Hancock Park Neighbors Meet with CouncilMember Nithya Raman
The Association sponsored a Town Hall meeting with our new Council Member, Nithya Raman on March 15th. The Zoom which was a long time in planning, provided the CM with a list of questions from the community based on the neighbors’ input of priorities, concerns and issues. This is a difficult time, for the City and while the recently passed American Rescue Act will provide funding for cities and states there will still be a lot of hard choices to make.
Some of the issues covered were:
1. Safety and Security – CM Raman was asked about the increase in homicides and robberies in the city and how she would work to ensure funding for LAPD so their response times will be adequate for our emergencies. Her proposal is to align the LAPD in a more proactive, community centered model for our emergencies. She supports moving some funding to support specially trained responders to problems such as homelessness, mental health and traffic enforcement that may not require a full police response.
2. Land Use, R-1 Zoning and HPOZs – CM Raman supported SB 1120 the precursor/twin of Senate Bill 9, but she hadn’t read SB9. She does support SB 10. The City Council has not yet been asked to take a position on these two new measures-yet. She doesn’t support the elimination of R-1 zoning and supports HPOZs, however she is also committed to adding housing to the city.
3. Homeless Crisis Response – CM Raman supports creating Access Centers that can provide complete services, but doesn’t have a detailed plan as to where and how to locate and fund these centers.
She also said that the Council Office discretionary funding budget will be used to backfill areas where city services are cut, but the Discretionary Task Force as it previously performed in the district will not be continued. Other outstanding issues that were discussed but where she hasn’t taken a position were the LA City pension crisis, balancing citywide initiatives (such as Streets for All) with the interests of local residents, and the postponement of repairs to our sidewalks and streets. You can view the entire meeting on our website, www.hancockpark.org – News and Events.
Councilmember Raman also introduced Su Lee (suin.lee@lacity.org) her district field manager. Ms. Raman encouraged residents to contact Ms. Lee with questions and issues.
Don’t forget to pay your dues and, if you don’t have one, plant a parkway tree. Contact the Association at Hancock Park Homeowners Association est 1948 - Home
If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, hardscaping and windows, check with our HPOZ Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org) before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form available - preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System: laocb.org/programs/graffiti-abatement and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.