CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Room 280A
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
SYNOPSIS
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
9:00 AM
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: April 7, 2026 / 9:03 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Karric, Kamara, Afra Maghen, Vice Chair Schwartz, Chair Geller
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Jessie Holzer Carpenter, Martha Eros, Cindy Gordon, Daren Grilley, Lieutenant Eugene Kim, Ilene Knebel
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: 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 Traffic and Parking Commission regular meeting of March 5, 2026.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Kamara, SECONDED by Commissioner Karric to approve the consent calendar item as presented (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Karric, Kamara, Afra Maghen, Vice Chair Schwartz, Chair Geller
ABSTAIN: None.
NOES: None.
CARRIED
Traffic and Parking Commission Special Meeting Synopsis April 7, 2026
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
Police Department Report
Lieutenant Eugene Kim gave an update on the successful LA Marathon that traversed the city.
He also reported on increased enforcement of disabled placard abuse and increased parking citations during the month of March.
Commissioner Karric inquired about adjusting geo-locations for Waymo vehicles around schools during drop-off and pick-up hours. Commissioner Kamara asked about disabled placard enforcement. Vice Chair Schwartz commented on the increase in hit and run collisions and DUI arrests in February, as well as potential hazards related to motorized scooters. Chair Geller voiced her appreciation for the increased enforcement.
Planning Quarterly Report
Assistant Director of Community Development/City Planner Cindy Gordon provided an update on current planning and development projects. She noted the recent adoption of SB79, which allows for increased density and height in proximity to public transportation stations and the approval of the builder’s remedy project at 8844 Burton Way. She gave a brief update regarding the One Beverly Hills project and shared websites for construction updates, including www.obhconstructionhelpline.com and www.beverlyhills.org/onebeverlyhills.
Commissioner Kamara commented on the impacts of builder’s remedy projects.
Monthly Educational Speaker Series
Transportation Planner Martha Eros introduced Matt Fall, Senior Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator from the City of Jacksonville, Florida who presented information about their youth traffic safety education program. He reviewed examples of the City's hands-on Traffic Garden installations, which are supplemented with in-classroom curriculum regarding traffic laws, traffic control devices, and safe behaviors.
Commissioner Karric commended the speaker for a great program and asked about the materials used to create the Traffic Gardens. Commissioner Afra Magen asked which grade levels participate in the program. Vice Chair Schwartz and Chair Geller commented about the robust educational components.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
2. Request for City-Initiated Modification of Two Preferential Parking Permit Zones Transportation Planner Martha Eros introduced a proposed City-initiated process to modify portions of Zone AE and Zone GG to address resident concerns about parking displacement. The typical resident-initiated process requires collecting petition signatures, which is challenging in zones with locked, multi-family properties. The City-initiated process would allow staff to mail surveys to residents to determine interest in modifying the parking regulations.
Commission Karric and Chair Geller asked for clarification on the process. Commissioner Kamara suggested including a phone survey to reach residents with age and language barriers.
Commissioner Afra Maghen suggested using alternate languages for the mailed survey.
Traffic and Parking Commission Special Meeting Synopsis April 7, 2026
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Kamara, SECONDED by Commissioner Afra Maghen to approve staff moving forward with the City-initiated survey process asking residents about their support for potential modifications to Zone AE and Zone GG (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Karric, Kamara, Afra Maghen, Vice Chair Schwartz, Chair Geller
ABSTAIN: None.
NOES: None.
CARRIED
3. Peak Hour Left Turn Restriction from Eastbound Olympic Boulevard to Northbound S. Linden Drive
Transportation Manager Jessie Holzer Carpenter introduced a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program application from the 300 block of S. Linden Drive for a peak-hour left turn restriction from eastbound Olympic Boulevard to northbound Linden Drive to address cut-through traffic.
The applicant obtained the required 70% support from impacted households on Linden, but neighbors on adjacent streets raised concerns about traffic diversion.
Staff requested that the Traffic and Parking Commission make a recommendation on this item.
Public Comment: Public comment was given by Marissa Lederman, Alma Ordaz, Aaron Shemtov, Ken Goldman, Lori Goldman, Greg Heller, Sam Shommetoub, Alfred Marzouk, Kelly Koplin, Jay Stein, Carter Cohn, Gary Ross, Nancy Ross, Terry Perlman, Teri Hollander, Randi Caplan, Linda Newmark, Caryn Ezor, Alan Block, Cindy Norian and Sheila Hyman.
Public Comment was read into the record from Andy Geller, Delilah Simahee, Joanna Wallace, Georgia Deane, Lawrence Koplin, Jack and Myra Porter, Elaine and Phil Yalowitz, Susan and Joel Rosenthal, JB, Stephan Ray, Lindsay and Zack Gleitman, Karen Constine and Ian Wright, Gaby Chazanas, Ron Merenstein, Jerry and Sandi Jolton, Loss and Ben Orlanski, Irene Zukoski, Jaime Hasson, Gay Abrams, Melissa Ironi, Max Weissberg, John Hiller, Alexandra G., and Judith Okun.
The Commission thanked all participants who made comments. Commissioner Karric acknowledged the high daytime population contributing to cut-through traffic and observations of increased traffic on his street but expressed support for a holistic approach to traffic calming in the southwest area. Commissioner Kamara expressed opposition to the change and suggested revisiting it in the future when planned construction is completed on Linden Drive, which might alter the traffic pattern. Commissioner Afra Maghen also supported a holistic approach to determine what other areas may need to be addressed. Vice Chair Schwartz suggested coordinating with LADOT on a potential left turn in Century City prior to entering Beverly Hills and expressed opposition to the left-turn restriction on Linden Drive in isolation. Chair Geller Traffic and Parking Commission Special Meeting Synopsis April 7, 2026
asked if staff could provide a list of holistic solutions and tools available to address the issues in the southwest area.
Motion: MOVED by Chair Geller, SECONDED by Vice Chair Schwartz to recommend that City Council deny the left turn restriction, direct staff to study holistic traffic calming options for the southwest area, and increase police enforcement of traffic violations (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Karric, Kamara, Afra Maghen, Vice Chair Schwartz, Chair Geller
ABSTAIN: None.
NOES: None.
CARRIED
PROJECT UPDATES AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
4. Project Updates
Transportation Manager Jessie Holzer Carpenter announced that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a campaign to encourage motorists to avoid using mobile devices while driving and always stay aware of their surroundings. BHPD is planning increased patrols to identify violators of the hands-free law.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
5. Chair’s Report
The Chair advised there was no Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting. Commissioner Karric commented about a dangerous traffic incident he witnessed. Commissioner Kamara commented about traffic congestion in the area of Benedict Cañon Drive and the Beverly/Cañon/Lomitas intersection.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
6. Department Report
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley advised the commission about the Earth Day event on Sunday, April 19 at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market from 9 AM – 1 PM.
The next Traffic and Parking Commission Meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: April 7, 2026 / 11:46 AM