Bits 'n' Pieces

5G Cell Tower Nixed from Resident’s Property

Moira Hahn and Mark Hotchkiss have finally achieved their long-sought victory: Confirmation has been received from both AT&T and the City of Long Beach that the cell tower construction permit for a right-of-way 25 feet from their home, at the edge of their property line, will not be issued.

Moira and Mark’s struggle has received extensive coverage in local TV and print media. For a brief video on their plight, see 5gaware.com/the-hahns-story.

Last October, Moira and Mark’s appeal under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) came before the Long Beach City Council, resulting in a 3-3 tie vote. The deputy city attorney on hand at the moment referred to this as a victory for AT&T; however, that interpretation of a City Council tie vote under CEQA was strongly disputed by Moira and Mark’s attorney Doug Carstens of Carstens, Black & Minteer.

That matter of law, however, now is a moot point with regard to Moira and Mark’s particular case against construction of the cell tower at their home, as both the cell tower company (AT&T) and the responsible government agency (City of Long Beach) have acknowledged that no tower will be built there.

In an email shared with Moira and Mark, on March 7, 2023 an email response was received by WHYY Public Radio reporter Grant Hill from Christy Moran of AT&T’s Corporate Communications office in Washington, D.C. which stated: “Due to various reasons, we are no longer planning to build a small cell site at that location.” Hill has been working on a story about the national 5g towers issue, highlighting Moira and Mark’s case.

Subsequently, on March 16, 2023, Moira and Mark’s attorney Doug Carstens received an email from Erin Weesner-McKinley, deputy city attorney, City of Long Beach, which stated: “We reached out to Public Works staff and staff relayed that they spoke with Marvin Callejas from Synergy (AT&T agent) yesterday and Mr. Callejas confirmed that the site adjacent to the residence of Hotchkiss and Hahn has been cancelled. Mr. Callejas also informed staff that the site will not be relocated to nearby streetlights. This is the first time the city has been informed of this development.”

This outcome represents a major victory not just for longtime Long Beach homeowners Moira Hahn and Mark Hotchkiss, as well as their neighbors, but indeed for all Long Beach residents. It shows that sometimes the little guy, if determined and persistent enough, can push back against the combined power of both City Hall and a Fortune 500 corporation and win.

LBPD Doubles Its Quality of Life Team

Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Wally Hebeish announced the expansion of the department’s Quality of Life (QOL) team and the selection of four new QOL officers.

“The Quality of Life team does an incredible job, in partnership with our homeless service team, connecting people in our community who are experiencing homelessness to services, resources and housing,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “I’m proud to see the Police Department expanding this team to help address homelessness in our community.”

“At the heart of community policing is relationships,” said Hebeish. “The QOL team exemplifies how strong relationships within our community can lead to meaningful change, helping people connect to resources and find permanent housing. The expansion of this team shows our commitment to improving quality of life in our community.”

In the fiscal year 2023 budget, the LBPD was approved to add four full-time QOL officers to the team, bringing the total to eight full-time QOL officer positions. These additional positions will augment citywide efforts to address homelessness, focus on issues related to people experiencing homelessness, and homeless encampments, including during the current local homelessness emergency. With the expansion of this team, the department will now have four, two-officer teams that will each focus on one geographic division while maintaining the ability to work as single QOL officers, when necessary. All LBPD officers receive training in order to assist people experiencing homelessness in the community.

In 2022, LBPD’s Quality of Life and Mental Evaluation teams made over 9,100 contacts to offer services to people experiencing homelessness. This led to nearly 400 people receiving temporary housing and permanent housing for almost 40 people. The Quality of Life team participated in over 1,200 clean-ups throughout the city, a critical component to public health and safety that is done in conjunction with meaningful outreach to people experiencing homelessness conducted by Homeless Services Bureau staff. The Quality of Life team was created in 2007.

In addition to the expansion of the QOL team, the LBPD has also received funding to provide for overtime to support outreach and clean-up efforts along the riverbeds over a two-year period.

On Jan. 10, 2023, homelessness was proclaimed an emergency in Long Beach. The emergency allows for increased ability to hire or contract critical roles and recruit qualified candidates; more quickly engage needed services, material and labor; speed up large-scale construction projects such as motel conversions and tiny homes; and work through zoning requirements that currently exclude certain uses of existing properties.

Any member of the public wishing to report issues regarding homelessness or encampments should call the city’s non-emergency phone tree at (562) 435-6711.

Spring Into Action:Give Blood

As the seasons change, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood doesn’t take a break. Blood and platelets remain at risk of running low this month. Donors are crucial to helping the Red Cross avoid a blood shortage in the weeks to come.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and platelet donors, are encouraged to make and keep appointments to donate. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

When donors lend an arm this month, the Red Cross will lend a hand. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, will receive a $10 Visa Prepaid Card by email. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners. Details are available at rcblood.org/help.

$90,000 Grant to Su Casa

The John Gogian Family Foundation announced that it has awarded a $90,000 grant to Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence and their families in the Long Beach area.

The grant is two-fold. It will be used to provide additional funding for the growth initiative spearheaded by the $1.25 million dollar grant awarded by the Bezos Day1 Family Fund as well as supporting Su Casa’s shelter and programs and services for survivors of domestic violence. The organization provides safe shelter, counseling, life skills training, and other services to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives. The growth initiative will seek to increase the capacity of Su Casa’s programs by up to 50%.

Su Casa Executive Director Alberto Uribe expressed his gratitude for the foundation’s support. “This grant will make a significant impact on our ability to meet the growing needs of the community and provide shelter and services to survivors of domestic violence. The need is great. Just last year we received more than 1,700 calls to our 24/7 Crisis Hotline and provided over 10,000 bed nights for our clients and their families.

We are grateful to the John Gogian Family Foundation for recognizing the importance of our work and supporting our mission.”

For more information about Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence, please visit www.sucasady.org.

2nd/PCH New Tenants

Popular restaurants JINYA Ramen Bar and dan modern chinese are among the latest wave of new tenants that have opened in early 2023 at 2ND & PCH. The center has also announced the extension of the first-ever pop-up shop by HGTV personality Jasmine Roth. Three new businesses are slated to open in 2023 including the modern American restaurant A PCH, Long Beach-based Beachwood Brewing and quality jewelry and curated looks by Lulu Avenue.

2ND & PCH continues to be a hub for best-in-class dining options and unique concepts. These new tenants join a dynamic roster of culinary and retail offerings at the center, which recently welcomed Fire Wings, Forno Banci and Shop Small Bizz Little’s. All of the new businesses mark exciting firsts for the outdoor shopping center.

JINYA Ramen Bar captivates all of the senses. Experience the contemporary artistic ambiance while the culinary team chants in preparation of the flavorful menu filled with signature broths simmered in-house, slow-cooked ramen, authentic toppings and small plates. The restaurant offers Japanese craft beers, wine, sake and whiskeys and an outdoor fire pit invites guests to stay a while and take in the vibe.

dan modern chinese is now open for lunch and dinner service. The restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine, featuring hand-made dumplings and noodles, wok-fried rice, vegetables and other delicious delicacies. The urban dining concept is anchored in the heart of the center where visitors can easily enjoy all of the live entertainment offerings on the grand staircase stage.

The center has also announced the extension of The Shop by Jasmine Roth through 2023. Lifestyle personality and host of HGTV’s hit show, Help! I Wrecked My House!, Jasmine Roth, brings her online shop local in her first-ever pop-up retail location. The Shop offers design consultation services in addition to a curated selection of Roth’s favorite decor, unique home goods and seasonal pieces. The store plans to host a number of special events including book signings and meet-and-greets with Jasmine herself throughout the year.

Coming soon to 2ND & PCH, A PCH is the newest dining concept by River Jetty Restaurant Group led by partners Joseph ‘McG’ Nichol and Jordan Otterbein of A Restaurant, A Market, and A Crystal Cove in Newport Beach and CdM Restaurant in Corona del Mar. A PCH presents a seasonally inspired, modern-American menu of land and sea. Experience elevated, contemporary cuisine paired with genuine hospitality in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. A PCH will be located on the second level of the center with breathtaking views overlooking the Alamitos Bay.

Housed in a customized industrial shipping container, the Long Beach-based craft brewery and nationally recognized beer maker, Beachwood Brewing, will open a brand new concept at the center. The industrial-chic tasting room will feature an innovative lineup of house beers, plus guests will have the opportunity to order food from a selection of other 2ND & PCH restaurants to enjoy on the 1,100 square foot heated patio nestled in the heart of the center’s promenade on the ground level.

Lulu Avenue will open its first brick-and-mortar location at 2ND & PCH. The ear piercing and quality jewelry concept will be located on the ground level between Seaport Way and Marina Drive.