No Expo Line speed up

  The effort to speed up approvals for grade crossing along the Expo Line doesn't sit well with the Cheviot Hills Homeowners Assn. (which has long been concern about noise and safety issue from the rail line). The group is urging the legislature not to allow the expedited process:

The CPUC has been negotiating with the MTA/Expo Authority for more than four years to resolve grade crossing issues on this one line and there are protests by the CPUC and the public currently pending.  Grade crossings are the single biggest risk in light rail construction and the citizens of this state rely on the due diligence of the CPUC for their protection.  It is a dangerous imperative to put the safety of all California citizens at risk by allowing the scheduling problems of a single “Design-Build” light rail project to undermine the safety protocol of the entire light rail system in the state.

Comments

[Nick Santangelo]

Don't demonize ALL Cheviot Hillians for the actions of a few. Check out www.lightrailforcheviot.org. I have met with these people and they are committed to the original ROW. They are reasonable, thoughtful and have the needs of the City as a whole in mind.

If you support the ROW, let Jack Weiss, the MTA, Zev, etc know. As a veteran of the Blue and Gold Line wars, alittle reason goes along way. We are all in this together.

[Steven Coker]

Their ARE many good people in Cheviot Hills. However, the political decisions that have come out of their swinging their weight and money around have been at the expense of others. Take the Motor Ave. surface street "traffic calming" (or "traffic choking"). They got lane & turn changes made in areas that weren't even theirs!! (Palms & Robertson areas). If you're going to swing your influence and weight around without regard to others long enough, at some point others will say ENOUGH.
Even now, you get the feeling that their decision is influencing the facts, rather that the facts influencing the decision.
I wish more people would pay attention to the Palms NC's stand on the route. Given that it would be either on their northern or southern border, they decided the northern (i.e. Exposition) was the more logical route. So have most others in the immediate area.

[Alan K. Weeks]

After reading all of the postings on this Blog I see a lot of anger directed towards the Cheviot Hills Home Owners Association. I am quite sure there are many people living in that area who are very much in favor of the Expo Line. There may even be people in the Home Owners Association that are in favor of the line. I would guess that there is only a small group of people that we could correctly call obstructionists or NIMBY's. So lets be carefull and not tar all the people living in Cheviot with the same bursh.

Alan Weeks

[Michael]

LISTEN UP FELLOW ANGELINO's!!!! The Cheviot Hills Homeowner's Association is a bunch of cranky old farts who hate everything new. They are so bored and lonely that the only way they can feel important is to join a very artificial homeowner's association that is very disconnected with it's residents. In fact, myself (a resident of 15+ years) and MANY MANY MANY of my fellow Cheviot Hill's neighbors love the idea of light rail passing through our neighborhood along the ROW. So please don't come to my street and honk your horn. But please come to my beautiful neighborhood, get out of your car and walk around, and you will meet lots of wonderful people who are excited at the opportunity to be connected to the rest of this wonderful city. In fact, there is even a group of Cheviot Hill's homeowners who are actively fighting for the use of the ROW. Please visit www.lightrailforcheviot.org to find out more. Thanks!!!

[manuel]

I'm with jonny dollar. We should organize a rally to protest CHHOA opposition to the Expo Line through their city. All in favor should meet with our cars near Cheviot Hills on a particular day and jam up their streets while honking in distress. And repeat for several hours. All with me let me know.

[Charlotte]

As with many other issues, the people against something make the most noise and attract the most attention. As I long term resident of Cheviot Hills, I know that many of us in the neighborhood will be happy to live with nearby light rail. The Homeowners Association doesnt represent all of us, and we are organized independently as Light Rail for Cheviot. If you are a neighbor and read this, join us!

[J in Palms]

The Cheviot Hills Homeowners Association has made repeated arguments that can only be called exagerrations/distoritions of the truth

1. They claim that the ROW will impact traffic at Overland/ROW and at Westwood/ROW.

Their Venice-Sepulveda diversion strategy would impact the entire length of Venice from National to Sepulveda and Sepulveda from Venice to Exposition, including the following intersections: Venice/National, Venice/Culver, Venice/Motor, Venice/Midvale, Venice/Sepulveda, Sepulveda/Charnock, Sepulveda/Palms, Sepulveda/National.

2. They claim to be concerned about "noise" - Overland School is 50 feet from Overland Blvd., which is basically a freeway during rush hour.

3. Perhaps most shamelessly, they claim to be concerned over "safety" as regards Overland school (full disclosure - my kids go there). Their diversion would route the rail line right in front of Charnock school -- basically, placing other people's children at "risk"

4. They constantly claim that light rail reduces property values - this is a completely baseless scare tactic as anyone can attest, studying the impact of light rail on numerous communities around the United States, notably Mt. Washington/Pasadena etc.

[J in Palms]

The Cheviot Hills Homeowners Association has made repeated arguments that can only be called exagerrations/distoritions of the truth

1. They claim that the ROW will impact traffic at Overland/ROW and at Westwood/ROW.

Their Venice-Sepulveda diversion strategy would impact the entire length of Venice from National to Sepulveda and Sepulveda from Venice to Exposition, including the following intersections: Venice/National, Venice/Culver, Venice/Motor, Venice/Midvale, Venice/Sepulveda, Sepulveda/Charnock, Sepulveda/Palms, Sepulveda/National.

2. They claim to be concerned about "noise" - Overland School is 50 feet from Overland Blvd., which is basically a freeway during rush hour.

3. Perhaps most shamelessly, they claim to be concerned over "safety" as regards Overland school (full disclosure - my kids go there). Their diversion would route the rail line right in front of Charnock school -- basically, placing other people's children at "risk"

4. They constantly claim that light rail reduces property values - this is a completely baseless scare tactic as anyone can attest, studying the impact of light rail on numerous communities around the United States, notably Mt. Washington/Pasadena etc.

[Karen Leonard]

Please remember that there is another group, and a strong one, in Cheviot Hills that favors the existing right of way or ROW. We formed because we felt the Homeowners Association did not represent Cheviot Hills residents; the Homeowners Association refused to take an adequate survey of members before acting to oppose the ROW. We have been working hard and gaining members since last November and WE WANT THE ROW, we feel part of our wonderful city and want to be able to help offer safe, fast, efficient transport. We also want to ride it and we are not afraid of its being part of our neighborhood, of its running along the border of our neighborhood. Please do not think that everyone in Cheviot Hills thinks the way the leadership of the Homeowners Association does, as iit may not even represent its own membership on this issue.
cheers, Light Rail for Cheviot co-chair, Karen Leonard

[Carlo C]

Daniel OC - That's a great idea! If the snobs in Chevy Hills don't want all the dregs of society coming through their neighborhood, they should rally for making the stations at least five miles away from their invisible borders.

If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd really push for a rail to come through our block. Anything to get me off the freeways is always a plus!

[JP]

Funny that they have a problem with the "noise" caused by light rail. I was working on a film set by the blue line last week - maybe 100 feet away - and the train passed by every 15 minutes, yet I could barely hear it.

Noise pollution is a hollow arguement. Most of their arguements are hollow. They have no case and I sure wish they would stop their attempts to impeed progress.

[Daniel OC]

i am originally from orange county. i have twice taken rail in LA county: the first time was during the rose parade this past year where me and my family parked at the sierra madre station and taken the train towards pasadena. the station was loud considering it was in the middle of the freeway, but the ride was comfortable and it got us there as scheduled. after the parade, we took the train back to the garage and enjoyed the rest of our new years day. i thought rail in LA worked. it worked so well i thought that i would gladly take it again from LAX to Universal City. but this time, the ride was difficult as i had to shuttle to the green line, transfer to the blue line, and then transfer to the red line. along the way, the view was bleak and (a few) homeless people wandered onto and off the trains. i can see why cheviot hills residents would not want a train to run through their neighborhood--they're afraid not of the noise or concerned for safety, but rather they are concerned that the overall quality of life of their neighborhood will degrade by making their neighborhood more accessible to the rest of LA. if i were a resident in cheviot hills, i'd probably fight for nimby'ism as well. but what really irks me is that they want the line rerouted away from their neighborhood in such a way that they can still take advantage of its use by its relative proximity. i say: build the rail line through the right-of-way and have no stations anywhere near the community. they'll get what they really want without benefiting from the line at all.

[yours truly, johnny dollar]

Try this: "Honk if you love light-rail;" let the Cheviot Hills HOA know that you are serious also. Each time you drive through Cheviot Hills HONK your car horn long and loud. Something about the squeaky wheel. Rail on for light-rail.
If they say anything about it, just tell them you are going to the Cheviot Hills Honkers Anonymous meeting. Beep Beep.

[Alan Fishel]

What do the grade crossings in phase 1 have to do with the Cheviot Hills section of the line? This further demonstrates there interest is in killing the line and they have no interest of safety or reliving congesting.

If they cared about grade crossing safety, why would they want to route the line where their would be 17 very busy grade crossing along Venice and Sepulveda instead of 2 or 3 lightly used grade crossings on the right of way?

There interest is only selfish and totally misunderstood. The line will only improve the quality of life, congestion, crossing safety, property values and more in their area. There is really little on the down side for the residents of Cheviot Hills, the line will only benifet them and the areas it travels through.

[RB]

Why is the safety of this project such a concern with the people of Cheviot Hills who oppose this light rail? Why do they assume that the city of LA has never built a light rail before? Why do they assume that this mode of transportation will be less safe than the Red Line, the Blue Line, the Green Line, the Gold Line, the Aqua Line, I-405, I-5, the I405/101 intersection....? Unless of course safety isn't really what their concerned about and they're just using it to mask their self-centered ambitions to keep the rest of the city from the benefits of a light rail line to the beach. All we ask is to use a right of way already in existence and the CHHA acts like we're bulldozing through their swimming pools. Can't we eminent domain them and get on with improving our city?

[Chris Bucka]

Screw the cost, screw the Homeowners Associations, this is about the future and transportation for the future. How badass will it be to be able to take a lightrail from the Santa Monica pier straight to Staples for a game or a concert? The inconvenience and temporary cost burden will be FAR outweighed by how much closer this expansion will bring the city together. The economic gain will be much greater than the sacrifices made by a few to make this work for everybody. Here's a riddle: Drinking and driving is illegal, but in LA, the only practical solution is a cab ride which almost never costs under $30. So how do you go for a night on the town here? It's not hard in NYC, and don't we aspire to be AT LEAST as great a city as New York? A new social nightlife will be able to thrive with low cost mass transit which will help create a better quality of living for all! Not to mention the fact that beach dwellers now would be able to be more productive on their commutes to work in downton, or vice versa with all of the loft condos going up these days!

[Sheryl]

If safety is their issue, the CHEVIOT HILLS is by far the safer right of way, given the exampleS of the Blue Line and the Gold Line. The argument that their Venice/Sepulveda alternative is safer is pure hokum if you look at accidents along the Blue Line and where they occur.

Which is primarily where the Blue Line Crosses or runs alongside major streets.

There hasn't been a single accident along the 'neighborhood' section of the Gold Line that I'm aware of.

The semi-annual accidents on the Blue Line are always in high traffic areas.

My personal theory as to why is that there are fewer things competing for the attention of the driver/pedestrian/bike rider in more residential areas. There are fewer cars on the road to have to keep track of, and the ambient noise level is much lower--you can actually HEAR the train coming!

Their 'safety' argument is going to turn around and bite the CHHA, and I'm going to be one of the people just LMAO with glee when it does.

Jerks.

[movielocke]

I like CC's idea, have the City of Los Angeles sue the members of CHHA for cost of their NIMBYism. They should have to pay for their idiotic stances and for hurting the rest of the city. Safety is a concern, it'll be addressed perfectly adequetly, as other rail has, there doesn't need to be an enormous cost because they're doing anything possible to delay the much needed Expo Phase II.

[ma]

I agree with CC. this is just a delay by Cheviot hills.

I'm just tired of how selfish people make excuses to delay prosperity for all. Specially when the excuses is that people are not smart enough to noticed when a train is approaching. PEOPLE, STOP PRETENDING THE WORLD IS STUPID!!! I am pretty sure the majority of the population can tell when a train is approaching, not to walk on the tracks, not to stop on tracks and specially not to try to beat the train. Come on, we are not that stupid. Have we lost common sense? And don't ask how common is common sense. Because you are probably the person that would walk on the tracks while listing to your iPod. So please lets get this train done and STOP PROTECTING THE STUPID.

[Tom A.]

Anyone who believes that safety or any motivation other than self-interest is behind CHHA's putsch probably also thinks that Paris shouldn't have to serve her full jail sentence. Simple as that.

[Jason]

I'm getting tired of this nonsense. Why is it that a project with a potential benefit to thousands of commuters daily is being held hostage by one small group of "affluent" homeowners?

At this point, I say run the damn train right through their backyard. Full speed.

[Greg Kay]

Nowhere - not in this blurb, not in the letter - can I find any specifics - only vague references to "safety". You know, like Homeland "Security." If the problem is at the grade crossings, then surely one of the hundreds of other safely functioning light--rail and train systems in the world can provide an example of an optimal solution.

The parties involved are all working towards a solution, right? Safe, clean, convenient rail transportation, good for the air, good for the wristwatch. good for the metropolis at large.

Unless, just maybe, by chance, the Cheviot Hills Association really has something else on their minds...

[CC]

Working with DOT's across the country, I offer this interesting number: FEMA uses a rate of about $32/hr per car for loss of function of a roadway or bridge as the economic opportunity cost.

While at-grade crossings are important, the fact is that Cheviot Hills is trying to bring down the Expo Line any way they can to keep it out of the right of way near their homes. They play petty politics by emphasizing an issue that they really don't care about just to delay the line. Yes, we should consider their concerns with at-grade crossings, but it IS possible to work this out even with an aggressive design-build timeline. Doing what I do, I've seen it happen before plenty of times in other places.

I propose that if the case is dismissed, they should be held accountable for paying that same $32/hr loss of function per car for every rider that would have used the light rail instead of driving to work during the time they are causing delay- that penalty would surely help develop this project or other capital improvements to our lackluster attempt at mass transit here in LA.

When you begin to add it all up, NIMBYism is EXPENSIVE. Even a few day delay, based on ridership projections and the economic opporunity cost of a delay, can add up to millions of dollars. That number does not even begin to account for construction cost increases, which over a few months could add exponentially more cost.

Let's all be realistic about what is going on here and not let a small group of NIMBY homeowners get in the way of taking steps towards reducing congestion and making the whole city a better place to live.