Reply from Ken Bernstein

Thanks so much for the very nice write-up on my presentation. Just one quick correction in case this gets reproduced for the web or your newsletter: In your paragraph on HPOZs, I wanted to make clear that no one is asking proposed HPOZ communities to "tax themselves" to pay for historic resources surveys. Some communities are talking about coming up with voluntary contributions, or raising outside funds, and some are using volunteers to work with professional consultants in order to minimize costs, but there are no proposals for special taxes or assessments to pay for such studies. I wouldn't want to leave the reader with an impression that discussion of an HPOZ in Eagle Rock could lead to a tax increase!

Ken Bernstein

Thanks Ken. In the past we've been told by several speakers that there are unlikely to be City funds available for the necessary survey to create an HPOZ. There was no intent to state that taxes would have to be raised to create an HPOZ.

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Thinking about “mansionization”

Reader Mike Groszkruger suggests that mansionization may not be a huge problem in Eagle Rock (at least not yet), but residents who would like to read about this issue may find the article titled, “Measuring McMansions: How Big Is Your Faceprint?” on the Civic Strategies website of interest. Using the case of Atlanta, Georgia, it addresses the questions, “Is there anything wrong with replacing older small houses with newer big ones? And if there is, how big is too big?” You can read it at www.civic-strategies.com.

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike.

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Meeting July 30 about charter high school coming to Mt. Royal

Hi,

I was wondering if you folks know about the 5 year lease signed by Farley Storage Warehouse (corner of Colorado and Mt. Royal) with LA International Charter High School? Homeowners on Mt. Royal, as well as Vincent, La Roda and other surrounding streets will be gravely affected by the addition of hundreds of high school students, plus faculty and staff. 300-500 students are projected to eventually attend this school. The Farley building has 5 parking spaces. Where will faculty and students park? There is no yard nor recreation area. Where will the students go during recess? The answer is Mt. Royal and surrounding residential streets.

There has been no community input, no environmental impact studies; we are very, very concerned. We have organized an emergency meeting of area residents and businesses and have invited local politicians to address this troubling development.

Please contact me if you wish further details or you may wish to broadcast the Meeting, it will take place at 5148 Mt. Royal Dr. on Sunday, July 30 at 11 a.m.

Thank you. Pat Viera

patviera@pacbell.net

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Parking and Walking

I was happy to read that the new business/auto parking proposal was given the "O.K." by the city. Though not perfect, it seems a step in right direction. It is so frustrating to me that we can be losing new businesses and redevelopment because of some antiquated "one-size -fits-all" approach to automobile parking. This is not just the case in Los Angeles, but happens in most cities. The thinking of yesterday not meeting the needs of today. As people left cities after WWII and moved to the suburbs and the automobile became indispensable, many laws and much civic energy began to be directed by what was best for automobiles rather than what was best for people (suggest here that if you have never read it, to pick up Jane Jacobs classic book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities). The hangover still exits when we see small businesses that people want to come to their communities (in our case Eagle Rock) excluded because the parking regulations enacted in another time. People's lives are diminished to accommodate automobiles? It seems crazy to me. Does government serve us or serve automobiles?

I understand that with no viable alternative public transport, a car is a necessity in most of Los Angeles and in Eagle Rock as well (my own trip to work would be 2.7 hours each way by bus according to the MTA web site), but we should never lose sight of the fact that in the end, people are more important than automobiles. Eagle Rock is extremely lucky to have two appealing main streets (Colorado and Eagle Rock Blvd) which can be reached by foot by most all the local residents and I would suspect that locals are the bulk of the local businesses. Yet relatively few seem to choose to walk. As stated above, I myself have to drive to work, but for most errands (Trader Joes, banking, grabbing a coffee, popping into the drugstore, shopping for gifts at local shops, etc. etc.) I walk. I walk and completely enjoy it. Many if not most weekends, I never even get in my car.

I would encourage all those physically able to challenge yourself to try one weekend where you forbid yourself the use of your car and conduct all your business locally and on foot! Start on Friday evening by walking to our wonderful farmer's market! The one certain way to alleviate the parking problems in Eagle Rock is to leave the car at home. On a micro level, walking has great health benefits for the person through physical exercise (lowering stress, lowering blood pressure, increasing energy, increasing stamina, aiding in sleep, etc.). On a macro level, walking reduces traffic, eases parking, reduces pollution, lowers crime, saves money and helps decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Then there are the more esoteric benefits like meeting new friends, discovering new businesses, interacting with neighbors, giving the dogs a treat (they certainly appreciate the pleasures of walking!) etc. I suspect that many of you will, as I myself have discovered, that walking really increases your quality of life.....and in Eagle Rock we are truly lucky to have a place that lends itself so well to walking (among many other things that make Eagle Rock great.)

Mike Groszkruger

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Hey Michael,

Does anyone know what's up with the giant (but narrow) empty lot on the north side of Colorado near Wiota? (Across from the new-ish senior housing, on the way toward Vons.) Folks on this side of The Rock have heard plenty about the restaurant opening in the shack near Cindy's, but nada about the giant dirt- strip that's been graded recently. Housing development? Gas station? Private airport? Inquiring/cringing minds want to know.

Thanks,

Dave & Rachel

I'm wondering if what you are referring to is David and Helen Gustavson's (and other volunteers) work on planting and erecting an "Eagle Rock" monument (welcome to Eagle Rock monument in the shape of the Eagle Rock), designed by artists Bill Stutz on the north side of Colorado near Wiota? Or it might be the landing site for the official TERA Harrier Jet, which I am hoping will be delivered soon. I'll take a look and see if I can figure it out. Meanwhile, readers are welcome to get me off the hook by writing.

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Nice 'couch' cliche -- I can see why you've been elected.

Cheers,

-TJ Welch 2670 Cunard Street. LA, CA 90065

"Don't forget eagle rock isn't just north Colorado BLVD. My house is pretty old too."

Well, I try to see 'em as I call 'em. And as far as being aware that Eagle Rock is on both sides of Colorado Boulevard, I live south of Colorado as does newly elected TERA Vice President Frank Parrello. New Board member Terri Wahl has a very successful restaurant on Eagle Rock Boulevard, way south of Colorado Boulevard and the TERA Home Tour is not only south of Colorado; it's south of Yosemite! And we enjoy dining at Auntie Em's, Mia Sushi, Senior Fish, and Pat and Lorraine's every bit as much and as frequently as we do at The Coffee Table, Camilo's Bistro, and Le Petite Beaujoulais (LPB). TERA is working for a better Eagle Rock and that means all of Eagle Rock, north, south, east and west.