CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Room 280A
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING SYNOPSIS
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
2:00 p.m.
Recordings of the Recreation and Parks Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: August 22, 2023 / 2:03 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
JR Dzubak led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chair Lurie read the Civility Statement.
SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMISSIONER JR DZUBAK
Huma Ahmed, City Clerk, swore in new Commissioner JR Dzubak.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Dzubak, Termeie, Vice Chair Sherry, Chair Lurie Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Matthew Brown, Adrine Ovasapyan, Patty Acuna, and Linda Kyriazi
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the Agenda.
- Recording Secretary, Linda Kyriazi, read into record an email submitted regarding opening the interior of Greystone Mansion for weddings.
- Mr. Steve Walfish spoke about Pickleball and the rearrangement of the Roxbury tennis courts by reconfiguring all four tennis courts into pickleball courts.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
With the concurrence of the Commission, the Chair may choose to amend the order of the items on the agenda.
Chair Lurie approved the Agenda as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes from the Recreation and Parks Commission Special Meeting from 06/27/2023.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting minutes from June 2023 were tabled.
Recreation and Parks Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis August 22, 2023
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
2. Beverly Hills Unified School District
A representative from the school district was unable to attend this month’s meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
3. July – Parks Make Life Better!
Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager, will provide an update on July’s Parks Make Life Better! events.
Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager, updated the Commission on the successful events that took place during the month of July for Parks Make Life Better! The goal for the month was to:
- Invite the community to enjoy our parks and participate in our recreation activities throughout July.
- Utilize existing Community Services events and activities by incorporating fun elements for Parks Make Life Better month.
- Highlight some existing programs or activities we’d like to bring more attention to. - Offer activities for all age groups and include opportunities for family participation. - The Commissioners provided suggestions such as utilizing the mini parks in addition to creating programs that include teenagers.
4. Senior Health Fair
Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager, will provide information on the Senior Health Fair scheduled for September 18, 2023 at Roxbury Community Center. - Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager, updated the Commission on what has been planned for this year’s 15th Annual Senior Health Fair scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2023 from 10am – 1pm at Roxbury Park Community Center. - The Health Fair has been on hiatus since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is hosted in partnership with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. - The event will provide: health and wellness information for seniors, health screenings, housing information, nutritional support, risk assessment and where to find relevant support services
- The event is free and lunch will be provided. For further information visit beverlyhills.org/seniorhealthfair
- The Commissioners provided additional suggestions. Vice Chair Sherry suggested dental screenings which Commissioner Termeie agreed. Staff will meet with CedarsSinai and then reach out to Commissioner Termeie. - The Commissioners suggested a tech person since staff uses QR codes on flyers and are encouraging residents to go online or information.
NEW BUSINESS
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
5. Afterschool Programming Update
Recreation Services Manager, Adrine Ovasapyan will provide an update.
Recreation Services Manager, Adrine Ovasapyan, updated the Commission on the Afterschool Programming. Staff worked to ensure:
Recreation and Parks Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis August 22, 2023
- Consistent dismissal times.
- Increased the number of enrollments for Adventure Camp Program. - Added a District funded afterschool program through a third party vendor, STAR to provide additional childcare services.
- Increased the number of enrichment class offerings, set to begin on September 11, 2023, at both Hawthorne and Horace Mann elementary schools. Parents will be notified through the school district’s newsletter. - With these program adjustments, we are now serving approximately 200 more students for this 2023/2024 school year.
- Commissioner Termeie shared with staff comments and suggestions she had received from parents.
- Patty Acuna, Assistant Director of Community Services, updated the Commission on the Beverly Hills Unified School District grant program that provides free childcare to families who qualify for free and reduced lunch and second language learners.
6. Water Wells Update
Staff will provide an update on the La Cienega Water Wells.
Recreation Services Manager, Adrine Ovasapyan will provide an update. - A walk-through was scheduled with youth sports groups that utilize the fields to view the possible impacts. The groups provided their schedules so a timeline could be created for Public Works to reduce the impact.
- Staff has reviewed ways for additional fencing in addition to the relocation of a batting cage as the Water Wells project begins.
- Public Works will be creating sounds walls for their area in addition to providing a safe working area.
- Staff has created monthly meetings for constant communication with Public Works and the Youth Sports Representatives.
7. Teen Advisory Committee (TAC)
Recreation Supervisor, Lisa Crespo, will provide an update.
Recreation Supervisor, Lisa Crespo, updated the Commission on the new Teen Advisory Committee for the new school year:
- The Teen Advisory Committee expand offerings for the 2023-2024 year. The City of Beverly Hills welcome 50 new committee members. The committee will split into Middle School Teen Advisory Committee and a High School Teen Advisory Committee.
- This distinction will help enable opinions from all levels of the teen community to be heard. The Middle School group will focus on social events and volunteerdriven projects while the High School group will focus on community engagement and civic events. Both groups will attend all special events and be a part of the creative process for teen engagement.
- This year’s group kick-off will be their involvement in the September 10, 2023 Day of Wellness Event held at Roxbury Park.
- The Commission provided additional suggestions where teens could be involved.
Recreation and Parks Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis August 22, 2023
STATUS REPORTS
8. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
PROJECT UPDATES
• Manager updates
- Assistant Director Patty Acuna announced the promotion of Adrine Ovasapyan as the new Recreation Services Manager.
• Recreation & Parks Commission Priorities
- Tabled for a later meeting while staff works on the Commission’s events and training. • Community Services Events
- ArtWalk (new City Hall area), September 10, 2023 at 11am. - Catskills Performance: their final performances were held August 2 & 3, 2023. - Day of Wellness, scheduled for Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Roxbury Park, from 10am – 3pm.
- Halloween Dance: the Beverly Hills Active Adult Club (BHAAC) dance is scheduled for Monday, October 30, 2023, 1pm, at Roxbury Community Center. • Community Services Events Calendar
- Event Calendar was reviewed.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
9. Chair Report
a. Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
- Meeting Minutes
i. Reviewed
b. Ad Hoc Committees
- With the departure of two Commissioners, along with a new Commissioner, Chair Lurie, along with the other Commissioners, updated and reassigned the Ad Hoc Committees.
c. Recreation and Parks Commission Upcoming Meetings
- Review calendar and attendance
i. Commissioner Termeie noted the future Commission dates were off.
Recording Secretary, Linda Kyriazi, will review and correct. d. Other items brief announcements, request for information, and brief reports on activities
- Chair Lurie, along with the Commission, thanked Vice Chair Mishler for her years of service on the Commission in addition to her contributions. - Chair Lurie, along with Vice Chair Sherry, were on the interview panel for a Recreation and Parks Commissioner replacement and noted that Pickleball, along with the Dog Park, was brought up often.
- Chair Lurie agreed to be a judge at the Farmers’ Market Picklefest on August 6, 2023. Because of the successful event, Chair Lurie suggested that pickling contests return to the Farmers’ Market more often.
- Chair Lurie passed on a suggestion that the City’s passive parks can be utilized for mental wellness along with kindness.
Recreation and Parks Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis August 22, 2023
10. Tour of Public Works Water Wells
Departs City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Drive, Room 280A
Walk to corner of Maple and Alden Drive, Beverly Hills, across from the dog park Return to City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Drive, Room 280A
- The Commission meeting took a recess at 3:44pm as the Commission, along with staff, departed to a site visit of the Public Works Water Wells. - The Commission returned at 4:36pm and the meeting was adjourned.
NEXT MEETING: September 26, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: August 22, 2023 / 4:37 p.m.
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
September 14, 2023
1:30 PM
Recordings of the Planning Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: September 14, 2023 / 1:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Wolfe, Demeter, Vice Chair Kaplan, Chair Ross Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Ostroff
Staff Present: Masa Alkire, Cindy Gordon, Judy Gutierrez, Didier Murillo, Karen Myron, David Snow
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the Agenda.
Public Input: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By Order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
Consideration of Minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting of August 24, 2023.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Demeter, SECONDED by
Commissioner Kaplan to adopt the minutes as presented (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Wolfe, Demeter, Vice Chair Kaplan, Chair Ross NOES: None
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 14, 2023
ABSENT: Commissioner Ostroff
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
PLANNING COMMISSION / BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS / PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS – NEW BUSINESS
Citing residency less than 500 feet from the project site, Commissioner Demeter recused from item #2 and left the meeting room at 1:36 PM.
2. 350 SOUTH BEVERLY DRIVE (AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY) Conditional Use Permit (PL2300208)
Request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow an educational institution use within an existing multi-tenant building. Pursuant to the provisions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Planning Commission will also consider finding the project exempt from further review under CEQA.
Ex Parte Communications: None
Project Planner: Didier Murillo, Associate Planner
Project Applicant: Beverly Capital Ventures, LLC
Project Representative: Timothy Moran and Alexander Irvine, Irvine & Associates, Inc.
Rabbi Bradley Arston
Public Input: Virginia Mass, Howard S. Fisher
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Wolfe, SECONDED by Vice Chair Kaplan to adopt the resolution as amended (3-0-1-1).
AYES: Commissioner Wolfe, Vice Chair Kaplan, Chair Ross NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Ostroff
RECUSED: Commissioner Demeter
CARRIED
Commissioner Demeter returned to the meeting at 1:59 PM.
Vice Chair Kaplan advised that she has a leasehold interest that is within 500-1000 feet of the property at 208 North Crescent Drive. She has determined that the requested entitlements will not impact her in any of the following areas: change in the termination date of the lease; increase or decrease in the potential rental value of the property; change to the actual or legally allowable Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 14, 2023
use of the property; or impact to her use and enjoyment of the property. She remains openminded on the matter, and will participate in the discussion thereof.
3. 208 NORTH CRESCENT DRIVE
Development Plan Review, Density Bonus Permit, and R-4 Permit (PL2200323) Request for a Development Plan Review to allow for the construction of a new four-story, tenunit multi-family residential building with 13 subterranean parking spaces, a Density Bonus Permit to allow a 46.25% density bonus in addition to certain incentives/concessions and waivers from development standards to provide one affordable housing unit, and an R-4 Permit to allow two rooftop bathrooms to exceed the building height. Pursuant to the provisions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Planning Commission will also consider finding the project exempt from further review under CEQA.
Ex Parte Communications: None
Project Planner: Judy Gutierrez, Senior Planner
Project Applicant: GACAC, LLC
Project Representative: Kevin Tsai, Tsai Architecture
Public Input: Daniel Ronen, Simon Rubinstein, Dylan Casey and Courtney Welch – California Housing Defense Fund
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Wolfe, SECONDED by Commissioner Demeter to adopt the resolution as amended (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Wolfe, Demeter, Vice Chair Kaplan, Chair Ross NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Ostroff
STUDY SESSION
None
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
• Vice Chair Kaplan reminded staff and fellow Commissioners that she will not be present at the November 9 meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
• City Planner Updates
o City Planner Masa Alkire advised the Commission of the following:
▪ Incoming Commissioner Lou Milkowski, who will replace Commissioner Ostroff in January 2024, has officially been appointed to the Planning Commission by the City Council.
▪ The 2023 Next Night Street Festival/block party will take place on Saturday, September 23 from 4:00 – 9:00 PM in the 200 block of South Beverly Drive. ▪ The City’s annual household hazardous waste and e-waste roundup will take place on Saturday, September 30 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Third Street between Foothill Road and Civic Center Drive.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 14, 2023
▪ In response to a question from Commissioner Demeter regarding the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision on the project at 55 North La Cienega Boulevard, the City Council appeal hearing was continued to the November 7 City Council meeting, per the request from the project applicant in response to late information submitted by the appellant.
4. Current Planning Projects List
o Received and filed
5. Building Permit Report – August
o Received and filed
6. 2023 Meeting Schedule
o Received and filed
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: September 14, 2023 / 3:48 PM