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# Venice Neighborhood Council Names Henderson to Board Amid Spirited ADU and Dining Debates
November 20 2025
Written by Nick Antonicello.
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THE WESTSIDE - Ted Henderson, an unsuccessful candidate for the Venice Neighborhood Council and current member of the Land Use & Planning Committee more commonly known as LUPC, was appointed Tuesday evening to fill the unexpired term of community officer, which was became vacant with the resignation of Christopher Lee.
In a marathon meeting of nearly four hours, a crowd of about 50 or so stakeholders attended the November gathering which was held at the Westminster Elementary School located at 1010 Abbot Kinney, Venice.
All residents of Venice encouraged to attend.
The 21-member board is elected on a bi-annual basis, and they are not financially compensated. Currently, the board had two vacancies with Henderson filling the first and the second should be filled at the December meeting in lieu of the resignation of Steve Bradbury who served as communications officer and webmaster.
President Brian Averill read Bradbury's resignation letter into the record which accused four unnamed board members of slanderous and belittling accusations that caused Bradbury to rethink his commitment to community service.
"In the last couple of months, I have been on the receiving end of slanderous statements, questions about my integrity, condescending schooling on bylaws, rules and regulations, accusations of not being transparent and claims of being misogynistic and racist," in his resignation dated November 3rd.
Bradbury refused to go on the record regarding the identity of these members, and Averill urged the body to end the sniping and personal attacks of fellow members that have become evident and obvious to those in attendance.
For Henderson, who served as a congressional staffer and was selected by the VNC to serve on LUPC, has been a resident of the Venice community for three years.
According to his board application, Henderson called for "consensus with stakeholders and improve Venice's political representation."
Henderson stated that the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, failing city infrastructure and services, as well as irregular law enforcement as key concerns.
Based on the lopsided nature of the vote for Henderson from the four applicants, it seems the VNC could at least agree on his abilities and commitment to stakeholders.
In other board business, the VNC approved collaboration between the Outreach Committee and LUPC. The goal being greater awareness of the goals and objectives of LUPC and how they impact stakeholders moving forward.
The board also approved a request to the VNC for a letter of support for a Venice High School Surfing Squad. Averill, who is strong supporter of the Venice surfing community will be in contact with Councilwoman Traci Park's (CD-11) office for additional support.
Under board discussion and public comment, it was acknowledged that correspondence and communication with LAUSD and board member Nick Melvoin's (District 4) would make the most sense to build permanent and lasting support for a surfing team.
A slew of LUPC motions were heard with several ADU approvals being rejected.
An ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family lot, such as a [basement apartment](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8994b4a378b58ce1&sxsrf=AE3TifNOsVpNUKUVt7gKmz3w6IZWJtWY0Q%3A1763542037609&q=basement+apartment&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjf3cqF6v2QAxVuJ0QIHZmKHqwQxccNegQIFRAC&mstk=AUtExfCZePeRr2BabGYg2vvCRl26uItzbT3jYDJuEZf9w1sWaiJ07AeT9rZU3fiEVxzgFLkN3SPlGmvPUNi9PLJ4FqIwYkg7Y7Ioep5so53ozF7o3dAQ3cLHyA1VIG90roDMUXFgafSuTgYUlQ37SjxP_VbHzcU6kHEVjeeSoE1QjAOQ0b_IeqkvfXFfK3tWZoofq7aXw98QaGTkhgTpa7RyPfQEWsYaxE-MepDlKjSbW5oxkhMPm64z_szKoSb6wa4qjRdPweTBS4iPK7_wPXE8E_U1&csui=3), [converted garage](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8994b4a378b58ce1&sxsrf=AE3TifNOsVpNUKUVt7gKmz3w6IZWJtWY0Q%3A1763542037609&q=converted+garage&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjf3cqF6v2QAxVuJ0QIHZmKHqwQxccNegQIFRAD&mstk=AUtExfCZePeRr2BabGYg2vvCRl26uItzbT3jYDJuEZf9w1sWaiJ07AeT9rZU3fiEVxzgFLkN3SPlGmvPUNi9PLJ4FqIwYkg7Y7Ioep5so53ozF7o3dAQ3cLHyA1VIG90roDMUXFgafSuTgYUlQ37SjxP_VbHzcU6kHEVjeeSoE1QjAOQ0b_IeqkvfXFfK3tWZoofq7aXw98QaGTkhgTpa7RyPfQEWsYaxE-MepDlKjSbW5oxkhMPm64z_szKoSb6wa4qjRdPweTBS4iPK7_wPXE8E_U1&csui=3), or a [detached backyard cottage](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8994b4a378b58ce1&sxsrf=AE3TifNOsVpNUKUVt7gKmz3w6IZWJtWY0Q%3A1763542037609&q=detached+backyard+cottage&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjf3cqF6v2QAxVuJ0QIHZmKHqwQxccNegQIFRAE&mstk=AUtExfCZePeRr2BabGYg2vvCRl26uItzbT3jYDJuEZf9w1sWaiJ07AeT9rZU3fiEVxzgFLkN3SPlGmvPUNi9PLJ4FqIwYkg7Y7Ioep5so53ozF7o3dAQ3cLHyA1VIG90roDMUXFgafSuTgYUlQ37SjxP_VbHzcU6kHEVjeeSoE1QjAOQ0b_IeqkvfXFfK3tWZoofq7aXw98QaGTkhgTpa7RyPfQEWsYaxE-MepDlKjSbW5oxkhMPm64z_szKoSb6wa4qjRdPweTBS4iPK7_wPXE8E_U1&csui=3). They are a flexible and often more affordable option for homeowners, used for rental income, multigenerational living, or guest housing, and can increase property value.
Calls for affordable ADU accommodations were discussed as well as the number of Al Fresco requests coming before LUPC for approval from various restaurants and eateries.
In culinary contexts, eating "al fresco" refers to dining outdoors, whether on patios, terraces, gardens, or sidewalk cafés which is extremely popular in Venice, especially at the beach. One LUPC application that came with contention was 635 San Juan Avenue that was met with community opposition despite 6-unit multi-residential apartments and three affordable units and three ADU's.
Accusations that members of LUPC were "rude" and not listening to the community were bantered about as both Averill and LUPC Chair Mark Mack apologized to those in attendance were offended or insulted in anyway.
A petition engineered by Community Officer Clark Brown regarding the proliferation of RVs along Washington Blvd did not get heard and is expected to be considered under new business for the December meeting which is expected to be a ZOOM only event.
The meeting closed with a short presentation by Sean Silva, the Venice Deputy for Councilwoman Traci Park .
For more information, visit the VNC online at [www.venicenc.org](http://www.venicenc.org)
*(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-two-year resident of the neighborhood who exclusively covers the deliberations of the Venice Neighborhood Council. Nick is a regular contributor to CityWatchLA.com. Have a take or tip all things Venice? Contact him via e-mail at )*
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