“Are you high?” was the show-stopping question a Duane Street resident asked the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) during a recent community meeting. The virtual meeting was held on January 19 to discuss the process for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) BOE will conduct this year. Approximately 70 people attended the almost 90-minute meeting, and an estimated 25 comments were shared. The overwhelming majority of those attending expressed strong concerns about the proposed Silver Lake Reservoir Complex Master Plan (SLRCMP). Very few spoke in favor of changes to the complex. Several attendees noted that the city is doing what the city does best: confuse and frustrate residents. BOE is beginning the process of conducting an EIR regarding the “re-imagining” of the SLRC. All are invited to submit comments and suggestions to the BOE. In theory, comments and suggestions will be considered during the drafting of the EIR. However, after reviewing the draft SLRCMP, many attendees said the BOE did not take into consideration concerns residents shared during the multiple community workshops which took place prior to the pandemic.
The issues that will be addressed in the EIR are extremely important, as they will determine the future of Silver Lake. The deadline for comments is 5:00 p.m. on February 7, 2022.
SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THE SLRC MASTER PLAN HERE.
Although the city is in the early stages of the EIR, now is the time to make your voice heard. Among the issues raised are the following:
• Cost and duration of the project
• Impact on traffic in an already congested and parking deprived neighborhood
• Increase in crime, homeless encampments, etc., as seen in Echo Park and MacArthur Park
• Negative impact on reservoir wild life and migratory animals
• Noise and light pollution.
You may want to consider these and other concerns when making comments.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SLRC MASTER PLAN HERE.
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