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. 

 

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. 

  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. 

 

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!

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. 

 

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!

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. 

 

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. 

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. 

 

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!

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. 

 

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!

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. 

 

 

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!

 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.