Save Elephant Hills

This blog is dedicated to everyone who supports the effort to Save Elephant Hills past present and future, or has ever had to deal with an unscrupulous developer, any city planning department or a dysfunctional / corrupt local bureaucracy, or any combination thereof. There is a refreshing new trend being set downtown with a sense of responsibility far beyond anything Los Angeles has seen in recent history. We need to support those who support our views...here are some recommendations...

Wednesday

File 07-1175

Labels: (PD-07-1175) Oversight Directive and CC file assignment

DEPARTMENT OF
CITY PLANNING
200 N, SPRING STREET, ROOM 525
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4801
City of Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
JANE ELLlSON USHER
PRESIDENT WILLIAM ROSCHEN VICE-PRESIDENT
DIEGO CARDOSO
REGINA M. FREER
ROBIN R. HUGHES
ANDRES F. IRLANDO
SABRINA KAY
FR. SPENCER T. KEZIOS
CINDY MONTANEZ
MICHAEL K. WOO
GABRIELE WILLIAMS
COMMISSION -EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
(213)978-1300
S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP
DIRECTOR
(213)978-1271
EVA YUAN-MACDANIEL
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR
(213)978-1399
fAX: (213) 978-1275
ANTONIO R. VILLARAICOSA
MAYOR
INFORMATION
(213)978-1270
www.lacityorg/PLN
April 10, 2007
Honorable City Council
City of Los Angeles
Room 395, City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Attention: Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Dear Council Members:
As Chairman of the Planing and Land Use Management Committee, Council Member
Ed Reyes has requested that I or my designee make regular status reports to the Committee on
the ongoing development of city planning policies, work program, operations and other items of
interest within the purview of the Department of City Planning.
The Offce of the City Clerk has requested that a formal Council File be assigned so that
any future written communications or public comments may be submitted to the offcial record.
In response to this request, I am requesting that a regular item be scheduled on the PLUM
Committee agenda in order to facilitate a weekly status report, if needed.
Sincerely,
S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP
Director of Planning

CC: Council Member Ed Reyes
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

No comments:

Thanks to:

Although some residents have been involved in this battle
to save Elephant Hills for decades and others have joined the frey relatively recently, I want to thank ALL who have shown support for this critical cause. Special thanks to:

Tamie Towers Jeannine Reagan
Linda Frye Anita Storey

The LA 32 Neighborhood Council

The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council

Councilman Jose Huizar [CD14]
Councilman Tom LaBonge [CD04]

Antonio Villaraigosa [Mayor &
Former CD 14 Councilman]

The hundreds of petition signers

And all the 'westsiders' from Harriman Ave,
Pullman St, Collis Ave.

LA 32 Neighborhood Council resolution (draft)

WHEREAS El Sereno is an area rich in culture and blessed with a distinctive natural landscape; WHEREAS one of El Sereno’s most important assets are the green, loping hills that spread throughout the area; WHEREAS the 110-acre open space area known as Elephant Hill (or the Heavens) which borders the city of South Pasadena as well as the neighborhood of Monterey Hills offers the surrounding residents a well-needed respite from the larger urban environment; WHEREAS preservation of our hills from further residential development is a direct investment in the community by relieving the density of the neighborhood, offers potential low-impact park space, and preserves the natural landscape, wildlife, and character of the region; THEREFORE the Board of the LA 32 Neighborhood Council lends its voice to support the community effort to oppose the proposed development of tract map 35022, oppose any further extensions to tract map 35022 beyond July 14, 2004, and preserve the entire Elephant Hill open space for passive recreation.

ASNC Support Letter

July 13, 2004Dear Councilmember Villaraigosa:On behalf of the Arroyo SecoNeighborhood Council, I would like to confirm the ASNC’s continued support forthe Save Elephant Hill Coalition's request that the City of Los Angeles and itsDepartments thoroughly scrutinize the materials from the developer for Tract Map35022 in order to make sure that all conditions for approval are met and thatthe letter of the law is strictly adhered to.Elephant Hill and this proposeddevelopment border the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, and we share theconcerns of LA-32 Neighborhood Council regarding the impact this developmentwill have on our area. We understand the financial incentives leading developersto undertake new developments in previously undeveloped areas, but it remainsimportant that all city departments that deal with land use and planning supportthe laws, regulations, specific plans and ordinances that deal with developmentin our communities. At our March 22 meeting, the Arroyo Seco NeighborhoodCouncil voted to oppose this development and any further extensions topreviously prepared Environmental Impact Reports, permits, modifications orexemptions with respect to tract map 35022We urge the Council Office to be astrong advocate for strict adherence in this and other cases that deal withdevelopment and its impact on the quality of life for those of us in NortheastLos Angeles.Sincerely,Pat GriffithPresidentArroyo SecoNeighborhood CouncilCc: Lisa SarnoBronley LuhrsEric Carbrera,Building and SafetyBureau of Engineering

Save Elephant Hills Q and A

SAVE ELEPHANT HILL! Luxury Housing vs. Environmental Justice for El Sereno Residents: Community Questions and Answers Question: I have heard that expensive housing is going to be built on Elephant Hill, also known as the Heavens. Is that true? Answer: A Newport Beach company is moving forward a proposed development of 24 luxury houses on open space in El Sereno. According to the developer, these homes will sell for $630,000 - $750,000 or more depending on market conditions. This open space, known as Elephant Hills (and, alternately, the Heavens) is one of the few remaining in Northeast LA. To the south, Elephant Hill is bordered by Cudahy Street, above Huntington Drive. The City of South Pasadena borders the open space to the north. The western boundary is Harriman Ave; the eastern end is bounded by Jennings Drive and Corona Drive, and Portola Avenue. The area is very hilly with a ridge running north to south on the eastern edge; the highest elevation point has spectacular 360-degree views of the San Gabriel Valley, the mountains, downtown Los Angeles, and beyond. Question: A number of years ago there was a plan for a similar development in that area. Didn’t the community oppose it and the City reject the proposed development? Answer: It is the same development and the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods did oppose the proposed development and fought to keep it from being approved by the City of Los Angeles. But, despite the residents’ protests, the tentative or vested plan was approved by the City in 1993. Afterwards, the owners of the property at the time, Greenhills Investment Corporation, did not begin work on the 27 ‘conditions of approval’ required by the City before the tentative plan could be recorded or finalized. Because nothing happened on the property, many people forgot about the project or mistakenly thought it had been defeated. Question: Why did the owners wait this long before moving forward with their plans? Answer: A recession and low real estate prices kept many developers from building in the 1990’s. Today, however, the housing market is red hot in Southern California and any open space near downtown Los Angeles is prime real estate. Also, in 2003, Greenhills Investment Corporation sold the property to William D. Foote, of Monterey Hills Partners, represented by SWD Communities. Mr. Foote is the one of the largest developers of luxury communities in the West. Monterey Hills Partners and SWD Communities are registered with the California Secretary of State as limited partnerships and are located in Newport Beach, CA. There is a history of bad developments and controversial land use associated with SWD and Mr. Foote. Question: What will happen to the land, wildlife and adjacent neighborhoods if the proposed development takes place? Answer: The 24 single-family homes Mr. Foote and Monterey Hills Partners plan to develop on 15 acres in the northeast corner of the 110-acre open space will have a major negative impact on the area. These are the most troubling potential outcomes: Massive cutting, grading and filling of the hills, ridge and ravines on Elephant Hill. Destruction of the two ridges that define Elephant Hill; the current hillside land formations will be changed forever. Large scale road construction to extend Pullman Street, Lathrop Street and Corona Drive and to create at least 3 new streets, Ringgold Drive Greenhills Drive and the extension of Corona Dr, Pueblo Ave, and Portola Ave. The extension of Pullman Street will trigger the development of up to 200 additional homes, filling up the entire open space. The development would destroy the environment that is home to native plants and trees, including California Live Oaks and southern California Black Walnuts, and wildlife such as owls, hawks and other birds, reptiles, coyotes, opossums, skunks, rabbits, and other animals. ] Road construction and removal of tens of thousands of tons of earth would cause dust, noise, road vibration, air pollution, parking and traffic congestion, and safety hazards associated with fully loaded 18-wheel trucks for school children and others. Excessive cutting and filling on unstable hillsides will potentially lead to land movement, mudslides and flooding, serious damage to the existing homes below the proposed development, and liability for the developer. Question: I don’t think its right for out-of-town developers to destroy this open space to build expensive houses that nobody in El Sereno could afford to buy. Isn’t there anything we can do to stop this development? Answer: The reality is unfortunate: the City approved the tentative development plan almost 11 years ago. But, there is some good news. First, the City has required that the owner must complete all the conditions of approval by July 14, 2004 or else the plan becomes invalid and the owner would have to start all over again.[in record time Mr Foote somehow met all 27 conditions of approval on the very day his tract map was to expire] He would have to submit new paper work and the City would have to hold another public hearing. This would give residents the chance to decisively voice opposition to a development that is unsuitable for the land and provides no benefits to this primarily working-class, Latino community. Second, the proposed plan cannot be finalized until it has been approved by the City of South Pasadena. We are encouraged by South Pasadena’s General Plan goals to protect the hillside areas shared with Los Angeles and to conserve "the natural environment as an exercise of responsible stewardship." [under threat of lawsuit and with a promise of financial legal assistance from Mr Foote, South Pasadena City Scoundrels caved in like a New Hampshire coal mine]Third, our City Council Member, Antonio Villaraigosa, is a strong open space advocate. We will ask him to stand with us.[with a wink and a nod Antonio V voted against final recordation of tract 35022 but was overruled by the rest of the City Council with a vote of 9-2 with Ed Reyes being the only other no vote] Fourth, and most importantly, residents in the neighborhoods surrounding Elephant Hill are organizing, getting help from environmental justice and land use experts, and taking action once again. Question: If we are able to stop this development, what can we do to protect the Elephant Hill open space area for good? Answer: Our vision is simple and straight forward. We would like to walk to a restored and well-maintained natural space. We would like hiking trails for healthy exercise and nature education programs for all residents of El Sereno, especially school age children. We are working to protect this open space for our children and grandchildren. Sure, it’s going to take a lot of hard work and money to make this vision a reality, especially in tough times. But, again, there is good news. Many residents who own lots on Elephant Hill want to preserve the land as open space. When we have stopped this development and are ready to move our vision forward, we will look at all potential alternatives. Having fewer public parks compared with other communities, El Sereno stands a good chance to obtain available resources. We believe we will be successful if the community unites behind this vision. Question: How do I get involved? Answer: Please join with us to protect Elephant Hill and maintain a livable community in El Sereno. Here’s what you can do now: Circulate the Save Elephant Hill petition and collect the names of residents who oppose the proposed development. Hold a meeting at your home or organization so your friends, neighbors and co-workers can learn more about the proposed development and efforts to Save Elephant Hill. We’ll send a speaker and bring refreshments! Call or email Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Jose Huizar. Urge them to support our efforts stop the development in Elephant Hills and help make our vision for open space in El Sereno a reality. You can reach the El Sereno district office at (323) 226-1646 or councilmember.huizar@lacity.org For more information about Save Elephant Hills and how you can get involved call 323-255-5843.

LANC Issues News Letter -Bill Murray

LANCissues.org -- the websitefor the many citywide and regional issuesfacing LA's emerging Neighborhood Councils LANCissues.org Home Join email list Join e-group Meet us Help us Who are we ? LANCissues.org - the website~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Citywide Issues Groupfor citywide and regional issuesfacing LA's Neighborhood Councils~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recent postings to the LANCissues e-group have referred to the "Elephant Hill" land development ... but the issue for Neighborhood Councils citywide is bigger than that. It's really about the NCs' role in planning LA. No doubt we'll be covering this topic in much more depth in the near future:How can NCs become effective in planning our City?- Elephant Hill -by Bill MurrayArroyo Seco Neighborhood CouncilJuly 28, 2004It seems a little explanation is due regarding the "Elephant Hill" posts, which are actually part of a much bigger issue, namely, "How can Neighborhood Councils become effective in planning our City?" There are any number of related issues ... but here's an explanation of "Elephant Hill" first: In Northeast LA (the largest part of the "EAST" section of our city) a coalition has been formed to preserve and protect one of our quickly disappearing natural resources, open space. I'm one of the people involved in this effort, which commenced a few months ago. Basically we recognize that open space is just as important to us as the coastline might be to those on the westside (and this issue is not limited to our area). The coalition is growing quickly as it does outreach, and now includes people who represent local Neighborhood Councils, nonprofit organizations and grassroots community efforts. The group has taken the name "North East LA Open Space Coalition" (NELAOSC) and it now has the beginnings of a website that lists the Mission and Goals: http://www.nelaopenspace.org/ We have beautiful hillside vistas remaining in a few parts of Los Angeles, and many of them are in Northeast LA. The local flora and fauna depend on maintaining open space in good condition, and quite a bit of it is improved so as to be "people friendly" for both active and passive use.At this point we are continuing to organize ourselves, and are identifying the remaining open space throughout the area, so as to be able to track plans for its use in the future. One of the first efforts of the North East LA Open Space Coalition was to support the work of a grassroots group "Save Elephant Hill." Elephant Hill is a name given to a large track of land in the northern most section of El Sereno. It's tucked just under the boarder with South Pasadena. A residential neighborhood in El Sereno "Save Elephant Hill"Many see housing and commercial development in large tracts as a threat to open space ... because once it's gone it's gone forever. They also argue that any development must conform to the needs of the community and environment. A portion of Elephant Hill is being developed for some two dozen upscale homes ... but the developer, who's not a local, has been working off an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) from 1993, and seems to be buying a lot of the property that surrounds this track. It's clear this is just the beginning ... Community residents and groups wrote letters in opposition of letting the development proceed without a more stringent review process, asking numerous pertinent questions related to the old EIR. Still others attended local rallies or appeared to testify at City Hall. The LA City Council took up the issue related to Elephant Hill last week. All three local Councilpeople, Ed Reyes of CD1, Eric Garcetti of CD13 and Antonio Villaraigosa from CD14, spoke on behalf of the community. Then the Council considered the ramifications of delaying approval of the project in Closed Session and emerged to later overwhelmingly vote to allow the project. Only Councilmembers Reyes and Villaraigosa opposed proceeding (Mr. Garcetti had to leave on a prearranged trip before the vote could be taken). The "Save Elephant Hill" group is disappointed that the developer has been allowed to get his foot in the door and believe, at a minimum, that this threatens the remaining Elephant Hill land. I'm aware that other areas have similar coalitions for open space (Sunland comes to mind, as well as those involved in the Santa Monica Mountains). Perhaps we could encourage funding an effort to preserve and protect open space citywide. You can rest assured we'll be looking at this in the North East LA Open Space Coalition, and I invite others to join us. Beyond that, there are discussions to be had on the issue of our effectiveness as Neighborhood Councils in general, the degree of opportunity to express ourselves (and matter) as well as other concerns that the NCs be given real teeth.I know the members of the Citywide Issues Group will lead the way, and there's a LOT of work to be done! Yours in service, Bill MurrayArroyo Seco Neighborhood Council www.ASNC.us

The Battle Escalates

The Battle for Elephant Hill Escalates By Gilbert EstradaExclusive to Eastern Group Publications April 23, 2004 http://egpnews.com/index.cfm?id=701&fuseaction=browse&pageid=140 Despite early morning rain, nearly 75 El Sereno residents, activists, and their elected representatives gathered Saturday, April 17 at the 4600 block of Harriman Avenue, where a proposed housing developments threatens the local open space recreation pasture known as Elephant Hill, according to local residents. Their message was very clear: "Preserve open space, Save Elephant Hill." The protest was originally planned as a walking tour of the endangered 110-acre Elephant Hill mountain range, but plans quickly changed when proponents to save the open space learned that prospective site developer, William D. Foote and SWD Communities, "purchased two parcels at the very location where we planned to stage this event. We have been notified by other sources that Mr. Foote is planning to post signs and ensure that trespassing violators will be cited," according to Elva Yanez, one of the main community-activists in the Save Elephant Hill campaign. So, in spite of the rain, threats of citations, and a working budget that runs completely on donations, the Elephant Hill community was not deterred, nor were their elected representatives. "Growing up as I did, [I know] that there aren’t the park spaces that we have in other parts of the city. In fact, many of you know Los Angeles has less park space than any big city in the country. And here on the eastside we have one tenth of park space that the rest of Los Angeles has," said Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Councilman for 14th District. "I’m hoping we’ll be able to keep this area and preserve its open space. I can’t tell you there’s a lot of money for that, because there just isn’t. But we want to work with you to preserve this open space," Villaraigosa continued. Also expressing support for the preservation of Northeast Los Angeles open space was 44th District Assemblymember, Carol Liu, who exclaimed, "I come by to lend my support for all of you who’ve worked so hard to help save Elephant Hill. There just seems to be an effort for all of us here in the Northeast part of Los Angeles and the Northeast Los Angeles Open Space Coalition to join together to save what is left of open space for all of our community." As reported recently by EGP, the Northeast Los Angeles Open Space Coalition grew out of a March meeting of concerned citizens following news that an out-of-town developer is proposing to build 25 luxury homes on fifteen acres of the 110-acre Elephant Hill open space. Save Elephant Hill, another coalition member opposed to the proposed development of luxury homes, which they say will sell for between $630,000 to $750,000 in an area where the median price range is $234,000, worries that an additional 200 homes may be built if the proposed development is allowed to continue. According to opponents, the potential development also threatens the natural wildlife, indigenous plants, and the "excessive grading, cutting and filing of the land could cause land and mud slides, and flooding damage to the homes near the development." "This is like our coastline. For those of us who live in East Los Angeles this is our natural resource. So we have to take every step to protect it," said Elva Yanez. Reminding the audience it was recently the anniversary of Cesar Chavez’s death, Yanez quoted Chavez, " [The enemy] ‘has made a fatal blunder of taking on an unbeatable enemy: the truth.’ All the money and all the PR men cannot defeat the truth. Mr. Foote has made a similar mistake. He said this land was not pristine in front of 200 people. He said that luxury houses will solve the so call gang problem in El Sereno. Those are lies, Mr. Foote." William Foote could not be reached for comment as of press time. However, it is reported that Mr. Foote’s developments have led to similar disputes in other communities across the country, including a 1983 community-remediation in San Mateo which resulted in the nation’s first conservation plan, an apparent victory for both sides of the dispute. Mr. Foote and SWD Communities have until July to comply with the 27 development acts necessary before the city can grant final permitting; he has completed two. If he does not meet the requirements, his permit may be denied.

He"s our man

FINANCIAL DESK HEAD OF REALTY CONCERN DISMISSED AFTER 11 DAYS By DANIEL F. CUFF William D. Foote, president and chief operating officer of Institutional Investors Trust, a real estate company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, has been dismissed after 11 days on the job. Mr. Foote, a California developer, said the dismissal came in a> 5:30 A.M. phone call yesterday from Anthony J. Gumbiner, chairman and chief executive of Institutional Investors and also a European businessman who has his headquarters in Monte Carlo. He said it had followed a major policy disagreement between the two men. This article is only accessible to subscribers of TimesSelect.

Sources

Sources EIR No. 172-84 SUB(REC), SCH No. 89062136, Tentative Track No. 35022. Pueblo Avenue Subdivision: Draft Environmental Impact Report. November 1991. EIR No. 172-84 (SUB) State Clearinghouse No. 89062136. Pueblo Ave. Subdivision: Final Environmental Impact Report. Prepared by the Environmental Review Section, Los Angeles City Planning Department, March, 1992. Los Angeles City Planning Commission. Decision: Vesting Tentative Tract No. 35022. March 9, 1993. (Addressed to Greenhills Investment Corporation and G.F. Montemayor and Associates.) Los Angeles Planning Department. Staff Report: Vesting Tentative Track No. 35022, Hearing Date January 6, 1993. (Prepared by David M. Kabashima, City Planner) Los Angeles Planning Department. Staff Report: Vesting Tentative Track No. 35022, Staff Appeal Report, May 6, 1993. (Prepared by David M. Kabashima, City Planner) Los Angeles Planning Department. Action of the Commission: Vesting Tentative Track No. 35022, June 3, 1993. Los Angeles City Council. Tract Map Appeal on Property Located between Pueblo Avenue and City of South Pasadena Boundary Site, July 15, 1993. Notice of Appeal to the Los Angeles City Council filed by Porfirio H. Duran, June 12, 1993. (Completed form issued by Los Angeles Planning Department, Division of Land Section). Los Angeles City Planning Commission. Recreation and Park Fee Calculation: Vesting Tract No. 35022, March 22, 1994. (Issued to Greenhills Investment Corporation and G.F. Montemayor and Associates.) Los Angeles City Planning Commission. Recreation and Park Fee Calculation: TT 35022, December 29, 2003. (Issued to SWD Communities, LLC and G.F. Montemayor, GFM Associates, Inc.) SWD Communities, LLC. Memorandum Re: Tentative Track Map #35022, Revision Request. (Received by the Los Angeles City Planning, Division of Land on December 10; includes completed Department of City Planning Request for Revised Tentative Tract Map and a lot map.) Los Angeles Planning Department. Memorandum Re: Extensions of Time for Tentative Tract and Preliminary Parcel Maps, November 4, 1999. (Addressed to All Concerned Engineers and Developers) Los Angeles Planning Department. Letter to Greenhills Investment Corp. Re: Tract No. 35022, Extension of Time, February 11, 1998. (Signed by Darryl L. Fisher.) Los Angeles Planning Department. Letter to Greenhills Investment Corp. Re: Tract No. 35022, Extension of Time, February 11, 1998. (Document modified by hand; expiration date 2002 crossed out and changed to 2004, initialed by F.T. [Fernando Tovar] and dated 8/19/02.) Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering. Website: Map Status for Tract No. 35022, 12/29/2003. (http://eng.lacity.org/apps/mapstatus/public/dsp_conditions1.cfm)

Northeast Los Angeles Openspace Coalition

Northeast Coalition Works to Save Open Spaces By Lorena GuadianaExclusive to Eastern Group Publications The battle to preserve some of Los Angeles’ few remaining open spaces in its urban core, has many individuals and groups questioning the wisdom of developing these areas and replacing the natural environment with homes and commercial ventures. One such group is the North East Los Angeles Open Space Coalition, which has undertaken a plan to save the few remaining open spaces in the city’s densely populated northeast sector from being developed. Presently, the coalition, made up of concerned residents, is mobilizing members to strategize on ways to push for an amendment or to add a policy to the North East Community Plan that will help identify and protect open space. The issues for the coalition go beyond simple concerns over aesthetics, but are rooted in strong feelings that by preserving the local environments, opens spaces, you are preserving a quality of life that is quickly disappearing. "Open space is important for the environment and humans," said James Rojas from the Latino Urban Forum, another group advocating to save several northeast areas from development. "It creates links to nature and a place for animals and plants to survive," said Rojas. The coalition has gained the attention of Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa who, according to Rojas, is listening to the community and to their open space concerns. This they hope will add strength to their position. The coalition is currently advocating preserving open space acres in several popular and well-known areas, including: Walnut Park, Elephant Hills, Paradise Hill, Santa Fe Hill, Moon Canyon, Red Hawk Canyon, Flat Top, and Ascot Hills. Recently, the El Sereno Neighborhood Council voted to try and save Elephant Hills from being developed into 25 luxury homes, following a meeting held at the El Sereno Senior Hall that drew about 200 residents who voiced their disapproval of any development plan. About ten years ago a similar development plan was approved by the city, but never carried out. The property has been sold to William D. Foote of Monterey Hills Partners, and represented by a company that opponents call, "the largest developer of luxury communities in the West." The area, home to a variety of wildlife including owls, hawks, squirrels, reptiles, coyotes, rabbits and other animals, offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding mountains. It, like many of the other natural spaces threatened by development, is home to native plants and trees including California Oaks and Walnut trees. Opponents to the development worry that plans underway could include more than just the 24 luxury homes, but actually opens the door for 200 additional homes. Other impacts the North East Open Space Coalition are distraught about include, for example, development of Red Hawk Canyon, which surrounding residents fear will make them more vulnerable to possible disasters. They claim construction of homes in high fire hazard areas, like Red Hawk Canyon, where dangerous traffic conditions already exist, could be aggravated by adding more homes in the area. Since there is no through street, additional developments and the traffic it brings, could potentially be a hazard to the homes surrounding the canyon, not to mention the problems that come with grading and erosion, increase in storm water run off, and of course, the negative impact to wildlife, they contend. According to a UCLA study, Red Hawk Canyon has been identified as an open space resource for Northeast Los Angeles. The coalition’s goal is to develop a long-range policy that allocates funding for the protection and enhancement of open spaces in the North East Community. The communities in Northeast Los Angeles include Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, Mt. Washington, Hermon and Garvanza. For more information about the North East LA Open Space Coalition contact Latino Urban Forum, James Rojas at (626) 437-4446 or via email at jamesrojas@alum.mit.edu.

And I "quote"

In other local business and development news, the City council has also approved the Northeast ICO, an interim control ordinance to temporarily regulate hillside development in the Northeast section of the City. The measure will impose interim regulations on the issuance of building, grading and foundation permits in various portions of the Northeast Community including Mt. Olympus, Paradise Hill, Rose Hills, El Sereno and Monterey Hills. “It’s necessary to ensure that the many hills and ridges of Northeast Los Angeles retain their scenic and unspoiled beauty and remain natural hillsides free of both overdevelopment and ill-planned developments,” said Huizar. ******************************************************** Heres a tidbit about Frank Stillman (he owned Triad Foundation Engineering Inc) Triad were the ones who pencil whipped the EIR's geological data for Elephant Hills in 1992 and again in 1998. In a recent case, Shah v. Stillman, the Court of Appeals of California held that the sole shareholder of a corporation was personally liable for the obligations of the corporation. In this matter, Frank Stillman was the sole shareholder and officer of Triad Geotechnical Consultants. Two parties obtained a judgment against Triad for performing substandard work and looked to Stillman for damages. ********************************************************* Action Alert * Action Alert * Action Alert * Action Alert * Action Alert * Support Huizar's Motion for Environmental Review of Elephant Hill DevelopmentDecember 5, 2006 On November 28, 2006, Councilmember Jose Huizar (CD 14) introduced the attachedmotion instructing City agencies to investigate the need for a supplementalEnvironmental Impact Report (EIR) for the controversial development of 24luxury homes on Elephant Hill in El Sereno (Tract 35022). Councilmember Huizar introduced the motion after the Planning Department andBureau of Engineering failed to respond to requests for a supplemental EIR madein June by impacted residents, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy andthen-Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg.The requests for a supplemental EIR stem from actions by the developer toincorporate additional properties into Tract 35022 as well as new evidence ofan extensive underground water system exposed by workers in April 2006 as theyinstalled fencing around the developer's property. A supplemental EIR is allowed under state law when there is evidence that aproject has expanded outside the scope of the original tract map andsubstantial new information has come to light. Maps and other documents filedwith the Bureau of Engineering demonstrate that the developer expanded Tract35022. The existence of a natural underground water system is significant newinformation since it was not identified in the draft or final EIR for Tract35022. By requiring a thorough investigation into the need for a supplemental EIR forTract 35022, Councilmember Huizar's motion ensures that El Sereno receivesequitable services related to state law from City agencies responsible forplanning and overseeing the construction of residential developments. It alsopromotes public safety by requiring that no further construction on ElephantHill be approved by these agencies until their report is complete. What You Can Do:1. Thank Councilmember Huizar for introducing the motion to investigate asupplemental EIR for Tract 35022. Call the Councilmember at 213-473-7014; emailhim at councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; or send a letter to: City Hall Room425, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.2. Urge the City Council's Planning and Land Use (PLUM) Committee to vote INFAVOR of the motion. Let PLUM know that El Sereno deserves equitable servicesfrom City agencies responsible for residential developments. Email:Barbara.Greaves@lacity.org or write to: Planning & Land Use Committee, CityHall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.3. Urge the individual members of PLUM to vote in favor of the motion:. Ed Reyes, Chair: councilmember.reyes@council.lacity.org or 213-473-7001. Jose Huizar: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org or 213-473-7014. Jack Weiss: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org or 213-473-7005For more information contact: Elva Yañez at 323-221-2255 ext. 11 oreyanez@audubon.org

Save Elephant Hills

Wednesday

File 07-1175

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Elephant Hills

Chapters [click title to view]

Thanks to:

Help Save Elephant Hills

Welcome To Your World

Wheelie Hill

LA 32 Neighborhood Council resolution (draft)

ASNC Support Letter

Arroyo Seco NC

Save Elephant Hills Q and A

Notice

Flyers by....

SEH (Save Elephant Hills)

Illegal Grading

El Sereno Elementary School

the soil tesT

Elephant Hills

LANC Issues News Letter -Bill Murray

Recent Monterey Hills Mudslide

Pullman St Valley

The Battle Escalates

Elephant Hills aerial from 1 mi

Before

Elephant Hills from Condos

ACT NOW

Views around Elephant Hills

He"s our man

Sources

Project Overlay

Conditions Summary

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#"s S-1a - S-1k

#"s S-2 - S-3m(4)

#"s S-3n - notes

Northeast Los Angeles Openspace Coalition

And I "quote"

Official Seal

Hey South Pasadena

View of LA metro from 360 hill

MHC Landfill

Elephant Hills

PLUM Motion #06-1593

MHC top Elephant Hills bottom

Save Elephant Hills Flyer