Cultural Heritage Commission
Regular MeetingLos Angeles, CA · August 5, 2021
Minutes
Cultural Heritage Commission
Official Minutes
Thursday, August 5, 2021
(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 Vice President Gail Kennard called the regular meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. with
Commissioners Richard Barron, Pilar Buelna, and Diane Kanner in attendance. Commissioner
Barry Milofsky was absent.
Also in attendance were Ken Bernstein, Principal City Planner, representing the Director of
Planning; Lambert Giessinger, Preservation Architect; Melissa Jones, City Planning Associate
representing the Office of Historic Resources; Lucy Atwood, Deputy City Attorney; James K.
Williams, Commission Executive Assistant II; and Denise Otero, Commission Office Staff
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 1
DIRECTOR’S REPORT AND COMMISSION BUSINESS
Ken Bernstein, Principal City Planner reported the following:
● The Planning and Land Use Management Committee has continued its consideration of
the Historic- Cultural Monument nomination for the Mechicano Art Center in Highland Park
to a future date;
● Other nominations pending City Council consideration are for the Studio City Golf and
Tennis, the Magnolia Boulevard Oak Trees, Point Fermin Light Station, the Dolores Del Rio
Residence, and Bothwell Ranch;
● There is a notable change in Mayor Eric Garcetti’s team. Deputy Mayor Billy Chun has
departed his position and the Mayor has selected the Planning Department’s Executive
Officer, Kevin Keller, as the new Deputy Mayor of Economic Development; and
● The Office of Historic Resources is again receiving a Certified Local Government grant from
the State Office of Historic Preservation. This year’s grant is in the amount of $40,000
and it will support the development of a mobile device and web- friendly public engagement
program to enhance access to Historic Places LA. As part of the grant we were able to
put forth a proposal to develop a pilot program to develop options for pursuing digital markers
in public space that would include the use of QR c odes, potentially linked to new
technologies such as augmented reality to help better interpret and showcase sites of social
and cultural significance.
Old Business
● Review and Advisory Concurrence of Proposed Historic-Cultural Monument Plaque Artwork.
Meeting Minutes August 5, 2021
Cultural Heritage Commission
There was no p laque a rtwork.
New Business
● Advance Calendar – Commissioner Buelna plans to be absent from the August 19, 2021
meeting.
● Commission Announcements/Requests – Commissioner Kennard requested that the
Department discuss ways to capture the benefits of virtual meetings in terms of increasing
public participation when we transition to in- person meetings. It would be great for people
who are not able to appear in person to be able to participate in meetings.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 2
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
There were no presentations.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 3
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Several speakers addressed the Commission.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 4
APPOINTMENT OF TONIA M. BYRD AS THE MEMBER-AT-LARGE TO THE LA FAYETTE
SQUARE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE BOARD FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM
FROM AUGUST 5, 2021 TO AUGUST 5, 2025.
Commissioner Kanner moved to appoint Tonia M. Byrd to the La F ayette Square Historic
Preservation Overlay Zone Board for a four-year term. Commissioner Barron seconded the
motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Kanner
Seconded: Barron
Ayes: Buelna, Kennard
Absent: Milofsky
Vote: 4–0
MOTION PASSED
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Meeting Minutes August 5, 2021
Cultural Heritage Commission
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 5
PROPOSED MONUMENT: FAIRFAX THEATER BUILDING
CHC-2021-3836-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2021-3838-CE Council District: 5 – Koretz
Plan Area: Wilshire
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 7901-7909 West Beverly Boulevard
IN ATTENDANCE:
Dale Kendall, Save Beverly Fairfax and Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, Applicant; Steven
Luftman, Preparer ; Bill Delvac, Armbruster, Goldsmith & Delvac LLP representing B and F
Associates, c/o Alex Gorby, Maxser & Co, Owner; Anton Henning, , S[ EVH0EOW%VGLMXIGXW
representing the Owner
Commissioner Kanner put forth the actions below and moved to include the Fairfax Theater
Building 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 an Historic-
Cultural Monument; and
4. Adopt the staff report findings as amended by the Commission.
Commissioner Barron seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Kanner
Seconded: Barron
Ayes: Buelna, Kennard
Absent: Milofsky
Vote: 4–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 6
PROPOSED MONUMENT: NISHIYAMA RESIDENCE/OTOMISAN JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
CHC-2020-6022-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-6023-CE Council District: 14 – de León
Plan Area: Boyle Heights
3
Meeting Minutes August 5, 2021
Cultural Heritage Commission
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2504-2508 East 1st Street
IN ATTENDANCE:
Rosalind Sagara, Los Angeles Conservancy, Presenter and Applicant; Vivian Escalante, Boyle
Heights Community Partners Co-Applicant; Arturo Yoshimoto, representing the Owner; and Judy
Hayashi, representing the Otomisan Japanese Restaurant owner
Commissioner Kanner put forth the actions below and moved to include the Nishiyama
Residence/Otomisan Japanese Restaurant 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 an 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: Kanner
Seconded: Barron
Ayes: Buelna, Kennard
Absent: Milofsky
Vote: 4–0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
The meeting recessed at 11:38 a.m. and reconvened at 11:46 a.m. with Commissioners Kennard,
Barron, Buelna, and Kanner in attendance.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 7
PROPOSED MONUMENT: JOHN VAN PELT ESTATE
CHC-2020-6024-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-6025-CE Council District: 4 – Raman
Plan Area: Hollywood
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2141-2149 North Lyric
IN ATTENDANCE:
Daniel Paul, Applicant
4
Agenda
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 AFTER 10:00 A.M.
(via TELECONFERENCE)
Meeting presentations will be made available here (https://tinyurl.com/CHC8-05-21) by August 2, 2021.
Compliant Day-of-Meeting Submissions will be added to this drive as they are received.
Barry Milofsky, President Vincent P. Bertoni, AICP, Director
Gail Kennard, Vice President Kevin J. Keller, AICP, Executive Officer
Richard Barron, Commissioner Shana M. M. Bonstin, Deputy Director
Pilar Buelna, Commissioner Arthi L. Varma, AICP, Deputy Director
Diane Kanner, 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/84543963634) AND USE MEETING ID: 845 4396 3634. You may use password: 119221.
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. 845 4396 3634 and then
press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID. You may use password: 119221.
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 Executive Assistant 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 online at http://planning.lacity.org, by selecting “About”, “Commissions, Boards &
Hearings”, and filter by “Cultural Heritage Commission”. if you would like to receive a determination letter for any item on today’s
agenda, please email your request to chc@lacity.org. Please include your contact information (email or mailing address) and the
case number associated with the item.
For additional information regarding the format of this telephonic public meeting, please visit our website at http://planning.lacity.org.
Información en Espanol acerca de esta junta puede ser obtenida Ilamando al (213) 978-1300 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
Advance Calendar
Commission Announcements/Requests
2. NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL POSITION STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
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. At the
Chair’s discretion, presentations of Neighborhood Councils on any matter listed on the
agenda for this Commission meeting may be taken at the time the agenda item is taken for
consideration.
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 or 1 (669) 900-9128 and use Meeting ID No. 845 4396
3634 then press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID. You may use
password: 119221.
4. APPOINTMENT OF TONIA M. BYRD AS THE MEMBER-AT-LARGE TO THE
LAFAYETTE SQUARE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE BOARD FOR A
FOUR-YEAR TERM FROM AUGUST 5, 2021 TO AUGUST 5, 2025.
Cultural Heritage Commission 2 August 5, 2021
5. PROPOSED MONUMENT: FAIRFAX THEATER BUILDING
CHC-2021-3836-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2021-3838-CE Council District: 5 – Koretz
Plan Area: Wilshire **Last Day to Act: 8-15-21
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 7901-7909 West Beverly Boulevard
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: B andF Associates, c/o Alex Gorby, Maxser & Co.
Applicant: Dale Kendall, Save Beverly Fairfax and Art Deco Society of
Los Angeles
Preparer: Steven Luftman
6. PROPOSED MONUMENT: NISHIYAMA RESIDENCE/OTOMISAN JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
CHC-2020-6022-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-6023-CE Council District: 14 – de León
Plan Area: Boyle Heights **Last Day to Act: 3-20-21
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2504-2508 East 1st Street
REQUESTED ACTION:
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.
Owners: Leo Hayashi Et al., Trustees, Hayashi Trust and Lea M. Hayashi;
Jeffrey Siegel, The June M. Hayashi Trust;
Arturo Yoshimoto
Applicants: M. Rosalind Sagara, Los Angeles Conservancy and
Vivian Escalante, Boyle Heights Community Partners
Preparers: M. Rosalind Sagara, Los Angeles Conservancy and
Andrea Griego, Boyle Heights Community Partners
Cultural Heritage Commission 3 August 5, 2021
7. PROPOSED MONUMENT: JOHN VAN PELT ESTATE
CHC-2020-6024-HCM
CEQA: ENV-2020-6025-CE Council District: 4 – Raman
Plan Area: Hollywood **Last Day to Act: 3-20-21
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2141-2149 North Lyric
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.
Owners: Phil Sarna, Trustee, 2131-2149 Lyric Ave Real Estate Trust
Applicant: Daniel Paul
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission will be held on
Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
**Pursuant to Mayor Garcetti’s Emergency Order issued on March 21, 2020, which was
subsequently extended on April 17, 2020, the time to act on this item has been tolled for the
duration of the local emergency period. Please note that other State law provisions may also
apply.
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.
Cultural Heritage Commission 4 August 5, 2021
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;
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 5 August 5, 2021
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