1. What are the rules on putting out trash?
Trash is collected on Wednesday throughout Bel-Air. Containers should be put out on the street beyond the curb line after 6 pm Tuesday and brought in by 8 pm Wednesday. Trash should be placed in the appropriate color containers: brush and lawn clippings in the green containers, recyclables such as paper, glass, and plastic in blue containers, and other disposables in the black containers. Each home is supplied with one of each. Additional containers can be ordered from the Department of Sanitation, telephone 1-800-773-2489. Private companies may also be used; they do not use the City-supplied containers.
2. Am I supposed to clean litter in the street by my property?
Yes.
3. What are the rules on hedges and shrubbery near intersections? Shrubbery and other obstructions must be set back from the corner. Be sure that your shrubbery is cut low so that it does not dangerously obstruct the view of motorists.
4. How must foliage be cut back at the curb line?
The height of foliage (trees, for example) at the curb line may not be lower than 11 feet.
5. Can sprinklers discharge or spray water into the street?
No.
6. What are the rules on brush clearance?
Native brush must be cleared within 200 feet of any residence. This includes both your residence, as well as those of neighbors that are closer than 200 ft from your property line. All dead trees, branches, vines and the like, and other inflammable growth must be removed. The Fire Department Brush Clearance Unit, Telephone 1-818-374-1111, inspects property in May and sends notices of noncompliance to residents.
7. Are you actually reading this? Yes, you win a prize.
8. What is Bel-Air Association’s relationship with security companies?
We lease space for a security company to do business in Bel-Air. We recommend that company because we feel that a company whose operations for monitoring, patrol, and dispatch are in Bel-Air is in the best position to offer fastest response in an emergency to our residents. We also expect them to have the greatest knowledge of our community and therefore be able to spot anomalous situations that should be pursued. Of course you are free to secure security services from other companies operating in the area.
9. What is the difference between patrol, monitoring and dispatch?
Patrol refers to the cars that you see going around this neighborhood. They are both a deterrent to crime, and provide for fast response with radio dispatch and an armed patrol officer. Patrol also performs vacation watch and escort service on request at no additional cost. Monitoring is watching the reports from the electronic sensors you have on your windows, doors, etc. They send signals to the central station when you have armed your system and a closure is opened. Dispatch is what happens when a signal is received at the central station and an emergency is determined. A patrol car is notified by radio to go to your home.
10. How many patrol cars do we have in Bel-Air?
We have two vehicles guaranteed 24 hours/day 7 days/week. The security company has additional vehicles you will see because they service other areas in addition to Bel-Air.
11. Who handles installation of new security equipment. and service for existing equipment in my home?
The same security company that does the monitoring is responsible for maintenance and service.
12. What is the process for new construction and renovations to my property?
The process is regulated by such Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions that are part of your deed. The Bel-Air Association administers that process through the efforts of ourArchitectural Review Committee. In addition, you must, of course, conform to all relevant City ordinances.
13. How can I get high-speed Internet connections in Bel-Air?
Adelphia Cable now offers digital TV and Internet access in Bel-Air with their Power Link service. Verizon offers DSL service, though this can also be obtained through third-party providers. Both DirecTV and Starband offer data service also.
14. Which type of high-speed Internet connection service is best?
It is difficult to say. Cable probably offers the highest data rate per dollar, but the delivered rate will vary with the number of active subscribers sharing the cable. DSL operates through your existing telephone line but the data rate decreases with the distance from the central office. It will also depend on the quality of the wires serving your home. For Bel-Air the central office is on Sepulveda near Moraga Drive. But fiber-optic cables also serve the eastern portions of Bel-Air from Beverly Glen Boulevard and the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Bel-Air Road. Satellite service, both data and TV, is also available but the data rate can vary with rain or in high winds. Also the upload speed is much slower than the download speed.
15. What can be done about speeding in Bel-Air?
Drive slowly. This is not intended to be flippant. Realistically, the Los Angeles Police Department is stretched too thin to station traffic officers in Bel-Air to enforce speed limits. Speed humps are of limited utility because the Los Angeles Fire Department is opposed to them on the grounds that they reduce their ability to respond rapidly to fires and medical emergencies. Consequently speed humps have been negotiated down to the point where they serve little more than as a reminder. The striping in the street also helps in this regard. So we all have to do our part, and that is to not drive over the posted speed limits. Part of the problem is contractor and delivery vehicles and, unfortunately, they are unlikely to even see this answer.
16. Regardless, how can we get speed humps on our street?
Speed humps may be requested but the street has to meet certain City criteria. Requests may be made to the Bel-Air Association Office and the Association will forward the request to Councilman Jack Weiss’ deputies, or you may contact the Councilman’s office directly at 818-756-8083.
17. Why do you not have an answer for question X?
Contact us and we will do our best to answer the question.
