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LINCOLN BOULEVARD ANTI-GRIDLOCK LETTER TO HAHN
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2738 Reads
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I'm posting this for my friend Dave Ewing, who's doing the organizing:
Lincoln Boulevard is already over-stressed. Now an out-of-state developer is looking for special zoning changes to muscle a six-story shopping center & apartment complex into the middle of Venice. This "Lincoln Center" on Lincoln between Lake and Palms, would add hundreds, if not thousands of cars to Lincoln traffic every day. It adds unprecedented height, gives short shrift to affordable housing, and is NOT pedestrian friendly.
The letter below, with a list of supporters, will be hand-delivered to Mayor Hahn before the May 13th Planning Commission hearing on the matter:
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To add your name, send it to: Venice Venice_Letter@verizon.net, Please forward this message to as many people as you can. A hearing on the issue will be held 9:30 May 13, 200 N. Spring St., 10th floor. Try to attend.
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Hon. James K. Hahn
City of Los Angeles
Dear Mayor Hahn,
We stakeholders of Venice and neighboring communities petition you to urge the Planning Commission to reject the "Lincoln Center" development at its May 13th hearing. This ill-conceived project would have dramatic adverse effects on our community and city WITHOUT addressing our major needs.
As a supporter of Neighborhood Councils, we hope you will take this opportunity to stand up for the resolution of the Venice Neighborhood Council, as well as for the Venice Community Plan, in rejecting the project. Our problem is local, but the issues it reflects are citywide, including:
Gridlock Gridlock Gridlock: Venice's main traffic artery, Lincoln Boulevard, is in crisis. Intersections suffer from gridlock. Playa Vista and Marina del Rey projects, along with many others, are pushing toward area-wide traffic meltdown. Building a large traffic magnet in the middle of Venice contradicts city policy as well as common sense. There are no adjacent thoroughfares to take the pressure off Lincoln, and residential streets are already under siege. It would be hard to find a worse location for this out-scale project.
Threatens Local Merchants: The developer's suggested traffic "mitigation" plan would remove street parking on both sides of Lincoln Boulevard; effectively taking parking that is crucial to local merchants' survival and giving it to chain stores in the Lincoln Center complex.
Sticks City with the Bill: The developer's traffic study is based on 4-year old data, improperly collected. It gravely understates the existing traffic, let alone the cars the project would add. Since mitigation fees are based on these figures, the city would end up paying the developer's tab.
Damaging Precedent of Zoning Give-away: We are alarmed that such a large project, so out of step with the community, is under consideration for a major zoning break. The developer wants to build 6 stories in a 2-story neighborhood, enormously increasing the size and footprint of their buildings. It would set a damaging precedent for the entire Venice portion of Lincoln Boulevard
Shortchanges Low-income Housing: Low-income housing is much needed in Venice, but Lincoln Center's proposal FAILS TO REACH those most in need. In fact, the "affordable" component as proposed would allow renters with incomes higher than most people's in the area.
Ignores Community Input: The Venice Neighborhood Council and its Land Use and Planning Committee have already spoken officially on this project and their answer is a resounding NO. The Venice community has begun a local planning process which addresses the challenges confronting Lincoln Blvd.. Hundreds of area residents and business people attended last year's "Envision Venice" conference along with representatives from your office as well as Councilwoman Miscikowski's. The Venice Neighborhood Council officially adopted the resulting "Envision Venice Report," a major step towards a CDO and Specific Plan. Also, the Lincoln Corridor Task Force, in which the city participates under the auspices of SCAG, has completed its initial studies and is in the process of making preliminary recommendations. We do not want these positive community planning efforts cut off at their knees.
We, the undersigned, hope you will give our constructive initiatives a chance. Los Angeles faces a housing shortage and a traffic overload. Building without planning is a recipe for disaster. Please urge the Planning Commission to "just say no" to this misconceived project.
We respectfully request your written response, and we recommend your attention to the accompanying materials.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
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| Posted by: Eric_Mankin on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 10:36 AM
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