PPCC Bylaws Changes Rejected

By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Contributing Writer

The Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) focused almost exclusively on two hot-button issues at its crowded Oct. 8 meeting. The council again deliberated proposed changes to its bylaws that would impact local organizations with standing and alternating seats on the PPCC.

It came as a surprise that the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce supported the proposed changes, which would require the Chamber to alternate their standing seat with the newly formed Business Improvement District (BID).

Chamber President Adam Glazer said although the proposed changes were not a perfect solution, “It is important to set aside short-term desires for the good of the community council and for the good of improved participation by all aspects of the Palisades community.”

The vote on the proposed changes was held by secret ballot. The vote came in at 12 to 11 in favor of accepting the changes, but it fell short of the two-thirds majority required for the motion to pass.

Next steps for the Bylaws Committee were not addressed.

The next order of business brought to the floor revisited the proposed CUP for the Shell gas station located at Sunset Boulevard and Via de la Paz in the Village.

Owner Saheed Kohanoff was in attendance to answer questions, accompanied by architect Richard Finkel and land use consultant King Woods.

Finkel presented amended design plans that addressed community concerns. The discussion centered largely on residents’ fears that increased traffic, the sale of alcohol, proximity to residential dwellings and operation hours would disrupt the community.

Comments from residents who reside near the station were overwhelmingly against the redesign and inclusion of a convenience store.

Mel Kimman, Vice President of the Via de la Paz Homeowners Association (HOA), which represents the condo complex located next door to the Shell station, cited the proposed CUP as a liability to the community.

“The most important part is the use of the property,” Kimman said. I would like you to have a critical look at this proposed gas station, mini-mart.”

PPCC Treasurer Richard Cohen moved that “the owner of the proposed project revise the application and reconsider his development in consultation with the affected neighborhood residents and businesses.”

The motion passed easily, allowing for further discussion of the issue.

The next PPCC meeting on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library will include a presentation by and Q & A with California State Assemblymember Richard Bloom as well as a report from the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.