MINUTES FROM APRIL 9th 2026
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Chris Spitz, Joanna Spak, Carole White, Bonnie Burgess, Karen Ridgley, Allison Holdorff, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, Valeria Serna, Kevin Niles, Rick McGeagh, David Card, Harris Smith, Daphne Gronich, Kaye Steinsapir
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Lee Anne Sanderson, Kambiz Kamdar, Cindy Simon, Ben Einbinder, Michael Edlen, Marc Gordonson, Kim Millimaki-Gorry, James Alexakis, Jim Kirtley, Ella Nozar
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Allison Holdorff read the Mission Statement.
2. Introductions / Roll Call. The President introduced the members and called the roll.
3. Certification of Quorum. The President certified quorum.
4. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of March 26, 2026, were approved.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. April 23, 2026 (1st Distribution of proposed Bylaws amendments; LADWP presentation on Palisades water infrastructure); May 14, 2026 (Nominating Committee presents nominees for officer positions; Board nominations open; 2nd istribution and vote on proposed Bylaws amendments).
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer’s report was as follows:
US Bank balance: $57,146.70
Schwab account: $397,952.92
Total in accounts: $455,099.62
7. General Public Comment. The President announced that decorum and civility are required during public comment and at all times when speaking during the meeting.
7.1. Sue Pascoe (resident, CTN) advised that a tree stump at 800 Radcliffe is a potential hazard, with teens observed walking in the street around or near the stump. It was suggested that 3-1-1 should be called.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1.1. Appointment of Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for PPCC officer positions for the 2026-27 term, beginning 7/1/26. Process: Committee presents its nominations and nominations open from the Board on 5/14/26; Board nominations close on 5/28/26; candidates forum (if needed) and election of PPCC officers take place on 6/13/26 (PPCC Bylaws, Art. VII). The President announced the Committee members: Lorie Cudzil, Chair; Jim Kirtley, Rick McGeagh, Chris Spitz, Kaye Steinsapir.
8.1.2. Recap: Community Renewal Celebration 3/22/26. The President remarked that the event was wonderful and asked Allison Holdorff to give a recap. Ms. Holdorff agreed that the event was a tremendous success, with nearly 2,000 attendees, arts and crafts, friends, food and music – including the guitarist for the Doors, Robby Krieger, who went to Pali High as a teen and returned with a backup band to provide a much-enjoyed performance of the Doors’ famous hit songs. Daphne Gronich also spoke, and she and Ms. Holdorff thanked the many community volunteers who helped produce the Celebration.
8.1.3. Update: Status of Advisory Task Forces (ATFs). The ATFs are ongoing and volunteers continue to be invited to participate. More information can be found at www.pali411.com.
8.1.4. Update: Status of new proposed PPCC website. The website committee (the President, Vice-President and Chris Spitz) have been working with Ken Kohn of Miracle Data on the website content and design; they hope to have a more extensive update soon.
8.1.5. Update: ACE Building Materials Yard operations: permit amended to provide for a 6 a.m. starting hour. The President confirmed the change in the start time to 6 a.m. daily.
8.1.6. Update: Status of Palisades Bowl mobile home park. The President asked resident Jon Brown to speak. Mr. Brown heads the new Palisades Bowl Community Group. He spoke about the property being put up for sale, the residents’ desire to return home, and about a town hall that was held last week with government officials who support the residents but were unable to offer solutions. The residents would like to retain legal counsel; contact Jon Brown through the President if you can recommend an attorney.
8.1.7. [New] Water restoration project on Sunset at Las Casas. LADWP is undertaking a mainline replacement project on Sunset Blvd. between Bienveneda and Las Casas from May through August. There will be several street closures.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus.
8.2.1. Quentin Fleming (Vice-President). Status of PPCC-NORC Survey follow-up. The Vice-President reported that NORC has been requested to do the follow-up to the Survey. Preliminary work is needed and the follow-up Survey is expected to be ready to launch in 4-6 weeks.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven Representative) spoke about three matters: 1) Responding to a report by an individual who uses the 4th St. Stairs in Santa Monica Canyon about a fire hazard with overgrown brush, Arus Grigoryan of CD 11 was able to get the Conservation Corps to come out, cut back the brush and clear the debris; 2) a huge public safety hazard involving debris from a large encampment underneath Gladstones Restaurant was discovered; Ms. Kilbride has spoken with the manager and the trash has been cleared; 3) she also became aware of a “youth rehabilitation” facility in a home at 914 Las Pulgas, where neighbors are concerned about potential impacts; CD 11 is aware and is monitoring. Chris Spitz (At-large) noted PPCC’s past concerns with such group homes and explained that under state law, group homes of 6 or fewer residents are permitted.
8.3.2. Michael Edlen (At-large 1st Alternate) expressed concern about blocked roadways in the Alphabet Streets due to construction vehicles. Reza Akef (Palisades builder; Chair, PPCC Infrastructure Committee) noted the need to achieve a balance between open ingress and egress and expeditious construction.
8.3.3. Bonnie Burgess (Area Three 2nd Alternate) reported that there is a massive water leak from a pipe in Marquez Knolls, near Bollinger and Edgar. The water is pouring down and causing a “lake” on Sunset. She was advised to contact Arus Grigoryan for assistance.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives.
8.4.1. Rick McGeagh (PPBA) reported that the Pacific Palisades Park Board will meet at 7pm on Thursday, April 16 at the small gym.
8.4.2. Dave Card (PFC) noted that there will be a Fire Safe workshop on Sunday, April 12 from 2-5pm at Calvary Church.
8.4.3. Valeria Serna (Resilient Palisades) announced an Earth Day event and Veg Fest to take place on Sunday, April 19, at the Village Green.
8.4.4. Daphne Gronich (PAPA) reported that PAPA is working on the return of the 4th of July Parade and events to Pacific Palisades.
8.4.5. Jim Kirtley (Lowe Family YMCA) stated that the Y is sponsoring family fun night events for the next three Friday nights at Simon Meadow; a Teen Council is also forming.
8.5. From Government Offices / Representatives (as available). Contact information: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/government-contacts/.
8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO) for Pacific Palisades, advised that the Palisades had one reported crime since his last report. There have been more debris dumps at vacant lots; he encouraged owners to install gates across driveways to prevent dumping and noted that dumping should be reported to 3-1-1. SLO Espin also spoke about vandalism involving graffiti placed on portions of fencing near the entrance of a vacant property on Friends St. in the Via bluffs; Councilwoman Park was about to have City workers come out and the graffiti was removed. There was no indication of gang involvement and the perpetrators are unknown.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD 11 (Councilwoman Traci Park), gave an extensive report about numerous matters:
- the July 4th Run (organizers have applied with CD 11 for permits).
- the City Ad Hoc Committee on Recovery (report on recent meeting).
- the removal of graffiti on the Friends St. property.
- the need to renew Trespass Authorization Forms per LAMC 41.24.
- dedication of the new Dog Park to take place on May 9th from 9-10am.
- the Pali Hub event to take place on April 11 at the new LTRG headquarters on La Cruz.
- an Earth Day cleanup to take place on April 25 in the Via Bluffs and other others.
- Vector Control should be called regarding standing water in swimming pools (310-915-7370).
- ongoing street light repairs, with locations along main corridors and near standing homes prioritized.
- CD 11 is working with the City Attorney on drafting the required fee waiver ordinance.
- CD 11 is working on a response from LADBS to expedite solutions to nuisance properties and still-needed lot clearances.
- LADWP will be working on water main repairs on Sunset Blvd. and Las Casas and on Marquez Avenue, beginning in May.
- LADWP work on the water regulator project at Sunset and Via de la Paz is ongoing and the street closure at the intersection will continue until the end of May.
- status of two Castellammare projects: Posetano Rd. and repair of the Tramanto bulkhead.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass, expressed kudos to the volunteers who organized the successful Renewal Celebration. She also reported on the following: the Mayor sponsored a wellness fair on March 28 at Palisades Lutheran Church; there is a new recovery website, https://recovery.lacity.gov/. AECOM will be conducting focus groups on the Long Term Recovery Plan; advocacy trips that the Mayor has taken to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to obtain funding and other solutions for recovery; Street Services is working with other agencies for agreements on street repairs in the Palisades; a representative from Southern California Gas is now present (irregular days) at the PIPSI on Marquez.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath), provided information about several of the Board of Supervisors’ recent actions, measures and programs.
8.5.5. Sean Regan, District Representative, Congressman Brad Sherman – not present.
8.5.6. Sophia Liebman, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen), reported on numerous bills the Senator has sponsored or co-sponsored involving Palisades recovery, fire insurance, loans, mitigation, price-gouging and mobile home park protections.
8.5.7. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) also reported about a number of bills that the Assemblymember has sponsored or co-sponsored involving Palisades matters.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons.
8.6.1. Ella Nozar (Youth Advisor) provided information about the Pali High Ambassadors and noted that the Ambassadors are always available to help with community events. Board members thanked them for their recent help with the Renewal Celebration.
8.6.2. Allison Holdorff (Education Advisor; Sr. Advisor to LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin) spoke on several school matters: she encourages the use of the swimming pool at Pali High; there have been good results from environmental testing of the campus; a swap meet will take place this coming Saturday at Pali High; a meeting took place last night on the status of rebuilding Palisades Elementary; the LA Dodgers will be visiting Marquez Elementary and there will be a booster club auction next Saturday.
9. Reports from PPCC Committees.
9.1. Grants Committee (Quentin Fleming, Chair). Committee update / grant recommendations forBoard approval. Documents relevant to the Grant process:
Conflict of Interest Rules: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Conflict-of-Interest-Rules-Grants.pdf
Application Guidelines: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Guidelines-for-Grants1.pdf
Committee Statement: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/PPCC-Grants-Cmtee-Statement.pdf
Chair Fleming explained that the Committee is recommending two grants as follows:
$5,000 to Methodist Pre-School of Pacific Palisades
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Grant-Recommend-Methodist-Preschool.pdf
$5,000 to Palisades Charter High School – Softball (PCHS)
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Grant-Recommend-Pali-Softball.pdf
Chair Fleming asked if any voting board member had a conflict of interest with respect to either of these grants. No members stated that they had a conflict. After an opportunity for discussion, a vote was called as to each recommended grant: Result: unanimous approval of both grants.
9.2. Land Use Committee (LUC/Chris Spitz, Chair). LUC recommendation and motions for Board approval regarding (A) proposed mixed-use project at 15113 Sunset Blvd., and (B) density mandates and emergency evacuation. See attached background information and text of motions.
LUC Chair Spitz introduced the two motions for consideration by the board: the first motion, Motion A, involving the proposed mixed-use project at 15113 Sunset Blvd., and the second motion, Motion B, more generally dealing with density mandates and emergency evacuation. She explained that because both motions are made by a committee of more than one voting member, seconds were not needed.
Starting with Motion A, she noted that the applicants’ consultant, Nick Leathers, was present to provide information and to answer questions as needed. She then read the operative motion language as set forth in the agenda, and summarized the facts and points made in the motion’s prefatory language. Following her summary, she asked if anyone had any questions or comments. There were no questions or comments. A vote was then taken. Result: Unanimous in support of the motion.
Chair Spitz then turned to Motion B, summarizing the motion’s prefatory facts and points and noting the motion requests as set forth in the agenda. She asked if there were any questions or comments about Motion B. There were none. A vote was then taken. Result: Unanimous in support of the motion.
9.3. Bylaws Committee (Chris Spitz & Maryam Zar, Co-Chairs). Committee update. Co-Chair Spitz reported that the Committee has been working on important amendments to the PPCC Bylaws, including updating provisions that define “principal residence” in the aftermath of the fire, adding new active organizations formed since the fire, and updating the list of organizational members to broaden participation on PPCC. The documents are being finalized and will be distributed ahead of two upcoming meetings in late April and early May. There will be an opportunity for full discussion and the Board vote will take place on May 14.
9.4. Infrastructure Committee (Reza Akef, Chair). Committee update. Chair Akef discussed a possible LADWP presentation on water infrastructure; the Committee’s efforts to encourage telecoms to participate in undergrounding; and a tour that he had organized and led, taking all the LADWP Commissioners in a van throughout Palisades neighborhoods, to give them an understanding of topography and challenges in terms of placement of transformer boxes during undergrounding.
9.5. Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC/Cindi Young, Chair). Committee update. In the absence of the EPC Chair, member Josie Tong provided information about Rylan and upcoming emergency preparedness training sessions organized by community volunteers apart from the EPC (“Prepare Palisades”).
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business (see item 9.2 above)
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
ATTACHMENT – Item 9.2:
(A) LUC motion regarding proposed mixed-use project at 15113 Sunset Blvd.
Background: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Background-15113-Sunset-Blvd.pdf
Proposed motion text:
“This motion is made with reference to the following facts and considerations:
1) A mixed-use project has been proposed for a now-vacant lot at 15113 Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades (rebuild of the former building destroyed in the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025).
2) The project applicant seeks certain incentives and waivers to provide relief from several development standards in the City of L.A. Municipal Code (LAMC) and the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan (Specific Plan):
- Height increase to 40’ in lieu of the 30’ height limit in Specific Plan section 7A.
- Increase the height limit as measured from grade to the ceiling of the upper story to 34’-9” in lieu of 27’ height limit in Specific Plan section 7B.
- Provide no parking spaces for the commercial uses in the building in lieu of the commercial parking requirements in Specific Plan section 10B. (Note: the LUC has not calculated the total number of parking stalls required by the Specific Plan).
- Reduce required Open Space from 650 square feet to 50 square feet.
- Decrease north and south side-yard requirements for residential portions to 0’ in lieu of 6’ as required by LAMC 12.13.C.2(c).
- To not provide a Loading Zone as required by LAMC 12.21.C.6.
- To reduce bicycle parking to 8 stalls in lieu of 17 stalls as required by Specific Plan section 10D.
- To reduce residential parking to 6 stalls in lieu of 9 stalls as required by Specific Plan section 10B.
- To remove the landscape buffer requirement in Specific Plan section 12D.
3) At a well-attended online PPCC Land Use Committee (LUC) meeting on February 11, 2026, at which the project applicant and its representative presented information about the project, members of the public expressed particular concern about (1) the elimination of 100% of required commercial parking, (2) the fact that the use of mechanical lifts means, in effect, that parking will be provided for only 4 of the 6 residential units, and (3) the increase in overall scale and mass of the project resulting from the height increase and the elimination side-yard setbacks for the upper two stories of residential use. The LUC and PPCC Board share these concerns.
4) The LUC and PPCC Board are also concerned about the cumulative impacts as other commercial property owners within the Specific Plan area seek to rebuild their sites.
5) PPCC welcomes the effort of the applicant to rebuild the building lost to the devastating Palisades Fire, and to help reinvigorate the commercial corridor along Sunset Blvd. PPCC wishes to encourage other commercial property owners to do the same. The project applicant has explained that the economics of the rebuilding project require the waivers and incentives they have requested. PPCC also acknowledges that State density bonus laws and other State mandates may make such waivers and incentives beyond the City’s authority to deny.
6) Nonetheless, PPCC has consistently opposed increased density in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHZ), including the project site (Pacific Palisades is entirely located in the VHFHSZ). PPCC is also acutely aware of parking problems and constraints on emergency vehicle access in the adjacent “Alphabet Streets” neighborhood bordering the project site.
Based on the above facts and considerations, PPCC therefore:
- opposes the proposed mixed-use project at 15113 Sunset Blvd.; and
- strongly recommends that the project applicant seek to lease nearby parking stalls for the use of project residents and employees of the future commercial tenants, and attempt to work with the neighboring commercial property owners to find cooperative solutions to the cumulative negative neighborhood impacts certain to result from the redevelopment of those nearby properties.”
PDF of motion text: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Motion-15113-Sunset-Blvd.pdf
(B) LUC motion regarding density mandates and emergency evacuation.
Background: See facts and considerations in motion text below.
Proposed motion text:
“This motion is made with reference to the following facts and considerations:
1) Large portions of commercial and multi-family zoned areas of Pacific Palisades were destroyed in the catastrophic Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025, leaving many vacant lots along the Sunset Boulevard corridor stretching west from the Commercial Village to Pacific Coast Highway, and on sites located within the areas of the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan (Specific Plan).
2) Pacific Palisades is entirely located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), with extremely limited routes of ingress and egress. PPCC has consistently opposed increased housing density in the Palisades due to the dangerous impacts on public safety in emergency evacuations. During the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025, at existing levels of housing density, the danger to lives and property presented by crowded conditions on our roads was made shockingly evident, when residents under mandatory evacuation were forced to abandon cars and flee for their lives on foot while emergency vehicles were impeded from entering burning areas.
4) At least one commercial property owner in Pacific Palisades is seeking a permit, in part under State density bonus law, to rebuild a former building on a now-vacant lot on Sunset Blvd. in the Commercial Village. The PPCC Land Use Committee (LUC) and PPCC Board are concerned about the cumulative impacts as other commercial property owners within the Specific Plan area, and owners of multi-family zoned sites along the Sunset Blvd. corridor, seek to rebuild their sites and may utilize State density bonus laws or other State housing mandates to increase the density of rebuild projects.
5) On October 3, 2025, the City Council passed a motion by Councilwoman Park in CF 25-0848 (https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=25-0848), directing, among other things, expedited completion of reports on the City’s compliance with AB 747, a list of evacuation routes within CD 11, and plans to improve evacuation route infrastructure. To date, the directed reports have not been returned. PPCC strongly supported this motion (https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PPCC-Letter-CF-25-0848-Evacuations-Reports.pdf).
Based on the above facts and considerations, PPCC therefore requests that:
1) the relevant City agencies directed to report back in CF 25-0848 do so without further delay;
2) relevant City agencies (e.g., LAFD, the Planning and/or Emergency Management Depts.) undertake catastrophe modeling studies in the Specific Plan and Sunset Blvd. corridor neighborhoods of the Palisades, to ascertain the actual impacts on emergency evacuation and the risk to public safety from varying levels of increased housing density, expected to be proposed for rebuild projects on now-vacant commercial and multi-family zoned lots in Pacific Palisades;
3) upon ascertaining the impacts and risk to public safety from increased levels of density, the City immediately develop and implement effective evacuation plans for Pacific Palisades (as required under AB 747 and contemplated in CF 25-0848), to address the likelihood of increased housing density during the rebuild;
4) the City pause its issuance of rebuild permits for density bonus projects in the Specific Plan and Sunset Blvd. corridor neighborhoods of the Palisades until such catastrophe modeling studies and development and implementation of evacuation plans for Pacific Palisades have been completed; and
5) to the extent necessary, in the overriding interest of public safety, Governor Gavin Newsom issue an emergency order, and Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Traci Park request the Governor to issue such an order, authorizing suspension of permit issuance for density bonus projects in the Palisades until the City’s compliance with AB 747 has occurred, and development and implementation of evacuation plans for Pacific Palisades have been completed.”
PDF of motion text: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Motion-Evecuation-Density.pdf