By ALEXANDRIA BORDAS | Reporter
A closed meeting was held on Thursday, April 23 to discuss safety concerns regarding the proposed parklet on La Cruz Drive in front of Palisades Garden Café.
Valerie Watson of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), Sue Jameson and David Peterson of the Huntington Palisades Property Owners Corporation (HPPOC), PRIDE member Don Scott and Norman Kulla of Councilmember Mike Bonin’s office attended the meeting.
In response to an article the Palisadian-Post published on April 16, HPPOC president Jameson said the parklet hasn’t been approved yet, despite what Scott previously stated to the Post.
“There is a misconception that it’s been approved but it hasn’t,” Jameson said. “The parklet continues to be under review because there has to be sufficient community support to pass this through.”
The LADOT has the ultimate authority to approve the parklet but Jameson said that without community support and approval from the HPPOC, LADOT will not move forward with the project and will instead need to find a new spot for the proposed parklet.
“Our biggest concerns now are focused on the demographics of the area around the proposed parklet,” Jameson discussed. “Not only does the placement at a T-intersection raise safety concerns, that street is already congested with pedestrians and teens. Do we want to be attracting more teens to that spot? Is that safe?”
Although Jameson applauds Scott’s efforts to bring a parklet to the Palisades, she said PRIDE should review a couple of other potential spots that could fit parklet requirements.
Peterson, past president of the HPPOC, has been focusing on improving safety at the intersection.
“Dave (Peterson) has pushed for improved safety standards and LADOT has responded so well. It’s been amazing working with Valerie and her team,” Jameson said. “If all else fails, safety will be improved, which overall is a huge improvement for that intersection.”
There will be a parklet presentation at the June HPPOC board meeting.
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