WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • City tightens tobacco sales Sunny and rules. pg. 3 hot, temps • Burglary crew around 90 sought. pg. 4 Volume 25 No. 35 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities August 27, 2015 Smart bikes pedal into nCouncil weighs merit of short-term rentals PLUM committee nWeHo next spring examines taxes and Riders will rent bikes for trips around the city impacts on neighbors By gregory cornfield Hollywood’s community develop- By gregory cornfield ment department directs the staff to Less than a week after its neigh- negotiate a contract with bors in Los Angeles approved the CycleHop, LLC, for the purchase, Los Angeles City Hall experi- Mobility Plan 2035 to coax people construction, installation, operation enced a very “shared” experience out of their cars, the West and maintenance of 150 “smart on Tuesday. After the city council Hollywood City Council approved bikes” to create the share system approved plans to allow services the creation and implementation of that is expected to launch in Spring like Uber and Lyft to operate at a citywide public bikeshare pro- 2016. According to the motion, the LAX, the planning, land use and gram. contract will be for a three-year management (PLUM) committee The motion from West opened discussion on a motion for See Short-term rentals page 24 the city to regulate services that share rooms instead of cars. In June, councilmen Mike Bonin, 11th District, and Herb photo by Gregory Cornfield Wesson, 10th District, introduced a motion that would legalize the Advocates raised their hands in support of allowing short-term rentals practice of hosts renting their extra during a packed hearing in city council chambers on Tuesday. rooms or homes to a visitor. That practice is currently banned in the The motion directs the city to weighed whether short-term city, but has been allowed to con- authorize a host to rent all or part rentals are cutting into the city’s tinue over the past decade because of their primary residence to short- affordable housing market, as it’s difficult to monitor and term visitors. The motion also short-term rentals generate more enforce. directs the city to prohibit hosts money for hosts than long-term “The city’s current zoning regu- from renting units that are not pri- leases. lations do not anticipate or effec- mary residences or are units cov- The impacts of the short-term tively govern short-term rentals, ered by rent stabilization ordi- rental industry have been dramatic and need to be revised so that the nances, which would forbid “spec- – in both positive and negative city can effectively preserve rental ulators” from creating syndicates ways, the motion read. photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood housing and protect the character of short-term rental properties. “Tourists who stay in short-term Bicycles with smart technology will soon be pedaling through the streets of of residential neighborhoods,” the PLUM members, in front of a (less than 30 days) rentals relish West Hollywood with their new bikeshare program launching next spring. motion read. standing-room only chambers, See Short-term rentals page 25 Vision Zero sets sights to Counciln grapples with homeless solutions Encampment clean eliminaten trafficnot resultfatalities in injuries or death, and up efforts continue Focus is on pedestrian aims to reduce traffic-related By edwin folven and cycling safety deaths by 20 percent by 2017 and By jessie lingenfelter to zero by 2025. The Los Angeles Council The directive calls for reports on Committee on Homelessness and A bold, new plan put forth by specific recommendations for Poverty on Wednesday considered the Los Angeles Department of safety measures from multiple city a report from the city’s chief leg- Transportation (LADOT) envi- departments, including LADOT islative analyst and city administra- sions a future free of traffic-related and the police, public works and tive officer on ways to address deaths. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed fire departments. Along with the encampments and the removal of the “Vision Zero” executive direc- department of public health and property left on sidewalks and in tive, which calls for measures to Mayor Garcetti’s office, they will other public locations. ensure mistakes on the roads do See Plan page 24 The report was presented in response to proposed changes to the city’s ordinances regarding the removal of property, and a request by Mayor Eric Garcetti that two photo courtesy of the 13th Council District recently approved ordinances Representatives from Councilman Mitch O’Farrell;s office, the LAPD include protocols for the removal of and volunteers from the Sunburst Academy cleaned up the neighbor- important documents and medica- hoods around Beverly Boulevard and Vermont Avenue on Aug. 22. tions from homeless individuals. The report indicated that the city considered a motion authored by review. needs to identify locations where Councilman Gil Cedillo, and sec- David Grahamcaso, a deputy to the belongings could be stored onded by Councilman David Ryu, Councilman Mike Bonin, 11th within a reasonable proximity to that would allow for the immediate District, a member of the commit- where they are removed, and clean up of belongings located tee on homelessness and poverty, encourages the exploration of ways within 1,000 feet of schools. The said the goal is to create an effective photo courtesy of the Office of Mayor Garcetti to get homeless individuals to vol- committee will continue to weigh way to remove property and reduce untarily remove belongings from options, and will forward the infor- blight while addressing the needs of Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the “Vision Zero” executive directive, which public areas. The committee also mation to the full city council for a See Council page 24 has a goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2025. 2 August 27, 2015 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 27 Kristian Bush September ountry music fans are invited to a free meet and greet session with Ccountry star Kristian Bush on C a l e n d a r 1 Open Mic Session Thursday, Aug. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. at the oets, memoir writers, novelists, at the Goodwill Southern California Westwood Branch Library. Members of essayists, balladeers and play- store in the Los Feliz District. Bush, of Theatre 40’s professional company will Pwrights are invited to perform at the the country-pop duo Sugarland, serves perform scenes from upcoming shows, Durant Library’s monthly open mic as a celebrity ambassador for and information about volunteer oppor- session on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. Goodwill Industries International. His tunities will be provided. 1246 Glendon at the library. Participants are asked hit song, “Trailer Hitch” is the center- Ave. (310)474-1739, to arrive early to sign up. 7140 W. piece of Goodwill’s #GiveItAway www.theatre40.org. Sunset Blvd. (323)876-2741. campaign. The first 50 fans in line will receive a free autographed copy of his debut solo album, “Southern Gravity”. ‘Climax’ Audra McDonald 4575 Hollywood Blvd. Climax”, a new thriller by Lisa www.GoodwillSoCal.org. Phillips Vasquez, runs from at the Bowl “Saturday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, ony and Grammy-winner Audra Nov. 1 at the Santa Monica Playhouse. McDonald performs with the Los 28 Fiesta La Ballona The production centers on the art of TAngeles Philharmonic on Tuesday, iesta La Ballona returns with musi- seduction, delving into a troubled mar- Sept. 1 and Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 cal performances, carnival rides, riage and infidelity that can shatter a p.m. at the Hollywood Bowl. Fgames, food trucks and more from family. Showtimes are at 8 p.m., McDonald will sing classics from Friday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. Saturday; 3 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are Broadway and the American 20 at Veterans Park in Culver City. $29.50. 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Songbook. Special guest Bramwell More than 100 booths will showcase Tovey, music director of the photo courtesy of Jonathan White (310)394-9779, www.santamoni- community groups, environmental caplayhouse.com. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, will organizations and artisan vendors. Folk music fans are invited to a performance by The T Sisters – Erika, lead the LA Phil in the performance. Visitors can enjoy pony rides, petting Rachel and Chloe Tietjen – who are returning to Los Angeles on Sunday, Tickets start at $1. 2301 N. Highland zoos, a beer and wine garden, farmers’ Aug. 20 for a concert at The Mint. The band from Oakland combines folk, 30 Free Flu Shot Ave. (323)850-2000, www.holly- market and sustainability activities. Americana, gospel, R&B, bluegrass and soul, weaving evocative stories Clinic woodbowl.com. Hours are 4:30 to 10 p.m., Aug. 28; 11 with a sound that is modern and timeless. Doors open at 7:30; show aint Thomas the Apostle Episcopal a.m. to 10 p.m., Aug. 29; and 11 a.m. starts at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $10; $12 at the door. 6010 W. Pico Church is hosting a flu-shot clinic to 9 p.m., Aug. 30. Admission is free; 2 Drought Panel Blvd. (323)954-9400, www.themintla.com. Son Sunday, Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 earn about efforts to address the ride tickets start at $1. 4117 Overland p.m. Admission is free; shots provided Ave., Culver City. drought during a panel discus- on a first come, first serve basis. 7501 sion titled “The Drought Crisis: www.FiestaLaBallona.org. at the Cavern Club Theater in the Casita L Hollywood Blvd. (323)876-2102, Tapping Into Solutions” on ‘A Reason’ Del Campo Restaurant in Silverlake.