After some unfavorable news coverage (and a lot of backlash from restaurant owners), it's back to the drawing board for L.A.'s Permanent Al Fresco Ordinance.
Outdoor diningWikimedia Commons
"The input from the public hearing was resounding: support small businesses by keeping the Al Fresco program alive and making it permanent," reads an e-mail sent this week by the Planning Department. "From the overwhelming feedback received to date, City Planning has heard loud and clear that this process should be as easy and simple as possible, and we are working on a number of changes to that end. Revisions are underway that will focus on creating a simple and streamlined process for current Al Fresco participants. In response to comments received, staff is also evaluating modifications to the draft ordinance that will address parking lot requirements, operations, permitting compliance, alcohol authorization, and more."
A revised ordinance is expected to be released in March, which will later be presented to the City Planning Commission, City Council Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and full City Council for consideration.
16633 Ventura BoulevardGoogle Street View
While downsizing may be the name of the game in offices leases these days, one law firm is bucking the trend in the San Fernando Valley.
This week, JLL announced that Lewitt Hackman has renewed its 23,404-square-foot lease at 16633 Ventura Boulevard in Encino - a space which sees up to 80 percent attendance daily.
“Our Encino office continues to provide our attorneys, support staff, and clients with outstanding services and amenities,” said Keith Zimmet, president and managing shareholder of Lewitt Hackman in a news release. “As part of our renewal, we intend to perform extensive modernization of our space to ensure that it continues to provide such services for an increasingly agile workforce and client base well into the future.”
Bryan Lewitt and Chris Isola of JLL represented Lewitt Hackman in the lease, while landlord, Ventura-Petit East, LLC represented itself.
Artist rendering of Pollywog Park AreaUS Army Corps of Engineers
Interested in the L.A. River restoration and have some time to kill next week? On March 9, the US Army Corp of Engineers will hold an in-person meeting to provide an update on the restoration of the Pollywog Area (otherwise known as Reach 1, Phase A). The 20-acre space is intended as a riparian habitat restoration with trails.
Check it out on Thursday, March 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Griffith Park Visitors Center Auditorium (4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027)
Here's what we're reading this week:
Flash Flood Warning, High Winds, Heavy Snow — Even A Brief Tornado. Treacherous Conditions Are Here Southern California "It's time to avoid making unnecessary journeys or taking risks on treacherous roads. The worst of the storm is here and the extreme conditions we're seeing across Southern California are going to stick around deep into the weekend." (LAist)
Rise of drug overdose deaths and crime pushes Metro to weigh more security "Twenty-one people have died on trains and buses in the Metro system so far this year. There was one homicide, but most died from apparent overdoses. That’s as many who died in all of 2022 and marks a significant departure from the previous years." (LA Times)
La Brea Bus Lanes Installation Appears Stalled: Two Months Late, Three Miles Short "Hutt, in a written statement to Streetsblog, explained her stance on the La Brea bus lanes project: 'In speaking with various community groups, the homeowners association and neighborhood councils, I haven’t received a consensus that the community supports this project. Transportation represents a very pivotal part of economic development, sustainable accessibility and the unification of communities. As the Councilwoman for CD10 and the Chair of the Transportation Committee, I will continue to push for fair, adequate and equitable bus and transportation service.'" (Streetsblog LA)
The 5.9-mile segment of La Brea between Sunset Boulevard and Coliseum Street slated for priority bus lanesMetro
Pomona To Build Bikeway Along San Jose Creek "The path will run from near Ganesha Park to Cal Poly Pomona, passing several grade schools" (Streetsblog LA)
Opinion: California housing development remains abysmal despite reforms. Here’s what’s missing Edward Glaeser and Atta Tarki argue that while SB 9 is a step in the right direction, only large-scale developments can address California's housing woes (LA Times)
Palmdale Gives Greenlight to Staff to Discuss Transfer of Santa Monica’s New Housing Construction Requirements “At the request of the Palmdale City Manager, officials from Palmdale and the City of Santa Monica held an introductory meeting last December to discuss the two cities’ respective housing production obligations and resource needs. City of Santa Monica staff have had no further discussions with Palmdale officials since, and any further engagement would not be authorized without direction from the Santa Monica City Council. The Santa Monica City Council has not discussed or provided any direction on this item. The Santa Monica City Council looks forward to continuing discussions regarding implementation of its 6th Cycle Housing Element, as certified by state officials in October 2022, at its next meeting on February 22.“ (Santa Monica Next)
Follow us on social media:
