Note: A five-story senior center abutting the Oxford Retention Basin (Duck Pond, Oxford Lagoon) is proposed by LA County. This is Doug Fay’s letter to the supervisors explaining why it shouldn’t happen. His purpose he states is to get the lease denied or at least delay the request. It is parcel OT/147.

Dear Supervisors,

The proposed lease agreement has been inconsistent with County policy for over a decade and never should have been entertained/entered. On Page 2-8 of the February 8, 1996 Marina Del Rey Land Use Plan (MDR LUP) # 12. Clearly states: “No designated public parking areas, including, but not limited to Lots OT, UR, or FF shall be converted to uses other than public parking or public park purposes.”

The County’s definition of “shall” is “mandatory”.

Oceana’s application/request, a senior living facility, is not a parking lot or public park, and should have been initially denied.

Your subordinate Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors staff have submitted statements that are arguably false and misleading. Specifically, on Page 4 of the 10/4/2011 Beaches and Harbors Approval Of Lease Option Agreement To Facilitate Seniors-Only Retirement Residence (Parcel OT) letter adopted by you it states, “There is no impact on other current services or projects”.

The Oxford Lagoon, which is adjacent to the proposed 5-story, seniors-only retirement residence and shares the same APN, is a County-dedicated Bird Conservation Area (BCA), and has been since 1963. A 5-story structure abutting and looming adjacent to a BCA will significantly impact the current service.
The County’s proposed Oxford Retention Basin Multiuse Enhancement Project is impacted by the Oceana proposal.

Did the County’s representatives disclose to the California Coastal Commission that Parcel OT shall remain a parking lot or public park and that the adjacent 10- acre wetland is a dedicated BCA when they sought changes to the LCP to allow a seniors-only retirement residence?

On Page 4 of the 10/15/2013 of the Beaches and Harbors letter requesting the execution of a new Lease Agreement for Parcel 147 (Lot OT), under ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION it states, “The proposed consents are an administrative activity of government which will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.”

This statement is false.

The proposed project does not belong at this location. It may work at the proposed Trader Joe’s location but not here. A public park, possibly a partnership with an organization, for example: The Annenberg Foundation would be consistent with the environmental setting. Acquiring land adjacent to habitat areas is a stated priority for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Yone before you to meet this goal and avoid litigation.

There were Bird Sanctuary signs posted by the County around the Oxford Lagoon when I was younger, and there was much more wildlife than under its current management by the County. I often ride my bicycle on the bike path through MDR and wonder why is it that you irrigate the adjacent park daily, but not a drop of fresh water is provided for the wildlife.

My father, the late Dr. Rimmon C. Fay was known for stating, “If you don’t act on your convictions, what kind of person are you?” Please give my request thoughtful consideration and feel free to contact me anytime preferably by email or mail.