Federal Level
Transportation Sector Again Leads US Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Overall greenhouse gas emissions increased 1.3% last year compared to the previous year, including a 1.3% increase from the transportation sector, which analysts at the Rhodium Group said was driven by an increase in jet fuel demand and gas consumption in passenger vehicles. Consistent with every year since 2016, the transportation sector is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
General LA
Metro Holds Community Meetings For The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project
Metro held three community open houses for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project to connect the San Fernando Valley to the westside through a heavy rail line or monorail line, as an alternative to the 405. The six options being considered include three heavy rail options and three monorail options, some of which include stops at UCLA.
LAUSD Announces New Charging Stations As It Moves Toward Electric Buses
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced two dozen new charging stations as part of the district’s effort to replace its diesel buses with electric buses equipped with wi-fi. The new stations will be in two bus yars in the San Fernando Valley and East Los Angeles.
New Councilman Seeks Repeal Of Ban On Street Vending At Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, whose parents were street vendors when he was growing up, told Capital and Main that he is working to repeal the “no-vending zone” designation on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The zone was established, along with seven others, after the City Council legalized street vending in 2018.
San Gabriel Valley
Baldwin Park Officials Announce Plan For Mini Park
Baldwin Park officials announced plans for a mini-park on Maine Avenue below the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area. The 8,342 square-foot lot was bought by the city for $650,000 and construction is scheduled to start by summer. The park will include a bioswale, playground, shade trees, fitness equipment, shade structures, picnic tables and restrooms.
LA County Officials Orders Study Into Altadena Road Safety
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion seeking a study into safety and traffic conditions on Holliston Avenue, between Altadena Drive and New York Drive, and on Fair Oaks Avenue, between Loma Alta Drive and Altadena Drive. The motion follows an increase in crashes.
South Bay Cities
Long Beach Seeks Public Input On Sidewalk Vending Guidelines
Long Beach will hold two meetings to solicit community input as the city develops new guidelines to regulate sidewalk vending. The first meeting will take place on Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Cal Rec Community Center, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The second meeting will take place on Zoom on Monday, January 30, from 6pm to 7:30pm. More information, including how to register, is available at the link below.
Long Beach City Council Stops Neighborhood Groups From Blocking Parklets
The Long Beach City Council amended its municipal code to stop neighborhood groups from being able to block permits for permanent parklets. Temporary parklets began in Long Beach during the pandemic to help restaurants and other businesses keep their doors open and comply with bans against indoor eating. Previously, community input was the deciding factor in the permitting process, but the vote changed it so that the council is the ultimate decision maker.
Westside Cities
El Segundo Updating Its Downtown Specific Plan
El Segundo is working to update its Downtown Specific Plan for the first time in more than 22 years. The proposal is expected to include expanded pedestrian areas along Main, Richmond and Grand, along with buffered bike lanes on Main and Grand.