By Jonathan Friedman
Staff Writer
October 20, 2009 -- The City Council last week voted to make permanent an interim ordinance in effect since 2005 regarding the number and types of driveways required for parking lots with more than 41 spaces.
The ordinance allows the City’s transportation manager to determine the driveway features of parking lots of this size “based on considerations of safety, efficiency and effectiveness.”
Prior to the adoption of the interim ordinance, two double driveways were required for lots containing 41 to 80 spaces. But when development proposals came before the City, it was often determined only one driveway was needed, forcing the applicant to ask for a variance.
Lots of 81 spaces or more are already allowed the flexibility of the transportation manager’s determination. Those containing 1 to 20 spaces require one single driveway. And lots with 21 to 40 spaces must have one double driveway.
Two other ordinances were finalized with a second reading last week.
One ordinance establishes the new LA Marathon route that will finish at Ocean Avenue, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard. Dubbed “The Stadium to the Sea,” the March 21 race will begin at Dodger Stadium and take runners through several cities and neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.
The other ordinance expands fortune telling rights, which had been restricted to the pier, to the tourist friendly portions of Santa Monica Boulevard, Lincoln Boulevard and Ocean Front Walk. City staff had recommended the expansion due to free speech issues.
Also at the meeting, City Clerk Maria Stewart received a 10 percent bonus on her 2007-08 Fiscal Year salary. The council gave her a positive performance review during its closed session. Stewart also received a positive review for her 2008-09 work, but rather than receiving extra money, she will get five additional paid vacation days.
Mayor Ken Genser explained that many employees were rewarded bonuses in 2007-08, while they did not receive them for 2008-09 work because of the economic situation.
In another financial matter, the council voted 5 to 0 to approve a $35,000 settlement with a person who tripped and fell on a city sidewalk, resulting in a fractured wrist and two surgeries. Council member Gleam Davis was not there for the vote and Council member Bobby Shriver abstained.
Lastly, the council accepted Jason Parry’s resignation from the Housing Commission. Parry was appointed to the Planning Commission last month as a replacement for Terry O’Day, who had resigned due to family matters.
