e.letter
March 29, 2016
President's Message
Eagle Rock City Hall
President's Message 
As compared to the last four years of fast-paced changes, mostly oriented to Colorado Boulevard, things seem to have settled down in Eagle Rock, but looks can be deceiving. The theme of this eLetter, Here, There, Everywhere, is a reference to several development projects all over town. Most are in the early stages. The common denominator found in all the projects is a faith in the continued desirability of our community. Most important, the projects are not the type of projects that foster the ill effects of gentrification. None of the projects listed below force long-term residents to relocate.  In many cases, the developments are focused on properties that are not being utilized at their best and greatest use. See the Land Use Section for a recap of the many development projects that are happening in our community.
 
It is fair to say that all Neighborhood Councils have the potential to go from being extremely effective to a little looney tunes. It all depends on who is elected by the community (you) to serve on the Council. For the last several years I would describe our Council as leaning in the direction of competence and away from looney tunes. Let's keep it that way. Fulfill your responsibility as an Eagle Rocker by attending the Candidate Forum and then voting. More details provided below.

It is not unusual for me to hear the comment that "I like the newsletter because I get more informed about what is going on." While keeping the community informed about issues within TERA's focus is a major goal of the newsletter, the newsletter also highlights the actions that TERA takes to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. Hopefully that will motivate you, the reader, to support TERA by becoming a member. 
 
Pillarhenge - Finally
The shadow of Pillarhenge, previously identified as the DHM lofts project before it was abandoned by the developer, has hung too long over Eagle Rock. The Sold sign has been up for a few weeks. However, too many times in the past we had been told escrow was ready to close and then nothing happened. Consequently, I remained a little skeptical about the latest Sold sign.
 
In the last two or three years there has been considerable consternation and community activity regarding this blight on a primary entrance to Eagle Rock. Attention has focused largely on cleaning up the lot, evicting the homeless and restoring the sidewalk in front of the property, all commendable efforts. TERA's efforts in 2012, that may have facilitated the sale, are largely forgotten today. Working with the Council Office, we recognized that the property presented a large variety of unique challenges to a buyer. It was extraordinarily difficult for an interested party to be adequately informed to make a "buy / no buy" decision. In spite of their best efforts, a prospective buyer would still probably be stymied by more surprises. Our goal was to make it easier for an investor to make the "buy" decision. With the assistance of the Council Office, a specific person in the City's Planning Department was appointed as a special liaison to anyone interested in this property. The liaison would be familiar with the property and the myriad of challenges that would face any investor, including the especially challenging changes in building codes that have occurred between now and the original engineer's design for the property. The liaison's role was to expedite the information gathering process for potential buyers.
 

We have been able to confirm that there has been a change in ownership.  Consequently, we can safely assume the property is sold. The only issue now is what will happen to the much-loved stork who took refuge at the top of a column.  I hope that the efforts TERA and the Council Office made in 2012 contributed to the outcome we all wanted. In any case - hallelujah! 
 
No Sweeping, Lots of Ticketing
Many suspect that the "No Parking Street Sweeping" signs on Casper and Maywood seem to exist primarily to generate City revenue through the distribution of parking tickets. Few, if anyone, can remember the last time a sweeper cleaned the street, but memories of Parking Enforcement visits are fresh for many.

Given the large concentration of merchants close by, the elimination of parking every week is concerning. TERA is glad to join the many voices supporting the merchants in the area by lobbying for the elimination of the No Parking signage. 

Board Members - Comings and Goings 
It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. It is equally true that it takes a team, otherwise known as a board, to allow TERA to do the things we have been doing for the last 27 years.  There have been some recent board changes that should be acknowledged.
  • New Board Member

    • Kathleen Dunleavy
    • TERA is very fortunate to have Kathleen as our newest board member.  Kathleen is a corporate communications manager for Sprint, based in Los Angeles. She has considerable experience in the agency and non-profit arenas. Kathleen's career includes leadership positions for community and public relations, and is the former chair of the Museum Service Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She has served on many other boards. Hiking, creative writing, volunteer work - and, of course, spending time with her husband (Jay Platt) and beagle, Dr. Watson are her favorite past-times. Kathleen graduated from Santa Clara University and has a Masters Degree from New York University. TERA is very fortunate to have Kathleen in charge of communications for the organization.
  • Resignations 

    • Maria Nazario: 
      Maria served for nine busy years. The sale of her beautiful Eagle Rock home, her relocation to Pasadena, and a very demanding new job as the CEO of an international accounting association, all led Maria to the decision to resign. Her long-term service and dedication to the Eagle Rock Community will be missed. On behalf of the entire board, I express great appreciation for her service. 

    • Jay Platt
      As a historical preservation expert, Jay Platt brought a unique skill set to the TERA Board. Jay's contributions were wide ranging, with an ability elevate the discussion of many land-use issues, even those that did not include a historical aspect. In the last year Jay's contributions were recognized by the City of Glendale, resulting in Jay's promotion and a much more demanding position. Jay has agreed to remain available to TERA as a Subject Matter Expert when we are dealing with issues that include a historical aspect. Thank you Jay for your many and valuable contributions.

The TERA Board is as follows: 
 
 
Bob Gotham, President
Jane Demian, Community Outreach
 
Luis Lopez, Vice President
Kathleen Dunleavy, Communications
 
Robert Arnold, Treasurer
Greg Merideth, Media Support
 
Joan McNeil, Secretary
Marina Rimer, Membership
 
Member Benefit Program Addition
It is a great pleasure to add AJCCTech - Computer Sales and Service to the Member Benefit Program. After I retired, and could not call on tech support resources from my corporate world to help me out at home, it was difficult to find a technician that was really skilled. Too often the technician who showed up was in a "try this, try that" mode, which was little better than my futile attempts at a solution and were pricey.

Eventually I connected with Adam Judas at AJCCTech and now have tech support that is superior to what I had in the corporate world. Adam provides service in your home or remotely. With your permission, the first time Adam services your computer, he will install a tool that allows him in the future to diagnose computer problems remotely, again with your permission. He has helped me to recover from virus issues and installed protective software on both of our computers that is very effective. His assistance in purchasing and transitioning to a new computer was invaluable. I have referred several friends to him and they all have been delighted with his work. Give Adam a call, show your current TERA membership card, and he will give you a 20% discount on the first call and a 10% discount on all subsequent service calls. 
 
AJCCTech   626.405.1739 or 888.887.0965
website:  http://ajcctech.com/
 
Show Your Love / Stay in Touch
Follow TERA on Twitter (@TERA90041) and like The Eagle Rock Association on Facebook.  
 
_______________________________________
  Bob's Signature   
Bob Gotham, President
Bob Gotham, TERA Pres.  
In This Issue
Quick Links
Become a Member
Your support as a member is essential to sustain our efforts to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. We can't do it without you! To join or renew your membership online via PayPal or credit card, visit our website at  www.tera90041.org . If you would like a membership packet mailed to you, or to get more personally involved in TERA please send me a note indicating your interest ( president@TERA90041.org ). Thank you for your support.


Merchant Summary

Membership Has Benefits!
Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list below.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org to see the member benefits offered by each merchant. If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the e.letter, please email us at president@tera90041.org .
 
Merchants 


 
Support TERA - Become a Member: Join now at http://www.tera90041.org. Memberships begin at only $20. 

Land Use Updates
4875 West Onteora Way
Recently TERA organized a meeting with homeowners of properties adjacent to the vacant property, on the top of a hill south of Eagle Rock Plaza. Since the mid 60's, when the homes were built, approximately 14 homes located on Kerwin Place and Round Top Drive have had back yards that abutted a large, undeveloped, and highly desirable hilltop location. The lack of structures on the vacant property gave the adjacent neighbors uninterrupted views and the tranquility of not having neighbors behind them. Ownership of the property has changed many times over the years, as successive owners decided it was more practical and/or more profitable to sell the property than it was to build on the land. Now there are signs that the latest owner plans to build on the property and the adjacent home-owners are reasonably concerned. Any development on the property will impact adjacent residents in many ways. Views may be compromised, the density around their homes will significantly increase and traffic increases are some of the most obvious impacts. Acknowledging that the property owner does have the right to build, impacted residents contacted TERA for any help that could be provided in helping to minimize the impact of new development.
 
On March 14 TERA conducted a Public Meeting, inviting all interested parties to come together for an informational presentation and joint discussion. Kevin Ocubillo, Planning Deputy for Council District 14, provided an extensive overview of the status of the property today and what was already approved for construction. Current approvals limit construction to 9 residences. The current owners' representatives have indicated a plan to erect 14 units, but such a plan has not been submitted to the City for approval. Subsequent to the meeting, Kevin provided copies of existing Planning Department documentation for the property in question. TERA has shared this information with all who attended the meeting.
 
On a monthly basis TERA monitors permit applications submitted to the Planning Department that address property located in Eagle Rock. Once the developer applies for permits to build any number of units on the property, TERA will once again invite residents to come together and collaborate in developing a set of requests that, while recognizing the right to build, will ask for conditions that limit the negative impact on current residents. TERA will build its position based on feedback from the abutting neighbors, recognizing that development of the property is inevitable, we will then lobby the Planning Department and the local Council Office to place the requested conditions on any Building Permits that are approved by the City.
 
4515 Eagle Rock Boulevard - Philippine Village
Following a well-established trend of redevelopment on Eagle Rock Boulevard, the property currently known as the Philippine Village is likely to have a distinctly different vibe in the future. Currently the complex of offices, community, space, etc., perennially protected by a security mesh across the front of the building, projects little life into the streetscape of a major boulevard. In the past the developer proposed a commercial use frontage on Eagle Rock Boulevard with a significant number of small lot subdivision residences extending deep into the property.

The developer will present his latest plans to the TERA Board at our April meeting.  More details about TERA's reaction to the plan will be provided in a subsequent newsletter. 

Gym at Eagle Rock Plaza
There is a proposal to open a gym (Fitness 19) in the Plaza. The developer will appear before the TERA Board at the next meeting. The Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan does not permit this usage at the Plaza. Therefore, an exception to the Plan will be required in order to move forward. It does appear that there are a growing number of empty stores at the Plaza making a major new tenant desirable. Increased traffic may be a concern to some. On the plus side, there is more than adequate parking at the mall and a substantial number of Eagle Rockers who could afford to shed a few pounds - myself included. More to come after we have heard the developer.  
 
Occidental College - New Tennis Courts and Pool
The College is in the beginning phases of developing a plan to replace the 86 year old Taylor Pool and to add two tennis courts, thereby eliminating the need to rent off-site courts. The proposed plan will be presented to TERA at the next board meeting. 
 
5015 - 5017 Eagle Rock Boulevard / New Restaurant
Construction is underway in the vacant space behind the Citi Bank office.  TERA has already taken a position on this which recommends actions that would limit the impact on the Solheim Lutheran Home. 
 
Ernie's Junior / Self Storage Facility
It appears that a final decision to build a self-storage facility at this location is pending.  The property is in escrow but with several contingencies that must be satisfied before the purchase of the property is finalized. TERA has surveyed the residents in the immediate area and will support their preferences for the new development. However, TERA will not take a formal position until the developer provides final plans for the site, which are not available at this time.   
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TERA, The Eagle Rock Association | | president@tera90041.org | http://TERA90041.org
PO Box 41453
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
Phone: 323-799-1190