Silver Lake Community Gathers to Talk Priorities, Concerns

Silver Lake residents have a lot of the same issues. They are concerned about parking, they are concerned about development and they are concerned about each other. These issues came to light at the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council “Visions, Issues and Goals” meeting held Monday at the Silver Lake Library.

The meeting is held biannually under the council’s bylaws in an effort to get people interested in their community and the neighborhood council. Mondays meeting brought about 40 Silver Lake residents together to talk priorities.

The theme of the meeting was an elevator pitch to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, encouraging residents to tell the mayor whatever they wanted about Silver Lake. Although Garcetti wasn’t present, it was a good opportunity for residents hear the things they had in common including a love for green space and parks.

Residents pointed out many spots throughout their community, including the Corralitas red car property, which could be used to create parks within the neighborhood.

Many residents also discussed concern for development in Silver Lake, stating there is already insufficient parking and the mom and pop stores that made Silver Lake what it is are not able to afford their rent.

No solutions were brainstormed at this meeting. The issues and goals discussed in the meeting will be used to fuel the council for the next six months until another meeting with the community occurs.

The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council is governed by a series of committees that make motions to the general board, who then approves them. Any stakeholder is also welcome to make a motion or get the council to consider an issue by emailing the governing board.

The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council will be holding its governing board meeting next Wednesday at Micheltorena Street Elementary School Auditorium (1511 Micheltorena St.) beginning at 7 p.m.