My Belmont Heights

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.

Julie Maleki from Gary DeLong's office provided an update on some pertinent issues:

1. A much needed resurfacing of 7th Street between Redondo and PCH is underway. The majority of the project will be done over 2 weekends in order to minimize disruption to traffic. The first closure will be July 11 through July 14 and will involve 7th from PCH to Park. The street will be completely closed beginning at 8 am, Friday the 11th and will re-open at 5 am Monday, July 14. Both PCH and Park will be open; construction will be a 24 hour operation and there will be noise. The second closing will start at 8 am July 18; 7th will be closed from PCH to Redondo and will open at 5 am July 21. Again, PCH and Redondo will be open and the same work schedule applies. A public information meeting regarding this construction will be held June 24th at 6:30 PM at Jefferson Thomas Middle School's auditorium located at 750 Euclid Ave.
2. The EIR report for the Colorado Lagoon restoration project is available for viewing on-line, at both the Main and BayShore libraries, City offices at 333 W Ocean Blvd on the 5th floor, or at Councilman DeLong's office. Please contact Julie Maleki @ 562-570-6300 or at Julie_Maleki@longbeach.gov for an appointment for viewing or for other comments/questions. On-line, the document can be accessed at www.longbeach.gov/plan/pb/epd/er.asp Please note that public comments must be made by July 11, 2008.
3.  A summary report of public comments received regarding the SEADIP are also available for viewing at: www.longbeach.gov/plan/pb/apd/special_studies/seadip.asp
4. A proposed design for the SeaPort Marina development will be available within the next few weeks. Information will be posed on the BHCA website when available. 
5. The City is still seeking funds for 2 of the proposed Tidelands projects that the City views as a priority: the Alamitos Bay Marina and the Belmont Plaza Pool.

Mike Hungerford, the City Planner who has been attending our meetings on a regular basis, gave an update on the reorganization of the Planning/Building Department that is now called the "Department of Development Services" under the direction of Craig Beck. With that said, Mark is moving to Zoning, the planning bulletins have been consolidated to one issue for all neighborhood, and a "Case Planner" will now be available to our neighborhood association on an "as needed" basis. The target date for Mark's change is July 1.  Individuals can sign up to receive the "Project Planning/Zoning Change Requests" report in PDF format by going to the Development Services website. Mark also stated that the Case Planner has the responsibility to notify the President of the BHCA of all zoning requests impacting the Heights.

Finally, we had an excellent presentation on the "California Bungalow" by "Bungalow Kev"....historic designer and consultant, Kevin Doherty with the able assistance of his wife, Penelope. Even though our notice didn't make it into the Grunion Gazette (even with our best try!), the good attendance (about 35 to 40) indicated a significant interest in this subject matter on the part of residents. The information was too extensive and visual to summarize in minutes; however, Kevin did reference several excellent books that owners might be interested in viewing including:

• American Bungalow 1880-1930  by Clay Lancaster
• The California Bungalow   by Robert Winter
• California Design 1910 by Robert Winter and Esther McCoy
• Craftsman Magazine by Dover Publications
• American Bungalow published out of Sierra Madre

According to Kevin, one of the best bookstores for architectural resource material is Hennessey and Ingalls in Santa Monica. A link to their website is http://www.hennesseyingalls.com/hennessey/

And for those who may want to consult with Kevin regarding both interior and exterior design/color/landscaping etc, he can be reached at 562-434-1942. He is currently on his third personal bungalow restoration project; I was duly impressed, as I believe the rest of the audience was, with the work he has done. Thank you Kevin for an interesting and informative presentation. If residents have an interest in another presentation by Kevin, please note such by using the "comment" link.

Our next meeting will be held July 9. Please check the website for details regarding location and agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Sundstrom, President, BHCA