Why Do We Do It?

Most people do not just wake up one day and decide to be community activists. There is usually a catalyst – some project that surfaces in the community, perhaps next door to their home or business – that causes them to exclaim, “They want to do what?” or “They can’t do that!” That’s how it started for me with the 710 Freeway tunnel proposal and here I am, 10 years later, continuing to fight the good fight. 

Community activists have terrible reputations for being complainers and NIMBYs (not-in-my-back-yard) but the truth is we play a pivotal role in the development of a community. While planners serve as visionaries – “Can we build it?” – and councils oversee regulations and funding – “What is the cost to build it?” – activists look at the big picture of how a project will fit into the community and consider “Should we build it?” Sometimes the answer is “No and here’s why…” Sometimes the answer is “Yes, we support it but have you considered…”

Case in point: Several years ago, Wells Fargo purchased the property at 3200 Foothill Blvd., a former gas station with service bays. Representatives from the company approached the Crescenta Valley Community Association and laid out their vision for a new branch there.  Community members reviewed the plans and felt a bank was an appropriate use for the space knowing there had been problems with groundwater contamination following the removal of the gas tanks years earlier. It was suggested that, due to our history, the community would appreciate the inclusion of some native granite stones in the design. We also pointed out that, based on an unfortunate accident that occurred at the Union 76 Service Station up the street, they should have parking bollards installed at the rear of the property to prevent vehicles from ending up in any neighbor’s yard. This had just happened a couple of months prior. We also recommended lighting that wouldn’t impinge on the houses below. The developer pointed to the design map where they planned to build a substantial retaining wall and assured us that they would add large bollards and lights with shields. We were satisfied. 

After the project was underway, it was noted that a slat fence rather than a concrete wall had been added to the south side that allowed light to shine below. Also, bollards in the parking lot were spaced too far apart so that a car could easily fit through them. A call to the Glendale Planning Dept. revealed that there had been grading issues and the developer had merely substituted the slat fencing instead of the concrete wall. It took several months of negotiations with Wells Fargo representatives and Planning to get them to add more bollards but they were not budging on the wall, a significant expense. I am not sure they ever fixed the lights to the satisfaction of the neighbors, either. The CVCA was disappointed with the poor compromise but acknowledged that our main safety concern had been addressed. This is just one example of why it is important for the community to pay attention to project designs every step of the way and to engage for the benefit of all.

I believe it is critical that those directly affected by a project have a voice in the matter. There will be a group speaking at the next Los Angeles City Planning and Land Use Management hearing for the Verdugo Hills Golf Course property on Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Contact protectingourfoothillcommunity@gmail.com for more information about this.

In the meantime, I will be following up with the City about why they didn’t install the “hot dog” median that was planned as part of 4201 Pennsylvania condo project. A recent resurface of the street did not include it.

Why do we do it? Because someone needs to.

Susan Bolan

susanbolan710@gmail.com