Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter: Issue #25-1

Welcome to the January 2025 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer.

Message from the President

Lindsay Imber

email: lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com

In the midst of our city's Fire and Windstorm emergency, I'd like to share a few updates.


First, according to the LAFD map, the southwest portion of Sherman Oaks remains an Evacuation Warning zone, current as of 5pm Monday, January 13. Although none of Sherman Oaks is presently under a mandatory evacuation order, it's important to put together items you may wish to take with you, should evacuation become necessary. Click here to see a sample Emergency Supply Checklist.


For those under a mandatory evacuation order, the closest evacuation center to Sherman Oaks is located at the main building of the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center (14201 Huston St, Sherman Oaks).


Also bear in mind the LA County Department of Public Health has declared an emergency pertaining to air quality, namely particulate matter associated with the fires, such as ash and smoke. Although wind conditions during this Santa Ana Wind event is blowing air to the south (and thus, Palisades Fire air presently is blowing south to the ocean and not northeast to Sherman Oaks), ash is likely already here from earlier over the weekend and may arrive when wind direction changes.


Remember those N95 masks we used during COVID (and some of us never stopped using them!)? They work wonderfully for smoky conditions or when ash is present.


Pursuant to Public Health's air quality order, air blowers, including leaf blowers, are banned from use in Los Angeles County, including Sherman Oaks, during the wildfire cleanup. Please bear that in mind — your gardening projects involving a leaf blower will have to wait until we're out of emergency. You're likely to kick up ash or smoke particulate, which is toxic.


If you experience extreme symptoms like shortness of breath, seek medical care. As always, dial 911 for life-threatening symptoms. If you observe uncontrolled fire in the community, you can dial 911 to report this as well.


Thank you for your continued interest in and dedication to the Sherman Oaks community. Please stay safe and be kind to one another.


Are you interested in serving on SONC?

2025 will be another election year for SONC, in our odd numbered areas 1, 3, 5, and 7. You may be eligible to run for SONC if you are a resident, business stakeholder (employer/employee), or community interest stakeholder (nonprofit member, school affiliate, etc.). Curious what your area is? Click here to view our boundary map.


Information on how to register as a candidate (and, later, how to vote) will be available at that time.


With Pride and Determination—

Lindsay

📅 Upcoming SONC Meetings:

To view up-to-date details, please visit the SONC calendar.

Council - Full Board

January 13, 6 & 6:30 PM


Public Safety Committee

See Website for Meeting Date


Outreach Committee

January 30, 6:30 PM


Planning and Land Use (PLUM)

January 16, 2025, 6:30 PM


Finance Committee

January 22, 2025, 6:30 PM


Human Services Committee

FEBRUARY, 2025, 6:30 PM


Vision Sub-Committee

FEBRUARY, 2025, 6:30 PM

Executive Committee

See Website for Meeting Date


Airport Committee

See Website for Meeting Date


Government Affairs Committee

See Website for Meeting Date


Green & Sustainability

See Website for Meeting Date


Traffic & Transportation

See Website for Meeting Date



Please visit the committee

page links for meeting agendas and to confirm dates, times and locations.

How to Attend SONC Committee Meetings


Whereas in-person monthly Board meetings take place at the larger Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (5056 Van Nuys Blvd), in-person SONC committee meetings are generally held at Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library, 14245 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Note that virtual meetings are held via telephone or Zoom. The President and Committee Chairs are empowered to select a meeting format that works best for their group or committee. Meeting locations, formats (in-person vs virtual), dates, and times are listed on the applicable agenda published before the meeting.


For information on specific times and locations for each meeting please consult the SONC website calendar page:

https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/calendar

How to Receive Agendas When They Are Posted

Subscribe to LA City's Early Notification System (ENS) to be notified via email of all upcoming Board & Committee Meetings and to receive meeting agendas.

Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee

Jeff Kalban, Chair

email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com

The City Council has approved the new Housing Element, known as the CHIPS Ordinance—a significant step forward in planning for Los Angeles' future. This ordinance demonstrates that the Planning Department can meet the state’s housing requirements and promote Fair Housing principles without rezoning single-family neighborhoods.


Developed with input from the Sherman Oaks Vision Committee, United Neighbors, and communities across the city, the CHIPS Ordinance introduces new affordable housing incentives for developers while safeguarding single-family neighborhoods, historic districts, and environmentally sensitive areas. However, this progress has been hard-fought. Lobbyists and certain politicians continue pushing to eliminate single-family neighborhoods, underscoring the need for ongoing community engagement.


Affordable single-family homes are just as essential as affordable apartments. To address this, we are collaborating with the Planning Department to explore innovative ways to increase the supply of affordable single-family homes.


What some lobbyists and politicians fail to recognize is the transformative potential of developing our commercial corridors. By focusing on these areas, we can create vibrant new neighborhoods, reduce displacement, provide plazas for community gathering, and stimulate local businesses with increased foot traffic.


We must remain vigilant and united in shaping the future of Sherman Oaks. Join us for the Vision Committee meeting on January 9 at 6:30 PM at the Sherman Oaks Library and the PLUM Committee meeting, also at 6:30 PM at the same location. Together, we’ll continue refining the Community Plan Update, advocating for smart development that adds density where it belongs—along commercial streets—while enhancing parks, open spaces, and landscaping to build a greener, more walkable Sherman Oaks.

Subscribe to SONC's 

Early Notification System via the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to receive all agendas for council meetings and committee meetings.

Subscribe to ENS

If you need assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (graffiti, trash, abandoned properties, and more), you can contact the Office of District 4 Councilmember Nithya Raman here or via (213) 473-7004.


In addition to contacting the office, for any issues related to homelessness anywhere within Council District 4, you can contact Senior Homelessness Deputy Sarah Tanberg (sarah.tanberg@lacity.org).

Click here to download the SONC Guide to Free Resources in the Sherman Oaks area
Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteer with

The Valley of Change


Feed Our Friends In Need

Second Saturday of Month


Community Cleanup

Second Sundays


'Come to the Corner'


Email Contact:

info@thevalleyofchange.org



For more information please visit:

TheValleyofChange.org

Stay connected:
Twitter: @ValleyChange
Volunteers Cleaning Communities Come and Join Us to make a difference meet new people get some exercise and have some fun
Volunteer with NHIFP

Take advantage of helping out your community.

North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is looking for volunteers.

To sign up, please visit: https://nhifp.org/
LA Regional Food Bank

If you are interested in volunteering with the LA Regional Food Bank, please visit this link.
 
Questions, concerns, please email: 
L.A. Works

Join L.A. Works and learn about all the volunteer opportunities available here in our great City of Los Angeles!

Facebook - @laworks 
Twitter - @LAWorksNow 
Instagram - @laworksnow
 
Please visit LAWorks.com
Van Nuys Neighborhood Watch news

Get Involved In Your Community

If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, please contact your Senior Lead Officer at the email addresses or phone numbers listed below to obtain further details. There are 4 senior lead officers assigned for all of Sherman Oaks:


Jose Saldana

email: 30853@lapd.online

(818) 731-2565

9SL89


Mariana Romo

email: 40229@lapd.online

(818) 731-2563

9SL63


Joel Gutierrez

email: 36816@lapd.online

(818) 731-2560

9SL41


Kristan DeLatori

email: 32914@lapd.online

(818) 731-2562

9SL37

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What interests you?

If you live, work, own property, own a business, or belong to a non-profit organization, school, or religious institution in Sherman Oaks, you are a stakeholder in Sherman Oaks. We hold monthly Board of Directors and various committee meetings which you are invited to attend to learn about and participate in your community. Join SONC's Mailing List today.
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What is a Neighborhood Council?
The Neighborhood Council system enables meaningful civic participation for all Angelenos and serves as a voice for improving government responsiveness to local communities and their needs. We are an advisory body to the City of Los Angeles, comprised of stakeholder volunteers who are devoted to the mission of improving our communities.

Neighborhood Councils advise the Mayor, City Council and City Departments on the City budget and will give local residents greater say over the decisions that affect our lives. You can view a brief video explaining what Neighborhood Councils do and what it means to be a Neighborhood Council member here.
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