Cultural Heritage Commission
Regular MeetingLos Angeles, CA · October 1, 2020
Minutes
Cultural Heritage Commission
Official Minutes
Thursday, October 1, 2020
(VIA TELECONFERENCE)
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION HEREIN ARE REPORTED
IN ACTION FORMAT. THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION RELATED TO EACH ITEM IS
ACCESSIBLE IN AUDIO FORMAT ONLINE AT planning.lacity.org. TO LISTEN TO THE
AUDIO FILE: SELECT “ABOUT”, “COMMISSIONS, BOARDS & HEARINGS”, FILTER BY
“CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION”, LOCATE THE COMMISSION MEETING DATE AND
SELECT THE “AUDIO” BUTTON.
In conformity with the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20 (March 17, 2020) and due to concerns
over COVID19, the Cultural Heritage Commission meeting was conducted telephonically.
Commission President Richard Barron called the regular meeting to order at 10:06 a.m., with
Commission Vice President Gail Kennard and Commissioners Pilar Buelna, Diane Kanner and
Barry Milofsky in attendance.
Also in attendance were Ken Bernstein, Principal City Planner, representing the Director of
Planning; Lambert Giessinger, Preservation Architect, Shannon Ryan, Senior City Planner and
Melissa Jones, City Planning Associate Staff representing the Office of Historic Resources;
Kimberly Huangfu, Deputy City Attorney; James K. Williams, Commission Executive Assistant II;
and Jennifer Edwards, Commission Office Staff.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 1
DIRECTOR’S REPORT AND COMMISSION BUSINESS
Ken Bernstein, Principal City Planner reported the following:
● The Historic Preservation Overlay Zone Program held its 100th virtual HPOZ Board meeting
via Zoom;
● LA City Planning will hold “Planning 101” training meetings for residents, Neighborhood
Councils and other community-based organizations. There will be three sessions scheduled
for the month of October covering the steps of development review, beginning with submission
of a project through the approval of a building permit. In November there will be another three
sessions on Community Planning. The signup for these meetings can be found on the LA City
Planning website;
● The National Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its “Past Forward Conference” on
October 27th through the 30th. It will be held online; and
● The Planned Land Use and Management Committee approved the Historic Monument
nomination for the Sycamore Bungalow Court.
Old Business
● Review and Advisory Concurrence of Proposed Historic-Cultural Monument Plaque Artwork.
There was no artwork.
Meeting Minutes October 1, 2020
Cultural Heritage Commission
New Business
● Commissioner Barron requested to create a subcommittee made up of Commissioner Kanner
and Commissioner Milofsky to review a previously declined application for the Fairfax Theater
Building.
● Advance Calendar - There were no changes to the advance calendar.
● Commission Announcements/Requests - There were no announcements or requests.
● Minutes of Meetings - January 16, 2020; February 6, 2020; February 20, 2020; and
March 5, 2020
Commissioner Kanner moved to adopt the minutes of January 16, 2020; February 6, 2020;
February 20, 2020; and March 5, 2020. Commissioner Kennard seconded the motion and the
vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Kanner
Seconded: Kennard
Ayes: Barron, Buelna, Milofsky
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 2
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
The Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council presented.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 3
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
No one addressed the Commission.
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Cultural Heritage Commission
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 4
PROPOSED MONUMENT: PLEASANCE HOUSE
CHC-2020-3288-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-3289-CE Council District: 13 – O’Farrell
Plan Area: Silver Lake – Echo Park – Elysian Valley
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1336 – 1342 North Sutherland Street
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Evanne St. Charles,
Architectural Resources Group, Preparer representing Jason and Caitlin Slack, Owners
Commissioner Milofsky put forth the actions below and moved to include Pleasance House in the
list of Historic-Cultural Monuments.
1. Determine that the proposed designation is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 and Article
19, Section 15331, Class 31 of the State CEQA Guidelines;
2. Determine that the property conforms with the definition of a Monument pursuant to LAAC
Section 22.171.7;
3. Recommend that the City Council consider and declare the subject property a Historic-
Cultural Monument; and
4. Adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
Commissioner Barron seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Milfosky
Seconded: Barron
Ayes: Buelna, Kanner, Kennard
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 5
PROPOSED MONUMENT: AVENEL COOPERATIVE HOUSING PROJECT
CHC-2020-3767-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-3768-CE Council District: 4 - Raman
Plan Area: Hollywood
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2841 – 2849 North Avenel Street
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Cultural Heritage Commission
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Nels Youngborg, and
Alvin Nuval, Chattel Inc. representing Julia Meltzer, HOA Board President, Avenel Condominium
Association, Owner
Commissioner Kennard put forth the actions below and moved to include Avenel Cooperative
Housing Project in the list of Historic-Cultural Monuments.
1. Determine that the proposed designation is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 and Article
19, Section 15331, Class 31 of the State CEQA Guidelines;
2. Determine that the property conforms with the definition of a Monument pursuant to LAAC
Section 22.171.7;
3. Recommend that the City Council consider and declare the subject property a Historic-
Cultural Monument; and
4. Adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
Commissioner Buelna seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Kennard
Seconded: Buelna
Ayes: Barron, Kanner, Milofsky
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 6
PROPOSED MONUMENT: CENTRO DE ARTE PÚBLICO
CHC-2020-5209-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5210-CE Council District: 1 – Cedillo
Plan Area: Northeast Los Angeles
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 5606 – 5607 North Figueroa Street
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Alexandra Madsen,
Highland Park Heritage Trust, Applicant representing Huntington Group LLC c/o William R.
Vasquez, Owner; and Bill Cody, Field Deputy representing Council District 1
Commissioner Buelna moved to take the proposed designation of the Centro De Arte Público
under consideration; and adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
Commissioner Milofsky seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
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Cultural Heritage Commission
Moved: Buelna
Seconded: Milofsky
Ayes: Barron, Kanner, Kennard
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 7
PROPOSED MONUMENT: MECHICANO ART CENTER
CHC-2020-5211-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5213-CE Council District: 1 – Cedillo
Plan Area: Northeast Los Angeles
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 5337 – 5341 North Figueroa Street; 110 North Avenue 54
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Alexandra Madsen,
Highland Park Heritage Trust, Applicant representing Orlando Cetina Sr. and Martha Cetina,
Owners; Bill Cody, Field Deputy representing Council District 1
Commissioner Kanner moved to take the proposed designation of Mechicano Art Center under
consideration; and adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
Commissioner Barron seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Kanner
Seconded: Barron
Ayes: Buelna, Kennard, Milofsky
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
Commissioner Barron recessed the meeting at 11:51 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:58
a.m. with all Commissioners in attendance.
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Cultural Heritage Commission
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 8
PROPOSED MONUMENT: HOWARD HUGHES HEADQUARTERS
CHC-2020-5220-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5221-CE Council District: 4 – Raman
Plan Area: Hollywood
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 7000 West Romaine Street;
930 – 956 North Sycamore Avenue;
931 – 953 North Orange Drive
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Mary Ringhoff,
Architectural Resources Group, Preparer; Steven Luftman and Margot Gerber, Art Deco Society
of Los Angeles, Applicant; Lauren Chang, Sheppard Mullin LLP, representing 7000 Romaine
Holdings LLC, c/o David M. Bass, Owner
Commissioner Milofsky moved to take the proposed designation of Howard Hughes Headquarters
under consideration; and adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
Commissioner Kanner seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Milofsky
Seconded: Kanner
Ayes: Barron, Buelna, Kennard
Vote: 5–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 9
PROPOSED MONUMENT: LEONE’S CASTLE
CHC-2020-5215-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5216-CE Council District: 15 – Buscaino
Plan Area: San Pedro
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1055 – 1059 South Walker Avenue
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lambert Giessinger, Architect representing the Office of Historic Resources; Jenna Snow,
Preparer representing Joanne I. Adler, Trustee, Adler Trust, Owner
Commissioner Kennard moved to take the proposed designation of Leone’s Castle under
consideration; and adopt the staff report findings as the findings of the Commission.
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Agenda
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 AFTER 10:00 A.M.
(via TELECONFERENCE)
Meeting presentations will be made available here (https://tinyurl.com/CHC10-01-20) by Sept. 28, 2020.
Compliant Day-of-Meeting Submissions will be added to this drive as they are received.
Richard Barron, President Vincent P. Bertoni, AICP, Director
Gail Kennard, Vice President Kevin J. Keller, AICP, Executive Officer
Pilar Buelna, Commissioner Shana M. M. Bonstin, Deputy Director
Diane Kanner, Commissioner Arthi L. Varma, AICP, Deputy Director
Barry Milofsky, Commissioner Lisa M. Webber, AICP, Deputy Director
James K. Williams, Commission Executive Assistant II
(213) 978-1295
chc@lacity.org
In conformity with the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20 (March 17, 2020) and due to concerns over COVID-19, this
meeting will be conducted entirely telephonically.
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION MEETINGS CAN BE LISTENED TO BY DIALING (213) 621-2489 OR (818) 904-9450.
YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE VIA ZOOM AT:
(https://planning-lacity-org.zoom.us/j/99730453614) AND USE MEETING ID: 997 3045 3614. You may use passcode: 933516.
Members of the public who wish to participate in the meeting and offer public comment to the Cultural Heritage Commission, can
either access the link located above or call 1 (213) 338-8477 or 1 (669) 900-9128 and use Meeting ID No. 997 3045 3614 and then
press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID. You may use passcode: 933516.
Pursuant to the Commission’s operating procedures, the Commission at times must necessarily limit the speaking times of those
presenting testimony on either side of an issue that is designated as a public hearing item. In all instances, however, equal time is
allowed for presentation of pros and cons of matters to be acted upon.
Written submissions are governed by Rule 4.3 of the Cultural Heritage Commission Rules and Operating Procedures which are
posted online at https://planning.lacity.org, by selecting “About”, “Commissioners”, “Cultural Heritage Commission”, and “Operating
Procedures”. However, please see revised submission guidelines below which have been modified in order to accommodate the
conduct of the meeting telephonically.
Initial Submissions, not limited as to volume, must be received by the Commission Secretary no later than by 4:00 p.m. on the
Thursday prior to the week of the Commission meeting. Materials must be emailed to chc@lacity.org. Secondary Submissions in
response to a Staff Recommendation Report or additional comments must be received electronically no later than 24-hours before the
Commission meeting. Submissions shall not exceed ten (10) pages, including exhibits, and must be submitted electronically to
chc@lacity.org. Photographs do not count toward the page limitation. Day of Hearing Submissions within 24 hours of the meeting,
up to and including the day of the meeting are limited to 2 pages plus accompanying photographs and must be submitted
electronically to chc@lacity.org. Submissions that do not comply with these rules will be stamped “File Copy. Non-Complying
Submission.” Non-complying submissions will be placed into the official case file, but they will not be delivered to or considered by
the Commission, and will not be included in the official administrative record for the item at issue.
Requests for reasonable modification or accommodation from individuals with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with
Disabilities Act can be made by contacting the Commission Executive Assistant at (213) 978-1295 or by email at chc@lacity.org no
later than three working days (72 hours) prior to the meeting. For Telecommunication Relay Services for the hearing impaired,
please see the information located on page 5 of this agenda.
If you challenge these agenda items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public
hearing agenized here, or in written correspondence on these matters delivered to this agency at or prior to the public hearing. If you
seek judicial review of any decision of the City pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.5, the petition for writ of
mandate pursuant to that section must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which the City's decision became final
pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6. There may be other time limits which also affect your ability to seek
judicial review.
Agendas and Adopted Minutes are available on line at http://planning.lacity.org, by selecting “About”, “Commissions, Boards &
Hearings”, and filter by “Cultural Heritage Commission”.
For additional information regarding the format of this telephonic public meeting, please visit our website at http://planning.lacity.org
Servicios de traducción al español están disponibles, de ser solicitados con un mínimo de 72 horas de
anticipación, en todas las juntas de la comisión.
1. DIRECTOR’S REPORT AND COMMISSION BUSINESS
• Old Business
- Review and Advisory Concurrence of Proposed Historic-Cultural Monument
Plaque Artwork
• New Business - Creation of Commission Committee to review the new Historic-
Cultural Monument application for the previously-declined nomination of the Fairfax
Theatre Building located at 7901-7909 West Beverly Boulevard, Council District 5.
• Advance Calendar
• Commission Announcements/Requests
• Minutes of Meetings – January 16, 2020; February 6, 2020; February 20, 2020; and
March 5, 2020
2. NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
Presentations by Neighborhood Council representatives on any Neighborhood Council
resolution, or community impact statement filed with the City Clerk, which relates to any
agenda item listed or being considered on this agenda. The Neighborhood Council
representative shall provide the Board or Commission with a copy of the Neighborhood
Council's resolution or community impact statement by email to chc@lacity.org.
3. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
The Commission shall provide an opportunity in open meetings for the public to address
it on non-agenda items, for a cumulative total of up to thirty (30) minutes, on items of
interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission.
Members of the public who wish to participate in the meeting and offer public comment
to the Cultural Heritage Commission, can either access the link located at the top of this
agenda or call 1 (213) 338-8477 and use Meeting ID No. 997 3045 3614 then press #.
Press # again when prompted for participant ID. You may use passcode: 933516.
4. PROPOSED MONUMENT: PLEASANCE HOUSE
CHC-2020-3288-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-3289-CE Council District: 13 – O’Farrell
Plan Area: Silver Lake-Echo Park-Elysian Valley
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1336-1342 North Sutherland Street
REQUESTED ACTIONS:
1. Determine that the proposed designation is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 and
Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31 of the State CEQA Guidelines;
2. Determine whether the property conforms with the definition of a Monument pursuant
to LAAC Section 22.171.7; and
3. Recommend that the City Council consider and declare the subject property a
Historic- Cultural Monument.
Cultural Heritage Commission 2 October 1, 2020
Owners/
Applicants: Jason and Caitlin Slack; Doris F. Simon, Trustee, Doris F. Simon
(AKA D. Flame Simon) Trust Dtd 5-15-2010
Preparers: Katie Horak and Evanne St. Charles, Architectural Resources
Group
5. PROPOSED MONUMENT: AVENEL COOPERATIVE HOUSING PROJECT
CHC-2020-3767-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-3768-CE Council District: 4 – Ryu
Plan Area: Hollywood
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2841-2849 North Avenel Street
REQUESTED ACTIONS:
1. Determine that the proposed designation is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 and
Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31 of the State CEQA Guidelines;
2. Determine whether the property conforms with the definition of a Monument pursuant
to LAAC Section 22.171.7; and
3. Recommend that the City Council consider and declare the subject property a
Historic- Cultural Monument.
Owner/
Applicant: Julia Meltzer, HOA Board President, Avenel Condominium
Association
Preparer: Robert Chattel, Chattel, Incorporated
6. PROPOSED MONUMENT: CENTRO DE ARTE PÚBLICO
CHC-2020-5209-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5210-CE Council District: 1 – Cedillo
Plan Area: Northeast Los Angeles
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 5605-5607 North Figueroa Street
REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Review of Historic-Cultural Monument application, pursuant to Los Angeles
Administrative Code Section 22.171.10, to determine whether to take the proposed
designation of a Monument under consideration.
Owner: Huntington Group LLC c/o William R. Vasquez
Applicant: Alexandra Madsen, Highland Park Heritage Trust
Cultural Heritage Commission 3 October 1, 2020
7. PROPOSED MONUMENT: MECHICANO ART CENTER
CHC-2020-5211-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5213-CE Council District: 1 – Cedillo
Plan Area: Northeast Los Angeles
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 5337-5341 North Figueroa Street;
110 North Avenue 54
REQUESTED ACTION:
Review of Historic-Cultural Monument application, pursuant to Los Angeles
Administrative Code Section 22.171.10, to determine whether to take the proposed
designation of a Monument under consideration.
Owners: Orlando Cetina Sr. and Martha Cetina, Trustees, Cetina Family
Trust
Applicant: Alexandra Madsen, Highland Park Heritage Trust
8. PROPOSED MONUMENT: HOWARD HUGHES HEADQUARTERS
CHC-2020-5220-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5221CE Council District: 4 – Ryu
Plan Area: Hollywood
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 7000 West Romaine Street;
930-956 North Sycamore Avenue;
931-953 North Orange Drive
REQUESTED ACTION:
Review of Historic-Cultural Monument application, pursuant to Los Angeles
Administrative Code Section 22.171.10, to determine whether to take the proposed
designation of a Monument under consideration.
Owner: 7000 Romaine Holdings LLC, c/o David M. Bass
Applicant: Margot Gerber, Art Deco Society of Los Angeles
Preparer: Mary Ringhoff, Architectural Resources Group
9. PROPOSED MONUMENT: LEONE’S CASTLE
CHC-2020-5215-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-5216-CE Council District: 15 – Buscaino
Plan Area: San Pedro
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1055-1059 South Walker Avenue
Cultural Heritage Commission 4 October 1, 2020
REQUESTED ACTION:
Review of Historic-Cultural Monument application, pursuant to Los Angeles
Administrative Code Section 22.171.10, to determine whether to take the proposed
designation of a Monument under consideration.
Owner/
Applicant: Joanne I. Adler, Trustee, Adler Trust
Preparer: Jenna Snow
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission will be held on
Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Notice to Paid Representatives
If you are compensated to monitor, attend, or speak at this meeting, City law may require you to register
as a lobbyist and report your activity. See Los Angeles Municipal Code §§ 48.01 et seq. More information
is available at ethics.lacity.org/lobbying. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at (213)
978-1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org.
Reasonable Accommodations Consistent with Federal and State Law and
California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not
discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to
ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive
listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or other services must be requested three working days (72
hours) prior to the meeting by calling the Planning Commission Executive Assistant at (213) 978-1295 or
by email at chc@lacity.org.
Telecommunication Relay Services
Telephone communication is one of the most important forms of communication in society today. Due to
advancements in technology, telephone devices have evolved with new services and capabilities.
Individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, and individuals with a speech disability are following these
trends and are rapidly migrating to more advanced telecommunications methods, both for peer-to-peer
and third-party telecommunications relay service (TRS) communications.
Telecommunications Relay Service is a telephone service that allows persons with hearing or speech
disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. TRS is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories for local and/or long distance calls. TRS providers - generally
telephone companies - are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal
fund. There is no cost to the TRS user.
What forms of TRS are available? There are several forms of TRS, depending on the particular needs
of the user and the equipment available: TRS includes: Text to Voice TIY-Based TRS; Speech-to-Speech
Relay Service; Shared Non-English Language Relay Service; Captioned Telephone Relay Service;
Cultural Heritage Commission 5 October 1, 2020
Internet Protocol Relay Service; and Video Relay Service. Please visit this site for detail descriptions,
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.
Don't hang up! Some people hang up on TRS calls because they think the CA is a telemarketer. If you
hear, "Hello. This is the relay service... " when you pick up the phone, please don't hang up! You are
about to talk, through a TRS provider, to a person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability.
For more information about FCC programs to promote access to telecommunications services for
people with disabilities, visit the FCC's Disability Rights Office website.
Cultural Heritage Commission 6 October 1, 2020
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