NORTH HOLLYWOOD : City Advisory Panel Has 15 Openings

Those interested in having a hand in North Hollywood’s future are invited to seek election to the Project Area Committee, which advises Los Angeles’ redevelopment program for the community.

The North Hollywood committee’s annual elections--open to all residents, property owners and business owners in the redevelopment project area--will be held on March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. David’s Episcopal Church, 11605 Magnolia Blvd. Thirteen two-year and two one-year positions in five categories will be on the ballot.

All positions are non-paying. Candidates and voters must be at least 18 years old and be able to show proof of residency within the project area.

The 25-member committee is a non-governmental advisory panel that works closely with the Community Redevelopment Agency to establish budgets and implement programs in the North Hollywood redevelopment area, which was created to remove blight and spur investment.

The 750-acre area, which was established in November, 1979, is bounded by Hatteras Street on the north, Camarillo Street on the south, Cahuenga Boulevard on the east and Tujunga Avenue on the west.

The agency has spent or pledged $61 million on such projects in the North Hollywood redevelopment area as new housing units and the Academy Entertainment and Business Center, home of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Elected positions will be in the following categories: residential owner/occupant (four seats), residential tenant (three seats), absentee owner (two seats), business owners and tenants (three seats). Deadline for registration in the community organizations category (three seats) has passed.

All elected Project Area Committee members must file a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement with the city and attend monthly meetings.

Candidates and voters may register at the redevelopment agency’s North Hollywood office, 5651 Vineland Ave., Feb. 24 and March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and March 4 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Although candidates and voters may also register between 5 and 6 p.m. on election night, candidates who register before Feb. 25 will ensure that their names are on the ballot and will have an opportunity to provide a statement of qualifications at the balloting site.

For more information, contact Walter Beaumont at (818) 753-1918.