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Phase 1, Village Walk |
Tarzana Elementary School Bridge |
Tarzana Community and Cultural Center |
Join TPOA Board Meeting Minutes TPOA History Current Issues Community Input Archives Links to Other Tarzana Organizations: Tarzana Neighborhood Council (TNC) Tarzana Community & Cultural Center (TCCC) West Hills Chamber of Commerce Federation of Hillside & Canyon Associations Los Angeles City Agencies:Building and Safety Code Enforcement ZIMAS (Zoning Information and Map Access) Miscellaneous Links: |
TPOA History(See also the TPOA Accomplishments Link for additional historical information) TPOA PRESIDENTSDates and sequence are developed from best available data.
A LETTER FROM HELEN ITRIA
Our History The Tarzana Property Owners Association, which today numbers about 600 households, was formed in 1962 (incorporated in 1965) after residents rallied to combat a large non-residential project from landing smack in the heart of an established hillside neighborhood of homes. Spearheaded by Louise and Ernie Frankel, they learned quickly about planning and zoning regulations and became familiar with the workings of City Hall. And City Hall became very aware of TPOA. They learned to protect the quiet, residential quality of their community. Through vigilance, for example, there are no apartments, condos or duplexes south of
A recent example: Braemar Country Club planned a Sports Club addition, a square, glaring white boxlike structure with no architectural relationship to the existing clubhouse – a visible eyesore to neighbors. Many meetings – on site with neighbors, downtown at City Hall with our then Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski’s deputies – spanned more than two years. Eventually, Braemar complied. They changed architects and presented a totally new design. . .which we nitpicked some more until they reduced the height, planned for trees, muted outdoor lighting, softer color tone, etc. Continuing south on
Then, Cindy flew in a helicopter with Councilwoman Rita Walters, pointing out all the access routes into the park, to convince her that closing off “Reseda to the Sea” would not bar her constituents or the general public from enjoying the park. That plan for a freeway is now permanently “off the map”. Also,
There’s more – so much more: the Tarzana post office. . . the Snoopy footbridge over Wilbur Avenue to protect schoolchildren from floodwaters . . . storm drains along Vanalden and Wilbur avenues are all the direct result of TPOA involvement, ideas, pressure, cajoling. Even El Caballero Country Club has TPOA to thank. Without our intercession, they would have lost a good portion of their golf course to a building tract. Louise Frankel and Irma Dobbyn spent 3 years on the Encino/Tarzana Community Plan – and many more on the Mulholland Scenic Corridor committee. Our main purpose is to protect and enhance the quality of life for our residents. But we concern ourselves with Tarzana as a whole. We not only want nice residential areas, we want an attractive, successful business district as well. So we work with all groups to make this happen. Seven years ago, Tarzana became the first
The Tarzana Improvement Association (TIA) is an offshoot of TPOA and is expanding on this identity with jungle animal topiaries on the sidewalks, and metal cutouts of jungle animals on lampposts – and, of course, more trees. The latest major endeavor: rescuing the corner of Vanalden and
I thought about it and sat down and wrote a letter – the President’s Letter for TPOA’s newsletter. In effect, I wrote, wouldn’t it be nice if some corporation….or person….would donate the money for a much-needed Community Center and, in the process, save that corner. Six months passed with little reaction except some gentle teasing. Then my phone rang. This wonderful Tarzana homeowner offered to contribute “seed money” toward a community center. That “seed money” amounted to one million dollars! You know the rest: The Tarzana Community & Cultural Center Foundation was formed. The city and the state pitched in, adding $500,000 to contributions from the community and, on April 30 of 2002, the purchase from Public Storage cleared escrow. The Foundation is thriving with dedicated, active members who have pitched in to make it work. The Spanish-style house that’s been there from the beginning has been restored. . . the Tarzana Chamber of Commerce and TIA have their offices there . . . and TPOA is now holding its board meetings there through the courtesy of the Foundation. This is what we do. We attend planning and zoning hearings; we fight ruthless invaders, unsightly intrusions; we try to help the good guys. Above all, we work for the community. We do our homework. We believe that if we want things to work, we have to work . . . it starts with us. We get the attention of City Hall without being shrill or petulant. As one zoning administrator told a group at a recent meeting; “See? That’s why they win their cases; they’re prepared.” We’re proud of that. We’re also proud of our annual Town Hall meetings. Held each spring at El Caballero Country Club, we attract crowds from 150 to 300 people to hear and interact with the panelists which range from top city officials to political candidates. (We are non-political, but folks in leadership positions vie for our approval.) We have had candidates for mayor, city council, state assembly, U.S. Congress debate at our Town Hall meetings. Police Chief Daryl Gates and Warren Christopher faced off at their only one-on-one encounter. (The next day, the riots erupted.) Our Board meets the second Monday of every month except July and August, in the
We are all volunteers. And we need more hardworking volunteers like us – or simply members to help support this work. If interested, call TPOA’s number: (818) 344-2137 and let us know. Our dues are just $15 a year. We think you get your money’s worth! |
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