Chris Galindo from LA City Planning’s Government Relations unit provided updates on the Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS). Joanne discussed the importance of native planting in the city, the impact of private property tree removals in the fire zone, and the need for better instructions for contractors. The meeting also covered the upcoming release of the Los Angeles city budget, potential department consolidations or eliminations, and the importance of proper enforcement of brush clearance regulations.

Next Steps:

Chris: Follow up on the status of the Northeast LA Community Plan update

Planning Department: Review the possibility of linking ADM case summaries directly to ZIMAS

Urban Forestry: Evaluate options for additional watering trucks to maintain trees in fire-affected areas

Mayor’s Office: Review proposed state vegetation removal requirements and their potential impact on Los Angeles

Chris: Follow up with Laura regarding the breakdown of affordable housing unit types in approved cases and provide detailed information via planning.liaison@lacity.org

Chris: Investigate and provide feedback on the ability to get all mailing labels in ZIMAS without random selection

Chris: Research and report back on how covenants are tracked and enforced in ZIMAS

Chris: Look into why ADM case documents are not posted on ZIMAS and provide update

Chris: Follow up with Dr. Tom regarding the sources of oil well information in ZIMAS

Randall Winston: Work with Metro connections to address tree removal concerns for transportation projects

Neighborhood Councils: Review and consider opposing Council File 25-0002-S17 regarding brush clearance requirements

Neighborhood Councils: Review and consider opposing Council File 22-1154-S1 regarding the Smart City Digital Kiosk program

Neighborhood Councils: Consider submitting public comments regarding the proposed Zone 0 fire clearance regulations to the State Board of Forestry

CFAC: Work with LADBS to add protected tree identification links to the 9A application form

Budget Advocates: Organize Budget Day event at City Hall on June 21st, including keynote speakers and panel discussions

Neighborhood Councils: Monitor and review Mayor’s proposed budget to be released on April 21st, particularly regarding department funding affecting planning and safety

CFAC: Advise Building and Safety to add Urban Forestry website link to the tree-related seller forms

Joanne: Provide website links for protected tree pictures from the city planning website

Budget Advocates: Host “Thoughts on the City Budget” meeting on Monday, April 28th at 6:30 PM via Zoom

Dr. Tom: Follow up on 100 targeted parcels in El Sereno for brush clearance compliance

Summary

ZIMAS Presentation by Chris Galindo

Chris Galindo from LA City Planning’s Government Relations unit begins a presentation on ZIMAS (Zone Information and Map Access System). He mentions that city planner Denzel Henderson may be available to answer questions. Chris also addresses a question about the Northeast LA Community Plan update, stating he doesn’t believe it will start anytime soon but will verify. The meeting is attended by various community members, and Cindy Cleghorn, the chair for Plancheck NC, welcomes everyone before handing over to Chris for his presentation.

City Planning Updates and ZIMAS

Chris provided updates on behalf of City Planning for the month of April. He mentioned that the monthly liaison updates and newsletters are available online, and the latest newsletter is a compilation of news updates and outreach events that City Planning participates in. Chris also introduced a new exhibit, “Zoning LA: A Visual Journey Through the City’s Evolving Landscape,” which is on display at City Hall’s East Bridge until April 25th. He gave a brief refresher on navigating ZIMAS, a web-based mapping application that provides users with a convenient and centralized point of reference for planning and zoning information. Chris encouraged everyone to familiarize themselves with the different forms of search functions that ZIMAS allows. He also provided resources to help further one’s ZIMAS adventure.

ZIMAS Features and Integration Discussion

Cindy led a meeting where she sought to capture Chris’s time to discuss various topics, including ZIMAS. She also expressed interest in having Chris present on what land use committees do in their specific meetings. Chris was asked to demonstrate the measurement tool on ZIMAS, which he did. He also explained how to access the mailing labels feature on ZIMAS. However, he was unsure about the enforcement of covenants and promised to get back to the team on this. The team also discussed the integration of Ed1 cases with ZIMAS, with some members expressing confusion about the process. The conversation ended with Chris promising to provide more information on the topics discussed.

Native Planting and Tree Removals

Joanne discussed the importance of native planting in the city, citing the Biodiversity Report’s recommendation of up to 70% native planting. She also mentioned the Parks assessment survey and the need for native trees in parks. Joanne expressed concerns about the removal of trees for the Noho Pasadena BRT and the lack of replacement trees due to insufficient watering trucks. She shared her efforts to get the attention of Randall Winston, the deputy mayor for infrastructure, and her plans to work with Metro to address the issue. Joanne also discussed the impact of private property tree removals in the fire zone and the need for better instructions for contractors. She mentioned that 90% of the street trees in the fire area have survived and will need watering to thrive during the summer.

Oppose Devastating Brush Clearance Regulations

Joanne reports on a major issue regarding new state regulations for brush clearance in fire zones. The state is proposing to require removal of 40% of vegetation in expanded fire zones, which Joanne argues would be devastating for Los Angeles. She urges everyone to read an article by Diana Nicole explaining the situation and to submit public comments opposing these regulations. Joanne emphasizes that removing vegetation could actually increase fire risk and harm the city’s appearance, wildlife, and residents’ health. She provides resources for people to learn more and take action against these proposed changes.

Brush Clearance Regulations and Enforcement

The discussion focuses on brush clearance regulations and enforcement in Los Angeles. Dr. Tom Williams explains that while the city has rules for brush clearance, they are not consistently enforced. Joanne raises concerns about potential new regulations that could require extensive clearing, including native plants, which could lead to mudslides and other environmental issues. The group debates the specifics of current and proposed regulations, with Dr. Williams emphasizing the need for proper enforcement, especially on vacant lots. Laura suggests adding links to protected tree information on real estate forms to help sellers comply with regulations.

Los Angeles City Budget Overview

The meeting discusses the upcoming release of the Los Angeles city budget. Glenn provides an overview of key dates and processes, including the mayor’s State of the City address on April 17th or 21st, the budget release on April 21st, and subsequent budget hearings. The Budget Advocates will host a “Thoughts on the City Budget” town hall on April 28th and their annual Budget Day on June 21st. Barbara raises concerns about potential department consolidations or eliminations, as mentioned in a recent report. Glenn acknowledges the difficulty in addressing this issue given the timing and structure of the budget process, suggesting that contacting council members directly may be the most effective way to raise concerns.

This quick recap AI generated — please provide corrections to plancheckncla@gmail.com