Neighborhood Council Rejects Zoning Variance For Collateral Lender (Last Wednesday) – New Meeting Today
I had intended to get this up a little sooner, but it’s been a little bit of a hectic last few days for me. I did indeed attend last weeks Neighborhood Council meeting, specifically for the purpose of hearing the debate on the proposed zoning variance which would allow The Collateral Lender to relocate from it’s current location at 20930 Ventura Bvld to 21840-21844 Ventura Blvd to (corner of Ventura Blvd & Don Pio).
I consider myself to be pro-business, so I went into the meeting with that mindset. I generally believe that businesses should be allowed to operate unless they really infringe on the rights of community members.
This business requires a variance to operate because it does ‘collateral lending.’ As explained at the meeting, any business can buy merchandise. But, once you issue a loan on merchandise and use that merchandise as collateral until the loan is repaid, it’s a whole other ballgame legally. You have to submit to various requirements and demands from the city to operate.
At the current location The Collateral Lender is subject to various signage restrictions, limited operating hours, and other restrictions like that they may not buy any item valued at less than $1,000.
Numerous passionate residents of the neighborhood South of Ventura Blvd voiced strong opposition to the variance, and in reality to The Collateral Lender being able to open at the new location in general. These residents have good reason to be concerned, although you can make a strong argument that some of their venom is unfairly directed toward this jewelery store/pawn business.
You see, as many people reading this blog know, the area surrounding Topanga Canyon Blvd and Ventura Blvd is completely infested will all manner of drug addicted degenerate homeless degenerates. It’s really bad, and very unfortunate as we all know the homes in the area are very expensive and it’s a shame for these vagabonds to be ruining the lives and property value of so many good, hardworking people.
Whether or not The Collateral Lender moving to this new location would be a detriment to the community is unclear. But, community members are right to be concerned about creating a prominent street corner with a motel, a liquor store, and a pawn shop all in one location. It’s a property value disaster in the making.
You could tell that a great many members of the Neighborhood Council were initially fine with issuing the variance, but the strong opposition by the community members seemed to sway several of them. In the end the measure failed by approximately 1 vote.
However, at the end of the day the NC really only provides variance to the Zoning Administrator. And it’s up to them to make the final decision. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where and when the meeting for this was, and then finally realized that it was posted right on the building. And, sadly it’s in 30 minutes, but hopefully those of you passionate about the issue are probably already well aware of the time and place, and have motivated your constituents to attend.
There is a meeting today at 9:30am with the Zoning Administrator at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd in the First Floor Conference Room of the Marvin Braude Building in Van Nuys.
Editorial Note: This story is a work in progress. Please check back shortly. I will update this store this afternoon with more information from last week’s meeting and the fixing of I’m sure many typos.
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9 Responses to “Neighborhood Council Rejects Zoning Variance For Collateral Lender (Last Wednesday) – New Meeting Today”
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I wonder how it is known that all of the described street persons are “drug addicted degenerate homeless degenerates”. Is it possible there are other reasons these folks are here, and/or the reasons why they have become this way, if reasons are important? Many homeless are the result of our wars, people with whom we are not now, never were, and probably never will be prepared to deal. And now we have a newer variety of homelessness in our midst. Pounding on our chests with indignation about these people is unconscionable. I realize my response is beside the point of your article about a pawn shop, but I do think that there is enough against a business such as this being in a residential area regardless of the monetary value of residences and their inhabitants. We need to get indignant about how little we care for those who can’t care for themselves.
Donna,
I’ll say this, that as far as I know the #1 cause of homelessness is mental illness, probably closely followed by drug addiction. Furthermore, the drug addiction/homelessness link is no doubt cause by the fact that on their way to the bottom, substance abusers burn every personal bridge they’ve ever formed.
Yes, homelessness is a societal problem. But, in this particular case you have a few people in our community, notably anyone who lives near epicenter Gateway Plaza, that is forced to bear an unfair portion of the burden.
This article is actually incomplete, because I ultimately want to make the point that the link between the collateral lender and the homeless issue is not really a reality here. Really, I think it’s two separate issues.
Ultimately, I’d like to find someone with in the area who is well in-tune with the homeless people in Woodland Hills and get their take on the problem.
Big turnout at the hearing today with residents expressing opposition to the proposed Zoning Variance. Jonathan Brand from Dennis Zine’s office also came and spoke out on the residents behalf.
The zoning administrator has taken the decision under advisement and will make a written determination somewhere between 4-6 weeks.
Hi, Girard,
I do not recall how I happened on your site earlier today, but I am glad I did. Your irreverence is winning, the photos memorable. I grew up in Woodland Hills way back when there was no Ventura Freeway, way back when the paved portion of Ventura Blvd ended at Reseda, way back when the stone entry to the old (original) Warner Ranch (on Ventura near Canoga) were still there. Way back… likely before you were born.
God, I remember it all. It has been a L O N G time since I have visited Woodland Hills, but your posts bring home all my old memories in a rush. Sad to learn what has become of the intersection of Topanga and Ventura, which was one corner of my old stamping ground.
Keep writing!
I really appreciate you keeping us informed on this issue. Thanks.
A motel, liquor store and pawnshop all in the same intersection sounds bad for property value, but we have to realize the preconcieved notions/stigma we have attached to this business and the reality of the community’s options.
First, this store is far from the stereotypical pawnshop. It is much more of a jewelry boutique style store with prominent locations in Beverly Hills and downtown San Francisco.
Secondly, is it better to have vacant businesses? No, vacancies give degenerates a place to stay. Property value drops lower in a place full of homelessness than it will in a place with well-lit, high-end merchandise, such as this store.
Allowing this store into the area will likely improve the area, but certainly would do no further damage.
I amdmit on paper the liquor store, motel and pawnshop sound bad, but if you change that to liquor store, motel and fine jeweler that changes the picture considerably and that is closer to the reality the communtiy is facing if the variance is allowed.
- Could someone explain to me “What is the Variance?”
-Where/what url site I can find “residential Variance codes for Woodland Hills”?
Thanks