Voters Need the Facts on Grayson and Utility Rates 

It not only feels like everything is getting more expensive – many things unquestionably are. Gas prices have risen, utility rates have increased and personal and business budgets are strained as a result. There are a multitude of complex factors that affect prices, which means there are no easy fixes. So it is unfortunate that some city council candidates have asserted that such fixes do exist.  

The large recent electrical rate increase was triggered by the necessity of upgrading Grayson (the very old equipment could no longer be operated due to high pollution and health risks) and building the Scholl Biogas plant. Claims that the City can “just lower electrical rates” or operate the Grayson Power Plant longer hours to generate additional revenue are both vague and misleading. Utility rates are set based on multiple factors including electricity demand forecasts (income), operating and fuel costs, and utility bond servicing costs. Reducing rates would mean reduced revenues and could affect Glendale’s ability to meet its bond repayment obligations.  
Grayson’s permit from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) stipulates how many hours equipment can be operated and how much air pollution and greenhouse gases can be emitted. Glendale will already have to purchase some emission reduction credits for some air pollutants (nitrous oxides and volatile organics). Running equipment more hours to generate “surplus power” is contingent upon approval from the SCAQMD. Even if that were allowed, the City would have to purchase additional emission reduction credits, decreasing the revenue. 

Additionally, selling power is complicated. Electricity buyers need and want to buy energy during the hottest hours – peak periods (typically 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) – which is when Glendale needs the most power too. Running the equipment for longer hours does not increase the peak power.  Would this extra non-peak power be salable? Completely missing from this discussion are impacts to residents who live near or downstream of Grayson. Would additional cases of asthma and increased risk of cancer be just an unfortunate consequence of operating Grayson longer hours? 

It should be our priority to minimize these health impacts.  

Jackie Gish, President
Glendale Environmental Coalition (GEC)
On behalf of the GEC Board

Regarding Briggs and Foothill Development

Neighbors and Friends of La Crescenta/Montrose:

Your input is needed regarding the development at Briggs Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.

The proposal to build a five-story, 80-unit project with 80 parking spaces at Briggs and Foothill has the inherent disadvantages of being too large with insufficient parking. This will contribute to the already limited parking and high traffic at that location created by three nearby schools, a busy park, the sheriff’s station and steep narrow streets. The potential for evacuations in this high fire hazard area with limited ingress/egress exacerbates the potential threat to life and property.  

In addition to these physical issues, the developer will be designating 25 units for TAY (Transitional Age Youth – 18- to 25-year-old) tenants. This development will remain a transitional living facility for the LA County Dept. of Mental Health for the life of the building. The LACDMH website states within the TAY program, “Priority populations include the following: 

*  TAY struggling with substance abuse disorders

• TAY who are homeless or at risk of homelessness 
• TAY aging out of children’s mental health, child welfare or juvenile justice systems
• TAY leaving long-term institutional care
• TAY experiencing their first episode of major mental illness”

The size of the “designated” units is unknown; however, per information stated by Abode, a partner in the project, “Occupancy Standards” per unit size can vary from three to seven occupants, possibly bringing the total of TAY residents to a maximum of 175 persons. 

A goal is to have one or more dependent children living with a parent. It is not clear if there will be a trained Public Health counselor on site 24/7, or if there will be any enforced mandated parameters to remain in an independent living facility. Will the facility at Briggs be designated as a subsidiary of the LA County Dept. of Mental Health?

The remainder of the units will be 100% low income housing, presumably also governed by the above “Occupancy Standards”.

Why not offer market rate units with adequate parking and the government required percentage of low income units? 

If you are supportive of this project or if you have concerns about  the possible impact on our community,  please write or email Supervisor Kathryn Barger at kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov or write to: 500 W Temple St., Room 869, Los Angeles, CA 90012.            

Your Opinion Matters!

Eleanor Wacker
La Crescenta

Editor’s note: there is a public meeting regarding this project on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Rosemont Middle School, 4725 Rosemont Ave.