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Ω Olympress

ARCHIVAL ISSUES

                                              DECEMBER 2007

DECEMBER 2006, MARCH 2007

 ISSUES WERE NOT PUBLISHED

THE ANNUAL MEETING IS HERE AGAIN

A TIME WHEN WE ALL MEET AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD

A TIME WHEN PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE PRAISED

A TIME WHEN PAST FAILURES ARE CRITICIZED AND CRITIQUED

A TIME WHEN OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS SPEAK TO US

A TIME WHEN OUR ELECTED OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS SPEAK TO US

A TIME WHEN WE TELL OUR LEADERS WHAT WE WANT AND EXPECT

Mt Olympus is a good community, It is a diverse community. It is not a perfect community. But it tries to strive toward excellence through the work of its elected leaders and those Association members who come forth to volunteer their time and effort for the betterment of all.

Last year, the Board successfully continued its efforts on Mandatory Patrol Service and put forth and implemented new Policy Statements on Obstruction of Views by Trees and Placement of Antennas and several new forms for Architectural Violations.

This year, the Board is putting forth a Policy on Maintenance and will implement it through Board action and the requested  cooperation of the community. This Olympress includes the Policy, a form for its usage and articles relating to its topic. The Board is also working on a series of Informational Bulletins which will enable the community to take individual action in certain problem areas.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the Meeting and responding to your concerns. We are also looking forward to your joining the Association and coming  forth to volunteer your time and effort. Please call us at 213-486-4555. We look forward to hearing from you

THE POLICY STATEMENTS WHICH FOLLOW ARE WORKING INTERPRETATIONS OF THE

CC&RS, WHICH YOU RECEIVED DURING ESCROW ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY, AND CAN REVIEW

NOW  IN THEIR ENTIRETY, ON THE MOPOA WEBSITE:   WWW.MOPOA-LA.COM

MOUNT OLYMPUS CC&Rs

DECLARATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF RESTRICTIONS

            The Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association (MOPOA) through its Board of Directors has been legally appointed the Declarant under the above Declaration and has the responsibility to enforce, to the extent it deems appropriate, the above Declaration. The below exposition is meant to more fully outline the obligations of Owners under the above Declaration.

Uses of Property

            Article III deals with the use of the property. Of particular note are Section 3.01 which states that all building sites shall be used for single family, residential purposes only, Section 3.04 which states that “No noxious or offensive trade or activity shall be carried on upon said property or any part thereof, nor shall anything be done or maintained thereon which may be or become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood, Section 3.05 which states that campers, trailers, boats, trucks and dismantled automobiles or automobile parts shall not be maintained upon any property unless kept in an enclosed area and out of the view of any other lot or street, and Section 3.10 which states that no pole or antenna for the receipt or transmission of radio or television or other microwave signals shall be constructed, erected or maintained on any building or on any building site in such a manner as to be visible from the outside of any such building.

Buildings

            Article IV deals with the character and size of buildings and in general states that no building shall be erected or maintained on any building site except one (1) single family dwelling house not more than two(2) stories in height above the highest ground level, nor shall it be smaller than 1,800 square feet, shall be of new material (including fences, walls and other structures). Accessory buildings or garages shall be not higher than the dwelling house, shall conform in architectural design and exterior materials and finish to the dwelling house and shall be only for the use of the owner or occupants of the building site.

Fences and Trees

            Article V deals with fences and trees. Section 5.01 states that no fence or boundary wall shall have a height greater that six(6) feet above the finished graded surface of the ground upon which it is located and Section 5.02 states, in essence, that no wall or fence shall be erected or maintained within the area between the house and the street without the written approval of Declarant.

            Section 5.03 states that no obstructions or trees which would deprive any owner within a five hundred (500) foot radius of a view shall have a height greater than ten (10) feet above the finished graded surface of the ground upon which it is located.

Signs

            Article VI deals with signs and states that a sign not larger than 150 square inches may be erected behind the setback area of the lot as to any street.

Approval of Plans

             Article VII deals with the approval of plans and is very detailed. It applies to all structures which are to be erected, constructed, altered or maintained and requires submission of plans and specifications, including exterior color scheme and a block plan indicating the exact location on the building site (for major or new construction). As stated in Section 7.01, the approval of said plans and specifications may be withheld not only because of their noncompliance with any of the specific conditions, covenants and restrictions in this and other clauses hereof, but also by reason of the reasonable dissatisfaction of Declarant with the grading plan, location of the structure on the building site, the color scheme, finish, design, proportion, architecture, shape, height, style or appropriateness of the proposed structure or altered structure, the materials used therein, the kind of pitch or type of roof proposed to be placed thereon, or because of its reasonable dissatisfaction with any or all matters or things which, in the reasonable judgment of Declarant, would render the proposed structure or alteration inharmonious or out of keeping with the general plan of improvement of said property or with the structures erected on other building sites in the immediate vicinity of the building site upon which said structure is proposed to be erected or altered.

 Damage or Destruction of Improvements

             Article VIII deals with repair of structures or any portions thereof on property which have been damaged or destroyed by any cause. It essentially gives an owner 90 days to commence repair and one year to finish repair. If the owner does not meet these time schedules, he shall pay to Declarant $250 for each month delay in commencement and completion. This obligation runs with the land and is binding on successor owners. Repair and reconstruction must be done in strict compliance with approved plans and specifications for the original construction or deviations approved by Declarant.

Maintenance of Property

             Article X relates to the maintenance of property and places upon the owner of each building site, in Section 10.03, the duty and responsibility to perform upon his or her properties all of the duties listed in Section 10.01 not assumed or provided for by municipal authority. Included in Section 10.01 are maintenance of statues, fountains, and other ornamental features (10.01(c)) and corrective action to avoid washout and erosion (10.01(e)). Section 10.01(b) includes sweep and clean streets, dispose of rubbish, garbage and the like from property and provide community patrolling service  until such time as such duties are provided for by municipal authority.

             Section 10.04 states that the owners of lots and building sites shall be obligated to perform all duties incident to maintaining their respective lots and building sites, including vegetation thereon, in neat, clean and good order. This obligation, by opinion of counsel, includes the homes thereon and any other things within the lot boundaries, such as sidewalks, driveways, and gutters. Owners cannot take or permit any action that would alter the water drainage pattern or permit artificial sprinkling, watering or flooding for extended periods that would cause geological or flood hazards.

 The obligations listed above are the major obligations under the CC&Rs. There are other obligations recited in the CC&Rs and all Owners are advised to read the complete CC&Rs for a more complete understanding of their duties and obligations under the CC&Rs.

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

COMPLIANCE WARNING NOTICE 

From: Architectural Committee 

This NOTICE pertains to the MANDATORY APPROVAL required for Construction or Exterior Remodel pursuant to the Architectural Policy and Procedures of the Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association (MOPOA) and the CC&Rs of Mt. Olympus. 

You are reminded that if you are planning or have begun ANY construction, renovation or major repair that is visible from the outside (front, back or sides of your property) or which involves opening of any part of an exterior wall, you MUST obtain Architectural Approval from MOPOA.  

Such approvals are also required for pools, decks, fences, monuments, entries, windows, and any other exterior construction. This applies equally to all properties within the Mt. Olympus Development.  

This requirement is SEPARATE from any construction plan approval that you may require from Los Angeles Building and Safety Department.  

This MOPOA Architectural Approval is a LEGAL requirement, since MOPOA is the DECLARANT of the Mt. Olympus Development, and thereby has the responsibility to maintain the esthetic architectural harmony of structures and surroundings, and preserve the view rights of all residents. The specific requirements are detailed in Articles 7.01-7.05 of the CC&Rs. A copy of Article 7.01 is attached. 

MOPOA also has the legal power under the CC&Rs to record certificates of NON-COMPLIANCE against properties/constructions that are not in compliance with Architectural Approval Guidelines or that violate provisions of the CC&Rs. These certificates will appear in any procedure that involves a title search, such as borrowing against, refinancing or selling the property, and will be required to be removed at that time through compliance and at considerable cost. 

So, if you are planning any remodeling or construction or are aware of any of your neighbors doing so, please contact Committee members Mel Remba at 851-1647, or Steve Schoenfield at 851-6622 or the Association telephone 213 481-4555. We strongly suggest that you contact us BEFORE beginning any construction or demolition.  

You will find the Architectural Committee to be helpful, fair and professional. We are here to facilitate the improvement of your home, not to hinder your plans. This benefits us all.

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

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE CONCERNS

(Application available on Website or from MOPOA Office) 

All of us have noticed the large numbers of home sales and construction/remodeling in Mt. Olympus.  This activity keeps your Architectural and CC&R Compliance Committees very busy.  Let us share with you why it is in everyone’s best interest to comply with the CC&R rules regarding home remodel or construction. (Section 7.01 of the CC&Rs).

 On several occasions, pending sales of homes here were held up by escrow/title companies because they discovered a “CERTIFICATE OF NON-COMPLIANCE” recorded against their property some years ago.  These certificates were filed by MOPOA’s attorneys in some cases 10 or more years ago, when an owner violated the Architectural guidelines or did not apply for approval for a remodel. These certificates cloud the title, and the sale or refinance cannot proceed until MOPOA releases the recorded violation and collects the unpaid fees. These fees include legal and recordation fees as well as penalties and accrued interest, and can run into the thousands of dollars. All fees received from the filing and removal of “CERTIFICATES OF NON-COMPLIANCE” are deposited into MOPOA’s account and are used to offset Architectural Committee expenses.

 MOPOA can and will file “CERTIFICATES OF NON-COMPLIANCE” against properties that violate the architectural requirement of the CC&Rs.

 As such, if you contemplate ANY construction involving the exterior of your home or your front, rear or side yards, even a minor cosmetic change, you MUST contact the Architectural Committee of MOPOA who will advise you and help you obtain a letter of approval if appropriate.

 We are here to help, not to hinder, the beautification and added value of your home.

 Mel Remba, Steve Schoenfield, Fred Smith

Members: Architectural Committee

POLICY ON OBSTRUCTION OF VIEWS BY TREES

For several years, the Board of the Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association (MOPOA) has, by letter, Newsletter and repeated personal communications, informed residents of Mt. Olympus of the all important issue of view preservation in our hillside community, in accordance with the provisions specified in Section 5.03 of the CC&Rs regarding tree height. It was our hope that all homeowners would respect their neighbor’s rights to a reasonable view, which is not obstructed by the maturing trees which grow all over Mt. Olympus. The only way to accomplish this is by periodic trimming and thinning of trees which are on the individual properties.

Many homeowners have trimmed and maintained their trees, in response to their neighbor’s or to the Association’s legitimate requests for trimming and lowering tree height, however, there are still many who violate this CC&R provision and do not maintain their trees, thus obstructing the views of others.

Several litigations and court decisions have resulted from this problem and it is important to note that IN EVERY CASE regarding tree view obstruction in view communities, three of which have been in Mt. Olympus., judges have ruled in favor of the party whose view was obstructed and ordered trees to be cut, even to the 10 ft. height specified in our CC&Rs.

In response to continuing violations regarding tree heights and view obstructions, MOPOA has developed the following procedure:

The affected party must first attempt to contact the offending party, personally or by letter, and make a good faith effort to resolve the tree related view obstruction.

If such effort fails, the Association will mediate the tree obstruction issue if both parties so request. The Mediation Committee shall advise both parties and help them to reach a fair and equitable solution.

If the offending party is not responsive, or if an equitable solution cannot be reached, the Association will, at the request of the affected party, write a letter to the offending party documenting the facts and the non-compliance with Section 5.3 of the CC&Rs and will supply copies to all those affected. The Association will retain a copy in its files for future reference.

Should the view obstruction violation continue, the Association will cooperate with the affected party in any legal action which it may bring against the offending party, and may, at its sole discretion and with suitable indemnification, join the affected party in a law suit against the offending party and assign the Association’s rights to legal fees to the affected party in the event it prevails.

Approved 6/05

POLICY ON MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of the beauty of Mt. Olympus has been a subject discussed in the Olympress newsletter since the formation of the Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association [MOPOA]. For the last several years, the Board of MOPOA has, through the Olympress, informed the owners and residents of Mt. Olympus of the all important issue of maintenance of their property in accordance with the Mt. Olympus CC&Rs. Such maintenance is specified in Article X, Maintenance of Property and, in particular, Section 10.04. This Section states that the owners of lots and building sites shall be obligated to perform all duties incident to maintaining their lots and building sites, including vegetation thereon, in neat, clean and good order. This obligation, by opinion of counsel, includes and extends to any and all structures, objects or foliage within the lot boundaries including sidewalks, driveways and gutters. 

The obligations of the owners also extend to statues, fountains and other ornamental features on their property [under the provisions of Sections  10.01(c) and 10.03] and to the collection and disposal of any rubbish, garbage and the like from their property [under the provisions of Section 10.01(b) and 10.03] to the extent such collection and disposal is not provided by municipal authority. The repair or reconstruction of damaged or destroyed structures is treated in Article VIII-Damage or Destruction of Improvements of the CC&Rs [under the provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.02] which require that repair or reconstruction be commenced within 90 days and finished within one year and be performed and conducted in strict compliance with the plans and specifications for the original construction of the structure.

Pursuant to its authority as Declarant under the CC&Rs, the MOPOA Board shall notify those owners, and their resident tenants, whose property it believes to be in violation of the above provisions of their obligations under the CC&Rs. Such violations include, but are not limited to,:

Structures, including ornamental features as above, in need of repair

Structures which are so neglected as to detract from the appearance of the community

Vegetation which is not neat and and in good order, such as overgrown or dead or not in compliance with Los Angeles County Fire Code standards and requirements

Trees which are diseased or whose height or bulk pose a potential safety risk and danger to others

Sidewalks which are cracked, broken or uplifted to a degree that poses a potential safety risk and danger to others

Service boxes covers which are broken or uplifted

Construction debris left for an excessive period of time on the property or on the street adjacent the property

If, after such notification, an offending owner fails to correct the violation in a timely fashion, MOPOA will send a Notice of Violation to the offending owner and its resident tenant. Should the violation continue, MOPOA will take such action under the CC&Rs as may be deemed necessary to correct the violation, including correcting the violation and presenting the offending owner with a bill for all charges and costs incurred therefore [under the provisions of Article X, Section 10.05 and Article XII, Section 12.03] and/or taking legal action [under the provisions of Article XII, Section 12.04] to force the offending owner to pay MOPOA’s charges and costs, if not paid, or to compel the correction of the violation.

Approved 8/06

OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF EACH BUILDING SITE WITH REGARD TO THEIR PROPERTY, INCLUDING THEIR HOME, UNDER THE MT. OLYMPUS CC&Rs

1. The property must be used for residence purposes only and occupied by not more than one family. (Sec. 3.01).

2. No noxious or offensive trade or activities may be conducted on the property, or anything that may be or become an annoyance or nuisance. (Sec. 3.04).

3. Campers, trailers, boats or trucks must be properly located on the property. (Sec.3.05).

4. Poles and/or antenna must be properly placed on the property. (Sec. 3.10).

5. Buildings, etc.,on the property must conform to prescribed standards of height, material, floor area, etc. (Sections 4.01 to 4.04).

6. Fences, trees and obstructions on the property must conform to height and location restrictions, particularly where a view obstruction is involved. (Sections 5.01 to5.03).

7. Size and location of signs on the property must meet specified requirements. (Sec. 6.01).

8. Damaged or destroyed structures on the property must be repaired. (Sections 8.01 and 8.02).

9. Statutes, fountains and ornamental features on the property are required to be improved and maintained. (Sec. 10.01(c)).

10. Owners are required to provide a community patrolling service for their property until a community patrolling service is assumed

or provided for by municipal authority.  (Sections 10.01(b) and 10.03). Having an alarm response is not considered as providing a community patrolling service.

11. Owners must perform all duties incident to maintaining their respective lots and building sites (including homes), including vegetation thereon, in neat, clean and good order. (Sec. 10.04).

In addition, Owners are obligated to obtain approval and/or authorization of The Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association (MOPOA) under Sections 3.10, Poles and Antennas, 4.03 and 4,04, Character and Size of Buildings, 5.02 and 5.03, Fences and Trees, 7.01, Approval of Plans and 8.02, Damage or Destruction of Improvements.

The obligations listed above are the major obligations under the CC&Rs. There are other obligations recited in the CC&Rs and all Owners are advised to read the complete CC&Rs for a more complete understanding of their duties and obligations under the CC&Rs.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Approved 9/05

SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE

NOW THAT WE ARE ENJOYING SMOOTHLY PAVED AND SLURRIED STREETS, MANY RESIDENTS HAVE TURNED THEIR CONCERN TO THE SIDEWALKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.  WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN/PROCEDURE THE CITY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.  UNFORTUNATELY THE BACKLOG IS REPORTED TO BE ABOUT 80 YEARS (THIS IS NOT A TYPO).  THE ARTICLE THAT FOLLOWS DESCRIBES A PROGRAM OF SHARED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, WHICH WILL GET THE BROKEN SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF (OR AT THE REAR OF YOUR STREET TO STREET LOT) REPAIRED MUCH FASTER.   PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH SOME OF OUR SIDEWALKS BELONG TO THE CITY, HOMEOWNERS CAN BE SUED IF A FALL  DUE TO DISREPAIR RESULTS IN INJURY.

Cost-sharing program swamped by repair orders

By Lisa Mascaro, Staff Writer

LA Daily News, 1/29/06

A 7-month-old program that lets Los Angeles homeowners split the cost of sidewalk repair with

City Hall - rather than waiting 80 years for service - has been inundated with so many requests

that new applicants are being turned away. Some 500 property owners, including nearly 150 in

the San Fernando Valley, have applied for the 50-50 Sidewalk Program since July 1, agreeing to

pay an average of $1,200 per ho usehold to get the broken, buckled and cracked concrete fixed in

front of their homes. "The response has been really overwhelming," said Bill Robertson, director

of the Bureau of Street Services. "Now we have to concentrate on getting everybody caught up."

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who launched the 50-50 program in her East Valley district last

year before convincing her colleagues to expand it citywide, is pushing to have it continued in

fiscal 2006-07.

"It just speaks volumes about its importance," Greuel said. "Waiting 85 years to fix sidewalks we

know about, that doesn't work."

The city launched the program for fiscal 2005-06 by allocating $1.4 million from the general

fund, in addition to the $9 million already budgeted for sidewalk repairs. After hearing from 15

to 20 residents a day, the city closed the program to new applicants at the first of the year. The

backlog is so great that Robertson expects it will be June 30 before all the orders are complete.

Robertson said he hasn't been able to hire enough workers to meet the demand. Only half the

nearly two dozen positions created with the additional funding have been filled because of the

slow hiring process.

So far, homeowners have paid more than $800,000 into the program, and 80 of the 500 sidewalks projects have been completed. Those homeowners who have received city estimates but haven't yet committed with a payment have until Tuesday to decide whether to proceed. But even with the overwhelming interest from homeowners willing to pay for repairs, it will still take decades to catch up with the thousands of miles of city sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair. University of California, Los Angeles, professor Donald Shoup has floated the idea of having property owners pay for sidewalk repairs when they sell their homes, and the proposal is being discussed at City Hall. "Even though the 50-50 program has been a success, it's not going to solve the sidewalk (problem). There's not enough people out there that are willing to get their sidewalks done and pay the cost," Robertson said.

The city's backlog of sidewalk repairs is legendary. Of the 10,750 miles of sidewalks, the largest municipal network in the nation, 4,600 miles are damaged and in need of repair. Robertson blamed a lot of the sidewalk problem on roots from trees the city planted to beautify neighborhoods in booming L.A. "All those trees that were planted in the '60s and '70s were growing and making more projects for us. Every year more and more sidewalks are being damaged," he said.

During the suburban building boom of the 1950s and '60s, residents were responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of their homes, and the city would cite them for problems.  City crews would make the fixes, then bill homeowners for the work through property taxes, Robertson said. In the 1970s, federal grants allowed the city to hire crews to make repairs. Once that money dried up, the responsibility reverted to homeowners, who were vehemently opposed. By 1974, the City Council had decided that property owners were responsible for sidewalk maintenance unless the concrete was damaged by parkway trees. The city would then send out crews to make repairs - using ugly black tar to patch the breaks.  In 1998, voters rejected Proposition JJ, a 20-year, $20 parcel tax that would have generated $700 million for sidewalk repair. A year later, the city created a sidewalk replacement fund, allocating a fluctuating amount from the city's general fund. This year, the city has allocated $9 million for sidewalk repairs, enough to fix just 52 miles of cracked concrete. At that rate, it would take 80 years to get a sidewalk repaired with anything more than a black tar patch. Meanwhile, the city spends between $2 million and $6 million annually in liability payouts for claims filed by people who get hurt tripping on broken sidewalks.

Residents remain mixed over whether they or the city should pay for sidewalks. Arleta resident Yousef Elia Haddad didn't hesitate to sign up once he heard about the 50-50 program. He had been trying for seven years to repair his sidewalk, which has been buckled by tree roots that stretch all the way to the front of his house. City crews patched the triangular break in the sidewalk, using the black tar - but Haddad wants a permanent fix and has already paid his $1,600 share. "I feel bad I have to pay for it. This is caused by the city planning, city property damaging our property," said the Jordanian immigrant, who has lived in his home since 1980 and is vice president of the Arleta Neighborhood Council. "But I have no choice; which other choice do I have? If they're not going to fix it, what is better to have, a kid from the street get injured?"

Around the corner from him, resident Christina Garcia has settled for the black patch but refuses to pay for the permanent fix, even though her disabled child uses a wheelchair and finds the sidewalk difficult to navigate.  “Our (property) taxes, you know are $7,000.  I just don’t feel I should pay for that,” said Garcia, who bought the home last year.  “It’s senseless.  If we have to  pay taxes, we should all be able to utilize that funding."

Lisa Mascaro, (818) 713-3761

 lisa.mascaro@dailynews.com

REPORTING SIDEWALK AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE DISREPAIR

This form may be used by anyone who observes City Infrastructure in Disrepair.  It does not get the

owner of the owned or adjacent property in trouble.  It just jump starts the process.  Feel free to use the form yourself.  Members of the community are walking the neighborhood now and submitting these Requests for Service.  A copy should be provided to each property owner if such a report is filed.

REMEMBER THIS IS HELPING—-NOT GETTING ANYONE IN TROUBLE

                                                                      (please print)

Date:_______________    Neighborhood or City Council District:_________

Name:________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

___________________________________________Zip:_______________

Phone:___________________Email:_______________________________

**Request for Action**

(please mark appropriate box)

□  Pothole or Small Street Repair Request            □ Alley Cleaning Request

□  Street Surfacing Request                                □ Alley Resurfacing Request

□  Tree Trimming Request                                  □ Leaf Blower Violation

□  Tree Branch or Palm Fronds Down                   □ Damaged Guardrail

□  Street Sweeping Request                                □ Access Ramp Request

□  Object/Debris in Street or on Sidewalk             □ Median Island Maintenance Request

□  Sidewalk Obstruction/Lifted Sidewalk               □ Other_________________________

                                                                           _____________________________

Please list the street location for the above requested action.  If you do not know the address – please tell us the name of the street and the nearest cross street:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

     **************************For Department Use Only**********************

Date______________________                                            SIR No.__________________

The Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, has investigated your request.  As a result of our investigation, the following action has been taken.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

***Thank you for this opportunity to serve you!***

REPORTING  NON-COMPLIANCE WITH MAINTENANCE RULES

This form may be used by anyone who observes  property in our community which fails to meet the standards of maintenance as outlined  in Obligations of Property Owners (item #11 on page 7 of this Newsletter)  Submitting the form that follows to the MOPOA Board will result in Board investigation and if the Board agrees that the property is out of compliance, a request for remediation of the problem will be issued.

REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR COMMUNITY YOU ARE HELPING KEEP IN GOOD SHAPE!

                                                                      (please print)

Date:_______________________  Relevant CC&R/Policy:______________

TO:  Property Owner:___________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

___________________________________________Zip:_______________

Phone:___________________Email:_______________________________

**The following violation(s) of MOPOA CC&Rs and/or Policies has been identified**

(please mark appropriate box)

□  Flaking paint                                                  □ Visible repairs not completed

□  Reconstruction delayed beyond 1 year             □ Trash visible on property

□  Landscaping not maintained                            □ Rocks (landslide) restricting sidewalk access

□  Landscaping hazardous                                   □ Foliage blocking access to sidewalk and/or

□  Utility box in disrepair                                         blocking traffic signs

□  Water leak wasting water                                □ Other

                                                                           _____________________________

The problem(s) noted above are more fully described as follows.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

***Thank you in advance for your cooperation in keeping our neighborhood well maintained.***

A copy of the CC&Rs and Policies may be found at www.mtolympus-la.com, or requested from the numbers in the heading.

—————————

WONDERING WHEN THEY’LL GET AROUND TO REPAIRING WOODSTOCK ROAD?

Red Tape Delays Repair of L.A. Street

Laurel Canyon residents waited 18 months for federal-city red tape over rain-closed Woodstock Road to be untangled.   By Bob Pool, Times Staff Writer  August 8, 2006

Laurel Canyon residents never expected to have to make a federal case out of a collapsed street in order to get it fixed. But that's what happened when a landslide destroyed pavement along Woodstock Road during the heavy rains of 2005 and sent governmental agencies tumbling into a debate over responsibility for the $1-million repair job. The winding, narrow street meanders along ridge tops in the Hollywood Hills. It has been closed to through traffic for 18 months, since an unusual storm cell stalled above the Mt. Olympus area and dumped what residents say was 5 1/2 inches of rain in one hour. The deluge washed away about 50 feet of pavement in the roadway's 2600 block.  The landslide damaged three homes down the hill from the street. Two of them remain red-tagged and uninhabitable.
Los Angeles officials anticipated quick work on Woodstock Road after local and state officials declared a state of emergency, paving the way for federal funding for the repairs. City street workers had begun moving equipment to the slide site last year when the Federal Emergency Management Agency suddenly refused to allocate disaster money to Woodstock Road. The reason? When the 20-foot-wide paved street was constructed in 1926, it was apparently considered such an important roadway for the sparsely inhabited Santa Monica Mountains that it was listed on a national registry. And 80 years later that means that the humble hillside lane is considered a federal highway — and ineligible for FEMA funding.
Without the disaster money, the city's Street Maintenance Division was forced to postpone repairs until it could either pay for the work itself or wrangle cash from the Federal Highway Administration.  At first the closure delighted many Hollywood Hills homeowners who had watched over the years as Woodstock became a heavily used shortcut between Laurel and Nichols canyons and an alternate route to rush-hour-jammed Laurel Canyon Boulevard.  "For me, it's a dream come true, not having to deal with traffic," said one longtime resident — a television personality who asked not to be identified. "I've loved the fact that a street that's usually very busy has been closed."  Other residents began worrying, though.   "It's a matter of safety and access by the Fire Department and paramedics," said Orrin Feldman, a retired lawyer who has lived on Woodstock for seven years and serves as vice president of the area's neighborhood council.  "There was a large fire last year in Nichols Canyon and firetrucks had to go extra miles out of their way to get there," he said. "That fire could have been here. There's a major risk factor involved here."
City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents the neighborhood, appealed to the area's congressman to cut through the federal red tape. Like everyone else, he was surprised that the street was considered a highway.
"It's a very local street. I'm anxious for people to get some normalcy back to their lives up there," LaBonge said.
Rep. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) pressured the Federal Highway Administration, only to learn that highway officials were balking at paying for what was being classified as "permanent restoration" since city engineers were proposing to shore up the road with a cantilevered concrete bulkhead designed to last at least 100 years.
At the urging of residents and city leaders, federal officials agreed to label the road repair an "emergency opening" so work could proceed.
City street maintenance division spokeswoman Michelle Vargas said the landslide repair finally began last week — now that the feds have caved in. 

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JUNE 2006 ISSUE WAS NOT PUBLISHED

MARCH 2006

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE