Westwood South

City Planning proposes Modified Parking Requirement Districts

The City Planning Commission held a hearing on April 28  with continued consideration at its meeting on May 12th on the Planning Dept. proposal to establish new Modified Parking Requirement Districts.  A recently issued set of staff recommendations shows that many of the comments and concerns raised by the community at the staff hearing have been ignored. 

The ordinance seeks to offer seven option parking requirement modification tools including:  1)  change of use parking standards, 2) use of a new Parking Reduction Permit, 3) off-site parking within 1500 feet, 4) decreased parking requirements, 5) increased parking requirements, 6)  commercial parking credits, and 7) maximum parking limits.  

WSSM reviewed the staff recommendations and recommended changes in the proposed ordinance to provide protections for the community and to require that actual findings be required in order to implement the tools provided. If passed as currently proposed, the burden will be on communities to fight against proposed districts if they are inappropriate.  We are concerned that parking protections now available in residential communities, particularly on streets adjacent to commercial corridors, will be compromised thus threatening not only our ability to park on our streets, but our quality of life and the character of the community.   We encourage thoughtful discussion of creative shared-parking solutions and believe that any new policy must be a balanced approach.  Following the May 12 hearing, changes were made to the ordinance.  Some of our concerns were addressed and there remain a couple of important issues that are still pending.  Watch this site for more info and future hearing dates.

EXPOSITION LIGHT RAIL LINE UPDATES 

The EXPO Line from downtown Los Angeles to the LaCienega/Jeffereson station opened to passengers the last weekend of April.  The last stop on Phase I,and expect to be completed in the coming two months.  Robertson/Venice and the Farmdale stations are still under construction.

TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!  

PHASE 2 Construction underway

On Friday, March 26th, the EXPO Authority Board voted to award the contract for Phase II construction clearing the way for engineering and construction work to proceed west from Robertson Blvd.  They also voted to approve the removal of parking adjacent to the tracks between Overland and Westwood.  This means that  Westwood station riders will come on foot, by bike or public transit or it will be used as a "kiss and ride" station.  Those seeking to "park and ride" will not drive to the station.  This opens the door to local planning for uses of the wide strip of land north and south of the tracks that will  benefit and enrich the quality of life in the area.  Already there are individuals talking about developing open space park-type uses, a great improvement over long rows of parked cars and drivers circling the neighborhood to use them!

The EXPO Board also voted to approve the elevated grade separation over Sepulveda Blvd. pending the provision of funds to do so from other sources.  Councilmembers Koretz (CD 5) and Rosendahl (CD 11) are working to identify funds for this purpose.  The grade separation became a more feasible alternative to a grade-level crossing when it was learned that only a $5 million difference in cost existed between an at-grade crossing and an elevated one due to costly utility relocations required for the at-grade crossing.  That, the proximity of the crossing to Pico, and the fact that Sepulveda is a designated freeway alternate route, likely were key reasons for the vote in favor of grade separation.  

You can sign up to receive traffic updates via email or can visit the website that has those  postings of closures, etc. at:

                                     http://www.buildexpo.org/

A photo montage of old Pacific Electric Santa Monica Air Line along with construction photos from Phase I of the EXPO line that will go from downtown LA to Culver City (Venice/Robertson intersection) can be found at LA Curbed's posting.

Phase II of the EXPO line will continue from Robertson/Venice Blvds. to Santa Monica, following the  Pacific Electric railway right-of-way primarily along Exposition Blvd. and ending in the Sear's automotive parking lot at Colorado and 4th Street in Santa Monica.  A video has been made of the route the Phase II will follow.  It can be viewed from by clicking here.

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EXPO PHASE 2 Design Meetings

A citizen design review committee has been named to provide input and consultation on the design elements for Phase II.  Two residents of the area near the Westwood station have been named to that panel.  They are Sarah Hayes, Co-Chair of Light Rail for Cheviot and Drew DAscentis, President of Westwood Gardens Civic Association which borders the line.

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WSSM SPONSORS TOURS OF METRO'S GOLD LINE - 2013 Tours being planned now!

WSSM  sponsored three tours of the EXPO Line Phase I and three tours of the Metro Gold Line so that local residents can ride on LA's latest fixed rail public transit  line to get a feeling for what the EXPO line in our area will be like.  Participants in the recent tours were able to get off and on at various stations to observe how the auto crossings operate, to experience the sounds and impacts on nearby properties.  Those participating in a tour receive free one-day passes to journey throughout METRO's transit network after the tour has ended.  Tours last for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  We think it is important that as many residents as possible become familiar with the Gold Line so that when there are local discussions about the design of the Westwood and Sepulveda Blvd. stations, we have a well-versed group of residents who can contribute to that process.

If you would like to participate in a future tour of the EXPO and RED LINES with your WSSM neighbors, please contact us:  wssmhoa@gmail.com.  Let us know if you can participate in a weekday morning tour, a Saturday morning tour and/or a Sunday morning tour.

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WESTSIDE SUBWAY EXTENSION:   

Some of the voter-approved Measure R funds are earmarked for the subway extension.  Adoption of the 30/10 funding initiative will significantly increase the funds available to construct the next phase of the subway and instead of completing the buildout to Westwood in 30 years, we might see our area reached within the coming 10 years!

As currently proposed, the Westside Extension will include stops in Beverly Hills, a stop in Century City and a stop in Westwood.  It is projected to end in Brentwood at the VA.  The formal recommendation for the Century City stop is at Constellation and Avenue of the Stars although this is raising opposition from some in Beverly Hills who do not want the subway passing beneath the campus of Beverly Hills High School.  The Century City Chamber favors the Constellation stop as do most local westside homeowner groups, including WSSM.  However, the Beverly Hills Unified School District and BH residents have voiced concerns over having the subway go beneath BHHS campus. 

The WSSM Board supports the Constellation station.  A Constellation stop will better serve both the employees in Century City and the residents because a larger number of riders will fall within a half mile circle of the station.  At Santa Monica Blvd., a large area adjacent to the station will consist of the LA Country Club golf course which brings no ridership.  Further, construction of the subway station at Constellation will be far less intrusive and will have far fewer negative impacts on traffic than construction of a station on Santa Monica Blvd.  Santa Monica Blvd.  is a major arterial in the region, whereas Constellation is a local Century City street that begins and ends in Century City.  Its closure will not result in major traffic impacts while the station is being built from the surface.  (Subway tunnels are built with tunneling machines and do not require access from the surface.  However, subway stations are built from above and street construction is involved.) 

Metro has formed station advisory committees that have begun to meet and consider issues related to the individual subway stations.  The public is invited to attend the meetings of these groups and to observe (not participate in) their proceedings.

Visit the MTA Westside Extension page for further info:  http://www.metro.net/projects/westside/ and check out the links to pages related to meetings, maps, etc.

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CENTURY CITY TRANSIT MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (TMO) FORMED

One way to reduce commuter traffic in our area is to encourage the formation of car pools, vanpools, and use of public transit by those who work in Century City.  To this end, WSSM lobbied to require the founding of a TMO in Century City that would work to coordinate carpooling and public transit use to employers and employees in all the Century City buildings.  The TMO has launched its computerized ride sharing program and it is up and running for all to see:  http://www.cctmo.org/

As the TMO gets established it is hoped that it will also serve as the mechanism to organize or provide for shuttles to transport Century City workers to and from the future EXPO station. 

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 EXPLORE  GREATER LA USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!

Metrolink approved an unlimited weekend pass for $10 and also established a new seven-day pass. The changes go into effect July 1.

The new weekend pass will be valid from 7 p.m. Friday to midnight Sunday and include connections to bus and rail systems throughout the region -- excluding Amtrak -- at no additional cost. The same privileges will be extended to monthly pass-holders.

The board of the Southern California Regional Railroad Authority, which operates Metrolink, also approved a 10% discount for students who buy one-way and round-trip tickets. Students will continue to receive discounts on seven-day and monthly passes.

VISIT METROLINK's WEBSITE FOR DESTINATIONS AND SCHEDULES:

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/

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TAKE THE FLYAWAY BUS TO LAX

You don't need to drive to LAX from the Westwood area.  You can take the LAX Flyaway bus that leaves from UCLA's Lot 32 in Westwood Village and get to LAX without the hassle of parking, paying for parking and leaving your car in a distant parking lot (and then having to shuttle to the airport).  

Location: The LAX FlyAway bus stop is located adjacent to Westwood Village, outside of UCLA Parking Structure 32 on the north side of Kinross Avenue, one block west of Gayley Avenue.  For a map, go to:

                          http://www.lawa.org/popup.aspx?id=300

Bus Schedule:

Depart Westwood Bus Stop 
6 a.m.— 10 p.m.  on the hour, every day of the week 

Buses leave between the  hours of 6 am and  10  or 11 pm with service hourly. 

Travel time: Depending on traffic conditions, travel times each way can range from 25-45 minutes.

Parking and Passenger Drop-Off/Pick-Up:

Parking and Passenger Drop-Off/Pick-Up: FlyAway users may park in marked parking spaces for up to 10 days. These parking space are located on the first level of UCLA’s Parking Structure #32, in the southeast corner of the structure (stalls #32015-32039). This is the corner closest to the Westwood FlyAway bus stop.

Passengers may also be dropped off or picked-up in the southeast corner of the parking structure. Vehicles that drop-off/pick-up may enter and exit without paying a fee.

Prices are subject to change.  Please visit http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1003097

Driving Directions: From Wilshire Boulevard, turn north onto Gayley Avenue. Continue on Gayley Avenue for two blocks, and then turn left onto Kinross Avenue. The LAX FlyAway bus stop is on the right side of the street in front of UCLA Parking Structure 32.

*Support this local service that currently attracts 111,000 riders each year.  Expected ridership to sustain the service needs to be increased so do what you can to help spread the word.  Drop off your family and friends at the FLYAWAY! 

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ENJOY AN EVENING AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL WITHOUT THE DRIVE

TAKE THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL SHUTTLE FROM THE FEDERAL BLDG.

For the latest info about PARK and RIDE to the BOWL, go to:

http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/getting-to-the-bowl/park-and-ride.cfm

Westwood is Line 652.

All Park & Ride buses are wheelchair accessible.

There is a difference in transportation arrangements for regular season events and "leased" events. Check with the website to confirm details.

 WHERE DOES LA FALL IN THE FORBES MAGAZINE POLL OF GAS GUZZLING CITIES?  (May 10,2011)

Full List: America’s 10 Biggest (And 10 Least) Gas-Guzzling Cities

"But what about the city that everyone immediately associates with traffic jams and car culture: Los Angeles. Incredibly, the city of angels is among the top gas misers. That’s because residents of centrally located areas of L.A. don’t have that far to drive to get to work or the beach. As a result, the L.A.-Long Beach area ranks second among the cities that use the least gasoline, just 630 gallons a year per household. As for the No. 1 least driving-est city? That honor goes to New York, where even in the unlikelihood that a household owns a car, they probably still get to work on the subway. The average New York household uses just 481 gallons a year to go 9,800 miles–that’s half the gas guzzling of the North Carolinian Triangle."

Know your LA CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 

ROSENDAHL, Bill -- Chairman -- councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org 213.473.7011

LABONGE, Tom-- Vice Chair- councilmember.Labonge@lacity.org 213 485-3337

ALARCON, Richard councilmember.alarcon@lacity.org 213.473.7007

KORETZ Paul paul.koretz@lacity.org 213.473.7005

PARKS Bernard councilmember.parks@lacity.org 213.473.7008

The Transportation Committee meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 pm in City Hall room 1010.