Ira Handelman – Who is the community ?  Who represents the community ?  Even NCs can’t  say they represent the community, nor neighborhood groups and organizations.  Who makes the deal with the adjacent neighbors?  Even Chambers of Commerce because their focus is “business friendly” no matter what business it is.  We are in a crisis in the City of Los Angeles and we need to understand the consequences of saying “no”.  It’s really about talking and listening.  Things are not enforced by the City now.  A project in your neighborhood may affect other neighborhoods.  In the future we won’t be getting the City services.  Developers aren’t bad guys.  Its understood and expected that people want things closer to where they live.  If you really want something done, a lot of trust is needed and to be realistic.  There are lots of empty spaces to fill.

Kate Bartolo – In the City of L.A. projects are reviewed individually and this makes existing problems worse.  There are bad developers out there.  There’s a new breed of developers and consultants and we need to find out who they are.  She tells her clients that if you lie to her or to the City, you’re fired!  She impressed upon us that working early is key.   Its key because of the needed funding and a lot of details can be worked out early on.  She looks for developments with articulation and forward residential with lowered heights next to existing residential.  Much coordination is done by phone, 7 meetings and 20 conversations.  Suggests “always” to use materials that are similar in the neighborhood, distinctive but common.  Count the ways to “love” the project is based on the upfront time spent on it.  You never get another chance to make a good first impression.  Develop a live, drive and walk in a neighborhood to understand what they want.  It’s all in direct relation to job creation and tax revenue.  The perception to delay increases costs in the long run.  Bring in architects on a pro bono basis.  Ask planners what we can do better.  Don’t judge a project according to the sins of the father.  An example of a dog park created with a dual use of an alley gives the ability to close off the alley for events and created opportunities for first time homebuyers Program.

Elizabeth –  built jazz clubs.  Broken window syndrome, one block at a time, one window at a time.  NCs need to look at infill and support.  Timing is everything.  Have to have a positive impact.  Developments need to be light, bright and airy.  Toy Factory building had only 3  employees and it now has over 500.  Wally’s in Westwood has been challenged by a Homeowners Assn objecting to their new development.   She’s been working on the Magnolia Bakery on 3rd Street with the “universal valet” program which i
s a shared parking program.  Bud Ovrum, Michael LoGrande involved.  Councilmembers have to get out in  front of a project and speak to their likeness for it.  Mixed uses should be horizontal.  What do you want in your area?  Cohesive way.  Place where people will come “can walk anywhere”. What will these  mixtures of uses mean?  DLANC has a list of questions they ask of projects.  For mixed uses, are they pedestrian traffic, landscape  plan, jobs bringing in.  Bring in the naysayers.  Consultants feel powerless and NCs can help a great deal. City is broken and dysfunctional.  How you manage your people and make it all run more smoothly is key.  Go in with solutions.  Marshal own people and get them to agree.  Manage your own meetings.   If compatible with community a project will be successful.  The “its my property” is in the way you present it.   Define CUP, ZC, ZV.  Peet’s Cafe in Downtown LA became a “community center”.  Hold Qimby funds accountable.  Unify around a project:  the benefits and get the problems fixed.  Specific Plan updates are not going to happen.  We are spot zoned and we must look at things block by block.  NCs that actually visit sites are better.  It is the responsibility of the developer to teach how they can have a positive impact on the community.  Proactive development, good uses.  Sr. Leads can be a good resource as well as the Captain — good partners.  A partnership to being good neighbors. Commercial amenities, the centers: represent the neighborhood, needs and services.  Light industrial is not doing well