site,” the condominiums’ architect Edward

Levin said.

An issue of placing a transformer, an elec-

trical unit, on the rear side of the building

would prevent the condos from being pushed

further back into the alley away from the

Burton Way sidewalk.

“If you bring [the condos] closer to the

street then it would appear bigger than it

would,” Commissioner Craig Corman said.

“It’s all a matter of perception of scale and

mass.”

Vice Chair Howard Fischer and

Commissioner Alan Block agreed that they

prefer the condos be pushed as far back

as possible away from the sidewalk along

Burton Way.

Levin estimated, based on previous proj-

ects, that Southern California Edison would

require a 10-foot sphere around the trans-

former with no openings, such as windows,

within the sphere, according to Levin. If the

building were to be pushed back further into

the alley, there is a possibility the building

will encroach into the transformer’s radius

restrictions.

“The problem is that we have to design and

move forward with the building before we’ll

have any feedback from Edison,” Levin said.

“Let’s say we’ll shove the building back 10

feet. Now we’re in the middle of working

drawings, we have our electrical engineer-

ing, [and then] it turns out that’s not adequate

clearance, what happens?”

If the project were to be adjusted to accom-

modate a setback request, there would be

additional order costs and engineering costs,

according to Levin.

Though Corwin suggested contacting

Edison to see what the sphere area restric-

tions are for the transformer in order to see

how much further back the condos can be,

Levin and Senior Planner Jonathan Lait said

that it is difficult to “get a response out of

Edison in a timely matter.”

Direction was given to city staff to contact

Edison to find exact details for the transform-

er. If no substantial details were obtained

prior to today’s meeting that will affect the

setbacks for the building, the project will

move forward.

“I think it’s time to move along,” Fisher

said. “Since I’m pleased with all that you’ve

done I’m ready to move forward. I’m not get-

ting a sense from staff [that] we could really

do something that is quick and efficient.”

25th annual Magbit Foundation gala to honor Wolpe

M a g b i t

Foundation

of greater

Los Angeles

will be hold-

ing its 25th

annual gala

on May 18 at

the Beverly

Hilton Hotel

celebrat ing

the State of

Israel’s 66

April 10-April 16, 2014 Page 5

briefs cont. from page 4

briefs cont. on page 6

Mahyar Asher Eghbali, Setareh Eghbali, Omid Semino, Mahsa Eghbali and Soheil Zarabi

Just 5 donates money to those in needJust 5 is an organization started in November 2013 that donates money to individuals,

couples, and families facing financial hardships.

“Just 5 is turning our pocket change into real change,” President Mahyar Asher Eghbali

said.

Eghbali and his Board of Directors, Omid Semino, Soheil Zarabi, Setareh Eghbali,

Mushkie Peer, and Mahsa Eghbali, wanted to help their community but realized that their

efforts would be greater by involving others. The organization’s name comes from the idea

that members can help out the most by donating just $5 a month.

“If [we] wanted to [donate] alone to people, [we] wouldn’t be able to do it,” Mahsa

Eghbali said. “But if the community were to join together then it would be possible.”

The first donation was to Pico Glatt Mart to open up an account for needy families and

individuals who can’t afford to purchase groceries. In December and January, donations

were given to a family who were evicted from their home due to financial difficulties.

“All processing fees for credit cards [are] out of our pocket so all of [the $5 that people

donate] goes straight to the people we’re helping,” Mahsa Eghbali said.

The Just 5 team speaks with the potential individuals, couples, and families to see where

they need the money the most, and then personally distributes the donation.

Visit www.j5club.org for more information and to become a member.

David Wolpe