VNNC Planning and Land Use Committee Meeting

Join us for the next Van Nuys Neighborhood Council Planning and Land Use Committee Meeting on Thursday,

August 1, 6pm at the Van Nuys Library, 6250 Sylmar.

On our agenda:

• Hero Motor Sports – 14358 Calvert Street
• Mini-Mart & Recycling Center – 6826 Kester Ave
• Residential Lot Split – 6443 Columbus Ave
• Arts in Van Nuys
• Artificial turf at Van Nuys parks

Agenda details:

Van Nuys Neighborhood Council

PLUM Committee Meeting

AGENDA

August 1, 2024

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Van Nuys Branch Library

Community Room

6250 Sylmar Ave.

Van Nuys, CA 91401

 

1. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Comments from the new PLUM Chair
3. Discussion and possible action: Motion to nominate VNNC board members Ann Kalb and Brian Edelman to the PLUM Committee. Status of suspension for board member John Hendry.
4. Discussion and possible action: Hero Motor Sports – 14358 Calvert Street. Conditional use permit to allow the use of a 9656 sf automotive body shop with spray booth in the C2-1VL zone. Case No. ZA-2023-1603-CU. Supporting Documents: Project Plans, Application, Findings, Vicinity Map, Exhibits. Representative: Arturo Gonzalez
5. Discussion and possible action: Mini-Mart & Recycling Center – 6826 Kester Ave. A Conditional use permit to grant the offsite sale of beer and wine in conjunction with an existing mini market of 1470 SQ.FT with hours of operation from 7 am to 6 pm daily. Case No. ZA-2024-2372-CUB. Supporting Documents: Application, Project Plans, Findings, Vicinity Map. Representative: Alexa Garcia of Imagine Architecture.
6. Discussion and possible action: Residential Lot Split – 6443 Columbus Ave. Subdivision of one R1 lot into three R1 lots for the construction of one duplex and one SFD and two ADU’s located in the R1-1-RIO Zone. Case No. AA-2023-6458-PMLA-HCA. Supporting Documents: Application 1, Application 2, Environmental Determination, Parcel Map, Tentative Tract Map, Site Plan. Representative: James Woodson of JRW Consulting Services.
7. Discussion and possible action: Bringing arts program to Van Nuys. Utilizing city’s art development fees to bring art to the Van Nuys Community and collaborate with the VNNC. Presenter: Ayndrea Wilson
8. Discussion and possible action: VNNC Board file a CIS in support of CF 24-0602 and amended requests for City action by the Energy and Environment Committee. Information can be found below the agenda.

Background: The preamble to the motion outlines negative impacts artificial turf can have on individual health and the environment. The motion (including amendments made by the Energy and Environment Committee) outlines reports that City Departments should make to help determine how the City could transition away from use of synthetic turf and artificial grass and towards the increased use of California drought-friendly landscaping.

We have an example of a problem field in our area. The two City Parks in Van Nuys (Van Nuys Recreation Center and Delano Recreation Center) have artificial turf playing fields, which were installed in 2018. Such playing fields are estimated to have a useful life of an average of 10 years. However, there is an area of the surface of one of the playing fields at Van Nuys Recreation Center where the surface is not level – it has dips that collect water when it rains and that pose a hazard for tripping when dry. Park staff have been told that the only way to “fix” this field would be rip up the field and redo the foundation. Recommend that the VNNC call this problem field to the attention of senior management of the Department of Recreation and Parks, including the Commission that oversees the department, and advocate for a solution to be found. 

9. Discussion and possible action: Questions to ask the Planning Department staff to discuss during a presentation they would like to make to the full VNNC Board on September 11 regarding updates to the South East Valley Community Plan.
10. Discussion and possible action regarding extending a VNNC welcome to the GALS Middle School, which took occupancy in June 2024 of at its new campus on 14200 Runnymede.
11. Committee’s planning resources list and topic of discussions (if time allowed):

1. • Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan (OLTNP) – Long range planning
   • South East Valley Community Plans Update  – Updating regional community plans
   • Transit Oriented Community Incentive Program – Housing element program
   • Transit Demand Management – Mobility and transit tools
   • Landscape and Site Design Ordinance – design point system program for Pedestrian-First Design, 360 Degree Design and Climate-Adapted Landscape and Site Design – DRAFT
   • Healthy Streets LA – Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure legislation passed by voters.
   • City Housing Incentive Plan (CHIP) – housing element rezoning program
   • East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor (ESFVTC) – construction updates 
   • Sepulveda Transit Corridor – Planning stage
   • G-Line Improvements Project – Start of Construction in August
   • Survey LA – Historical Preservation
   • Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan – Sepulveda Basin vision plan final draft
   • Van Nuys City Property – Council File 22-1485   – City council file to research in repurposing 5 city-owned property in Van Nuys, near Van Nuys Civic Center. 
   • Urban Forestry (Tree protection) – Urban forestry report.
   • Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial – Purposed memorial at Van Nuys Civic Center
   • John Hendry’s Corner 
   • Reports from the Mobility Summit
   • Research retail space for VNNC community meetings and displays
   • VNNC Planning Summit Part II announcement

12. General Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items (2 min per stakeholder) 

13. Committee topics to bring at the next meeting.
14. Adjournment 

 

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the health and environmental risks from polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants, the transition away from use of synthetic turf or artificial grass, transition towards California drought-friendly landscaping, and related matters.

Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Blumenfield – Yaroslavsky – Hernandez):

1. INSTRUCT the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) to report with the following:
   1. In coordination with the City’s Chief Heat Officer and the Climate Emergency Management Office (CEMO), a summary of policies regarding synthetic grass or artificial turf in jurisdictions with climate and water supply issues analogous to Los Angeles, and their heat impacts citywide.
   2. Recommendations to effectuate a transition away from future installations of synthetic grass and artificial turf citywide.
   3. In coordination with the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), and the Department of General Services (GSD), an analysis of lifecycle costs (installation, operation and maintenance) for different types of turf surfaces, and recommendations to halt future installation of synthetic grass or artificial turf on City-owned property, including athletic fields, and a plan to remove and replace all current synthetic sports fields.
   4. In coordination with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, (LADWP) recommendations for incentives and rebate programs to remove and replace synthetic turf and artificial grass, and encourage the transition to California friendly landscaping.
   5. In coordination with the City Administrative Officer (CAO), RAP, GSD, and other impacted departments as needed, report on the budgetary and policy changes needed in order to ensure that all city agencies adhere to the intent of this policy.
   6. In consultation with the Los Angeles Unified School District,The Los Angeles Community College District, private schools, and commercial properties, provide options and recommendations to incentivize the replacement of synthetic grass or artificial turf on school playgrounds, athletic fields, and other uses.
   7. In coordination with the LADWP, recommendations to end the practice of watering of synthetic turf and artificial lawns.
2. INSTRUCT the RAP, and LADWP to immediately begin work on a study that will reveal true maintenance costs needed to keep active recreation fields in good condition and provide citywide access across all districts. This study shall include the following:
   1. Comparisons between synthetic and natural fields in the areas of water consumption, weed and pest abatement, field wear, including downtime for field repair and replenishment, heat mitigation comparisons between natural and synthetic surfaces, and potential liability concerns between material types and state of good repair.
   2. Overview of what RAP has done to address disparities between synthetic and natural fields. RAP staff shall engage with a variety of active sports associations, youth sports associations, parents associations, and environmental organizations in this study.
3. INSTRUCT the CAO, RAP, and LADWP to identify partners and funds for the study needed.
4. INSTRUCT the Bureau of Sanitation, with the assistance of the LADWP, to report with recommendations on the environmental and financial impacts associated with the processing of synthetic grass waste in order to not affect the recharge of groundwater aquifers, soils, and biodiversity within the Los Angeles region.
5. INSTRUCT the Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division, and the Investigation and Enforcement Division, to work with the CLA, CEMO, and all agencies with respect to the artificial turf policy 24-0602, with regard to the City’s tree canopy and soil health.

Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the CAO nor the CLA has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: Yes.

For:

Pico Union Neighborhood Council

Mar Vista Neighborhood Council Summary:

On June 28, 2024, your Committee considered Motion (Blumenfield – Yaroslavsky – Hernandez) relative to the health and environmental risks from PFAS and other contaminants, the transition away from use of synthetic turf or artificial grass, transition towards California drought-friendly landscaping, and related matters. The Motion attached to the Council file includes some background on the matter.

After providing an opportunity for public comment, the Committee moved to approve the recommendations reflected above. This matter is now forwarded to Council for its consideration.

Respectfully Submitted,

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

MEMBER	VOTE
YAROSLAVSKY:	YES
MCOSKER:	YES
BLUMENFIELD:	YES
DE LEON:	ABSENT
RAMAN:	YES

EV 24-0602_rpt_ee_06-28-24

-NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL COUNCIL ACTS-

Council File 24-6020

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Motion

Synthetic grass, or artificial turf, is created by fusing together rubber and certain plastics to create the illusion of lush grasses. In recent years, many people have installed artificial turf / synthetic grass for purposes of water conservation, or recreational activity. These artificial fields were so popular, that in states like California, state laws were updated to at one point ensure that these types of products were essential in water saving policy. However, numerous studies have concluded that the use of artificial turf / synthetic grass has several negative environmental impacts.

Artificial turf is now known to contain harmful substances such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other “forever chemicals.” In April 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the

Environmental Protection Agency, categorized PFAS and other “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances dangerous to human health. The EPA has concluded that exposure to PFAS may lead to reproductive effects, developmental delays, and risks of some cancers. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and mucous membrane exposure, including microplastic dust kicked up on artificial turf fields.

Runoff from artificial turf, including tire rubber crumbs and other materials used for cushioning, can cause PFAS and other contaminants to leach into groundwater or runoff into waterways and the ocean, potentially contaminating drinking water. Additionally, additional turf contributes to the urban “heat island” effect, raising local temperatures, while the City is engaged in other efforts to combat urban heat, including cool pavement and increasing the urban forest. Artificial turf does not support life, including insects and birds, and by depriving underlying soil of water, air and light, can kill beneficial organisms in the soil for many years.

In 2023, the State of California enacted SB 676 (Allen), which allows local agencies to prohibit artificial synthetic grass (turf) on residential properties, repealing a previous 2015 state law which had approved artificial grass as a method to save water from irrigation. In fact, several actions have focused on these types of lawns in recent years, such as the 2022 Governor’s order which banned the practice of watering non-functional, or purely decorative artificial / synthetic grass. The Governor’s order provided a potable water statewide estimated savings of between 156,000 acre-feet and 260,000 acre-feet per year, the equivalent of water used by 780,000 households. Unfortunately, decorative lawns cannot be recycled, and are placed in landfills after their use, further allowing chemical deterioration and material breakdown which can find its way into local water sources.

To reduce health and environmental risks from PFAS and other contaminants, the City itself should transition away from future use of synthetic turf or artificial grass, and continue to incentivize the transition towards California drought-friendly landscaping broadly.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Council instruct the Chief Legislative Analyst to report with:

• In coordination with the City’s Chief Heat Officer and the Climate Emergency Management Office (CEMO), a summary of policies regarding synthetic grass or artificial turf in jurisdictions with climate and water supply issues analogous to Los Angeles, and their heat impacts citywide; e Recommendations to effectuate a transition away from future installations of synthetic grass / artificial turf citywide;
• In coordination with the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of General Services, an analysis of lifecycle costs (installation, operation and maintenance) for different types of turf surfaces, and recommendations to halt future installation of synthetic grass or artificial turf on City-owned property, including athletic fields, and a plan to remove and replace all current synthetic sport fields; 
• In coordination with the Department of Water and Power, recommendations for incentives and rebate programs to remove and replace synthetic turf / artificial grass, and encourage the transition to California friendly landscaping;
• In coordination with the City Administrative Officer, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of General Services, and other impacted departments as needed, report on the budgetary and policy changes needed in order to ensure that all city agencies adhere to the intent of this policy;

    In consultation with the Los Angeles Unified School District, The Los Angeles Community College District, private schools, and commercial properties, provide options and recomméndations to incentivize the replacement of synthetic grass or artificial turf on school playgrounds, athletic fields, and other uses

• In coordination with the Department of Water and Power, recommendations to end the practice of watering of synthetic turf / artificial lawns.

 Presented By: Bob Blumenfield

Seconded By: Kathy Yaroslavski & Eunisses Hernandez