PreservePVE Community Newsletter

PVE Community Newsletter

Serving Lunada Bay, Malaga Cove, Montemalaga and Valmonte

This issue:

LAND
- Rezoning PVE for Density Housing (Housing Element)
- PVE Needs Safety Requirements for Density Projects ASAP
- Ancient Indigenous People in PVE
- Tree and View Management
SAFETY
- Tree Falls on USPS Mail Delivery Truck
GOOD GOVERNANCE / RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Q&A:
- What is the job of the City Attorney?
- Why does PreservePVE publish a Newsletter?
- Why the focus on McGowan and PVE Foundation?

Correction:

The women pictured in the August Newsletter in front of Lunada Bay Plaza work for Lisa's Garden Therapy, who provides maintenance services paid for by LBHOA, rather than decorating services as stated. (statement source: LBHOA)

Rezoning PVE for Density Housing (Housing Element)

The State requires PVE to rezone to allow high-density low-income housing for 199 units minimum or face Builder’s Remedy which will allow developers to build density housing on any lot zoned residential or commercial.

PVE Proposal: LINK Summary: LINK

Malaga Cove density: 65 units
Lunada Bay density: 119 units

Council will be holding a Town Hall Meeting at PV High mid-September to discuss the Housing Element.

Density units minimally require 150 square feet each, with shared kitchens and showers for each floor. Density development bypasses Planning Commission reviews and leaves residents vulnerable to unmitigated impacts.

THIS IS UNNECESSARY, PVE HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE DEVELOPERS MITIGATE IMPACTS

————————

Density projects must adhere to objective criteria established by the city.

Other cities have done it: Redondo LINK Cupertino LINK

Objective criteria is used to mitigate impacts to the environment, safety, utility capacity limitations and address developer costs imposed on PVE taxpayers.

Recommendation: Implement objective criteria ASAP to mitigate impacts by development projects.

—-

PVE Needs Safety Requirements for Density Projects ASAP

LA County requires cities establish safety requirements all development projects must adhere to. LINK

Specifically, cities in flood, slide, earthquake and high fire zones.

PVE is in all four of these zones and needs these requirements in place before the first density project is submitted. How long will it currently take PVE to evacuate in a fire?

Safety, design and functional requirements are all objective criteria that need to be implemented ASAP so new development projects comply.

PreservePVE’s Aug 25th letter to Council with recommendations: LINK

—-

Ancient Indigenous People in PVE

PVE’s human history LINK (page 7) began ~8,000 years ago, before Ancient Egypt, with the Tongva-Gabrielino Tribe.

This plaque is dedicated to the Chowigna Village of the Tongva-Gabrielino Tribe who inhabited Malaga Cove.

Appreciation to the PV Historical Society who erected this plaque in 1984. LINK

In 1936, USC and the Southwest Museum excavated the area and found thousands of artifacts and grave sites.

Current members of the Tongva tribe describe their beliefs, living in harmony and gratitude, in a Netflix series entitled the City of Ghosts, episode 4. Additional information:

Tongva-Gabrielino Tribes’s History site: LINK
Tribal Member Sam Villa Photo Collage: LINK

—-

Tree Falls on USPS Mail Delivery Truck

Aug 1, 2023 a tree fell on the USPS truck on Upper Paseo La Cresta.

Residents rated trimming trees for safety as their 2nd top service that needs additional support.

Council received the results of this Community Engagement Survey on June 19, 2023 LINK

—-

Tree and View Management

On Sept 12th, Council will decide whether to update the Tree Management Policy. PVE has no View Management policy, so views are addressed within the tree policy.
To ensure policies reflect community sentiment, let your voice be heard.
You can speak at the meeting or write in and ask the city clerk to include your feedback in the staff report - email: cityclerk@pvestates.org.

Existing View Statement:

“when considering an application for the pruning or removal of public trees or vegetation for view restoration, the Parklands Committee shall respect and, to the greatest extent practicable, shall strive to preserve or enhance scenic views from the main viewing area of a residential structure.”

New proposed View Statement, that replaces the above statement (Council to consider on 9/12):

“When considering an application for the trimming or removal of public trees, the Parklands Committee shall consider and shall strive to preserve prior scenic views from the “Main Viewing Area” of the applicant’s primary residential structure.”

“When trimming for view, it is preferable to develop spaces between branches, or "windows" through the foliage of the tree, rather than to severely raise or reduce the crown. “

Pictures by Martin Peterson

—-

Newsletter Inquiry

Q1: What is the job of the City Attorney?

To serve the City Council.
The City Attorney is selected, hired and dismissed by the Council. He serves at the pleasure of City Council and responds when requested by Council.

Q2: If the Council violates the Brown Act, will the City Attorney stop it?

No. 3/14/23: Here is a recording of Mayor Roos informing other Council members he already knows how CMs Kemps and McGowan will vote even before either said a word. LINK The City Attorney allowed the vote to pass and said nothing.

Q3: Does the City Attorney require Councilmembers to recuse themselves when conflicted?

No. Here are examples when Councilmember McGowan voted to benefit his PVE Foundation, which is a conflict, and the City Attorney allowed it.

2021 Oct 12: CM McGowan voted to allow his PVE Foundation the authority to load the cost of his AECOM development directly into the city budget and bypass Council review and public disclosure LINK.
2022 May 24: CM McGowan voted to create an AECOM city committee to serve his Foundation’s AECOM study LINK (workplan item 11). This implicitly allows AECOM and the Foundation to use unlimited and unbudgeted Staff time funded by taxpayers LINK.
2022 July 26: CM McGowan voted against the PVE Land Preservation Act LINK, that protects the Open Space CM McGowan is studying for development (city hall). Location of AECOM development study: LINK
2023 Jan: Amid objections, CM McGowan voted to replace CM Lozzi on the city AECOM committee that serves his Foundation LINK.
2023 June 13: CM McGowan voted to appoint his Foundation Treasurer LINK, Mr. Young, to the City Finance Committee LINK, without disclosure to the public or Council of the conflict-of-interest. Details: LINK

Newsletter Inquiry

Q: Why does PreservePVE publish a Newsletter?

To provide PVE Residents with pertinent information that residents otherwise do not have access to.
All feedback is welcomed.

Newsletter Inquiry

Q: Why does PreservePVE keep writing about McGowan and the PVE Foundation? What the h*ll does that have to do with preserving PVE?

Protecting our land and resources requires a trusted relationship between the residents and governing officials built on good governance practices and adherence to laws.
PVE Council and PVHA previously sold parkland illegally, which was rolled back after the Superior Court deemed it illegal.
The Newsletter focuses on relevant topics that protect land, nature and resources while celebrating our community.

—-

We are residents preserving and supporting our beautiful city.

Newsletter subscriptions: Link

Comments: email Info@PreservePVE.org

Palos Verdes Estates’ unique charm is reflected in its magnificent trees, ocean vistas, architecture, dedicated open space, protected coastal habitats, and scenic roadways.

PreservePVE remains committed to good governance, free speech and presenting official actions by our governing bodies.

PreservePVE is dedicated to preserving and protecting Open Space and the bucolic nature of our city utilizing good governance practices.

We love hearing from you

Prior Newsletter Issues:

June: Budget Survey Results: LINK
July: Safety Edition: LINK
August: Conflict of Interest: LINK