Biking Safety In MCA and It's Ridges

MCA AT WORK

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

MCA works to maintain the rural atmosphere of Mandeville Canyon and it's ridges. We work to add value to our canyon life and homeowners' properties through the stewardship of programs and activities which insure safety for everyone and preserve the intrinsic natural atmosphere of our canyon.  We support responsible building and promote the conservation and preservation of the natural habitat of Mandeville Canyon and its environs.

MCA FOCUS IN 2010
The Board of MCA has a 4-fold approach to 2010 goals:
  • Build SUSTAINABILITY into the projects, programs, and activities that we supported in 2009.
  • IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS
  • Proactively SUPPORT through Community-based initiatives the PROJECTS and   PROGRAMS
  • Promote SAFETY & SAFE PASSAGE

 
Please select one...

OFFICERS

Flo Chapgier
Vice President

Kathleen Durbin
President
 kathleen.durbin@mandeville
canyonassociation.com


Jessica Berman
Treasurer

Marvin Sleven
Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS

Roger Fishman Curt Eckhert Gail Hollander
Carrie Crossman Nina Cohen John Rosenfeld
Mitch Brody Mitch Mirkin Claire Callaway

MCA ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2009

PROJECTS WERE INITIATED:
 Lower Westridge Safety Initiative
Bulletin Board Improvement Project 
Open Stream Bed Restoration and Pathway Project
Horse Path Restoration Project
Public Right-of-Way Safety Improvement Projects
Extend People's Paths in Strategic Blocks throughout the Community
Expand Cellular Service in the Canyon

PROGRAMS WERE SUPPORTED:
 Annual Holiday Lights Program – Bigger and Better
Annual Meeting at Riviera Country Club
Friends of Mandeville Canyon Program
December Board Meeting & Pot Luck Holiday Get-together Party
Block Captain Program – Continued
Mandeville Foundation
CERT and Community Disaster Planning
Public Right-of-Way Areas Maintained for Safety & Safe Passage

ACTIVITIES WERE IMPROVED UPON:
 Respond to Homeowner Requests
Interaction with City Departments & Planning
Communication with Homeowners
Website Updates
Annual Dues Collection
Collaboration with Neighboring Homeowner Association
Representation on the Brentwood Community Council


2009-2010 PROJECTS IN MANDEVILLE CANYON AND ITS RIDGES

  Lower Westridge Safety Initiative

For nearly two years many lower Westside neighbors have met to discuss and support efforts to slow down motorists through their stretch of winding road. As a result LADOT has responded with several remedial devices to mitigate the speeding cars.

1.) Replaced the existing single-yellow skip centerline with a double-yellow centerline, from the intersection of Mandeville Canyon and Westridge Road up to the stop sign at Correa Way.
2.) Install a white edge/marker line along the edge of the roadway.
3.) Install additional curve warning and advisory speeding signs.
4.) Remove existing “No Parking Anytime” signs and install “Tow Away No Stopping Anytime” signs.
5.) Install additional raised reflective pavement markers between existing markers along selected curves to alert drifting drivers.
6.) “STOP” pavement makings and limit lines for the stop control for Westridge Road at Correa Way have been re-installed.

In addition, the homeowners are evaluating additional remedial measures including:
- Solar-Powered Speed Feedback Signs
- Pavement Waffle Patterns which encourage motorists to check their speeds.
- Speed humps which are known effective tools to discourage speeding
- Heightened speed gun enforcement by the LAPD.
A committee of concerned homeowners is working with Councilman Rosendahl to address the growing unrest of residents regarding their safety and that of their properties on Lower Westridge Road.

Despite multiple requests for significant change, little has been done to slow down speeding cars, create safe passage for pedestrians, and provide dedicated roadway for the numerous recreational bicyclists who use the road. Homeowners have been asked to share their sentiments and respond to an MCA safety survey which will be presented to the Councilman.

In addition, any and all homeowners along Lower Westridge are asked to inspect their property and make clean-up or cut backs of overgrown brush as necessary. Remember, you have an obligation to provide safety along the portion of your property that abuts public usage. Be good neighbors and check your frontage.

Don't wait for your Block Captain to knock on your door if you have overgrown brush. Don't wait for an accident to be a good neighbor. Check the frontage of your properties on Westridge. CLEAN IT UP.

If you would like to help or need help contact us at: News@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com.


      

  MCA Bulletin Board Parkway Improvement Project

MCA is working  closely in collaboration with the newly restructured Mandeville Foundation and has taken on its first project. By all measures it has been a success. Dozens of neighbors attended briefing and sharing of ideas meetings prior to the clearing and removal of tons of overgrowth, beehives, and rat infested ivy on the north east corner of Mandeville Canyon and Mandeville Canyon Lane.

Kathleen Garfield who lives near the Bulletin Board and walks her dogs there daily volunteered to be the Project Lead. She has organized work crews and led other neighbors and volunteers through design plans and two phases of work. Marianne Perls has donated oversight of the on-site work and worked with Ms. Cassy Aoyagi and Form LA Inc..(www.formlainc.com) in the development of a drought-resistant landscape design.

Another neighbor donated large sculptural rocks and still another donated mature agave plants which are already beginning to take hold. In short order the third and final phase of planting the area with drought-resistant landscaping will begin. To date, 19 homeowners have made pledges and/or contributions to support the project with tax deductible donations. This truly has been a community effort of pride and commitment.


If you are interested in supporting this project please contact
News@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com  or mail your contribution to Mandeville Foundation c/o Mr. Joshua Green, 2200 Jeffersonia Way, Los Angeles CA 90049

Mandeville Foundation is an IRS recognized 501c3 organization and affords our community and neighbors the opportunity to fund public improvement projects within our neighborhood and receive a ax deduction.

The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the open space, historical botanical species, wildlife, and rural atmosphere in and around Mandeville Canyon and its adjoining area and foothills. The corporation is also dedicated to enhancing the beauty and safety of the bridle, hiking, and walking paths, bicycling areas, and playground and sports facilities as well as other areas adjoining the Santa Monica Mountains Park for use by the public.  

Open Stream Bed Renovation Project

Neighbors in the vicinity of Shadow Canyon Lane and Mandeville Canyon will be invited to a neighborhood meeting soon to discuss the design, plans, and timeline to restore this once-open stream bed. Dirt and debris was dumped into this channel years ago by the Army Corps of Engineers under disaster-like conditions IN 1990. The problem remained when they never came back to remove the excess dirt.  Now the County Flood Control Basin drains are completely impacted and non-usable in the event of another heavy rainfall.

Each homeowner in the vicinity of this project shares in the opportunity to make a difference and will be invited to share their design ideas and make contributions.  The Mandeville Canyon Preservation & Conservation Foundation will be the lead organization as donations made through it are tax deductible.  If you have an interest in serving on the project committee please drop us a line at: News@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com

Mandeville Foundation is an IRS recognized 501c3 organization and affords our community and neighbors the opportunity to fund public improvement projects within our neighborhood and receive a ax deduction.

MANDEVILLE FOUNDATION
Building a Neighborhood is a powerful gift!

The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the open space, historical botanical species, wildlife, and rural atmosphere in and around Mandeville Canyon and its adjoining area and foothills.  The corporation is also dedicated to enhancing the beauty and safety of the bridle, hiking, and walking paths, bicycling areas, and playground and sports facilities as well as other areas adjoining the Santa Monica Mountains Park for use by the public.

Disaster Preparedness Plan

MCA’s Board has formed a committee of Board members and concerned neighbors to create a plan that will assist our homeowners and help all of us prepare to manage through a natural disaster. In the event of a catastrophe, such as a large earthquake, first responders might be unable to reach our neighborhood due to overwhelming circumstances including transportation difficulties or communication failures.  It is even possible that we could lose vital services for several days. The Committee is charged with interacting with the various local agencies including LAPD, LADOT, LAFD, and other homeowner associations to develop a leadership plan that provides priority and guidance in the event of such a catastrophe.

The plan also includes having homeowners become CERT trained (Community Emergency Response Team). Without a doubt we need more volunteers to become proficient in emergency response. If you are interested in being a part of this most important effort please contact MCA at:
  Kathleen.Durbin@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com
 

MCA Neighborhood Beautification Award

New Homeowner Wins Canyon Beautification Award
for Open Stream Bed Restoration Project

MCA’s Canyon Beautification Award has been won by Mr. Gareth Egan, a new neighbor on the 2600 block of Mandeville Canyon.  Mr. Egan recently moved into his renovated home. During his summer ’09 construction period Mr. Egan made a big commitment of time and resource to restore an overgrown and unsightly open stream bed. This is a terrific example of how one homeowner can make a huge difference. Years of overgrowth and debris were cleared out and replanted with indigenous plants. He also discovered old and lovely curving concrete block retaining walls during the excavation and kept them to help retain the walls of the stream bed. Grass provides a visually pleasing backdrop and allows water to percolate and flow downhill to the County Flood Control Drains.

In addition Mr. Egan installed split rail fencing and improved his city-owned walkway with decomposed granite.  Many neighbors have commented on the attractive and simple design and even more are enjoying the newly installed walkway. Mr. Egan will be honored for his contributions at MCA's Annual Meeting in late January.

Look for MCA’s holiday lights to be soon installed as more homeowners north of Chalon are creating safe passage and picturesque split rails.

INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT WE DID IN 2008?


SAFETY & SPEEDING

REDUCE SPEEDING IN THE CANYON:  A Safety Task Force created a plan to curtail unsafe speeds and address issues of better visibility and safe passage on Lower Westridge Road. This report was forwarded to the Department of Transportation in February 2008. Guardrails are in process of being painted and excess overgrowth is being cut back.

SUNSET LEFT TURN LANE:  Signals received timing alterations to improve safety.

GOVERNANCE and REPRESENTATION:

COMMUNITY FORUM PARTICIPATION:  MCA was given a voting Board seat on the Brentwood Community Council (BCC). Marianne Perls was named the representative to the BCC and attended meetings along with other MCA Board Members. MCA supported a BCC initiative to reduce unsightly Street Furniture that the City of LA wanted to install in our neighborhood.  MCA supports other community coalitions: i.e. Coalition for Veterans’ Lands.

TRI-ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY PROJECTS: MCA continues to work with our two adjacent associations (UMCA and BHHA) to address areas of community interest. These include 1.) Safety, 2.) Rockingham Trail Initiative and 3.) Westridge Clean-up Project and 4) Holiday Lights Program.

COORDINATION WITH CITY PLANNING OFFICE:  MCA became involved with the City Safety and Mandeville/Sunset Project.   Governance Committee will work with City agencies to insure irrigation and attractive landscaping to the entrance our Canyon. Will maintain efforts to request compliance of building codes, speeding issues, and other City planning and zoning ordinances.

MANSIONIZATION: MCA continues to work with to insure proper permitting & safety

IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS:

MCA TODAY is published Monthly Any homeowner on our roster receives our monthly Email Newsletter packed with current neighborhood news. All emails are confidential. Over 400 residents

MEMBERSHIP PROJECTS & INITIATIVES:

MANDEVILE CANYON PRESERVATION & CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (MCPCF) – Supports public improvements projects and is organized as a 501c3 tax-exempt entity.

FRIENDS OF MANDEVILLE: Friends of Mandeville recognize homeowners who make generous donations of time and/or funding to the improvement of our community. The program has more than doubled since its inception in 2007.

PEOPLES’ PATHS:  Improvements made at the corner of Westridge and MCR, the areas north of Oakmont Road, north of Rivers Road, and north of Chalon on the 2500 and 2600 blocks of Mandeville. New split rails installed on the corner of Arbutus and Chalon. Lower Westridge has improved safe passage and less water on the road. Doggie Clean-up Stations installed near Kimberly and Old Orchard…more to come.

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS CONTINUE:  Lower Westridge, Chalon Road, and the 2500-2600 blocks of Mandeville continued throughout 2008 as “target areas” for general clean-up and safer visibility and passage. MCA is on the street asking homeowners for support and cooperation. 

STREAM BED PROTECTION CRITERIA  MCA attended a City-sponsored public meeting in September and is working to develop guidelines to save these existing valuable natural resources.

SPECIAL PROJECTS:

HOLIDAY LIGHTS:  Biggest and best program ever, MCA made improvements to the electrical systems to insure more lights, less outages.

DWP PUMPING STATION ON WESTRIDGE: Excess water was successfully curtailed…finally.

MINI PARK AT OAKMONT  IS GETTING A FACE LIFT SOON

Want to play chess away from home? One of the tables at Oakmont has a chess board built into the table. MCA has dedicated a park bench to long- time activist Nita Rosenfeld who dedicated more than 40 years to the preservation of our canyon. The first phase to install the outdoor furniture is completed!

Keep you eyes open for new landscaping next Spring. Watch your canyon dues at work.














 

 

 ENCROACHMENTS: TOGETHER WE CAN PRESERVE AND ENHANCE OUR CANYON AND RIDGE

The city periodically undertakes an enforcement effort to notify homeowners whose vegetation, trees, hedges etc. obstruct safe passage for pedestrians or impair motorists’ and cyclists’ visibility as they travel along Mandeville Canyon, Chalon and Westridge Roads.  Also subject to notification are homeowners who have large rocks along the road which obstruct safe passage and could be hazardous to fire trucks when emergency parking is required.

We encourage you to remedy this in a timely fashion to avoid a ‘notice to comply’ from the City.

For assistance contact us at: news@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com.
We will contact you to provide assistance.

MANDEVILLE CANYON COMMUNITY HANDBOOK

The revised handbook is completed and has been given to all dues paying members, new homeowners, and hardship cases.  In the Handbook you will find a new list of services and vendors, advertisers, stories and updated "important" phone numbers.  There is also a new called: "Being a Good Neighbor".

If you have paid your dues and have not received a Handbook please let us know at: news@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com

 

People's Path Construction in 1990

 The People's Path Today


MANDEVILLE CANYON - SOMETHING WORTH PRESERVING

A substantial amount of the dues you pay to the MCA each year goes to maintain the preservation of the Canyon. For the past several years our volunteer board and other community activists have worked to beautify and make safer passage for our residents and guests.  These projects include the People’s Path with its split rail fencing, Entrance Holiday Lights, the Bulletin Board.

MANGO WAY PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

MCA has provided assistance and guidance to the homeowners above, adjacent and below this massive proposed development site. We are involved to insure that safety is the first priority. Safety exit in the event of a natural disaster, erosion, water run off, and grading and geological issues need to be explored and addressed. The protection of our natural environment is also of concern and the maintenance of wildlife corridors of high importance.  Also, building in conformity of our neighborhood must be considered. Our sister associations have joined this effort as it could eventually impact the character of our Canyon and ridges.