Update March 11, 2020: The Neighborhood Council Sustainability Liaisons have made the following recommendation
Street trees are important to so many stakeholders, and it takes a long time to replace a tree once it is gone. We do not want to lose our tree canopy unnecessarily in the course of fixing our sidewalks. To help you understand what this is all about we have provided this information sheet and sample letter: NCSA Safe Sidewalks DEIR info, sample comment letter
If you need a presentation at your meeting, let me know and we will try to come. We have documented a project of the Sidewalk Repair Program with huge trees removed even though the sidewalk was barely lifting, parkways filled with construction sand, and replacement trees put in that are not equivalent at maturity and then left to get dry.
Let the City know your thoughts by taking advantage of the extension of the comment period until April 24 for the Sidewalk Repair Program Draft Environmental Impact Report.
You may comment either as a Neighborhood Council if you can get a motion done in time, or send comments as individuals. You may post our information on your website and encourage stakeholders to also send email comments.
February 20, 2020: The City of Los Angeles (City) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed Sidewalk Repair Program (proposed Project) that addresses the manner in which sidewalk repair projects are undertaken pursuant to the City’s obligations under the Willits Settlement Agreement (Settlement). The City is requesting input on the Draft EIR from public agencies, residents, and other interested project stakeholders.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Under the proposed Project, the City would adopt a new uncodified ordinance to revise the way sidewalk repairs undertaken pursuant to the Settlement are reviewed and approved, with a primary goal of streamlining the Settlement implementation process.
The key components of the ordinance include:
• A ministerial approval process to enable sidewalk repair projects falling within certain specified parameters to proceed upon approval by the City Engineer or a designee, without undergoing further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
• A streamlined discretionary approval process by the City Engineer or a designee for sidewalk repair projects falling outside the specific parameters for a ministerial sidewalk repair approval;
• A revised Street Tree Retention, Removal and Replacement Policy establishing a 2:1 street tree replacement to removal ratio requirement for years 1-10, 3:1 for years 11-21, and 2:1 for years 22-30, and;
• Mandatory Project Design Features (PDFs) generally consisting of regulatory compliance measures and standard construction conditions and procedures.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
The Draft EIR Public Review and Comment Period begins December 26th, 2019 until April 24, 2020. Options for providing comments during the Draft EIR Public Review and Comment Period include the following:
1. Attend a Public Meeting and provide verbal and/or written comments during the Draft EIR Review Period.
Meetings were January 29-February 15
2. Submit comments online until April 24, 2020 at the following link: http://sidewalks.lacity.commentinput.com/. Please be sure to include your contact information.
3. Email your comment to Shilpa.Gupta@lacity.org during the Draft EIR Review Period and include “SRP DEIR” in the subject line. Please include your contact information including name, telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address so that we can contact you if we have any questions regarding your comment.
4. Mail your comments during the Draft EIR Review Period to:
Shilpa Gupta, Environmental Supervisor I
City of Los Angeles Public Works, Bureau of Engineering
Environmental Management Group
1149 S Broadway, Suite 600, Mail Stop 939
Los Angeles, CA 90015
MORE INFORMATION