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The Collaboration
TLUC's E-Newsletter

March 21, 2007

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Spring is upon us and TLUC would like to take the opportunity to shed some light on the many exciting projects taking shape in our region. This issue of The Collaboration contains information on recent efforts to wrap up public involvement on the LA River LA River Revitalization Master Plan, highlights exciting developments in the planning community, announces internship opportunities with TLUC, and includes upcoming events to watch for.

Sincerely,

Monica Villalobos
Executive Director
Transportation & Land Use Collaborative of Southern California

News

Draft Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan Wraps up with Three Public Workshops

Draft Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan Wraps up with Three Public Workshops The City of Los Angeles released the long awaited draft of the LA River Revitalization Master Plan last month and held three workshops open to public comment.

Over the course of the last 18 months, TLUC was involved in the City of Los Angeles' outreach efforts surrounding the LA River Master Plan. The public input received through 18 public meetings helped to shape the Master Plan, which focuses on five opportunity areas along the 32 mile stretch of the Los Angeles River. At the most recent meetings, held in mid-February, community stakeholders and residents were invited to hear highlights of the draft plan and provide public comment. The public comment period extends from February 2- March 26, 20007. To view the plan and make comments, please go to: http://www.lariverrmp.org/

Draft Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan Wraps up with Three Public Workshops The Draft plan provides a vision for the future of the river and discusses various elements of planning and development along the river including, Governance, Water quality, Open Space, Housing, Economic Development and Land Use. Stakeholders, city officials, non-profit organizations, and community advocates all shared varying perspectives on the content of the plan itself. Some have characterized the plan as wildly ambitious, while others have praised the City for thinking boldly about a much overlooked regional resource.

While the Master Plan itself deals only with portions of the river within the boundaries of the City of LA, the process has inspired many neighboring jurisdictions to take a second look at re-imagining the River. At TLUC, we understand the value of community visioning. The LA River Master plan is one step towards involving people in planning that promotes sustainable growth and sets our region apart.

 

TLUC TeamTLUC Seeks Highly Motivated Interns to Join our Team

As summer approaches and students anxiously await the end of semester classes, so the hunt for summer internships begins.

TLUC is looking to hire summer interns to work on community planning projects and assist in conducting research. Students who are looking to develop hands on planning experience, work directly with the community and are motivated to address growth related issues are encouraged to apply.

Full details on the internship are available on our website: http://tluc.net/jobs/item.php?id=515

 

Gearing up for the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update

Saturday, March 24th, TLUC will participate in a training organized by the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) to address the Boyle Heights Community Plan. The training will provide residents of the area with an overview of the community plan revision process, discuss the importance of smart growth and mobility, and provide an opportunity for residents to experience being planners for the day. Residents will have gain useful tools and experience to participate in future city planning sessions.

Location: Edward E. Roybal Plaza
2130 E. 1st Street

Time: 10:00am -1:00pm.

For more information contact: Isela Gracian, Director of Community Organizing at lGracian@elacc.org

 

Announcements:

Be apart of Building Sustainable Neighborhoods, New LEED ND Pilot Program

LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Together they have developed a pilot program to apply LEED standards using a Neighborhood Development Rating System (LEED ND). The pilot program presents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate green, sustainable development models for neighborhoods.

The pilot program includes a first round call for projects. Up to 120 projects could be selected and recognized to receive LEED for Neighborhood Development certification. The deadline to apply is April 6, 2007.

For more information visit: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=148

 

Newly Formed APA Latinos and Planning Division

In November of 2006, the Latinos and Planning Division was formally adopted by the American Planning Association Board of Directors. The Division represents a diverse group of planning and related professionals looking to address planning problems in Latino communities and serves as a resource to Latino planning professionals.

The February newsletter includes a letter from the chair, upcoming Latinos and Planning events, learning resources, and information on how to become a member of the Division. To view the newsletter, please go to: http://www.planning.org/latinos/member/newsletter/pdf/07winter.pdf

On April 5th, the Los Angeles area Division will hold an event, Latinos in Planning: Agents for Social Change. The event is an opportunity to hear Latino Planners from the non-profit, private sector, and public sectors, discuss their personal perspectives and experience in working in Latino communities.

Latinos in Planning: Agents for Social Change
Thursday April 5, 2007
6pm- 8:30pm
Los Angeles Metro Headquarters Lobby

For more event information, please contact Elizabeth Delgado delgado.e@gmail.com (818-515-2519) or David Salazar dsalazar@sbccd.cc.ca.us (909-382-4009)

 

Unused Transportation Dollars, Findings from the Office of Laura Chick

A recent audit by the office of City Controller Laura Chick, reveals findings on the LA City Department of Transportation (LADOT). In a press release sent earlier this month, Chick pointed out a need for a more strategic approach to solving the city's traffic issues, including a need for the department to "reinvent and reorganize". The audit also found millions in unused public dollars from the Department's Improvement and Mitigation Funds.

The audit of the Department of Transportation can be accessed on Chick's website at www.lacity.org/ctr

 

Upcoming Events:

APA Hosts 2007 National Planning Conference in Philadelphia, April 14-18, 2007

Philadelphia, the fifth-largest U.S. city and birthplace of the nation, will host the American Planning Association's 2007 National Planning Conference, April 14-18, 2007. Enjoy 200-plus conference sessions, mobile workshops, training seminars, and networking opportunities in a city more than 300 years old.

For more information, visit www.planning.org/2007conference

CHCC 2007 Annual Conference

Building Livable Communities for All Ages

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lawrence D. Frank, Ph.D., AICP, ASLA

Thursday, April 19, 2007
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA

Check the 'Events' section of the Center for Civic Partnerships' web site for information and registration: http://www.civicpartnerships.org/