Week in Review: City Council Split, Veterans Memorial Vandalized and Hyperlocal Blogging Comes to Patch

Monday’s City Council meeting saw the first signs of discord among the panel's members, with a discussion on updates to the land use element of West Hollywood's General Plan. Later in the week, the Planning Commission delayed a vote on The Abbey's petition to change its conditional use permit from a restaurant to a nightclub.

In crime news, Recreation Services staffers at Plummer Park were informed that the plaque on the World War II Russian Veterans Memorial had been replaced without the city's authorization just days before Victory in Europe Day. A 31-year-old transient accused of killing two people was tracked to an alley in West Hollywood and arrested Thursday.

Here is a recap of what happened in West Hollywood, as well as some announcements and upcoming events to look forward to. 

Top Stories:

A developed between newly elected Councilman John D'Amico and former mayor John Heilman over the General Plan’s housing component and "mixed use along the boulevard" at the council meeting on Monday. The meeting also saw approval of a $2.6 million bid from Unitronics to build an automated parking garage behind City Hall. 

The recently formed Bicycle Task Force discussed turning Fountain Avenue into a with bike lanes on both sides and car traffic reduced to just a single lane in each direction through West Hollywood at its meeting on Wednesday. Other streets mentioned for east-west bike lanes were Holloway and Norton, while Fairfax and Vista/Gardener were mentioned for north-south bike lanes.

Customers at  will have to wait to dance after the decision whether to change the iconic bar's conditional use permit from a restaurant to a nightclub was tabled by the Planning Commission on Thursday. The iconic bar has already constructed a 265-square-foot dance floor and was awaiting only this final vote before opening it to patrons. Read the play-by-play . 

Zackariah Timothy Lehnen, 31, was arrested in West Hollywood at 1:30 a.m. Thursday in connection with the double homicide of Lucien George Bergez and Erica Escobar, whose bodies were found Tuesday in a home in the 4000 block of Huron Avenue in Culver City. Learn more about the case .

Editor's Picks:

Weho Patch launched Local Voices on Wednesday. WehoTransportation Commissioner Scott Schmidt weighed in on the "Boys Town" debate in his "," standup comic and local resident Jerome Cleary wrote about the city's "," and "adventure expert" Tracy Pattin posted a blog about . Contact Weho Patch editor Danielle Jacoby if you are interested in blogging on the site.

Addressing the nation from the White House Sunday evening, President Obama confirmed that al-Qaida leader in a mansion near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. West Hollywood residents, including Weho Visitors Bureau's , whose late brother Charles was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, shared their thoughts in a for Patch.

A story that stirred up debate on the site was our report of  on April 16 in West Hollywood. Onlookers say officers' attempt to restrain a "delusional" 27-year-old man on Santa Monica Boulevard last month went too far and are calling it an assault. Capt. Kelley Fraser of the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station reports that there is a full investigation under way.

Weho Patch broke news Saturday that the plaque on the World War II Russian Veterans Memorial at Plummer Park had been . At some point, someone affixed a plaque of the same size over the old one that reads: "Eternal memory and glory to those who defeated the Nazism in the World War II." There are no suspects, but an investigation has been launched, said Mayor Pro Tempore Jeffrey Prang.

Mark Your Calendar:

May is in West Hollywood, so look forward to a series of events and programs to honor, entertain and recognize the vibrant and engaged older adult population. This week, it's the Senior Health Fair on May 11 at Plummer Park. This free event will include Tai Chi and yoga, health screenings, information provided by more than 50 community organizations, and a complimentary lunch.

The LA County Supervisorial District Boundary Review Committee, in partnership with Third District Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's office, will host a special meeting about redistricting on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the . "This meeting is vitally important to West Hollywood's representation at the County level, as well as to the city's ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other jurisdictions in our region," said Mayor Pro Tempore Jeffrey Prang. 

2011 Legends of La Cienega begins Thursday. The event, produced annually by Los Angeles' La Cienega Design Quarter, brings together VIP's, tastemakers, and enthusiasts from the worlds of interior design, art, fashion and architecture for two-days of receptions, keynote panel discussions, cocktail parties, book-signings, personal appearances, trunk shows and special exhibitions. The majority of the event programs are free and open to the public. 

Follow West Hollywood Patch on Twitter and Facebook for more updates, tips and news.