Plan Review Board Prb Ventura Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Sp

Plan Review Board Prb Venturacahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific

Plan Review Board (PRB) Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Dennis DiBiase, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Council District Appointee (Woodland Hills) Kathy Delle Donne, President, 3rd Council District Appointee (Tarzana) Lisa Karadjian, 2nd Council District Appointee (Studio City) Lisa Petrus, 4th Council District Appointee (Sherman Oaks) Lisa Sarkin, 1st Vice President, 2nd Council District Appointee (Studio City) August Steurer, Mayor’s Appointee Florence Blecher, 4th Council District Appointee (Cahuenga Pass) DATE: Thursday, May 4, 2023 TIME: 2:30 PM PLACE: HYBRID MEETING MARVIN BRAUDE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CONSTITUENT SERVICE CENTER 3rd Floor Conference Room 3B 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys, California 91401 Please see IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING AND OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS.

Join Zoom Webinar: Dial by your location: US: or Webinar ID: Password: 445589 Instructions for access (Computer): Go to link above and enter password when prompted. Or From the Zoom application, Join > Enter Webinar ID > Enter Password. Instructions for access (Telephone): Dial one of the phone numbers listed above. Will be asked for a Webinar ID, enter "(Webinar ID listed above)", followed by "#" (pound sign). Will be asked to enter a participant ID, enter "#" (pound sign) to continue. Will then be joined into the webinar. Presentations and meeting materials as applicable can be viewed at the following link: tinyurl.com/VentPRB

1. Call to Order, Introductions, and Establishment of quorum

2. Public Comment Period on non-agenda items*

3. Staff/Board Communication

4. Matters of Concern: Los Angeles City Planning Department 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 430 Van Nuys, CA Internet: a. Status of the intersections and improvements on Ventura Boulevard. Action Item 1. Columbus Avenue, Calhoun Avenue and Lemona Avenue 2. Woodman Avenue and Ventura Boulevard 3. Hayvenhurst Avenue and LaMaida Street 4. Reimagine Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills 5. Median on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills b. Review of the DOT Trust Fund No. 523 for the Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan. Action Item c. Request by the Village at Sherman Oaks BID to allocate a total of $683,473 from Trust Fund 523 for two landscaped medians on Van Nuys Boulevard ($294,944 for median from Hortense Street to Milbank Street and $388,529 for median from Milbank to Moorpark Street) Action Item d. Proposed Cahuenga Pass Curb Ramps StreetsLA Project. Council District 4 has worked with the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) to identify ADA improvements to be made at the intersections of Cahuenga/Broadlawn and Cahuenga/Oakshire in the Cahuenga Pass, both of which have corners without ADA curb ramps, noncompliant ramps, and sidewalk damage. Broadlawn/Cahuenga is the only controlled crossing in the half mile between Regal Pl and Universal Studios Blvd and has a bus stop, Oakshire/Cahuenga has a bus stop and leads directly to a public park. Improving these intersections would ensure curb ramps for crossings of Cahuenga Blvd from Lankershim to Barham. Cost estimate for the work is $764,000 and we are seeking PRB support for making these needed improvements. Action Item e. Proposed Funding for Upgrading Ventura Boulevard/Ventura Canyon Crosswalk to PHB/HAWK Council District 4 has obtained an updated cost estimate for improving the existing crosswalk across Ventura Blvd at Ventura Canyon Ave from LADOT. This location currently has overhead flashing yellow beacons, and there is an approved, but unfunded, Traffic Control Report to improve the signalization to a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon/HAWK. The updated cost estimate for the work is $175,000 and we are seeking PRB support for making these needed improvements. Action Item f. Discussion with Valley Overlay Amendment Unit to review proposed amendments in response to Council Motion -S1. g. Planning for the June PRB meeting. 5. Adjourn * The PRB shall provide an opportunity in open meetings for the public to address items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the PRB. The Chair of the PRB may allocate the number of speakers per subject, the time allotted on each subject, and the time allotted to each speaker. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. The meeting facility and its parking are wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreters, Communication Access Real-Time Transcription (CART), Assistive Listening Devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. Due to difficulties in securing Sign Language Interpreters, five or more business days’ notice is strongly recommended. For additional information, please contact Adrineh Melkonian at ( or [email protected] or Erin Nash at ( [email protected] . MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR ANY ABOVE REFERENCED CASES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING OFFICE AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS. mailto: [email protected]

Paper For Above instruction

The Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan presented a comprehensive planning approach for managing development, transportation, and community interests within a vital segment of Los Angeles. This plan exemplifies how local governments, particularly in large urban settings like Los Angeles, balance various demands through detailed policy frameworks and stakeholder engagement. It demonstrates the importance of adaptive urban planning in response to evolving needs such as infrastructure improvements, pedestrian safety, and equitable development.

The formulation of the Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan reflects a strategic effort to address the complexities of a major urban corridor. This includes intersection safety enhancements, street beautification, and transit accessibility improvements—elements critical for fostering sustainable growth while maintaining the neighborhood character. The plan's public engagement component underlines the value of fostering community participation in planning processes, ensuring that development aligns with residents' needs and citywide goals (Los Angeles Department of City Planning, 2022).

Among the key initiatives are the upgrades to intersections and crosswalks, including ADA compliance measures essential for inclusivity. These improvements reduce barriers for persons with disabilities and promote pedestrian safety, which is paramount in high-traffic urban environments (Federal Highway Administration, 2019). The funding allocations, whether through local trust funds or federal grants, highlight the resource mobilization necessary for implementing large-scale infrastructure projects. The strategic prioritization of median landscaping along Van Nuys Boulevard exemplifies efforts to enhance aesthetic appeal while serving functional purposes such as traffic calming and beautification (American Planning Association, 2021).

Such comprehensive planning involves coordination among multiple city departments, including StreetsLA, LADOT, and the City Planning Office, fostering a collaborative approach. This interdepartmental effort ensures that projects like curb ramps, crosswalk upgrades, and intersection improvements are executed efficiently and meet safety standards (City of Los Angeles, 2020). Community stakeholders, including business improvement districts like the Sherman Oaks BID, play vital roles through resource contributions and advocacy, which accelerates project implementation and ensures community needs are prioritized.

Furthermore, the plan considers long-term urban mobility and sustainability goals by integrating transit-oriented development, enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, and improving street aesthetics. These strategies align with Los Angeles’ broader vision of reducing vehicle dependency and fostering walkable neighborhoods (Los Angeles Sustainability Plan, 2021). The detailed planning and transparent public communication observed in the PRB meetings exemplify best practices in urban governance, reinforcing trust and accountability (Kraft & Furlong, 2022).

Overall, the Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan epitomizes a modern, integrated approach to urban planning that balances development, safety, sustainability, and community engagement. As cities continue facing the challenges of population growth and climate change, adaptable and participatory planning frameworks like this will be critical to creating resilient, inclusive urban environments.

References

• American Planning Association. (2021). Urban Design and Community Development. APA Press.
• City of Los Angeles. (2020). Interdepartmental Collaboration in Urban Projects. Los Angeles Government Publications.
• Federal Highway Administration. (2019). Accessibility and Pedestrian Infrastructure. FHWA Publication.
• Los Angeles Department of City Planning. (2022). Community Engagement Strategies in Urban Planning. City Planning Report.
• Los Angeles Sustainability Plan. (2021). Urban Mobility and Environmental Initiatives. City of LA.
• Kraft, M., & Furlong, R. (2022). Public Policy and Urban Governance. Journal of Urban Affairs, 44(3), 356-373.