Neighborhood Council to Fund Hollywood Sign Traffic Study

A neighborhood council whose area encompasses the Hollywood Sign is moving forward with a step that aims to alleviate gridlock and safety issues brought by tourists seeking the iconic landmark.

The Hollywood United Neighborhood Council passed a motion Monday to approve funding of a Department of Transportation (DOT) consultant who will study safe public access at Lake Hollywood Park, a public area popular among tourists seeking to view the Hollywood Sign.

The neighborhood council has been faced with mounting concerns from Hollywoodland residents who are frustrated by tourists in search of the landmark. Controversial signs that directed tourists to take one particular route up to see it were installed in February, then taken down a few weeks later. Now, tourists tend to travel to upper Beachwood Canyon, causing gridlock traffic.

The council discussed traffic concerns on Beachwood Drive, which has been promoted by websites and tour companies as a key way to see the sign. Seeing-Stars.com notes that there is "no easy way to reach the sign itself" and that "the best way to see the Hollywood sign is to drive up Beachwood Drive. The sign is clearly visible most the way up Beachwood, although the hills begin to obscure the view of the sign near the top of the drive."

Council President Susan Swan said the panel has “sat back for six months” on the issue and members decided to make a move to address the issue.

“We have so many people attempting to get to the park," Swan said. "People want to go up, run, walk dogs. This is a public area at the top of a public street and we want people to be able to get up there safely."

Swan noted some residents argue that because of traffic and other hazards, some cul-de-sacs should be gated that lead up to the sign.

The vote that passed at Monday's meeting will fund a DOT consultant who can ideally determine the best route residents and tourists can take to see the sign, factoring in conditions such as traffic, safety, nearby homes and noise.

Swan said the exact amount needed to fund the consultant has not been determined, but would likely be about $2,300.

City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilman Tom LaBonge have also been  about a rise in tourists viewing the landmark, such as fire hazards and increased traffic. Tuesday night, LaBonge and a representative for Garcetti heard residents vent at a community meeting, and noted they would like to work with neighborood groups to find ways to resolve the issues.

"Overall, we are talking about public parks and public access and groups who are arguing about that," Swan said. "We're here to support the greater stakeholder rights and in this case, the public has the right to use these routes to see the sign. What we can do is help curtail the vehicles going up there and other ways to make it safer, easier for those going there."