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!

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. 

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/

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.  

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

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/

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.  

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

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.  

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

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.  

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.  

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. 

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.