CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Room 280A
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
Thursday, September 5, 2024
9:00 AM
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: September 5, 2024 / 9:02 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Geller and Ignarro, Vice-Chair Afra-Maghen, Chair Schwartz
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Jessie Holzer Carpenter, Daren Grilley, Ilene Knebel, Christian Vasquez
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items 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 Comment: Public comment was heard from Sherry Pakravan and Lindsay Arce. Public comment was also read into the record from Heather Regan and Leslie Michelson.
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 Traffic and Parking Commission regular meeting of August 1, 2024.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Geller, SECONDED by Chair Schwartz to approve the consent calendar item as presented (3/0).
AYES: Commissioners Geller, Ignarro, Chair Schwartz
Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis September 5, 2024
ABSTAIN: Vice Chair Afra-Maghen.
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
2. Police Department Report
Lieutenant Renato Moreno gave an update on the DUI checkpoint held on August 30. He also reviewed public comments from earlier in the meeting. The Commission asked about handicap placard violation arrests, distracted driving, and the increase in hit-and-run injuries from June to July.
3. Monthly Educational Speaker Series – Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Travel Training Program
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter introduced Catherine Fleming, Occupational Therapist at SEPTA. She gave a presentation on the program’s efforts to assist people with developmental disabilities, including autism, with learning how to travel on public transportation.
The Commission thanked her for her presentation and asked about how they work with senior citizens, how they communicate with schools, and how they gauge responses from students in the program.
4. Planning Quarterly Report
City Planner Masa Alkire gave a presentation on City planning for the third quarter of 2024, including residential and commercial development. The Commission asked about the multifamily developments and how the review process works.
5. Citywide Outdoor Warning Problem – Test Announcement Emergency Management Manager Meena Janmohamed gave a presentation on the City’s new system of 12 outdoor sirens located across the city designed to be used for emergency notifications, including evacuations. The system will be partially tested on Sunday, September 29th at Roxbury Park, La Cienega Park, and Beverly Hills Fire Station 3. The entire system will be tested on Thursday, October 17th. The Commission asked about the decibel level, and how the test is being coordinated.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
6. Local Road Safety Plan
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter gave a presentation on the City’s Local Road Safety Plan and the key takeaways derived from years of study, including which streets are most dangerous for drivers and pedestrians, which time of day has the most collisions, and the most common collision factors, along with a variety of safety countermeasures that can be implemented to prevent collisions. The Commission asked about the best methods of implementing the program, how to educate the public on the program.
Public Comment: Public comment was heard from Michael Karric.
7. E-Bike Etiquette
Transportation Planning Analyst Christian Vasquez gave a presentation on electronic bicycles, including etiquette and safety tips on how to travel within Beverly Hills on e-bikes safely. The Commission asked about how to share this information with the school system, if students who Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis September 5, 2024
drive recklessly on e-bikes are cited by police, and how to communicate the importance of bicycle safety with parents.
8. 2024 Conflict of Interest Code
Assistant Director/City Engineer Daren Grilley presented the Conflict of Interest Code for the Traffic and Parking Commission, to be reviewed bi-annually, for comment and adoption.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ignarro, SECONDED by Vice Chair Afra-Maghen to approve the Conflict of Interest Code as presented. (4/0) AYES: Commissioners Geller, Ignarro, Vice Chair Afra-Maghen, Chair Schwartz NOES: None.
CARRIED
PROJECT UPDATES AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
9. Project Updates and Follow-up Items
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter gave an update on the Coldwater Canyon Crosswalks and the Burton Way Bike Lanes. Parking Services Manager Genevieve Row and Senior Management Analyst Alison Wehrle gave a presentation on the rollout for the mobile app option for on street parking. The Commission asked about how the mobile app option works, and if disabled placards will be affected by this new program.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
The Commission discussed moving their October meeting to avoid conflicts with the Rosh Hashanah holiday on October 3rd. They agreed upon holding a special meeting on October 2nd at 9 AM.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: September 5, 2024 / 11:23 AM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
and
240 Sidney Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
SYNOPSIS
September 6, 2024
8:00 AM
.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: September 6, 2024 / 8:00 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Ritterbush, Kimura (virtual), Nystrom, Vice Chair Nehoray, Chair Millan
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Colonel Burnley, Vince Damasse, Jason Dyogi, Samer Elayyan, Ilene Knebel, Robert Welch
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Public Speaker: Public comment was read into the record from Steve Mayer.
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 Public Works Commission regular meeting of August 8, 2024.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Nystrom, SECONDED by Vice Chair Nehoray to approve the Consent Calendar item (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Ritterbush, Kimura, Nystrom, Vice Chair Nehoray, Chair Millan NOES: None.
CARRIED
Public Works Commission Special Meeting Synopsis
September 6, 2024
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
Operations Reports from City Departments, Consultants and Outside Agencies Solid Waste Manager James Burnley reported about the LA County Household Hazardous Waste & E-waste Collection event taking place on Saturday, September 28 from 9 AM – 3 PM on 3rd Street.
California Recycles Owner, Isaac Saghian, presented information about his company which collects e-waste from the Beverly Hills Farmers Market the first Sunday of each month. He noted his items are collected and recycled.
Emergency Management Manager, Meena Janmohamed, reviewed the plans for the outdoor warning system testing to take place on September 29 at 3:15 PM, and October 17 at 10:30 AM. The Commission asked what other purposes the warning system would be used for and the range/how audible the sound will be. Future scheduled testing will be assessed at a later date.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. Daytime Posted Street Sweeping Schedule Update
Solid Waste Manager James Burnley reported on the background of the project, including prior conditions, most recent enhancements, and efficiencies in changing the schedules. The Commission asked about parking enforcement for cars that are blocking the street sweepers, commended staff on the recent cost-savings, commented on posted signage and inquired about pine needle clean up from windy conditions in hillside neighborhoods.
3. Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Update
Water Resources/Operations Manager Vince Damasse provided a brief presentation on new regulations about lead and copper rules. Water Quality Specialist Jason Dyogi commented further about lead and copper monitoring, sampling and the city vs. homeowners’ responsibility.
If the public is concerned about their lead/copper levels, please contact [email protected] or call. 310.285.1000 for assistance.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Conflict of Interest
Utilities General Manager Robert Welch presented the Conflict of Interest Code for the Public Works Commission, reviewed bi-annually, for comment and adoption.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Nystrom, SECONDED by Vice Chair Nehoray to adopt the 2024 Conflict of Interest Code with exhibits A & B for the City of Beverly Hills Public Works Commission as presented (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Ritterbush, Kimura, Nystrom, Vice Chair Nehoray, Chair Millan NOES: None.
CARRIED
Public Works Commission Special Meeting Synopsis
September 6, 2024
PROJECT UPDATES AND STATUS ITEMS
5. Water Efficiency Update
Utilities General Manager Rob Welch reviewed an informational report Direct potable reuse of water was included in this update. The Sustainability Administrator and Sustainability Analyst positions have been filled and they will be brought to the Commission for introduction. The Commission commented about the Pure Water and our Water Treatment Plant.
6. Capital Projects Update
Engineering Service Manager Samer Elayyan provided updates for the Burton Way Median Project and the Coldwater Canyon Roadway Rehabilitation. The Commission asked about the AMI budget/project, and an update for the sandpit site.
7. Specific Information and Department Updates
This item was for information only. No comments.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
8. Chair’s Report
Chair Millan reiterated the information for the outdoor warning system test coming up on September 29 and October 17.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
9. Director’s Report
Utilities General Manager Robert Welch reviewed upcoming events and meeting dates.
ADJOURNMENT
Date/Time: September 6, 2024 / 9:10 AM
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 12, 2024
1:30 PM
Recordings of the Planning Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: September 12, 2024 / 1:32 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Milkowski, Ross, Vice Chair Wolfe, Chair Kaplan Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Demeter
Staff Present: Masa Alkire, Cindy Gordon, Chloe Chen, Christine Delostrinos, Minjee Hahm, Philip Coronel, Karen Myron, Roxanne Diaz, Laurence Wiener
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: Crescent Drive Tenant (no name provided)
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 22, 2024.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ross, SECONDED by Commissioner Milkowski to adopt the minutes as presented (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Milkowski, Ross, Vice Chair Wolfe, Chair Kaplan Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 12, 2024
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Demeter
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
• OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM PRESENTATION
Informational Presentation from Emergency Management staff regarding the upcoming audible testing of the City’s Outdoor Warning System.
Meena Janmohamed, Manager of Emergency Management, provided a brief presentation on the upcoming testing of the City’s Outdoor Warning System, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 29 and Thursday, October 17. Additional information is available on the City’s website at beverlyhills.org/outdoorwarning.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. 1020 RIDGEDALE DRIVE
Hillside R-1 Permits (PL2400008)
A request for a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow an accessory structure to exceed 14’ in height within required side and rear yards; a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow more than 1,000 SF of cumulative floor area off the existing level pad; a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow a series of walls to exceed a cumulative height of 12’; and a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow a deck more than 3’ above grade on an accessory structure for the property located at 1020 Ridgedale Drive.
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. This item was continued from the August 22, 2024 Planning Commission meeting.
Ex Parte Communications: All Commissioners disclosed attending separate site visits with members of the Applicant team as well as City staff, and advised they remain open-minded on the project.
Project Planner: Minjee Hahm, AICP, Associate Planner
Project Applicant: The Kugel Trust
Project Representative: Chris Rallo, Crest Real Estate; Jason Somers, Crest Real Estate; Dennis Gibbens
Public Input: Marc Seltzer, Brad Berger, Bill Gersh
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Milkowski, SECONDED by
Commissioner Ross to adopt the resolution as amended (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Milkowski, Ross, Vice Chair Wolfe, Chair Kaplan NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Demeter
CARRIED
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 12, 2024
PLANNING COMMISSION / BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS / PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS – NEW BUSINESS
3. 938 ALPINE DRIVE
Hillside R-1 Permits (PL2300431)
A request for a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow a wall of no more than 6’-0” to encroach into a front or street side yard without otherwise complying with the City’s open to view requirements; a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow for a wall/fence located in the side and rear yard setbacks to exceed 12’-0” in height, outside of the required front and street side yard; a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow a series of walls to deviate from the 10’-0” minimum landscape area between walls; a Hillside R-1 Permit to allow the import and export of earth material to exceed 3,000 cubic yards from a site in the Hillside Area within any five year period; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove five (5) heritage trees within the front yard area. 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: Philip Coronel, Associate Planner
Project Applicant: 938 North Alpine Drive LLC
Project Representatives: Russell Linch, RAL Design and Management Public Input: None
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ross, SECONDED by Vice Chair Wolfe to continue the item to the October 15, 2024 Planning Commission special meeting (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Milkowski, Ross, Vice Chair Wolfe, Chair Kaplan NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Demeter
CARRIED
4. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS TO AMEND THE BEVERLY HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE TO REVISE OCCUPANCY PRIORITY STANDARDS FOR ELIGIBLE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, ADD A DEFINITION OF DISPLACEMENT, AND
FINDING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
The Planning Commission will consider a draft ordinance to amend the City’s regulations for occupancy priority standards for eligible affordable housing units and to establish a definition of displacement applicable to the occupancy priority standards.
Project Planner: Christine Delostrinos, Associate Planner Project Applicant: City Initiated
Public Input: Nancy Saper, Allen Shamooilian
Motion: MOVED by Vice Chair Wolfe, SECONDED by Commissioner Milkowski to adopt the resolution as amended (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Milkowski, Ross, Vice Chair Wolfe, Chair Kaplan NOES: None
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
September 12, 2024
ABSENT: Commissioner Demeter
CARRIED
STUDY SESSION
None
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
None
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
• City Planner Updates
o City Planner Masa Alkire advised the Commission of the following:
▪ Chloe Chen has been promoted to Principal Planner, and now leads the Long Range Planning team.
▪ The appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a request for a Tree Removal Permit for the property at 1001 North Roxbury Drive will be heard by the City Council at its formal meeting on Tuesday, September 17. ▪ On Saturday, September 21 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the City will celebrate The Great Outdoors at Greystone Mansion. Activities include a demonstration garden, scavenger hunt, and face painting. ▪ On Sunday, September 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Roxbury Park and Community Center is the Beverly Hills Day of Wellness, which includes free classes and workshops.
5. Current Development Projects List
o Received and filed
6. 2024 Meeting Schedule
o Received and filed
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: September 12, 2024 / 3:18 PM