Your appearance this week, March 30th 6-8 p.m. at the Long Beach Department of Gas & Oil  will demonstrate that Long Beach residents remain vigilant in our efforts to oversee decisions to be made for the airline requested customs facility for LGB.

The six components of this "additional" study include:
1.  Terminal enhancement facility definition.
2.  Facility planning and design.
3.  Project cost estimates.
4.  Facility demand and traffic forecasts.
5.  Financial pro forma and funding plan.
6.  Feasibility report, which includes a compilation of steps 1-5.

When I reread these six components, I see a plan being put into action.  A plan that will include a design and how to fund it.  On our behalf, Council member Austin added the following elements to be included in the study:

1.  A forecast of additional general aviation flights that include both corporate and personal jets that would utilize this FIS facility.
2.  A risk assessment of potential threats to the airport noise ordinance and a plan to mitigate impacted neighborhoods and schools from environmental and health impacts should the noise ordinance become invalidated;
3.  An assessment of potential security risks created by the addition of international flights.

How will the above community concerns be addressed?  Here is the format that will be used on Wednesday, 3/20.

The meeting will begin with a 30 minute presentation by Jacobs Engineering.  They will then convene to the Open House format and if there are any attendees left, after one hour, they will reconvene to answer the written questions received from the audience at the beginning of the meeting. 

Is this a true  "Community Meeting"?  We don't think so......

  A community meeting should provide "the community" the opportunity to voice their concerns, to know they have been heard and to hear the answers to their individual questions.

To attend or not attend.......we hope you will.  We also hope you will be vocal with your concerns.  We hope you will remember this is YOUR city. 

The council members who will make the final decision when this "study" returns, were elected by you, the residents of Long Beach.

Pass the word........let's do this one more time! 

Stay Involved!       Your HUSH Team

The 2nd community outreach meeting will be held on April 20th.  Same time, same address: 2400 E. Spring St.

This week #17 on the council agenda, staff is asking the city council to approve a $350,000.00 study for the requested customs facility at Long Beach Airport.
You can see the details in the attachment at the site below:
http://longbeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2540132&

What is alarming is the 2013 study completed by Frasca & Associates was roughly $35K.  The seated council chose not to vet that document publicly and yet now may approve a contract that will cost 10X that figure. 

Jacobs Engineering is headquartered in Pasadena and also has local offices in Los Angeles and Long Beach.  Though this particular contract is being awarded to their Texas location.  The contract will include participation from several other firms including Frasca & Associates.

The Jacobs Engineering website sends up many red flags for us.  This is an excerpt from the aviation website page:
Our aviation teams help clients and their customers prepare for a smooth take-off and landing at international, regional, and municipal airports around the globe.
Starting with aviation planning, site development, and asset management to architecture and engineering design through to construction support, commissioning and long-term facilities management, we are able to help our clients connect all of the critical aspects of their facility to provide an excellent experience for their traveling customers.
In the U.S., we have worked in more than 80 commercial airports and in the past 15 years we have successfully delivered 12 major aviation programs totaling more than $15 billion.

This proposed study was to determine the financial feasibility and impacts upon our communities.  Not to open the door to an entity that supports and builds for airport growth. 

This agenda item, to approve a significant budget for yet another study,  allows the council to instead receive and file this proposed project.  Let's see if the council has been listening to the residents who are impacted daily by airport activities.

We are not asking you to attend this council meeting because there are several "hot topics" on the agenda and do not want to burden you with giving up your entire evening (unless of course you feel compelled to join us).  The HUSH board will attend and speak to concerns that have been expressed since this was first initiated in 2013.

                     What Can You Do ? 

• You can call and/or write every council office and the mayor to state your position on this proposal. 
• You can request a LBNF lawn sign.
  
• You can volunteer to host a coffee meeting at your home to help spread the factual message.
  
• You can involve yourself in the April 2016 election for districts 2,4,6 and 8.  Campaigns are always in need of volunteers!
  

Thank you to each one of you who took the time to join us last night at the city council meeting.  We are all aware of how busy life can be....especially during this holiday season.

We had a decent turnout and more speakers than there were speaker cards available!  Our message continues to ring clear for our elected officials.

"Our message is this....This (FIS) will be a major campaign issue for each council member.  Whether it is 2016 or 2018. It is in your best interest, in everyone's best interest, to educate yourselves on possible risks associated with further service enhancements at Long Beach Airport."

A special thanks is owed to Mayor Garcia who called for Public Comment period before they began the civic center hearing.  He recognized that there were a number of speakers to address airport concerns and allowed us to go ahead of the 2 hour presentation, discussion and vote.

Several of us did stay for that item and share concerns about what this debt could mean to Long Beach residents in the future.  We'll write about that next time.

 Again, thank you for taking part in civic engagement that can at times appear to be unfruitful.  What is important for us to remember is that each baby step forward moves us closer to our objective.  That objective is to keep our neighborhoods and quality of life standards high.

For now, we wish you all a very happy, blessed holiday season! 

                                   -See you in 2016-
 

This Tuesday, December 8th the city council and public will be presented with a study session on why LGB Director, Bryant Francis, is authorized to add 9 additional flight slots at our airport.

After speaking with Assistant City Attorney, Mike Mais I understand their rationale.  What I don't understand is the conflicting reports from previous years.

Several years back we were advised that IF there were ZERO noise violations LGB could add a maximum of 11 additional flights.  Now we know that is next to impossible because of delays due to weather and mechanicals.  We know because many 4th, 7th and 8th district residents have made those complaint calls in the early morning hours when their sleep or quiet time has been disrupted by an arrival or departure outside of the allowable time frames.  We know because of the fines that Jet Blue has paid to the Long Beach Library Foundation.  So, Tuesday's presentation will be interesting to hear. 

We are one of 5 cities in the nation that was allowed a noise ordinance when ANCA was created in the mid-90's.  It was blessed because Long Beach had an ordinance in place.  An ordinance that was being challenged in a 12 year court battle by dozens of commercial carriers!

The most recent threat was made by American Airlines. In 2002 AA demanded 4 additional slots because of the way that Jet Blue had been awarded 27 slots and then allowed to hold them without using them, as they ramped up their west coast services.  Through effective dialogue our city attorney was able to influence Jet Blue to relinquish those 4 flight slots and American Airlines dropped their threat.  This AA document will soon be added to our site for your review.

This noise ordinance is our thin veil of protection.  Protection for residents who live within the flight paths. Protection for property tax dollars that are the number one source of revenue for our general fund.  Protection for all of Long Beach who benefit from higher tax dollars generated from established neighborhood communities such as Bixby Knolls, Los Altos and Cal Heights. 

The loss of this coveted noise ordinance could result in the same consequences experienced by the Westchester, Vista del Mar neighborhoods  near LAX.  This is why it is critical that our elected mayor and council members clearly and accurately comprehend the implications of each one of their decisions relating to LGB.  The next decision that will  come before them will be whether or not to approve the Jet Blue request for international flights.  More on that soon..........

Check in later this week for your invitation to join us for the upcoming rally! 

We are a bit behind in updating you on the Will J. Reid Boy Scout Park project and what the next steps will be.

On November 10th, the entire council followed 8th district councilmember Al Austin in his support of the 131 home development on this 10.5 acre site.  They did so without giving any discussion to the concerns stated by numerous residents from both the immediate neighborhood nor their citywide supporters. 

Concerns of increased density in an already burdened community. 

Concerns with the years of construction impacts to the area because of the isolated location of the property.  This includes thousands of truckloads of infill dirt over a 8-9 month period, followed by roughly 1600 truckloads of building materials for the next 2-3 years. 

Concerns of the increased traffic with a minimum 300 additional cars daily after the build out. 
The council failed to support efforts to make this a green project with LEED buildings, solar power and grey water irrigation to name a few of the public ideas. 

However, there is more at stake here than simply the proposed development in a challenged area of North Long Beach, a neighborhood that is confronted with criminal behavior, parking impacts and traffic today.  At the same time, the council approved this new PUD zoning that now allows this type of development throughout our city.  It is accurate that each development project will be required to do their own EIR, but now this zoning designation is on the city books, available to all.  FYI, the same developer, Integral Communities, already has two other site locations and are in discussion with the city.  As I understand these are both 7th district properties.

It is my understanding that discussions are moving forward for a lawsuit to challenge the EIR.  It is unfortunate that this must happen for residents to protect their neighborhoods.  A vetting of resident concerns during the public hearing could have avoided this action.  There could have been a compromise.  Stay tuned........next post will highlight the LGB FIS campaign.

Last week, the Long Beach Planning Commission voiced their concerns over the density of this 131 home project to be built on the Will J. Reid Boy Scout Park site, yet they forwarded it onto the council with a 5-2 vote to support it as presented. The alternative that the community could most likely have supported would be the EIR Alternative Project suggesting 65 homes on the 10.5 acre site. The PC never addressed that option.

This project, as submitted, requires new zoning approval and a zone change by the city council that will allow lot sizes to be 2400 sq.ft. to accommodate their proposed project. The homes are 2-4 bedrooms and yet parking is restricted to a two car garage included on the home site with no on-street parking. At minimum this will put another 300 cars on the narrow, impacted streets within this isolated neighborhood.

Could this be considered “spot zoning” to support the OC developer known as Integral Communities? Spot zoning is a provision in a general plan which benefits a single parcel of land by creating a zone for use just for that parcel and different from the surrounding properties in the area.

The EIR states that there is no other property within Long Beach that could handle this size development, unless of course one were to consider taking more open space/park land to house more residents in an already built out city! That most certainly says this change in density with a new PUD-13 allowing 13 homes per acre is project specific. With over 30% of the land being considered landscaped or open areas, the density will be even greater.

If you believe, at best, this project should be reduced in size to more appropriately compliment the area, please attend the November 10th 5:00 p.m.city council meeting when this hearing will take place. I personally, am of the mindset that this valuable land should remain open space for future park development in an area of Long Beach that today is lacking recreational opportunities.

The Long Beach 2010 Sustainable City Action Plan includes the goal of creating 8 acres of open space per 1000 residents. This project will take 10.5 acres of available open space in a north Long Beach community that even a resident supporter of the project identified as "an abandoned area of Long Beach" and allow increased density that usually brings negative impacts and demands to the area.

This is not only an issue for Dominquez Gap community, but all of the 8th district since access to Del Amo Blvd and LB Blvd will most definitely be impacted well beyond what is experienced today.

Last bite at the proverbial apple.......this is where the residents can influence the outcome of a housing development that is not complimentary to the neighborhood community. Will you do your part?

Long Beach Neighborhoods First encourages you to attend the November 10th 5:00 p.m. city council meeting to support these concerned residents.

The EIR can be viewed at

This site is not only to keep Long Beach residents advised about LGB activities, but to present projects that could have impacts throughout our city.

There are two proposed Long Beach projects that you may be interested in casting your opinion on during this next month.

  The first is this coming Thursday, October 15th at 5:00 p.m. in the council chambers located at 333 Ocean Blvd.  The Planning Commission will be hearing the request to build a new 131 single family home community where the Will J. Reid Boy Scout park was located. 

New single family housing for our city sounds good, until you examine the details provided.  The city has created a new zoning for this project.  It will allow these homes to be built on a 10 acre plot of land.  Each lot size is 2400 square feet with the homes being 2 or 3 stories.  How large is your home?  Compare the average 2000 sq.ft home and now imagine building a home within these boundaries, with a garage and a yard.  Tight quarters for sure!  So my question remains, will this result in another lesson learned like the "cracker box" buildings that were allowed in the 80's?  Those projects scattered throughout the city, proved to be a disaster for the communities and a drain on public resources as they turned to decayed properties laden with crime.

To approve this project the zoning must be changed from Open Space (park land) to RP-13 that will allow 13 homes per acre.  Why would the city allow such density in an already challenged area of our city?  Why would the city give up valuable park land that this area of Long Beach could benefit from? 

The Boy Scouts abandoned this camp years ago for what they claimed was a financial decision to reinvest in other Boy Scout properties and programs.  They had that right, but we were firm that the zoning changes would not be allowed.  Today, that change is on the table for approval. 

The agreement includes that the builder, Integral Communities, will complete the Oregon Park soccer fields located at Oregon and Del Amo Blvd.  This property was purchased by RDA around 2008-9 with the intent to provide the community with another recreational source that would include 2-3 soccer fields and a small playground area.  Instead, the allocated funding was then used to complete building of the new eastside police sub-station. 

Two concerns here are:

1.  Is it wise to hand over 10 acres of much needed open space land that could be incorporated into the Dominguez Gap wetlands area?  The answer will be there is no money to acquire the property.  One day, there will be.

2.  If approval is given and the soccer fields are built by Integral Communities what will the composition of the artificial turf be?  There is much controversy over some of the materials being used even though the EPA has not taken a defensive stand.  Visit SynTurf.org to gather more information on this subject. 

Then take the time to write your council office with a cc to all district offices and the office of the mayor.  Come down on October 15th and support a neighborhood community! 

Stay Involved!

Item #2 can be viewed through the Hot Topics site.  More to come on that next time.

On July 7th our city council voted 6-3  to move forward with a second feasibility study on the benefits of supporting an FIS facility at LGB.  It was council members Supernaw, Uranga & Austin who supported the neighborhoods concerns and voted against a further study that will only open further dialogue that could put our neighborhoods and quality of life in our homes in jeopardy.  These three council members clearly understand that when a controversial issue comes before them that can negatively impact the residents (aka voters)  it is best to err on the side of the constituents.

It was a two hour testimonial from residents as well as Jet Blue supporters prior to voting on  5th district Councilwoman Mungo's motion.  The public testimony was roughly 2-1 against this action.  Those in support, many who were transported by bus to city hall, were Jet Blue officials, airport employees and FBO operators that would benefit directly by this enhancement at LGB.  Those opposed obviously were the residents who will have to deal with this additional impact and potential threat on a daily basis.

If you have not witnessed the statements made by Ms. Mungo I encourage you to visit lbreport.com and see for yourself what arrogance and a lack of institutional memory looks like.  Or you can go to YOUTUBE Mungo Property Tax. 

In  the end,  this is strictly a political decision.  There are no demands placed on Long Beach to grant this request.  The FAA has no interest in whether this moves forward or not, as long as LGB is not interfering with interstate commerce within the boundaries of our ordinance. 

The initial study completed in November 2013 done by Frasca & Associates (you can find it under LBNF Hot Topics) clearly states that this appears to be a "airline special facility" rather than a general airport improvement since the demand seems to be a function of Jet Blue's strategic plans.  They also recommend that if the decision is to move forward that JB be required to pay not only for the facility, but the O&M costs of $850K annually as well.

We'll share our position on the economics of it all next time!
Stay Involved!