Belmont Heights Community Association
Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2013
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 PM by Dianne Sundstrom, BHCA president.
The meeting started with the featured presentation updating the Pacific Electric Right of Way (PEROW) project status with Anna Mendiola (C of LB Parks, Rec and Marine Dept.) and the project’s landscape and design contractor, Richard Fisher.
Mr. Fisher described the design and planning process for the area. Once the design is approved, funding will be sought to prepare final plans, including landscaping details, and an EIR. Additional funding will also be sought to complete the construction/hardscape phase. The entire project will likely take 3 – 5 years to complete.
Summary of Discussion – Please note that copies of the plans are posted on the front page of the BHCA website
Ø The project area starts from Park and goes to Loma @ 11th Street.
Ø There will be no playground equipment.
Ø There will be benches configured to discourage loitering/sleeping
Ø There will be native and California-friendly landscaping; low maintenance plants, and the shrubs will be at most waist high which discourages hiding spots
Ø No specific choices on plants or trees have been made; final detailed plans will include such choices
Ø Street crossings at the PEROW will become entry points
Ø The 6th Street Bike Boulevard design will be incorporated into the PEROW design
Ø ADA access will also be incorporated
Ø Some areas along the sides of the PEROW will require additional fencing but most fences, as they exist now, will likely remain
Ø There is no Ximeno crossing at the PEROW because of traffic speed on Ximeno and pedestrian safety concerns. Pedestrians will be guided to the 7th Street intersection, cross to Wilson High School, then cross Ximeno to regain the PEROW pedestrian walk at Bennett. A pedestrian crosswalk is not recommended by the City’s traffic engineer due to mid-block location and traffic speed
Ø A private parking area at Roswell on the PEROW will be removed
Ø The entry points into the PEROW will include some special landscaping to include boulders, seating and even some lawn
Ø The community gardens at 9th Street will include school participation and fencing to protect the gardens from passersby
Ø The upper end of PEROW, at Loma before 11th Street, will be turned into a community garden.
Ø Lighting will be on poles, 12 ft off the ground every 100-120 feet. No lights on the ground due to risk of vandalism. Pole lights will be controlled to prevent ‘spill’ to nearby residences.
Ø Solar lighting may be an option, with decisions made further into the project design and build phase
Ø Musical Theatre West (MTW) owns the building and are cooperating in this project. Specifics on how the PEROW behind MTW will be used have not been finalized. However, it has been agreed that the entire project should not be delayed pending resolution of this space
Ø Pedestrian walking path is to be built from cement, using a rougher surface and not as finished with a natural color. Cement is most cost effective with longest usable life of any building material (40-50 years). The path will be 12’ wide and is designed to be sufficient for runners and other users on the path at the same time. Skateboards are not allowed on pedestrian paths and will be prohibited
Ø The project may be phased depending on how much and how fast funding can be put together.
Ø Long Beach Organic garden section is locked now but the garden will be fenced, allowing the space around it to be used but keep pedestrians from encroaching on the gardens
Ø The timing for the project is defined by the funding. If all the money were available today it would be a minimum of 2 years to complete design, environmental reviews, bidding and construction phase. As mentioned above, we are looking at a 3 – 5 year timeline
Ø What can be done with the land in the meantime to encourage use and access? Permits for small group uses may be available – i.e. block party style events; however parking is an issue.
Other Business
Signal Box Painting Project
Sydney Simon presented a couple of additional box designs by Doug Walker and Diane Taylor. More artists are being called on to volunteer their artistic talents.
Cable Wire Blight
Sydney also reviewed the subject of cable wire blight in the neighborhood noting that the last BHCA newsletter carried an article on the subject. Sydney is working with other local neighborhood leaders to create a committee and any volunteers who want to help are welcome. Anyone identifying areas to be addressed are welcome to contact Sydney. Use the “contact us” link on the website: www.mybelmontheights.org
Broadway Traffic and Design Issues
Dianne updated the group on the Broadway traffic issues being discussed with City Staff. The city has completed a recent study and results suggest that a pedestrian crosswalk at Termino would be useful in protecting pedestrians and slow traffic. A speed monitoring device, parked on the side of the road with LED readouts would cost $12,000 (one on each side of the road) and Councilman De Long’s office has pledged to match any funds raised by the BHCA. If only one device is requested, for one side of the road, $3K could be funded by the BHCA and $3K from the council office. BHCA is exploring fundraising and donations from the community; Broadway businesses are also interested in assisting with raising funds. Various options exist as to placement of the monitoring device and City Traffic staff will be enlisted to provide information on the best options for placement.
Dianne announced that there is interest in extending the street median from Park to Termino. Neighbors in that area will be canvassed and until funding is secured, a painted median could be a low cost method to slow traffic and create a more pedestrian friendly area.
Dianne gave an update on the Redondo/Broadway project and it now appears that the repaving on Redondo (Anaheim to Second Street) will be in late October, early November. Curb bulb-outs at the intersection and designs for the pedestrian crossing are still being discussed; budget constraints for the project will determine how much can be done.
3rd District Council Office Update
Julie Maleki gave an update on curb and sidewalk repairs in the BHCA area. Repairs will happen at the end of July and beginning of August. Repairs are prioritized based on severity; however, many areas do not get reported. The BHCA will organize a survey that newsletter volunteers will complete as they walk through the area delivering newsletters. This information will assist the 3rd District Council with documenting and prioritizing repairs.
Helicopter Noise
A representative from the Bluff Heights neighborhood, Julie Seaver, made a presentation concerning helicopter noise along the Redondo corridor. The FAA is not regulated helicopters and they can basically fly anywhere they want, as low as they want. There are some new federal regulations being considered to require minimum altitudes less disruptive to neighborhoods (SB208, HR456) proposed by Senators Boxer and Feinstein. Julie is asking for support from the BHCA to control helicopter noise in our area and anyone interested can contact her.
Potential New Business at Broadway and Belmont
Dianne made an announcement about a proposed new coffeehouse on Broadway at Belmont, behind the Bliss on Broadway Spa. Members of the BHCA have met with the architects to discuss the plan. There will be outside dining but there is no dedicated parking. The business will not be allowed to have live music, late hours or to serve cooked food.
A tour of Temple Israel (Loma at Vista) is being arranged for BHCA residents.
Laura Doud, City Auditor, will be our guest speaker at our July meeting.
The BHCA will take a summer recess so there is no BHCA meeting in August.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordana Kajer, BHCA Secretary