Newsletter - marquezknolls.commarquezknolls.com/Newsletters/Newsletter_Feb_2014.pdf · phase is the installation of a Data Collection Unit (DCUs) mounted to existing poles (such as

Hotline: 310 454-7678 P.O. Box 1307, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 www.MarquezKnolls.com

MKPOA is already in full swing for 2014, but I thought you might enjoy a recap of some of the highlights from 2013. Our board works tirelessly on behalf of the entire

neighborhood. We hope you’ll consider making a membership contribution for 2014.

In February, the long overdue repaving of Akron was finally scheduled thanks to the assistance of Council District 11 and the Bureau of Street Services. While Akron is not a long street, it serves as a prime access and exit route in case of emergencies to many homes in upper Marquez Knolls. The project was initially scheduled in 2012, but had to be delayed until a sewer replacement project was completed.

In May, we held our annual meeting at Marquez Elementary School outdoors on a Saturday afternoon, with music, snacks and special guests. We also had a three-member panel of experts talk about Co n d i t i o ns , C o ve na n t s a nd Restrictions (CC&Rs), LAPD officer Michael Moore and ACS Security. Our board decided to try a weekend day instead of a weeknight in hopes of a better turnout. We’ve decided to hold it again on Saturday.

MKPOA once again represented our neighborhood in the increasingly popular Palisades 4th of July Parade. Our car was lovingly decorated by friends and neighbors and sparkled in red, white and blue. The decked out convertible was donated for the day by Palisadians Jeanne and Jim Williams. This year there’s hopes for a Marquez Knolls float!

In August, hundreds of children and parents enjoyed the showing of E.T. ( the Extra Terrestr ial) sponsored by MKPOA. This was the 10th year that Movies in the Park have been shown outdoors on the big screen at the Palisades Recreation Center (baseball field). Families bring chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to watch Movies in the Park as night falls. The event is free to all Palisades residents.

In August, an estimated 450 adults and children from Marquez Knolls and beyond celebrated a day of fun at the Marquez Knolls Block Party in the business district. This free event, complete with food, drinks, entertainment, fire trucks and police cars, would not be possible without the support of our local merchants and bus inesses, volunteers and our board members. Special thanks goes to our platinum sponsor, ACS Security.

President’s Message: MKPOA in Action

In December, two major projects were completed—the reconfiguration of the bus turnaround at Sunset Blvd. and Marquez Ave. and the repaving of Marquez Ave.—both projects took a tremendous amount of coordinating with multiple agencies in two jurisdictions. Special thanks go to Council District 11, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, L.A. DOT, L.A. Metro, Haldis Toppel and Amy Kalp.

Throughout the year, we answer questions from homeowners, pro-spective buyers, realtors, contractors and title companies about the Lachman Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs). We do not provide legal advice, but rather information based on our frequently asked document on our web site. You can find it at marquezknolls.com. For questions send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the hotline at 310 454-7678.

Newsletter

Proudly Serving the Community Since 1950

Christy Dennis, Editor February 2014

Akron Resurfacing Movies in the Park MKPOA CC&R Assistance

Marquez/Sunset Project 4th of July

Annual Meeting Block Party

Table of Contents: Highlights

SoCalGas Advanced

Meters Page 2

MKPOA Meeting Dates Page 3

News Alerts & Photos Page 4-5

Marquez Bus Project Page 6

Business Listing Page 7

2013 Year in Review Page 8


Southern California Gas Company is currently installing new

advanced meters on six million natural gas meters. The first

phase is the installation of a Data Collection Unit (DCUs)

mounted to existing poles (such as utility, street light or tele-

phone poles). The second phase is the installation of a

communications device installed on every meter. The ad-

vanced meter is a communications device that automatically

and securely transmits usage in real time to the SoCalGas

customer service and billing center. Two DCUs have been

installed in Marquez Knolls (900 block of Enchanted Way

and 1400 block of Lachman Lane). Installation of the ad-

vanced meters in Marquez Knolls will begin in December

2015. Residents will receive a letter several weeks in an

advanced of the installation. For more information visit: so-

calgas.com/advanced meters.

MKPOA Quarterly Newsletter 2 February 2014

Rea Report:

News from PPCC

The Pacific Palisades Community

Council (PPCC) is involved in several pro-

jects to support the community, protect

against unrestrained development and pro-

vide for the highest quality of life for our

citizens. I am proud to serve as the PPCC

Area 3 representative and would like to

mention some of the upcoming endeavors.

On April 24th, the PPCC is hosting the

annual Citizen of the Year Gala at the Rivi-

era Country Club. This year’s award is

being presented to Rob Weber, President of

the Palisades Americanism Parade Asso-

ciation, for his efforts in 2013 to strike up

the band at the 4th of July Parade. PPCC

will also honor the Golden Sparkplug

Award winners, and a special ‘Pride of the

Palisades’ award will be given to Bill

Bruns, former Editor-in-Chief of the

Palisadian-Post.

We have all heard about the planned

purchase and development of the central

business district by Caruso Properties.

This takes place amidst an effort to rewrite

the Zoning Code for Los Angeles, to con-

solidate the Planning Department with the

Department of Building and Safety

(DB&S) and to implement an Administra-

tive Code Enforcement facility to allow

DB&S to write citations for zoning code

violations. All of these efforts will have a

significant impact on development in the

Palisades and the PPCC is actively in-

volved in providing community input for

each effort.

Likewise, ordinances are under devel-

opment to govern the placement of murals

in the community, placement of cell towers

and licensing of Community Care Facili-

ties. Again, the PPCC remains actively

involved in the process of developing these

important ordinances to insure that the

needs of the community are considered.

Last April, teachers reported cracks on the playground and the separation of w a l l s a n d c e i l i n g s i n t h r e e classrooms. Since then, two community meetings have been held A third community meeting is tenta-tively planned during the spring to fur-ther discuss soil movement at Marquez Charter Elementary School. Los Angeles Unified School District brought in a team of geological and structural engineers to test and analyze the soil, and review historical data which revealed that the school and property are located on a known slide area. At the first community meeting in

Marquez School: Classroom Closures

St. Matthew’s Conditional Use Permit Last December, a L.A. City Zoning

Administration hearing was held concern-

ing a request by St. Matthew’s Parish/

School to make changes to its current

Condition Use Permit (CUP). The hear-

ing was attended by approximately 200

people and lasted nearly four hours.

Speakers included representatives of

St. Matthew’s, a group of adjacent

neighbors, the Marquez Knolls Property

Owners Association, the Pacific Palisades

Community Council, the Pacific Palisades

Preservation Association, Temescal Can-

yon Association and Councilman Bonin’s

Office.

St. Matthew’s requested an increase in

the enrollment cap from 325 to 384, and

an increase Special Event parking allow-

ance in front of neighbors’ homes from a

total of two days per year to six days, as

well as some changes in the administra-

tive processes.

The Zoning Administrator (ZA) ruled

in favor of an incremental increase in the

enrollment cap to 384 over a period of

several years and denied the increase for

neighborhood (off site) park-

ing. MKPOA will work with St. Mat-

thew’s to ensure the new conditions are

followed. A written decision is expected

in the first quarter of 2014.

August, LAUSD experts announced that three classrooms had been relocated to another part of campus and a portion of the playground was fenced off, and would remain so during further soil testing and investigation. A second meeting was held in De-cember, when it was announced that the seven remaining classrooms in the main building would need to be moved into portables. There was no definitive report on the geological findings nor the remedial steps to stabilize the soil. In addition, the relocated classes will remain at their temporary locations for an unknown period of time.

So Cal Gas: Advanced Meter Installation

Jim Rea is our representative on the Pacific

Palisades Community Council and an MKPOA

board member.

DCU



MKPOA Membership

MKPOA 2014 Meeting

In Memory: Sidney Galanty

On October 5, 2013, we lost long-time MKPOA board member, resi-dent and friend, Sidney Galanty who passed away at his home on Lachman Lane (which he bought from Earl Lachman in 1956). He was 81. Sid was a renowned television director and political media consult-ant who worked with President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Hubert Humphrey handling television media and then with Edward R. Mur-row at the U.S. Information Agency. He was later recruited to join an ad agency in Los Angeles. He was perhaps best known for creating and producing the “Jane Fonda Workout”, which became the highest-selling home video ever, with more than one million copies pur-chased. Sid, you will forever be missed!

We rely on your membership

support to sustain the many

services we provide to our

Marquez Knolls residents.

We hope you’ll make your

$40 membership contribution

for 2014 by using the

enclosed envelope

or via PayPal at

www.MarquezKnolls.com.

If there’s an envelope in your

newsletter it means your

membership is due.

Thank you for your generous

support of MKPOA.

Marquez Knolls Home Sales January 1st—December 31st 2013 vs. 2012

3 1 0 . 2 3 0 . 7 3 7 3

*Statistics based on MLS data BRE# 00902158

Number of Sales 24% Higher Ave. Price/Sq. Ft. 18% Higher Median Sale Price 16% Higher Active Inventory 43% Higher

Looking back over 2013, the lowest sale price in Marquez Knolls (MK) for the entire year was $1,065,000 for a 4-bedroom, 3-bath on Las Casas Place, and the highest sale of the year was $4,600,000 for a 5-bedroom, 4-bath on El Hito Place. As of Janu-ary 31, 2014, the lowest sale price was a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath on Akron, which sold for $1,269,000. The highest MK area sale so far this year was a 3-bedroom, 2-bath on Glenhaven, which sold

for $3,245,000. At the end of January 2014, the lowest-priced available home in MK was a 3-bedroom, 2-bath on Livorno being offered at $1,595,000. The highest-priced property is a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath on Lachman Lane being offered at $8,295,000. There were four homes in escrow, and the average length to sell a home was 36 days. There have been two MK leases so far this year. The lowest-priced lease was $6,500/month for a 4-bedroom,2-bath on El Hito, and the highest-priced lease was $9,500/month for a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath view home on Akron. There are currently only two homes available for lease in the MK area asking from $8,500/month for a 4-bedroom, 3-bath unit on Akron to $25,000/month for a 4-bedroom, 3-bath on Lachman.

Number Sold

Avg. Sale Price/Sq Ft.

Median Sale Price

# Active Homes

57 $725 $1,820,000 10 (as of 2/3/14)

46 $614 $1,560,000 7 (as of 2/3/13)

2013

2012

St. Matthew’s Church:

Music Room

1031 Bienveneda Ave.

6:00pm: Social Time

6:30pm-8:00pm Meeting

All Residents Welcomed

Monday January 27

Monday February 24

Monday March 24

Monday April 21

Monday May 12

Annual Mtg. Sat., May 17

Monday June 16

No Meeting July —

Monday August 18

Monday September 15

Block Party Sat., Sept. 20

Monday October 20

Monday November 17

No Meeting December —

MichaelEdlen.com

Brought to you by

Sidney & Joan Galanty

http://www.marquezknolls.com/



2013: Highlights, Events, Warnings, and Updates Editor’s Note: All year long, residents are kept informed of breaking news, including police and fire activity, road closures and

delays and even lost pets via e-cam (electronic community advisory messages). This is an independent news service provided to

Marquez Knolls residents. If you’d like to receive e-cam, please send your name and e-mail to [email protected].

There are often sounds of sirens and

helicopter activity in Marquez Knolls.

Last February, resident Frank Damon,

sent these pictures (below and right) after

firefighters put out an attic fire in the

16800 block of Marquez Ave. last

February.

In July, there were quite a bit of heli-

copter sightings and sirens following a

shooting in the Highlands. LAPD Capt.

Evangelyn Nathan gave a first-hand

account of the isolated, domestic shooting.

In August, an LAPD bulletin was issued

asking residents for help in identifying a fe-

male suspect wanted for stealing items at

open houses. The suspect was ultimately

identified and arrested because of informa-

tion provided by Marquez Knolls residents.

In November, LAPD asked the public for

help in identifying the individual(s) re-

sponsible for spray painting swastikas on

several cars in Pacific Palisades.

Throughout the year residents received

reports on missing or found bunnies, dogs

and cats. In most cases, the pets were

safely reunited with their owners thanks to

many caring neighbors. Neighbors also

were alerted to coyote sightings, snakes,

raccoons and a deer that was killed by a

motorist on Bienveneda.

Marquez Knolls is a Zoo!

Helicopter/Police Activity Crime Alerts/Warnings

Police and Fire Sirens

Accidents and Delays

An alert about a lost hiker turned out to be

a Marquez Knolls resident who sent this e-

mail about his rescue in October:

I'm happy to report that I was rescued as you

reported. Fire Department, Police, and State

Park Rangers all did an EXCELLENT job,

showing concern about my welfare, explain-

ing what they were going to do, and then

doing it efficiently and professionally. We

are really fortunate to have such fine people

working for our government and for us.

Marquez Knolls residents

receive the “Palisades

Community Update each

week, from LAPD Senior

Lead Officer Michael

Moore. The update lists

weekly police activity (grand theft, vehicle

theft, burglary, vandalism and other

crimes). Information about scams and

imposters is sent to alert resi-

dents to be aware of potential

crimes as well as home security

and safety tips.

Through a variety of sources—

LAPD, L.A. City Council District 11,

and neighbors—timely information is

provided on the location of traffic

accidents, a fire or crime scene so

residents can avoid the area. Dates and

locations of road closures or delays due

to construction, presidential visits or the

L.A. marathon are sent days in advance.

A resident sent a picture of this

accident near Bienveneda and

Sunset She reported the acci-

dent happened after a motorcy-

clist apparently on a stolen bike

crashed and ran from the scene.



Marquez Residents Share Fire Updates and Photos On January 14, 2014, a brush fire threatened homes

on the bluffs above PCH and Corona Del Mar. The fire

quickly spread to 10-acres, but was extinguished in

just over 1.5 hours. 160 firefighters from Pacific Pali-

sades (station 23 and 69), Brentwood, Santa Monica

and L.A. County Fire Departments responded to the

blaze. Traffic was monitored by LAPD, but lane clo-

sures caused major delays and traffic nightmares for

two days. Fortunately there were no injuries or

damage to homes.

Photos fromMarquez Knolls Residents (L-R): Tiffany Epstein, Hugh Slavitt and Frances Berman

Residents from throughout the Palisades shared timely traffic and fire information and submitted photos as the event

was unfolding. These and other photos were published on a blog. To see more photos and a recap of the two-day event

go to http://palisadesfire.blogspotcom.

Palisades Fire with Santa Monica and the Queen’s Necklace

Photo: Hunter Carroll

Top: Super Scooper in Action

Photo: John Colwell

Above: Super Scooper Arrives on the Scene

Photo: Hunter Carroll

Special thanks to Haldis Toppel, for sending out

numerous updates during the two-day event.



Bonin Commends MKPOA for Marquez/Sunset Repaving

MKPOA Working to Beautify West Sunset/Marquez Island

Following a fatal accident involv-ing a bus and motorcycle at the west Marquez/Sunset intersection in No-vember 2012, the island where the public buses turn, was reconfigured. Before the new turnaround was constructed, the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (SM BBB) had to temporarily re-route up Marquez Ave. past Marquez Charter Elementary School, creating a further safety concern. This was necessary to preserve the SM BBB route through the Palisades com-munity. Serious objections and con-cerns were raised by adjacent

neighbors, the business district and three nearby schools. MKPOA Traffic and Safety advisor and Pacific Pali-sades Community Council board mem-ber, Amy Kalp, initiated efforts to coordi-nate an alternative route, and new inter-section design. This involved facilitating dialogue between the applicable city agencies and jurisdictional government officials to agree upon solving the prob-lem while maintaining bus service. Kalp successfully brought together officials from SM BBB, L.A. Metro, L.A. Department of Transportation, Council-man Mike Bonin’s office and the city of

Santa Monica to map out a feasible plan and reach an agreement on the design specs. Because of this collaboration with multiple government agencies, some from differing city jurisdictions, Kalp spent countless volunteer hours sched-uling and attending meetings, making phone calls and writing e-mails. The work to design and re-configure the in-tersection and a bus turnaround was completed in less than a year compared to the typical three years for a project of this scope and the threat of losing bus service to the Palisades was preserved.

Current: Street Bollards Proposed: Planters

Photoshop Rendering

Marquez/Sunset Bus Reconfiguration

MKPOA is working with

Council District 11 to

beautify the reconfigured

island at the west inter-

section of Sunset and

Marquez. The “photo

shop” rendering has

been submitted to the

City for consideration.

The project must un-

dergo review and ap-

proval before a design

can be finalized.

MKPOA President Christy Den-

nis, Board member Kurt Toppel

and Vice President Haldis Toppel

posed for a media photo op with

Councilman Mike Bonin who vis-

ited Marquez Knolls to congratu-

late the LA Bureau of Street Ser-

vices for repaving Marquez Ave.

When Councilman Mike Bonin visited Marquez Knolls he gave commendations to MKPOA Vice President Haldis Toppel and LA Bureau of Street Services Supervisor Hugo Valencia for their coordination of the resurfacing project during the winter break to minimize disruption to three schools, residents and Marquez District business owners. Toppel’s commendation was included in LA Street Talk.

“Ms. Toppel provided invaluable support as she orchestrated detour routes, distributed publications, and identified areas to park equipment. Mr. Valencia stayed in constant contact with Toppel to synchronize the resurfacing efforts with minimal inconveniences to local resident, and businesses. Because of their collaborative effort, the project was completed in just four days.”



Alper Music School Jacon ● (310) 454-0160 ● [email protected] 40 Years of Enthusiastic Students & Happy Parents

Jazz Camp, Jazz Bands, Private Lessons www.AlperMusic.com

Lou Del Pozzo SRES Palisades Realty ● Jacon

(310) 454 3306 ● [email protected] Marquez Knolls Specialist

Dirty Girl Organic Landcare Bienveneda ● (310) 717-5277

[email protected] Our organic care keeps your garden clean and green

Michael Edlen Real Estate Enchanted Way ● (310) 230-7373

[email protected]

Marquez Knolls Resident for More than 30 Years

Gordon Gibson Construction Vista Grande ● (310) 396-931

[email protected] ● gordongibsonconstruction.com

Don’t build your house without us!

Innate Chiropractic 16624 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 230-1899

Dr. Luke Cohen, D.C. www.PaliChiro.com

Knolls Pharmacy 16630 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 454-6000

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-6pm Sat. 9:00am-4:00pm Serving All Your Prescription Needs

Marie's Mac & PC Outcall [email protected]

Pequeno Place ● (310) 922-8214 Computers made friendly 24/7 at your home or office

MAX Impact Martial Arts & Fitness 16632

1/2 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 454-7105

Mon.-Sat. 9:00am-9:00pm Training for Teens and Adults!

Mission Renaissance Fine Art School Marquez & Sunset ● (310) 573-1711

Teens, Children, Adults/Fineartclasses.com Part of the community for over 25 years, honorary member

Oasis Palisades 16704 Bollinger Drive ● (310) 454-5855

Please Call for Appointment Spa, Massage, Acupunture, Call for MKPOA Special

Palisades Animal Clinic 16636 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 454-6503

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-5:30pm John T. Condello, D.V.M. - UC Davis Graduate

Palisades Heating & Air 16706 Bollinger Ave. ● (310) 454-5855

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-5:00pm Free Filter with Service

Palisades Plumbing 16622 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 459-3596

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-4:00pm Windows, Mirrors, Screens—Free Estimates

Paws ‘n Claws Grooming Salon 16634 Marquez Ave.● (310) 459-2009

Tues.-Sat. 8:00am-4:30pm Come In and Get 10% Off Your First Visit

Jim Rea Realtor (Keller Williams) Enchanted Way ● (424) 354-0790

[email protected] ● www.JimRea.com/community Helping you meet all of your real estate needs

Ronny’s Market & Liquor 16642 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 454-0515

Mon.- Fri. 6:30am-10pm; Sat. 8am–10pm Sun. 8am-9pm Deli, Breakfast, Lunch, Groceries, Beverages

Ronny’s Park Lane Cleaners 16648 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 454-9789

Mon.-Fri. 7:00am-6:00pm Sat. 9:00am-5:30pm Dry Cleaning (25% off), Alternations, Notary Service

Dan Urbach Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Akron ● (310) 230-3757

ExclusiveRealtor.com, [email protected] I Represent PEOPLE, not Properties!

Vittorio’s Restaurant 16646 Marquez Ave. ● (310) 459-9316

Tues.-Sun. 4:00pm-10:00pm Join Us for Dinner or Take Your Meal Home

MKPOA support the Marquez Knolls Community businesses. The merchants listed below are business

members of MKPOA and share in our vision of protecting and enhancing the quality of life in our community.

If you are within the Marquez Knolls boundary and would like to become a business

member contact MKPOA at [email protected].

MARQUEZ KNOLLS BUSINESS DIRECTORYMARQUEZ KNOLLS BUSINESS DIRECTORYMARQUEZ KNOLLS BUSINESS DIRECTORY

mailto:[email protected]




MKPOA Quarterly Newsletter Editor: Christy Dennis February 2014

MKPOA P.O. Box 1307

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Presort Standard

US Postage Paid

Permit # 20 Pacific Palisades, CA

2013: MKPOA IN ACTION

Please consider renewing

your membership for 2014.

Check your address label

for your current member-

ship year.

If there’s an envelope in

this newsletter, your mem-

bership is due. Thank You!

2013 was another busy

year in Marquez Knolls.

Streets were repaved,

there was fun and festivi-

ties at the MKPOA Annual

meeting, 4th of July Pa-

rade, Movies in the Park

and the MKPOA Block

Party. Read more in the

President’s Message.

MKPOA Sponsored E.T. in August

MKPOA Board Members Prepare for

Annual Meeting

West Marquez/Sunset Bus Turnaround

MKPOA Car in the 4th of July Parade

Marquez Knolls Block Party

Marquez Knolls

Block Party

Akron Resurfacing (at Lachman Lane)

Documents

Newsletter - marquezknolls.commarquezknolls.com/Newsletters/Newsletter_Feb_2014.pdf · phase is the installation of a Data Collection Unit (DCUs) mounted to existing poles (such as