Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter: Issue #25-12 | | Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer. | | |
I am continually inspired by the strength that comes from stakeholders who care deeply about our community. Civic engagement is the foundation of a healthy democracy, and at the local level it is where real, tangible change begins. SONC exists to be your voice to Los Angeles city government and public services, to advocate for our community’s needs, and to provide a forum where residents, businesses, and other stakeholders can work together to shape the future of Sherman Oaks.
The power of community involvement was clearly demonstrated at November’s SONC Board and Community Meeting, when a Public Safety Committee motion highlighted the deep concern of residents and businesses about a derelict area in their neighborhood. The meeting room was full, and the SONC Board heard extensive and passionate public comment on the matter. The urgency of this issue was immediately elevated to the Council District 4 Office and others, including Mayor Karen Bass. This is civic engagement in action—neighbors speaking up, being heard, and garnering attention to an important matter.
Through your participation—whether attending meetings, serving on a committee, sharing concerns, or simply staying informed—you help guide decisions that directly affect our quality of life. From public safety and development, infrastructure to community beautification and local services, your input truly matters. Every email, every comment, every act of involvement strengthens our ability to represent you effectively. SONC is here for you, and your engagement makes a measurable difference.
As we approach the close of another year, I want to extend my deepest thanks to our dedicated board members, committee chairs and members, and most importantly, the stakeholders who continue to show up and speak up. Your commitment is what keeps our community thriving.
On behalf of the entire SONC Board, I wish the Sherman Oaks community a joyful, healthy, and safe holiday season. May this time be filled with warmth, connection, and reflection. As we make our way toward 2026, let us move forward with renewed hope, cooperation, collaboration, and a shared dedication to keeping Sherman Oaks a vibrant place we are proud to call home.
We look forward to seeing you at SONC’s Board and Community meeting on Monday, December 8th 6:30 p.m. at the East Valley Sherman Oaks Adult Center 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Our guest speaker will be LAUSD Board President Scott Schmerelson who will speak about schools in Los Angeles.
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SONC needs you! Please contact SONC with your interest to possibly serve on the Board in one of the vacant seats listed below. View the SONC area map to see the areas https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/page/map.
There are open seats in the following areas:
Area 2 Business Representative
Area 3 Business Representative
Area 4 Residential Representative
Area 5 Business Representative
Area 5 Community Representative
Area 5 Residential Representative
Contact SONC President to express your interest: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org
| | 📅 Upcoming SONC Meetings:
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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. | | |
Government Affairs Committee
Lindsay Imber, Chair
email: lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com
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As the present year comes to a close, SONC prepares to review its bylaws, which were last amended and approved by the council in October 2023.
SONC has established an ad hoc Bylaws Committee and at present the plan is for December's Government Affairs Committee meeting to be held jointly with the Bylaws Committee. I serve on the Bylaws Committee alongside Kira Durbin, Lielt Endashaw, Harold Shapiro, and David Silverman.
We plan to meet Tuesday, December 23, at 6:30pm via Zoom. Please check the SONC calendar to confirm meeting information and to access the agenda later this month. We invite you to join us as we begin the process of bylaw review and identify areas to focus on during the upcoming months of discussion and amendment.
With Pride and Determination—
Lindsay
| | Volunteers are needed for the annual Sherman Oaks Homeless Count taking place January 20, 2026 at 7pm, meeting at the Church of the Chimes Auditorium (14155 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423). To sign up, please visit TheyCountWillYou.org. | | |
Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee
Jeff Kalban, Chair
email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com
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Please join us at 6:30 PM on Thursday, November 6th at the Sherman Oaks Library for a discussion on planning and infrastructure recommendations related to the City Charter Reform.
The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, together with the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association and United Neighbors, is closely monitoring two major planning issues that could significantly impact the quality of life in Sherman Oaks:
1. Senate Bill 79 (SB 79)
This deeply flawed bill, recently signed by Governor Newsom, would allow 5- to 7-story market-rate apartment buildings on any property within a half mile of certain bus or rail stops, with no requirements for affordable housing, parking, open space, or landscaping. SB 79 would massively upzone Sherman Oaks, enabling over 200,000 new market-rate units in a community of just 70,000 residents. It is a giveaway to developers and real estate investors, not a strategy to address housing affordability.
We are working with the Planning Department and Assemblymember Shultz on options to significantly amend SB 79. The City of Los Angeles recently adopted a new Housing Element that responsibly plans for 255,000 new housing units citywide, prioritizing affordability and directing density to commercial corridors. The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council has long supported this approach. SB 79 would undermine these thoughtful, community-driven planning efforts.
2. Sepulveda Transit Corridor – Alternative 4
Alternative 4 proposes running noisy, above-ground heavy rail trains along Sepulveda Boulevard, displacing more than 500 Sherman Oaks residents. Yet south of Mulholland, the same line would operate as a subway. Our community should not be forced to bear the impacts of an elevated rail line while others receive an underground alignment.
At our July 3 Vision Committee meeting, Bechtel presented Alternatives 4 and 5. We followed with our concerns regarding all five alternatives currently under consideration, all of which have significant flaws. Alternatives 5 and 6, both fully underground, provide more viable pathways and have been formally supported by this Board, but each requires major revisions.
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Need help with potholes, street pavement issues, graffiti removal, or other city services? Try submitting a report via MyLA311.
MyLA311 connects residents, local businesses, and visitors to popular City services and information through its call center, website, & mobile app. The mission of MyLA311 is to connect people to City services and information, quickly and easily, via the communication channel of their choice. Click here to visit MyLA311.
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Subscribe to SONC's
Early Notification System via the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to receive all agendas for council meetings and committee meetings.
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If you need additional assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (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 Field Deputy Taleen Keuroghlian (taleen.keuroghlian@lacity.org).
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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
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Volunteer with NHIFP
Take advantage of helping out your community.
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is looking for volunteers.
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LA Regional Food Bank
If you are interested in volunteering with the LA Regional Food Bank, please visit this link.
Questions, concerns, please email:
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L.A. Works
Join L.A. Works and learn about all the volunteer opportunities available here in our great City of Los Angeles!
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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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Get Involved!
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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