Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council
Land Use Committee
August 21, 2014
Minutes

Present: Ron Ziff, Chair; Alicia Bartley, Tom Capps, Jeff Kalban, Mikie Maloney, Rick Mayer
Absent:  Jackie Diamond, Art Fields, Sue Steinberg

•	Call to order at 6:30 pm
•	Roll Call
•	Move to approve July minutes by Jeff, seconded by Mikie, unanimously approved
•	No elected officials introduced
•	No public comments
•	Chair’s Report:  Ron announced that there will be some changes to the committee meeting schedule in September and October:  September will be on the 11th and October to be determined.  He reported that DOT is changing the way they measure traffic for projects, and that the City is falling short of fulfilling its housing goals.  (More information to come.)  He introduced Rick Mayer as a new committee member.  Rick, who was a former LUC chair, returns to the committee after an absence of several years.
•	Returning Business
•	The Armenian school rep has asked to come next month instead.
New Business
•	The 13568 Rye Street Apartment Project rep failed to show.  (See below.)
•	Remodeling and CUB for a restaurant at 14241 Ventura Blvd.  Applicant presented drawings for remodel of an existing restaurant and office complex.  Committee did not find the drawing to be compelling, or easy to understand, and asked for more information.  Project not asking for any exceptions.  It will have outdoor dining, but the layout was not intuitive and concern was expressed about fire exits.  Parking requirement is fulfilled.  Committee asked applicant to return with:  sample materials, larger drawings, sections, landscaping plans, roof plan.
•	Application for a Beer and Wine CUB at 13456 Ventura Blvd.  Asking for hours of operation from 12 noon to 1 am during week and 12 noon to 2 am on Friday and Saturday.  Parking is limited, but grandfathered in with property; applicant negotiating for additional 2 from adjacent property and 10 more across the street.  Valet parking to be provided.  Also has bike racks.  Will be an upscale wine bar.  Experienced operator.  Community members Vance DeGeneres, Chris D’Arienzo and Dick Carter spoke in favor.  Committee interested in seeing an improved frontage and the type of signage.  Jeff moved that Luc approve the CUB application and asked that the applicant return when the restaurant is up and running with the proposed façade changes and the signage.  Seconded by Mikie.  Unanimously approved.
•	CUB renewal for Brats Brothers Restaurant at 13355 Ventura Blvd.  Applicant is renewing existing alcohol permit, and bringing in some minor weekend entertainment – an accordion player on weekends.  Motion to approved by Mikie; seconded by Alicia.  Unanimously approved.
•	CUB application for beer and wine at 13704 Ventura Blvd.  Already has project permit compliance and is in compliance on parking.  Ready to open on approval.  Jules Feir spoke from the community expressing concern about the congestion at that intersection (Ventura and Woodman) and the lack of parking.  Ron reported that the city is preparing to widen that intersection with some PRB money.  The committee was supportive of the proposed project.  Ron moved that approval be based on the applicant getting a full Certificate of Occupancy; and that the property is not in arrears on paying for off-site parking.  Seconded by Tom and passed unanimously.
•	Committee Business:  A discussion was held on the 13568 Rye Street Project.  The applicant failed to notice any of the neighborhood and failed to appear.  There has been no opportunity for public input.  The proposed project is in a very dense area.  LUC would like the applicant to bring the project to the committee.  Tom moved that Ron write to the Planning Department asking that the project be sent to the committee before any action is taken.  Seconded by Mikie.  Approved unanimously.
•	No Committee announcements.
•	Meeting adjourned at 9:46 pm.
•	Next Meeting on September 11 at 6:30 pm at the Sherman Oaks Library.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mikie Maloney