OFFICE OF HISTORIC RESOURCES City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 620, Los Angeles, CA 90012 April 12, 2010 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: HPOZ Boards, HPOZ Alliance, Certified Neighborhood Councils & Interested Parties Ken Bernstein, AICP, Office of Historic Resources Update on Completion of HPOZ Preservation Plans In January, the Department of City Planning sought input from the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Boards, the HPOZ Alliance, Certified Neighborhood Councils, and other key community stakeholders on a new proposed initiative to complete Preservation Plans for all HPOZs that do not currently have an adopted Plan. Because the current City budget crisis is resulting in more than a 40% decrease in the Department of City Planning s staff capacity, the continued success and growth of the HPOZ program requires that we work together to identify opportunities to streamline our HPOZ review. We greatly appreciate the time that many of you took to review the proposal and to provide substantive input. Department staff has reviewed these comments carefully and, based on this input, has significantly revised the recommendations for the Preservation Plans Exemptions and Delegations (minor work that is either exempt from review altogether or delegated for review to Planning staff), as described on pp. 5-9 below. The changes from the January draft are shown in underline/strikeout form. Department staff will work with the HPOZ Boards to take forward for approval this fall by the City Planning Commission all of the 17 remaining Preservation Plans, for all HPOZs that wish to pursue Plan adoption at this time. Each Board will have a three-month period, ending on August 1, to craft tailored design guidelines, based upon a citywide Preservation Plan template, to guide future project review. In order to ensure greater citywide consistency among the Preservation Plans and the needed gains in efficiency, it is essential that all new Plans provide the same level of Exemptions and Delegations. The HPOZ Boards will continue to review all Certificate of Appropriateness cases, as well as all Conforming Work requests that may lead to a discernable change in a historic structure. The Boards will continue to provide their neighborhood-based perspective and preservation expertise in the review process. Planning staff will be able to provide expeditious review for those proposals that are clearly in conformance with the HPOZ s design guidelines, as developed by the Boards. The Department invites you to join us for a citywide public workshop on Monday, May 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., to kick off the Preservation Plan adoption process, to explain the proposed Exemptions and Delegations, and to review the new template for Preservation Plan Design Guidelines. The workshop will be held at the Hollywood Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1711 N. Van Ness Ave (at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd., just east of the 101 Freeway). Limited free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the church and on the surrounding streets; carpooling or public transit use is encouraged (the church is five blocks west of the Hollywood/Western Red Line station).
Benefits of the Proposal Delegating review of minor projects that comply with the design guidelines to Department staff substantially reduces the required staff time spent on projects that constitute positive restoration work. Based on the Department s experience with several existing HPOZ Preservation Plans, delegation of review has resulted in considerable time savings and has provided a key incentive to convince homeowners to execute projects that clearly conform to the guidelines. Homeowners can receive approval for restoration and minor work almost immediately; whereas projects that may change a home s historic appearance would require a lengthier review process. Most large cities preservation commissions have elected to delegate certain cases involving minor work to staff for review, while referring larger cases to its preservation commission for review. The proposed streamlining plan is completely consistent with this practice from around the nation: the 25 HPOZ Boards (our city s equivalent to a single preservation commission) would still review all proposals that could have a visible impact on historic properties and historic districts. The HPOZ Boards will continue to review most cases on which they have traditionally provided substantive input, including many categories of Conforming Work cases. Staff analyzed 313 Conforming Work applications during 2009; more than a third of these cases (121 of 313 cases) would still have gone before an HPOZ Board for decision under this proposal. Department staff gave careful consideration to an alternative proposal by some stakeholders that sought to achieve savings in staff time by withdrawing Planning staff from most HPOZ Board meetings. However, the Department believes that this alternative would not result in the needed efficiency gains and would significantly undercut the productive partnership between City government and the HPOZ Boards. As a policy matter, the City should be conveying to applicants, residents and property owners that the HPOZ program is an official, City-sanctioned process, not a neighborhood association acting on its own. The Preservation Plans provide other important benefits to the administration of the City s HPOZ program. The Plans are crucial to providing greater certainty for applicants, offering clarity about the HPOZ process to neighborhood residents, and providing stronger, more focused protection to each neighborhood s unique historic resources. However, in recognition of objections raised by some HPOZ stakeholders, an existing HPOZ Board will have the option of voting not to pursue a Preservation Plan that incorporates the consistent Exemptions and Delegations. The adoption of these Plans would be deferred for an indefinite period, until staff becomes available to process their adoption. Preservation Plan Approval Process Following the May 3 public workshop, the Department will begin working with the HPOZ Boards and other stakeholders to complete all 17 remaining Preservation Plans by this fall. To achieve some economies of scale during this difficult time, all of the Plans would be considered for approval together by the City Planning Commission. The eight HPOZs that already have adopted Preservation Plans would not currently be required to create a new Plan with the new template for Exemptions and Delegations; these HPOZs may keep their existing Plan, if they so choose.
An HPOZ Board may also choose not to participate in the Preservation Plan adoption process, by adopting a formal resolution of the HPOZ Board declining to participate. The Board s resolution should not occur until after the May 3 rd citywide workshop, and must follow a public hearing at an HPOZ Board Meeting. Adequate notice and outreach on this decision must be provided to the HPOZ s residents and property owners, who may wish to comment on whether to proceed with a Preservation Plan at this time. Each HPOZ Board will have an opportunity to tailor the design guidelines of the Plan to be responsive to the architectural styles, neighborhood character, and community priorities in your HPOZ. The Boards will start with an updated template for Preservation Plans design guidelines, based on the Preservation Plan Workbook that has been used by the Department and HPOZ Boards for several years. The Boards revisions to the Preservation Plan design guidelines will be due no later than August 1. Staff planners will then finalize the Preservation Plans, prepare the required staff reports, organize public workshops and hearings, and bring the Plans to the Cultural Heritage Commission for review and comment and to the City Planning Commission for adoption. Following adoption of the Plans, the Department plans to conduct a systematic review of the newly adopted plans in 2012, to make any necessary changes to the Exemptions and Delegations based on experience with implementation. The Department would also put into place new policies for communication between staff and HPOZ Boards so that Board members would remain aware of all cases within their HPOZ. Status of Proposed HPOZs The adoption of these new Preservation Plans will be crucial to freeing up the staff capacity necessary to allow for future growth of the HPOZ program. Currently, eight proposed HPOZs (Windsor Village, Country Club Park, Garvanza, Hollywood Grove, 27 th /28 th St., Tifal Brothers 52 nd Place, Vermont Square, and Jefferson Park) have completed historic resources surveys and have been stalled since last year, awaiting staffing to process their adoption. As discussed with the HPOZ Boards and the HPOZ Alliance, the Department will be asking proposed HPOZs, wherever feasible, to combine with existing HPOZs to avoid creating an additional Board that will require separate staffing. The Department is currently prepared to process the three proposed HPOZs Windsor Village, Country Club Park, and Garvanza that have had Interim Control Ordinances for nearly three years and that cannot be extended again past this October. Windsor Village and Country Club Park are already working closely with the existing Wilshire Park HPOZ in laying the groundwork for a single HPOZ Board and Preservation Plan. Garvanza would become an expansion of the existing Highland Park HPOZ. The Department does not presently have the staff capacity to process the other five remaining proposed HPOZs. Approval of these proposed districts will likely be contingent upon the approval of significant streamlining measures through the adoption of the new Preservation Plans this fall. The Department greatly appreciates the patience of these proposed HPOZ neighborhoods, and intends to take every step possible to allow for the consideration of these districts adoptions as expeditiously as possible.
Conclusion The Department of City Planning greatly values our successful partnership with the HPOZ Boards and HPOZ neighborhoods of the City. We do not want to see our important HPOZ program become another victim of the fiscal crisis. We therefore look forward to working with the HPOZ community on this new partnership to help the HPOZs move forward with long-delayed Preservation Plans, and to do so in a way that will enable the HPOZ program to grow and sustain itself into the future.
Chapter 3 Function of the Plan 3.1 ROLE OF THE PRESERVATION PLAN This Preservation Plan is a City Planning Commission approved document which governs the [name of HPOZ] Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ). The plan, through its design guidelines, as well as its goals and objectives, aims to create a clear and predictable set of expectations as to the design and review of proposed projects within the district. This plan has been prepared specifically for this HPOZ to clarify and elaborate upon the review criteria established under the HPOZ Ordinance. The [name of HPOZ] Preservation Plan serves as an implementation tool of the [name] Community Plan (a part of the land use element of the City s General Plan). HPOZs are one of many types of overlay districts, policies, and programs that serve to advance the goals and objectives of the Community Plan. The [name of HPOZ] Preservation Plan outlines design guidelines for the rehabilitation and restoration of single and multiple-family residential structures, commercial structures, the public realm including streets, parks, street trees, and other types of development within the HPOZ. The Preservation Plan is to be made available to property owners and residents within the [name of HPOZ] HPOZ, and shall be reviewed by the Board every two years. The [name of HPOZ] HPOZ Board makes recommendations and decisions based on this document. The Department of City Planning uses this document as the basis for its determinations. The [name of HPOZ] Preservation Plan articulates the community s vision and goals regarding the HPOZ by setting clear guidelines for the development of properties within the district. The [name of HPOZ] Preservation Plan will be used by the Historic Preservation Board when reviewing projects. It will serve as a resource for property owners planning repairs or alterations, as an educational tool for both existing and potential property owners, residents, and investors, and will also be used by the general public to learn more about the City of Los Angeles and its unique neighborhoods. All proposed work within the district is review by the HPOZ Board, unless exempted from review, or the authority to review has been delegated to the Director of Planning. The HPOZ Board reviews each application against the applicable criteria and guidelines within this document. 3.2 ORGANIZATION OF THE PRESERVATION PLAN Each Preservation Plan is required to contain seven elements: The Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives, Function of the Plan, the Context Statement, the Historic Resources Survey, Design Guidelines, and the Preservation incentives/adaptive reuse policies located in the Appendix. The Angelino Heights Preservation Plan contains two parts. Part I contains five chapters: The Mission Statement establishes the community s vision for their Preservation Plan. The Goals and Objectives chapter states the Goals to accomplish and offers specific programs or actions (Objectives) as the means to accomplish these Goals. The Function of the Plan reviews the role, organization, and process of the Preservation Plan. The Context Statement briefly outlines the history and significance of the community s development. The
Historic Resources Survey identifies all Contributing and Non-Contributing structures and includes Contributing landscaping, natural features and sites, and vacant lots. The Historic Resources Survey also serves as the starting point for the Architectural Style pages and the Rehabilitation and Infill Guidelines found within this Preservation Plan. Part II is the Design Guidelines which contains five chapters: Design Guideline Overview, Architectural Styles, Residential Design Guidelines, Commercial Design Guidelines, and Public Realm. The Architectural Styles pages provide an overview of the predominant architectural styles present within Angelino Heights. The Residential and Commercial Design Guidelines for Rehabilitation/Infill identify the detailed character defining elements of the various architectural styles, and the Public Realm chapter provides preservation guidelines for public spaces within the HPOZ district. The Architectural Style pages are intended to work together with the applicable chapters of the Residential and Commercial Design Guidelines, as well as the Public Realm chapter. An appendix of other useful information is found at the back of this Plan. This appendix includes a compilation of preservation incentives and adaptive reuse policies, process charts, and the HPOZ Ordinance. 3.3 EXEMPTIONS As instructed by the City Planning Commission, and City Council (notwithstanding LAMC 12.20.3 to the contrary), the following types of work are exempt from HPOZ review in the [HPOZ Name] (unless the work is located in the public right-of-way). a. Interior alterations that do not result in a change to an exterior feature; b. The correction of Emergency or Hazardous conditions where a City enforcement agency has determined that such conditions currently exist and they must be corrected in the interest of public health, safety and welfare. When feasible, the City agencies should consult with the Planning Department on how to correct the hazardous conditions consistent with the Preservation Plan; (exemption already provided under HPOZ Ordinance); c. Department of Public Works improvements where the Director finds that a) The certified Historic Resources Survey for the Preservation Zone does not identify any Contributing Elements located within the Right-of-Way and/or where the Right-of-Way is not specifically addressed in the Preservation Plan; and b) Where the Department of Public Works has completed a CEQA review of the proposed improvement and the review has determined that the work is exempt from CEQA, or will have no potentially significant environmental impacts (the HPOZ Board shall be notified of such Projects, given a Project description and an opportunity to comment); (exemption already provided under HPOZ Ordinance); d. Alterations to City Historic-Cultural Monuments and properties under an approved Historical Property (Mills Act) Contract; (exemption already provided under HPOZ Ordinance); e. Work specifically authorized by a Historical Property Contract approved by the City Council;
f. Rear yard (non-corner lots only) landscape/hardscape work that is not visible from the street and that does not involve the removal of any tree or feature identified in the historic resources survey; g. Planting and maintenance of existing plantings in front and side yards, not including: new hardscape; installation of artificial turf; fences; hedges; planting of new trees; or removal/trimming of any tree or feature identified in the historic resources survey; h. Installation or repair of fences, walls, and hedges in the rear and side yards (non corner-lots only) that do not require a Zoning Administrator s approval for height or location; (Moved to Delegations) i. Installation or repair of in-ground swimming pools located in the rear yard not visible from the street; j. Rear yard grading and earth work on Non-Hillside lots as determined by the LAMC; k. Installation and expansion of rear patios or decks that are not visible from the street, that are no higher than five feet above finish grade (including railings), not including balconies, roof structures, trellises, gazebos or other similar structures; l. Installation, replacement or repair of HVAC equipment that is not visible from the street; m. Installation or repair of solar collectors, skylights, antennas, satellite dishes and broadband internet systems on rear-facing facades/roof surfaces or garage roofs; (Moved to Delegations) n. Installation of lighting devices on facades that are not visible from the street; o. Exterior painting with no change from previously approved existing paint colors; p. Maintenance and repair of existing foundations with no physical change to the exterior; q. Removal of non-historic security grilles and/or gates that were installed outside of the Period of Significance; r. Removal of non-historic fences that were installed outside of the Period of Significance. s. Alterations to façade openings, such as new doors or windows, to facades that are not visible from the street; (Moved to Delegations) t. Installation of window security bars or grills, located on facades that are not visible from the street; (Moved to Delegations) u. Repair or replacement of gutters and downspouts. (Moved to Delegations)
3.4 DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING In the [HPOZ Name] HPOZ, the review of the following types of work is delegated to the Director of Planning and therefore shall not require review by the HPOZ Board but the HPOZ Board shall receive a notice of the Director of Planning s action or decision. The Director of Planning shall utilize the Design Guidelines contained within this Preservation Plan to determine whether the proposed project may be found to be Conforming Work. Projects that do not comply with the Design Guidelines shall be brought before the HPOZ Board for review and consideration, either as Conforming Work or as requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Compatibility. a. Minor front and side yard landscaping projects including: installation of artificial turf; trimming of trees identified in the historic resources survey; installation of new hardscape (originally included in error) installation of new trees. and excluding Minor front and side yard landscaping does not include new fences, walls or hedges; b. In-kind hardscape replacement within the front yard (driveway, walkways, etc) that does not expand the hardscape footprint; c. Exterior painting involving new paint colors and not including paint applied to previously unpainted surfaces such as stone, masonry or stained wood; d. In-kind replacement of damaged historic features, which does not result in a change in material, design or outward appearance; e. Ordinary maintenance and repair to correct deterioration or decay that does not involve a change in the existing design, materials or exterior paint color; f. Restoration and/or reconstruction of historic features based wholly on historic documentation (plans, photographs); g. Removal of non-historic materials when underlying historic materials can be repaired or replaced in-kind; h. Installation of screen doors or windows that do not obscure the actual door or window; Installation of a historically appropriate wooden storm or screen window or doors that does not obscure the actual window or door; i. Replacement of non-original windows with windows that match the originals, when examples of original windows still exist on the structure; j. Construction or installation of ramps, railings, lifts, etc., on any non-visible elevation of a building intended to allow for accessibility; k. Any alterations to a structure that is identified as Non-Contributing in the Historic Resources Survey, not including additions, new construction, relocation or demolition; l. Additions of less than 250 square feet to any Contributing building or structure, where the addition does not break the side-planes or roofline of the existing structure, is contained
completely within the rear yard and is not visible from the street where the addition is not located within the front yard or street-side yard and no increase in height is proposed; m. Additions to Non-Contributing structures that increase the square footage by less than 30% of the existing square footage (as determined by LADBS) when the addition does not affect the front façade of the structure and is not visible from the public street; n. In-kind replacement of roof materials installation of historically compatible roofing material that meets the design guidelines (in the Roof section) that does not result in the removal of any historical material such as wood eaves, fascia, etc; o. Alterations to façade openings, such as new doors or windows, to facades that are not visible from the street (Moved from Exemptions); p. Installation or repair of fences, walls, and hedges in the rear and side yards that are not visible from the street (non corner-lots only) and that do not require a Zoning Administrator s approval for height or location; q. Installation or repair of solar collectors, skylights, antennas, satellite dishes and broadband internet systems on rear-facing facades/roof surfaces or garage roofs that are not visible from the street (Moved from Exemptions); r. Installation of window security bars or grills, located on facades that are not visible from the street (Moved from Exemptions); s. Repair or replacement of gutters and downspouts (Moved from Exemptions). All questions of visibility are to be determined by Department of City Planning staff. For the purposes of these Plans, visibility includes all portions of the front and side elevations that are visible from the adjacent street or sidewalk or that would be visible but are currently obscured by landscaping. It also includes undeveloped portions of a lot where new construction or additions would be visible from the adjacent street or sidewalk, such as the street-side side yard on a corner lot and the front yard. Finally, construction or additions to areas that are not currently visible but that will become visible following the construction or addition will be considered visible and reviewed accordingly. A street visible façade excludes those portions of the side elevations that are not visible from the adjacent street or sidewalk and all rear elevations. A street visible façade may also include side and rear facades that are generally visible from a non-adjacent street due to steep topography, or second stories that are visible over adjacent one story structures, etc. Projects requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness or Compatibility shall not have any part of their applications be exempt or delegated. The Department of City Planning retains the authority to refer any delegated project to the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Board for a recommendation.