PART ONE: SURVEY SAYS…
I’ve been hearing a lot of complaints from friends and acquaintances about the UPAC recommendations recently approved by our City Council. Many people I talk to think we don’t need wider sidewalks. Others want a bike path down Pier Avenue. But mostly, folks are complaining that the UPAC recommendations were based on 479 responses (out of 18,566 residents) to a survey completed well over a year ago.

Some are wondering--since community awareness of the Pier Avenue renovation issues has increased substantially since then, would the survey results be different now? Could they get more residents and business owners to take the survey? Well, a few civic-minded friends of mine (Jeff Duclos, Jim Lissner, and a couple of residents and business owners) decided to find out. They drew up a totally new survey, one that they feel is more detailed and specific, and now they want to know what you think.

I know a few members of the UPAC, and I believe they’d support this effort. They’ve always maintained that their goal is to do what the citizens want, and they have worked hard for a year to do just that. Plus, they're probably tired of the complaints, so…

Let’s put this “controversy” to bed, and let’s all take the new survey, OK? Since most Hermosans never took the first survey, here’s your chance to prove that the UPAC survey statistics are wrong (or right). I admit that I’m curious to see what we all actually want for Upper Pier Avenue. I suspect it could be exactly what the first UPAC survey said we want. But maybe it won’t be.

The survey is being circulated in a variety of ways. There will be an insert in one of the local papers this week. The surveys will be available at several Pier Avenue businesses. And you can also get a copy online here.


PART TWO: THE CUP REVIEWS
I think many folks don’t want wider sidewalks on Upper Pier Avenue because they believe that it will only make room for patio dining which will only pave the way for another drunken Frat Row like we have on the Plaza. No matter how many times the Planning Commissioners or UPAC members or City Councilmembers try to assure everyone that Upper Pier will not go wild, we just don’t believe them. They’ve lost our trust.

A few things have been happening lately, however, that have given me some hope about our town’s future.

First, the police have gotten much stricter about over-occupancies and permit enforcement of our downtown alcohol-serving establishments. The city is dinking the bars left and right. Good job, Chief Savelli.

Secondly, the ABC has also dropped in on Hermosa Beach, and they’ve been doing audits. They’ve got the bars on their toes. They know they have to straighten up and fly right or get cited. Good job, ABC.

Third, our local Neighborhood Watch program (run by the fabulous Kelly Kovac-Reedy and Tracy Hopkins) has given a voice to the silent majority…the residents. These gals work tirelessly, and they have facilitated neighborhood meetings between the police/fire departments and hundreds of residents. They also send out weekly newsletters about local crime and emergency preparedness. If you haven’t joined HBNW, please do. Their website is here.

Fourth, because of things like HBNW, City Council is now hearing what the residents want, and because of the new regime, they seem to be listening. Councilmen Michael DiVirgilio and Peter Tucker have asked the council look into downtown parking and public nuisance problems, for example. (More on the parking issue below.)

And finally and most importantly, our Planning Commission has called for permit reviews of three downtown bars. This hasn't happened in ages, so this is a great sign. It sends a message that the city is not that permissive parent anymore. The kids can party, but they’d better follow the rules. And what good are rules if we don’t enforce them?

The first big show-down is this Tuesday, May 20th at 7pm at City Hall. That’s when The Dragon will be up for review. Here is the staff report if you want to read about what the Planning Commission is considering. The public is allowed to speak, so if you have something to say, you should go down there and say it. No doubt Dragon will have a room filled with cheering supporters.

Now, I’ve met the owners of The Dragon. They seem like nice guys. They have worked hard to get where they are, but if they have broken the rules, there has to be repercussions. And that goes for all the bars. We have no less than 15 bars open until 2am within two small square blocks. That’s more than twice the number of bars the state says we should have for our population and density, which is why I believe we have so many nuisance problems.

But I don’t pretend to know the answer, and I don’t envy the Planning Commission. They have to preserve the public safety and welfare while not violating the land rights of the business owners (i.e., not getting the city sued). It’s not an easy job. Thanks for doing it.

That’s all for now. Oh, except the big parking thing that’s happening on May 27th. Here’s the info from the mailer:

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!
City Council to consider proposal to extend parking enforcement hours from 10:00 p:m. to 12:00 midnight in the Preferential Parking District. Tuesday, May 27,2008 at 7:30 p.m. Hermosa Beach City Hall 1315 Valley Drive Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 The City Council encourages your participation in the discussion and consideration of the proposed changes. If you have any questions, please contact the City Manager's Office at (310) 318-0216.
If you want to comment about any of these items, please go here.

Cheers,
Marianne
ThisIsHermosa@aol.com