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This month I write to you concerning several livability issues in Sherman Oaks.
First, let's talk about the proposed development at 5501 and 5511 North Ethel Ave, which we will also discuss at our monthly Board meeting on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30pm at Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (5056 Van Nuys Blvd). We welcome community members to attend this meeting and provide comment on this and other agenda items.
In short, the 5501-11 Ethel Ave proposal seeks to build a multi-story apartment building within a single-family R1 zone neighborhood, a low density zone often under-equipped to accommodate such projects due to smaller lot size, low road functional classification (the road itself appearing substandard for its designation), infrastructure that is unable to support the increased use, and similar logistical reasons.
SONC supports affordable housing initiatives, but is firmly opposed to building multi-story apartments in R1 zones unequipped to handle them, especially when opportunities remain available in zones designated for higher density.
In June 2022, SONC adopted Sherman Oaks Vision: Pursuing Equitable, Affordable Housing, which favors developing commercial corridors for mixed use, rather than attempt to place excessive density in a location that is not zoned for and cannot handle the increased stress.
The Mayor's Emergency Directive (ED-1) allows a streamlined process to build increased density affordable housing in certain locations. A technicality when ED-1 was first introduced erroneously allowed applications for increased density in unintended locations, such as low-density R1 zones, and when the City became aware of this loophole, it removed the permissable technicality, although several project applications were submitted for R1 development during the period when the ED-1 loophole existed. 5501-11 N Ethel was one such project.
At our October board meeting, SONC will consider the issue of densification of R1 zones, including 5501 N Ethel.
In August, SONC noted that City Council recently adopted a motion pertaining to ED-1, and cautioned City Hall that its expedited introduction-to-approval timeline of 14 days was wholly inadequate due to insufficient time for public review. We recommended City Council refrain from voting on pending motions and/or council files until at least 60 days have passed since the item was introduced, under most circumstances, to allow adequate public review.
You can view our letter to CD4 and City Hall here.
SONC knew that such a quick turnaround from start-to-finish was bad form, but I didn't anticipate we would so soon encounter the negative consequences of an item rushed through too quickly, only to discover, after-the-fact, that the rushed job contained a significant loophole (since fixed) that now threatens to harm our community.
In addition to a motion adopted by SONC's Government Affairs Committee specifically opposing 5501 and 5511 Ethel development due to the property's R1 zoning, the PLUM Committee will put forth a motion seeking to oppose the city Housing Element's proposed rezoning and densification of R1 and multi-family neighborhoods beyond what SB9 and ADU laws allow.
SONC also continues its process of reviewing and updating its Bylaws, initially heard in July (and August and September), and will be heard again in October.
Several of you have written to me expressing concern at local news helicopters hovering at low altitude over our community from approximately 5:55 am - 7:15 am on the morning of September 21.
We hear you and we agree with you. SONC has taken multiple positions on this and other airport issues—see SONC's Stance on Airport Issues (VNY/BUR).
Although the local (LAWA) vs federal (FAA) jurisdictional issue can get murky, is my hope that our SONC Airport Committee will continue addressing these issues within the framework of what we, as local elected officials, can do, so that Los Angeles World Airports, City Council, and other entities take actionable steps to protect our community. We invite you to attend this and our other committees.
Please see the below calendar for a list of upcoming SONC meetings and events. Always refer to the SONC website's calendar for up-to-date details.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Sherman Oaks community. Stay safe and be kind to one another.
With Pride and Determination—
Lindsay
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