbie A. Buff of
Global Eco Soil
Solutions: donation of new high-efficiency irrigation system
Mr. William Parr of The Kiwanis Club of Sylmar: donation of picnic
table, umbrella, and stand for the library staff
Ms. Carolyn Casavan of The Valley Green Team
The Sun Newspaper and Channel 35 TV covered this event
Photos by Pablo Martinez (of Trashbusters) and family
Students put together benches
Other contributors:
· Amelia Herrera-Robles: Neighborhood Empowerment
· Tania Soto: Felipe Fuentes’ office
· Angelica Ayala: Mayor’s office
· Dan Rosales and Manny Figueras: Richard Alarcón’s office
· Gonzalo Rebollo, Rory Takaki, City Recreation and Parks
· Maria Sheets: Public Works
· Frances Bojoquez: Friends of the Library
· Ms. Faegheh Mofidi: Sylmar Public Library
· Kristen Bonilla: Sylmar Neighborhood Partnership
· Vanessa Diaz, Sylmar HS Global Environmental Organization
Regarding Greenhouse Emissions (GEORGE)
· Steven List, Sylmar HS Horticulture Department
· Javier Lujan, Options for Youth
· Sylmar Key Clubs Students
· Luis Alfaro, Costco
· Richard Cacho, Ultra Green Nursery
· Gregorey Mitchell, Fresh and Easy Market
· Margot Steenbeke, Sr. Banitos, Inc.
· Robert Feeny, Guillermo Reyes, Bryan Curnel: Pinnacle Realtors
· Jim Donelson, Coca-Cola Company
· Ramon Ruiz, Vineland Nursery
· Bill Ulmer, Optimists Club
· Ewing Irrigation
SNC Takes Stand In Support Of Community Against
Proposed Charter School
The L.A. City Planning Commission had a Special Meeting on
Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Van Nuys City Hall Council
Chamber, 2nd Floor, 14410 Sylvan Street, Van Nuys, CA 91401.
On July 22, 2010 the Sylmar Neighborhood Council voted to oppose the
27,000 square-foot proposed charter school at 13245 W. Hubbard
Street. After hearing from our community along with the support of
our City Council Member Richard Alarcon and his Planning and Land
Use Deputy Dan Rosales, we feel that the position of non-support of
the charter school is warranted for the following reasons but not
limited to:
1. Location: proposed location on Hubbard St. and Eldridge, wedged
in between Hubbard Elementary School and Los Angeles Mission College
is a poor location that has caused more community concerns than
provides us with opportunities.
2. Parking: No parking for High School students on campus would only
mean reduced parking for community residents. This will only
compound the lack of parking for community residents in addition to
the existing condition of LA Mission College students parking on
neighboring streets and not in the provided parking structure.
3. Traffic: Existing pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Hubbard St.
during the morning and evening hours is more then challenging to
navigate through during the week. Adding a school on Hubbard St.
would only increase traffic that may cause a chain reaction with
other existing concerns. For example: trash collection day would
cause a greater bottleneck with the added proposed charter school
traffic.
SNC Hosts Town Hall Meeting December 8, 2010
SNC Directors Tour The Debris Basin
Second Town Hall: Long Term Plan for the Debris Basin
December 8, 2010 6:30pm
Olive View Medical Center Auditorium. Flyer |
Flyer in Spanish |
Agenda
What
are the plans, short-term and long-term, for the MAY SPS (soil
placement site) above the homes just East of Olive View Med Center
and Wilson Canyon Park?
How much more soil will be moved here?
Is it done for now? When will it start again?
What about drainage and mudslides? Is there a danger? What
will our former canyons and natural hillsides become? What will it
look like?
Will I lose my mountain view forever?
Will there be more houses built on the compacted soil?
When were these plans made? Are they on file somewhere?
How will this affect access to Wilson Canyon Park, since trucks are
re-routed over our main access road?
How will this help or hurt plans for a Rim-of-the-Valey Trail
system?
The water runoff funnels into our streets. Is there a plan to change
that and go underground?
The water runoff damages my yard every year. Is do I call the City
or the County of LA for help?
Come get the answer to these and other questions that affect your
lives.
Mining in Sylmar
At the November 2010 meeting it was brought to our attention that
mining is being conducted in Sylmar. Please see this
Notice of Preparation about
this project.
LADWP Moves Forward with City's Largest Solar Array
Board of Water and Power Commissioners Approves Initial
Environmental Documents to Install Solar Photovoltaic Panels on City
Reservoir
Project Will Generate 5 Megawatts of Clean, Renewable Energy
As part of its strategic initiative to expand local solar
generation, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
advanced plans Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to build a 5-megawatt (MW)
solar photovoltaic installation atop a covered reservoir in the
Granada Hills area.
Called the Van Norman Bypass Reservoir Solar Project, the $15.3
million project will become the city’s largest solar array,
involving construction of solar modules on a 575,000-square-foot
rigid roof that covers a potable water reservoir. The project will
help the City of Los Angeles meet its renewable energy goals as well
as pending state renewable energy goals.
“This is an exciting step as we launch our initiative to expand
development of local solar on city-owned property,” said Lee Kanon
Alpert, president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners,
which approved the initial environment documents required under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on Tuesday, November 2,
2010.
“This project will foster the city’s green economy and help create
green jobs. It also demonstrates our strategy of developing
renewable energy in a thoughtful and cost-effective way by
leveraging existing assets, including one of our own reservoirs,”
LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner said.
The Van Norman Solar Project will be constructed over a six-month
period in late 2011. However, proceeding with the project is subject
to funding allocation.
The reservoir, located off Interstate 5 in the Granada Hills section
of the San Fernando Valley, contains about 80 million gallons of
treated drinking water, about one-third of the city’s normal supply.
It is covered by a corrugated aluminum roof supported by trusses and
braces.
The environmental study approved by the Board found no significant
environmental effects from the project.
SNC Sponsors Halloween Event 2010
The SNC supported the Sylmar Recreation Center’s annual Halloween
Trick or Treat City with $500.
August 26, 2010 Board
Meeting
Attending the Thursday, August 26 Board meeting were the LA City
Fire Battalion Chief Ernst, Captain Kennington and additional
firefighters of Fire Station 91. They spoke on fire safety, brush
clearance and citation for those that do not comply.
Also, Captain Brian Scott of LA Mission area Police Station also
came to speak on crime in the area, and the Lock It, Hide It and
Keep It Safe Program.
Supporting Our Community
At our June 2010 meeting we voted to support the July 4th celebration at
Hansen Dam with $500 to cover sound equipment.
We also decided on $750 to support training 10 new volunteer
officers for the Reserve Animal Control to assist with rescue, abuse
and lost animals, etc. And $50 for an SNC brick to promote the SNC
and support the San Fernando Valley Historical Society at the
Pioneer Cemetery.
Order yours
today!
New Board Members Installed
At our April 2010 meeting the newly elected board members were
installed and executive officers elected. Our officers are:
President - Quyen Vo-Ramirez, VP of Administration - Hiral Bhakta,
VP of Communications-Tammy Flores, Treasurer-Randall Kelley, Public
Relations Coordinator-Nick Krall.
We thanked our outgoing board members who served admirably: VP of
Communications Rick Donnelly, Erlin Arellano, Fabian Garcia, Saul
Gonzales, Rudy Lopez, Liz Meher, Jan Sandstrom, and Jim
Schopper.
Erlin Arellano, Jan Sandstrom, Jim Schopper
Rick Donnelly
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