Echo Park neighborhood issues report
by Andrew Garsten
The Neighborhood Issues Committee (NIC) is tasked by EPIA to address and where needed form recommendations for EPIA on issues impacting our community in detail. We meet every month on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm, Williams Hall, Barlow Hospital. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Bring your own issues. Join in on discussions regarding agenda items.
This month and this coming month bring us several cultural events to the Echo Park community, with the successful conclusion of Echo Park Rising earlier this month, and the upcoming Cultures Collide event in October. Stay tuned to EPIA for more details.
The NIC is in the middle of discourse on several land use projects including the Morton Village development – this will include about 15 new homes, and the restoration of three historic bungalows fronting Morton Avenue. The relocation of the Craftsman Fourplex relocated from the Four Square Senior Housing Project to Echo Park and Park Avenue has run into some more snags, and the NIC has requested some more time from Four Square to see this through to a successful conclusion. We are expecting follow up presentations from Senor Fish regarding their CUB request next month as well as a follow up presentation on the proposed large development at Sunset & Everest – site of the current Reliable Do-it center. One particularly active developer in the neighborhood, Planet Home, will be presenting updates on several proposed development projects – one a proposed small lot subdivision project between Lake Shore and Liberty, and a single family home project.
The Sunset Streetscape Project was discussed in light of the trees that were recently tagged for removal. Also, NIC is working on a community clean up some time this autumn. If you have any interest in our clean-ups, please let us know.
Echo Park Parenting & Education is looking for a new home. If you have any ideas or leads, please get in touch with them at www.echoparenting.org
The EPIA is considering joining CEQA Works, and organization focused on preserving and enhancing the California Environmental Quality Act. Please go to www.ceqaworks.org and let us know your thoughts.
