NCWP Advocacy: The Way Neighborhood Councils Are Supposed to Work

2022 Year in Review

The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) planned to focus attention and funds to improve Westchester Park in 2022. In September, the board members were stunned to learn that our Council Member was working to extend the safe parking program in the parking lot next to the pool and to put 24-hour safe parking for RVs and other vehicle dwellings in the southern part of that lot next to the First Flight Child Care Center. Park users did not feel safe due to the existing safe parking program and there were other places that could be better used for safe parking.

NCWP made the issue known to the community, encouraging residents to speak up to the Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners. Partnering with other concerned residents, our voices were heard and the 24-hour safe parking program was dropped and the request for a permit for a continuation of the safe parking program next to the pool and ball fields was denied. This kind of discussion, outreach and advocacy for the community is what Neighborhood Councils were created for. We thank all of the community members who were active in these efforts, wrote emails, made phone calls, and supported the NCWP in this effort.

But this is not the only issue NCWP has taken on this year.

The NCWP learned from a tweet by our Council Member that Extended Stay America at 6531 S. Sepulveda, just a few hundred feet from homes in North Kentwood, was slated to become a Homekey Housing Project and that the City Council had voted in favor of it. Prior to the allocation of HUD funds, NCWP voted and sent a letter asking for more time for public comment, as the remaining 15-day time period for that had begun. The chief frustration around this project was that NCWP and the community were not

invited to be part of the conversation about an important project in our own community. This followed the approval of the Super 8 at 9250 Airport became a Homekey. The Extended Stay is 133 suites and the Super 8 is 44 rooms.

“It is outrageous that the NCWP, community stakeholders and the public were made aware of the potential acquisition of two hotels within the NCWP footprint solely via a social media post from CD11 Councilmember Mike Bonin on around March 3, 2022,” the letter states. “As a result, no stakeholders had the opportunity for public input or comment as required by the Los Angeles City Charter: IX, Section 907.”

“It’s about time that we stand up and take back our community,” stated NCWP President Paula Gerez during Tuesday’s meeting. “No one is saying we don’t want to help the homeless. However, we want to have a seat at the table. We’ve given a lot of time volunteering to be a part of the conversation.”

The extension of the time period for public comment was granted and we invited the community to speak up and submit public comment. The first round of public comment was regarding environmental concerns. The NCWP President filed lengthy objections as public comment, as did dozens of residents of Westchester. The objections were denied. The NCWP President and many residents filed objections to the release of funding. Those objections were also denied. The NCWP President is now working with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office to ensure the safety of the residents and the businesses near these two Homekeys.

Another important NCWP advocacy opportunity was when proposed revisions to the community-approved LAX Northside Development caught the attention of the Planning and Land Use and Airport Relations Committees. They are working to re-engage community input around the proposal for Lulu’s Place which was to be implemented without community input.

NCWP committees also are active in digging into the issues and inviting community input. In particular, the Planning and Land Use Committee regularly meets to consider proposals, hear concerns, and make recommendations regarding:

• Oversized buildings proposed for a coastal zone
• LMU Master Plan
• The proposed replacement for Pep Boys at 6136 W. Manchester
• The project around Dinah’s

The Planning and Land Use Committee has spun off an Ad Hoc Committee on the Community Plan which now meets regularly to invite input into this process.

NCWP was thrilled to support the installation of the Interceptor to collect ocean bound trash in Ballona Creek and to participate in the ribbon cutting.

In addition to community advocacy, NCWP has funded grants for community projects including:

• Westchester Art and Music Block Party
• Emerson Community Garden Kids Classes
• Open Charter Magnet School Schools as Parks Project

We greeted stakeholders and invited them to participate in the Neighborhood Council at local events including:

• National Night Out, which works to bring law enforcement and residents together
• Westchester Art and Music Block Party

NCWP celebrated 2022 community improvements:

• LAX Mural
• K Line Opening
• STEM Preschool Opening
• Residential Insulation program
• Re-opening of Westchester ball fields after extensive renovation

NCWP is the place to be to make a difference in our community. As we head into 2023 we plan to continue to make our voices heard in City Hall and we invite you to the party:

• Attend a meeting, the 1st Tuesday at 6:30pm
• Sign up for our newsletter
• Join a committee
• Come to an event
• Run for a seat in our elections. Sign up by January 10

We look forward to this New Year with hopes of continued community improvement!
Contact us to find out more: inquiries@ncwpdr.org