"Eagle Rock: Where land
use planning is a contact sport"
THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
December 12, 2002
"Thanks for the TERA weekly update. I am continually amazed
by the level of professionalism and technical detail
your group is able to provide to your ever-increasing constituency.
What an asset to a community buried in the LA bureaucratic shuffle.
I've only seen such vigor and intelligence in Larchmont and Brentwood in LA,
and even they don't compare. Keep up the fine work -- while frustrating
--
very rewarding for the betterment of the community."
-- Tom Eidem, noted economic development advisor, San Clemente
In this issue:
I'm tired, so this will be a short issue.
Walgreens and art -- talk about two completely different ends of the
spectrum . . .
1. WARNING -- IT'S A WALGREENS WORLD
2. CALLING ALL EAGLE ROCK ARTISTS!
3. HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW AT GALLERY OPHELIA -- DECEMBER 14
4. HOLIDAY SALE AT TOWNSEND GALLERY -- ONGOING
5. QUOTE OF THE WEEK*
1. WARNING -- IT'S A WALGREENS WORLD
Well. Goodbye Shopping Bag, and hello Walgreens.
Unless something is done, and done now, the future of Eagle Rock is poor
land-use planning, tacky big-box buildings set WAY back, and vast, visible
parking lots fronting our streets (not to mention an overabundance of
pharmacies, but that's a different discussion). The future of citywide
land-use law now means a redefinition of what a wall is, and, in Eagle Rock's
case, a "street wall," as defined by the Specific Plan. A wall
is now made of air that you can see through, walk through, and throw a rock
through, bouncing off the sea of parked cars that are supposedly "walled
off" from the street, and yet you can see all the parked cars, in plain
view.
I know that if my house were made of such walls, I'd be freezing, especially
during this season. Do you think this is what the framers of the Specific
Plan intended???? Nope.
As you have guessed by now, the East Area Planning Commission thoughtlessly
voted to overturn our appeal and approve this awful project, even though the
Design Review Board voted to disapprove it for very good reasons. We
believe this travesty occurred because there was extraordinary pressure exerted
by the City Planning Department to make sure this project was shoved through,
no matter what. A clear-cut case of CYA.
There is a glimmer of hope. Council member Pacheco has five Council days
to employ a tool called a "Provision Sec. 245" to bring the issue
before the City Council and overturn this decision. It allows the City
Council to, in essence, temporarily act as the Planning Commission and make
planning decisions. He did write a letter in support of our appeal, and
if he is truly serious, he will do the right thing* and utilize
Provision Sec. 245.
He has the power to do this, and the issue is squarely in his lap. Remember,
he is a public servant, and he works for YOU. He is paid by your
tax dollars and mine. Now is his chance to right a terrible wrong.
It is very possible to make a good project that complies with our laws, that
allows Walgreens to become part of our community, and that everyone can live
with. It's called vision and creativity, and, of course, compromise.
We ask that Mr. Pacheco strive to help us create such a project. The
best development projects happen when developers, community members, and our
City all work together.
Time is of the essence. Please write him immediately and tell him he
must do this, and do it now, at npacheco@council.lacity.org.
This detrimentally far-reaching decision MUST NOT STAND. Eagle
Rock deserves better! Please let Mr. Pacheco know how you feel.
Thanks.
2. CALLING ALL EAGLE ROCK ARTISTS!
EAGLE ROCK ARTISTS:
Our district office is starting a new art program, and I would love to have you
participate.
Senator Jack Scott is chair of the California legislature's Joint Committee on
the Arts, and we have a wealth of artistic talent in our district, which
includes Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Altadena, La Canada, Temple City, San
Gabriel, Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Atwater Village, North Hollywood,
and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
The new program will display artwork (6-8 pieces) from each geographical area
in our district office for 3-4 months at a time. It is an excellent way for us
to proudly display our local artists, and it is at the same time a great
opportunity for our artists to show their work to the hundreds of people who
visit our office weekly.
I was able to persuade my fellow staff members to let Eagle Rock be first on
the list. Eagle Rock art will be displayed effective December 22, 2002,through
the first week of April, 2003.
I am requesting artwork as follows:
One hanging piece of art (4'x4' or smaller), per artist, to be submitted or
otherwise approved by me by December 22. Please submit the title, along with
the artist's name and the price of the work if it is for sale.
Please let me know if you have any questions! Thank you!
Teresa
Teresa Acosta
Field Representative
Senator Jack Scott, Senate District 21
215 N. Marengo Ave., # 185, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 683-0282 office / (626) 793-5803 fax
3. HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW AT GALLERY OPHELIA -- DECEMBER 14
SPECIAL EVENT @ GALLERY
OPHELIA!
HOLIDAY ART & GIFT SHOW
Saturday Dec. 14th, 2002 10am-4pm
Join us for a day filled with
fantastic and unique gifts
made by local artists!
·
paintings,
assemblages, collages, & limited edition prints ($20-$500)
·
jewelry
(turquoise, precious stones, ceramic) ($20-$200)
·
letterpress
greeting cards, handmade stationary ($1 -$25)
·
journals
and handmade books ($2-$30)
·
handpainted
and handwoven scarves ($50-$100)
·
NEW! Hand
beaded and crocheted bracelets that are darling! ($24)
·
NEW!
Handmade purses made with felt, fur and denim! ($40-$80)
AND
DON'T MISS....
"Espritu de
Madonna" Gallery Ophelia's December show
featuring art, altars & icons
from the past and present.
SHOW DATES: Dec. 6th, 2002 - Jan
30th, 2003
Gallery Hours : Weds - Sat 12-6pm
For info and directions:
323.982.9945
http://www.galleryophelia.com
4. HOLIDAY SALE AT TOWNSEND GALLERY -- ONGOING
Get up to 50% off on beautiful art and gift items at Townsend Gallery. A
wide variety of items are for sale and are perfect for holiday gift giving.
Fabulous handmade jewelry, household items, clothing, and, of course,
art. Come see the lovely collection of items at great prices.
Townsend Gallery, northeast corner of Colorado and Townsend. Open Monday
through Saturday and Sunday by appointment.
5. *QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Do the
right thing.''
-- Spike Lee
We welcome your comments. Please include
your name.
Joanne Turner <artburn@earthlink.net>
President, The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)