Bentons
After almost 35 years in the Palisades, I have decided that BENTONS will not reopen and will not be a part of Caruso’s Palisades Village. This has been a very difficult decision, one that I have agonized over for more than two years. I love this town, and I loved being part of the Palisades retail community and owning one of the last family-owned sporting goods stores on the planet.
That said, “every dog has his day” and mine has come and gone. This is a very emotional letter for me because I know it’s over, it’s in print.
It has been so hard to say no for two reasons:
1. Caruso and his staff have been so accommodating to me. For two years they gave me total respect and have been more than fair in all the lease negotiations. They really wanted me back, and I’m thankful for that, but I’m more appreciative of the fact that in the long run, they only wanted what was good for my family and me. I am a huge supporter of the Palisades Village, and I wish them well and will be shopping and eating there like most of the Palisades.
2. And the most important: I will miss being in the sporting goods business and the everyday interaction with all the Palisades, especially the boys and girls who we helped with their sports and summer needs. For the past two years this community, on so many occasions I can’t count, has been so positive about BENTONS coming back. Thank you, thank you. I am sorry.
I have never written a letter to the editor, but after 35 years, I’m due. I really hope that everyone understands that this very tough decision was mine alone.
I again want to thank all my customers, my past employees and most of all, I want to thank my manager, Dottie Henkle, who was my sidekick for more than 30 years in this wild ride. Thanks, Dottie.
Thanks again Palisades, see you in town or at the Field of Dreams.
Bob Benton | Alphabet Streets
Canyon Park News
It was full house at Franklin Canyon Park meeting to address fire safety risks, emergency preparedness and homelessness. The forum was organized by Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council, a WRAC member.
The mayor’s field rep, Daniel Tamm, was there to briefly address the crowd and advocate community support for ending homelessness. Panelists included Veronica de la Cruz Robles of the City Attorney’s office, Assistant LAFD Fire Chief Armando Hogan, City Councilmembers Paul Koretz and David Ryu, as well as representatives from the City Emergency Management Department, Park Rangers, LAHSA, Safe Parking LA, St. Joseph’s Center and more.
The most unique of the panelists was Albert “Bert” Mutto who spoke about transitioning out of homelessness and drew applause when he said his road to recovery started with just one Palisadian who cared enough to ask him how he was doing. That person was Brian Shea. The rest is history.
Shea introduced him to me on fire service day when I was being named LAFD honorary fire chief at Station 69. That was where Mutto met Chief Hogan, who was sitting at the table among the panelists with him tonight.
Neighborhood Prosecutor Veronica de la Cruz Robles gave a specific nod to the Palisades effort to protect our bluffs through the fire hazard signs that the community worked to develop with LAFD, paid for with private donations.
After two hours of Q&A, with a focus on law enforcement and safety, the night ended with Ryu reminding everyone that housing is the key to ending homelessness. No amount of safety preparedness, he said, will eliminate encampments in hillsides or the threat of fire, until we come together as a city and fund more affordable housing units.
Maryam Zar | Marquez Knolls
The Highlands
Per the Post’s forecast (“City Poised to Approve Highlands Project Without Changes,” Jan. 25) the Zoning Authority has ruled on the developer’s applications.
I was disappointed in the ruling, which approved the developer’s applications for Site Plan Review Approval, Coastal Development Permit and categorical exemption from CEQA (environmental) review.
The hundreds of Palisadians who sent letters and signed petitions opposing the project undoubtedly share my disappointment
Although the project might pass muster under the city’s zoning ordinance that is only part of the equation.
The ZA’s approval ignored the dozens of neighborhood and regional protections contained in the California Coastal Act, the California Environmental Quality Act and the Brentwood-Pacific Palisades Community Plan. Accordingly, I plan to appeal, and I understand that many others intend to do so as well.
The deadline for appeals to the West LA Area Planning Commission, the first level of administrative appeal, is Feb. 12. Other layers of appeal then follow, including possible litigation, so this matter is far from over.
Given the egregiously inappropriate nature of the project and the layers of protection contained in numerous applicable California laws, I am confident that at some point in the appellate process, justice will prevail and this project will be denied.
Robert T. Flick | The Highlands
Highlands Appeal
“City is Poised to Approve Highlands Project Without Changes” in the Jan. 25 edition suggests that the senior living facility then approved by City Planning meets the requirements of Los Angeles Municipal Code and objections to the project are futile. This is incorrect.
The project requires a Coastal Development Permit that certifies the project is in compliance with Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act and is appealable to the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, established by the city to adjudicate appeals of decisions of the Planning Department, to the Coastal Commission and as a last resort, by seeking judicial relief.
The Highlands area of Pacific Palisades is in the Coastal Zone, including the commercially zoned area under discussion. The development would require a Coastal Development Permit and would need to be in conformance with Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act.
The project may be in accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code. However, the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission Interpretive Guidelines supersede the code in the Coastal Zone. This has been sustained in a recent State Appeals Court decision. Such conflict exists in the visual compatibility between a four-story structure and nearby residential condominiums.
The proposed development is located in a highly scenic area. It would not be subordinate to the natural character of this setting, as required, and would significantly degrade the area.
The Regional Interpretive Guidelines specific to the Palisades instruct that commercial establishments should be public recreation or recreation supportive, or otherwise, a coastally related facility in the Coastal Zone. A senior living facility would not be in keeping with this instruction. The restaurant adjacent to the proposed project is an example of an appropriate use of that site.
The project calls for the excavation and grading of 19,308 cubic yards of earth material for two stories of underground parking. The Regional Interpretive Guidelines prohibits grading; cutting or filling that will alter landforms such as bluffs or cliffs. In permitted development areas in all cases, grading should be minimized. This excavation would equate to the 1,930 truckloads of 10 cubic yard trucks or 3,860 hauling trips on Palisades Drive.
In summery, a Coastal Development Permit should not be issued as the development is not in conformity to the Chapter 3 and will prejudice the ability of local government to prepare a local coastal program in conformity the Coastal Act.
Joe Halper | Former Member of West LA Planning Commission
(Editor’s note: We did not use the word “futile” but instead predicted appeals.)
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