Hollywoodland Specific Plan today at a City Hall Planning Commission Hearing, placed the so called asthetic of old Hollywoodland above the principle that every family has the right to protect both the public from harm and insure that their property is safe from intruders. One of the guiding tenets that helped make America great ( Every man's home is his Castle, and should be ably protected from outside instrusion ) isn't something the HSP subcribes to.The preservation of an antique granite wall, which by the way is completely untethered from this "dreadful fence" is more important than passerbys falling 14' straight down, and having their property burlarized.
The HSP solution was plant some Ficus trees. Planting Ficuses 14' under the potential mishap area would take years to reach adulthood enough to top the 14', and then, how does that stop anything.
The statements from the HSP were both comical, and sad, seeing where their direction lies.
The applicant who has been harassed, since building the fence was finally forced to move his family to a more friendly neighborhood.
The applicant showed a book of 82 similar fences in Hollywoodland, the HSP responded, they were grandfathered in. So in effect this fences are now part of the character of the community, So doesn't the new fence also have the same feel and charm?
The main issue that HSP wants the public to know is that the family was in violation of a 3.5' setback requirement. But the drop straight down won't allow that, the HSP will not budge on a variance.
I believe the real issue ( after receiving a letter from " The Committee to Save the HSP") is they see this as a political test case, which if they lose, the HSP could be in trouble.
I believe in the HSP, but...this small single minded cliche headed Kiki Vendetta( a nickname chosen by her) has strayed from their mission statement. It needs new blood which are open to case by case review and compassion, and as one HHA board member so ably stated, the HSP delivers on the letter of the law only, not the spirit of the law.
If the Planning Commission turns down the families request to keep the fence, I will be starting a legal defense fund, to take this issue to court.

Robert Gravenor

I heard about the man who was forced to move because of outrageous harassment by his neighbors over the "too tall" fence-wall he built, yet he built it because he'd been sued by a person who'd tripped over the "regulation size" 3' wall. I was told it was the Hollywood Homeowners Association who made this man's life a living hell, is this true? We all want the neighborhood to retain its charm from the olden days, but I 100% agree with you, Robert, that each case should be considered individually, and NO one should be demonized over such a triviality as the height of their fence. This attitude and behavior is why I refuse to join the HHA, I'll just keep my membership in the "HHI", my club of one, a Hollywoodland Homeowner Independent who puts caring and intelligence above petty crap.

I think it's time to form a new group. Everyone that is unhappy with HHA, or the HSP, should band together. Over the last week I have spoken with quite a few residents up here, and I truly think it's time to organize a new "Above the Gates " association, we could be up and running before years end.
I am certain the major problem/s is thru the years, especially the HSP, not having term limits, has made the people serving on the design review board, thinking that they have been given divine rights, and you better not mess with them. If their recommendations are not heeded, the board will come down like a ton of bricks on the infidel. We need to get back to the basics, what ever happened to the " of life, liberty, and pursuit of happyness". We have our own version of the Patriot Act.Taste is individual, and providing safety for one's family is paramount.
RG

Why form a new group when we have THIS group, the BCNA? It encompasses "Above the Gates" and "Below the Gates" Beachwood Canyon residents quite handily, and as a resident owner of a beautiful home below the gates (and ****ed proud), my thought is that we expand within this group. Unless you want an exclusive club for above the gate, which is one thing that's wrong with HHA. I like the BCNA although I've only been to their last two meetings, I could see it's a group that shares a caring about the neighborhood. Maybe see you at the next meeting, Robert?