Venice Neighborhood Council · Held
Venice Neighborhood Council meeting, August 18, 2026
From the minutes: The Venice Neighborhood Council's board voted on Aug. 18, 2026, to ask City Planning to review uses and permit compliance at Safe Place for Youth, 2467-2471 Lincoln Blvd., 14-2 with one abstaining, and to support CF 26-0956 on screening and security at permanent supportive housing, 10-5 with two abstaining, according to its minutes. It approved its 14-motion consent calendar 11-5, including opposition to City Planning's East Venice community plan recommendations, and four budget items, among them up to $1,000 for an RV town hall (minutes). The Windward Avenue plazas, the vacancy fee study and five other motions went to the Sept. 1 special meeting.
Outcomes for the August 18, 2026 meeting of the Venice Neighborhood Council come from its posted minutes.
| Where | Westminster Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 |
|---|---|
| Agenda | Official agenda (posted August 15, 2026) |
| Minutes | Official minutes |
| City Council districts | Council District 11 |
Outcomes below come from the board’s minutes, a one-page list of motions, movers by first name and tallies (yes-no-abstain-absent). The minutes are titled “2026 August VNC Board Meeting Minutes” and give no date; the Sept. 15 agenda identifies the file as the minutes of the Aug. 18 regular meeting and lists them for approval. They are not marked draft or approved.
Items under VI.A were on the consent calendar (agenda); the board approved items 106 to 119 together, 11-5 with one abstaining, after a 12-7 vote to move the consent calendar and budget items up the agenda (minutes). The minutes record that the at-large seats held by Brennan Lawson and Nico Ruderman were announced vacant, by resignation and for absences (minutes). They send motions 104, 105 and 125 to 129 to the September agenda as old business (minutes). The Sept. 1 special meeting agenda took them up; see the Sept. 1 page.
IV.A. Review of Safe Place for Youth operations at 2467-2471 Lincoln Blvd.
- What it asks: That City Planning and the Zoning Administrator review uses at the permanent supportive housing and office project (CPC-2019-6069), decide whether street outreach and services for non-residents are allowed under the permit, check compliance with conditions, and consider added conditions or nuisance abatement or revocation proceedings. The motion cites resident reports of impacts near the site (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 7-0-0 (agenda).
- Where: Lincoln Boulevard between Coeur d’Alene and Garfield avenues (agenda).
- What happened: Passed 14-2, with one abstaining and two absent; moved by David Feige and seconded by Alley Bean. An amendment to strike “and/or initiation of Nuisance Abatement/Revocation proceedings” failed 2-13, two abstaining (minutes).
IV.B. Support screening and security rules for supportive housing, CF 26-0956
- What it asks: Supports CF 26-0956, which asks City departments to report on conditioning City funding for permanent supportive housing on background checks and risk assessments, stronger “Good Neighbor” agreements with security staffing and cameras, intake protocols, placements for higher-acuity residents and a neighbor dispute process (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 7-0-0. The Council motion is by Traci Park, seconded by John Lee (agenda, CF 26-0956).
- What happened: Passed 10-5, with two abstaining and two absent; moved by David Feige and seconded by Jason Sugars (minutes). The council filed a “For” position with the same 10-5-2 vote and 17 members present in a Community Impact Statement on Aug. 23, 2026 (CF 26-0956).
IV.C. Windward Avenue pedestrian plazas
- What it asks: Approves the concept of turning Windward Avenue between Speedway and Windward Circle into pedestrian plazas, which would start talks with City agencies and the Coastal Commission (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Parking, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, 3-0-1 (agenda).
- What happened: Not voted on Aug. 18 (minutes). On Sept. 1 the board sent it back to committee for a town hall (Sept. 1 minutes).
IV.D. Venice vacancy fee study
- What it asks: Asks Council member Traci Park and the Housing Department to seek a City Attorney study of a fee on Venice residential and commercial properties vacant or unleased more than six months a year, with revenue kept for CD 11 temporary housing, rent help and homelessness programs. It would send a Community Impact Statement to CF 25-0029 (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Homelessness Committee, 6-0-1 (agenda).
- Neighborhood council positions: No Venice Community Impact Statement appears on CF 25-0029 as of Oct. 1, 2026 (CF 25-0029).
- What happened: Not voted on Aug. 18 (minutes). It failed 8-8 on Sept. 1 (Sept. 1 minutes).
VI.A.1.b. Oppose City Planning’s East Venice recommendations
- What it asks: Opposes City Planning’s 2026 East Venice community plan recommendations and backs the council committee’s August 2026 draft land use recommendations, to be sent to City Planning and CD 11 (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Community Plan and Local Coastal Program ad hoc committee, 5-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.c. Oppose seven ADUs at 532-534 Santa Clara Ave.
- What it asks: Opposes the seven-ADU building in the parking lot of an eight-unit building (Coastal Commission 5-26-0094), saying it uses the state ADU definition to create an apartment building (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 6-0-2 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.d. Support a new home at 811 Howard Ave.
- What it asks: Recommends approval of demolishing a house and garage and building a new house and garage (DIR-2026-1941-CDP-MEL-HCA), with at least one native tree (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 7-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.e. Defer an alcohol permit for Chulita, 533 Rose Ave.
- What it asks: Asks the City to hold the conditional use (ZA-2026-747-CUB) for a 32-seat restaurant until it files the coastal permit needed to make its outdoor dining permanent (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 6-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.f. “Alcohol Sensitive Use” zones near Companion and across Venice
- What it asks: Asks the Council office and Council to reclassify the area around Companion, 1700 Lincoln Blvd. (ADM-2026-1827-RBPA), from “General” to “Alcohol Sensitive Use,” which would require neighborhood outreach for restaurant alcohol permits, and to review all of Venice for such zones and hold Venice applications until then (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 5-0-1 and 6-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.g. Defer beer and wine sales for Hama Sushi
- What it asks: Asks the City to hold the Restaurant Beverage Program clearance (ADM-2026-1849-RBPA) so it can be heard with the restaurant’s coastal permit for permanent outdoor dining (DIR-2026-333-CDP) (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 8-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.h. “Alcohol Sensitive Use” zone near Wallflower, 609 Rose Ave.
- What it asks: Asks the Council office and Council to reclassify the area around the restaurant, which has 27 indoor and 18 outdoor seats (ADM-2026-3242-RBPA), as “Alcohol Sensitive Use,” citing about 22 multi-family buildings within 300 feet (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 8-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.3.i. Support an addition at 802 Superba Ave.
- What it asks: Recommends approval of an addition, detached garage and pool (DIR-2026-3865-CDP) (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 7-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.A.4. Pedestrian and bicycle conflicts at Washington Boulevard and Ocean Front Walk
- What it asks: Asks the City for a permanent fix on the north side, with temporary barriers until then, and end-of-path signs and markings on the south side to route southbound Marvin Braude bike path riders east on Washington Boulevard (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Parking, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, 4-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with the consent calendar, 11-5, with one abstaining and two absent (minutes).
VI.B.6. Up to $1,000 for an RV town hall
- What it asks: Hold an in-person town hall on RVs parked on Venice streets, covering room, equipment, security, staffing and light refreshments (agenda).
- Amount: Up to $1,000. The agenda notes the 2026-27 town hall budget is $500 and approves a budget adjustment if needed (agenda).
- What happened: Approved with motions 121 and 122, 15-1, with one abstaining and two absent. An amendment to lower the not-to-exceed amount from $1,000 to $500 failed 2-14, one abstaining (minutes).
VI.C. Alcohol permit for an office club at 901 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
- What it asks: Recommends approval of a conditional use (ZA-2026-1891-CUB) for alcohol at an existing office, with conditions: keep the Frank Israel facade, outdoor music at ambient levels during school hours and none after 10 p.m., no special events during school hours, a cap of 24 special events a year, LAPD permits for each, and seating cut from 250 to 187 (agenda).
- Who brought it: The Land Use and Planning Committee, 8-0-0 (agenda).
- What happened: Not voted on Aug. 18 (minutes). It passed 12-2 on Sept. 1 (Sept. 1 minutes).
Every item
| # | Item | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| IV.A | Ask City Planning to review uses and permit compliance at Safe Place for Youth, 2467-2471 Lincoln Blvd. (102-26-VNC) | Passed 14-2, one abstaining, two absent; an amendment to strike the nuisance abatement and revocation language failed 2-13 |
| IV.B | Support CF 26-0956 on background checks, assessments and security at permanent supportive housing (103-26-VNC) | Approved 10-5, two abstaining, two absent |
| IV.C | Approve the Windward Avenue pedestrian plaza concept between Speedway and Windward Circle (104-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; sent back to committee Sept. 1 |
| IV.D | Ask CD 11 to seek a City Attorney study of a Venice vacancy fee for housing, with a statement to CF 25-0029 (105-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; failed Sept. 1 |
| VI.A.1.b | Consent: oppose City Planning's 2026 East Venice community plan recommendations and back the council's own (107-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.c | Consent: oppose seven ADUs at 532-534 Santa Clara Ave. (111-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.d | Consent: support a new home at 811 Howard Ave., with native trees (112-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.e | Consent: ask the City to defer an alcohol permit for Chulita, 533 Rose Ave. (113-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.f | Consent: ask the Council to make the area near Companion, 1700 Lincoln Blvd., and other Venice sites "Alcohol Sensitive Use" zones (114 and 115-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.g | Consent: ask the City to defer beer and wine sales for Hama Sushi, 213 Windward Ave. (116-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.h | Consent: ask the Council to make the area near Wallflower, 609 Rose Ave., an "Alcohol Sensitive Use" zone (117-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.i | Consent: support an addition and pool at 802 Superba Ave. (118-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.4 | Consent: ask the City to fix pedestrian and bicycle conflicts at Washington Boulevard and Ocean Front Walk (119-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.B.6 | Up to $1,000 for a town hall on RVs parked on Venice streets (124-26-VNC) | Approved 15-1, one abstaining, two absent, with 121 and 122; an amendment to lower the cap from $1,000 to $500 failed 2-14 |
| VI.C | Support an alcohol permit for an office club at 901 Abbot Kinney Blvd., with conditions (125-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; passed Sept. 1 |
| I | Call to order and roll call | |
| I.A | Declarations of ex parte communications, conflicts and recusals | |
| I.B | Approve minutes of the July 21 and July 29 meetings (101-26-VNC) | Approved 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| II | Announce vacancies in the seats of Brennan Lawson (resigned) and Nico Ruderman (absences), and appoint WRAC representatives | Both vacancies announced; the minutes record no vote on WRAC representatives |
| III | Presentations and reports from County Beaches and Harbors, Rep. Ted Lieu, Supervisor Horvath, CD 11, LAPD and the Budget Advocates | |
| V | General public comment | |
| VI.A.1.a | Consent: reauthorize the Community Plan and Local Coastal Program ad hoc committee (106-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.2 | Consent: plan a tsunami preparedness fair and evacuation drill (108-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.a | Consent: waive review of four ADU projects (109-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.A.3.b | Consent: ask that the land use chair get notice of Coastal Commission ADU applications (110-26-VNC) | Approved on the consent calendar, 11-5, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.B.1 | Treasurer's report | |
| VI.B.2 | Approve the July 2026 monthly expenditure report (120-26-VNC) | Approved 16-0, one abstaining, two absent |
| VI.B.3 | Approve the 2026-27 Webcorner website agreement (121-26-VNC) | Approved 15-1, one abstaining, two absent, with 122 and 124 |
| VI.B.4 | Up to $50 for business cards (122-26-VNC) | Approved 15-1, one abstaining, two absent, with 121 and 124 |
| VI.B.5 | Up to $295 for tsunami event banner patches (123-26-VNC) | Withdrawn |
| VI.D | Stakeholder petition to amend the standing rules on land use review, consent items, statements, AI disclosure and live streaming (126-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; failed Sept. 1 |
| VI.E | Stakeholder petition to remove Ted Henderson as Rules and Elections chair (127-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; failed Sept. 1 |
| VI.F | Stakeholder petition to remove Nick Antonicello from two committees (128-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; failed Sept. 1 |
| VI.G | Report on restarting live streams of board meetings (129-26-VNC) | Not voted on; the minutes send it to the September agenda as old business; sent to committee Sept. 1 |
| VII | Adjournment |