Tracy’s Post-Meeting Observations
This post originally appeared on ConcernedForWestchesterPlaya.com
Monday was the big meeting with Traci Park and our Community Plan Update planners. We had a great turn out for the Alliance Rally beforehand and the press turned out as well.
Unfortunately, only half the people who came could get into the room due to capacity restrictions. Traci Park vowed to support us in having more meetings and we say yes to that!
Here are the slides from the Alliance Presentation. Sadly, we went last and most of the audience had dropped out by then. Click the image to see the slides:
The meeting was relatively productive and our councilwoman stayed to the very end, unlike the planners who stayed a token five minutes after their presentation, but then bailed.
The planners tell us all the time they want to hear from us, but couldn't be bothered to stay for four community presentations. Go figure.
One thing I heard from the planners during their presentation that I thought was particularly alarming was a statement that our plan won't be adopted until 2025.
While this is technically correct, it is problematic because it gives the impression there is no urgency. What they failed to say is that once the very expensive EIR process starts in January, our chances of significantly altering the plan are slim.
Possibly the planners are going to throw the kitchen sink into EIR and it can be slimmed down from there, but that is risky. And it will give us all a heart attack.
What we all need to do now is put our collective feet to the pedal and alert our neighbors what is happening. 400 people turning out for a meeting is awesome, but we have at least 20K people in our plan area. There are so many people who need to know what is happening.
Please sign and share our petition!
The Alliance recorded the meeting but we're having problems with the file. A 3-1/2 hour meeting is no joke for a video file. We are continuing to work on making it usable and will share when we can.
Meanwhile we are planning other ways to share the Alliance Plan.
Below is my personal take on each of the community presentations.
Preserve Westchester presented first. There is a lot of overlap between their views and those of the Alliance. Where we primarily diverge is their support for upzoning (if we have to upzone at all) along the corridors. The Alliance believes our corridors are already too burdened by LAX travelers and South Bay commuter traffic.
Build A Better Westchester spoke second. I agree with two of their main points. They believe the CPU can be an opportunity and they believe we need more affordable housing. Where I thought they fell short was in their lack of research and lack of understanding how the CPU plans to raze wide swaths of existing affordable housing in favor of high rise market rate units we don't need.
Stakeholder John Birkett presented third on the implications of having LAX as a neighbor. I and the Alliance completely agree that our community is already burdened enough with LAX traffic and doubling our population is absurd. Read City Planning Has Lost Its Mind. Is LAX Watching? for more on our views on the topic of LAX.
Finally the Alliance got to present. The entire Alliance worked very hard on the presentation and it showed in the depth of research, the beautiful slides and thoughtful plan recommendations.
What do you think we should do next to shine a light on the CPU and share our message with neighbors? Drop a reply below. We are particularly happy to talk to neighbor groups if you want to organize a back yard event
Please sign and share our petition!
Tracy is active in a number of local community organizations including the Neighborhood Council PLUC, Neighborhood Council Ad Hoc CPU Committee, Kentwood Home Guardians and Emerson Ave Community Garden Club. The views expressed in this post are Tracy’s alone, and should not be construed in any way as an opinion of any other group. Are you planning a meeting with the planners? Have Tracy along to make sure you get the same information other community members get. Are you willing to host a group of your neighbors for a talk? Tracy would be happy to join you.
About Tracy Thrower Conyers Tracy Thrower Conyers is a long-time resident of Westchester 90045. Tracy closely follows local politics, political players and social chatter relevant to Westchester. You’ll frequently find her at Neighborhood Council meetings, as well as on all the social platforms where 90045 peeps hang out. Tracy is a real estate broker and founding principal in Silicon Beach Properties. She is a recognized expert on Silicon Beach and its impact on residential and residential income real estate, and has been featured by respected media outlets including the LA Times, KPCC and KCET. Tracy is also a licensed attorney and accidental housing policy junkie.