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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://corona-virus.la

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

CA State Guidance Documents

  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. 

  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.

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. 

 

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.

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. 

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. 

 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.