LITTLE HOLMBY HWPOA NEWS FOR THIS WEEK

LITTLE HOLMBY NEWSLETTER
FROM THE HWPOA

HOLMBY NEWS

November 24, 2013

From the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, serving the Holmby Westwood community since 1960.   

1.  President Obama on Monday 11/25

2.  UCLA Bonfire and Rally – Beat ‘SC

3.  Car Break-In on Westholme

4.  Tree Trimming on Le Conte

5.  HWPOA Communication and Ad Policy

6.  Resident Ads

7.  HWPOA Contact Information

1.   President Obama on Monday 11/25

President Obama will visit LA on Monday November 25, 2013.  He is expected to land by helicopter at Rancho Park soccer field.  Reason for the trip: Fundraiser for the House/Senate Victory Fund.  One event will be at the home of Magic & Cookie Johnson, LA.  Another event will be held at the home of Cheryl & Haim Saban in Beverly Hills.

2.   UCLA Bonfire and Rally – Beat ‘SC

From UCLA Community Relations:

As we approach the end of the UCLA Football season, we are excited to inform you about this year’s Beat ‘SC Bonfire and Rally. This annual tradition will take place on Tuesday, November 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Plaza. Please join students, alumni, faculty, and friends in this Bruin tradition as we get ready to take on our cross-town rival.

We are looking forward to the energy that will surround the campus. In consideration of our neighbors, we are taking the necessary steps to prevent any disturbances.

We invite you to come onto campus to show support for the UCLA community. Should you have any questions, please contact Marco Perez at 310-794-6830 or atmperez@support.ucla.edu. For more event information please visit: www.alumni.ucla.edu/beatsc

We appreciate your support and hope to see you at the event!

3.  Car Break-In on Westholme

A resident reported that there was a robbery in front of her home recently.  A visitor came to their home on Westholme Ave., locked her car door and came in for an hour.  When she returned to her car, the back window was smashed and some valuables were taken.

4.  Tree Trimming on Le Conte

From Neighbors on Le Conte:

Last week, after getting free permits from the City, our 10500 Le Conte block (between Thayer and Warner) united together to cut all 22 Pine trees.  The results have been amazing – not only does it look great, feel brighter, and is safer without all the debris and pollen dropping but it also has given our block a sense of community and unity.  The city worked with our tree trimmer, Any Kind Of Tree Service (Fernando Armas, 323-632-8860), and provided free permits for all the addresses on the block.  We, as a neighborhood, got a great bid and worked together for smooth and seamless three-day weekend of cutting.  Feel free to drive down the block and see for yourself.  Fernando is great to work with and is licensed, bonded, insured, and carries workers’ comp.  We are available for questions – kssleconte@aol.com and justinemartin@roadrunner.com

All the best – your neighbors Karen & Justine.

5.  HWPOA COMMUNICATION AND AD POLICY

Please direct all comments, questions or issues regarding the HOLMBY NEWS to hwpoa@aol.com and not to holmbywestwood@yahoogroups.com.

Residents have complained about too many HWPOA emails during the week so I, as Moderator, try to limit HWPOA messages during the week, ads in particular, to posting in the weekly NEWS.  Emergency type situations such as coyote sightings, lost and found pets, traffic alerts and similar emergency type situations will continue to be published during the week as received.

This policy will be published each week preceding the Resident Ads section of the HOLMBY NEWS as a reminder of the policy, how to place the ads and why the policy was established.  There is always an exception considered if needed for an emergency type ad situation.

When placing an ad, please send to hwpoa@aol.com for the HOLMBY NEWS Moderator to review.  The receipt of the ad will be confirmed.  Responses to ads should be directed to the ad placer, not to HWPOA.  Do not respond to the holmbywestwood Yahoo email address.

Thank you,

Dana, HOLMBY NEWS moderator/editor

6.  RESIDENT ADS

SAMPLE SALE

Worth New York women's clothing sample sale!  Fall & Winter collections, all sizes (0-16) at 50% Off!  Monday 11/25 from noon-5 at the home of Denise Barta, 273 So. Beverly Glen Blvd. 

7.  HWPOA CONTACT INFORMATION

HOLMBY WESTWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 
914 Westwood Blvd. Suite 573 
Los Angeles, CA  90024
310-470-1785 
Email:  hwpoa@aol.com
Web site: www.holmbywestwoodpoa.org 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Hanukkah!

HPOZ

Little Holmby Moves Closer to Becoming an HPOZ 

The historic resources survey phase  is about to begin. The survey, which will be partially funded by the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, will be the next step in formally obtaining an HPOZ designation for Little Holmby

The information below is taken directly from the Office of Historic Resources Website.
PLEASE VISIT THIS SITE AT  www.preservation.lacity.org.  

"What is an HPOZ and how does it work?

An Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, or HPOZ, is an area of the city which is designated as containing structures, landscaping, natural features or sites having historic, architectural, cultural or aesthetic significance. To receive such designation, areas must be adopted as an HPOZ by the City Planning Commission and the City Council through a zone change procedure that includes notification of all affected and nearby property owners and public hearings. Once designated, areas have an HPOZ overlay added to their zoning, and are subject to special regulations under Section 12.20.3 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. Each HPOZ area has a five member HPOZ Board to review and make recommendations on projects and promote historic preservation within the designated area. Most types of exterior changes or improvements to properties in an HPOZ area require written approval from the Planning Department.

What are the possible advantages of living in an HPOZ?

• Control over inappropriate alterations: HPOZs offer one of the most effective tools to protect the unique historic exterior architectural character of neighborhoods. The HPOZ process ensures that proposals for exterior alterations, additions, and new construction in historic neighborhoods receive appropriate review and scrutiny. Designation as an HPOZ helps to ensure that the most distinctive, historic, and charming qualities of the neighborhood will be preserved.
• Increase in property values: Numerous studies nationally have found that homes within historic districts such as HPOZs tend to appreciate in value at a higher rate than similar homes outside designated historic districts. Many homebuyers specifically seek out homes in unique historic neighborhoods and welcome the assurance that the qualities which attracted them to the neighborhood are more likely to endure over time.
• Eligibility for property tax reductions: Under the Mills Act program, owners of “contributing structures” (those structures that were built during the predominant period of development in the neighborhood and that have retained most of their historic architectural features) are eligible to enter into a contract with the City that can result in substantial property tax savings.
• Preservation expertise: The HPOZ Board, in addition to its formal role in reviewing process, can often serve as an informal source of technical expertise and guidance. Board members often offer property owners excellent advice on cost-effective ways to remodel their properties to maintain and enhance their historic character, and may even suggest local contractors and craftspersons who have worked on similar rehabilitation projects.
• Enhanced sense of community: The HPOZ approval process can often bring a neighborhood together around a common source of pride: a neighborhood’s history and architectural character. The designation itself can help create a sense of identity among neighborhood residents and greater awareness of the neighborhood throughout the city.

What are the possible disadvantages?

Property owners should be aware that properties located within an HPOZ are subject to additional review processes. A property owner may need to make a presentation to their local HPOZ Board. Most types of exterior changes or improvements must be approved by the Department of City Planning: minor modifications may be approved very quickly, but more significant changes may be under review for up to 75 days. Projects that would degrade the historic character of the building or the neighborhood may not be allowed.

An HPOZ is also not the right tool for every neighborhood. Sometimes, neighborhoods become interested in achieving HPOZ status largely to stop out-of-scale new development. An HPOZ should not be seen as an “anti-mansionization” tool: other zoning tools may better shape the scale and character of new construction. An HPOZ is best utilized when a neighborhood has a cohesive historic character and community members have reached a consensus that they wish to preserve those historic architectural features.

What is the adoption process for a new HPOZ?

The process typically begins informally, at a grass-roots level, with a local neighborhood group organizing community meetings to explain to residents how the HPOZ process works and to gauge possible interest in creating an HPOZ. Community members often ask their City Council members for assistance, and most HPOZs are formally initiated by the City Council through a motion by the Councilmember of the district. Under the HPOZ Ordinance, the Director of the Planning, the Cultural Heritage Commission, or the City Planning Commission may also initiate an HPOZ. An HPOZ may also be initiated through a formal application by owners or renters within the district; in these cases only, the ordinance requires that signatures of at least 75% of owners or lessees be obtained.

Before an HPOZ may move into the formal adoption process, an historic resources survey of the proposed district must be prepared. The survey details the historic and architectural significance of the neighborhood and identifies structures and features as either “contributing” or “non-contributing” to the district. A contributing structure is a building that was constructed during the predominant period of development in the neighborhood and that has retained most of its historic features. A non-contributing structure is one that was either constructed after the major period of the neighborhood’s development, or has been so significantly altered that it no longer conveys its historic character.

Once the historic resources survey is completed, it is reviewed by Department of City Planning staff for completeness and accuracy. The Department of City Planning also holds public workshops and hearings in the community before taking the HPOZ through the adoption process. An HPOZ becomes effective only after the completed Historic Resources Survey is certified by the Cultural Heritage Commission. Because the HPOZ includes changes to zoning within the proposed area, it must be adopted as an ordinance by the City Planning Commission and the full City Council, following full public hearings."            

Information is taken directly from http://www.preservation.lacity.org

HWPOA NEWSLETTER

HOLMBY NEWS

November 12, 2013

 

From the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, serving the Holmby Westwood community since 1960.   

 

1.  West LA Food Drive

2.  LAPD Crime Alert

3.  Candidate Forum for the 54^th Assembly District

4.  Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA

5.  HWPOA Communication and Ad Policy

6.  Resident Ads

7.  HWPOA Contact Information

 

 

1.   West LA Food Drive

 

From the West LA Community Police Station:

Please join us in a collaborative effort to end hunger in our community.

November 24, 2013 (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
West Los Angeles Community Police Station
1663 Butler Ave.
Los Angeles, CA  90025

Last year we collected 6,500 lbs. of food which made a huge impact in many families’ lives.  This year we would like to double that number and we need your help!  We ask that you hold your own food drive and bring the items you collect to our event on Sunday, November 24^th.  We can provide you with collection bins for your collection effort.  Food drives are a great way for friends, family, businesses, religious institutions, schools and youth groups to help others in our community that may need additional support.

Please contact us at (310) 444-0725 for additional information or to request a food collection bin.  You can also sign up and get more information about this event online at www.WLAFoodDrive.com

2.  LAPD Crime Alert

COMMUNITY ALERT!

CONSTRUCTION SITE BURGLARIES

There have been a series of Construction Site Burglaries developing in the West Los Angeles Area. The suspects will target the construction site during the night time hours or on weekends when the contractors and workers are not on site. In cases where the tools and equipment have been secured in a lock box or connex storage container, the suspects have used cutting equipment and blow torches to cut into the secured metal containers. In light of this trend the Los Angeles Police Department is making the following recommendations.

· REMOVE ALL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FROM THE JOB SITE AT THE END OF THE WORK DAY. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE THEN CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:
· ALARMS: Security Alarms should be installed on any structures or containers securing any tools and equipment.
· AFTER HOURS SECURITY: Consider hiring a private security guard to monitor the site after hours and on weekends when there are no contractors or workers present.
· SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS: Web based surveillance camera systems will allow contractors to view and monitor activity from any smartphone or computer which are motion sensor activated and will alert your device when there is activity. They also lend valuable information and clues to the investigation.
· GATES: Ensure that all gates and access points to the construction site are locked and secured with heavy duty pad locks and chains.
· LIGHTING: Add appropriate lighting or motion sensor lighting to the site during the hours of darkness.
· NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Most construction burglaries are occurring in residential neighborhoods. Should neighbors of a residential construction site observe suspicious activities, CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY! Should the activity escalate to what you believe to be a crime about to occur, crime in progress or crime that just occurred, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!

Robbery:

800 block of Devon Ave RD 819 On 11/04/2013 at 1900 hours, the victims were seated in their vehicle when the suspects pulled up in a Black Cadillac Escalade and exited their vehicle. Suspect 1 produced a handgun and pointed at the chest of victim 1. The suspects demanded the victim's property. Afraid that they would be shot they did as the suspects demanded. The suspects re-entered their vehicle and fled.

Suspect veh: 98 - 05 blk Cadillac Escalade
Suspect 1: Male, Black, 5'10" tall, 160 lbs, 22 yrs gray hoodie, Black t-shirt, chorme 4" revolver
Suspect 2: Male, Black, 5'10" tall, 150 lbs, 21 yrs, Blue hoodie, medium caliber revolver 

3.   Candidate Forum for the 54^th Assembly District

 

Join local community members to hear from candidates running for the 54th Assembly District seat.  Christopher Armenta, John Jake and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas will be part of the forum and explain their positions on matters crucial to the region.

Tuesday, November 21, 2013
6:00 PM
West LA College
Aviation Tech Complex (ATA)
Room 128
9000 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230

Light refreshments will be provided.  Complimentary parking will be available upon RSVP.  For additional information, please call (310) 794-6826.  Sponsored by UCLA Government & Community Relations.

 

4.  Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA

Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA (CAP UCLA) is dedicated to the advancement of the contemporary performing arts in all disciplines — dance, music, spoken word and theater, as well the emerging digital, collaborative and cross-art platforms inspired by today's leading artists and creators. CAP supports the creation, presentation and critical dialogues vital to the ongoing innovation and expressive potential of artists whose work, whether vibrantly emerging or internationally acclaimed, forms the dynamic and evolving heritage of contemporary performance.

Based in UCLA's iconic Royce Hall, CAP UCLA is the university's public center for the presentation of the performing arts and contributes to the cultural life of the campus and greater Los Angeles, promoting civic dialogue and creative inquiry. Through an annual season of performing arts programs and extensive community-engagement events — including artist fellows and residency programs, K–12 arts education (Design for Sharing), student mentorship (Student Committee for the Arts), and art-making and experiential activities (Art in Action) — CAP UCLA advances the importance of art in society by celebrating and deepening the connection between artist and audience.

For more information and to see CAP UCLA’s calendar of events, go to www.cap.ucla.edu

 

5.  HWPOA COMMUNICATION AND AD POLICY

Please direct all comments, questions or issues regarding the HOLMBY NEWS to hwpoa@aol.com and not to holmbywestwood@yahoogroups.com.

Residents have complained about too many HWPOA emails during the week so I, as Moderator, try to limit HWPOA messages during the week, ads in particular, to posting in the weekly NEWS.  Emergency type situations such as coyote sightings, lost and found pets, traffic alerts and similar emergency type situations will continue to be published during the week as received.

This policy will be published each week preceding the Resident Ads section of the HOLMBY NEWS as a reminder of the policy, how to place the ads and why the policy was established.  There is always an exception considered if needed for an emergency type ad situation.

When placing an ad, please send to hwpoa@aol.com for the HOLMBY NEWS Moderator to review.  The receipt of the ad will be confirmed.  Responses to ads should be directed to the ad placer, not to HWPOA.  Do not respond to the holmbywestwood Yahoo email address.

Thank you,
Dana, HOLMBY NEWS moderator/editor

 

6.  RESIDENT ADS

IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

GARAGE SALE - 432 Comstock Avenue
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 9 AM, CASH ONLY
Chairs, bed, mirrors, antique trunk, lamps, china, art, clothing, rolls of fabric, guitar, banjo, model railroad cars and accessories, LP records and much more.

---------------------------------------

 

HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED

I am in need of housekeeping help either Monday - or part time days during the week. Recommedations essential. Contact  Sandra @ 310 367-7917     Thank you….

 

---------------------------------------

 

WINDOW CLEANER NEEDED

 

I am looking looking for a window cleaning service in our area.  Please let me know if you have any recommendations.

 

Marion Solomon

310 475-8300

 

---------------------------------------

 

PART-TIME HELP WANTED

Part-time sales of womens accessories.  Responsibilities will include driving my car to charity events, and moderate to heavy lifting and bending.  Must have a valid Drivers License, insurance and a perfect driving record.  Marie 310-600-4726

---------------------------------------

 

CAR FOR SALE

1994 Ferrari – 348 Spyder.  Triple black, low mileage
Marie (310) 600-4726

 

 

7.  HWPOA CONTACT INFORMATION

 

HOLMBY WESTWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
914 Westwood Blvd. Suite 573
Los Angeles, CA  90024
310-470-1785
Email:  hwpoa@aol.com
Web site: www.holmbywestwoodpoa.org