Support Installation of "Hardscaping" and Planter Boxes on City Parkways at VNC Meeting Tuesday Evening

Two Motions will be on the VNC Agenda this Tuesday evening that would promote the diversion of polluted rainwater away from the ocean and instead contain it on-site under city parkways.

Over the last several decades commercial property owners have paved over parkways, the space between sidewalks and curbs, to cut watering and gardening costs.  This stops the natural process of a rain's "first flush" from infiltrating the soil and instead results in rainwater running off the sidewalk and parkway, picking up pollutants and rushing to the ocean, where it contaminates the Santa Monica Bay.

These two motions would urge the City's Bureau of Engineering to quickly process applications for permits to saw-cut concrete parkways and create grade-level landscaping or install raised planter boxes, both to contain rainwater and allow it to infiltrate the ground.  (Recently the Bureau has taken literally years to process applications or refused to accept them.)

If you support this "green" retrofitting of parkways please write a note to Board@venicenc.org in support of items #13G and 13H and show up to support the Motions Tuesday evening at Westminster Elementary School at 6:30 PM.

 13G    Planting On Parkways ​(20 minutes)  MOTION:​ The Venice Neighborhood Council strongly urges the City’s Bureau of Engineering to support  and rule on all applications within 60 days for removal of concrete over parkways along city streets for  the planting of said parkways for the purpose of beautification​,​ rain infiltration and containment  Uploaded Documents: ​Download 1565065899.docx Recommended by Neighborhood Committee 8-0-1 on 7/24/19   

13H    Planter Boxes On Parkways  ​(20 minutes)   MOTION: ​The Venice Neighborhood Council strongly urges the City’s Bureau of Engineering to support  and rule on all applications within 60 days for removal of concrete over parkways along city streets for  the installation of planter boxes on parkways for the purpose of beautification, rain infiltration and  containment.  Uploaded Documents: ​Download 1565065899.docx Recommended by Neighborhood Committee 8-0-1 on 7/24/19