Cheviot Hills: the postpartum reaction

[Gokhan]

Now that Expo Line Phase 2 is up and running, postpartum activity has started in Cheviot Hills.

In this thread, we will document these comments.

[Gokhan]

From: Cheviot Hills Home Owners' Association
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 11:04 PM

Subject: Expo Train Noise

Dear Friends and Cheviot Neighbors,

We have been asked by West of Westwood Home Owners' Association (WOWHOA) to distribute the following information and request for action on the issue of train crossing noise since the startup of pre-revenue testing of the Phase 2 Expo trains. Metro has requested that input from neighbors along the line be collected from those who have specific complaints.

If you have concerns about train noise or quality of life in the train environment, please send them to the contact link in the message below, or send to [e-mail] and we will forward them.

In addition, for more schedule and safety information on the Phase 2 Expo line officially opening May 20, please watch your mailboxes for the spring issue of the Cheviot Hills Newsletter. This issue has a message from HOA President Gregg Spiegelman; a neighborhood security update, and more!

Thank you.
CHHOA


****************************************

mailto:[e-mail] Mar 29 at 9:52 AM

To:WOWHOA
We have received many complaints about Expo’s testing period that began last week which has the train running more frequently.
Expo is supposed to be running from 4am to 2am. We have received complaints from neighbors who have heard and saw it running at 3am.


We also have received numerous complaints about the squawking sound the conductor sounds as the train approaches an intersection.
We have 3 at grade intersections within a half mile and it is constant noise with the ringing, flashing red light gate and the conductor sounding the squawker as he approaches an intersection. We understand the need for all the safety measures. Especially at Overland School.
But we feel strongly that from 9pm to 6am the squawking is definitely not necessary.

Military has traffic for one hour 5:30 to 6:30 because of the increase in commuters taking Expo east to cut through to Westwood rather than be stopped at Westwood and Expo and commuters from Pico going south on Military because it is only one lane from Pico to Expo. Westwood’s traffic decreases during the week nights but there is traffic on weekend nights from Landmark but that too is very minimal after 10pm . With a station at that intersection the train must stop whether there are any passengers or not. The conductor has no reason to sound the squawker once he begins again knowing there are no cars able to cross the intersection with the arms down.

Overland raises more safety concerns as it is the road to the freeway. Overland goes from 2 lanes to 3 lanes back to 2 lanes in both directions. During rush hours, especially in the morning, there is a constant back-up and short tempers. As predicted by the community, over and over at Expo meetings, the accidents on Overland has severely increased this past school year.

Metro has provided an email address for those who want to complain about the squawking and the impact it has on your quality of life.
We are setting up a meeting with Metro to go over these issues. Metro has said the California Public Utilities Commission sets the decibel levels and safety measures at train crossings. We have said “one size does not fit all”.

Let your voice be heard and email [e-mail].


The emails are being logged and data is being collected. We want Metro to know we are not speaking for a handful of people.
Talk to your neighbors and encourage them to participate—not everyone is on our email list and will not know how to let their voice be heard.

Please cc [e-mail] so we have a copy for our file when we meet with Metro.

Thank you.
Terri Tippit
President, WOWHOA

[Gokhan]

From: Cheviot Hills Home Owners' Association
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 10:45 PM

Subject: CHHOA Expo Update

Dear Cheviot Friends and Neighbors,

On Wednesday, April 20 a coalition of homeowners' associations (including Gregg Spiegelman and Colleen Mason Heller for CHHOA), who have worked together for ten years to ensure that the Expo light rail project was built right, met with responsible agencies to address various Expo light rail impacts.

Thank you to the several dozen Cheviot residents who responded to our request to share concerns by email and phone calls to Metro's customer relations office and the Council Office. Those communications added to many more from the neighborhoods west of us and formed the basis of the meeting's agenda.

We met with CD-5 staff; LA Sheriff's Department staff; Metro and Expo staff, and the area field deputy for Supervisor Kuehl's office. The discussion centered on: the frequency and volume of the train quacker horns; safety gate bell volume; train wheel squeal on the two Northvale curves and on braking on approach to the Westwood Station; loud "train approaching" PA announcement near the Westwood Station; frequency of night time trains; confusing traffic signals and driver impatience; bicyclists crossing against the lights; bicyclist pedestrian conflicts on the bike/pedestrian path; the decimation of the Northvale landscaping resulting in privacy and aesthetic issues; rail safety and train use education; graffiti removal, and responsibility for the homeless gathering around the tracks and stations.

This is one of a continuing series of Expo impact meetings convened by CHHOA Board, both alone and with the HOA coalition over the last few months. There will be many meetings on Expo impacts. Every single one of the issues was brought to the attention of the Expo Authority by CHHOA and Neighbors for Smart Rail throughout the planning process. That due diligence will help towards resolution now. Some impacts were anticipated by Expo/Metro and relegated to a "wait-and-see" policy, others are now viewed as new project "bugs".

In order of the above list of impact topics, here is where we stand:

1. The train horns are controlled by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The volume and duration of the quacker horns have minimums they must meet. For safety on the new systems, it is Metro's policy to use louder and more blasts in the beginning. The horns start with four blasts at 85 decibels at 100 feet, but can be reduced to CPUC minimums of 2 blasts of 75 db at 100 feet when deemed safe to do so. Expo is doing new sound measurements to evaluate whether additional mitigation for noise is warranted. They will report back in the next few weeks.

2. Regarding safety gate bell volume, Metro has already asked for permission from CPUC to stop bells once the gates are in the down position. However, for trains that end up doubling, or even tripling sequentially at intersections, the bells will stop and then start again as arms start to lift and then immediately go down for the next train. That extends the bell noise. Metro is seeking permission to install shrouds on the bells at crossings with fewer vehicles like Military Ave. They will report back.

3. Train wheel squeal on curves is a difficult fix. There are two curves on the Northvale track. Both Cheviot and Westwood Gardens residents across the trench have been impacted by the steel on steel grinding noise. Residents near crossings have experienced the squealing on train braking, especially near the Westwood station where the train has had a chance to pick up speed prior to coming to a full stop at the station. Expo offered self-lubricating wheels as a mitigation, but the fact is that all Metro trains have self-lubricating wheels already. CHHOA, as they have for ten years, asked that a soundwall be built on our side of the tracks. The mitigation is supported by the Council and they were hoping to get resolution on this before the Expo Authority and their construction company, Skanska/Rados, part company with Metro at the end of the year. A soundwall would also help shield residents on Northvale from passenger overlook where the train emerges from the trench and rises above homes.

4. Westwood Gardens is experiencing loud PA announcements each time a train arrives. Metro will study and report back.

5. Regarding the frequency, residents complained about the trains running all night when they were scheduled to run from 4:30 am until 2:30 am. We learned for the first time that the published schedule does not address additional train operations like testing newly repaired trains, trains returning for maintenance, or night time track work. Those trains are usually moved outside of the regular schedule so as not to impede revenue service. Like scheduled trains, the empty trains moving through the system must observe horn blowing and gate bell safety protocols. Metro considers the light rail operations to be 24/7.

5. Many residents were concerned with the confusing traffic signals and poor visibility of signals for through traffic and on controlled turns. Metro acknowledged the problem and the potential for accidents. They feel that some of the issues will improve with familiarity with the trains and crossing design, but it is up to LADOT to address signalization issues. The Council Office and Metro will consult with LADOT and report back.

Regarding driver impatience, some reported waiting for three light cycles to get through intersections several blocks before the train crossings if a train is passing up ahead. That is sending drivers though residential side streets at excessive speed. The LA Sheriff transit bureau said they will cooperate with LAPD to write tickets for speeders or those who violate crossing rules. This area will have a strong police presence once the line is open. The Sheriff's deputy said they will dispense with warnings and will be writing tickets from the outset.

6. Red light infractions for both bikes and pedestrians will be dealt with by ticket writing. Bicycles must obey the same traffic laws as cars. There appears to be no fix for the pedestrian /bicyclist conflicts other than better manners.

7. The Northvale landscaping, City-funded in place since the 1960's, is definitely on the radar for the Council office. CHHOA has met with them and spoken with staff from Supervisor Ridley-Thomas' office. Expo says the property in question belongs to Metro and they are not obligated to do anything to repair the extensive damage done by construction and the installation of three sets of emergency stairs on Northvale Road. Expo has spoken to the City department of Urban Forestry to remove the dead eucalyptus trees dangling over Northvale near the Dunleer pedestrian bridge, but said they are not planting any replacement trees. The Council office and the two County Supervisorial offices pledged to work with CHHOA to remediate our greenway. They will continue to study the issue and report back. Expo responded to CHHOA concerns in their EIR saying, " Additionally, per the Metro Design Criteria, landscaping would be provided where feasible to shield the LRT alignment against privacy impacts in residential areas." Having extracted that commitment, we are hoping that Metro will hold fast to Expo's promise, but it is going to take a combined and concerted effort no doubt.

8. There were concerns expressed that the pedestrian gates at the crossings are easily thwarted by school children. Metro said that gates are intended as an easy escape for pedestrians trapped between the quad traffic gates when the arms come down. Metro has been visiting schools with rail safety information.

9. Graffiti has been popping up on the soundwalls, the elevated structures, and the plexiglass on the elevated stations. The responsibility belongs to Metro, but response times and removal will be determined by the location and material of the area marked by graffiti. For safety of workers, removal of anything written on the train-facing side must be scheduled for a time when the trains aren't running.

10. Homeless encampments and occupancy will be determined on a case by case basis as it must first be determined who has authority - Caltrans, Metro, LA City, LA County all have a piece of the real estate pie around the Expo tracks. Our first go-to will be the CD-5 Council office to determine the responsible agency.

Quite a few issues will need further study and we will hear back in the next few weeks hopefully. Once we have surety on how to get various issues addressed we will publish a list of resources for the community to use. We hope you will all continue to communicate with the responsible agencies when need arises, cc'ing the Council Office and CHHOA so we can work together for resolution.

Colleen Mason Heller
CHHOA Vice President and Expo Chair
WNC Mobility Chair

[Gokhan]

From: David Somers
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 5:25 PM
To: Colleen Mason
Cc: Terri Tippit ; Aaron Rosenfield ; Shannon Burns ; Jay Greenstein ; Bob Keehn ; Cheviot Hills Home Owners' Association ; Joan Pelico ; Michelle Mowery ; vwaks ; Gilmore Steiner ; Eli lipmen ; Neal Anderberg ;
[e-mail] ; Michael Haddadin ; Kitty Siu ; Abbass Vajar ; John Darnell ; Philip Bennett
Subject: Re: Exposition Northvale Bicycle Path Update

Hi Colleen,

Thank you for your email with questions regarding the Exposition bicycle path from Motor Avenue to Putney Road. For clarification, we have added a cross section to LADOT's #LeapLA blog of the segment of the bicycle path between Motor Avenue and Dunleer Drive just south of Walavista Road and Northvale Road.

As you know the project is in the early design stages and many of the questions you ask will be answered as we move through design with the Bureau of Engineering. Rest assured all funding assigned to the project remains dedicated to the project and that we are carefully considering all the concerns provided to us in writing at the open house.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Expo Northvale Bicycle Path Project. We continue to work closely with the Council Office as we move forward.

David J. Somers
Policy Planning and Historic Resources Division
Citywide Planning, Mobility Plan
Department of City Planning
200 North Spring Street, Room 667
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Note: I am off every other Friday

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
Mail Stop 395

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." - Rabindranath Tagore
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On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 2:58 PM, Colleen Mason wrote:

Good afternoon, David,

Thank you for the update.

I think it would be beneficial to Cheviot Hills and the biking community for you to include the design drawing of the path from Motor Avenue to Northvale Road/Dunleer Drive which was presented at the most recent meeting as the first leg of all Northvale Bike Path options. We would like to know how much of the budget of $13 million will be used for that part of the path and what the construction timeline looks like and when it will begin.

In addition, would you kindly clear up a few questions?

1. At the bike meeting two years ago we were told that funds were available for all of the options then presented. Two were fully separated bike paths and none were simply a lane on the street. How are we now reduced to paint and plastic through our community? Where is the pedestrian portion of the path? What has happened to the funding?

2. Will there be property takes on the east side of Northvale Road?

3. What replacement parking has been identified for the many Overland school parents and staff who have been using Northvale Rd since the train construction began several years ago?

4. Will the speed humps on Northvale Road remain intact?

6. Commitments were made to the community that the trees on the utilities easement were to be preserved. The design drawing of the easement portion shows very robust concrete retaining walls from 3-12 feet high on both sides of path below the I-10. How will the construction of this and the necessary footings impact the mature trees (not just hawk nesting trees) in that area?

7. Will there be an access to the bike path on Walavista Road?

8. Is there no other option to row of plastic bollards running the length of Northvale Road? I can't imagine any commenters stipulated a preference for the aesthetics of such a flatly unattractive option, regardless of the savings. Please have BOE look for other options which would facilitate the necessary separation and integrate better into our residential community. For example, a row of low cement planters with succulents or native ground cover would be a more aesthetic choice for riders and residents. Is there another residential neighborhood in Los Angeles where we could see the painted lane and bollard option already installed?

9. Your email suggests serious concern for possible Northvale landscaping takes. What exactly will be taken and what budget do you have committed, not only for replacement but improvement of the Northvale landscaping? The Expo construction has already taken a tremendous toll on existing City funded landscaping in place on City property along Northvale since the 1960's. Any additional destruction by the bike lane project would be a disaster.

I look forward to your timely consideration of and response to the concerns above. CHHOA will be reporting on the Northvale Bike project at our General Meeting May 5th and we would like to be able to answer residents' questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Colleen Mason Heller
WNC Mobility Chair
CHHOA Vice President; Bike Chair

================================================================================

Subject: Exposition Northvale Bicycle Path Update


Hi all,

The Department of Transprtation (LADOT) and Bureau of Engineering (BOE) in coordination with the Department of City Planning (DCP), and Council District 5 hosted an open house for the Exposition Northvale Bicycle Path on January 13th at the Palms-Rancho Park Branch Library. City staff would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude for your participation, as we were able to receive valuable feedback of community preferences that informed the City's approach to the completion of this critical link connecting the Expo bicycle path .

Based on recommendations from the public input received during the open house meeting and the Council Office, and considerations related to access and safety benefits, project costs, and design feasibility, LADOT and BOE have decided to further develop the design of Option 1. Staff have found that Option 1 is the most cost-effective option in satisfying the project goals of providing a safe, low-stress bicycle connection while also minimizing impacts to landscaping.

We heard the importance of preserving local landscape, and ensuring the safety of the interim route for all users, and understand that some concerns persist with reducing on street parking on the south side of Northvale Rd. While working with BOE to develop the specific design, we will take all the concerns and suggestions we received into consideration. Updates about the project would be sent out once we have more detailed information about the cost and impacts of the project.

Thank you again for those who contributed to the discussion of this project. A full project update is available on the LADOT Bike Blog.

David J. Somers
Policy Planning and Historic Resources Division
Citywide Planning, Mobility Plan
Department of City Planning
200 North Spring Street, Room 667
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Note: I am off every other Friday

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
Mail Stop 395

[f ron]

That's a very cheeky headline. While I understand where it's coming from I gotta tell you that some of these neighbors are expressing legitimate concerns and I wonder if you're working to sow animosity and division at a time when the spirit of collaboration is most needed.

For example, our family lives track adjacent along the Northvale trench. In fact, our address was the site of the sound level tests recorded for the FEIR in advance of the line being built. It was subsequently determined in The FEIR that the sound of train operations from our location that ranged from 56-61dBA would be considered "moderate" impacts and anything above 62dBA would be considered "severe". The trains are routinely creating "severe" impacts. I've registered impacts as great as 75dBA. Metro's goal are for impacts below the "moderate" threshold. To date they have failed to meet those goals. What we're experiencing right now is simply unacceptable by terms I share with Metro.

To their credit Metro is working with our neighborhood to mitigate these issues. As it should be but unless one speaks up then one is not served.

Do I misunderstand the intention of your catalog of grievances here? Do you you not believe the Expo Line should be built to conform with the standard laid out in the FEIR?

As it turns out the guideway lights built over the tracks do not conform to Metro Design Criteria. This is another issue I've raised with the Construction Authority and for which I expect resolution. Should the Expo Line not be be built to conform to Metro Criteria?

Look, I want the Expo Line. I think it will be a huge benefit to the west side and the city but I won't accept a line that doesn't conform to the standards that were laid out from the onset. It would be a much healthier approach to acknowledge that a lot of work has been done but it isn't over yet there are a ton of practical matters yet to be worked out.

[Gokhan]

This thread has been dedicated to the postpartum reaction in Cheviot Hills, as it accurately states.

I haven't provided any of my comments. Everything that has been posted is unabridged.