Hancock Park Homeowners Association est 1948 Untitled page

2025 HPHA Annual Meeting -- Minutes and Recording Available

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:39:55 GMT

Your HPHA hosted our 2025 Annual Meeting last night on Zoom. Huge thanks to Asm. Rick Zbur, Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, LAPD SLO Tyler Shuck and LADWP Community Liaison Michael Ventre for their presentations and willingness to engage with our community on these critical issues for our quality of life in Hancock Park.

Agenda:

Welcome & HPHOA Committee Updates
LAPD Senior Lead: Officer Tyler Shuck
DWP Representative: Neighborhood Power Outages
LA Council District 5 : CM Katy Yaroslavsky
State Assembly Member District 51: Rick Zbur

Video recording of the meeting can be found HERE

AI-generated Meeting minutes can be found HERE

HPHA March 2025 Town Hall Meeting with LAPD SLO Tyler Shuck -- Recording Available

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:59:34 GMT

We had a terrific community meeting with our fantastic new LAPD Senior Lead Officer, Tyler Shuck discussing safety and security in Hancock Park. Michelle Flores from CD5 gave updates on the devastating effects of the City budget cuts on key issues in HP such as streetlight repair, street and and sidewalk repair and tending the Highland Median.

Watch a recording of the Town Hall.

February 2025 Column

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 19:29:22 GMT

Grief and Gratitude in a Difficult Time

The horrific fires that cost thousands of our neighbors in the Los Angeles area to lose their homes and, in some terrible cases, to lose their lives has made all of us grieve. It’s also made us appreciate our communities and those hardworking people who helped combat the fires, to keep everyone informed, to organize relief efforts and to do everything possible to keep us safe.

First and foremost, we are grief stricken at the loss of precious lives, and at the loss of the homes that contained thousands of our neighbors’ lives and memories. Nothing replaces such loss and we extend our hearts out to all who are suffering.

Second, we thank the incredibly brave and hardworking LAFD fire fighters and the firefighters who raced to help LA from around the country, Canada and Mexico. The LAPD, our utility workers and everyone else who fought the fires back, kept public order, helped people evacuate and restored power. An event like this reminds us of how this infrastructure of human effort keeps us safe. Some of these fire fighters fought the roaring fires with very little sleep – working double shifts for days. Such dedication inspires all of us and builds our ties stronger.

And we thank our City workers, our CD5 Council Member, Katy Yaroslavsky, and her fantastic staff for keeping everyone informed and doing everything possible to care for the community.

The size of such a catastrophe will require a major effort on the part of everyone living in the Los Angeles area. Stay safe.

HPHA Security Town Hall - Recording

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 05:17:17 GMT

If you missed the HPHA Security Town Hall, you can view it HERE.

You can find information about security companies HERE.

You can find contact info for the LAPD and for CM Katy Yaroslavsky's office HERE.

One key takeaway: please get to know your neighbors on your blocks! Contact your block captain and ensure that you have a text string for your block in case you notice anything odd happening. If you don't have a block captain, consider volunteering to be a block captain! Contact the HPHA Block Captain Committee Chair to find out more.

June Column

Mon, 20 May 2024 23:12:45 GMT

Public Hearing on Pawnshop Sports Bar!

Plan to attend the virtual public hearing on Thursday, June 6th at 9:30 a.m. and provide your comments about the proposed plan for the conditions of operation for the Pawnshop Sports Bar at 5901 Melrose (corner of Melrose and Cahuenga). The owner is asking for extended operating hours of 6 a.m. until 2 a.m., seven days a week, has not provided a parking plan as requested by the neighbors, and has shared no plans for security and noise management. The Pawnshop can host 275 patrons and will be the site of broadcasts of international sporting events.

This part of Melrose Avenue has a number of restaurants, all of which close by 11 p.m. Many of them have full bars, but the number of patrons is much lower than would be hosted at the Pawnshop. Without some reasonable controls and agreements, this quiet part of Melrose immediately adjacent to residential homes, could change dramatically. The Association and the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council have asked the owner to limit the hours of alcohol service from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., to provide a parking plan, and to set up a security plan. To date, the owner has refused the communities’ requests and his permit application is unchanged.

Any permissions for extended alcohol service granted for this bar/restaurant will stay with the property. It would also set a new precedent for business owners on other properties along Melrose to receive the same kind of extended alcohol service hours. This is an important transition time for Melrose and Hancock Park. We ask you to think carefully about what’s important to you about living in our diverse neighborhood — home to many houses, apartments, condominiums, schools and churches.

The Hearing is: Thursday, June 6th at 9:30 a.m. This hearing allows for public comment. We have learned over the years that strong community attendance and participation at these hearings is needed to get the attention of the Department of City Planning. We encourage everyone living in Quadrant One (Lillian Way, Cahuenga and Wilcox) as well as other Hancock Park residents to please attend. If you can’t attend, please submit a letter to the Hearing Officer, Yasmin.Diaz@lacity.org.

The ZOOM link is: https://planning-lacity-org.zoom.us/j/85765192714

Meeting ID: 857 6519 2714 and Passcode: 563278

If joining by phone: (669) 900-9128 or (213) 338-8477.

When prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 85765192714#

The meeting’s agenda will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting at planning4la.org/hearings.

We welcome volunteers! We’re also asking every homeowner to become a dues-paying member. See our website for more specific information about how you can participate

March 2024 Column

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:33:59 GMT

March 5^th Election! Be An Informed VOTER!

Voting has started! It’s important we are informed on the issues and who we are voting for! The people we send to LA City , County, Sacramento, and Washington DC will make decisions that will impact our lives for decades to come. Here’s what is on the March 5^th Ballot!

1). 30^th Congressional District Congressperson 2) State Assemblymember 51^st District 3) LA County District Attorney Two very important initiatives: Measure HLA and Proposition 1.

Measure HLA would convert Mobility Plan 2035, an aspirational planning document adopted by the City Council in 2015, into a mandate that requires the city to add bike lanes and traffic-slowing “road diets” to city streets whenever - at least 1/8 of a mile is repaved. The Mobility Plan 2035 was intended to improve all forms of mobility in LA, but HLA deals primarily with bike mobility. It allows any City resident to file a lawsuit against the City for noncompliance. Matt Szabo, the city’s top budget analyst, warns the measure could cost more than $3.1 billion over the next 10 years. Szabo also states that projects required under Measure HLA would reduce the number of streets that are repaved or improved each year.

The HLA initiative was written by Michael Schneider, bike advocate founder of Streets For All ; https://www.streetsforall.org/initiatives Schneider says adding bike lanes and road diets make streets safer and would force city agencies to complete a list of projects. It would allow any City resident to file a lawsuit against the City for noncompliance.

Read the Mobility Plan 2035 here: https://planning.lacity.gov/odocument/523f2a95-9d72-41d7-aba5-1972f84c1d36/Mobility_Plan_2035.pdf

Please refer to your City of Los Angeles VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET https://clkrep.lacity.org/election/2024_Primary_Ballot_Measure_Eng.pdf for more detailed information on HLA.

Proposition 1would change California’s 20 year old Mental Health Services Act and includes

funding to build more than 10,000 new treatment beds. Many unhoused people on

our streets have mental health problems, and Proposition 1 proposes an approach of more

funding and uniformity of services in order to help solve this problem. It would

mark a major change in the state’s approach to homelessness and mental health and it’s

critically important that voters inform themselves and vote.

For more detailed information on Proposition 1 please refer to the voter guide : https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/1/

We welcome volunteers! We’re also asking every homeowner to become a dues paying member. See our website for more specific information about how you can participate - Hancock Park Homeowners Association Est 1948 - Home

February 2024 Column

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:33:27 GMT

Using MyLA311 and Safe Sidewalks LA

If you see a tree down or a couch left at the curb or you see graffiti or … and you wonder how to get the situation handled; try the MyLA311App or the website https://lacity.gov/myla311 to make a report. You’ll open a ticket, someone will be dispatched and when the situation is cleared up you’ll get notification.

Some of the additional things MyLA311 can handle are:

- Reporting dumping or trash collection issues

- Requesting bulky item pick-up appointments

- Reporting graffiti

- Asking for parking enforcement

- Animal services, such as dead animal pickup

- Streetlight outage

- Reporting gas leaf blower violations

Safe Sidewalks LA

As everyone who walks on a sidewalk in Los Angeles knows, most of our sidewalks are broken and dangerous. Our Hancock Park neighborhood has been requesting help from our Council Office for months and have been told there was no funding available for our sidewalk infrastructure. However, we discovered a program called – Safe Sidewalks LA https://sidewalks.lacity.org/ . The goal is to repair sidewalks so they are accessible to all of us. The Association will be starting an initiative and task force to help Hancock Park residents log problem sidewalks, get involved in the program and keep track of the progress. Stay tuned for more information.

We welcome volunteers to help with our work. We’re also asking every homeowner to become a dues paying member. See our website for more specific information about how you can participate - Hancock Park Homeowners Association Est 1948 - Home

December 2023 Column

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:32:26 GMT

We’re Still Looking for Answers?

Our Councilmember, Katy Yaroslavsky and her team have been in place for almost a year. The Association and its members have a number of important and pressing issues that we’ve asked our Councilmember and her staff to help us with and, unfortunately, we’re still waiting for answers:

1) How will the City address the dangerous flooding on Clinton between Lillian and Rossmore on Clinton that occurs during rain storms; hopefully before someone drowns;

2) What progress has the DWP made in fixing the lack of communication to consumers when there is a major power outage. Four days without power or information is inexcusable;

3) When will repairs to our sidewalks and streets be done so pedestrians don’t trip and break bones and cars aren’t damaged;

4) When will the street lights on Rossmore be fixed and the utility boxes secured so the vandalism stops;

5) Graffiti, tagging and illegal flyer removal/cleanup is never done with urgency -inviting more vandalism.

Lastly your constituents would like an accounting of how your office’s Discretionary Funds are spent. The Association would like to continue our history of productive working relationships with our Council Office and look forward to these and other issues being addressed fully and expeditiously.

To our residents and neighbors, please remember these are not the only concerns we have, but these are the specific issues we have been trying to resolve for months!

There is always lot to do on behalf of the community and there are many efforts underway to improve all areas of life in Hancock Park. We welcome volunteers to help with our work. Again, see our website for more specific information about all these initiatives and other efforts. A recording of the meeting is available on

our website, Hancock Park Homeowners Association Est 1948 - Home

2023 HPHA Annual Meeting

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:14:56 GMT

A link to our 2023 HPHA Annual Meeting video recording can be found here:

HPHA Annual Meeting

The agenda for the meeting included:

Welcome from HPHA President, Cindy Chvatal-Keane
Council District 5 : CM Katy Yaroslavsky
Board Member Introductions
Assembly Member : Rick Zbur
Neighborhood Security:

LAPD Wilshire Division: Captain Sonia Monico
Acting Senior Lead Officer: DeantreDantzler
Neighborhood Preparedness: Ben Goldfarb

HPHA Committee Updates
Announcement of Board Election Results

HP/WS Power Outage Town Hall RECORDING now available

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:10:37 GMT

The Hancock Park/Windsor Square Town Hall on the recent prolonged power outage in our area was held last night over Zoom. If you missed it, a recording is now available at the link posted below. The Town Hall participants included the WS and HP HOAs, Councilmembers Yaroslavksy and Soto-Martinez and representatives from DWP.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/IFbxb_OGn0SkiaJFTpeLT-WrhNMxwr0LLiX1J_Rq0wWwptvYExXNh7SdZPwxQovj.X-8XLg0575XWicLh?startTime=1678157792000

Passcode: ^h.H6$hy

Below are the 12 questions the HOAs sent to DWP in advance of the meeting.

Question 1 - Hancock Park and Windsor Square Outages

Why was there a delay of multiple days for LADWP to restore power to homes in Windsor Square and Hancock Park? What caused the delay? Was there insufficient staff available to respond to power outages in multiple areas in the city? Was the cause of the outage in Windsor Square/Hancock Park so severe and technically difficult to fix that it caused the delay? Was there a paucity of hardware/parts that had to be sourced to fix the problem, causing the delay?

Question 2 - Incorrect Outage Data

Why are outage maps and messaging to the community re - repair times - incorrect and inconsistent? How can they both be improved to show outages in real-time and send accurate messages to the community?

Question 3 - Infrastructure Upgrades

What plans are in place to upgrade critical infrastructure around the city? (Crews tell residents that our infrastructure is old and failing.)

Question 4 - DWP Coordination of Upgrades

If/when LADWP upgrades infrastructure — water and power— who would be leading that effort? How is that coordinated? Who at LADWP is responsible? Is DWP working in coordination with the Mayor’s office?

Question 5 - Availability of Federal Funding

Feds have put aside millions for upgrading infrastructure. Has LADWP reached out for Federal funding and what is/would that funding support?

Question 6 - Preparation for Future Events

If the woeful response DWP had to the current storm is any indication - a storm for which we had ample warning - how will we all be impacted in the event of a major earthquake with no warning? How is LADWP preparing?

Question 7 - Impact of Housing Plans on Infrastructure

With more and more housing units being built – ADU's, TOC projects, LA Housing Element calls for 460K new units – how is infrastructure going to keep up, especially now that the City Via Executive Directive is streamlining / fast tracking permitting?

Question 8 - DWP Staffing

What is the staffing situation? Are we down crews— both on the power and water side? Are we at capacity or still trying to recruit?

Question 9 - SLTRP Impact on Staffing / Solar

The 2023 SLTRP (STRATEGIC LONG TERM RESOURCE PLAN) includes, "Preliminary budgetary estimates include approximately 2,500 to 3,000 additional positions to address existing system needs and also PSRP (Power System Reliability Program) revamp and load growth. How many of those positions will be for upgrading existing infrastructure problems or are they mostly for LA 100's solar?

Question 10 - Reimbursement for Losses

Is LADWP going to reimburse us for all the food we had to throw away? All perishable and frozen goods were a total loss for us.

Question 11 - Past Upgrades Insufficient

Last year in Hancock Park a number of residents withstood multiple electric shut offs when they were upgrading the area. Why did this upgrade, deemed necessary enough to disrupt traffic, light, water and home access for months, not prepare us for or avoid the recent outage ?

Question 12 - DWP Tree Trimming

Many residents were told their outage was due to trees hitting/knocking down power lines. LADWP told these residents that residents were responsible for keeping the trees trimmed. However, California regulations require utilities to trim trees or vegetation so they don't grow into or fall into high-voltage power lines, which could not only cause a power outage but could spark a fire or be a danger to the public. Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines?

June Column

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:06:34 GMT

WHY VOTE?

Every registered Los Angeles voter automatically received a ballot in the mail. Mail in that ballot, drop it in a Drop Box or make a plan to vote in person.Don’t sit this one out! Return your ballots or vote in person by June 7!

1. Elections have consequences. You have the power to decide on the quality of life you want for yourself and your family. Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about like public safety & security, homelessness, protecting neighborhoods and planning smart development, ending institutional corruption in City Hall. This is your community - your City!

2. Not voting is giving up your voice.
Elections are decided by the people who go out and vote. Take some time and learn about the measures and the candidates. If you don’t vote, someone else will make the decision for you. Your power is in your vote.

3. Voting is an opportunity for change. Do you want to make a positive impact? Voting gives you that chance! Support the candidates and ballot measures that can help your community and state for the greater good. Make your voice heard in this election.

4. The community depends on you!
Our communities are made up of friends, loved ones, neighbors, and children. Some may not know how important voting is, while others don’t have the privilege. Make the decision to vote for yourself and those around you.

Make your voice heard!

VOTE!

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting! Participate! We are all volunteers!

May Column

Wed, 04 May 2022 17:53:08 GMT

Saving Our Trees

The lack of rain this winter means that water restrictions will be put in place starting June 1^st. We will be asked to limit outdoor watering to one day a week. However, it’s very important to protect our parkway trees, and the large trees and bushes in our landscape. The DWP will be issuing guidelines and regulations in the next couple of weeks, but start planning now. Mulch around your trees and large bushes. Check for leaks in your sprinkler systems and, if possible, change your landscaping to be as drought tolerant as possible.

The DWP recognizes that our trees and large shrubs are critical in mitigating the impact of climate change and will be issuing guidelines in the next few weeks. The Association will be communicating with residents and working on plans to help all of us preserve our precious tree canopy and save water. The following articles from the LA Times are a good place to start informing yourself.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-26/drought-order-limits-outdoor-watering-souther-california

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-29/which-southern-california-cities-are-affected-by-new-watering-rules

Security remains an issue so take care and alertt your neighbors and the police if you see something suspicious. Leave outside lights on overnight. Lock your car. Lock your house. Set the alarm if you have one and consider installing one if you don’t. Stay alert on walks and while getting in and out of your car. Walk with a friend when possible and if you are the unfortunate victim of a crime make a policy report.

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting!

Participate! We are all volunteers!

January Column

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 23:00:47 GMT

Happy New Year and Here’s What’s Next for Hancock Park

Hancock Park is now part of Council District 5 it’s time to meet our new Councilmember, Paul Koretz. The HPHOA will host a virtual “Meet and Greet” Town Hall with our new CM on Thursday, January 13^th at 6:30 PM. Town Hall Zoom link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82160706440 - Information and links can also be found on our website www.HancockPark.org Please plan to join us!

What’s Next!

- We will be electing a new CD5 Council person in 2022. The Association will host a candidates’ forum so you can meet and hear from the people running. It’s important! Our Council Member impacts the daily life in our neighborhood and electing the right person is critical to the quality and safety of life in Hancock Park.

- Increase neighborhood security:

o Add a third security patrol to join SSA and ADT.

o Research adding security camera license plate readers in the neighborhood.

- Keeping you informed. Continue to expand our excellent neighborhood email communication system. Please contact us on the website to join our email list.

- Working with our new Council Office and Streets LA to continue repair our infrastructure by implementing the priority repair schedule for “fixing our worst streets first”. Currently Lillian Way is being analyzed for repairs that will allow for proper street drainage.

- Working with our new Council Office and LADOT to improve traffic safety and fund and install needed mitigations. Currently working on installing Speed Tables on 6^th Street.

- Continuing our care for our beautiful Urban Canopy by planting more trees! We’ve had some desperately needed rain that’s deep watered our urban forest. Time to fertilize your parkway trees. Water your trees if we go two weeks without rain. Our trees are the lungs of the city; cleaning the air, keeping us cool in the summer and helping us fight climate change.

Stay Safe: Subscribe to one of the neighborhood private security services, alert your neighbors and the police if you see something suspicious. Leave outside lights on overnight. Lock your car. Lock your house. Set the alarm if you have one and consider installing one if you don’t. Stay alert on walks and while getting in and out of your car. Walk with a friend when possible.

We’re looking forward to a productive, safe and happy New Year for everyone in Hancock Park and in the beautiful City of Los Angeles, Join us to help make this happen!

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting!

Participate! We are all volunteers!

December Column

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:39:19 GMT

Meet Our New Councilman!

Thanks to all the hard work and dedicated efforts of the Association and you, our members, Hancock Park is now part of Council District 5. Being in Council District 5 unites many of the communities of interest within Hancock Park with those in neighboring communities; and includes the majority of neighborhoods that make up our Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. Our new Councilman is Paul Koretz and we are excited to start working with him to help improve our neighborhood security and traffic safety, continue repairing our infrastructure - streets, sidewalks and curbs, and to keep Hancock Park the beautiful and vital part of Los Angeles it has always been. CM Koretz has been a long serving well-respected and effective Councilman and has years of experience helping the city, and his constituents.

The Association is sponsoring a virtual “Meet and Greet” Town Hall with Councilmember Koretz on Thursday, January 13^th at 6:30 PM. The Zoom link can be found on our website www.HancockPark.org We hope you will attend!

We thank the Redistricting Commission and City Council for their hard work on drawing the new district boundaries. The districts were drawn using census data, connecting communities of interest, following the voting rights act, and listening to the community. Final map adjustments were made by Councilmember motions in order to try and ensure fair and equitable representation.

Here’s some of what’s been accomplished in Hancock Park this past month:

- Streets LA working with the Association ,has restored the framework and priority list of streets, sidewalks and curbs - Fix the Worst First . Hudson is being repaved in concrete from Wilshire to 3^rd and Lillian Way is being analyzed as the possible next fix.

- Continued care for our parkway canopy with Urban Forestry- removing trees as needed and the HPHOA replanting new trees using the Hancock Park Master Tree Plan Guidelines.

- Survey completed for Hancock Park and Surrounding Neighborhoods to be shared with the Council Office and LADOT for proposed Traffic Safety Mitigations on 6^th Street btw La Brea and Highland and Priority Bus Lanes on La Brea during peak hours 7-10am and 3-7pm.

Remember to stay safe: lock your car, your house, set your alarm if you have one, subscribe to one of the private security services and alert your neighbors and the police if you see something suspicious.

May everyone have a wonderful holiday season and we’re looking forward to a productive New Year.

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting!

Participate! We are all volunteers!

HPHA Annual Meeting Held Monday, October 25

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 19:22:28 GMT

The Annual Meeting was held over Zoom on Monday night, October 25th. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/p87-v7xB8SeKqrM80ov0oMv1py0cU1Q6Qx0k0KXQ86CRuMARENCIU0CIOe2vW_26.kDk4dvLvf4TesqkV?startTime=1635210036000

Coverage of the meeting in the Larchmont Buzz can be viewed here:

https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/hancock-park-hoa-board-asks-cd4-councilmember-raman-why-she-wants-to-represent-the-neighborhood/

October Beverly Press Column

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:05:34 GMT

Redistricting Commission Shines a Light!

Thank you to all who were able to speak or emailed the commis- sioners during the recent LA Re- districting hearings! We need your voices again in the upcoming meetings - October 13th at 6pm, October 9th and 16th at 10am via

Zoom Zoom link to join type https://laccrc2021.org/meetings/ - into your browser and scroll down to Upcoming Meetings. Please continue to submit your comments and our message to the commission by email- ing fred.ali@lacity.org, frank.cardenas@lacity.org, & redistricting.lac- ity@lacity.org

THE STORY: For decades, every time redistricting has been done, the call from Angelenos Citywide has been that corruption is rampant. Ac- cusations that maps are being drawn behind closed doors by incumbents or their loyal staff members. That community organizing and input is just a sham show to pretend that the public is being listened to.

Well in 2021 something remarkable is happening: the commission is following the census data, voting rights protections, communities of interest, neighborhood council boundaries and the voices of the people. The independent commission formed months ago and at the start of it the commissioners created ground rules for ethical behavior. They created principles of how they would be respectful of each other and the communities they were about to move around on a map. And they agreed that this time, the process would be transparent and done in the open. And for months the commission worked off of these principles and the map started to morph based on community input, particularly for communities of interest.

We often don't feel like we have a lot to applaud at City Hall between the crime and ever-growing numbers of unhoused, broken streets and poor air quality. Yet this redistricting commission has stood on prin- ciple and stood by the community. They have been ethical and lis- tened to so many neighborhood voices. And they adopted Draft Map K2.5 https://laccrc2021.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/City-of- LA-Draft-Map-K-2.5-with-numbers.pdf

Hancock Park, GWNC and communities of interest

are together in CD5! This is what we advocate for!

This is our message to the Com- missioners!

The process is not over yet. This commission will continue to work and adjustments will be made to the draft map, to create a map for the City of LA. That map will then be sent to the City Council for their own re- view and revision process and a final vote. Though shifts around Council Districts will happen, what matters is that this commission is unprece- dented in putting census data, population, voting rights protections, communities of interest, neighborhood council boundaries and the voices of the people first over sole political interest.

Join the historic effort to keep the LA Redistricting Process ethical and transparent! Hold our City accountable and lend your voice in the up- coming meetings - October 13th at 6PM, October 9th and 16th at 10am. Here's how to find the Zoom meeting link. Type https://laccrc2021.org/meetings/ into your browser, scroll down to Up- coming Meetings Please continue to submit your comments and our message to the commission by emailing fred.ali@lacity.org, frank.car- denas@lacity.org, & redistricting.lacity@lacity.org

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org!

Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting!

Participate! We are all volunteers!

September Column

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 00:07:17 GMT

What’s Happening this Month! Help Protect Our Neighborhood! 

Land Use and Zoning - The CA state assembly recently passed SB9 and SB10. These bills destroy R-1 zoning. They allow lot splitting, construction of multiple buildings on a single lot, require no additional parking, no infrastructure expansion or environmental review. These bills do not require any affordable housing! Our ASM Richard Bloom, voted against this measures! Contact senator Ben Allen (310) 318-6994 - let him know he needs to oppose these bills! Call governor Newsom (916) 445-2841 tell him to veto these bills and support neighborhoods, not developers that will be allowed to build unaffordable, community destroying housing.

Restoring Safety and Security - We continue to request action plans from CD4 Council Office for 1) LADBS enforcement , clean up or removal of derelict buildings on June, RImpau and McCaddden; and 2) LADBS enforcement at an illegal AirBnB currently operating on Hudson Ave.

Preserving our Urban Canopy Parkway tree planting and stump removal - If you have a dead tree, stump or need a new parkway tree, LET US KNOW! Please keep watering your parkway trees! Our canopy cleans the air and cools the temperature for the benefit of our entire community!

Neighborhood Schools - School has started and we’re working with all neighborhood schools to mitigate, the traffic problems.The HOA recently participated in a zoom meeting with JB school leadership, LAUSD, HP residents, CD4 and LAPD school division. We discussed ways to control traffic impacting the neighbrohood and ensure safety for the students. We continue to work with JB school leadership on the seismic retrofit and expansion to manage the impact on residents.

Infrastructure Repairs in our Neighborhood - Our dialog continues between StreetsLA and CD4 to fix our streets, sidewalks and non compliant ADA curbs. We hope to have an answer soon as to when the DWP utility “cuts” recently made along 4th street which cause the street to deteriorate more rapidly will be repaired properly.

Board Elections and Annual Meeting - Members in good standing (meaning you paid your dues) will be receiving ballots for the Association’s Board of Directors election at the annual meeting on October 16^th at 6PM via Zoom. Transportation and Traffic- CM Raman is on record in support of Hancock Park's plan for 4th Street and stated she will oppose bike signal lights and restricted turns at 4th and Rossmore and Highland. The HOA continues to work with LADOT to make streets and intersections with a history of serious accidents safer - adding stop signs, requesting traffic laws and speed enforcement. Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting! Participate! We are all volunteers!

Upcoming HPHA Board Election

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 22:40:39 GMT

Each year at our annual meeting in October, the Members in Good Standing of the HPHA (those who have paid their dues in 2021) vote for a slate of one-half of the HPHA Board to a new two-year term. This year, due to COVID and to reduce mail/paper costs, we are conducting the vote on our website. (Anyone who would rather vote by mail can email JenDeVore@gmail.com and request that a paper ballot be dropped off.) Below are the biographies of the nine Board members up for re-election for the 2021 - 2023 term.

Nominee Profiles — October 2021 Election

Tim Allyn

Tim serves as chair of the HPHA Streets Committee and has been instrumental in efforts to repair Hancock Park streets. Tim is an environmental consultant, solar contractor and activist and has lived in Hancock Park with his wife and daughter for over 26 years.

Martin Beck

Marty has lived in Hancock Park since 1998. He has been a commercial/industrial/residential real estate agent for 11 years in downtown Los Angeles. Prior to real estate, Marty worked for over 30 years in the textile business, mostly as a regional sales manager for a New York textile company. Marty co-chairs the Security committee.

Greg Glasser

Greg has lived in Hancock Park since 1999. He has been involved with the HPOZ and chaired the HPOZ Committee. He maintains the Association's website, hancockpark.org, and helps retrieve and direct the emails. Greg sits on the Traffic committee and is an expert on preferential parking districts.

Nancy Dolan

Nancy has been a Hancock Park resident for over 20 years. She has been a block captain since 2016. Nancy is a political consultant and has represented city, county and state candidates and elected officials since 1999.

Susan Grossman

Susan and her husband Kim have lived in Hancock Park for almost 30 years. She is currently the vice president of the Association. Susan is the co-chair of the Tree Committee and the Zoning committee, and she sits on the Hancock Park HPOZ Board.

William Newby

Bill grew up on the Westside but has lived in the Hancock Park/Windsor Square area for almost 25 years where he raised three daughters including two who attended school locally at Marlborough. Bill is an investment banker specializing in the Gaming, Lodging and Leisure industries who attended UCLA both for his undergraduate degree in History as well as earning his MBA from the now Anderson School. Bill is an active member of the Board's Streets committee and is currently involved in the ongoing effort to repair and maintain our streets according to the standards of our HPOZ. Bill also leads the Board’s work on the Highland Median.

Deborah Trainer

Deborah Trainer is co-chair of the HPHA Tree Committee. With her husband, she was part of the effort to establish the HPOZ. She is an artist, formerly in the design profession. She has a degree in city planning, and worked in the Office of Lower Manhattan Development, and the Parks Department, in New York City. She's lived in Hancock Park for over 30 years with her family.

Jon Vein

Jon Vein is a long-time resident of Hancock Park. He is co-founder and Chairman of BiologyWorks, a Los Angeles-based medical diagnostics company. Previously, he was co-founder and CEO of MarketShare, a leading data analytics software company that was acquired in 2015. Before founding MarketShare, Jon worked as COO for Michael Ovitz’s AMG and APG. Jon is an Emmy Award winner, producing many film and television productions, including King of the Hill and the Simpsons. He graduated with high honors from UC Berkeley with a dual degree in engineering-computer science and cum laude from Harvard Law School after which he was a founding partner of the entertainment law firm Dem & Vein. Jon is an active volunteer in many civic and charitable organizations, including serving as president of the Los Angeles Conventions and Tourism Development Board and leading acquiring hotels for Project Room Key for the city of Los Angeles. Jon is married to Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, an entertainment executive, and has two children, Caroline and Jack.

James Wolf

Jim grew up in Hancock Park. After time away in college, he, his wife and children moved back to Hancock Park and have lived here since 1983. Jim attended both the University of Pennsylvania and USC where he earned degrees in Civil Engineering and in Architecture. He is a California licensed architect. Jim has served on the Board of Directors since 1987 and was the president of the Association for over 12 years. Jim co-chairs the Street Lighting Committee and the Zoning Committee. Jim represented the Hancock Park area on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and was GWNC Vice President and Chairman of the Land Use Committee for GWNC from inception through 2018.

August Column

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:01:27 GMT

What We’ve Done, What We’re Doing and What’s Next for Hancock Park

Hancock Park HOA

Land Use and Zoning in Hancock Park

We participated in community meetings on how to mitigate the impact on the surrounding residents and community of two major proposed TOC developments: 1) Highland and Wilshire; and 2) 410 Rossmore.

We continued our outreach to the community on Sacramento’s proposed R-1 neighborhood destroying zoning laws that contain no affordable housing components.

Restoring Safety and Security

Continued requesting an action plan from CD4 Council Office for 1) Enforcement and remove/fence/clean up of derelict buildings on June/Rimpau and McCaddden; and 2) Removal of the encampment on Wilshire Blvd next to John Burroughs Middle School.

Preserving our Urban Canopy

Highland Median - Trimmed all the young palm trees and continued monitoring irrigation and trash removal.

Tree Planting and Stump Removal – Developed and implemented action plan with Urban Forestry to remove tree stumps and prepare to replant parkway trees

Neighborhood Schools

Working with leadership at Yavneh on renovations and coordinating with LAUSD and neighborhood on John Burroughs Middle School new construction plan

Infrastructure Repairs in our Neighborhood

Met with the new StreetsLA Director to discuss restarting our repair plan for concrete streets, sidewalks and ADA curb installation

Received updates on the development of engineering plan to continue the sidewalk along Beverly between Rossmore and June.

Transportation and Traffic-

Unified neighborhoods -Windsor Square HOA joined Hancock Park in support of Hancock Park's Reasonable,Thoughtful, Inclusive Plan for 4th Street.

A new pedestrian "island" will be installed on 3rd street btw McCadden and Las Palmas for safer

Please see our website at www.HancockPark.org! Join a committee! Come to a Zoom Meeting! Participate! We are all volunteers!

July Column

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 21:43:50 GMT

We have News!

Keeping our Hancock Park residents and surrounding neighbors updated and sharing important information on local, city and statewide issues — especially those that impact our neighborhood and quality of life — is very important to the Hancock Park Homeowners Association.

We strongly feel our ability to communicate with you and share timely fact-based information is crucial! Equally important is being able to respond to our resident’s questions and concerns in a timely manner.

We ’re Expanding Our Reach and Want to Hear From You

We are adding a number of new ways to reach you as well as expanding our existing networks. Here are some of the ways you can find us, hear from us and communicate with us:

• In the Larchmont Buzz - Home - Larchmont Buzz - Hancock Park News – on a regular basis

• In the Beverly Press - https://beverlypress.com/ - Local news since 1946 News/ Beverly Press

• On our website www.HancockPark.org

• Join our email list. We send important information notifications so you’ll know what’s going on in our neighborhood. Join our email list by using the form on our website at https://hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/Contact or contact Jennifer DeVore at jendevore@gmail.com or Cindy Chvatal-Keane at snorekel@gmail.com

Planning a remodel on your Hancock Park 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.

June Column

Wed, 26 May 2021 19:09:46 GMT

Help Us to Save Our Neighborhood

In a poorly thought out strategy to address the affordable housing shortage, members of the state legislature have proposed legislation that will allow for the subdivision of R-1 neighborhoods and the construction of multiple, multi-story buildings on lots now containing one house. SB9 and SB10 are promoted as solutions to providing affordable housing near public transit. Unfortunately, this plan will only result in more expensive, empty buildings, over-parking on streets that have no capacity, and increased use of public utilities. All with no requirement that developers contribute to upgrading public utilities or set aside significant numbers of units that are affordable and will remain so. SB9 and SB10 just destroy neighborhoods and incentivize the construction of unaffordable housing.

The United Neighbors volunteer group has put together a video that explains what our city will look like if SB9 and SB10 are passed. You can find it on our website: Hancock Park Homeowners Association est 1948 - SB9 and SB10 Will Destroy California's Neighborhoods . Take a look and then write your state representatives and our Councilmember and tell them what you think.

Our current Council Field Deputy, Su Lee, will be transitioned into a new role in the Council Office. The Council Office is hiring new field managers and once someone is hired and trained Su will move to another role.

It’s getting warm so don’t forget to water your trees, and if you need a tree in your parkway contact the Association at https://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/

SB9 and SB10 Will Destroy California's Neighborhoods

Tue, 18 May 2021 18:58:09 GMT

We all understand the need for more affordable housing. Sacramento Housing Bills SB9 and SB10 are NOT the answer. Here's a great video from United Neighbors that explains why in 2 minutes flat. Please watch and let your elected representatives know your thoughts.

https://youtu.be/JHAwmck_QJw

Contact your elected representatives! Tell them to VOTE NO on SB9 & SB 10.

Senator Ben Allen : Senator.Allen@senate.ca.gov

Assemblymember Richard Bloom: Assemblymember.Bloom@assembly.ca.gov

CD4 CM Nithya Raman: nithya.raman@lacity.org

May Column

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 21:16:39 GMT

Welcome Our New Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Representatives

The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council election results are in and Hancock Park will be represented by Jennifer DeVore and David Trainer as her alternate. Association President Cindy Chvatal is the new director for ‘Other Non-Profit Organizations’ with Hancock Park resident Helen Eigenberg as the alternate. The ‘Other-NonProfit’ seat represents all non-profits in the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council area except educational and religious institutions.

Our Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council is an important platform for all the diverse voices in our neighborhood to be heard, to work on common areas of interest and to coordinate these efforts with the City. Our Neighborhood Council works on development proposals, coordinates with city security services such as the LAFD and LAPD, and works on quality of life issues such as environmental health and transportation. Neighborhood Councils act only in an advisory role and do not have decision making powers. To get more involved find out what’s going on at https://greaterwilshire.org/

The Association has an initiative to document the most egregious sidewalk issues in Hancock Park and to push the City to make repairs. Block captains have submitted the ‘worst sidewalk on their blocks’ to the Association this list now with the Council Office and City. Association has also asked the Council Office and the City to install a sidewalk on the north side of Beverly Blvd between June Street and Rossmore. The first step will be taken when the City installs signs on the north side of Beverly forbidding foot traffic. The Council Office and the City will then develop plans for installing the sidewalk.

It’s getting warm so don’t forget to water your trees, and if you need a tree in your parkway contact the Association at https://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/

April Column

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 23:42:01 GMT

Hancock Park Neighbors Meet with CouncilMember Nithya Raman

The Association sponsored a Town Hall meeting with our new Council Member, Nithya Raman on March 15^th. 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

HPHA Town Hall with CM Nithya Raman

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 05:57:03 GMT

Many thanks to LA City Council Member Nithya Raman for joining the Hancock Park neighborhood for a town hall meeting. HP residents submitted questions which we condensed and sent to the CM's office one week in advance of the Town Hall. Many more questions were asked during the town hall; we hope to host another town hall in early summer! A huge thank you to CM Raman, Su Lee and the rest of the CD4 staff for joining us this evening.

Below is a link to the Town Hall on YouTube. We have also posted the video on our Facebook page.

https://youtu.be/Xb3vqVpDTsE

February Column

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 01:46:11 GMT

Fixing Our Sidewalks and Remembering Tom LaBonge

The City’s plans for repairing our sidewalks has been suspended because of the budget crisis caused by the COVID epidemic. However, as everyone knows, many of the sidewalks in Hancock Park not only need repair, but are a hazard to pedestrians. The Association has asked the City’s Street Services Department for help in getting the most dangerous sidewalks fixed. Block captains will be identifying the problematic sidewalks on their block and, with the Association, will build a list of the sidewalks that are most in need of immediate repair. This list will be submitted to the City’s Department of Street Services which will prioritize repairs based on estimates of liability and schedule repairs. Unfortunately, this process will only address the most egregious situations, so we’re also exploring other funding options to pay for repairs, including using Association dues and resident participation. This is a difficult time not only for Hancock Park but for the entire City and the Association will be continuing to investigate ways to keep making progress on backlogged infrastructure work.

We send our condolences to the family of our former councilman, Tom LaBonge, who recently passed away. Tom started out as the Hancock Park field deputy to Councilman John Ferraro and he played an important part in the successful effort to install our beautiful historic streetlights. Tom was our Councilman when Hancock Park successfully established itself as an HPOZ and Hancock Park’s history and beauty are now preserved for all future generations. He loved all the neighborhoods in his district, taking photographs of landmarks that became part of the calendars that were his annual gift to his constituents.

This is when we ask our members to support the Association’s work by paying their annual dues. You’ll receive a mailing soon, so please donate; we need your support now more than ever. One of the things your dues pay for is parkway tree planting, which is now in process. Let us now, via the website, if you need a tree.

Don’t forget to consult our HPOZ Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org) before starting projects that change the exterior of your house. The Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ is at preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. 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.

January Column

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 01:45:38 GMT

What’s New for Hancock Park in the New Year

Hancock Park starts the New Year with hope and optimism. In 2021 the Association will be focusing on: 1) Homelessness and Security – This includes supporting meaningful solutions to the citywide homelessness crisis while addressing security issues raised by encampments in our neighborhood; 2) Concrete street repair – The budget for repairing our failing streets in historically mandated concrete has been approved; 3) Traffic control; 4) Continuing support and enforcement of our Historic Preservation Zone (HPOZ) and the resolution and repair of hazardous structures, such as 252 S. June Street and 181 S. McCadden; 5) Continued support to ensure that the city maintain the historic Highland traffic median and it’s protected palm trees; 6) Increasing and maintaining Hancock Park’s urban forest; the Association is now planting and we encourage every resident to take care of their parkway trees; and 7) Crime prevention and Safety. The Association continues to expand and strengthen its block captain network and to work with the LAPD to proactively keep Hancock Park a safe neighborhood.

Because of the COVID-19 epidemic and the attendant decrease in revenues and increase in demand for services, the City budget is deeply strained. The Association will be working closely with our new Councilperson, Nithya Raman, to ensure that our neighborhood is protected and safe.

And, don’t forget, the annual Association parkway tree planting is in process. Fall and winter are tree planting season in Los Angeles so, if you need a tree, let us know via the website.

If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including 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 you can fill out to help speed up the process — the Initial Screening Checklist (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.

December Column

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 01:44:31 GMT

Everything We’re Thankful For

During this difficult time with so much uncertainty, it’s often hard to see the many things we can be thankful for. First, we’re thankful for living in this wonderful country, state and city, and particularly grateful to live in the middle of a major city in a beautiful neighborhood. The Association is thankful to our residents who are the backbone of our neighborhood: planting trees, serving on committees, being block captains, participating in the neighborhood watch. Thank you everyone! We look forward to making things even better in the New Year!

The Association has always worked together with the City and Council Office to help provide the best services available to our members. We want to take this opportunity, in particular, to thank outgoing City Councilperson David Ryu, who has been our City Councilperson for the last five years. We thank David and his excellent staff, including Emma Howard, Adeena Bleich, Renee Weitzer and Rob Fischer. In particular Rob, as our Field Deputy, worked tirelessly to help our residents get help, answers and to navigate the sometimes confusing city bureaucracy. We wish all of them the best in their lives and their careers and we know they’ll continue to contribute to whatever community they’re part of.

The election results are in and we welcome our new Council Person for Council District 4, Nithya Raman. The Association anticipates working closely with her and her staff to keep Hancock Park a great place to live as well as an important contributor to the larger health and happiness of the City of Los Angeles.

And, don’t forget, that the annual Association parkway tree planting is about to begin. Fall is the best time to plant and so, if you need a tree, let us know via the website.

November Column

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 23:49:18 GMT

The HPHOA, est. 1948 Annual Meeting was held virtually, via Zoom, on October 14^th. We thank everyone who attended, including representatives from the LAPD, the Council Office, the Security Companies and most of all, we thank our members.

The impact of COVID-19 is being felt throughout the city as businesses struggle and people lose their jobs. The City is facing unprecedented need from citizens while seeing revenues fall. LAPD Captain of the Wilshire Division, Shannon Paulsen spoke about keeping our community safe and the challenges ahead as the City tries to balance its budget. Councilman David Ryu talked about what’s been accomplished this last year including the successful maintenance of the Highland Median, and procuring funding and developing a plan for restoring our concrete streets. He also spoke about the challenges ahead for security, city services, housing the homeless and other important issues. Our committee chairs updated the members on parkway trees, filming, our HPOZ, security, traffic and some of the many other issues facing Hancock Park.

The results of the Association election were announced and the slate nominated by the Board was unanimously re-elected: Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, David Gajda, Joel Kozberg, Clif Lord, Pam Newhouse, Shondell Spiegel, Erik Storey, and Victoria Vickers. Now, more than ever, our community will need the help of dedicated residents who volunteer to help. Please consider joining a committee and let us know on the website how you’d like to participate.

It’s now fall which means tree planting season has begun. The Tree Committee will be starting to plant so if you have a place in your parkway that could use a tree, let us know via the website.

And DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! Not only is this a presidential election, but it’s also an election for our Councilperson, so be sure you VOTE! You can check your registration at website https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status. You should have received your ballot so if you haven’t received it check the Where’s My Ballot website - https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot . If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including 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 you can fill out to help speed up the process — the Initial Screening Checklist (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.

October Column

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 00:25:57 GMT

Join Us at the Annual Meeting

The HPHOA, est. 1948 Annual Meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom, at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14^th. To join the meeting click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85863823319 or iPhone one-tap: US: +16699006833,,85863823319# or +13462487799,,85863823319#. This is your chance to hear from the Council Office, LAPD and the Association and an opportunity for you to ask questions and volunteer to serve on a committee. Don’t forget, if you’re a member in good standing when you get your ballot, please fill it out and send it in. To find out more information, including the candidates for Board of Directors, take a few minutes and visit the website.

Thanks to the hard work of the Tree Committee, Board member Bill Newby, and Councilman David Ryu’s Office, the Highland Median has been mowed and cleaned! Drive by and take a look and thanks to everyone who’s helped prod the City to get this done.

HPHOA Block Captains met with the HPHOA Board in September to go over Security, Parkway trees, the HPOZ, Filming and Transportation. Thanks to the all the block captains and Board Members who Zoomed in to ask questions and make sure we keep our neighbors informed and safe. The Block Captains are the key to keeping our neighborhood safe and beautiful and we thank them for volunteering.

Don’t forget to fill out the Census at https://2020census.gov/en.html and make sure you’re registered to vote by going to website https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status. If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including 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 you can fill out to help speed up the process — the Initial Screening Checklist (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.

September Column

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:15:41 GMT

Zooming the Annual Meeting and Saving 4^th Street

The HPHOA, est. 1948 Annual Meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom, at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14^th. This is your chance to hear from the Council Office, LAPD and the Association on all the important issues facing our community. It’s also where the election of half of the Board of Directors will be held. If you’re a member in good standing, meaning you paid your dues, you’ll be getting a ballot. To find out more information, including the candidates for Board of Directors, take a few minutes and visit the website.

Thanks to all the residents who wrote and spoke at the GWNC Transportation Committee and ultimately succeeded in the effort to get the Council to uphold the 2011 motion that opposed Bike Lights and Restricted Turns at 4^th and Highland and 4^th and Rossmore. The Association and GWNC is investigating ways of improving the use of 4^th Street for everyone: pedestrians, dog walkers, bike riders, motorists and residents. We all pay taxes and the streets are owned by everyone. Your input made all the difference.

Don’t forget to fill out the Census. The Census is taken every 10 years and determines the number of representatives we have, in the state house and in Washington; it determines how much of the nation’s resources are devoted to our area and needs and makes sure that our voices are heard, counted and attended to. The website is https://2020census.gov/en.html

July Column

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 22:47:05 GMT

Please Keep Everyone Safe!

As the state and city have reopened businesses and more and more people are resuming activities, it’s important to remember that the Coronavirus is not gone. It’s still infecting people at increasing rates and while some people show no or mild symptoms, others in your family or community could get deathly ill, suffering long term health problems or even death. Please, please, please wear a mask and keep a social distance of at least six feet from other people. Until there is a vaccine this disease is going to continue to cause pain, suffering and death. The most vulnerable among us are at great risk: those with compromised immune systems, those with chronic diseases and those disabled by strokes, cancer or other health problems. Be the best person you can be and take care of others by doing all you can to stop the spread of the disease. Remember: wearing a mask protects other people, not you. You are only protected if other people wear masks.

As businesses reopen, it’s clear that many of our neighborhood restaurants and shops have suffered a devasting loss of income in the last three months. Make a point of visiting Larchmont Village and other areas of business around us and getting a meal togo, or buying a book or new shirt.

The Association Website is an excellent source of ongoing information and a place where you can contact Association Board members about getting a tree planted, status of the street repair project and many other things - https://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/page-18054/5048881

June Column

Fri, 29 May 2020 00:44:23 GMT

Thanks to our Block Captains and Councilman Ryu

This week the Hancock Park block captains met, via Zoom, with each other, HPHOA Board members, and Councilman Ryu and members of his staff to talk about the important issues facing our community as a result of the Coronavirus emergency. Before the CV outbreak the City was already facing a homelessness crisis and was ramping up efforts to house the those without shelter. Those efforts are even more important now and the City, in particular our Councilman and his office, are working hard to provide temporary shelter as well as a permanent path off the streets. The Councilman also discussed with our block captains some of the security challenges we face because the city no longer incarcerates suspects charged with non violent crimes. And, now our mostly empty streets are being used as speedways and the strain of enforcement is falling on the very short staffed traffic enforcement staff.

HPHOA Board members gave status reports on Tree Planting, Street Repair, maintenance of the Highland Median, Security, Traffic and Historic Preservation. The HPHOA website will soon have information and photographs of the trees chosen for our historic streetscape. There remains money in the upcoming city budget for street repair, and the Highland Median is now being watered and cleaned. The HPOZ Board will start meeting and reviewing cases next week, via Zoom, and with help from the Council Office, problem properties are being investigated and cited.

Your Block Captain network is a vital part of community safety and awareness. If you don’t know who your block captain is, contact the Association. If you want to volunteer to be a block captain let us know! Thanks to all the community minded people who volunteer to be block captains; Hancock Park wouldn’t be what it is without you!

Don’t forget to maintain the social distancing guidelines, wear a mask when out in public, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and check with your neighbors to be sure they are OK. For more information please visit our website: hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/page-18054/8843518.

May Column

Tue, 05 May 2020 21:24:31 GMT

The Coronavirus, the City Budget and Hancock Park

The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus has not only hurt the health and safety of our city, but has been devastating to our city’s fiscal health. The City has committed to maintaining the LAPD, LAFP, Sanitation Services, DWP and other critical services. However, the budget contains major cuts to services such as trees, sidewalk repair, and graffiti removal. Your Homeowners Association is committed to maintaining our tree canopy, to removing graffiti and working with the city on a solution for sidewalk repairs. Since tree maintenance and graffiti removal services will most likely not be paid for by the City, the Association will use your dues money to make up the difference. In difficult times like this your dues will help keep Hancock Park free of graffiti, maintain our beautiful urban forest and many other benefits. So, if you haven’t already, please pay your dues.

While the City has committed to maintaining the physical security of Los Angeles, by supporting the LAPD and LAFD, this crisis puts a great strain on these services. If you don’t have a private security service please consider obtaining one. These services augment the public services and release resources for those parts of the city suffering even greater crime.

The Association has started its annual tree planting and maintenance cycles. If you need a tree, contact the Association. If you have questions about tree maintenance, the website contains a lot of information - https://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/Parkway-Trees

Don’t forget to maintain the social distancing guidelines, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and check with your neighbors to be sure they are OK. For more information please visit our website: hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/page-18054/8843518.

April Column

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 01:37:39 GMT

Take Care of Yourself and Your Neighbors

The outbreak and spread of the Novel Coronavirus has caused a great deal of disruption and inconvenience to those not infected, and sickness and sometimes death to those infected. These types of situations are what truly test the bonds of community, and Los Angeles and Hancock Park have shown that we know we’re all in this together and will do whatever it takes to help our family and neighbors stay healthy and safe. Remember the simple guidelines to wash your hands with soap and water (20 seconds or two Happy Birthdays), keep your hands away from your face and to follow the instructions of our mayor and city, state and federal governments. Check in with your neighbors, if possible by email or telephone, and make sure no one is in need. For more information please visit our website: hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/page-18054/8843518.

The Council Office has been working hard to ensure that the Larchmont Farmers’ Market remains on Larchmont. The Farmers’ Market operator has been looking for a larger space on Larchmont because of the success of the market and the desire to host more vendors. The community and the Council Office met by telephone conference last month to discuss keeping the market on Larchmont.

Spring seems to have arrived quickly this year, so tree planting will soon commence. If you need a street tree, let us know via our website, and the tree will be planted at the Association’s expense.

City of LA Safer at Home emergency order

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:22:37 GMT

View the “Safer at Home” emergency order

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti today issued a “Safer at Home” emergency order, calling on residents of the City of Los Angeles to stay in their residences and limit all activities outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary for essential tasks.

“We are all safer at home. Staying in our residences, being aggressive about hygiene, and practicing safe social distancing are the most effective ways to protect ourselves, the people we love, and everyone in our community,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Each one of us is a first-responder in this crisis, and Angelenos understand that we have to make big sacrifices right now to save lives. This isn’t forever — and we’ll get through it together.”

As outlined in the order, residents of the City of Los Angeles are ordered to remain in their homes — with lawful exceptions made for critical tasks such as securing food and health, safety and medical necessities, as well as caring for children, elder adults, family, friends and people with disabilities. Many establishments not covered in previous orders, including clothing and some other retail stores, are ordered to “cease operations that require in-person attendance by workers at a workplace.” The order takes effect Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.; however it shall be exempt, until Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., to allow employees and business owners to access their workplaces to gather belongings or address other administrative needs, so long as social distancing requirements are followed. Such workplaces shall remain closed to the public in accordance with the order.

It will be in place until April 19 and is subject to extension.

More details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at coronavirus.lacity.org.

The order signed today acknowledges the profound impact of the novel coronavirus on daily life in Los Angeles over a short period of time — and expresses gratitude to Angelenos for showing “courage, compassion, wisdom and resolve” in embracing previous emergency orders “with a willing and generous spirit.”

Mayor Garcetti has taken several emergency measures to help protect Angelenos and slow the spread of COVID-19 — including a plan to quickly shelter thousands of Angelenos experiencing homelessness; restrictions placed on bars, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theaters, entertainment venues, bowling alleys and arcades, gyms and fitness centers; limits on public gatherings in City facilities; and moratoriums on residential and commercial evictions of tenants affected by the novel coronavirus.

City of Los Angeles Corona Virus Website Link

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:20:10 GMT

https://corona-virus.la

COVID-19 Response Effort from the Office of the Mayor

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:03:21 GMT

Dear Hancock Park Residents,

Please see attached notes from our representative from the Mayor’s office. It addresses a variety of issues from Food delivery, Restaurant and other assembly uses, Parking restrictions to new limits on services and city help for people affected by the restrictions.

Yesterday, Mayor Garcetti issued an emergency order to strengthen the City’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), placing temporary restrictions on restaurants, bars, and other establishments in the City of Los Angeles. The order includes temporary closure of bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, movie theaters and entertainment venues, bowling alleys and arcades, and gyms and fitness centers. Restaurants, bars and retail food facilities may not serve food for consumption on their premises but may continue to offer food for delivery, takeout, or drive-thru. Grocery stores are exempt from the order. As part of the directive, Mayor Garcetti also announced trucks and other vehicles engaged in the delivery of grocery items to stores are exempt from nightly curfews — a measure which will help ensure stores remain well-stocked.

Mayor Garcetti has held a number of press briefings providing updates on COVID-19 response effort. To watch the videos in English and Spanish please click here. For accurate and timely updates, visit CDC.gov, PublicHealth.LACounty.gov, and LAMayor.org/Coronavirus. And don’t forget to sign up for NotifyLA, our city’s mass notification system. Updates on COVID-19 from the City (in English and Spanish) click here

Mayor Eric Garcetti today relaxed parking enforcement across the City as part of the emergency response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), putting a temporary halt to the issuance of several citations so that Angelenos can more effectively practice the safe social distancing necessary during the outbreak.

The order takes effect at midnight and includes the following:

Relaxed enforcement of street sweeping restrictions in residential areas
Relaxed enforcement around closed schools
Moratorium on ticketing and towing for abandoned vehicles and oversize vehicle overnight parking fines
Freeze on parking fine increases for the next 60 days
Extended grace period for people dropping off or picking up groceries and goods
Immediate extension on all deadlines for payment due until June 1

The relaxed enforcement will be in place until March 31, and is subject to extension. Enforcement will be maintained on operations that prioritize health, safety, and emergency access — including colored curbs, street sweeping around encampments, peak-hour restrictions, and repaving and slurry operations. It will also continue at metered spaces to encourage parking turnover for businesses and restaurants relying on takeout and deliveries.

Eviction Moratorium

Mayor Garcetti's order on eviction was signed last night. This moratorium is currently in effect. If someone receives a notice to quit their unit and they’re brought into court, they may use the Mayors order as a defense in court in an unlawful detainer case, so long as they can prove that they’ve been unable to make rent because of COVID-19.

Please see the eviction excerpt below:

Finally, I hereby order that no landlord shall evict a residential tenant in the City of Los Angeles during this local emergency period if the tenant is able to show an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These circumstances include loss of income due to a COVID-19 related workplace closure, child care expenditures due to school closures, health care expenses related to being ill with COVID-19 or caring for a member of the tenant’s household who is ill with COVID-19, or reasonable expenditures that stem from government-ordered emergency measures. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to mean that the tenant will not still be obligated to pay lawfully charged rent. Tenants will have up to six months following the expiration of the local emergency period to repay any back due rent. Tenants may use the protections afforded in this subsection as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action. This subsection shall remain in effect during the pendency of the local emergency period. This order may be extended prior to March 31, 2020.

Los Angeles Public Library Services

All public events, programming, meeting room bookings are cancelled through March 31st. Also, all public computers will be unavailable during this time. You can read more about LAPL's COVID-19 response here.

LADWP

To help our customers get through any financial hardships that may occur as a result of Coronavirus/COVID-19, LADWP offers extended payment plans. Any impacted customer can request a payment plan online at www.ladwp.com or can make arrangements by calling customer care at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). We have also deferred disconnections for non-payment through the remainder of March at this time. Please click here for more information.

Public Transportation

Metro, Metrolink, and LADOT Transit are all closely monitoring the current situation. Each agency is vigorously cleaning buses, trains, stations, and facilities regularly and will continually review cleaning protocols to ensure they are up-to-date as the situation evolves. Agencies strongly encourage customers to protect themselves from illness.

For more information about Metro’s response, visit Metro's website.
For more information about Metrolink’s response, visit Metrolink's website.
For more information about LADOT Transit’s response (DASH, Commuter Express, Cityride, and LAnow), visit LADOT's website.

LAHSA

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) as well as other City, County, and Federal Partners to develop and implement a coordinated COVID-19 response related to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. This site here is designed to help providers and partners stay updated on resources and information.

City Services and General Guidance
● The City will continue to deliver the services Angelenos depend on. Sanitation, street cleaning, and other basic services all remain scheduled and operational.
● Our County health experts encourage people with tele-health options to take advantage of them.
● Be sure to sign up for NotifyLA for up-to-date information and guidance.

Food and Water
● There is plenty of food. Stores are restocking their shelves daily. Supply chains have not been interrupted and there is no need to “panic buy” and put unnecessary pressure on supermarkets.
● Our neighbors also have essential needs, and a rush in demand can cause unanticipated buying frenzies and unnecessary anxiety.
● You do not have to hoard water. If you live in the City of Los Angeles, LADWP water is safe, readily available, and even cleaner than what you can buy in a bottle. DWP will defer all water and power shut-offs for at least the next two weeks.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

As we undertake these efforts together, many Angelenos are eager to know what they can do to help. To answer this call, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has created the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. You can donate to this fund to help support families, provide critical services, and strengthen our emergency response.

Resources

Price Gouging

If you suspect a business of Price Gouging, please keep your receipts and call (800) 593-8222 to report it. Have the business name and address ready when you call.

Employment Development Department

Individuals should check the EDD website to get a general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may be applicable. If you have a case, you can contact your State Elected Official who can assist with your case and state related issues.

Grab and Go Food Centers

The 40 Family Resource Centers will become a Grab and Go Food Centers, so on Wednesday, March 18th, together with the Red Cross, they will open a total of 60 Food Centers in the communities we serve. The centers will be open weekdays from 7 am to 10 am, and each child can take home two nutritious meals. Locations of the centers can be found at https://achieve.lausd.net/resources

Interest Free Loan

The City is looking into assisting small business. In the meantime I would like to refer you to Jewish Free Loan Association to apply for interest free loans for small businesses and individuals who are affected by the virus.

CA State Guidance Documents

February Column

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:20:10 GMT

SB50 and Ending Residential Neighborhoods

Under the guise of helping house the homeless and ending LA’s housing shortage, State Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco has sponsored SB50, which would end single family residential zoning as we know it. This proposal has already stopped designation of any further HPOZs, and has stalled any attempts to update our Preservation Plan. SB50 would override local zoning ordinances and allow for mid rise apartment buildings to be built within a half mile of a subway stop or within a quarter mile of high frequency bus lines or in a ‘jobs-rich’ community. All of Hancock Park fits this definition. The bill would allow property owners to convert single-family houses anywhere in the state into four-unit apartment houses. Senator Wiener has made a few cosmetic modifications to the latest version of his bill that give city officials a chance to shift some of the density.

This is part of the continuing effort by developers to replace affordable housing with unaffordable housing and to turn all neighborhoods into multi story apartment and condominium projects. There is no shortage of commercial and other properties that could be developed to provide more housing without destroying the neighborhoods that make our city a wonderful place to live. Let your State Senator (Ben Allen - https://sd26.senate.ca.gov/district) and Assemblyman (Richard Bloom - https://a50.asmdc.org/) know how you feel and fight to keep our city a city of neighborhoods.

If you’re planning to make any changes to the street visible portion of your house, including 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 http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

January Column

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:19:27 GMT

Noise and Your Neighbors

Everyone knows there is a lot of construction going on in Hancock Park. And construction means noise. What’s an exciting project for you though can be a months’ long headache for your neighbors. So, if you’re planning construction or extensive landscaping that will last more than a day or two think of your neighbors and:

1) Let them know you’re planning construction, how long you estimate it will take and what the construction schedule is;

2) Be sure your contractor knows to limit their crews’ street parking and to be sure and not block driveways or move trash cans;

3) Provide a phone number that your neighbors can use if there is a problem.

Noise abatement is taken seriously by our City and there is a Noise Abatement Ordinance and LAPD Enforcement Team. This ordinance mandates that allowable construction hours are:

- Monday through Friday between 7AM to 9 PM

- Saturdays and National Holidays between 8AM to 6 PM

- Sundays, no construction except by residents. This means that if you are doing any work on your house on Sundays YOU, the resident, must actually be doing the work, not just supervise, not just be around the house.

The text of this ordinance can be found at http://www.lapdonline.org/special_operations_support_division/content_basic_view/1031 and, as with loud parties, the police can be called if you fail to follow the ordinance.

December Column

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 01:08:18 GMT

Protecting our Historic Neighborhood

California has an affordable housing shortage which some legislators are trying to address by fast tracking legislation increasing density in cities. On the surface these ideas look good, but most of them are a Trojan horse for overdevelopment of unaffordable housing that would also destroy residential communities. While Hancock Park is an HPOZ our neighborhood is not safe from changes promoted by developers to replace affordable housing with unaffordable housing. There are a number of bills in Sacramento that would override many of the density and change limitations that keep Hancock Park an intact, beautiful and historic neighborhood. Our neighbors at Spaulding Square (one of LA’s thirty-five HPOZs) have made a short video that explains what’s going on and what you can do - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRX_5E1BS3k

Your neighbors are working with the Council Office and City Officials to fight against this legislation but we need your help. In particular SB50 and SB592 will be presented to lawmakers in January. The Association will send information via the website, newsletter, Larchmont Chronicle column and email lists about what you can do to help preserve our beautiful neighborhood while still supporting the preservation of existing affordable housing and supporting the creation of new housing that is affordable.

Don’t forget that the holidays season often sees an increase in crime, particularly property crime. So if you have a house alarm set it, don’t keep valuables in view in your car, lock your car and your house and if you’re the victim of a crime: Report it! This helps increase the number of police officers assigned to our area.

October Column

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:08:15 GMT

We’ll See You at the Annual Meeting!

The HPHOA annual meeting is on Wednesday, October 23^rd, 7PM-9PM, at Marlborough School, 250 S. Rossmore Avenue. Plan to be there and hear:

· CD4 Councilman David Ryu present his proposal for a multifaceted approach to fight against homelessness in L.A. Homelessness is a tragedy that affects all of Los Angeles and every neighborhood.

· Association committee members who will present reports on:

o Neighborhood Infrastructure Repairs

o New traffic mitigations

o Highland Avenue median and Parkway Tree Programs

o Neighborhood Watch and Security Updates

o Filming and the recently adopted FILMLA Special Conditions for our neighborhood.

· Update on current Sacramento and City land use proposals and possible impacts on our neighborhood.

· Representatives from LAPD and our Private Security Companies will be available to answer questions about the service3s they provide before and after the meeting. Be sure and ask about any trials being offered to new SSA customers.

Light refreshments will be served and parking is available in the parking facility.

Don’t forget: WATER YOUR PARKWAY TREES! If you’re planning to make any changes to the street visible portion of your house, including 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 http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

September Column

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 21:44:19 GMT

Be at the Annual Meeting and Find Out What You Can Do to Help Our Neighborhood

The HPHOA, est. 1948 Annual Meeting will be Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 7PM at Marlborough School in the Collins Room. The meeting will have presentations by our Councilman, David Ryu, the LAPD, the Security Services, and updates from Association Committee chairs on important topics like filming, concrete streets, HPOZ, Security and Trees. Put the date on your calendar and plan to be there. Our community is stronger when we all participate.

The Annual Meeting is also where half the Association’s Board of Directors are elected. If you are a member in good standing, you should have received a ballot and instrutions for either mailing it in or bringing it into the annual meeting. The nominess are:

Tim Allyn William Newby

Martin Beck Cami Taylor

Greg Glasser Jon Vein

Susan Grossman James Wolf

Don’t forget: WATER YOUR PARKWAY TREES! It’s hot and they need our care to continue to do their necessary work of turning CO2 into Oxygen, cleaning the air and cooling the environment. If you’re planning to make any changes to the street visible portion of your house, including 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 http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

June Column

Wed, 22 May 2019 21:50:06 GMT

Support Your Block Captain and Help Them Help You!

The Association hosted its annual Block Captain’s dinner at the Wilshire Country Club to thank our hardworking network of block captains and to share information about the important projects in Hancock Park. Block captains heard from the Association Committee Chairs on Security, Street Trees, and the status of Concrete Streets. Association President Cindy Chvatal also talked about the danger to residential communities from Senate Bill 50 which would allow multi story, apartments and condominums to be developed near mass transit sites such as bus stops. Since Hancock Park is in the middle of many major traffic arteries this would mean all of Hancock Park would be open for uncontrolled development. Fortunately, for this year at least and after significant efforts from associations like the HPHOA and citizens through the state, this bill will not go forward.

Your block captain is the key to a successful neighborhood watch and crime prevention network. The LAPD says this is the most effective and important way to prevent crime. So, if your block captain knocks on your door and asks you to fill out an information sheet, please take the 5 minutes to do so. This information is used to keep you and your neighbors aware of issues and information; provides a means for contact in the case of an emergency and keeps your block connected and the neighbors informed. Your block captains are your neighbors and are volunteers building and maintain our community. Give them a hand!

We thank Councilman David Ryu who attended the dinner and let us know that the fight to maintain our historic concrete streets has been successful. The City now has a plan and a budget to repair our streets in concrete and has already started doing so. The City will also require that developers, contractors, utility companies and anyone else making a hole in the street, must replace an entire segment in concrete. This saves our street from the deterioration that has happened because of haphazard repairs. Thanks to our Councilman and the hardworking Street Committee.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscaping projects or planning changes to the exterior of your house, including changing your driveway and windows. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Block Captain Meeting

Mon, 20 May 2019 23:20:11 GMT

Here is a link to Patricia Lombard's 5/19/19 coverage in the Larchmont Buzz of the Hancock Park Homeowners Associations Block Captain Meeting

https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/hancock-park-block-captains-meet/

City Council Member David Ryu spoke to forty volunteer block captains gathered at the Wilshire Country Club for the annual meeting of the Hancock Park Homeowners Association Block Captains. Ryu, who was warmly welcomed by the group, noted that this July will mark four years in office. He thanked all the block captains and the HOA for their commitment to the neighborhood and their work in helping him develop solutions to problems in the neighborhood.

Ryu said he was pleased to report that he has been able to keep all his campaign promises to the neighborhood, particularly his promise to repair the neighborhood’s concrete streets.

“I think by next year, I can safely say that half of the worst streets are probably going to be done,” said Ryu to the applause of the group. He said he was pleasantly surprised that they found the simple solution of doing large sections rather than whole streets. He also said the demonstration project he proposed for Hancock Park has been taken over by the Bureau of Street Services, which is now looking at using the same approach in other neighborhoods around the city.

Ethics reform was the other major campaign promise Ryu made, which he said should be completed by the end of year, or possibly earlier, depending on when the City Attorney’s office finishes drafting the new ordinance, and the scheduling of the final approval vote by the full City Council.

Ryu said his effort to introduce a reform motion during his first year in office failed because he couldn’t get a single fellow city council member to second his motion. He told the story of how he persisted and his proposal to prohibit contributions, to both candidates and elected officials, from property owners whose properties are involved in a land use project requiring discretionary approval. And that proposal gained the unanimous support of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission earlier this year. Ryu said he expects the City Council to vote on the draft in the next several weeks. Its passage, he said is a huge step forward to reforming the culture at City Hall.

In conclusion, Ryu thanked everyone for their support and noted he would be starting his re-election campaign next year.

Next, Hancock Park Homeowners Association President Cindy Chvatal-Keane and Jen Devore, chair of the Block Captains Committee, welcomed everyone, thanking them for their service to neighborhood and their efforts to serve as the front line of communication for their neighbors.

Many block captains have done the job for years, and there was a lively exchange about various ways to get neighbors involved in an annual meeting on the block. Devore asked each captain to try to reach out to new neighbors to make them feel welcome, noting that the association is working on developing a gift bag for new neighbors. She also asked block captains to maintain a list of all their block’s residents, and share that list with neighbors so everyone can work together in the event an emergency. On her block, Devore has added notes about residents with special skills, such a physicians or resources, like pools, in case they are needed in an emergency.

Devore asked the block captains for help in encouraging residents to pay the $25 annual HOA dues. Currently, only one third of residents pay the dues, but Devore said the dues are used to plant trees, remove graffiti, and make other improvements…as well as to maintain the extensive communication system keeping residents informed. Residents can now go online to pay their dues.

For the remainder of the meeting, block captains heard reports and updates from board members and committee chairs: Erik Storey, Neighborhood Filming; DeborahTrainer, Parkway Tree Program; Susan Grossman, HPOZ; Cindy Chvatal, Land Use and Zoning; Bill Newby, Infrastructure Repair Highland Median; Peter Gorelick and Marty Beck, Security/Neighborhood Watch and Traffic Mitigations; Dave Gajda, Hancock Park New Neighbor Gift Bags and Liaison with John Burroughs Middle School

May Column

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:17:28 GMT

Building a Strong Community - Our Block Captains, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and Concrete Streets

According to the LAPD the most important part of safety and security in your neighborhood is an effective block captain/neighborhood watch network. Hancock Park is fortunate to have so many community minded residents who volunteer to be block captains. To thank our block captains and keep them up to date on security and other issues, the Association is hosting a dinner on May 15^th at the Wilshire Country Club. If you’re a block captain you should have received an invitation. If you haven’t contact the Association. If you’re not a block captain and your block doesn’t have one, VOLUNTEER! Then you can share a wonderful dinner with your colleagues at the Wilshire Country Club.

The Association is happy to report that Board Member Jen DeVore was elected to the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Board. Jen is a tireless worker for the community, serving not only on the Board of the HPHOA, but also on the HPOZ Board and now the GWNC. Thank you Jen for so generously devoting your time to the benefit of our community

Councilman David Ryu has announced a targeted repair program for our concrete streets. The City has completed a pilot study from which this repair program has been developed. A compete assessment of the concrete streets of Hancock Park was done by the Bureau of Street Services and the first phase, which will repair the most hazardous areas, has begun. Portions of 2^nd Street and McCadden Place, 4^th Street and Rimpau Blvd., June Street and 4^thStreet, an an uneven pavement at 352 South Las Palmas are the first in line for repairs. The second phase is to develop an ongoing repair priority list and obtain budget financing, including two dedicated concrete crews.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house, including changing your driveway. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

April Column

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:16:32 GMT

Take the Survey, Leave Your Comments and Save Your Neighborhood

The Purple Subway Line is now being built and the LA Planning Department is working on the Purple Line Transit Neighborhood Plan (TNP). The current proposal would dramatically upzone any area near a major transit line, which includes bus lines. Since bus lines run throughout Hancock Park, this proposal would put all of Hancock Park at risk for changes in zoning that would allow development of multi story/multiple occupancy residential construction. It’s no surprise that developers are actively lobbying to make this possible. It’s vitally important that everyone living in Hancock Park push back to protect our historic neighborhood. The City is conducting a survey and asking for comments, so now is the time for active civic participation. Our historic neighborhood is at stake.

Here’s what you can do and remember to contact the Association if you have questions or need more information:

· Read the article in the Larchmont Buzz summarizing the meetings and issues - https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/planning-dept-meetings-solicit-more-community-input-on-purple-line-transit-neighborhood-plan/

· Find out about the process and workshops being done by the City - http://www.latnp.org/purple-line/project-updates/?utm_source=PL+2%2F14%2F19&utm_campaign=b0c0226b7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_11_COPY_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d90dd26482-b0c0226b7c-256438317

· Take the City’s survey – http://www.latnp.org/purple-line/survey/

· Send the City your Comments - http://www.latnp.org/purple-line/purple-line-plan-comments/?utm_source=PL+2%2F14%2F19&utm_campaign=b0c0226b7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_11_COPY_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d90dd26482-b0c0226b7c-256438317

Contact City Staff directly - Contact project staff directly - email Andrew Jorgensen, AICP, Project Lead, at andrew.jorgensen@lacity.org or via phone at (213) 978-1281

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house . The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

March Column

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:14:48 GMT

Security – Keeping you and your Family Safe

As everyone knows crime is still an issue in Hancock Park. The LAPD has an initiative to reduce burglaries and thefts and needs our help. If you’ve been the victim or have any information about crime in your area call Wilshire Detectives at 213-922-8205.

If you notice suspicious activity and believe a crime is in the process of being committed call 911, and don’t confront the person yourself. Also, if you have a private security service, notify them. If something does not seem like an emergency call 877-275-5273, the Non-Emergency Dispatch Number. If the lines are busy you will get a recording asking you to hold for an operator. Do not call the Wilshire Division Station if you need officers to respond. There is an answering machine at the Station, but Stations do not dispatch officers to calls; that is done via 911 or the non-emergency number.

There are two private patrol services operating in Hancock Park: SSA and ADT. These services are paid for by individual homeowners and are not a resource to be called by non-subscribers. Please remember to call the appropriate service if there is a problem so the issue can be dealt with in the most efficient way possible. More detailed information about Private Patrol Services can be found on the Safety and Security Section of the Association website. If you’re not already a subscriber please consider becoming one, it means more security for everyone.

In order to make yourself a less attractive target for criminals remember to lock your doors and windows, even if you’re home. Don’t leave things in view in your car and always lock your car. Report suspicious activity to the LAPD and to your block captain, and never confront someone yourself.

Now that the winter rains have arrived in force, the Tree Committee is busy planting new parkway trees. If you need a parkway tree contact the committee to be sure you’re on the list or to get on the list if we’ve missed you. The City has established new spacing guidelines, so it may be the case that where there were once two trees in a parkway, the city will only allow replanting of one tree. Also, remember to plant trees on your property for summer shade and beauty.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house . The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

February Column

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 03:24:59 GMT

Winter is the time to plant in Southern California and with the recent rains there couldn’t be a better time to put a tree in that open space in your parkway. If you are missing a parkway tree you should have gotten an email from the Association asking your permission to plant a beautiful, healthy 15 gallon tree; paid for by your Association dues. If you got this email please respond right away so a tree can be planted soon. If you have an open space and didn’t get an email then contact the Association on our website and we’ll put you on the planting list.

Our beautiful, tree lined streets, provide the shady canopies of green that make Hancock Park a park. When Hancock Park was developed in the1920’s the builders planted a beautiful young forest of elms, sycamores and fir trees. Now, 100 years later, the trees are reaching the end of their lifespans. And, with the added pressures from repeated droughts, new insects and diseases have damaged and killed many of these trees. Thanks to our Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, our parkway trees are protected, and if one dies, we can replant. Remember, trees are important not only to maintain the look of our beautiful historic neighborhood and landscape, but are also a critical part of the natural infrastructure that preserves the lives of ourselves, our children, wildlife and the planet.

If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime please be sure and report the crime to the LAPD. The phone numbers can be found at the Wilshire Division website (http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station),choose Report a Crime on the bottom right hand side or go directly to http://www.lapdonline.org/report_a_crime). Remember to keep you and your family safe by locking doors and windows, arming your alarm if you have one and if you think someone is on your property call 911.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house . The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

January Column

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 20:50:47 GMT

Changes in Land Use Laws Could Threaten R-1 Status of Hancock Park

State Senate Bill 50 would allow denser development close to transportation hubs. While on the surface this seems like a good idea, the definition of proximity to transportation hubs in this legislation includes nearness to bus lines, which directly impacts Hancock Park. Bus lines run down almost all of Hancock Park’s major streets. This bill would make increased density possible in our R-1 residential community, superseding existing zoning law and overruling our HPOZ. The City is also proposing major changes to the way projects are reviewed and approved, consolidating authority and speeding up many processes. While clarification and simplification of public processes are worthy goals, some of these changes would facilitate fast tracking of major developments while limiting community input.

These and other initiatives, including the updating of the Wilshire Community Plan (the blueprint for development and growth in our part of Los Angeles), will have a major impact on our neighborhood. The Association and its Zoning and Land Use Committee are actively opposing bills such as SB50. The Association is also pushing our Councilman and the City to ensure that any changes to zoning that increase development and density and any changes to city review processes be done with input from and consideration for our community.

Now that winter and slightly cooler temperatures are here, think about planting a tree. If you need a parkway tree contact the Association Tree Committee at our website. Crime continues to be a problem so be safe by keeping doors and windows locked, arming your alarm if you have one and if you think someone is on your property call 911. Don’t confront anyone yourself. Also, don’t leave anything in your car in plain view; seeing packages in a car is often an invitation for theft.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ so be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house . The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

December Column

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:11:06 GMT

Help Clean the Air by Reducing Gas Powered Leaf Blowers

Los Angeles has some of the worst air quality in the nation, primarily because of gas powered engines. And some of those gas powered engines are the leaf blowers many of Hancock Park gardeners use. Many people don’t realize that use of gas powered leaf blowers is illegal in the City of Los Angeles (LAMC 112.04). You can find a copy of the ordinance at http://bss.lacity.org/investigationandenforcement/GasPoweredLeafBlowerEnforcement.pdf . So make a New Year’s resolution to talk with your gardener, find out if they use a gas powered leaf blower and, if they do, ask them to either switch to an electric battery operated blower or use a rake and broom. But don’t let them switch to using water; this too is illegal.

Now that winter and slightly cooler temperatures are here, think about planting a tree. A tree does more for cleaning the air than just about anything else and they provide shade in the summer. The Tree Committee has completed the inventory of parkway trees and is planning to plant parkway trees in the coming months. If you need a parkway tree contact the Association Tree Committee at our website.

Unfortunately, thefts go up during the holidays, so be safe bykeeping doors and windows locked, arming your alarm if you have one and if you think someone is on your property call 911. Don’t confront anyone yourself. Also, don’t leave anything in your car in plain view; seeing packages in a car is often an invitation for theft.

And since Hancock Park is an HPOZ be sure and check with our City Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org), before starting any major landscahing or planning changes to the exterior of your house . The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

November Column

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:08:54 GMT

Be a Good Neighbor When There’s Filming

Hancock Park has been an attractive site for filming for many years. Our beautiful neighborhood, full of architecturally distinct houses from many periods along with broad, tree lined streets, brings lots of film, television and commercial companies to our area. While filming brings in revenue to the person whose property is being used, it also impacts the neighbors to the property. To help balance these sometimes competing interests the Association setup Good Neighbor Filming Guidelines many years ago. These guidelines have helped to ensure that one person’s ability to make money from their property didn’t destroy the peace and quiet of their neighborhood. Recently though, because of the increased amount of filming and the volume of complaints about the impact of filming on the quality of life in the neighborhood, the Association has updated its Filming Guidelines.

The LA City ordinance governing filming calls for the infrequent use of private and city property for the purposes of filming. The ordinance also says that filming should be conducted at such times and in such a manner as to cause a minimum of interference with the enjoyment and use of adjacent property, and consistent with public health, safety and general welfare. The updated Hancock Park guidelines have specific recommendations with regards to Frequency of filming on a property and/or a street; proper notification and surveys of surrounding residents; hours for filming, how equipment will be managed; how parking will be addressed and compliance and security recommendations. We’re now circulating the new guidelines to get your comments and input. Watch your email box and the Association’s website for the guidelines and a return response card.

Don’t forget to fill out the questionnaire being sent by the Association to determine what Hancock Park issues are most important to you. Also, be safe by keeping doors and windows locked, arming your alarm if you have one and if you think someone is on your property call 911. Don’t confront anyone yourself. your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

September Column

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 00:24:36 GMT

The Candidates for Your Association Board

Looking Forward to Seeing you at the Annual Meeting!

Your Homeowners’ Association Annual Meeting will be at 3^rd Street School, Tuesday, October 16^th at 7PM. The meeting will have guests from the Council Office, and LAPD, as well as reports from our Committee Chairs. This is your chance to get to know what the Association has been doing for our community and how we can all participate in keeping Hancock Park a great place to live.

The annual meeting is also when the election is held for half of the members of the Board of Directors. If you’re a member in good standing, meaning you’ve paid your annual dues, you will receive a ballot in the mail. You can either return the ballot in the mail or bring it with you to the Annual Meeting.

The candidates for the HPHOA Board nominated by the Association are:

Patricia Alexander

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

Jennifer DeVore

Indy Flore

David Gajda

Joel Kozberg

Pam Newhouse

Victoria Vickers

For more information about the candidates visit the HPHOA, est. 1948 website.

Don’t forget to be safe by keeping doors and windows locked, arming your alarm if you have one and if you think someone is on your property call 911. Don’t confront anyone yourself. your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

August Column

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 21:14:55 GMT

WATER YOUR TREES!!!

The recent heat storm damaged many, many plants and trees in Hancock Park. In particularly, our parkway trees are really suffering. These trees need regular, deep watering particularly in the summer months. Be sure and water all your trees and especially your parkway trees once a week, a slow drip for a few hours. Your trees clean the air, cool the ground, adds value to your property and provide homes for birds and other wildlife.

Here’s how to care for your damaged trees and plants:

· Deep water, particularly if a high heat situation is near

· Don’t prune off leaves burned by the sun. They protect the healthy leaves and you don’t want to encourage new growth during the summer;

· Check trees and make sure that they are healthy. If you are concerned that a limb might be brittle, have a licensed arborist check as soon as possible.

The Association has been working with the Council Office and the City to develop plans for pruning Hancock Park’s parkway trees. The trimming began, unfortunately, right after the heat storm and the crews contracted by the city were doing a very harsh and extreme job. We’ve stopped the trimming and will work to develop guidelines that the contractors will follow, and no further trimming will be done in the summer. The city will be removing over 35 dead parkway trees and the Association (using your dues) will be replanting in the fall. If your trees were trimmed it is particularly important to keep watering them. Trimming a tree stresses it and our trees need our help. Visit our website for information about how to correctly prune a tree and when to do it

Keep yourself and your family safe by reporting any suspicious behavior to the LAPD, keep your doors and cars locked and, if you have an alarm, set it even if you’re in the house. If you think someone is trying to break into your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

If you plan to change your landscaping or make changes to the exterior of your house please contact our City Planner, Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org) before starting to make sure your plans comply with our Preservation Plan. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

June Column

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 22:15:08 GMT

Know Your Block Captain and Stay Safe

The most important part of keeping our homes and families safe is an active Neighborhood Watch. And the foundation of a successful Neighborhood Watch is your block captain. The Block Captain and Security Committees recruit new block captains and support the existing ones. So we thank our Block Captains Committee, particularly Jen DeVore and Cindy Chvatal and our Security Committee chair, Peter Gorelick for all the work they do to help support our community network.

The Association recently hosted a dinner at the Wilshire Country Club recently where Councilman Ryu and our new Field Deputy, Rob Fisher, joined the Block Captains for dinner and discussions. Our block captains also heard from our Security Committee Chair, Peter Gorelick, and other Board members of the Association.

Your block captains keep their neighbors informed about what’s going on, interface with the City and, most importantly, they are the core of our neighborhood watch; providing security and eyes on the ground for the LAPD and security services. If you don’t know who your block captain is then contact the Association. If your block doesn’t have a block captain and you want to volunteer (Yeah!) then also contact the Association.

Remember to pay your Association dues, which you can now do on our website. Your dues help fund the many initiatives that keep Hancock Park beautiful. Your dues also show the City and other organizations that you support the work the Association does on your behalf.

Remember, to report any suspicious behavior to the LAPD, keep your doors and cars locked and, if you have an alarm, set it even if you’re in the house. If you think someone is trying to break into your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

If you plan to change your landscaping or make changes to the exterior of your house please contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) before starting to make sure your plans comply with our Preservation Plan. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

April Column

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:06:29 GMT

Rebuilding and Preserving John Burroughs Middle School

The Los Angeles Unified School District is embarking on a comprehensive modernization project to increase safety and create a better learning environment for the district’s school children. John Burroughs Middle School is one of the first schools to be upgraded and the planning has been ongoing for the last couple of years. The Association and the neighbors of JB have asked that the plan: 1) Preserve the historical buildings and landscape of the school; 2) Mitigate the impact of such a large construction project on the surrounding neighborhood; 3) Ensure that the end result actually addresses the issues that prompted the rebuild; and 4) Does not undermine the successful work the neighborhood, the Association and JB staff have done to mitigate the impact of such a high population institution in the middle of a residential neighborhood. In particular, we’re pushing LAUSD to come up with a way to manage student drop-off so that vehicles don’t continue to clog the streets causing traffic and safety problems twice a day.

The LPGA will be holding a golf tournament at the Wilshire Country Club, April 18^th through April 22^nd (Wednesday-Sunday). The club is working on a plan to manage parking and traffic and the Association will send information to the neighbors as soon as the plan is solidified.

Don’t forget the best protection against crime is vigilance and your neighborhood watch.

Report any suspicious behavior to the LAPD, keep your doors and cars locked and, if you have an alarm, set it even if you’re in the house. If you think someone is trying to break into your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

March Column

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 19:17:17 GMT

Welcome to Our New Board Member

We’re thrilled to welcome Erik Storey to the Hancock Park Homeowners Association, est. 1948 Board of Directors. Erik has lived in Hancock Park since 2004 where he and his spouse, Architect/Interior Designer Rodrigo Vargas, are raising their six year old daughter. Erik is a member of the Los Angeles Tennis Club as well as the Television Academy. After 15 years as a senior executive at Comcast Universal, Erik is now an independent television producer, full-time Dad and passionate LA historian.

Erik is joining the other Board members who lead and chair many of the initiatives and committees through which your association does the work of keeping our neighborhood a wonderful place to live. But our committees are also made of up of you, the members of the Association. If there’s a committee you’d like to work with, just drop a note at the website and someone will get in touch with you. For example, our Security Committee, chaired by Peter Gorelick, just sponsored a meeting to keep residents informed about what they can do to keep themselves, their families and their property safe. And, there are many other committee activities need your help: The Tree Committee is doing an inventory of the trees in Hancock Park and developing a plan to reforest our neighborhood, as well as taking care of individual issues and planting trees. The Zoning Committee works to keep development in and around Hancock Park reasonable and in keeping with our residential community. The Streets Committee has been diligent in pushing the city to develop a plan and obtain funding to repair and replace our concrete streets with concrete. And the filming committee works nonstop to encourage filmmakers and homeowners offering their houses for filming to keep in mind our Good Neighbor Filming Policies which helps mitigate the impact of filming on neighbors.

While the LAPD is adding more police officers, fighting crime is also done by everyone in a community being aware and proactive. Remember to report any suspicious behavior to the LAPD, keep your doors and cars locked and, if you have an alarm, set it even if you’re in the house. If you think someone is trying to break into your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

February Column

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 00:36:07 GMT

Keeping Hancock Park Safe – Plan to Be at the Security Meeting February 6^th!

Crime in Los Angeles, including Hancock Park, has seen a 10% increase in the last year. The LAPD will be adding 10% more police officers to every division in the city and the Wilshire Division, which is the LAPD Division that includes Hancock Park, will see an additional ten new officers. In addition the Wilshire Division is launching a new crime fighting unit that will target areas with spikes in violent and property crimes.

The LAPD says that property crimes, primarily car theft and break-ins of cars, are a big part of the increase in crime. They recommend video cameras at the front doors and apps that alert residents. However, as many burglars gain entry through the rear of the home, a secondary camera should be installed in the rear of the house.

While adding police officers will help stem crime, fighting crime is also done by everyone in a community being aware and proactive. Remember to report any suspicious behavior to the LAPD, keep your doors and cars locked and, if you have an alarm, set it even if you’re in the house. If you think someone is trying to break into your home call 911 immediately. DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERSON YOURSELF!

As part of increasing awareness and helping the LAPD and the private security services help us, the Association is sponsoring a Security Meeting on February 6^th at 7PM at 3^rd Street School. LAPD SLO Dave Cordova and our Private Security Companies SSA and ADT will be present to discuss the increase in crime, the addition of more LAPD officers and answer any questions you may have about improving security in our Hancock Park neighborhood. So, put February 6^th on your calendar and join us!

December Column

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 01:19:26 GMT

After much planning and work the HPHOA’s new website is up and running - https://hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ ! This new website gives us the ability to post more information and provide a more interactive experience.

Start out by looking at the photographs scrolling through that show some of the beautiful houses in Hancock Park. Then look at the pull-down menus that alert you to important news; help you contact either the Association or Councilman Ryu’s Office; Provide updates and information on Filming Guidelines, Parkway Trees, Streets and Sidewalks, the Highland Median and the John Burroughs Renovation; and A Safety and Security Pulldown. There’s also information about our HPOZ and an online means to pay your dues.

This is a big step forward in the Association’s efforts to keep Hancock Park residents informed and provide opportunities to participate so take a minute, visit the site and let us know what you think.

Our thanks go to long-time web wrangler Greg Glasser for keeping the previous website up, running and up to date with important information. Thanks also go to Jennifer DeVore and Cindy Chvatal for researching and helping to build the new website. And, Greg will continue managing the new site as well as being on our Association’s Board of Directors.

Remember that the holidays are a prime time for opportunistic crime, so be careful and lock your doors, your car doors, and keep the outdoor lights on. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure and file a police report by contacting Officer Dave Cordova. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

November Column

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 17:54:08 GMT

Thanks for Joining Us at the Annual Meeting

The Association’s annual meeting was a great success and we thank everyone who participated and attended. In particular we thank the staff of 3rd Street Elementary School for hosting the meeting, the representatives of the Council Office and the LAPD for attending and answering questions. And most of all though we thank our members for attending and for continuing to work hard making Hancock Park the great place it is.

The Association also elected Tim Allyn, Martin Beck, Greg Glasser, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman, William Newby, Cami Taylor, Jon Vein, and James Wolf as members of the Board of Directors. All members of the Board of Directors chair and participate in the Association’s committee work. Any Association member, meaning any Hancock Park resident, can also serve on a committee and we ask you to consider doing so. Just a few areas our committees work is planting trees, pushing the city to fix our concrete streets, manage filming, and preserving our historic neighborhood. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but steady work keeps progress happening. So think about and contact us via the website.

And speaking of the website, we’ve got a new one and it’s fantastic. Take a look and tell us what you think: https://hphae1.wildapricot.org/ The website is one of the many things your dues pay for.

Remember - if you plan to change your landscaping or make changes to the exterior of your house please contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) to make sure your plans comply with our Preservation Plan. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) Remember to and lock your car, secure your house and, if you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure and file a police report by contacting Officer Dave Cordova. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

HPHA Annual Meeting

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 19:16:29 GMT

Please join us on Tuesday, October 24 at 7 PM at Third Street School for our homeowners association annual meeting. We will have updates on security, trees, historic preservation, development and other fascinating topics. If you have paid dues for the year, you will receive a ballot for HPHA Board elections in the mail after September 15. See you there!

Sidewalks and Your Parkway Trees

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 15:00:00 GMT

As part of the Sidewalks LA Repair Program and to bring our sidewalks into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the city is evaluating our parkway trees. If a tree is determined to be dead or dying (with no prospect of recovery), or if the tree is tearing up the sidewalk such that the sidewalk isn’t accessible and there is no safe way to trim the tree’s roots, the city will initiate the process for removing the tree. As part of this process the tree is evaluated by a city arborist, the Department of Historic Resources and the HPOZ Board review the analysis, the Council Office consults with the Association and the Association has our arborist do a second evaluation. This is to ensure that every possible effort will be taken to save the tree. If a tree must be removed it will be replaced.

There has been some misunderstanding recently that the City is engaged in wholesale tree removal without review or input and that’s not the case. Last year, in the process of doing much needed tree trimming, the City took it upon themselves to cut down trees that many of us believed were salvageable. The Association, the Council Office, the Department of Historic Resources and the HPOZ Board, and the City’s Department of Urban Forestry have worked together to develop a process where no parkway tree is removed unless it is unavoidable for safety reasons.

If you do know of a dangerous sidewalk and want an immediate repair or if you’re disabled and there is a broken sidewalk call 311 or file a request at the Safe Sidewalks LA website – http://sidewalks.lacity.org/

So, if you plan to change your landscaping or make changes to the exterior of your house please contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) to make sure your plans comply with our Preservation Plan. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process: http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist

Unfortunately, crime continues to be a problem so be sure and lock your car, secure your house and, if you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure and file a police report by contacting Officer Dave Cordova. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park

Concrete Repairs

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Councilman David Ryu has successfully proposed that $800,000 be included in the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 City Budget for repairing our concrete, with concrete. Thanks go to the Association’s Street Committee: William Newby, Tim Allyn, Jon Vein, Cindy Chvatal and Jim Wolf for tirelessly pushing the City to follow its own regulations. The Hancock Park Preservation Plan explicitly calls out that our concrete streets be maintained.

A few years ago the City had started repaving concrete streets in our area with asphalt. As we all know the asphalt looks good for about a year and then pot holes start forming, the ground becomes uneven, and the streets are actually in worse shape than they were before being covered with asphalt. Concrete lasts for at least 50 years; Hancock Park’s streets were paved in the 1920’s so we’re coming up on a 100 year anniversary, and many of these ancient streets are in better shape the newly paved asphalt ones.

Los Angeles is a big and diverse city and it is often difficult to get a focus on the specific issues of a small area. This is where your Homeowners Association plays its part. By pushing, demanding, investigating and more pushing the Streets Committee was successful in challenging the original, highly overinflated numbers estimated by the City, forced the City engineers to do some real analysis and design work and encouraged our Council Office to support this effort. Remember, don’t give up; dig in!

The block captains met at Marlborough School and one of the biggest items was safety. Crime is up and the best defense is our block captain network. Do you know your block captain? If not, contact the Association and we’ll let you know. If your block doesn’t have a block captain please consider becoming one. An alert network of homeowners keeps crime down. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure and file a police report by contacting Officer Dave Cordova. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

The HPOZ Preservation Plan — http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Fixing Our Concrete Streets

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 15:00:00 GMT

The RFP for repaving McCadden Place from Beverly Blvd to 3rd Street has been issued and bids for the construction will be in soon. This construction will not only repair and repave McCadden Place, but repair the concrete curbs that are broken, install curb cuts in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA), adjust maintenance holes and water meters and repair concrete aprons. This is the first step in evaluating the response, cost and competence of private firms. For information about the status of this RFP see website: http://www.labavn.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=contract.opportunity_view&recordid=29502.

There have been a increasing number of home burglaries including the ransacking of a car in a garage, and the robbing of a house while the owners were out to dinner. Many of these homes had security systems, but weren’t turned. Please remember, if you have a security system, turn on your alarm. If you leave your house be sure it is locked and secured; even if you’re only running a short errand. Be aware of any suspicious activity and call 911 if you think there may be a problem. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure and file a police report. This enables the LAPD to assign precious resources to our neighborhood. Contact Officer Dave Cordova if you are a victim of a crime and Dave can take a crime report. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

You can pay your dues on the Association’s website at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ ! Those homeowners who have paid their dues by June 1st are eligible to vote in the Association’s elections and run for office.

The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.
Updating the City’s General Plan – https://ourla2040.org/

Fixing Our Sidewalks – Who is Responsible and When Will it be Done?

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 16:00:00 GMT

In 1974, as a result of federal funding, the City of Los Angeles passed an ordinance placing the obligation for maintaining sidewalks on the City. Years have gone by, funding has disappeared and our sidewalks are now often obstacle courses. In 2016 the City Council and mayor approved the Safe Sidewalks LA repair program. This program will ultimately review and, if needed, repair all the sidewalks in Los Angeles. After the review is done and the repairs, if necessary, are made the City will provide maintenance for the sidewalks for 20 years. After that the property owner will be responsible for sidewalk maintenance.

If you have a sidewalk that needs repair and you are willing to pay for the repairs, there is a rebate program where you can be reimbursed up to $2,000. The first step to getting your sidewalk repaired is to go to the Safe Sidewalks LA website – http://sidewalks.lacity.org/ and fill out a request. Select the Rebate Program and fill out a request. You can also call 311 to file a request. If you know of a dangerous sidewalk and want an immediate repair or if you’re disabled and there is a broken sidewalk use the options on the website for reporting these locations. In these cases, the repairs will usually be temporary asphalt patching.

Don’t forget to VOTE on March 7th! One of the most important items on the ballot is Measure S, which deals with growth in our city. Please get informed and VOTE! A good place to start your research is site: Ballotpedia – https://ballotpedia.org/Los_Angeles,_California,_Changes_to_Laws_Governing_the_General_Plan_and_Development,_Measure_S_(March_2017)#Overview

Safety is still an issue so lock your house, car and activate your house alarm if you have one. Contact Officer Dave Cordova if you are a victim of a crime and Dave can take a crime report. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number. The Association’s website is: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ . The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

How to Manage Development – The Decision is Up to You

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 16:00:00 GMT

The Neighborhood Integrity Initiative (Measure S) on the March 7th ballot will ask Los Angeles voters to make a big decision about which direction development should or shouldn’t take. Measure S would: 1) Establish a temporary ban on all development projects requiring zoning that lifts land-use restrictions or increases permitted building heights and ban zoning changes that increase the allowed density or height of buildings or a net loss of land dedicated to open space, agriculture, or industry; 2) Prohibit project specific amendments to the city’s General Plan; 3) Require a public review process for the City’s General Plan every five years; 4) Require that environmental impact reviews be done by city staff, and 5) Limit reduction of on-site parking requirements for development by no more than one third. There are exemptions for some types of affordable housing developments and natural disaster reconstruction.

Opponents argue that the development process is transparent and open to citizen input and that Measure S would severely limit housing construction to the detriment of renters, businesses and the city. This measure reflects many residents’ frustration with what seems like out of control development, particularly in Hollywood. However, there are reasonable arguments on both sides and it is up to us, the citizens of Los Angeles, to carefully consider the measures proposed and decide if this is the right course of action. A good place to start your research is site: Ballotpedia – https://ballotpedia.org/Los_Angeles,_California,_Changes_to_Laws_Governing_the_General_Plan_and_Development,_Measure_S_(March_2017)#Overview , which lays out both sides of the argument and has links to further information.

Don’t forget to keep you and your family safe. Lock your lock your house, car and activate your house alarm if you have one. Contact Officer Dave Cordova if you are a victim of a crime and Dave can take a crime report. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number. The Association’s website is: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ . The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Keeping Our Community Green

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The Association has been working with the City on figuring out what happened when the City started trimming our street trees and ended up removing a large number of trees. Hancock Park is an HPOZ and as such our street forest is protected. Any removal of a street tree in the parkway section of our streets need to be reviewed by the HPOZ Board; something the City did not do. Now, however, the City has agreed to follow its own rules and will not be removing any more trees unless an arborist reviews the decision and the HPOZ board agrees. The tree trimming will resume in the near future. This time, though, they’d trim one block, the Association’s arborist will check the work and determine the job is correct before the crews continue trimming.
As part of our reforesting effort the Association’s Tree Committee has been investigating different varieties of our existing street tree species to find cultivars that are better adapted to the challenging circumstances in our parkways. As many of us have removed grass to install water saving landscapes, the watering of parkway trees has often been forgotten. This means our street trees are suffering a double whammy: less watering from homeowners and extreme drought and heat conditions. As a homeowner you can help by being sure your trees are well watered.

The City has a new contractor to maintain the Highland median and we’re still in the evaluation period as to whether the contractor is doing their job. The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council has sponsored an asphalt truck to do spot fixes in asphalt paving. If you see a pothole in an asphalt street, let your block captain know or contact the Association.

Don’t forget to keep you and your family safe by locking your house, car and activate your house alarm if you have one. Contact Officer Dave Cordova if you are a victim of a crime and Dave can take a crime report. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

Join a committee and be an active member of the Hancock Park Community. The Association’s website is: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ . The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Our Annual Meeting and Election of the Board of Directors

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Don’t forget to attend the Association’s Annual Meeting on Monday, October 17th, 7PM at 3rd Street School. There will be speakers from the Association, the LAPD as well as Councilman Ryu. This is also the time when the election of the Association’s Board of Directors takes place. If you are a member in good standing, meaning you’ve paid your Association dues, you’ll have received a ballot. The nominees are: Patricia Alexander, Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, Indy Flore, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, Pam Newhouse, and Victoria Vickers. Visit the Association’s website to read brief biographies. Either send in your ballot or bring it to the meeting. This is a great opportunity for you to talk to your Councilman, the LAPD and the Association, have your questions answered and find out how you can help your community.

Many homeowners have seen the terrible job of ‘tree trimming’ done by the City’s Department of Urban Forestry. Not only were the trees trimmed much more aggressively than was promised but a large number of trees were simply cut down. The Association demanded the work be stopped and the damage evaluated before anything else was done. We’ll be pushing the Council Office and the city to come up with a plan for replacing the destroyed trees and to hire qualified arborists and workers to work on our trees. The parkway trees of Hancock Park are a vital part of our historic streetscape and are explicitly protected in the Preservation Plan.

Don’t be a crime victim. Lock you house, car and activate your house alarm if you have one. Contact Officer Dave Cordova if you are a victim of a crime and Dave can take a crime report. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

The Annual Meeting is the 17th!

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Councilman David Ryu has dedicated over $50,000 of his discretionary funding to finally get the parkway trees in Hancock Park trimmed. The trimming started in September and the city will do two blocks every weekend, starting at 7:30AM and going until 6PM. The streets will be posted so that parking will not be permitted the days of the trimming. We’ll keep block captains informed of the trimming schedule as it is communicated by the Council Office. If you have questions contact Nikki Ezhari in the Councilman’s Office. Her email address is: nikki.ezhari@lacity.org and her phone number is 323-957-6335.

Nominee Profiles October 2016 Election

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 22:30:29 GMT

Patricia Alexander

Patricia Alexander has been a resident of Hancock Park since 2012. She is a block captain and serves on the Friends of Third Board at Third Street Elementary. Patricia is on the Third Street Elementary Beautification Committee, which in the past year implemented a beautification project on June Street funded by a grant from the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society. Patricia is married to Hani Alexander and they have 3 elementary aged children. Patricia has a BS in Business from the University of South Florida and an MBA from the University of Tampa.

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

Cindy Chvatal-Keane has been a member of the HPHA board for 20 years and she currently serves as the board president. Cindy also co-chairs the Block Captain/Neighborhood Watch, Historic Preservation and Land Use Committees. She is helped formulate a plan for the long-term care and maintenance of Hancock Park’s parkway trees and the Highland Ave Median. Cindy developed and maintains the current block captain email information system, which provides the neighborhood with information about a wide range of issues important to residents such as: crime activity, emergency procedures, lost pets, traffic issues, City meetings that involve Hancock Park, and HPHA meetings. She believes strongly in preserving the residential character of Hancock Park and its R-1 Zoning designation, which protects the status of single family homes. Cindy co- founded the Hancock Park Historic Preservation Advocacy Group and was a key player in the process that culminated in the establishment of an HPOZ for Hancock Park. She currently sits on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Traffic and Transportation Committee, is a member of the Executive Board of the California Science Center and is an Executive Producer of the television series C S I.

Jennifer DeVore

Jennifer DeVore has been on the HPHA board for 14 years and has lived in Hancock Park for 19 years. She is currently the recording secretary of the board and works on historic preservation, emergency preparedness among other committees. In addition to her work in the neighborhood, she is currently a board member on the national board of YaleWomen. Jennifer has previously been on the review board of the HPOZ for Hancock Park and also on the boards of the Ebell and the Yale Club of Los Angeles. She and her husband, Marc Feinstein, are the parents of three teenage boys. Previously, she was director of marketing at the Los Angeles Times. Jennifer received her BA in American Studies from Yale and her MBA from UCLA.

Indy Flore

Indy Flore serves on the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone board as well as the HPHA board. Born and raised in London, Indy lives in Hancock Park with his wife, Julie Buxbaum (novelist), and their two young children who attend Wagon Wheel Nursery and Third Street Elementary. Indy currently works in private equity and has a background in investment banking and law. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, Oxford and King’s College, London.

Joel Kozberg

Joel Kozberg is a native of Los Angeles and has lived in Hancock Park for 20 years. He is a trial attorney who specializes in the litigation of complex business disputes. As a board member of the HPHA, he has responsibility for matters implicating legal issues. In addition to his legal training, Joel also has degrees in business and architecture, having received an MBA at UCLA and an AB at UC Berkeley. Joel also serves as a board member of Los Angeles Team Mentoring, an organization that mentors at-risk middle school students, including participants at John Burroughs in Hancock Park.

Joanne Medeiros

Joanne Medeiros was raised in West Los Angeles and is a proud graduate of UCLA for her BA, and Occidental College for her MA in Education. She is currently the Southern California Manager for ELLE DECOR and House Beautiful, two of the leading design titles published by Hearst Magazines. She has a passion for residential design, gardens and architecture developed through her professional career and international travel. She moved to Hancock Park almost 12 years ago, remodeling her 1930 Mediterranean villa. Joanne was an important part of the team that planned and implemented the John Burroughs Middle School beautification project. With the help of HPHA and WSHPHS, over $150,000 in local funds were raised to upgrade the school and surrounding grounds.

Pam Newhouse

Pam Newhouse has lived in Hancock Park since 1992 and has served as a member of the HPHA board since 1996. She is currently the chair of the Graffiti Committee, which works to keep our neighborhood graffiti- free. She is also a member of the Parkway Trees Committee, which works on neighborhood beautification through the restoration of Hancock Park’s parkway tree canopy, and a member of the Traffic and Transportation Committee, which seeks to mitigate traffic issues in our neighborhood. She has previously served as the treasurer and corresponding secretary of the Association and as a member of the Land Use/Zoning Committee. Pam is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and has worked as a finance attorney.

Victoria Vickers

In her nearly 22 years on the Hancock Park Homeowners board, Victoria Vickers has served the community in a variety of positions including Recording Secretary, Membership Records, Traffic Committee, Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, and HPOZ Committee. She currently is the Treasurer of the Association. She looks forward to addressing the concerns of the community and preserving the Hancock Park we all know and love.

Mark the Date for the Annual Meeting

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Annual Meeting will take place on Monday, October 17th at 3rd Street School, so put the date on your calendar and plan to attend. The Council Office, LAPD and other important organizations will be there giving information and answering questions. Reports from the Association’s committees will keep you up-to-date on what’s going on in street maintenance, historic preservation, crime prevention, filming and safety. And, most important, this will give everyone a chance to ask questions and find out if there’s a committee that could use your help.

The Annual meeting is also when the election of half the members of the Association’s Board of Directors takes place. If you are a member in good standing, meaning you’ve paid your Association dues, you’ll have received information about the upcoming election and a list of the nominees presented by the Board. These nominees are: Patricia Alexander, Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, Indy Flore, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, Pam Newhouse, and Victoria Vickers. Visit the Association’s website to read brief biographies. Ballots for the election will be mailed to members in good standing in the next month.
Crime continues to be a problem so don’t forget to keep you and your family safe by locking your house, car and activating your house alarm if you have one. If you are the victim of a crime file a report with Officer Dave Cordova. Dave can take a crime report if you call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number.

The Association’s Committees are always looking for new members to so join a committee by visiting our website and be an active part of our community. The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Keeping Development from Overwhelming Our Neighborhood

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:00:00 GMT

No one needs reminding that the revitalization of Hollywood has moved south to the borders of Hancock Park. Now the sleepy Melrose border is alive with new construction and Wilshire Blvd.’s Miracle Mile is changing its character from primarily low impact business offices to condominiums and other housing. Growth can be a benefit for everyone, but and that’s where we are now … but … without thoughtful input from neighbors, fair and appropriate regulation and enforcement of the law developers will build, leave and stick us with the mess.

The Association has been working with other neighborhood groups on mitigating the impact of two large developments on Hancock Park’s border. The Farmer’s Insurance property on Wilshire Blvd been sold and the new owners will build condominiums and houses. The developers, working with neighbors, have developed a reasonable plan to balance this new residential activity with the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Melrose Avenue does not enjoy the same protection that The Park Mile Plan provides for Wilshire and the proposed redevelopment of the Paramount Studios property will have a major impact. Paramount’s first proposal to construct new parking structures, a new office tower and to install electronic billboards creating an Electronic Sign District was not approved at the recent City Planning Commission meeting. City staff, the Council Office, and everyone near this site were successful in scaling back such overwhelming development and raising Paramount’s contribution to traffic mitigation by $500,000.

The work done by you, your neighbors and your Association show that it is possible to have constructive input into large developments. Now, more than ever, it’s important that all of us stay aware of any proposed changes, hearing requests or construction in the areas surrounding Hancock Park. Your participation in writing letters and attending hearings is critical to keeping the residential/commercial balance right for all of us.

Keeping Hancock Park Green, Clean and Safe

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:00:00 GMT

The Association has completed another successful elm tree planting as part of the Tree Committee’s project to renew Hancock Park’s beautiful elm forest. Trees, like all living things, have a life span and Hancock Park’s elms are reaching the end of theirs. The Tree Committee has removed dead trees, stumps and replanted with a mixture of American Elms, the original elm, and Frontier Elms, a newer, hardier, more drought tolerant variety. Given the unpredictability of rainfall and temperature ranges, the Committee decided to add to the variety to ensure the survival of our arbor.

Councilman David Ryu’s Office has been making a concerted effort to clean up neighborhoods of trash, graffiti and items dumped illegally. Just take a look at the cleanup done at the corner of Lillian Way and Melrose, where the council office cleaned up years’ worth of garbage and erased graffiti on the walls. Working with the LA Conservation Corps the council office has a website where you can request a cleanup – http://davidryu.lacity.org/clean_streets?utm_campaign=w_10&utm_campaign=w_15&utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=davidryucc&utm_source=davidryucc .

Unfortunately, crime is still occurring in Hancock Park. Please remember to lock your house, car and activate your house alarm if you have one. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime file a report with our Senior Lead Office, Dave Cordova. Dave can take a crime report if you call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd.lacity.org. Send him all the information, including your name and telephone number. The Wilshire Division Front Desk can be reached at 213-473-0476 for questions and information.

The Association’s Committees are working hard to keep Hancock Park a great place to live; so join a committee by visiting our website and be an active part of our community. The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. LAPD, Wilshire Station Front Desk – 213-473-0476

Removing Dead Trees and Planting New Elms

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Because Los Angeles continues to suffer from lack of adequate rainfall and falling ground water levels our parkway trees are suffering. Our trees are critical to managing the many environmental challenges facing us including lowering temperatures by providing shade, purifying water and cleaning the air. Trees take much less water than regular landscaping and should be a vital part of any landscaping plans, especially drought tolerant plantings. We just have to keep in mind that trees need regular, deep watering; twice a month. As part of the Association’s commitment to maintaining the health as well as the beauty of Hancock Park we’ve been able to get a firm commitment from the Council Office to remove this year many of the dead parkway trees. In fact, the City has already started on Rossmore. We will then remove the stumps and plant a new healthy tree.

This last month the Association planted new Elm Trees on Rossmore Blvd. While trees live a long time, they don’t live forever and the stately elms and sycamores that make up most of Hancock Park’s arbor are reaching the end of their life span. And the sever water conditions haven’t helped. Drive down Rossmore and take a look at the new trees and imagine how beautiful the summers will be as these elms join their more mature neighbors and continue to shade Rossmore.

The Association’s Committees are always looking for help, so visit the website, see if there is a committee that you’d like to work with and contact us. The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

The Wilshire Closure – Managing the Disruption

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The Purple Line subway construction on Wilshire Blvd. from Highland Avenue to LaBrea Blvd will require an extended closure of Wilshire Blvd. this coming year. Metro has provided residents and business owners with two options for this closure: 1) Seven full weeks; or 2) Sixteen weekends. Our new councilman, David Ryu, is asking his district to tell him what they think so he can represent us to Metro. The Association, along with our area schools, many of the surrounding neighborhood associations and many of the business owners on Wilshire, support the Sixteen Weekend Closure option.

The choice of sixteen weekend closures is the only option that keeps our streets safe for residents and everyone who lives, works and goes to school in Hancock Park. The traffic management plan Metro has proposed, after little true study, will be to divert traffic to Olympic Blvd. and 3rd Street. This represents an increase in commuter traffic of over 40% on our streets; streets already packed during rush hour. Metro will also do no traffic mitigation for interior residential streets, meaning that desperate drivers will be speeding down all of Hancock Park’s streets. Finally, Metro did not study the impact on the over 2,200 children who attend our neighborhood’s schools, many of whom are driven to school or take the bus.

On the bright side there is some good traffic news: The City has approved left-turn arrows in all four directions at the intersection of Melrose and Rossmore/Vine. The first two signals for Rossmore/Vine north and south are budgeted for this coming year. Thanks to our Councilman, David Ryu, and his staff for working on achieving this important milestone.

Don’t forget El Niño is just beginning so signup for Emergency Alerts – http://www.elninola.com/; check out the Emergency Management Website for the City – http://emergency.lacity.org/index.htm and the LA County Preparedness website – https://www.lacounty.gov/elnino.

Happy New Year – and Now’s the Time to Prepare for El Niño!

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The arrival of rains driven by the El Niño weather system are predicted for southern California in January. Be sure you’ve:
• Fixed leaks and clean out gutters and downspouts;
• Paint exterior wood trim as cracks can carry water directly into the wood;
• Check window glazing;
• Store emergency repair materials;
• Check tires, wipers, battery, light and brakes on your car;
• Make sure your yard drains properly;
• Have a ‘health check and risk assessment’ for your trees by an arborist. Because of the drought many trees are stressed and sick.
• Secure important documents.

Check out websites: http://www.water.ca.gov/ – California Department of Water Resources; http://www.ladbs.org – LA Dept of Building and Safety-Homeowners Guide for Flood, Debris Flow and Erosion Control; http://www.ready.gov – National Weather Service, LA County Preparedness – https://www.lacounty.gov/elnino and http://www.aaa.com – 3A’s.

Your new HPHOA Board of Directors are: Patricia Alexander, Tim Allyn, Chris Bubser, Cindy Chvatal, Jennifer DeVore, Indy Flore, Greg Glasser, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, William Newby, Pam Newhouse, Susan Roth, Cami Taylor, Ben Thompson, Jon Vein, Victoria Vickers, James Wolf. The Board is looking forward to continuing the Association’s work on traffic mitigation, historic preservation, tree planting, and street repair. Join us on a committee!

The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.

Subway Construction, Wilshire Closure and Hancock Park

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:00:00 GMT

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has proposed closing Wilshire Blvd. for an extended period of time for subway construction. The community has so far been presented with two options: 1) Close Wilshire Blvd. completely for 7 full weeks; or 2) Close Wilshire Blvd. on weekends for 22 straight weekends. Both of these options will cause enormous disruption to traffic, residential neighborhoods and businesses.

The Council Office, along with the Association and other community organizations has been successful in getting the MTA to agree to do Traffic and Noise studies before making a decision. These studies are due to be completed and made available to the community in January of 2016. The Association will then conduct a survey of Hancock Park residents to determine which option we consider most reasonable, and to propose mitigation plans for ensuring that drivers won’t be funneled through our or neighboring communities.

With thoughtful planning and preparation it should be possible to direct traffic on to surrounding arteries rather than through residential streets. Please, go to the MTA website (https://www.metro.net/projects/westside/ ) and think through the options so you’ll be ready to vote when the survey invitation appears in your email box.

While the Wilshire Division LAPD and our security services have been successful in lowering the recent increase in crime, it’s important that you keep yourself informed. Subscribe to the LAPD Wilshire Division Twitter Feed – https://twitter.com/LAPDWilshire and keep yourself up to date. Also, if there is a street light out, a sidewalk buckled, a pot hole, or a fallen tree file a Service Request with the City at My 311 – http://lacity.org/myla-311/myla-311-service-request . Councilman Ryu is working with the Association on developing a plan to repair our concrete streets and has promised to address the problems with dead and dying trees.

If you’re thinking of changing the street visible exterior of your house, including hardscaping, find out if your changes are in keeping with our HPOZ. The Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) is the legal document that regulates our HPOZ. Read it and then contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and get her input. There is an online form which can start the process: http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist . Renata will then help you schedule a consultation with the HPOZ Board, made up of an architect and four of your neighbors. And El Nino is coming, so make sure your house, and yard are prepared – https://www.lacounty.gov/elnino

HPHA’48 2015 Annual Meeting!

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:00:00 GMT

Thanks to the folks at 3rd Street School, Councilman Ryu and his office, the LAPD, and the Tree People for helping make our annual meeting such a success. And, especially, thanks to Hancock Park residents for attending and participating in making our community a great place. Remember to volunteer for a committee!

As anyone who drives the city knows, many neighborhoods are facing wholesale house teardowns replaced by huge, generic construction. That’s why our Hancock Park HPOZ is so important. Because of our HPOZ Hancock Park continues to maintain the unique architectural and historic structures that make us one of the most beautiful places to live in America. If you’re thinking of making changes to the exterior of your house, even ‘small’ changes, find out if your changes are in keeping with our HPOZ. The Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) is the legal document that regulates our HPOZ. Read it and then contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and get her input. There is an online form which can start the process: http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist . Renata will then help you schedule a consultation with the HPOZ Board, made up of an architect and four of your neighbors. Even if all you have is a vague idea contact Renata and get input. Remember, if your project is not correctly permitted and approved you can be forced to undo the changes at your own expense. The HPOZ Board meets at 6PM on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the John C. Fremont Branch of the LA Public Library – 6121 Melrose Avenue (at June Street). These meetings are public meetings. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

And, as the Tree People reminded us at the Annual Meeting, don’t let your trees die; water them deeply twice a month. Our trees are vitally important to our and the environment’s health. Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or use the City’s Anti-Graffiti System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 or call Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

Join Us At the Annual Meeting!

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:00:00 GMT

The HPHOA, est. 1948’s annual meeting will be at 7PM on Tuesday, October 20th at 3rd Street School. Our new Councilman, David Ryu, will be there to talk about Hancock Park’s priorities and how his office will be working with us. Many of the most important issues are already being worked on with the new Councilman’s Office. The Association is looking forward to moving ahead quickly with Councilman Ryu’s office on repaving our concrete streets, tree maintenance, parking, security, and all the other areas important to our neighborhood. The LAPD will talk about safety and how you can keep from becoming a victim of crime. There will be a presentation by a landscaping professional on how to make your yard and gardens more water wise and beautiful and a representative from Tree People will discuss how to care for our trees during the drought . There will also be presentations from Association Committee Chairs about Street Maintenance, Traffic and Historic Preservation and our HPOZ. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

The Annual Meeting is also where the election of half of the Board of Directors is announced. Members in good standing, those who have paid their annual dues, will be receiving ballots in the mail. Please mark them and either mail them back or bring them to the Annual Meeting. The candidates nominated by the Board are: Tim Allyn, Greg Glasser, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman, William Newby, Cami Taylor, Ben Thompson, Jon Vein, and James Wolf. The profiles of the nominees can be found on the HPHA website.

Many of Hancock Park’s old and stately trees are suffering from the effects of the drought. Please don’t forget to water your trees; even in the drought our trees are vitally important to our and the environment’s health. Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org ) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

Don’t Let Your Trees Die; They Can Save Your Life!

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:00:00 GMT

As everyone in California knows we’re still in a severe drought. We’re all cutting back on landscape watering or removing lawns and replacing them with more appropriate plantings. However, this doesn’t mean we should starve our trees of water and let them die. Trees are one of the most important links that keep our planet healthy. They clean the air, the water, the soil, providing food and refuge for birds. They lower temperatures and produce the Oxygen we need to live. To produce this oxygen they take CO2 out of the air, helping to fight climate change. Trees don’t take a lot of water, unlike lawns, but they do need some water. An effective way to keep your trees watered correctly (by deep watering), without wasting water is to use Tree Watering Stakes. These stakes get the water underground and down to the tree roots quickly and efficiently. Please, remember to water your trees, deeply, twice a month. That’s all, and you’ll be keeping the planet cooler, cleaner and more livable.

The LA Department of Building and Safety has launched two new websites for online access to building permits, Certificates of Occupancy and other building authorization documentation. If you have a question about any construction activity in your neighborhood, or if you want to find out if your contractor actually got that permit check these site to see what was approved. The website that describes this new facility is http://ladbs.org/LADBSWeb/online-building-records.jsf . The website for searching records is: http://ladbsdoc.lacity.org/idispublic/ .

Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org ) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). And don’t forget to water your trees. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

Congratulations to Our New Councilman, David Ryu!

Tue, 26 May 2015 15:00:00 GMT

We welcome our new Councilman for Council District 4: David Ryu and congratulate him on his election. We also thank everyone who participated in this election, from attending a community forum, to putting up a lawn sign to voting. We thank all the candidates, particularly Carolyn Ramsey, for giving us real choices and for being willing to face the voters with their ideas. This election, and the primary, took a lot of attention and work from the not just the candidates, but all the community organizations that scheduled debates and other forums. We all win when people participate in their democracy.

In his thank you to his voters Mr. Ryu highlighted the work of neighborhood canvassing done by residents, recognizing how important every citizen is to his election. Longtime CD4 deputy Renee Weitzer will be helping David with his transition and The Association will put a number of issues before our new Councilman: Concrete street replacement and repair, HPOZ enforcement, Traffic mitigation, and Parking relief. We look forward to working with our new councilperson and starting a new chapter in our community’s relationship with the Council Office and City.
As we all know California is now in the fourth year of a terrible drought and many neighbors are looking at their lawns and landscaping and wondering if change may be at hand. Before embarking on an expensive tear-out of lawns and greenery, talk to a landscape architect and get a plan. A good place to start is the California Native Plant Society (http://www.cnps.org/) and the Theodore Payne Foundation (http://theodorepayne.org/) .

Also, remember, that as part of Hancock Park’s HPOZ changes to hardscape which may include artificial turf in the visible portion of your property, will need to be reviewed by the HPOZ Board. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

And don’t forget to water your trees. Drop for drop trees are the most efficient users of water there is. They clean the air, the soil and even the water. They provide shade, lowering temperatures and homes for birds. Trees only take one or two deep waterings a month, so commit yourself to keeping your trees healthy and happy. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

The Street Committee is Saving Our Concrete Streets!

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Street Committee, chaired by Board Member Tim Allyn, is happy to announce that our most damaged intersections will finally be repaired by the City – IN CONCRETE! After seven years of continuous effort, Hancock Park been successful in getting money budgeted by the City for repairs in concrete rather than asphalt. Hancock Park’s HPOZ Preservation Plan, requires the protection of our historic, concrete, streetscape. Along with parkway trees, sidewalks, and curb cuts, our concrete streets are an important part of our historic neighborhood. And, concrete is more durable; properly installed concrete streets last more than 75 years and are cooler than asphalt. We thank Street Committee chair, Tim Allyn, and members, Jon Vein, David Cole, Ben Thompson, Joel Kozberg, William Newby, Cindy Chvatal and Jim Wolf, for their dedication and hard work. We’re lucky to have such great neighbors working on our behalf.

There are two candidate remaining for the open City Council Seat for District 4: Carolyn Ramsey and David Ryu. The concrete street replacement is a good example of how important the Council Office is for maintaining our community. Please take a few minutes and decide which candidate best reflects your ideas about where the City should go and VOTE on May 19th

Don’t forget now is the time to plant a tree. Even though we’re in a drought, trees only take one or two deep waterings a month and they provide shade, keeping our neighborhood cooler and more beautiful. The Association is starting an Elm Tree planting on Rossmore and other streets, so contact the Tree Committee on the Association website and find out more. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

Did You Vote?

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:00:00 GMT

Our City Councilperson is one of the most important politicians we have representing us. Their ideas and actions guide how City Services are provided, where needed funding will be allocated, what kind of development will happen, how infrastructure will be maintained and a myriad of other areas. Our City Council Seat for District 4 is open and in the primary 14 candidates were on the ballot. There will now be two candidates competing in the May 19th election and it’s important that the right person be chosen. You can find more information about the candidates at CD4 Candidate Statements: http://graphics.latimes.com/towergraphic-candidates-city-council-district-4/
Please take a few minutes, decide what candidate best reflects your ideas about where the City should go and VOTE on May 19th!

Neighbors in Quadrant One (Lillian Way, Cahuenga and Wilcox), met to discuss options for managing the intersection of Rossmore and Clinton. The challenge was to balance safety with resident access to their neighborhood. The Department of Transportation will be modifying Clinton, westbound, at Rossmore so that only right turns will be allowed. The crosswalk will be removed and signage will be added to warn motorists to slow down. We’ve asked the Councilman to provide funding to move up the installation of left turn arrows at Rossmore and Melrose, reducing cut through traffic. After these measures are implemented the DOT will see if any further traffic safety measures are needed.

Don’t forget now is the time to plant a tree. Contact the Tree Committee on the Association website to get a tree planted. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

Mansionization? Not a Problem for Hancock Park

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 16:00:00 GMT

The Larchmont Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Conservancy and many other publications and community organizations have highlighted the mansionization trend in Los Angeles. Houses are torn down and new, much larger structures are built in their place with little regard to the impact on their neighbors and the existing neighborhood. Homeowners wake up to an oversized structure next door to them that blocks their light, view and invades their privacy. Because of our Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) this is not a problem for Hancock Park. An HPOZ controls what kind of changes can be done to houses and limits the size of additions. It preserves the look and feel of our neighborhood keeping Hancock Park the beautiful area we all live in. It does take some planning and work, though, on the part of homeowners. It’s important that before making any changes to the street visible part of your house that you consult the Hancock Park HPOZ Preservation Plan (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) and contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org. Kimberly has a helpful online form that will start the process – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist.

The HPOZ Board (all volunteers), is made up of Hancock Park residents, and a professional architect. It meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month, 6PM-8PM, at the John C. Fremont Library at June Street and Melrose. If you’re planning a change, contact Kimberly, and come in for a consultation, even if all you have is an idea and a sketch. The meetings are open and anyone interested in how the HPOZ process works in Hancock Park is invited to attend.

Our City Council seat is open and the election is coming up soon. Attend the GWNC Candidate Debate on February 8th at 11AM at John Burroughs Middle School and learn more. Now is the time to plant a parkway tree. With all the rain we’ve had, the trees are looking wonderful, and a new tree will help purify the air, provide shade in the summer and make our streets beautiful. Contact the Tree Committee on our website for more information.

Unfortunately, crime is still occurring in Hancock Park so please take precautions and sign up for the e-Policing newsletter – http://www.lapdepolicing.org/. Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htmBe sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

It’s a Wonderful Neighborhood

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Remember in the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life when George Bailey sees how different the world would have been if he hadn’t been there to change things? Well, we’d like to take this opportunity to share a few scenarios you’ve likely never imagined, but would absolutely be true if it hadn’t been for your Homeowner’s Association:

• There would be a freeway running through the northern part of Hancock Park – In 1968 the HPHA fought the City and won, stopping the “Beverly Hills Freeway”.
• The surrounding neighborhood may have become a sea of enormous commercial buildings – The HPHA helped develop the 1969 Master Plan for Wilshire Blvd. creating the land use protections that are still in place.
• There would be no Highland Ave median – there would now be six lanes of traffic running down Highland from Melrose to Wilshire – In 1972 the HPHA was successful in saving the median by having it declared an Historic Monument.
• There would be no HPOZ to protect our beautiful historic homes – From 1998 to 2007 the neighborhood and HPHA worked with the City to have our neighborhood designated an HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone). This stopped teardowns and preserved the beautiful street visible facades of our historic homes.
• There would be no neighborhood communication system, including email and Block Captain communications – Our email system is 800+ strong sending out important information, including helping hundreds of neighborhood pets find their way home.
• Cut-through traffic would render parts of the neighborhood unlivable – The traffic mitigation on Melrose and Beverly would not be in place, and cut through speeding traffic would be even worse than it is! There would be no Crossing Guard for Third Streets School and Yavneh Academy.
• Our neighborhood beautification projects would not be in place – Parkway trees would not be trimmed; stumps would not be removed and replacement trees would not be planted or maintained; Local School beautification of JB and 3rd Street would not have occurred and without our aggressive graffiti removal system, graffiti would be rampant.

Please do your part to support this important work to ensure Hancock Park remains a wonderful oasis in a crowded city! The HPHA board is comprised of volunteers, but we need our residents to pay their dues to support our efforts on your behalf.

You can now pay dues on line. Go to www.HancockPark.org and click on the DONATE button. Or use the dues envelope which will be included in our mailing! Don’t forget to include your email address!

Happy and Safe Holidays!

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:00:00 GMT

As those who read our Senior Lead Officer David Cordova’s weekly crime report will know, crime is still occurring in Hancock Park. In particular there have been a number of robberies of pedestrians and motorists near Melrose and continuing home break-ins, particularly in north Hancock Park. With the holiday season there is also an unfortunate increase in crime, so please take precautions. Never open your door to someone you don’t know, keep your home alarm on (if you have one), even if you’re home and always call 911 if you see any suspicious activity. Security chair, Peter Gorelick, is happy to organize security/neighborhood watch meetings for any block in Hancock Park. Just email the Security Committee if your block wants to have a meeting. If you have any questions or concerns about ongoing problems contact our Senior Lead Office, Dave Cordova. His cell phone number is (213) 793-0650 and his e-mail is 31646@lapd.lacity.org Finally, be sure and sign up for the e-Policing newsletter – http://www.lapdepolicing.org/.

The residents living in Quadrant One (Lillian Way/Cahuenga/Wilcox), have been considering a number of options presented by the city to improve safety and reduce commuter traffic. There will be a neighborhood meeting in early January to come up with a recommendation to the City. If you have questions please contact Susan Grossman – SEGrossman@sbcglobal.net or Indy Flore – iflore@gmail.com . Finally, the Association wishes everyone in Hancock Park a wonderful holiday season and is looking forward to moving forward in many areas next year, including a plan for concrete street repair.

Don’t forget, if you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htmBe sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Annual Meeting 2014 Recap

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:00:00 GMT

The Hancock Park
Homeowners’ Association, est. 1948, thanks all the speakers who made our annual
meeting a great success.  LAPD Captain
Howard Leslie and our Senior Lead Officer, David Cordova, spoke about the LAPDs
efforts to address the crime that has been occurring in Hancock Park.  They answered questions and encouraged
residents to follow precautions such as not leaving anything visible in parked
cars, locking their doors, turning on their security systems and to be sure and
report all crimes.   Call 911 if you see a suspicious person or a
crime in process, do not intervene yourself!

LA Department of
Transportation representative Bhuvan Bajaj answered questions about traffic mitigation
options. Hancock Park, has seen an startlingly
recent increase in cut through traffic on our streets and residents have been
expressing concerns about safety.

The Hancock Park
Streets Committee Chair Tim Allyn presented an update of the Committee’s work
in determining costs for repaving Hancock Park concrete streets with
concrete.  Details will be discussed in
our next column.  DWP representative Greg
Bartz reminded all of us to conserve water and to plan drought tolerant
landscaping.  There were updates from SSA
Security and ADT Security to augment the recommendations given by the LAPD.  Finally, the election of the candidates
nominated for the HPHOA Board of Directors was announced.

We particularly
give a big thank you to Clinton Oie and Marlborough School for generously
providing the facilities for the meeting.
Institutions such as Marlborough are important parts of the fabric of
the Hancock Park community and we are grateful for their generosity.  And last, but certainly not least, we thank
our members who attended.  Without you
there is no ‘Hancock Park’.  The hard
work of our residents keeps our community beautiful and a great place to live.

If you’re considering any changes to the street
visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and
fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist  to start the
process.  The Preservation Plan for
Hancock Park can be found at:  http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

Report
street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by
submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htmBe
sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org .
Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request
System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by
calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming -
contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Looking Forward to 2014

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 16:00:00 GMT

The HPHOA’48 has formed two new Ad Hoc committees: Hancock Park Streets and Highland Avenue Median.

The residents will finally begin to see results of those efforts of the Median Committee in Early January. The Median, which was, designated a Los Angeles Historic Landmark #94 in 1972 had been ignored for years. It was not for lack of trying to get the City to help. We could not figure out why brand new medians were being funded (via special grants) and we couldn’t get our sprinklers fixed, our turf fertilized, re seeded or mowed on a regular basis. It just didn’t make any sense. The HPHOA funds Parkway Tree trimming, replanting of new trees and stump removal, along with helping to fund beautification projects at local schools. The City no longer funds any of these services. Last month CD5, which represents 40% of the median on the west side, joined the effort and contributed 15K toward needed repairs along with the 15K from CD4. The repair money was allocated from each of the Council Offices discretionary funds made available via AB 1290. The median committee, made up of Highland Ave. residents and HPHOA Board members, is also working with representatives of the Department of Urban Forestry, to ensure that Tru Green, the landscape maintenance company the City has contracted with, actually maintains the median and complies with the contract. Along with bi-monthly turf mowing the company is responsible for; irrigation repair, trash removal, sign removal. yearly fertilization, thatching, and re seeding. The HPHOA’48 plans to replace the missing palms along the median and the committee is exploring drought tolerant landscaping ideas.Jordan Retro 1.

The Association has been trying to get our Council Office to focus on this problem for several years. While we will continue to work to improve the condition of our streets. We will be addressing another issue – our horrific potholes. As we try to develop a plan for repaving, we are asking the City to repair our potholes in a professional lasting manner. We are hopeful with the formation of the new committees and the continued follow up of the HPHOA board, the City will finally address the needs of the Hancock Park community. Please write to our Councilman Tom La Bonge to encourage him to focus on these important issues, his email address is Tom.LaBonge@lacity.org

See you at the Annual Meeting!

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:00:00 GMT

The Hancock Park Homeowners’ Association, est. 1948, annual meeting will be held on Monday, October 20th at Marlborough School. The meeting is an opportunity for you to hear from your Council Office, the LAPD, ADT and SSA security services, the LADOT on traffic and the DWP on the drought and water conservation. A representative from the California Nevada Concrete Association will be presenting options for street repair/resurfacing. The Association committee chairs will be giving presentations on areas such as Historic Preservation, Traffic, Safety, Street Maintenance, Trees and many other topics, so come and ask questions and find out how you can participate.

The annual meeting is also when the election of half of the Board of Directors takes place and the results announced. The candidates submitted by the Association are: Patricia Alexander, Christine Bubser, Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, Pam Newhouse, Susan Roth and Victoria Vickers. Visit the Association’s website to read brief biographies. If you’re a member in good standing (those homeowners who have paid annual dues), you should have received your ballot. If you haven’t please contact the Association. So be sure and put the Association’s Annual Meeting on your calendar and we’ll see you there!

Don’t forget to be safe and to not make yourself a target for crime. Never leave anything visible in your car; Lock the doors of your house; Set your alarm system; and never open your door to a stranger. Call 911 if you see a suspicious person and contact our Acting Senior Lead Officer Art Gallegos with any questions. His cell phone number is 213-793-0708 and his email address is: 35849@lapd.lacity.org. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

Join the WSHPHS Garden Tour and Beautify John Burroughs!

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:53:42 GMT

The Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society’s fifth annual Garden Tour will be held on Sunday, April 25th, 2010 from 12:00-5:00PM. Every year the tour opens historic private gardens to the public just at the height of the spring blooming season. Featured will be six private estate gardens, including a historic walled castle on a stream in Brookside; a spectacular courtyard garden and a garden featuring drought-tolerant plantings. The Garden Party closes with a reception including a silent auction, light supper and opportunity drawing. This year the Society is honoring the community work for Margy Hudson who was one of the leaders of the Windsor Square HPOZ initiative, a member of our Neighborhood Council and has served on the Board of the Windsor Square Homeowners Association.

The money raised by the tour will be used to fund the beautification project planned for John Burroughs Middle School. Neighbors to JB, including Schools Committee co-chair Howard Hart, have worked with the school to come up with a beautiful and ambitious beautification plan that will provide tree plantings, landscaping, fencing and other features making the campus more inviting to the staff and students and putting a better face to the community. For more information visit the Society’s web site: 59fifty hats; email: info@wshphs.org or 213-243-8182.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, mail in your dues! Your dues support efforts like the JB Beautification and let you vote in the election for Board of Directors. Just click on CONTAN

Save Water and Still Keep Hancock Park Green

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:00:00 GMT

With the California drought continuing through another year, the state, the city and the DWP are asking that we all try and do our best to save water. September and October can be two of the hottest, driest months in the year and we don’t want our urban forest to die, even though we’re all trying to cut back on water usage. Trees require different kinds of watering practices than lawns and landscaping, so we can nuture our cooling, water purifying arbor while at the same time conserving water. Just water, once a month, deeply, while making sure you follow the guidelines for water conservation. Trees provide shade, thus lowering temperatures, as well as cleaning the air and purifying our previous groundwater. Go to websites http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wwd/web/Conservation/WaterConservation.aspx and http://www.ladwp.com for more information.

Be sure and put the Association’s Annual Meeting on your calendar so you can find out information about the many issues in Hancock Park, such as street maintenance, historic preservation, safety and crime prevention. The meeting will be on Monday, October 20th at Marlborough School. At the meeting half of the Board of Directors will also be elected. The candidates submitted by the Association are: Patricia Alexander, Christine Bubser, Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, Pam Newhouse, Susan Roth and Victoria Vickers. Visit the Association’s website to read brief biographies. If you’re a member in good standing (those homeowners who have paid annual dues), you will be receiving a ballot in the mail in the upcoming weeks.

Unfortunately, crime is still occurring in Hancock Park. Never leave anything visible in your car; Lock the doors of your house; Set your alarm system; and never open your door to a stranger. Call 911 if you see a suspicious person and contact our Acting Senior Lead Officer Art Gallegos with any questions. His cell phone number is 213-793-0708 and his email address is: 35849@lapd.lacity.org

Don’t forget that if you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

Your Historic Neighborhood

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:00:00 GMT

Hancock Park is the largest Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in the City of Los Angeles. We also have a rich stylistic diversity including houses designed by important and significant architects such as Wallace Neff and Paul R. Williams. The Preservation Plan is the document that sets the standards and rules for preserving our beautiful and historic neighborhood. So if you’re considering any changes to your house, including hardscape, repaving your driveway or changing your windows, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The HPOZ Board, which consists of a professional architect and four Hancock Park residents, provides consultations so that your plans can be reviewed and if need be adapted to better fit the requirements of the Preservation Plan. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park )

Crime continues to be a problem in Hancock Park, including many break-ins to parked cars. Please remember to never leave anything visible in your car; lock the doors of your house; set your alarm system even when home (if you have one); and never open your door to a stranger. Call 911 if you see a suspicious person. You can also contact our Acting Senior Lead Officer Art Gallegos with any questions. Officer Gallegos’ cell phone number is 213-793-0708 and his email address is: 35849@lapd.lacity.org .

The contract for the maintenance for the Highland median expired and the Association is working with the Council Office to get the contract reinstated. In the meantime the Association is asking the Council Office to get the grass cut and the trash picked up while things are being sorted out. Don’t forget, with summer here and the hot, dry weather, be sure to water your parkway trees.

Dear Residents,

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:00:00 GMT

The Hancock Park Homeowners Association ‘48:
Helps organize block security meetings for our residents with Block Captains, LAPD and our private security companies to improve awareness and neighborhood safety. We communicate on a regular basis with these organizations and neighbors.
Created a Streets Committee, made up of Board members and residents, to focus on ensuring CD4 and the City will fix our failed streets. Watch for an updated neighborhood survey with additional options and more information on how to repair our streets. Our Council Office has promised that 6th Street and Highland will be resurfaced this year.
Created a Highland Avenue Median Committee, made up of Board members and residents, which succeeded in restoring the historic median by funding the trimming of all 75 palms, securing funding to repair the irrigation system and providing oversight along with Urban Forestry for proper median maintenance. We are also planning the replacement of 20 missing palms this year.
Succeeded in trimming over 150 parkway trees, removing over 30 tree stumps, planting over 80 new parkway trees, purchasing and nurturing 2 dozen baby elm trees for future elm replacement, and continues to replace and maintain our parkway trees to preserve our beautiful canopy.
Maintains an extensive neighborhood email list which is used to communicate important information to our residents, including safety and security updates, traffic and transportation information and City, Council District 4 and Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council updates, and which has reunited dozens of pets with their happy owners!

Thank you for your support!

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

President

HPHA’48

Association Committees and How Your Can Help

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:00:00 GMT

The Hancock Park Home Owners Association ’48 Committees:

Block Captains
Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Prep
Filming
HPOZ
Land Use and Zoning
Parking
School Liaison
Security
Street Resurfacing/Repair
Traffic

The success of our committees rely on the work the members! We are always looking for new committee members. If an area interests you, contact the Association and join a committee!

Don’t forget to look at the beautification work done by the Schools Committee at John Burroughs Middle School and Third Street School. Joanne Medeiros and Patricia Alexander have done a terrific job of keeping the landscaping beautiful and the schools grounds clean.

Bringing in your trash cans on the day of trash pickup not only helps the neighborhood looks good, but keeps us safe. Trash cans left out are a signal that the resident is not at home. Also, remember to: lock your windows and doors, don’t leave visible electronics in your car, never open your door to a stranger. Officer Art Gallegos, our acting Sr. Lead Offier’ss cell phone number is 213-793-0708 and his email address is: 35849@lapd.lacity.org . Remember to never confront a suspicious person, always call 911.

Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htm. If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/orhttp://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

February 2014

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:00:00 GMT

If you haven’t already please respond to the Street Survey which asks residents to vote on one of three options for fixing our streets: 1) Asphalt Resurfacing; 2) Concrete Street Replacement, which would mean homeowners assessments; and 3) No Major Repairs. While the original streets in Hancock Park were concrete; the developer paid for the installation, not the City. The City will repave our streets, but they will only do it in asphalt. To resurface our streets in concrete will take the formation of a special assessment district where Hancock Park residents will tax themselves to raise the additional funds to install concrete. If you haven’t gotten a letter and survey in the mail please contact the Association.

The Highland Median has been trimmed! Drive by and see how it looks. After strong questioning from the Association the City has committed to improving the monitoring of maintenance on the median. The Association is also continuing to use your dues to pay for beautification efforts in Hancock Park. Eight tree stumps have been removed and trees will be planted to replace them as soon as the weather cools.

Security continues to be a concern so remember to: lock your windows and doors, don’t leave visible electronics in your car, never open your door to a stranger. If you observe suspicious activity call the LAPD’s non-emergency dispatch number: 877-ASK-LAPD. Our Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Dave Cordova, is out on medical leave. Officer Art Gallegos will be covering for Dave. His cell phone number is 213-793-0708 and his email address is: 35849@lapd.lacity.org . ever confront a suspicious person, always call 911.

Repairing Our Streets – Options to Think About

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:00:00 GMT

We wish everyone a Happy, and Successful New Year! There are lots of things we’ll be working on for Hancock Park in 2014, and invite you to join us.

The Hancock Park Streets Committee has put together a survey for Hancock Park residents asking them to vote on one of three options for finally fixing our streets. Option 1 is Asphalt Resurfacing; Option 2 is Concrete Street Replacement; and Option 3 is No Major repairs.

The original streets in Hancock Park were concrete. While the City will repave our streets, they will only do it in asphalt. To resurface our streets in concrete will take the formation of a special assessment district Hancock Park residents will tax themselves to raise the additional funds to install concrete. The survey will be sent to all Hancock Park homeowners enclosed with a self-addressed postage paid response card. We ask everyone in Hancock Park to read the options carefully, vote and send their card in by February 1st, 2014.

There has been a number of home and car break-ins so sure to lock your windows and doors, don’t leave visible electronics in your car, never open your door to a stranger. If you observe suspicious activity call Wilshire Police Desk 213-473-0476. You can also call our Senior Lead Officer (SLO) Dave Cordova- cell phone at 213-793-0650 and notify your private security patrol cars. Never confront a suspicious person, always call 911.

The Association will be holding our Annual Hancock Park Block Captain meeting in January. Additional information on the time and place will be announced in December.

Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htm. If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ orhttp://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Looking Forward to 2014

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The HPHOA’48 has formed two new Ad Hoc committees: Hancock Park Streets and Highland Avenue Median.

The Hancock Park Streets Committee will work with the Association and the City to develop accurate and complete information about options for repaving our Hancock Park streets; the committee will be responsible for developing a survey of all Hancock Park residents and will work to reach a consensus on an option. At this time options include an assessment district to pay for repaving in concrete or a switch to asphalt re paving. Hancock Park streets have long been neglected by the City, in a recent LA Time article, Hancock Park was singled out as having some of the worst streets in the City. See link: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/04/local/la-me-pavement-201305. The Association has been trying to get our Council Office to focus on this problem for several years. While we will continue to work to improve the condition of our streets. We will be addressing another issue – our horrific potholes. As we try to develop a plan for repaving, we are asking the City to repair our potholes in a professional lasting manner. We are hopeful with the formation of the new committees and the continued follow up of the HPHOA board, the City will finally address the needs of the Hancock Park community. Please write to our Councilman Tom La Bonge to encourage him to focus on these important issues, his email address is Tom.LaBonge @lacity.org.

Nominee Profiles

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Rudolph Gintel

Rudy has lived in Hancock Park for many years and has served as the liaison with the Wilshire Homeowners Alliance, helping coordinate larger community efforts with Hancock Park. He has also served for 5 years as business representative to the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and is a past member of its Land Use Committee.

Greg Glasser

Greg has lived in Hancock Park since 1999. He has been involved with the HPOZ and chaired the HPOZ Committee. He maintains the Association’s website – hancockpark.org.

Sheldon Goodkind

Sheldon is a longtime resident of Hancock Park. He is a co-chair of the Schools Committee and has worked closely with the neighbors and the schools to successfully address many of the longtime problems, such as parking and traffic.

Peter Gorelick

Peter grew up in Hancock Park and attended local schools including John Burroughs, Fairfax High and UCLA. Peter moved back to Hancock Park in 2003. He is an insurance defense/workers’ compensation attorney. Peter represents Hancock Park as a member of the Wilshire Community Police Advisory Board. He is also an LAPD Volunteer and graduate of the LAPD Community Police Academy.

Susan Grossman

Susan and her husband Kim have lived in Hancock Park for more than 20 years. She is currently the vice president of the Association, chair of the Tree Committee as well as an HPOZ Board member.

Cami Taylor

Cami has lived in Hancock Park at 264 South Muirfield for 13 years. She’s married to Steve Eshelman and has a daughter, Marguerite Eshelman. She is a member of the Ebell and the LATC. Cami owns a film production company called Crossroads Films, which produces commercials, music videos, independent features and some television programming. She is the ex-president and still sits on the board of a nonprofit organization called Streetlights and is a board member of a commercial producers’ group called the AICP. Cami was also a founding member of the HPOZ support group and an integral part of the many year efforts to achieve HPOZ status for Hancock Park.

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson has been a resident of Hancock Park for over 20 years. He earned an A.B. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from USC. In addition to being past president, current Board member of the Association, and head of the Budget Committee, he is founder of the Wilshire Traffic Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oaks School in Hollywood.

Jon Vein

The Association welcomes new board member Jon Vein, a long-time resident of Hancock Park. He is co-founder and CEO of MarketShare, a leading data analytics software company and before founding MarketShare worked as COO for Michael Ovitz’s AMG and APG. Jon is an Emmy Award winner, producing many film and television productions, including King of the Hill and the Simpsons. He was trained in engineering and computer science at UC Berkeley before attending Harvard law school; after which he was a founding partner of the entertainment law firm Dem & Vein. Jon is an active volunteer in many civic and charitable organizations. Jon is married to Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, an entertainment executive, and has two rambunctious children, Caroline and Jack.

James Wolf

Jim grew up in Hancock Park. After time away in college, he, his wife and children moved back to Hancock Park and have lived here since 1983. Jim attended both the University of Pennsylvania and USC where he earned degrees in Civil Engineering and in Architecture. He is a California licensed architect. Jim has served on the Board of Directors since 1987 and was the president of the Association for over 12 years. Jim co-chairs the Street Lighting Committee and the Zoning Committee. He is the Hancock Park representative on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council where he is vice president of the Board and chairman of the Land Use and Planning Committee.

Welcome Our New Board Member

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Tree Committee is planning its next Elm Tree planting and Tree Pruning. If you have questions or want a tree planted contact the Tree Committee via the Association’s website. And don’t forget to take of your parkway trees by Stakeing young trees; Watering, slow and deep; Mulching; Feeding and Pruning.

The Association continues to press the City to repave Hancock Park’s streets with the appropriate cement surfacing rather than patching with asphalt. Please report any potholes or pavement failures to the Association so we can keep our list up-to-date.

Remember if you observe suspicious activity call 1-877-ASK-LAPD and notify your private security service. Remember: Never confront a suspicious person, call 911. Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htm. If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Fix Our Hancock Park Streets

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:00:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Times article on LA’s deteriorating streets highlighted the state of many failing Los Angeles Streets. It is no surprise to Hancock Park residents that Hancock Park’s streets are the worst in the City. The Association Board along with residents have been working with the Council Office, Public Works and the Bureau of Street Maintenance on ideas for a permanent solution for repairing and resurfacing our streets. You can find the Los Angeles Times article and map at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pavement-20130505,0,4119436.story

The Association has paid to have 16 Elm trees on 4th Street professionally pruned. Drive by and take a look! Not only do the trees look great, but this pruning gives them an additional 5-10 years of life. Summer’s here so don’t forget to take care of your parkway trees by:

1. Stake young trees–They need help surviving winds and lawnmowers.
2. Watering, and be sure it’s slow, deep watering –
3. Mulching
4. Feeding
5. Pruning – The city rarely does pruning, usually just cutting down trees, so consult an arborist for recommendations.

Remember that crime is still a problem so if you observe suspicious activity call 1-877-ASK-LAPD and notify your private security service. Remember: Never confront a suspicious person, call 911. Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htm. If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Spring is Time to Take Care of Your Trees

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Association Board Member Joel Kozberg has put together an instruction sheet for tree care, particularly useful for our stressed parkway trees. We haven’t had a lot of rain this winter and so parkway trees will need attention and regular watering to survive the summer. A copy of Joel’s tree facts can be found at the website, but the important highlights are:

1. Stake young trees–They need help surviving winds and lawnmowers.
2. Watering, and be sure it’s slow, deep watering –
• First months after planting– water once to twice per week
• From 4 to 12 months – water once every two or three weeks
• Years 2 and after for parkway trees – once every 4 to 6 weeks
3. Mulching – place a three or four inch layer of mulch around the tree, keeping about 2 inches around the trunk free of mulch.
4. Feeding – Sprinkle dry fertilizer lightly around the tree line (the area of the ground under the ends of the tree branches) and water it into the soil.
5. Pruning – The city rarely does pruning, and when it does it is often done poorly, so consult an arborist for recommendations.

The Association is continuing to press the City for a schedule for fixing our deteriorating streets. Members of the Traffic Committee drove around with a DOT representative to show them all the potholes. The Traffic Committee is also continuing to demand that the City include our neighborhood’s input on the proposed changes to the City’s Mobility Element. Some of these changes could mean loss of traffic lanes and parking spaces.

Tree Care

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

The following is some general information regarding the care of trees. The mature trees in Hancock Park are an important amenity that beautify the neighborhood and increase property values. Unfortunately, some of the mature street trees have either succumbed to disease or have otherwise reached the end of their lives and have had to be replaced. Fortunately, we have a good program lead by the Hancock Park Homeowners Association that plants replacement trees. However, the planting of replacement trees is only the first step in the long process of tree maturation. Think children growing up to become adults. In order for the young replacement trees to grow into the mature trees that we all appreciate and value requires that the young trees receive care and attention. The trees will not flourish without your help. A relatively small investment of your time and money will produce dividends for you and the generations that will come after you. If you do not do what is required for your trees, no one else will – the City of Los Angeles does not take care of street trees. Please do your part. Thank you.

1. STAKING YOUNG TREES

A young tree develops a stronger trunk if it is unsupported and can sway in the wind. (the technical reason is that as the trunk moves in the breeze, it releases chemicals called cytokinins, which cause the cells in the trunk to enlarge and thicken, thereby strengthening the plant tissue.) However, trees that are container grown (almost certainly the type of young tree that is planted in parkways or gardens in Los Angeles) have been closely staked their entire existence and likely do not have the strength to stand alone without staking after replanting. Combine that with the potential for strong Santa Ana winds, and staking during the first six months or year is the prudent choice.

The tree should not be staked with a single stake immediately adjacent to the trunk – even though that may be the way the tree was staked in the nursery container. Beyond not giving the tree the motion it needs to strengthen, a stake driven immediately next to the trunk risks damaging the trunk and/or roots of the tree. Instead, two stakes should be used, placed on opposite sides of the trunk, each approximately 12-18 inches from the trunk (depending upon the size of the tree). Determine where to attach the ties by using your hand to find the place where support of the tree keeps it upright. Attach the ties about six inches above that point. Use soft ties that have broad smooth surfaces – available at nurseries. Leave some slack in the ties so that the tree can move about 2 inches in each direction – that will help strengthen the trunk. Do not use wire, rope or water hose filled with wire or rope – doing so can inhibit growth and girdle the trunk. Remove the stakes once the tree has sufficiently strengthened – approximately 6 months to one year after replanting.

2. WATERING

Trees benefit from deep and thorough watering – sprinkling with a hose for a few minutes does not provide adequate irrigation. Likewise, just watering the very top of the soil encourages root growth at the surface rather than deeper in the soil. The frequency of required watering is greatest for a newly planted tree and diminishes as the tree matures. The roots of a newly planted tree have been restricted to the area of the tree’s container – as the tree grows the roots will spread. The following are rough guidelines for a 15 gallon tree (the size of the container) receiving about 15 gallons of water at each watering (a larger tree will require proportionally more water):

First month – water twice per week
Months two and three – water once per week
Months four through seven – water once every two weeks
Months eight through twelve – water once every three to four weeks
Years two through five – once every four to six weeks
After five years, an established tree may only require infrequent irrigation.

The foregoing are guidelines and may have to be varied depending upon actual conditions, including soil type, weather, etc. Too much water can be as harmful as too little. Check the soil for moisture level at a depth of about four inches – if it is very wet, do not water. The growth of your tree will be greatly affected by it receiving adequate (but not too much) water.

3. MULCHING

Mulching around the base of a tree has multiple benefits: (1) mulch insulates the soil helping to provide a buffer from heat and cold temperatures; (2) mulch helps the soil retain water, reducing the amount needed for irrigation; (3) mulch keeps weeds and grass out to help prevent root competition; (4) mulch prevents soil compaction; and (5) mulch reduces damage to the tree trunk from lawnmowers, string trimmers or other gardening equipment.

Place a 3 – 4 inch layer of mulch around the tree. The mulch should be kept away from the trunk – at least two inches. The mulch can extend out as far as the drip-line of the tree – the outermost circumference of the tree’s canopy. However, recognizing that may be more mulch that you want, a circle or square area of mulch that stretches 2 feet from each side of the trunk will still be beneficial. Mulch is commercially available from a variety of sources, including home improvement stores. Wood or bark chips are good tree mulch and can provide a well-manicured appearance. Use chips that are approximately 1-3 inches in size.

4. FEEDING

Trees can benefit from feeding (fertilizing) – it will help stimulate growth and better establish the trees. However, a newly planted tree should not be fertilized for a couple of months to let it first get acclimated to its new location. Most of the root activity through which trees draw in nutrients occurs in the top 12 or so inches of the soil. Among the possible ways to feed a tree are dry fertilizer spread on the surface around the tree and liquid fertilizer injected into the soil. Dry fertilizer should be spread evenly over the entire root zone which can extend two to three times the width of the branches. Remember that some of the root zone may have already been fertilized when fertilizer was applied to the lawn or planting bed under or adjacent to the tree. Sprinkle the fertilizer on top of the soil or mulch and water lightly. Since the fertilizer will quickly move through the mulch there is no need to remove it or to place the fertilizer below it. Do not dump dry fertilizer in piles – doing so can cause the roots below the fertilizer to be burned and die. Liquid fertilizer can be injected into the soil using a root feeder – the Ross Deep Root Feeder is available online or at garden and home improvement stores. This is the link to the Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ross-Root-Feeder-12044H/100328642#.UUjKHRdweSo It uses solid fertilizer tablets that are dissolved in water in the feeder and the liquid is injected through the feeder’s injector spike. In Los Angeles, trees can be fertilized once in the spring and once in the fall – the tree roots continue to grow in the winter, even if the leaves fall off or appear dormant. Trees can be overfed – more is not better. Too much feeding can result in too much growth that is weak. Consult with a qualified nursery regarding which fertilizer to use. Do not use so-called “weed and feed” fertilizers that incorporate a herbicide for weed control – the herbicide can harm your tree.

5. PRUNING

Young trees require proper pruning to achieve a strong structure and desirable form. Among other things, a tree that is not pruned is going to be more susceptible to damage from the wind or other elements. A tree that is not properly pruned when it is young will require more difficult and frequent corrective action as it matures. Generally, the goal of pruning is to establish a strong central trunk with sturdy, well placed branches. Meaningful pruning – beyond the removal of dead or damaged branches – should usually wait for a couple of years after planting to allow the tree to fully recover from the shock of transplanting. Proper pruning requires training and skill and often is better left to a professional. In the case of parkway trees, the city will not prune on a regular basis and the burden is upon the homeowner to ensure that the trees are properly cared for, including pruning.

6. THE RESULTS OF PROPER TREE CARE
The two trees depicted below were planted at the same time, in approximately 2006. The tree on the right has received regular tree care, including watering, feeding, mulching and pruning (it was pruned shortly before the photo was taken). The tree on the left essentially has been uncared for since it was planted. The difference between the trees is obvious. The tree that has received proper care has a larger trunk, is much taller and fuller and has a better form. In seven years it has become a handsome tree that helps beautify its street. The tree that has not been regularly cared for still looks like a recently planted tree and if it can recover from its neglect will take many more years to develop into a meaningful street tree like the one on the right.

Hancock Park Block Captains and Security

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Annual Block Captain meeting was held on January 28th at Marlborough School. Over 40 of our HP block captains were in attendance and there was a lively discussion on topics including Emergency Preparedness and Security.

CERT trained Larry Bogatz, stressed the importance of investing in personal drinking water storage tanks as the City’s infrastructure will be severely tested in an earthquake. LAPD’s Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova updated residents on recent crime, and private patrol companies SSA‘s Jerry Shaw and Terry Seagraves and ADT‘s Steve Cushner provided tips to secure your home.

Be safe. Lock your car, set your alarm and put lights in your house on timers. To report a crime in progress or a medical emergency call 911. If you observe suspicious activity call Wilshire Police Desk 213-473-0476. You can also call our Senior Lead Officer (SLO) Dave Cordova- cell phone at 213-793-0650 and notify your private security patrol cars. If you Have Neighborhood Questions and Need Information. Please visit our website www.HancockPark.org! You will be able to find information on:

• Security
• Emergency Preparedness
• Parkway Tree Replacement and Care
• HPOZ/Preservation Plan Questions
• Block Captain/Neighborhood Watch Information
• Filming Guidelines for the Neighborhood
• We also have a Comprehensive Listing of Useful
Contact Numbers: that include Pothole Repair,
• Streetlight outages, and Graffiti reporting.
• HPHOA’48 Committee Chairs and Contact Information

Wrapping Up the Year

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The Association officers for the upcoming year are: President, Cindy Chvatal-Keane; Vice-President, Susan Grossman; Recording Secretary, Jennifer DeVore; Corresponding Secretary, Gerda McDonough; Treasurer, Victoria Vickers. The Association does much of its work through its committees so please consider joining a committee. The committees are: Parkway Trees; Land Use/ Zoning; Traffic ; HPOZ; LAPD/Security; Block Captains / Neighborhood Watch / Emergency Preparedness; School Liaison; and Parking; .

In December the City will release a draft of the new Mobility Element, which is part of the City’s General Plan. It will include six major policies resulting from their online Town Hall. A draft format of the City’s new “Networked Streets” plan will be released mid-January; including streets that will be “enhanced” for various modes of transportation. Rossmore is no longer being considered as a “Bike Superhighway”. The City is now looking at LaBrea Ave , which includes the option of a buffered bike lane. The Traffic Committee continues to be involved in this process and works with the City on keeping Hancock Park Streets safe

Don’t forget that crime can be a problem during the holidays. Keep safe by following simple precautions such as 1) Lock your car with valuables out of sight; 2) Set your alarm; 3) Stop papers, and mail if out of town; and 4) Put lights on timers; To report a crime in progress or a medical emergency call 911. If you observe suspicious activity call 1-877-ASK-LAPD and notify your private security service, if you are a subscriber. Crime prevention tips are available at website: http://www.lapdonline.org . Remember: Never confront a suspicious person.

If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Thanks for Being There!

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Thanks to everyone who attended and made the Association’s Annual meeting a great success. We also thank those who gave presentations and we especially thank John Burroughs Middle School Principal Steve Martinez for providing the venue and giving great support for the meeting. The following are some of the highlights.

The LAPD reported that while crime is down somewhat in Hancock Park from the highs earlier this year, we’re still at risk. So, remember to follow simple safety precautions like locking your car, keeping valuables out of sight, setting your house alarm, if you have one; stopping papers and mail if you’re out of town; putting lights on timers and always being careful before opening your door. To report a crime in progress or a medical emergency call 911 and remember: Never confront a suspicious person.

School Committee Chair, Joanne Medeiros, who has spearheaded the John Burroughs beautification project, reported that the large sign constructed in the 1970’s has been removed. Designs are now being developed and funds raised for new, more appropriate, signage. The beautification team, which includes neighbors, JB teachers and administrators, is to be congratulated for making JB more beautiful and attractive for students and the neighborhood.

The City is updating the Transportation Element of the General Plan including a new requirement that streets be accessible to all users. To achieve these goals streets all over the city, including many Hancock Park streets, have had changes proposed to add Bike Lanes and Bus-only lanes. This may involve the removal of Parking and/or Traffic Lanes, as well as STOP Signs. The Association has done a survey of residents’ opinions about the plan and is providing feedback to the city. Our residents are encouraged to join the Associations’ email list, so they can be informed and make their views known. To join email our President Cindy Chvatal-Keane at snorekel@aol.com or include your email when you pay your annual Association dues.
If you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Vinita Huang (213-978-1216 or Vinita.Huang@lacity.org). Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Join Us at the Annual Meeting!

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s annual meeting will be Tuesday, October 16th at John Burroughs Middle School at 7PM. Among many presentations homeowners will hear about security from the LAPD, ADT and SSA and get a report from the Council Office. There will also be a discussion of the upcoming changes to the Transportation Element part of the General Plan which includes possible new bike lanes and other modifications that will impact our neighborhood’s streets. And, most importantly, you and your neighbors will have the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and find out about projects that can use you as a volunteer. And, because the meeting is going to be held at John Burroughs, you’ll have a chance to see the wonderful work Board member Joanne Medeiros, along with volunteers and the John Burroughs Staff, has done to beautify the campus. So plan on attending!

If you’re a member in good standing, having paid your annual dues, watch your mailbox for your Board of Directors ballot. Please mark your ballot and return it so your vote counts. You can either mail the ballot or bring it with you to the annual meeting where the ballots will be counted and results announced.

Don’t forget to deep water your trees, both in the parkway and on your property. Also, remember to take simple precautions to protect your property and family by locking your car, keeping valuables out of sight; set your house alarm, if you have one; stop papers and mail if you’re out of town; put lights on timers and always be careful before opening your door. To report a crime in progress or a medical emergency call 911. If you observe suspicious activity call 1-877-ASK-LAPD and notify your private security service, if you are a subscriber. Always get details. Let our LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), David Cordova; (213) 793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org know if you have a question, or just want to introduce yourself. Crime prevention tips are available at website: http://www.lapdonline.org . Remember: Never confront a suspicious person.

Nominee Profiles October 2012 Election

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Christine Bubser

Christine Bubser has lived in Hancock Park since 2001. She has been quadrant leader for Quardrant One and a member of the HPHA board for one term. She was previously a board member of the Hancock Park HPOZ board and worked very hard with the other board members, the City Planning department and applicants to make sure the implementation of the plan went smoothly. Chris has served on the HPHA graffiti committee, traffic committee, tree committee and the HPOZ committee. Chris and her husband, David have two children in elementary school.

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

Cindy Chvatal-Keane has been a member of the HPHA board for fifteen years and she currently serves as the Board President. Cindy also co-chairs the Block Captain/Neighborhood Watch, Historic Preservation and Land Use Committees. This year she is helping formulate a plan for the long term care and maintenance of Hancock Park’s parkway trees. Cindy developed and maintains the current block captain email information system,which provides the neighborhood with information about a wide range of issues important to residents such as: crime activity, emergency procedures, lost pets, traffic issues, and City meetings that involve Hancock Park, and HPHOA meetings. She believes strongly in preserving the residential character of Hancock Park and it’s R 1 Zoning designation, which protects the status of single family homes. Cindy co founded the Hancock Park Historic Preservation Advocacy Group and was a key player in the process that culminated in the establishment of an HPOZ for Hancock Park. She currently serves as an alternate director on Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, is a member of the Executive Committee of the California Science Center and an Executive Producer of the television series C S I.

Jennifer DeVore

Jennifer DeVore has been on the HPHOA Board for eight years. She is currently Recording Secretary of the Board and works on historic preservation, emergency preparedness among other committees. She also serves on the Hancock Park HPOZ board reviewing proposed remodels and additions in our neighborhood and is on the board of the Ebell and the Yale Club of LA. She is a stay-at-home mother to 3 boys. Previously, she was director of marketing at the Los Angeles Times. Jennifer received her BA in American Studies from Yale and her MBA from UCLA.

Joel Kozberg

Joel Kozberg is a native of Los Angeles and has lived in Hancock Park for over 15 years. He is a trial attorney who specializes in the litigation of complex business disputes. As a board member of the HPHOA, he has responsibility for matters implicating legal issues. In addition to his legal training, Joel also has degrees in business and architecture, having received an MBA at UCLA and an AB at UC Berkeley. Joel also serves as a board member of Los Angeles Team Mentoring, an organization that mentors at-risk middle school students, including participants at John Burroughs in Hancock Park.

Joanne Medeiros

Joanne Medeiros was raised in West Los Angeles and is a proud graduate of UCLA for her BA, and Occidental College for her MA in Education. She is currently the Southern California Manager for ELLE DECOR and House Beautiful, two of the leading design titles published by Hearst Magazines. She has a passion for residential design, gardens and architecture developed through her professional career and international travel. She moved to Hancock Park seven years ago, remodeling her 1930 Mediterranean villa. Joanne was an important part of the team that planned and implemented the John Burroughs Middle School beautification project. With the help of HPHOA and WSHPHS, over $150,000 in local funds were raised to upgrade the school and surrounding grounds.

Renee Mochkatel

Renee Mochkatel, who has lived in Hancock Park since 1994, is an attorney with Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, representing clients in employment-related matters. She graduated from Cal Poly, Pomona, in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude. She then attended Pepperdine University receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1982. Renee sits on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment section of the L.A. County Bar Association, where she has also served as a guest lecturer. She has authored several articles for the Daily Journal on topics dealing with employment law and sits on the Board of Temple Israel of Hollywood. Renee is married to Stefanie Hall and their daughter, Sophie, attends Marlborough School.

Gary Nelson

Gary Nelson has been a Hancock Park resident for 23 years and has served on the Board for over 10 years. He has worked on traffic, street lighting and trees working closely with Hollywood Beatification Team on recent tree plantings. Currently maintains membership roster. Earned his BSME from Kansas State and MBA from USC. He is president of Churchill Mortgage, a commercial mortgaging firm.

Pam Newhouse

Pam Newhouse has lived in Hancock Park since 1992 and has been a member of the HPHA Board of Directors since 1996. She is currently Corresponding Secretary of the Association and a member of the Parkway Tree Committee, which works on neighborhood beautification through the restoration of Hancock Park’s parkway tree canopy. She also co-chairs the Graffiti Committee and has been active on the Land Use/Zoning Committee and Traffic Committee. Pam is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and has worked as a finance attorney.

Victoria Vickers

In her over ten years on the Hancock Park Homeowners Board, Victoria Vickers has served the community in a variety of positions including recording secretary, membership records, traffic committee, neighborhood watch block captain, and HPOZ committee. She currently is the treasurer of the Association. She looks forward to addressing the concerns of the community and preserving the Hancock Park we all know and love.

Remember to Stay Safe

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMT

On May 31st our Councilman, Tom LaBonge, hosted a public safety meeting at John Burroughs Middle School. He was joined by LAPD Captains Robert Arcos of the Olympic Division and Eric Davis of the Wilshire Division. Captain Davis confirms that there has been an increase in crime in our area this year. In particular there is a sophisticated group of criminals operating in areas like Hancock Park. They often work during the day, knock on doors and if no one is home break in. The LAPD put together a task force, Operation Knock-Knock, to better focus on breaking up this group and there have been some arrests.

The LAPD reminds us that the best defense against crime is to take some simple precautions: 1) Keep your car locked and valuables, including CPSs, telephones, chargers, money, documents and mail, out of sight; 2) Set your house alarm, if you have one; 3) When out of town have papers stopped, mail picked up, keep a car in the driveway and put timers on lights; 4) If anyone comes to the door make them identify themselves before opening the door; and if not opening the door, make it clear someone is at home.

To report a crime in progress or a medical emergency call 911. If you observe suspicious activity call 1-877-ASK-LAPD and notify your private security service, if you are a subscriber. If you are making a report try to be as clear as possible, and collect details, such as descriptions of cars, people, locations and activities. Use your phone’s camera to photograph license plates, cars or anything questionable. The police are compiling a list of all surveillance cameras so they can check neighboring cameras if a crime occurs. Please let our LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), David Cordova; (213) 793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org know if you have a surveillance camera, if you have a question, or just want to introduce yourself. Crime prevention tips are available at website: http://www.lapdonline.org . Remember: Never confront a suspicious person.

Beautifying our Schools

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMT

HPHOA, est. 1948 board member Joan Medeiros has had another success in improving the look of our public schools. The fence on the 3rd Street side of the 3rd Street School has been covered with ‘permanent’ ivy called ‘Ivy-It’ which is a 100% recycled polyethylene. It has a natural variegated leaf pattern and is used by cities and utilities to provide an attractive cover for areas that are heavily graffitied.

We welcome our new Board member, Renee Mochkatel. Renee is an attorney with Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, representing clients in employment-related matters. She graduated from Cal Poly, Pomona, in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude. She then attended Pepperdine University receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1982. Renee sits on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment section of the L.A. County Bar Association, where she has also served as a guest lecturer. She has authored several articles for the Daily Journal on topics dealing with employment law and sits on the Board of Temple Israel of Hollywood. Renee is married to Stefanie Hall and their daughter, Sophie, attends Marlborough School.

Crime continues to be a problem so remember to 1) Keep your car locked and valuables out of sight; 2) Set your house alarm, if you have one; 3) When out of town have papers stopped, mail picked up, keep a car in the driveway and put timers on lights; 4) If anyone comes to the door have them identify themselves before opening the door. Report crimes or suspicious activity by calling 911 and your security service, if you are a subscriber; the Wilshire Division LAPD station-213-473-0476 or our Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org).. Try and get a description of the person and any identifying vehicle information such as make and model of a car a license plate numbers. Never confront a suspicious person yourself.

We’ve Planted More Trees!

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Your Association has just completed its second series of tree plantings, planting trees in empty parkways throughout Hancock Park. Since summer is almost here now’s a good time to start summer care for all your trees, not just the ones in the parkways. Water deeply, once or twice a month, fertilize with the appropriate fertilizer and keep lawns cut back from the tree’s trunk, by at least a foot. If properly cared for and watered your trees will provide shade, water retention, homes for wildlife and beauty to your house and neighborhood. We’re now planning the next tree planting, so contact Tree Committee Chair, Susan Grossman, SEGrossman@sbcglobal.net , and we’ll get you in the next group.

Security is on everyone’s minds these days because of the many recent home break-ins. Security Chair, Peter Gorelick has been working closely with the LAPD and the private security services to monitor the situation and has the following recommendations to help you avoid becoming the victim of a crime:

Keep your car locked and keep any valuables out of sight.
If your home has an alarm system, set the alarm; even if you’re only going to be out for a few minutes.
If you’re out of town have your papers stopped or picked up, have mail picked up, keep a car parked in the driveway and have timers on lights and electronics so that thieves will think someone is at home.
If anyone comes to your door ask that they identify themselves before opening the door.

If you observe suspicious activity or witness a crime call 911 and your security service, if you are a subscriber. Try and get a description of the person and any identifying vehicle information such as make and model of a car a license plate numbers. Never confront a suspicious person yourself.

Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Also, In the event of a crime contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station – 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station as well as our Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Before You Build – Read the Preservation Plan

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Hancock Park has been a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) for over four years; helping to preserve our beautiful, historic neighborhood. The principal purpose of the Hancock Park HPOZ is to 1) Provide clear preservation guidelines for rehabilitation of the street visible facades; 2) Ensure that the height, bulk, massing, lot coverage and architectural design of additions and infill development are compatible with the historic fabric of the neighborhood; and 3) Prevent tear downs and extensive demolition of historic, contributing buildings. Every HPOZ, including Hancock Park’s, has a specific Preservation Plan that articulates and delineates how the goals of the HPOZ are to be implemented.

The HPOZ Board, which along with the City Planning office, reviews any changes that the City Planning Office determines fall under the Preservation Plan. It’s very important that homeowners review the Preservation Plan when planning changes to their properties. This ensures that you don’t spend a lot of time and money planning changes that may not be approved. Remember, many changes, such as adding a new pathway or retaining wall, or a new fountain or changing windows and doors, may require review by the HPOZ Board even though they may not require a building permit.

Some of the areas that are reviewed in the Hancock Park HPOZ are:

Size of additions,
Changes to the street visible façade of houses, including finishes;
Roof lines and windows;
Hardscape, including walkways, driveways, patios, and fountains;
Fencing and retaining walls in the street visible part of the property

So, if you’re planning changes to your house read the Preservation Plan which can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org).

Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Also, In the event of a crime contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station – 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station as well as our Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Contact the association (or Tree Committee Chair, Susan Grossman, SEGrossman@sbcglobal.net) if you need a parkway tree. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Keeping Hancock Park Together

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The redistricting process for City Council areas has begun and your Association, along with the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC), is asking that Hancock Park and other GWNC neighborhoods be kept together in the same council district. These districts once established will be in place for 10 years. Having Hancock Park contained in one City Council district is vitally important for maintaining the integrity of our neighborhood and for getting service and support from the City. The Redistricting Commission is now holding hearings and asking for citizen input so please make your voice heard. For more information visit website:

While it has been a relatively dry winter, we have had a couple of big rain storms that have flooded our streets, particularly in the northern part of Hancock Park. The Association asked the City and our Council Office to see if some kind of long term solution could be put in place. The Department of Sanitation found that there is a split in the storm drain pipes coming out of the Hollywood Hills at Romaine and Vine. Up until this winter the 60 inch pipe that went south through Hancock Park was the main valve with the overflow going down a 75 inch pipe that went west. Sanitation has now changed the switching so that the larger, western pipe will be the primary drain; the pipe flowing through Hancock Park will then receive the overflow. Sanitation believes this will resolve many of the sudden flooding problems that occur when heavy rain storms hit our area. One thing we can all do is to keep our storm drains as clear as possible. This not only helps prevent flooding but it also keeps our oceans clean as storm drain water is not treated. If you see someone dumping liquids or objects down a storm drain, call 800-974-9794 or report it on the web – http://www.lacitysan.org/solid_resources/refuse/SR_IllegalDumping.htm.

Be sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Also, if you’re planning changes to your house read the Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org). In the event of a crime contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station – 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station as well as our Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Contact the association (or Tree Committee Chair, Susan Grossman, SEGrossman@sbcglobal.net) if you need a parkway tree. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

Meet Your New Board Members

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Join us in welcoming our two new Board Members: Gerda McDonough and Joanne Medeiros. Both Gerda and Joanne have been involved in Hancock Park improvement projects and we’re excited to have them join the Board of Directors.

Gerda McDonough is an eleven year resident of Los Angeles. She has a long record of service to community organizations, including the newly formed Transportation Committee of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. Gerda has held senior positions at media companies in the US, Europe, Asia, and her native South Africa. She lives with her husband and daughter and has been a resident of Hancock Park since 2010.

Joanne Medeiros was raised in West Los Angeles and is a proud graduate of UCLA for her BA, and Occidental College for her MA in Education. She is currently the Southern California Manager for ELLE DECOR and House Beautiful, two of the leading design titles published by Hearst Magazines. She has a passion for residential design, gardens and architecture developed through her professional career and international travel. She moved to Hancock Park seven years ago, remodeling her 1930 Mediterranean villa. Joanne was an important part of the team that planned and implemented the John Burroughs Middle School beautification project. With the help of HPHOA and WSHPHS, over $150,000 in local funds were raised to upgrade the school and surrounding grounds.

Maintaining our Urban Forest

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The recent wind storms felled many of the beautiful trees that make up the urban forest of Southern California. Now’s the time to ask: what can we do to maintain our trees and keep them healthy.

The two major factors in maintaining the health and safety of trees are: 1) Watering and 2) Pruning. Trees need regular, deep watering, which is unfortunately the exact opposite of what often happens in parkways. Remember to do a deep watering of established trees at least twice a month, and more in the summer when it’s hot. Pruning by a licensed arborist is critical to maintaining the health of your trees. Some of the things to remember are: 1) Prune at the right time of year. Pines and cedars should be pruned in the winter; 2) Don’t remove center foliage which is necessary to maintain the structure of the tree; 3) Don’t ever ‘top’ a tree. Instead prune so there are evenly space branches throughout the tree – trees need to move in the wind. Always ask your arborist to explain what they plan to do and why.

Check your trees regularly to be sure there is no mounding on the side of the tree and no roots being pulled up. If a tree is leaning check for cracks on the trunk or dark sap which means the tree is stressed. If you’ve lost a branch or limb use a sharp, sterilized pruning tool and cut it cleanly back to another branch or all the way back to the trunk.

Winter is the best times to plant trees and other landscaping. Be sure and contact the association (or Tree Committee Chair, Susan Grossman, SEGrossman@sbcglobal.net) if you need a parkway tree. Check out our website for information and volunteer opportunities – http://www.HancockPark.org . Also, if you’re planning changes to your house check the Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org ). In the event of a crime or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station – 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station as well as Hancock Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee Members, Ruth Marmelzat (323-934-0138) or Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).

January 17, 2012–7PM MINUTES

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Call to order and Introductions: Cindy Chvatal-Keane called the meeting to order at 7 PM.

Attendance: Jen DeVore, Cindy Chvatal, Gerda McDonough, Peter Gorelick, Pam Newhouse, Victoria Vickers, Rudy Gintel, Cami Taylor, Gary Nelson, Gregg Glasser, Serena Apfel

Excused: Susan Grossman, Chris Bubser, Sheldon Goodkind, Ben Thompson, Joel Kozburg.

Absent: Joanne Medirous, Jim Wolf

Minutes from November were approved as submitted.

Correspondence/Communications: Pam Newhouse. Nothing new.

Treasurer’s Report: Victoria Vickers. Paid insurance.

New Business:

Welcome New Board Members: Gerda McDonough and Joanne Medirous

Committee Assignments. Victoria would like to have help with the bills. Pam would like to help with the Tree committee and will be off land use and zoning. Sheldon would be good for land use. Gerda will join traffic and transportation. Peter will join graffiti.

Redistricting update/Council District 4 /GWNC boundaries: Hancock Park will stay in CD4 but a portion of the GWNC is in play – SE corner. There is a hearing tomorrow at 4 to advocate for ALL of GWNC to be in one council district.

Open Board Position-Suggestions: Renee Mochkatel (Jen), Mr. Uretsky (Serena)

Old Business:

WSHP Garden Tour annual donation: Rudy Gintel proposed that we approve a $1000 donation to the Garden Tour. We have always given $1000 and up, especially given that Hancock Park will reap many of the benefits of this. Motion to approve $1K unamimous.

Yavneh CUP Review Hearing update: Hearing was today. Approved extending hours on 7 days over the year but the judge is still considering the motion to extend the reapplication period. We would prefer to stay at 2, council office is saying 3 years and Yavneh wants 5 years. One week for determination. We will plant trees on Tu B’sh Vat to help screen. Neighbors continue to complain about noise in the courtyard, which was not supposed to be used for school activities. New headmaster starts in June. Serena suggested that we contact the new head and invite him to the meeting. In the meantime, we can try contacting the gym instructor directly when there are noise issues.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Parkway Trees: Susan Grossman, Cindy Chvatal. Coordinating to do another planting. Susan has around 14 permission slips. Call Susan if you know people who need trees. We have a full list of all stumps needing removal and we will get to that. Our Council neighbors paid for both sides of Highland. We have a bid to trim trees for $80 per tree, a total bargain. The city has no money to trim trees so we got a blanket permit to trim all the trees, but HPHA must approve the trimmers. We will send a letter to homeowners asking who would be willing to spend $80 to trim the tree in front of their house.

Land Use/Zoning: Jim Wolf, Susan Grossman, Pam Newhouse. No new issues.

Traffic & Transportation: Gerda McDonough, Greg Glasser. We have requests for stop signs at Muirfield and 4th, Hudson and 4th, Rosewood and McCadden, McCadden & 1st. HPHA has to put in a formal request. And for restriping on Rimpau, McCadden. Gregg will consolidate all the requests and put in a formal request on behalf of the neighborhood.

HPOZ: Victoria Vickers, Cami Taylor, Cindy Chvatal. HPOZ violations now fall under code violations and are cumulative. Rudy suggested that we determine whether houses could be sold with code violations on the record. If not, would be a powerful weapon.

LAPD/Security: Peter Gorelick, Ben Thompson. Peter reported that in December we had a surge of crime in the neighborhood, including 3 burglaries in one day on December 21st. Thanksgiving – Christmas. But quiet again around New Year’s and then a recent surge again.

Filming: Cami Taylor. There have been a lot of complaints recently. Cami has been fielding calls and speaking to the film companies and Film LA. Film revenue last year was down 30% from the year before.

Membership Records / Dues: Jen DeVore. As of today, we have received dues from 239 neighbors for a total of $9990. Second mailing? 319 S. McCadden needs a new envelope.

Block Captains/ Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness:Jen DeVore/Cindy Chvatal. We are overdue for a block captain meeting, especially about security.

School Liaison: Jen DeVore, Sheldon Goodkind. Nothing new to report.

Parking: Susan Grossman, Greg Glasser. No new requests.

Graffiti: Pam Newhouse. Nothing new to report.

Legal: Joel Kozberg. No report.

Communication: Web site: Greg Glasser. No report. Chronicle: Susan Grossman. No report.

Additional Issues: Canadian consulate on Muirfield has been an issue lately with many events and parking issues. Cindy suggested a block meeting.

NEXT MEETING February 21, 2011

Dear Hancock Park Residents

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

It’s that time of year, when we ask our residents to please support of the HPHOA’48, by becoming dues paying members. This past year your dues helped support many efforts to preserve the quality of life in our neighborhood, including the purchase, planting and maintenance of over 80 new trees, donations to support our local Fire Station, 3rdStreet School, John Burroughs Middle School, and The Hollywood Beautification Team/graffiti removal.

In the coming year the Association will work with our Council Office to try to ensure that our Hancock Park streets are repaired and resurfaced. We will also be working with LADOT and our Council Office as the City revises and updates the General Plan/Mobility Element. This plan will have direct effect on our streets and traffic. We will work to keep our residents informed as to how they can stay involved and voice comments on this important issue.

The HPHOA’48 continues to work on neighborhood beautification by removing tree stumps, replacing parkway trees, and maintaining the newly planted parkway trees. We will be planting new trees during the winter months. If you are interested in having a tree planted in your parkway or a stump removed please contact Board member, Susan Grossman at segrossman@sbcglobal.net.

The Association continues to update our neighborhood email list. If you would like us to add you to the list please provide us with your email address by including it in the space provided on the enclosed dues envelope. You can also email the information to our Block Captain Chairs: Cindy Chvatal-Keane at snorekel@aol.com and Jen DeVore at jendevore@earthlink.net. Please be sure to include your name and street address in the email. Being on the email list allows us to communicate with you on neighborhood issues. Through our Neighborhood Watch/Block Captain Program, we alert residents to security situations in the neighborhood such as break-ins, robberies and vandalism. We are able to send emails to residents within hours of receiving this information. We respond as quickly as possible to residents’ questions and concerns regarding street closures, street light problems, street repair, zoning and land use and HPOZ questions. If we can’t answer your questions, we can help direct you to the City departments that can. Our email list has also helped reunite many lost pets with their owners!

On behalf of the HPHOA’48 Board, I wish you a Happy & Healthy 2012!

Sincerely,

Cindy Chvatal-Keane, President, HPHOA’48

November 15, 2011–7PM MINUTES

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Call to order and Introductions: Cindy Chvatal-Keane

Present: Victoria Vickers, Sheldon Goodkind, Peter Gorelick, Serena Apfel, Gary Nelson, Susan Grossman, Cindy Chvatal, Rudy Gintel, Cami Taylor, Jen DeVore, Joel Kozberg, Jim, Ben

Excused: Chris Bubser, Pam Newhouse, Greg Glasser

Minutes: Jen DeVore

Minutes from October 2011 were approved unanimously.

Correspondence/Communications: Pam Newhouse was not available.

Treasurer’s Report: Victoria Vickers. We have invested over $16,000 on beautification, have donated $3000 and our expenses are way down. Cindy moved that we make a donation to Ruth Marmelzat’s charity. So moved.

Guests:

Myrna Gintel, WSHP Garden Tour. Next April 22 (Earth Day.) Last year donated $30,000 to JB for beautification. Honorees include Mia Nair (sp?), renowned landscape architect, and Lynn Cohen, active in Miracle Mile issues. This year they’ll be funding Fire Station #52 (Melrose & Western) and #62 (3rd and Hauser). They plan to plant vegetable gardens and fruit trees. HBT is involved. In addition, they will help Windsor Square beautify the triangular median on 6th Street at Norton. Myrna asked if the HPHA would participate in the same way as last year. Serena moved, Peter seconded, unanimously approved full page for $550.

Lynn Cohen, LAFD Foundation. We have 4 firestations…52, 61, 29 (adopted by Windsor Square) and 27. Lynn would like HPHA to “adopt” a Fire Station and focus on emergency preparedness — #27. Lynn and Mark Cohen will chair the adoption of #27 (Cahuenga and Cole, next to the LAFD museum.) First project is refinishing the front doors of the firehouse — $4000. The foundation is a 501c3. Lynn and Mark will be on the emergency preparedness committee. Gary moved, Peter seconded, unanimoulsy approved $250.

New Business:

Candidates for open Board positions: Gerda McDonough who has been extremely involved on Rossmore, bicycle issues and mobility element. Jen made a motion, seconded by Peter. Unanimous. Joanne Medirous. Howard Hart has moved out of the neighborhood and John Rolfe is too busy. Joanne has been incredibly helpful in the JB beautification process. Ben made a motion, Peter seconded. Unanimous.

Mobility Element Revision/Update of LA General Plan & HP Streets. Apparently, the city has the ability to re-designate our streets at will – could re-designate any street as a highway if they wish. We need to act to protect Highland and Rossmore. Goal of DOT is to speed everything up while community wants to slow everything down.

Old Business:

Parkway Tree Fall Planting / Stump Removal. Susan has a list of stumps and we have started some plantings. If you see stumps, send an email to Susan.

Yavneh CUP Review: Yavneh has requested that they have a two-year review because it’s too costly. Also want longer hours on some holidays, specifically Yom Kippur and a few others. Sheldon noted that if the holiday falls on the Sabbath, it would be reasonable to extend their hours by the two hours that are requested. Board would support this request but not the five year renewal period. Motion: Support extension of hours for 4 holidays, do not support extension of CUP renewal period. Passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Membership Records / Dues: Jen DeVore. First letter will go out in December. Jen will update the numbers list to send out. We should also include a list of all the things we’ve done. Peter suggested that we have a block captain meeting in January and try to get updates on new neighbors. And a suggestion to invite a real estate agent on to the board.

Parkway Trees: Susan Grossman, Cindy Chvatal. See above.

Land Use/Zoning: Jim Wolf, Susan Grossman, Pam Newhouse. Key issue is the Paramount Studios project – 15 stories tall is the proposed building. A 25 year plan. Parking structures for over 6000 additional cars. We will need to continue to monitor this, especially as it affects transportation plans.

HPOZ: Victoria Vickers, Cami Taylor, Cindy Chvatal. We have a new board member on the HPOZ board. We have a new planning deputy, Jonathan Brand. He was there before and has just returned and was great last time – thorough and knows our neighborhood.

LAPD/Security: Peter Gorlick, Ben Thompson. Peter reported that crime is about even….too many people don’t report crimes so we can’t track. Trend this month is armed robbery but only one within Hancock Park was on 3rd and Highland on Halloween at a bus stop at midnight. Also 1st and Plymouth during the day – guy with a gun took their cell phones and LAPD caught him. Perhaps we should remind neighbors that both ADT and SSa will walk homeowners to their doors if it’s really late. People noted fewer trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

Filming: Cami Taylor. We noted the passing of Ruth Marmelzat. Cami has taken over entirely for Ruth. We have had a huge problem on Rossmore and 5th. Cami has been trying to get a meeting with Film LA and Mike Cornwell to try to at least appease the neighbors. (it’s more Windsor Square folks who are upset.) Slight uptick in revenues. Cami reported that it’s a new development that Film LA is allowing companies to park on both sides of the street.

Web site: Greg Glasser. No report. Rudy will look into finding a way to pay online.

Chronicle: Susan Grossman. Susan will talk a little about Ruth and maybe something about the Fire Departments.

Block Captains/ Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Jen DeVore, Cindy Chvatal. January block captain meeting.

Traffic: Greg Glasser. No report.

School Liaison: Jen DeVore, Sheldon Goodkind. Sheldon reported that he has started getting more complaints about litter and traffic at JB, particularly Chris Dalston who lives on McCadden. Sheldon will call Steve Martinez, principal of JB.

Parking: Susan Grossman, Greg Glasser

Graffiti: Pam Newhouse. No report.

Meeting adjourned at 9 PM.

Nominee Profiles October 2011 Election

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Rudolph Gintel

Rudy has lived in Hancock Park for many years and has served as the liason with the Wilshire Homeowners Alliance, helping coordinate larger community efforts with Hancock Park. He has also served for 5 years as Business Representative to the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, and is a past member of its Land Use Committee.

Greg Glasser

Greg has lived in Hancock Park since 1999. He has been involved with the HPOZ & chaired the HPOZ committee. He is on the Traffic & Parking Committees maintains the Association’s website Hancockpark.org.

Sheldon Goodkind

Peter Gorelick

Peter grew up in Hancock Park and attended local schools including John Burroughs, Fairfax High and UCLA. Peter moved back to Hancock Park in 2003. He is an Insurance Defense/Workers’ Compensation Attorney. Peter represents Hancock Park as a member of the Wilshire Community Police Advisory Board. He is also an LAPD Volunteer and graduate of the LAPD Community Police Academy.

Susan Grossman

Susan and her husband Kim have lived in Hancock Park for more than 20 years. She is currently the vice-president of the Association, Chair of the Tree Committee as well as an HPOZ Board member.

John Rolf

Dr. John Rolf is Director of Corporate Product Quality at Amgen, a leading Biopharmaceutical Company. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center, where he received a Ph.D. in Immunology. John is a certified California Master Gardener with the Common Ground Garden Program of the University of California Cooperative Extension, whose volunteers provide community service to limited-resource residents of Los Angeles County. He and his partner, Randall, a professor at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, have resided in Hancock Park since 1994.

Cami Taylor

Cami has lived in Hancock Park at 264 South Muirfield for 13 years. She’s married to Steve Eshelman and has a daughter, Marguerite Eshelman. She is a member of the Ebell and the LATC and owns a film production company called Crossroads Films, which produces commercials, music videos, independent features and some television programming. She is the ex-president and still sits on the board of a nonprofit organization called Streetlights and is a board member of a commercial producers’ group called the AICP. She was a founding member of the HPOZ support group and an integral part of the many year efforts to achieve HPOZ status for Hancock Park.

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson has been a resident of Hancock Park for over 20 years. He earned an A.B. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from USC. In addition to being Past President, current Board member of the Hancock Park Homeowners Association, and Head of the Budget Committee, he is founder of the Wilshire Traffic Committee, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oaks School in Hollywood.

James Wolf

Jim grew up in Hancock Park. After time away in college, he, his wife and children moved back to Hancock Park and have lived here since 1983. Jim attended both the University of Pennsylvania and USC where he earned degrees in Civil Engineering and in Architecture. He is a California licensed architect. Jim has served on the Board of Directors since 1987 and was President of the Hancock Park Homeowners Association est. 1948 for over 12 years. Jim Co-chairs the Street Lighting Committee and the Zoning Committee. He is the Hancock Park representative on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council where he is Vice President of the Board and also Chairman of the Land Use and Planning Committee.

Taking Care of Your Parkway Trees – Especially the New Ones!

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Summer is here and taking care of Hancock Park’s urban forest, especially our parkway trees, is an important part of the gardening “to-do” list. For new trees, consistent watering is especially critical to the new tree’s health. If you have a new tree, be sure and water 3 times a week, by filling the earthen basin surrounding the tree. Also, keep the perimeter around the tree’s trunk free of grass and other groundcover as the watering needs of trees and grasses are very different. For established parkway trees deep water twice or three times a month.

On Friday, June 3rd, the John Burroughs Middle School Beautification Project was celebrated. The festivities included the dedication of the bench provided by the Association in honor of the years of service to the community given by long-time resident and Board Member Marguerite ‘Chickie’ Byrne. Many thanks go to JB principle Steve Martinez , Vice-Principle Helena Yoon, Hancock Park resident Joanne Mederos, former Council field deputy, Nikki Ezhari, landscaper Carlos Antillon and the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society for leading, implementing and funding this important project. Visit website http://www.burroughsms.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=103714&type=d for details and drive by and take a look!

Don’t forget to check the Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.hancockpark.org or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) and contact City Planner Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org ) before planning any changes to the street visible exterior of your house. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station at 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station. You can also contact Hancock Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 For questions regarding filming, contact Filming Committee Members, Ruth Marmelzat or

Cami Taylor. Ruth can be reached at 323-934-0138 and Cami at 323-692-1414 (Home) and 310-659-6220 (office).

New Parkway Trees Have Been Planted

Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 GMT

The planting of many of the missing parkway trees in Quadrant 4 has been completed! The stumps have been removed and the trees are in their new homes. Thanks go to Susanna Funsten for collecting the necessary signatures and Hollywood Beautification for purchasing and planting the trees. The Tree Committee is planning the next steps in the reforestation of Hancock Park parkways, including determining disease resistant elm tree varieties for Rossmore, so if you want to join contact the Association.

For the last 3 years Nikki Ezhari served as our community liaison with Councilman La Bonge’s office and the city. Nikki was instrumental in developing the traffic and beautification solutions now implemented at John Burroughs High School, negotiating with the Wilshire Country Club and the Marlowe apartment owners to rebuild the curbs on Rosewood and many other efforts. The Association and Hancock Park thank Nikki for all her good work for our neighborhood and we wish her all the best in the future.

The dedication of the bench donated in honor of long-time resident and Board Member Marguerite ‘Chickie’ Byrne’s at John Burroughs Middle School will be Friday, June 3rd at 9:00 AM at the school. Join us in thanking Chickie for her years of work on behalf of the community.

Don’t forget to check the Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.hancockpark.org or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) to make sure any planned changes to the street visible exterior of your house are in keeping with the HPOZ. Be sure and contact Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org ) if you have any questions and for assistance in navigating the HPOZ process. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station at 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station. You can also contact Hancock Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 For questions regarding filming, contact Filming Committee Members, Ruth Marmelzat or

Cami Taylor. Cami at 323-692-1414 (Home) and 310-659-6220 (office).

Be Prepared!

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:00:00 GMT

The recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan are a forceful reminder that we live in an earthquake area and that quake could strike at any time. The Fire and Police Departments remind us that if a disaster strikes they will be busy taking care of major damage and injuries and won’t be available for residential needs for food and water , so we need to be ready. Do you have a Disaster Plan, supplies and training? Visit the HPHOA, est. 1948 website for information. Another good place to start in developing a Disaster Plan is the LA Times website – http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/03/preparing-for-earthquakes.html. An excellent resource for training is the LA Fire Department’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training – http://www.cert-la.com/index.shtml . This is a 17 ½ hour (one day a week for seven weeks) of training and teaches how to: 1) Manage utilities and put out small fires; 2) Treat medical emergencies such as opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating shock; 3) Provide basic medical aid; 4) Search for and rescue victims as well as facilitating volunteer organization and collecting disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. Remember, an earthquake or other emergency could happen any time so DON’T WAIT! We thank our dues payment members for their generous support of the Association’s work, which includes the recent parkway tree stump removals. If you haven’t paid your dues, please take a few minutes and put a check in the mail. Also don’t forget the Sixth Annual Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society Garden Party and Tour which will honor our President, Cindy Chvatal-Keane. It will be on Sunday, April 17th from noon to 6PM and will support the JB Beautification Program. For more information go to website: http://www.wshphs.org/gardentour11.html If you’re planning changes to the exterior of your house check the Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.hancockpark.org or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ) to make sure your changes are in keeping with the HPOZ. For any questions contact Matthew Glesne (213-978-1216 or matthew.glesne@lacity.org ). Also, if you are the unfortunate victim of a crime or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station at 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station. You can also contact Hancock Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 For questions regarding filming, contact Filming Committee Members, Ruth Marmelzat or Cami Taylor. Ruth can be reached at 323-934-0138 and Cami at 323-692-1414 (Home) and 310-659-6220 (office).

How to Make Successful Changes in Hancock Park’s HPOZ

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:00:00 GMT

With the new year a lot of Hancock Park homeowners

have a resolution to make some changes to their homes. If

those changes change the street visible façade of a house,

which includes hardscape, then the changes will need to be

reviewed through the HPOZ process. The place to begin is

to read the Preservation Plan for the Hancock Park HPOZ

with your architect or contractor to make sure your plans

comply. Then consult with the LA Planning Department

staff on the approval process. The City planner responsible for

Hancock Park is Matthew Glesne (213-978-1198 or matthew.

glesne@lacity.org). If the Planning Department determines

that your project should be reviewed by the HPOZ Board

the project will be put on the agenda for the Board. Once

the Planning Department and the HPOZ Board (if review

is required) have approved the plans, then permits can be

issued by the LA Department of Building and Safety and your

project can proceed.

The Preservation Plan can be found on the HPHOA’48

web site: http://www.hancockpark.org, on the Los Angeles

Planning Department web site: http://preservation.lacity.org/

hpoz/la/hancock-park or by contacting Matthew Glesne. If

HPOZ Board review is required your project will be put on the

agenda. Meetings are held twice a month and the schedules

can be found at website: http://cityplanning.lacity.org under

“Meetings & Hearings”; click on “Central Los Angeles” and

then “Agendas”. It is highly recommended that you attend an

HPOZ Board meeting with preliminary plans for a consultation

as well as a chance to see how the process works.

Remember, if you are the unfortunate victim of a crime

or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station at 213-

473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_

community_police_station. You can also contact Hancock

Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650;

31646@lapd.lacity.org). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311

or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.

lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-

0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood

Beautification, 323-463-5180 For questions regarding filming,

contact Filming Committee Members, Ruth Marmelzat or

Cami Taylor. Ruth can be reached at 323-934-0138 and Cami

at 323-692-1414 (Home) and 310-659-6220 (office).

Planting Trees and Native Plants

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:00:00 GMT

The Association wishes all Hancock Park residents and their families a safe and happy holiday season and a full and successful new year!

Winter is the prime planting season in Southern California. The temperatures are lower and we actually get some rain. This makes it possible for the new plants to get acclimatized and comfortable in their new home. At the Annual Meeting landscape architect Mayita Dinos spoke about the planting changes that will be necessary as water becomes more scarce and expensive. She emphasized that by using native plants we can continue to have a lush, beautiful garden while conserving water. So now’s the time to implement that native garden you’ve been thinking about. It’s also the time to plant trees, particularly parkway trees to help restore Hancock Park’s arboreal lungs.

The Tree Committee reports that the parkway trees purchased for Quadrant 4 will be arriving soon. Thanks to the members of the tree commitee! The Trees will be paid for with funds from the HPOHA, est. 1948 treasury as one of the Association’s many efforts to keep Hancock Park great, beautiful and green.

The holiday season is unfortunately not a holiday from crime or fraud. If you suspect a crime is occurring call 911. If you are the victim of a crime or fraud contact the Wilshire Division LAPD station at 213-473-0476 or website: http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station. You can also contact Hancock Park’s Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org). Remember to keep your doors and windows locked, activate your security system, if you have one, report suspicious activities and never open your door to someone you don’t know. If you’re going to be out of town let your block captain know so your neighbors will keep an eye out for suspicious activity. If you are the victim of a crime or fraud be sure and contact the LAPD so a report will be made and possible evidence collected. This is extremely important because the number of crime reports are how precious LAPD resources are allocated and evidence collection is how criminals can be successfully prosecuted and sent to jail.

If you’re planning changes to your house visit the HPHOA’ 48 web site, www.hancockpark.org, or the Los Angeles Planning Department web site http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park and read the Preservation Plan. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 For questions regarding filming contact Filming Committee CoChairs, Ruth Marmelzat or Cami Taylor. Ruth can be reached at 323-934-0138 and Cami at 323-692-1414 (Home) and 310-659-6220 (office)

Stars of Hancock Park

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:00:00 GMT

The Association’s annual meeting was held on Tuesday, October 21stand we thank 3rd Street School for hosting and thank all the LAPD, SSA and Bel Air Security Services, Councilman Tom LaBonge, his deputies Renee Weitzer and Nikki Ezhari, and landscape architect Mayita Dinos for attending and speaking.

The following neighborhood stars were recognized for Outstanding Service to the Hancock Park Community:

Susana Funsten – Parkway tree planting, collecting signatures from 80 residents and coordinating the planting of new trees
Myrna Gintel, Fluff McLean, Laura Cohen and June Bilgore of the Windsor Square/Hancock Park Historical Society – Beautification of John Burroughs.
Joanne Mederios – JB neighbor who coordinated beautification efforts
Steve Martinez and Helena Yoon – New leadership at JB that helped coordinate beautification and student management initiatives.

LAPD Wilshire Division Captain Eric Davis, his assistant Rosa Mareno and our Senior lead officer, Dave Cordova (213-793-0650; 31646@lapd.lacity.org) provided updates on the arrest of a suspect in some of the recent home robberies. He said that Wilshire Division is the second most successful division in the City in lowering crimes or all types. Captain Davis reminded us to keep our doors and windows locked, report suspicious activities, never open door to someone you don’t know and to call 911 or the Wilshire Division front desk, 213-473-0476 or http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station, if you feel threatened or are the victim of a crime. Also, be sure and report any crime and if possible be available for evidence collection.

Thanks to Our Outstanding Community!

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, at 7PM at 3rd Street School. The agenda includes:

Recognition of Outstanding Community Members
Security Report
- LAPD Sr. Lead Officer Dave Cordova
- Discussion of recent increase in crime activity in Hancock Park and how to keep our neighborhood safe
- SSA Security and Bel Air Security
- Patrol Activity in Hancock Park
Councilman Tom LaBonge – Q and A on Current Hancock Park Issues
Mayita Dinos Discussing Climate Appropriate Landscaping

Please plan to attend and find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and how you can get involved.

If you observe or are the victim of a crime don’t forget to call 911 immediately to notify the LAPD as well as contacting your Security Company (if you use one). The LAPD contact numbers are:

Dave Cordova, LAPD Senior Lead Officer for Hancock Park – Cell Phone: 213-793-0650; email: 31646@lapd.lacity.org
LAPD Wilshire Division – 213-473-0476; http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station

Check out John Burroughs and see your Association at work

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The Association’s Schools Committee, John Burroughs neighbors, led by Joanne Mederios, JB administrative staff, led by the new principal Mr. Martinez, and the Hancock Park Windsor Square Historical Society have worked together to transform the landscaping at John Burroughs Middle School! This is part of a multi pronged effort led by the Schools Committee, and in particular Board member Howard Hart, to address long standing issues with students intruding on neighboring properties. Besides the beautiful landscaping the school is keeping facilities open after the end of school hours so that students can wait for their rides on school property, (in the beautiful new reading garden) and is contributing along with the Association for a neighborhood trash pickup service.

Unfortunately reports of break-ins and prowlers continue. Don’t forget to call 911 immediately to notify the LAPD as well as contacting your Security Company (if you use one), if you suspect a problem. It is very important that a report for every suspected crime be made to the LAPD. Even if, a prowler runs away and there is no break-in. The LAPD allocates valuable patrol resources based on the number of crime reports. For questions and follow-up contact our Senior Lead Officer, Dave Cordova or call the LAPD Wilshire Division front Desk. Their numbers are:

Dave Cordova, LAPD Senior Lead Officer for Hancock Park – Cell Phone: 213-793-0650; email: 31646@lapd.lacity.org
LAPD Wilshire Division – 213-473-0476; http://www.lapdonline.org/wilshire_community_police_station

The Annual meeting of the HPHOA, est. 1948, will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, 7PM at 3rd Street School. There will be committee reports, security updates and presentations about drought tolerant gardening. This is also the time to bring your questions and concerns and discuss the future of Hancock Park.

Sidewalks, Tree Trimming and Keeping Hancock Park Green and Water Wise

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Due to the City of LA’s severe budget problems many services such as tree trimming, stump removal, median/parkway maintenance and sidewalk repair services have been all but eliminated. The City now considers these types of repairs and services to be the responsibility of the homeowner. The responsibility for sidewalk repairs has not yet been settled and many LA citizens are challenging whether this change is legal. The Association is considering plans to help support efforts to trim trees and grass by putting together a fund (using annual dues).

Because of recent, severe droughts, and other state wide water requirements, the times of ample, cheap water for landscaping are over. The Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (WELO) and the Low Impact Design Ordinance (LID) were passed in February of this year to further enforce landscape water use reductions. Because of these increasing restrictions on water use for landscaping, the Association has been exploring options for drought tolerant landscaping. At the recent Block Captains’ meeting, landscaper Mayita Dinos gave a talk on water wise plantings for our climate. Los Angeles is considered a Mediterranean climate which means hot, dry summers with little rain, and cool, wet winters. As beautiful as the lawns that surround most Hancock Park homes are these lawns are problematic in our climate. They need a lot of water and their static use compacts the soil. The fertilizer and pesticides that are applied often run off into the storm drain system polluting the Santa Monica Bay. So, consider drought tolerant, waterwise landscaping when planting your garden. The Association is working on more formal recommendations for relandscaping in a waterwise fashion and the information will be posted on our website.

Thanks to the Block Captain Committee for holding a great Block Captains’ meeting in May which highlighted the changes in City Services, landscaping, security and many other important issues for Hancock Park. The Block Captain network is one of the most effective protections against crime. If you want to be a block captain or don’t know who your block captain is contact the Association via the website. And, don’t forget, if you haven’t already, mail in your dues! Your dues support efforts like the tree trimming and grass cutting projects and they let you vote in the election for Board of Directors.

Block Captain Meeting – Recap

Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Cindy Chvatal –Keane welcomed the block captains and thanked them for their valuable contribution to the community. She also encouraged everyone to visit the new HPHOA’48 web site at www.hancockpark.org . Cindy noted that due to the severe City wide budget cut backs, tree trimming, stump removal, median/parkway maintaince and sidewalk repair services have been all but eliminated. The Hancock Park Homeowners Association’48 is discussing plans to take over trimming trees and grass in absence of the city and is putting together a fund , (using annual dues) to that end. (City will only be coming out to deal with emergencies.) The city will grant permits to take over trimming the trees. Sidewalks are now the residents’ responsibility. The city will no longer deal with repairing them. (Citizens are looking in to whether this is legal.) The HPHOA’48 will be providing information to the homeowners about what city will not be doing and what the HPHOA’48 will be doing.

SSA Security – Jerry Shaw

1-4 minute response time max. all are former police officers and know how to respond. It’s critical that we report any crimes that we experience or see. If anyone would like to contact SSA, they are glad to answer questions whether you are clients or not. SSA can’t respond to a residence that is not subscribed to their services. tsegraves@ssa-pi.com or jshaw@ssa-pi.com. In HP, incidents of crime are starting to be reduced, often because of SSA presence, because they stop numerous people and approach parked cars and ask what they’re doing in the neighborhood. It’s obvious who is here legitimately and those who are not. (Crime is going up in neighborhood around us.) Two burglaries recently on Highland, in both cases used pepper spray. SSA security works with all monitoring companies. $187.50 per month. Goal is to reduce the cost with more subscribers. Need 180 homes, have 160. As soon as get 260 homes, will add a second car.

HPOZ – Jen DeVore

Board has been in existence for almost a year now. The Board is comprised of five members. Operated by the city – all meetings are noticed and homeowners need to go through the city to be on the agenda for the HPOZ meetings. Meetings are held every other Tuesday night. We have a very detailed HPOZ Preservation Plan and the Board follows the principles of that Plan….the goal of the HPOZ was to preserve the historic character of Hancock Park.

ADT – Kevin Scroggins

Mr. Scroggins was a senior lead officer for the Wilshire division, LAPD. Even as a manager, he does patrol the streets. ADT has 5 cars that respond in Hancock Park/Windsor Square. He listens to most of calls that are being monitored. ADT does escorts and they do house searches. 4 cars in Hancock Park/Windsor Square all the time. Local number: 818 428 6675. 818 428 6673 – Kevin’s cell.

LAFD – Station 29 Captain Richard McLaren

In the event of an earthquake or other natural disasters, anything over a 3.3 earthquake, all fire equipment is taken to a safe area. They have a route that they will then start to patrol and assess the damage. In the event of a full-scale earthquake, they will need to prioritize the emergencies. Upshot is that we may be on our own as a neighborhood. Block captain participation is critical to organize each block it the case of an emergency. Residents should have at least a week’s worth of food and water for more than a week. The web site: www.lafd.org has all this information. There are copies there of the LAFD Emergency Preparedness Guide and also info from the Red Cross. Know how to shut off your water and your gas, if you need to. Get an earthquake valve to automatically set off your gas if needed. Make sure you have smoke detectors – 2/3 of lives lost to fire each year come from no smoke alarms or faulty fire alarms. CERT program is a great resource. Check out the new Hancock APrk Web site for more information on Emergency Preparedness.

Climate Appropriate Landscaping – Mayita Dinos

We live in a Mediterranean climate. There are five. What does that mean? We have hot, dry summers with not much rain at all, if any and then we have cool, wet winters. Plants need to be adapted to that – they tend to have tough leaves or small fuzzy leaves to hold on to the water (eg sage). Leaves can resemble needles so that it’s not exposing too much surface area to the sun. Up til now, could grow non-appropriate plants because we were stealing water. But we’re running out of that stolen water. New law: Feb 2010 – Water efficiency landscape ordinance – WELO – that is meant to conserve water. Low impact design ordinance (LID) – meant to reduce run off, keep water where it falls. Also – no longer allowed to water all the time. 60 – 70% of your total water use is used for your landscape. Don’t know if they are actually enforcing right now. Need to present plans for landscaping to the city if over a certain size. So – characteristics of an appropriate landscape are….1 – have a rain barrel to catch water. 2 – reduce run off by keeping water on site – many ways to do this – redirect , put gutter into rain barrel or direct gutter onto line. Or think of your property as a mini-watershed…notice geographical elements and figure out mountains (house) and valleys (where water collects.) make a rain garden! There are plants that like being flooded. You are bringing water back to the aquifer – and the soil filters out the pollution. Key goal is the first flush – first time it rains after a long period – to get that water back into the ground where the pollution can be filtered. 3 – restore the health of the soil. Soil needs OWL – oxygen, water, life. Lawns are not good. If you did nothing else but change out your parkways, you would be doing an amazing amount in saving water and reducing run-off. Lawns compact soil, when you have compacted soil, water can’t be absorbed. 20% of California’s energy budget goes to TRANSPORTING water. Yikes. Pesticides that are put on lawns—and those pesticides cause cancer in kids and in our dogs. 4 – restore habitat. Mayita Dinos can be reached via email at www.mayitadinos.com or call 310-838-5959.

Join the WSHPHS Garden Tour and Beautify John Burroughs!

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The money raised by the tour will be used to fund the beautification project planned for John Burroughs Middle School. Neighbors to JB, including Schools Committee co-chair Howard Hart, have worked with the school to come up with a beautiful and ambitious beautification plan that will provide tree plantings, landscaping, fencing and other features making the campus more inviting to the staff and students and putting a better face to the community. For more information visit the Society’s web site: http://www.wshphs.org/; email: info@wshphs.org or 213-243-8182.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, mail in your dues! Your dues support efforts like the JB Beautification and let you vote in the election for Board of Directors. For information on where to send in dues click on CONTACT US.

Sincerely,

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

President