MCA receives City of Los Angeles permit in 2016 to construct People's Paths

The People's Path is a community plan begun more than 50 years ago. Over the years many homeowners and MCA constructed and maintained paths and split rails on the City's parkways (public right-of-way area) along the road, in the lower area of Mandeville Canyon Road.

In 2015 old maps were located. In 2016 MCA presented a master plan to the City of LA to complete the construction of a continuous and unobstructed path from the entrance of the Canyon to the 2700 block. The purpose of the plan isn't only for pedestrians to walk safely but to improve overall Canyon safety & open sight-lines. The walking paths extend the street for wider ingress/egress in event of an emergency for First Responders and emergency vehicles. The wooden split-rail fences are built to collapse, thus allowing a pathway should the street be blocked. They afford pedestrians an invitation to walk safely off the busy street and afford bicyclists safer passage near the asphalt curbs which remain freer of debris with the split rails in place. The People's Paths enhance property values & quality of life, and protect the ambiance of the unique character of Mandeville Canyon.

The City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works approved the master plan and provided MCA with an A Permit and the authority to build upon their City-owned parkways.  MCA works with new and old homeowners to make improvements to the parkway area and can assist with permits per the City-approved People's Path specifications. In some cases MCA will fund and oversee the installation of paths and split rail fencing as funds are available. Contact info@theMCA.org to receive more information.

New homeowners engaged in remodels or new construction are required by the City to construct the paths per an approved design.      

Guidelines For People's Paths

The Diagram Below is Intended to Guide Homeowners in Providing Continuity and Improving Visual and Safe Passage Along Busy Mandeville Canyon Road

• City Property extends anywhere between 18-25 feet from the street curb to your property line.  In most cases, homes north of Westridge have a property setback of 18 feet from the street curb. This is considered a Public Right-Of-Way Area.
  
• City Code mandates that it is the responsibility of each property owner to provide and maintain safe passage for pedestrians in front of their home.  If someone were to get hurt as a result of a homeowner’s failure to comply with this Code, the City and you, the homeowner, could be held liable if an accident were to occur .
• Any improvement on City property (fencing, mailboxes, walls, large plants, etc.) requires the issuance of a revocable permit by the Bureau of Engineering (BOE).
• Maximum height of fencing, walls and gates in the front of your property along the street is 42”.   Any structure over this height requires the owner to obtain a variance permit from BOE.  If you do not obtain a permit, and build on public property anyway, the City has the right to determine what action to take.  That could include issuing a Citation and requiring that you remove your improvements.
• The setback for vehicular gates is a minimum of 18 feet from the curb.

Guidelines for Peoples Paths.pdf