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Mayor returns oversize vehicle parking law unsigned; Rosendahl says plans to move ahead with solutions

BY VINCE ECHAVARIA, Argonaut

Stating that the city must do a better job at addressing the issue of people living in their vehicles, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has refused to support a law restricting the parking of oversize vehicles on city streets.

The law, which was approved by the City Council in June, amends the ordinance establishing oversize vehicle parking restrictions by creating a process in which the council, through an ordinance, can restrict the parking of vehicles longer than 22 feet or taller than seven feet between 2 and 6 a.m., except those with permits.
Parking restrictions can also be established if a council member representing a district where fewer than six street sections are impacted requests that the Department of Transportation investigate the situation. If the department determines that the overnight parking of oversize vehicles is adversely impacting the visibility of oncoming traffic or reducing the availability of parking, the restrictions can be created through a council resolution.

The council’s approval of the law came after the California Coastal Commission in June denied the terms of a proposed lawsuit settlement with the city and a Venice stakeholders group. The settlement stated that oversize parking limits must first be in effect for six months before overnight parking districts (OPDs) could be implemented where neighbors vote for them.

When the new law came before Villaraigosa, he returned it without signature, telling the council members that he expressed his opposition to the lawsuit settlement in an earlier letter and encourages them to use the ordinance only as a starting point.

“In that letter I suggested that the city must do a better job of approaching the issues relating to homeless persons residing in vehicles in a serious and thoughtful manner,” the mayor wrote. “Since I am fully aware that this amendment to the municipal code regarding regulation of so-called ‘oversize vehicles’ is the latest attempt to address certain of those issues, I would urge the council to use it as a jumping-off point to something more positive.”

Among his concerns with the ordinance is that it could lead to the introduction of oversize vehicle districts throughout the city in which commercial trucks, buses or other large vehicles could be affected. Villaraigosa added that he believes the concerns could be addressed without vetoing the law and he suggested that alternatives be given to those being displaced by the parking regulations.

While the law will still be enacted without the mayor’s signature, opponents of overnight parking districts were pleased that he stood by his earlier position and requested the council to revisit the matter.

“We are gratified that the mayor continues to demonstrate an understanding of the real issue,” said David Ewing of the Venice Action Alliance. “Safeguards such as viable alternatives for displaced vehicles and requiring findings to justify banning certain vehicles will make a better ordinance.”

Fellow alliance member Karen Wolfe added, “Although I would have preferred a veto, I’m proud to live in a city whose mayor reminds the City Council of its responsibility to thoughtfully deal with homeless issues.”

Both Ewing and Wolfe argued that the ordinance is too broad and they expressed concerns similar to Villaraigosa’s on the impact to commercial vehicles, that it requires no parking alternatives and the potential for the entire city to become a “no oversize vehicle” district.

“We certainly understand that it is an important tool, but the ordinance is written so broadly, that as the mayor’s letter said, it could theoretically create an oversize vehicle district of the entire city,” Ewing said. More

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City Council OKs $50,000 reward for information in Venice prom night killing

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of suspects in the fatal shooting of a man near an after-prom party in Venice.

Los Angeles police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspects involved in the murder of Michael McGuire, Jr., 21, on June 13. McGuire and a friend had been turned away from an after-prom party for Venice High School students and were standing on the sidewalk near their car when a dark-colored SUV drove up. An occupant of the vehicle fired several shots, fatally wounding McGuire and grazing the other victim, and the vehicle then fled the location.

Police said there were two parties taking place on the same street at the time of the shooting and detectives hope that the $50,000 reward will influence any witnesses to come forward. The investigation is ongoing and police have not determined a motive.

One witness description identified one of the suspects as possibly a Hispanic man wearing a hooded sweatshirt, dark sunglasses and a dark bandana over his face.

Family members and friends held a “paddle out” ceremony July 10 near the Venice Pier in honor of McGuire, who was an avid surfer. After holding a small memorial on the sand, over 70 people paddled out to sea and formed a circle to pay tribute to the fallen Venice High graduate.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Los Angeles Police Department detectives at (310) 482-6370, or (877) LAPD 24-7 (877) 527-3247. Argonaut

Venice: Neighborhood council joins Rosendahl in calling for ban on ‘touch and go’ landings at Santa Monica Airport

BY GARY WALKER, Argonaut

A week after Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl requested that a flight school be closed due to a fatal airplane crash at a local golf course, Venice residents are seeking support to halt a variety of landing maneuvers at the Santa Monica Airport, including the procedure that the deceased pilot was practicing.

Pilot Robert Davenport’s tragic airplane accident July 1 at Penmar Golf Course has brought a flurry of renewed attention to the general aviation airport from lawmakers, the airfield’s neighbors and local organizations that have been lobbying for increased safety enhancements and air quality studies at the airport.

Rosendahl, whose council district includes Venice, requested that the procedure Davenport was practicing be halted and the flight school where he was taking landing training be closed.

“I think it’s a safety issue that has got to be dealt with, and I would like to start by shutting that school down,” the councilman said. “This is not a location for training when you’re in a dense urban environment.”

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Westside city councilman Bill Rosendahl admits that he is actively considering a run for the U.S. Senate if Dianne Feinstein steps down in 2012. This even though, as the LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman puts it in an item at L.A. Daily, "his governing resume is excessively slim."

"I care as much about world events as potholes," he tells us. Three factors would decide things: "If I become a force in Southern California and San Diego," and, "if the opportunity viably presents itself," and if he is seen as a "go-to, get-things-done guy." More

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KEEP OUR PUBLIC STREETS FREE

RESTORE FREE SPEECH @ VENICE BEACH

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Venice nonprofit receives $1.3-million grant to help homeless people with disabilities

By Martha Groves

Venice Community Housing Corp. said Monday that it has received a $1.3-million grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's Shelter Plus Care program to provide rent subsidies for chronically homeless people with disabilities.

Residents will be housed in a 20-unit building in Venice that the housing organization bought in October with a $750,000 forgivable loan from the city of Los Angeles and a $3-million loan from the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national nonprofit group.

Funds for rehabilitation and permanent financing were provided by the state's Mental Health Services Act and the Governor's Homeless Initiative, as well as by grants from Los Angeles County and the Ahmanson Foundation. The housing corporation said it expects to complete the building's rehabilitation and begin leasing the units by early 2011.

St. Joseph Center will manage clients' cases and ensure that the residents get access to medical and mental health services so that they can remain in housing. Clients will also receive training in money management.

Residents will be required to contribute 30% of their income from Social Security and other sources toward rent, with HUD subsidies covering the rest, said Kristen Laskaris, development director of Venice Community Housing Corp.
 

Click here for online Los Angeles Times article.

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